Fall 2013 Hardlines Strategies

MARKET PREVIEW

Continued from Page 18

Prepare Leaders for Tomorrow Learn about NRHA’s Retail Management Institute Have you considered how you will prepare the next generation of leader- ship for your store? When you consider all of the challenges facing the home improvement retailing industry today, whether it’s the changing demands of consumers or competitive pressures from big-box retailers, it becomes more and more difficult to know how best to prepare those individuals who may one day lead your business. At the Fall Market, there will be an opportunity for you to learn more about the Retail Management Certification Institute, a program devel- oped by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA). The Institute is designed to help prepare future retail leaders by provid- ing them with the education they need to lead their companies into the future. Developed in conjunction with Butler University’s Graduate School of Business, the Institute consists of a six-month, college-level program for those individuals who may be the next generation of owners. Class themes will include leadership, applied business strategy, marketing, operations, finance and accounting, and application of retail technologies.

Blish-Mize also knows that one of the best ways to dominate the Hand and Power Tool categories is to offer strong, vendor-focused assortments. In fact, according to the 2013 Product Branding study by the North American Retail Hardware Association, Hand and Power Tools are some of the most brand- sensitive categories in home improvement stores today. In the survey, nearly half of all male respondents and nearly a third of female respondents described themselves as loyal to brands in Hand and Power Tools. The Fall Buying Market will help you capitalize on that brand loyalty. A portion of the Mini-Store will have Blish-Mize assortments, allowing you to mix and match brands to fit your needs. However, the store will also have vendor-specific assortments on display for you to consider. In addition to attracting purchases from brand-loyal customers, stocking a complete set of products from a vendor allows you to get the price advantage that often comes with a drop-ship order. Many of the Hand and Power Tool Vendors at the Fall Market will offer deep discounts. As it has been in past years, the Mini- Store will also offer you a firsthand look at other programs and services that can improve your retail operation, whether it’s the totally customizable and economical store signage program from Blish-Mize or a complete POS system to help you improve the efficiency of your business. New at Hardware House Before you leave the Mini-Store, check out the wide range of product categories available from Hardware House, Blish- Mize’s private label product line. At this Market, you have more options from Hardware House to make your cabinet hardware category competitive with anyone in your market. Start by seeing a new display option, which easily adapts into your current gondola. The display puts sample cabinet hardware out where customers can see and touch them. It’s easy to adjust and change as you adjust your program in future years. The cabinet program also includes a new header

To learn more about the program, as well as other employee training opportunities NRHA has to offer, visit the NRHA booth at the Fall Buying Market. Or, contact Scott Wright, vice president of member services, at 317-275-9417 or swright@nrha.org.

22 Fall 2013 • Hardlines Strategies