Fall 2014 Hardlines Strategies

MARKET PREVIEW

website or Facebook or Twitter accounts. AdViewer is tablet- and mobile-friendly so your customers have access to your specials at home or on the go. Another great way to reach your con- sumers online, however, is to add social media to your advertising package. More than likely, you’ve heard of other retailers that have had success with social media. But the biggest challenge you might face is coming up with ideas for what you should be posting on your Facebook or Pinterest account. Now, Blish-Mize has a way to help. Unlike print advertising, which focuses directly on specific products and sale

prices, social media advertising helps generate excitement about your store and keeps you top-of-mind to your consumer, even when there isn’t a sale. After showing you how to get started with your own Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest account, Maude can then help you get started with content. “We will have sample content and graphics each day of the week,” says Maude. “For example, we’ll have some suggestions for quotes and graphics for Motivational Mondays, and tips and cor- responding images for Tuesday Tips and so on, so you have a little something to post each day of the week.” Another great

source of content, she says, is the events and activities happening around your store. There will be information about each of the main social media platforms avail- able at the booth. If you’re interested in creating a social media page for your store and would like some help from Blish-Mize staff, sign up at the booth so someone can follow up with you after the Market. “We’ll help retailers get set up with pag- es and images that can go on those pages, and we’ll have information about social media policies and some tips on running a social media account that helps retailers really interact online with their customers,” Maude says.

Featured Vendors at the Market • Arrow Storage Sheds —This new vendor will be introduced at the Fall Market, and Blish-Mize will offer a warehouse and direct shipment program on its products, which include four sheds and two storage chests in various finishes, including products from their new Designer™ series. Show specials will include 20-percent-off coupon spe- cials for the Brentwood and Designer ™ storage chests and 15-percent-off featured items specials on the Vinyl Milford and Storboss Camo Storage Chest. The Designer™ storage chest launched in July, and Blish- Mize is one of the first distributors to get this new item. For more than 50 years, Arrow has served as the mar- ket leader in the design, manufacture, sourcing and marketing of d-i-y outdoor steel storage solutions and has built brand recognition and loyalty thanks to its high quality, longevity and value. • Karcher North America —Karcher is a new stocking vendor of pressure washers and a window vac used to help wash windows. This vendor has been work- ing with Blish-Mize on a wholesale program that will allow you to stock its entire line of products, either through the Blish-Mize warehouse or direct to store. Karcher will be at the Blish-Mize Market with deals on all its products, including a special on the Karcher S650 sweeper and its award-winning PowerSqueegee. Karcher North America is the largest manufacturer of pressure-washing equipment in the world,

having been manufacturing this equipment since 1947. Stop by its booth and see how Karcher makes a difference! • Metaltech Omega —Metaltech Omega is a new Blish-Mize stocking vendor for scaffold products. Metaltech is a Canadian manufacturer of interior and exterior scaffolding, climbing products and wire mesh temporary fencing. It’s the largest scaffolding erection and dismantling company in Canada and a true specialist in the scaffolding industry. Stop by the Metaltech Omega booth (431) to learn more about the special offerings this vendor has for you and what it can do for you and your store. • Protect Plus —This is a new vendor for furnace filters, replacing American Air. It offers a variety of filters—anything from fiber- glass filters that protect equipment to branded electrostatic filters. Through Protect Plus, you can buy filters from DuPont, Arm & Hammer, True Blue and WEB. And at the Blish-Mize Market, Protect Plus will be offering an additional 5 percent off all pleated filters. Protect Plus filters reduce particulates, odors and VOCs and freshen the air indoors. This vendor is one of the leading full-line suppliers of the residential and commercial HVAC industry and is the one-stop shop for all your category needs.

26 Fall 2014 • Hardlines Strategies