Fall 2018 Hardlines Strategies

TECHNOLOGY

Creating Smart Homes and Jobsites Learn More About These High-Tech Smart Home Products at the Blish-Mize Fall Buying Market

S mart homes continue to get smarter, as more and more high-tech products come on the market.

Now, with a smartphone and WiFi connection, in seconds, you can close your garage, adjust your thermostat, turn on your lights and lock your doors, all with just a few quick taps on your phone. According to several manufacturers of smart home products, one common trend is hubless technology. Many products can run without additional hardware or any extra devices—a router and WiFi signal is all that’s required. A second trend is using a home assistant, such as Google Home, Amazon Alexa or Apple HomePod, to control these products. Consumers prefer streamlining smart home control by utilizing one easy-to-use device to control everything. However, smart products aren’t just for homes. The smart, high-tech trend carries over to work, too, as manufacturers have put together digital solutions to manage tools on the jobsite. Read on to learn more about how to sell these smart-home products, and to see some new products that are the talk of the industry. Take some time to visit these vendors and see other smart-home products at the Fall Buying Market Sept. 20-22.

How To Sell It As a retailer, how can you best sell these products? Several manufacturers suggest setting up a smart home section in your store. Rather than spacing out these products in each of their own specific departments, try putting together a 4-foot or 8-foot section, or an endcap, where you can show off all the products you offer in one place. Additionally, it allows customers to see firsthand one of the best features about these products: how they can work together. A display like this may increase your transaction size, too, as many consumers who come in looking for one

smart home item could choose to buy several that are compatible and add the smart capability to several areas of their homes or jobsites. Also consider making the display one that customers can try. Use an old smartphone so they can remotely control a light, a lock and a garage door, or see how a tool inventory system works. Work with manufacturers to help market their products in your store. Many will provide you with POP materials for your displays. Some will have more information, such as how-to videos, on their websites. Share that information with customers so they can go online to learn more.

20 Fall 2018 • Hardlines Strategies