Fall 2021Hardlines Strategies

THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The Building Blocks of Business Relationships

Contents Ask the Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Featured Products . . . . . . . . . 8 Merchandising Makeover . . 14 Fall Market Preview . . . . . . . 16 Customer Feature . . . . . . . . . 24 Western Market Trading Post Customer Feature . . . . . . . . . 32 Whatchamacallit Tools Invest in Training . . . . . . . . . 40 Hardware House . . . . . . . . . . 42 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 On the Cover Dustin Bowden, co-owner of Western Market Trading Post, oversaw the store’s recent product reset, collaborating with his Blish-Mize sales representatives to bring in new departments and more product offerings.

F ollowing the Spring Buying Market, our Blish-Mize team breathed a collective sigh of relief. We were able to successfully pull off the industry’s first in-person post-COVID-19 event. We took extra precautions and went to additional time and expense to make this happen. The overall event was different, but I think it was worth it. I believe our customers and vendors did as well. We had only one thing to prove: our business is best done face-to-face. In our industry,

it is a necessity. To build real business relationships and connections, you have to meet in person from time to time. As our industry evolves, we hope that never changes. There will always be a way for virtual events and e-commerce, but as we came to realize last year, in-person connections are vital to human happiness. For many of us, the pandemic was a busy time and business was booming. But it was also a time when we were considered essential workers, showing up in our stores and warehouses to risk our lives to get supplies out to our communities. We hope our Buying Markets provide a time to enjoy yourself and also take a break to plan for the selling seasons ahead. Speaking of selling, we feature two stores in this issue. Western Market Trading Post is on the heels of a big Blish-Mize-led expansion. Our team worked to reset their store by researching the surrounding communities and studying different product mixes. We know they will have a lot of success with their new space, and you can read more about the store’s expansion on Page 24. Whatchamacallit Tools has owners who are newcomers to the retail industry, but they are quickly making a name for themselves. We are excited for what’s ahead for them, and you can learn about them on Page 32 . Budgeting has never been more important than it is right now. As you may have heard Dan Tratensek say at the Spring Market (and you may have experienced yourself), it was close to impossible for any business to budget from 2020 to 2021. He’s got some tips and solutions on how to budget into 2022 on Page 4 and he will return to our Fall Market to discuss just that. We look forward to seeing you in person at our Fall Buying Market— please note the date change to Aug. 26-28, instead of our typical September event. The details will continue to evolve as the Kansas and Johnson County regulations change. We will keep you informed of the changes in our Pulse Newsletter and on our website. In the meantime, read a preview of the Fall Market on Page 16. We’re looking forward to seeing you.

Advertising Information Hardlines Strategies is published twice every year by Blish-Mize. Copyright 2021. For advertising rates and deadlines, please contact:

Blish Connor Blish-Mize

223 S. Fifth St., Box 249 Atchison, Kansas 66002 Toll free: (800) 995-0525 (913) 367-1250

Warm Regards, Jonathan D. Mize CEO and President jonathan@blishmize.com

(913) 375-2505 (cell) (913) 367-0667 (fax) Email: blish.connor@blishmize.com

Blish-Mize is a member-owner of Distribution America

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