Fall 2023 Hardlines Strategies

THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Paving the Path for Transformation

Contents Featured Products ....... 4 Category Trends . . . . . . . . 10 Using Paint to Drive Sales Fall Market Preview ..... 14 Reset Success . . . . . . . . . 22 Anita Supply Center Heart of Hardware . . . . . . 26 Peterson Lumber & Hardware Customer Feature . . . . . . . 32 Kirtland Mercantile Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 3 Ways to Upgrade Your Business Hardware House . . . . . . . . 40 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Father-son duo Rocky and Tyler Dumas have successfully integrated a hardware retail business into their wholesale pipe and supply company, ESSCO Pipe & Supply . Read about their reset of Aztec Hardware and the launch of a new store, Kirtland Mercantile . Vendor Showcase On the Cover

I n today’s fast-paced digital world, speed and technology have become the pillars of modern businesses, but they can also

be difficult to embrace. So many digital innovations have transformed the way we operate, communicate and engage with our employees and customers. Our commitment to investing in the latest hardware and technology has been unwavering. We recently hosted several distributors from around the country so we could show them how our warehouse is one of the most tech-savvy in our industry. Yet—we still believe that connections to our customers and the in-person service you provide to your customer is an essential part of our business that will never be replaced by a computer or technology. This is one of the core beliefs at Blish-Mize. One of the stores featured in this issue, Anita Supply Center, has been a Blish-Mize customer for years and recently underwent a refresh. We leveraged the expertise of our talented sales team to drive transformative change in their store. I think you’ll like how it turned out. Another store, Kirtland Mercantile, is a father-and-son team that makes customer relationships and family fun the center of their business. They have three stores and transformed one of their locations from an ugly duckling to hardware heaven. Be sure to check out the photos. For those looking to create more magic in their store, be sure to come meet the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s (NHPA) Melanie Moul at our Fall Market where she will talk about four ways to upgrade your business on Friday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. And finally, don’t miss my favorite story about how one couple met at our Market years ago and now attends—married—with their children. As we look to the future, we must remain agile, adaptable and human. Our industry and how it embraces the technology landscape will continue to evolve at a rapid pace, and it is our responsibility to maintain our connections with people. It’s how we do business best.

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We are looking forward to a great fall selling season!

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

Blish Connor Blish-Mize

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

(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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