Hardlines Strategies

MARKET PREVIEW

“It increases opportunities for our customers to take advantage of promotional buys as long as they keep attending the markets,” he says. Uhrmacher says the program was developed to provide additional value for retailers while encouraging participation in both annual markets. “We want to give buyers another reason to carve out time to attend the markets,” Uhrmacher says. “Beyond the connections at the shows themselves, the savings and benefits extend throughout the year, making the trip even more valuable.” For some retailers, those benefits have delivered savings both at the market and long after the event ends. Brenda Richards, co-owner of Hunny-Do’s Hardware in Valliant, Oklahoma, says the program helped her store take advantage of special pricing during its early growth stages. “When we were first starting, finances were in a pinch, and we were trying to stock the store,” Richards says. “It was great to be able to start up during that process and get really good deals.” Beyond the promotions available during the buying markets, season ticket qualifiers receive access to monthly promotional offers. Richards says she regularly uses those deals to purchase inventory at favorable prices. “I’ve been ordering off the season ticket promos they do every month, and I order a variety of products out of it,” she says. Richards says many of the products featured in the monthly promotions are items her store already stocks and sells regularly. “A lot of our top-selling items end up in there,” she says. “I can stock up on it at a better price a better price to pass on the savings to our customers.” While the long-term impact of the program is still developing, Blish-Mize says retailers are already expressing interest in earning and maintaining season ticket cystomers status. Uhrmacher says dealers who

Explore Additional Market Programs

Assortment Avenue Visit Assortment Avenue for top assortments, display tips and all products that are stocked in our distribution center.

Impulse Area Explore endcap and impulse displays from stocking and non-stocking vendors.

Interactive Sponsoring Vendor App Game Visit sponsoring vendor booths to learn how to qualify for an exclusive prize ticket .

Sponsor Event To join the Thursday and Friday night drawings, visit sponsoring vendor booths and ask how you can qualify for the chance to win a prize drawing.

Browse Market-Only Opportunities Stop by these areas at the Fall Buying Market to discover new products, merchandising strategies and market-only deals.

Surprise Buys Get mystery deals on special products from 8-11 a.m. and stay for the Surprise Buys drawing Saturday at 11:15 a.m. Traffic Builders: Event Explore 68 heavily discounted promotional items on display.

Market Coupons In-person attendees get access to market coupons for exclusive deals. ShowStarters Spiffs will be paid from 4-7 p.m. Must buy 8 of 16 for $50 or all 16 for $100. There will be no drawing.

Market Attendee Terms Attend our Fall Buying Market and receive a 4% cash discount and 60-day terms on all market warehouse purchases. Spend $6,000+ in market warehouse purchases and double your dating. Ask your Blish-Mize sales representative for complete details.

Continued on Page 18

Hardlines Strategies • Fall 2026 15

Fall Market Preview_Fall26.indd 15

8/3/26 10:13 AM