Hardlines Strategies

BLISH-MIZE INSIDE

Keep People at the Center While AI makes working and shopping easier, the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Home Improvement Retailer Satisfaction Study finds customers still value working with people. The study says customers gave higher ratings to digital tools and product availability, but pricing sensitivity hurt trust. The study also says that customers still value in-store advice from knowledgeable employees.

Support Better Workforce Decisions AI can also support certain staffing decisions. Wage pressure is forcing retailers to run leaner teams, cross-train employees and track payroll against sales. AI can help managers summarize schedules, spot training gaps and turn payroll data into questions worth asking. It should not decide who gets hours or raises. It can help owners and managers see where they need better information.

Use AI as a Tool, not a Replacement AI will not make a struggling operation strong, but it can help independent retailers move faster, train consistently and show up better online. The best use of AI is to let it handle the first pass, then use your knowledgeable employees to add the knowledge customers came to you for.

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