HardlinesStrategies_Fall_2024

HEART OF HARDWARE

businesses come and go around them. Currently, the store sits on 1.7 acres and the salesfloor is home to 6,000 square feet of hardlines products. Paul and Brandon agree that working with Blish-Mize has been a critical component in being able to maintain inventory levels and choose the right products. Their previous supplier only had an 80% fill rate, and Blish-Mize has well exceeded that, maintaining fill rates in the high 90s. Brandon says the support they receive from Blish-Mize in regard to inventory management and ordering serves as another set of hands on the salesfloor. “Blish-Mize is the equivalent of an extra employee for us,” Brandon says. “They do our inventory check and help us confirm what we need and help place the order so we don’t have to dedicate staff hours.” The customer service they receive is also critical to their relationship. “We’re more than just an account number. Blish-Mize actually takes phone calls and gives us answers,” Brandon says. “They tell us when something is out of stock and help us find good replacements, which keeps our business running and our customers happy.”

Paul Teague joined the store’s staff because he wanted to keep the business under the ownership of the Teague family.

Stop by Booth # 550

STOP BY BOOTH # 220

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