Strategies Spring 2026_No Crops

CUSTOMER PROFILE

“Since we completed the expansion, we’ve had to expand our parking lot because we didn’t have enough space for customers,” he says. “Sales after the expansion are up 30 to 40%.”

Redesigning for Growth What began as a small update turned into a full reconstruction of the hardware department. The team polished the concrete floors, reorganized aisles, reworked categories and focused on improving visibility and flow. “Right after we opened the new section, every customer that came in mentioned how nice the update looked,” Bowden says. “It shows that all the hard work our team put in was worth it.” The redesign centered on practical merchandise, expanding lines that local customers needed most. With guidance from Blish-Mize, Bowden deepened plumbing, fasteners, fittings, tools and other high-use categories that drive consistent traffic. After Blish-Mize finished Western Market’s expansion, Bowden says the project was immediately working in his favor. “Since we completed the expansion, we’ve had to expand our parking lot because we didn’t have enough space for customers,” he says. “Sales after the expansion are up 30 to 40%.”

—Donnie Bowden, Western Market Trading Post

Booth # 440

Booth # 339

34 Spring 2026 • Hardlines Strategies