May 11, 2010

Did You Know?

At the National Hardware Show® last week, editors from NRHA and Hardware Retailing magazine took the show floor by storm, talking with industry leaders, manufacturers and retailers. To check out the show coverage, click here.

Hot Products

TAILGATE STEP is compact and simple to use. The StepIT tailgate step folds quickly and easily into 12-inch by 18-inch by 1 ½-inch enclosure and does not interfere with tonneau covers. It is very easy to install and can be mounted in less than 10 minutes. The StepIT is durable and strong; it handles up to a 300-pound load and features an attractive, black powder coat finish. It can be mounted anywhere on the tailgate, making it easy for left- or right-handed users, or it can be centered for certain types of loads. StepIT is comfortable to use; its distance of approximately 34 inches between step and handle provides good leverage for the user, and the angle of the StepIT step and handle allows a natural feeling as the user enters the pickup box. For more information, click here.

WRENCH MINTS are the only wrench-shaped breath mints and tins in the world. When your breath is broke, fix it! By combining men’s passion for tools and the need for breath mints, a front-end impulse buy item has been created that is targeted toward the hardware, home improvement and automotive industries. Wrench Mints are currently available in peppermint and cinnamon flavor, with more flavors to be introduced soon. Holding 35 to 42 miniature wrench-shaped breath mints with a smooth texture, the silver containers can be reused for spare parts, keys and loose change. For more information, click here.

PLASTIC PAINT TRAY is molded from copolymer polypropylene to form a thermoplastic resin that’s twice as strong as a homopolymer. Wooster Deluxe Plastic Tray maintains its durability, even in colder weather. It has exceptional impact resistance, and won’t become brittle as thinner plastics do when the temperature drops. For more information, click here.

Selling Tip

Planting a Garden Homeowners who are serious about changing the landscape of their yard might want to plant a flower garden. Or, they may want to try their green thumb at a small vegetable or herb garden. Here are the basic steps to preparing a perennial flower garden and a vegetable garden that will help you to know what products to recommend. Read more »

Upcoming Events

2010 NRHA Annual Convention and All-Industry Conference

Save the Date! Join NRHA for another great convention in historic Savannah, Ga., July 19-21, 2010. Contact Diane Allen at dallen@nrha.org for more details, or visit www.nrha.org.

Headlines

Signs of Recovery in DIY Categories

Several do-it-yourself home improvement product categories, namely power tool, and outdoor power equipment, experienced double-digit sales increases, according to the report. Read more »

Ace Hardware Announces Nationwide Contest to Give High Schools a Helpful Hand

Ace Hardware announced the kickoff of its Helpful Hands campaign, a nationwide contest awarding a paint makeover to one deserving high school in each of the 50 states, according to a press release. Read more »

NRHA Announces 2010 Young Retailers of the Year

The North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) has announced its 2010 Young Retailers of the Year. Read more »

Sears Announces Plans for Change

According to The Chicago Tribune, the company is looking into selling its proprietary brands outside of Sears and plans on increasing its online business. Read more »

Home Hardware Recognizes Top Stores

Home Hardware recognized its top stores during a ceremony at its semi-annual Dealer Market by presenting them with the company’s Proud of My Home and Walter J. Hachborn Store of the Year awards. Read more »

Achievers Club Recognizes Top PRO Hardware Performers

PRO Hardware retailers from across the country mixed, mingled and relaxed with distributor personnel and manufacturers at the PRO Hardware Achievers Club trip April 18-22, 2010, in Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya, Mexico. Read more »

Blish-Mize Announces Appointments Jonathan Mize as President

Hardlines distributor Blish-Mize Co. of Atchison, Kan. Announced the appointment of Jonathan D. Mize as president & chief operating officer. Jonathan has been executive vice president, also served as vice president-sales, and has served the company in other officer capacities. He will be the 5th generation of the Mize family to hold the title of president. He also serves as president and COO of Hardware House, LLC , a subsidiary of Blish-Mize Co. Read more »

2010 NRHA Convention Video

Mark your calendars for the North American Retail Hardware Association’s 2010 Annual Convention and All-Industry Conference, held on July 19-21, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, Georgia. More »

Special Offer

Vermont American will be sending out 100 free reciprocating saw blade merchandisers - click here for details.

News in Brief

Walmart to pay $27.6 million for Dumping Charges Last week, Walmart reached a settlement with the San Diego County district after it was charged with illegal handling and disposal of hazardous materials. Read more »

Sears Opens New Fashion Outlet Sears opened its first Fashion Outlet in Lawrenceville, Ga. Read more »

Howard Berger Merges with Great American Marketing The Howard Berger Company (HBC) of Cranbury N.J., and Great American Marketing, Inc. (GAM) of Valencia, Calif., have agreed to a transaction that will merge the two companies, expanding consolidation and distribution facilities in China and the United States. Read more »

Re-engage Your Employees Due to the cost-cutting tactics of many employers, employee engagement has dropped significantly over the past two years. According to a Gallup poll, more than two-thirds of American workers are “not engaged” or “disengaged” in their workplaces in response to a difficult economy. Read more »

People on the Move

McGrath Branch Manager for Pacific STIHL

STIHL Inc., a leading manufacturer of chain saws and handheld outdoor power equipment, has announced the appointment of Casey McGrath to the position of branch manager for Pacific STIHL, the Visalia, Calif.,-based branch of the company. In his new role, McGrath will be responsible for the California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii and Guam territories. Read more »

Ken Hines, House-Hasson VP and Treasurer, Retires After 31 Years with Company

Ken Hines, House-Hasson Hardware Co. vice president and treasurer, is retiring after 31 years with the $200 million company that serves customers in 12 states and the Caribbean. Hines joined House-Hasson in 1979 as a credit manager. Read more »

Hardware Retailing e-Newsletter Courtesy of NRHA. The North American Retail Hardware Association has been serving the needs of independent hardware retailers in the United States and Canada for more than 108 years. Our purpose is to help independent home improvement retailers become better and more profitable merchants. We accomplish this by providing members with a wide array of educational and training programs, financial management resources and human resource tools that are all available online with unlimited access... all for the price of your annual membership. For more information on how to become a member of NRHA, please contact Patty Bowman at 800-772-4424 or pfbowman@nrha.org.

Dan Tratensek, Director of Publishing — dant@nrha.org
Kaitlin Foley, Assistant Editor — kfoley@nrha.org

nrha.org

To ensure you receive your Hardware Retailing e-newsletter each week, please add enewsletter@nrha.org to your address book.