June 14, 2010

Webinars

A Guide to Employee Management

June 29
Anchored by information released just this year in the Employee Compensation Study developed by the North American Retail Hardware Association, this webinar will tap into the latest management strategies from hiring, training amotivation. Got questions or concerns about managing your staff? Don’t miss this webinar.

Hot Products

UPHOLSTERY CLEANER is the futuristic way to kill and remove dust mites, dust mite eggs, bed bugs and bacteria from beds and upholstery. The Mini-Max UV Light Bed & Upholstery Cleaner uses lab-tested UV technology to kill 99.9 percent of allergy-causing germs and bacteria. This hand-held vacuum also allows you to extract loose dust particles and skin cells that shed down into bedding. We shed our weight in dead skin every seven years, supplying food for dust mites, so using this cleaner on beds and upholstery will help those in your family who suffer from allergies. This incredibly unique way of sanitizing beds and upholstery will not only prolong the fabric coloring, but most importantly will also increase the health, comfort and well-being of your indoor environment. For more information, click here.

FAUCET is a revolutionary and cost-efficient way to conserve water while reducing the spread of germs. One Touch Faucets and Aerators have an established history in commercial applications and third-party tests, and they have proven reliable in any environment. The One Touch Aerator optimizes water use by dispensing a user-determined amount of water. A manual start feature eliminates the need for an electrical connection or battery backup, helping users save on electricity costs too. One Touch Faucets and Aerators are the future of the faucet market. For more information, click here.

ELECTRONIC FIREPLACE creates a cozy atmosphere with realistic flames and logs. The SUNHEAT Electronic Infrared Fireplace has an all-wood, made in USA mantel that is heirloom quality. This amazing fireplace can heat 1000 square feet on its highest setting, which can cut heating costs. Three heat settings and a remote control thermostat with digital display let you set your exact comfort level, and the glow from the flame can be adjusted or turned off. The SUNHEAT cannot start a fire and is completely safe around children and pets. The SUNHEAT Fireplace comes with a limited three-year parts and labor warranty and is available in five colors: Honey Oak, Black Cherry, Mahogany, Black and White. For more information, click here.

Headlines

U.S. Commerce Secretary Visits Orgill Store in Tianjin China as Part of International Trade Mission

U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke, inspects a display of waterproofing products from U.S. manufacturer UGL during his May 22, 2010 visit to Orgill’s HomeBasix store in Tianjin. He is flanked by Orgill’s Howard Ju, Fred Wolf, and Pritpal Bansal.

Last month, United States Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, along with a delegation of other U.S. and Chinese dignitaries, visited Orgill’s HomeBasix store located in Tianjin, China, as part of a trade mission to promote U.S. exports to the country. Read more »

The True Value Corporate Store Game Plan

Let’s take a look at True Value’s plan behind the store. Read more »

Sears Debuts Grocery Delivery Service in New York, Plans to Expand

Sears has launched a grocery delivery service, according to the Chicago Tribune. Read more »

California Retailer Gets $8 Million in Stimulus Funds

Dale Hardware granted $8 million to finance an expansion project. Read more »

Spying on the Competition

Staying competitive means that retailers might need to be a little sneaky. Read more »

Alabama Retailer Named Business of the Year

The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce recently named Electrical Outlet Home & PRO Hardware “Business of the Year.” Read more »

NRHA Training

“Our Three Pennies of Profit” Returns

Twenty years after it was first released, NRHA is proud to announce the launch of a new (and improved) version of “Our Three Pennies of Profit”. In honor of its new release, NRHA is asking retailers to share their positive experiences from the original video. Please contact Allison DeWitt, adewitt@nrha.org, to share your story and help us celebrate the new release. Be sure to check out the NRHA Fan Page on Facebook for exclusive behind the scenes photos from the shoot.

News in Brief

PETA protests sale of glue traps by Pasco County Lowe’s Three representatives with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals protested a Lowe’s store near New Port Richey, Fla., because the store sells glue traps for rats, mice and insects. Read more »

New Home Sales Rise Sales of new homes surged with help from government incentives, giving the economic recovery a jolt in April according to the Associated Press. Read more »

World Factory Opens New Office in Miami; Expands to Meet Demands in International Markets World Factory, a leading International product development, sourcing and logistics company, announced today that it has opened an additional office in Miami, Fla. to help expand its footprint in the Caribbean, Latin, Central and South American markets. Read more »

IKEA recalls 3.4 million window shades IKEA is recalling 3.4 million window blinds and shades after a child nearly strangled on a cord, according to the Associated Press. Read more »

Pending Home Sales Surge Continuing Pending home sales have risen for three consecutive months, reflecting the broad impact of the home buyer tax credit and favorable housing affordability conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors�. Read more »

Did You Know?

Foreclosure rates are starting to level off, according to the Associated Press. RealtyTrac reported that nearly 323,000 households, or one in every 400 homes, received a foreclosure-related notice in May. This figure was up 0.5 percent from a year earlier, but was also down 3 perfect from April.

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 »

Selling Tip

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.

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