Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Your store may host events already, but are any of them catered to your professional plumbing customers?
A-1 Irrigation Do it Best Hardware in Valley Center, California hosts a customer appreciation day once a year for their plumbing customers along with other professionals. Attendees usually receive an additional 10 percent discount on top of the store’s already discounted pricing. Along with the great deals, the store has food for attendees and brings in 20 to 25 vendors to demonstrate their products for the professional customers.
In addition to this one-day event, they also host occasional lunches for contractors with vendor demonstrations, says Stuart Holthaus, general manager at the store. These events are beneficial to both the store and the professionals because professionals get to see new products and speak with the vendors and the store employees get to interact and build their relationships with the professionals.
Mayfield Plumbing & Electric in Mayfield, Kentucky also hosts a customer appreciation day twice a year where barbecue and burgers are handed out accompanied by an educational element.
“We try to bring in someone to discuss LED lights for our electricians or a water heater vendor to discuss new legislation that’s beginning,” says Andrew Myers, manager at Mayfield Plumbing & Electric. “We try to bring in people that will offer valuable and exciting information.”
Consider hosting breakfasts before professionals head to their job sites or educational events that teach customers about products that are new to the market. Bring in vendors and have an open house so professionals can stop by when it is most convenient for them and their busy schedules.
