Eighteen years ago when Doug Witworth decided to create a waterfall outside his store in Vinita, Oklahoma, to promote his water gardening category, he didn’t think he was creating a roadside attraction. “We just thought it would be fun to …

For many retailers, the few inches of space between the floor and the bottom of a gondola run of shelving mostly collects dust bunnies. But at 10th Street Hardware, a store in Philadelphia with an 1,100-square-foot salesfloor, it offers valuable …

Cross merchandising is one of the best ways to increase sales because it gives customers a reminder of an item they might have otherwise forgotten. Encouraging this add-on sale not only increases your average transaction size, but it is also …

Click the picture to download a PDF of this story. Want to kick your customer service up a notch? Gather some inspiration from your canine companion. 1. Gain their loyalty. Dogs are the gold standard of loyalty. Build some of that same character …

Click the picture to download a PDF of this story. As a writer for Hardware Retailing, I’m constantly on the lookout for retailers who do a great job merchandising their wares and providing outstanding customer service. So when I discovered that my …

Visitors to the paint department at Charlie’s Hardware & Rental in Mosinee, Wisconsin, will find something not often found in hardware stores: a vintage jukebox. Owner Jeff Kyhos says showcasing the retro device, which he calls “a great conversation piece,” …

When you think about boosting your transaction size, it’s easy to think first about bringing more impulse items into your store. But increasing transaction size has to do with a combination of thorough employee training, effective merchandising and, of course, …

Fall is nearly here, and as soon as the temperatures begin to drop, homeowners will begin thinking of ways to insulate the house before winter. As a home improvement retailer, you should be the destination for these items. Take some …