Endcaps are some of the most valuable pieces of real estate in your store. A well-stocked, well-designed endcap can set the tone for the rest of the store. Too many retailers simply use these spaces as extensions of their regular …
Read More »Jesse Carleton
Time to Remind Consumers about Fireplace Safety
As fall weather starts to roll in, it won’t be long until fireplaces and stoves will get heavy use in many parts of the country. A warm fireplace can add ambiance to a room, but it can also add a …
Read More »Halloween Spending Up This Year
This should be a banner year for consumer spending on Halloween, according to a survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF). The survey predicts total spending will reach $8.4 billion, an all-time high in the survey’s 11-year history. That should …
Read More »Why Smart Home Technology Needs a Place in Your Store
To view a PDF of this story, click here. By Jesse Carleton, jcarleton@nrha.org Be an Early Adopter Meet David and Liz. They just purchased a new home. They also just purchased a new smart thermostat for that home, which means they …
Read More »Tips for Retaining Quality Employees
Once you find those employees who fit your company culture and deliver high customer service consistently, you want to keep them. While every hard-working employee deserves a good wage and pay raises, money isn’t the only motivator. Employees usually place …
Read More »Lawn and Garden Trends on Display at IGC Chicago
Lawn and garden retailers making plans for spring 2017 had plenty to see at the Independent Garden Centers (IGC) Show Chicago, held August 16-18 at Navy Pier Festival Hall. Vendors specializing in lawn and garden products were on hand to …
Read More »Promotions Driving More Back to School Sales
While it seems summer only just began, the start of school is less than a month away for many children. According to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) latest Back-to-School Spending Survey, conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, it’s not too …
Read More »Being Ready When Disaster Strikes
Home improvement stores are often one of the first places people go to prepare for and recover from a natural disaster. Retailers who want to provide a service to their customers should make careful note to stock up on emergency …
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