Merchandising

When a customer comes in asking for a dead bolt, a well-trained employee will almost immediately start discussing the features and benefits of the locksets stocked in the store. But what if we told you that the ability to close …

October’s National Fire Prevention Week is a great time to talk with your customers about fire safety and sell some fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. But that should just be the start of the conversation. Lurking around the store are …

If you feel you’re running out of space to display some of your harder-to-merchandise inventory, get creative. That’s what Sarah and Reid Davis, owners of R&S Hardware in Hinckley, Minn., did when showing bikes. “We’ve only been open about a …

Today’s consumers are motivated by convenience so whether you decide offering personalize impulse items or go with more traditional items, you can anticipate some healthy returns. Here are some tips to get the most return from the consumables you carry: …

Let your employees take ownership in merchandising by putting them in charge of certain displays. Here are a few ideas to get your team thinking when they’re planning summer displays: Outdoor power equipment doesn’t sell in a box. Trimmers and …

Understanding the components of the most common DIY projects and how to sell a customer an entire project instead of just specific products can make a big impact on a store’s sales. To help arm store associates with this skill, …

This popular presentation, presented by Dan Tratensek, publisher of Hardware Retailing magazine, offers tips and advice for retailers on how to stay ahead of the big-box competition. Topics include management and operations, employee training, promotions and marketing, merchandising and more. …

No matter how big or small your live plant offering, if you want to be successful, you need quality plants, and that means being choosy. Your reputation will be riding on every plant you sell, so dedicate staff to keeping …