Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Got a crafty person in your family? Your store might be the perfect place for them to sell some of their handmade items.
At Palmer Lumber and Hardware in Palmer, Kansas, part of a wall near the front of the store has handmade signs and picture frames on display. They’re made by owners Bill and Sharon Wilgers’ daughters. Several of the products feature the Jayhawks—as in the University of Kansas Jayhawks (the school is located just a couple of hours away).
“It’s a little something extra we can add to our product selection that’s unique and sold only in our store, which is nice,” says Bill.
You can try this in your store, too. Ask a crafty employee or family member if they’d be interested in creating any sort of artwork.
Along with wall hangings and picture frames, try other small items like magnets or paperweights. Display these items on the walls or on the counters around your store. Make sure to let customers know who created these items—many customers prefer something one-of-a-kind that they can’t find anywhere else.
