Operations

From external economic pressures to industry challenges, protecting margin is becoming even more crucial for independent home improvement retailers and even more difficult. During a recent webinar hosted by the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA), ECI Software Solutions …

The question isn’t whether retailers should use AI, the questions now are how should they use it and why. AI can assist with everything from improving online product visibility and testing customer service tools to empowering associates and improving inventory accuracy, …

By Curtis Gillman A 2021 Harvard Business Review study found that only 30% of family businesses successfully transition to the second generation, 12% make it to the third and just 3% survive into the fourth generation or beyond. Most of …

By Luke Vander Linden Retail fraud has long been a threat to businesses, but fraudsters have never been able to go after so many different targets at once. New technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and automation can help bad actors …

By Mike Aylen, industry expert and NHPA strategic consultant Welcome to the fourth article in the “Inside the Margin” series, where I will be looking at growing sales and protecting margin on your contractor/pro customers through the use of better …

For over 100 years, the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s 2026 Cost of Doing Business Study has provided detailed financial information from hardware stores, home centers, lumber and building materials (LBM) outlets and paint and decorating outlets in the …

For independent hardware retailers, turning a modest plumbing section into a powerhouse category starts with meeting customers where their plumbing problems begin. According to a survey of 1,001 U.S. homeowners conducted by SupplyHouse, 93% of homeowners delay plumbing or HVAC …

For 20 years, Sam Mackey served in the U.S. military, working his way through the ranks in the U.S. Navy to become a Navy SEAL. Inspired to join after watching the movie “Navy SEALs,” Mackey enlisted in January 2004 and …