Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Despite difficult winter weather in parts of the country and unusually chilly temperatures in Orlando, Orgill’s Spring Dealer Market was bustling with activity.
The distributor welcomed retailers from all over the world to the three-day event that kicked off Thursday at the Orange County Convention Center.
With more than 1 million square feet of exhibit space, three model stores, massive Product Category Showcase sections and thousands of vendors from across all the core categories, Orgill started its spring selling season in a big way.
“We’ve been to three markets so far,” says John Pease, vice president with Ohio-based Pease Warehouse & Kitchen Showroom. “We like the pricing and we like getting in on the Door Busters program, pallet specials and so on. At this Market we got some pallet specials on sinks that are great. We also got 5 percent off some locksets at the show. Any place we can get some deals and add some margin is good for us. I also like to look at the model stores for products that can serve as add-on items and for new products in general. Overall, the shows are great for us.”
Pease wasn’t alone in his hunt for deals at the Dealer Market. Some of the busiest areas of the showfloor could be found where products were being discounted. Big hits this year included Thursday’s Market Busters and Flash Market, where Orgill reps were entering orders up until closing time. Pallet specials featured throughout the show ran the gamut from gas cans and wasp traps to power tools and bathroom vanities.
Orgill also cast a spotlight on several product categories during the event by featuring them in special Product Showcase areas that grouped like vendors in massive product presentation areas that included outdoor living, hardware and building products, rental, MRO and impulse/transaction drivers. The impulse product showcase modeled innovative checkout setups and products that could serve as add ons for a variety of purchases.
Three model stores offered further ideas for store layout and design, such as for product displays. One Stop Hardware showed how to maximize inventory cleanly in a 4,800-square-foot store using features such as sliding display panels, baseless endcaps and pull-out shelves. One Stop Plus, an 11,000-square-foot store, featured 16,000 square feet of SKUs and a beautiful outdoor living display. North American Home Center featured Canada-compliant merchandise displays in a pro-focused design.
Products and merchandising ideas weren’t the only things attracting attention. This year’s Retailer Services section spanned 16,000 square feet and offered resources for advertising, marketing and e-commerce initiatives. For additional help on retail issues, dealers attended educational seminars on maximizing store strengths and further help with e-commerce.
Orgill also began signing up attendees for its Fall Dealer Market, which is scheduled for Aug. 27-29 in New Orleans. For more information, visit www.orgill.com.
