Do it Best hosted its highly anticipated spring market at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, March 23–25. The company welcomed member owners, prospective members, and a record number of vendors, all eager to explore the theme of Leveraging Data for Success. President & CEO Dan Starr expressed his excitement, stating, “Our spring market is a strategic platform for our members to harness the power of data, driving sustainable business growth.”
Do it Best unveiled two new innovative, technology-based tools to drive member growth: the Inventory Productivity Analysis (IPA) Tool and Tracula. The IPA visually and intuitively identifies performing and underperforming areas of retailer stores and proactively offers customized action plans for improvement—driving efficiencies and sales. It transforms slow-moving
inventory into an opportunity for strategic assortment, ensuring that every product on the shelf has a purpose. Additionally, Tracula is a precision-focused inventory tracking system that’s specially designed for Do it Best members. It uses point-of-sale data and a sophisticated algorithm to select SKUs based on critical factors, and to ensure purposeful and impactful cycle counting, making every count matter.
“As a company focused on leveraging data to help independents compete and win, we’re laser-focused on technology innovation to help our members grow,” said Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Nick Talarico. “By leveraging the IPA Tool and Tracula, our members can quickly and easily enhance operational efficiencies and optimize inventory management with unprecedented accuracy.”
Starr added, “We have many more enhancements with data in development for our membership but we’re also investing in data for us as a co-op. Our commitment to driving efficiencies and sales includes our Warehouse Management System, which contributes to an industry-leading 99.8% order accuracy rate and a 95.4% on-time dispatch rate, with a 92.2% on-time delivery rate.”
Exciting market highlights include a supersized Sneak Peek event with 33% more participating vendors, offering members increased opportunities to maximize margins. In a strategic move to expand vendor partnerships, Do it Best announced a new initiative to stock Paslode products in their warehouses. Paslode is a leading manufacturer of cordless and pneumatic nailers, staplers, and fasteners. This follows the success of last year’s exclusive partnership with BFG Supply Co., which gave members exclusive access to a comprehensive catalog of lawn and garden products.
“Our focus on providing store owners with top-quality products has yielded outstanding results,” said Executive Vice President of Operations Dent Johnson. “Our members have responded, driving Category Solutions planogram sales up 35% so far this year.”
The Merchandising Preview and the LBM Industry Update are two excellent events that support member sales and growth. The Merchandising Preview is a high-energy, high-impact overview of top new products, specials, and vendor-exclusive products before the market floor opens, while the LBM Industry Update provides the latest insights on industry trends, challenges, and
opportunities.
Members can also take advantage of exclusive buying opportunities to create pro-focused assortments and expert-designed planograms in the Pro Zone, which is specifically curated for lumberyards and pro-focused businesses. The 2025 Patio Showcase allows members to experience the latest in patio furniture even before they place orders for spring 2025. Other special buying opportunities include The Vault, Pallet Specials, and LBM Super Specials, which offer unbeatable deals on products from top vendors.
The four-day event is also packed with nearly 30 free seminars led by industry experts. Topics include leveraging technology, gaining industry knowledge, increasing sales, enhancing operational excellence, and building on management skills—all designed to build member know-how for optimal business performance.
Finally, as a special highlight, former President George W. Bush will deliver an exclusive session for Do it Best members, sharing his insights on leadership, succession planning, and his belief that independent business is the backbone of America.
“There are extraordinary opportunities for Do it Best members to capitalize on the momentum we’ve cultivated throughout the past few years,” said Starr. “With data-driven strategies, new vendor partnerships, exclusive purchasing opportunities, and outstanding educational seminars, it’s evident that we’re the first and best partner to propel sustained business growth while
achieving industry-wide success.”
About Do it Best
Based in Fort Wayne, IN, Do it Best is the only US-based, member-owned comprehensive, and fully integrated hardware, lumber, and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. With annual sales of nearly $5 billion, Do it Best serves thousands of member-owned locations across the United States and in more than 50 other countries. For more information, visit doitbestonline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter
