Category Spotlights

CATEGORY SPOTLIGHT

Jeff Ridgeway
Paint & Sundries Feature

(Spray) Paint like a Pro

Contributor
January 25, 2024
Have you ever walked past a piece of furniture and thought, "That could use a pop of color"? Or gazed at a plain wall and imagined a vibrant mural? What’s old is new again and your consumers are looking for the perfect products to help them tackle the job.
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Lawn & Garden Feature

Selecting the Right Plants is Serious Business for Gardeners

Wanda Lenoir
August 21, 2023
Retailers always need to find out what types of questions customers will ask. It's best to be prepared, especially when selling plants. While most gardeners know the differences between annuals that die after one season or perennials that regrow year after year, they want to become more familiar with identifying plant categories by species. There are critical distinctions between native plants, cultivars, and nativars. Understanding these differences enables avid gardeners with a specific purpose to succeed.
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Hardware and Building Supplies Feature

Tighter Budgets Cause Surge in MRO Projects

Wanda Lenoir
August 21, 2023
Last year homeowners tackled expensive renovations and were willing to wait months for the services of contractors. Disruptions in the supply chain created a ripple effect that caused contractors to search the market to obtain the materials necessary to fulfill contractual obligations. However, rising inflation, escalating material costs, and an unpredictable housing market have changed consumers’ perspectives. When people are uncertain about the future, they spend less on non-essentials and hire others to complete tasks they can do themselves.
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paint 11
Paint & Sundries Feature

Central Lumber & Hardware

Wanda Lenoir
August 21, 2023
The small town of Harlowton Montana, population about 1,000, sits beneath a bright blue sky framed by big snowy mountains. It was founded in 1900, as a station stop on the Montana railroad, and was named for Richard A Harlow, the company’s president. The state’s biggest city, Billings, is about 90 minutes away. With so few people in town, it takes someone with a pioneering spirit to successfully operate a hardware store. Jeff Sell, owner of Central Lumber & Hardware, is that person. The Do it Best store
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Impulse and Housewares

Tap into the Demand for Cleaning Solutions

Wanda Lenoir
August 21, 2023
The Category is Thriving Research indicates the household cleaning supplies market reached $35.3 billion in 2022. The category is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.9 percent and generate sales of $47.1 billion by 2028. Unlike many products that experience peaks and valleys, cleaning solutions are in constant demand, and manufacturers continually innovate to remain competitive. In such a broad category, it's easy for independent retailers to carve out a niche tailored to their customer base.
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