SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS

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Hiring Teens Part-Time Can Help Solve Staffing Shortages

July 29, 2026
Everyone has days when they feel like they’re running empty and can use a little help to smooth out the rough patches. The daily challenges of operating a hardware store can pile up quickly, and a few more employees during peak hours and selling seasons can make a big difference. Yet, in an uncertain economy, owners may be reluctant to significantly increase payroll costs by hiring a full-time worker.
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Keeping Pace with Pet Owners Leads to More Sales

July 29, 2026
One reason hardware stores sell pet products is to attract new customers and encourage existing customers to shop more frequently. Store owners who are committed to building a profitable niche should offer assortments that highlight premium foods, natural products, and sustainability.
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Gear Up for Back-to-School Sales to Generate High Margins and Increase Traffic

June 24, 2026
Back-to-School (BTS) season is one of the most profitable retail windows of the year, generating more than $41.5 billion in U.S. consumer spending annually, according to the National Retail Federation. While big-box stores dominate traditional school supplies, hardware stores have a unique opportunity to capture a share of this massive market by focusing on practical, durable, and home-organization products that families genuinely need.
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Driving Sales and Winning New Customers in a Boomcession

June 11, 2026
The country is experiencing an economic phase defined by contradiction. Studies indicate the nation is in a Boomcession (“boom” and “recession”), a term used to describe the disconnect between what the data shows about the economy versus what people believe is true. When consumers feel that the economy is unstable, they adjust their lifestyles and spending habits to prepare for worst-case scenarios. Although consumer confidence feels shaky, and headlines warn of inflation, spending in many categories remains strong.
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Prepare to Rise Above the Slump of Slow Summer Months

April 29, 2026
Independent retailers typically expect sales to be slower during the "J-months" (January, June, and July) and anticipate lower foot traffic due to changing weather. Right now, business is booming. Spring is finally here, and people are busy planting, cleaning, and completing projects around their homes.
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Solutions to Help your Business Mitigate Rising Costs

April 14, 2026
Higher gas prices, rising labor costs, price increases, and economic uncertainty are causing many hardware store owners to tighten operations and implement practical solutions to save money without sacrificing service to their customers. Start by leaning into products and services that meet your customers’ immediate needs, extend the life of what they already own, and support their do-it-yourself mindset.
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“Lifestyle Canning” is an Opportunity to Grow and Harvest More Sales

March 31, 2026
Canning food has always been an age-old tradition in rural communities and among thrifty gardeners across the country. Folks saw the harvest season as an opportunity to preserve the fruits of their labor and enjoy home-grown fruits and vegetables for months to come. Previously, canning was an activity that happened only occasionally, depending on the time, place, and season. The canning process takes time and can be labor-intensive. Yet, “canners” find the process relaxing, peaceful, and a communal way for everyone to contribute and gather.
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Prepare Your Team to Pivot in Unpredictable Times

March 9, 2026
With so many changes happening on the economic front, it’s only natural to ask, what’s next? While you have no control over tariffs, global instability, and how customers spend their money, you can prepare your company for a worst-case scenario. Owning an independent business is a high-stakes game that requires many players to participate and achieve specific goals.
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