Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
New Innovations For Year-Round Product Mixes
For the past 58 years, the Retailers’ Choice Awards, presented by the North American Hardware and Paint Association, have highlighted the best products on display at the National Hardware Show. The Retailers’ Choice Awards differ from most award programs as the judges’ panel is exclusively independent home improvement retailers who know best about what sells in the channel. The judges walk the show floor looking for those products they feel would be bestselling options in any independent operation.
This year’s panel included:
- Tiffany Baum, City Mill Hardware
- Jay Engler, Busy Beaver Building Centers
- Cody Goeppner, Valley Wide Cooperative
- Adam Gunnett, Busy Beaver Building Centers
- Karen Mayer, Busy Beaver Building Centers
- Helen McDaniel, B&B Hardware & Rental
- RJ McDaniel, B&B Hardware & Rental
- Dalton Meny, Meny’s True Value
On the following pages, discover the products retailers felt had the most potential to excite customers and boost sales in their operation.
Removable Paint
Unpaint by Glasst is a removable, versatile, eco-friendly and easy-to-use paint that comes in over 50 colors. No more committing to a paint color—simply peel off your paint and try a new color. Unpaint can be brushed, rolled or sprayed on.
Glasst | glasst.co
Edger Guard
The Cut-N-Edge Pro comes in bright orange or black and allows users to paint edges with precision by holding brush bristles in place and keeping them together. It can be hooked to paint cans for clean storage. Photo courtesy of Boxtown Team
Boxtown Team | boxtownproducts.com
Tool Belt Module
Handcrafted from full-grain leather, the EDC Tradesman Modular Tool Carrier System is designed with the end-user in mind, scaling with the end-user as the job evolves. The user has the option to mix and match attachments, and current options are designed for a variety of carpentry and electrical applications.
1791 Gunleather | 1791gunleather.com
Paintbrush Cleaner
Simplify cleanup with the Brush Skrub cleaning tool. This tool not only keeps hands dry during cleanup but also acts as a self-contained, 3-in-1 solution—it conditions and preserves the brush while effectively removing residual paints. No more messy cleanups with an efficient painting experience.
Brush Skrub | brushskrub.com
Paint Cap
The Easy Open is designed to simplify the opening and re-opening of screw caps for 5-gallon paint buckets. Made in the U.S. and engineered to fit securely around the 3-inch cap, it features user-friendly thumb tabs, eliminating the frustration of stuck or sealed caps. Place the Easy Open onto the cap and turn the opening using the finger tabs. The opening method ensures that both the cap and the seal’s threads remain intact, preventing damage and enabling continuous container use.
KRS Corporation | krscorporation.com
Bucket Organizer
Made in the U.S. using recycled post-consumer plastic, the Bucket Organizer from Pak1 Plastics fits all standard 3 1⁄2- and 5-gallon buckets found at many home improvement stores. It features several slots and trays for holding tools, bolts and other job site necessities.
Pak1 Plastics | pak1plastics.com
Scented Candles
These licensed scented candles harness the brand equity from some of the most iconic baked goods and confection brands. These domestically sourced fragrances are created using state-of-the-art flavor matching technology. Some scents feature smells from Hostess Brands, Hershey Brands and Just Born Brands. Scents include Twizzlers, Twinkies, Mike & Ike, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey S’Mores.
International Wholesale | internationalwholesale.com
Plastic Barrier
ZipWall® is a reusable doorway barrier with a self-closing magnetic door that is made of high-tech fabric impervious to dust and has a clear plastic window. ZipWall covers a doorway up to 46- by 86-inches and the magnetic door can be placed to create an entry anywhere in the plastic barrier. Photo courtesy of Zipwall
ZIPWALL | zipwall.com
Wall Organizer
OmniWall is a fully modular metal pegboard system. The 18-gauge steel pegboard puts hammers, drivers, drills, wrenches and other hand tools within easy access on a wall. All the accessories were tested to ensure the user has a secure way to proudly display their tools. The OmniWall is available in six different colors.
OmniWall | omniwallusa.com
Modular Closet System
The Northern Kentucky Cedar modular closet system is an easy DIY project made from aromatic red cedar that adds natural scent to your space while maximizing storage and reducing clutter. The system is made in the U.S. from locally sourced lumber and includes shelving, organizers, wall paneling, shoe racks and cube storage. Originally designed for a closet, this system can go wherever organization is needed.
Northern Kentucky Cedar | northernkycedar.com
