2026 Orgill Dealer Market Emboldens Growth Through Innovation

With a focus on supporting customers’ unique needs and helping them identify practical pathways to growth and long-term success, the Orgill 2026 Dealer Market leaned into innovation and growth. Over the course of three days, retailers connected with manufacturers, retail service providers and Orgill team members and explored ways to strengthen profitability, sharpen operations and best position their businesses for the year ahead.

Covering nearly 1 million square feet, the show floor featured promotional buying opportunities, educational sessions and two fully merchandised model stores.

“We have seen a few years of headwinds in the industry, and sales growth has become much harder to achieve,” says Boyden Moore, president and CEO of Orgill. “The Dealer Market gives us a unique opportunity to showcase the tools we have to help customers take control of their own growth. It allows us to work face to face with retailers to build a plan for achieving their goals—and to demonstrate how we can support them every step of the way.”

While at the Dealer Market, retailers were exposed to a variety of services and programs to help drive growth.

“There is no single playbook that works for every business,” says Clay Jackson, Orgill executive vice president and chief operating officer. “We tailor our solutions to each retailer’s specific needs. Whether someone attends primarily for promotional buying opportunities or exploring a remodel, technology or retail services, they’ll find practical ideas and guidance. Our goal is to help every dealer build a playbook that fits their real-world situation.”

Offering a practical look at the services that Orgill offers retailers, the two model stores were the heart of the show floor. Pinehaven Lumber, a 3,600-square-foot contractor-focused concept, showcased pro-oriented assortments, optimized merchandising and signage designed for modern lumberyards.

“Orgill’s market is unique because we dedicate significant space to showing how products, assortments, technology and services come together in a real-world environment,” Jackson says. “Our model stores generate ideas, highlight innovation in action and show retailers what’s truly possible.”

Orgill’s newest concept, Homestead Hardware & Tools model store was designed to reflect the real-life operating conditions many independents face. Homestead was built within a second-use strip mall footprint, complete with irregular walls, challenging sightlines and limited space.

“Most independents aren’t building new stores from scratch,” Jackson says. “They’re adapting existing spaces. Homestead reflects that reality and shows how a well-assorted, well-merchandised store can succeed without forcing a rigid template.”

The concept store also highlighted the strategic use of outdoor space, illustrating how parking lots and exterior areas can function as extensions of the salesfloor for seasonal categories. Both model stores also featured digitized planograms, POS integration, a working sample of Orgill’s FanBuilder loyalty program and electronic shelf labels.

To ensure that each attendee gets the most out of their time at the market, David Mobley, Orgill executive vice president of sales and services, says Orgill’s team of sales consultants works closely with attendees ahead of the event to custom build a plan for them once they arrive at the show.

“We want retailers focused on the categories, promotions and assortments that will have the greatest impact when seasonal demand hits,” Mobley says. “That level of pre-market preparation translates directly into better inventory decisions and stronger results and it’s one of the reasons we place so much emphasis on our consultants working with retailers one on one.”

In the Orgill Services Area, retailers connected with experts across six core disciplines, including e-commerce and technology, branding and marketing, products and pricing, store operations, leadership and strategy and retail services. The area was also home to the ongoing educational programming taking place throughout the event.

As a buying show, the 2026 Orgill Dealer Market focused on the several product areas.

Yoseff Ben-Yehuda, owner of Marfa Hardware Company in Marfa, Texas, has been in the independent home improvement channel for less than 18 months and was attending his second Orgill Dealer Market. His market experience was focused on getting to know vendors better and learning about new products.

“With my background in construction, I love to geek out talking to manufacturers and getting into the nitty-gritty of their products,” Ben-Yehuda says. “Getting into all the details of a product helps me sell it.”

The 36,000-square-foot private brands area highlighted more than 7,000 products.

“In today’s environment, smart growth is profitable growth,” Mobley says. “Private brands play a key role in that strategy and we can show you how you can differentiate your offering while protecting your margins through a thoughtful private-label strategy.”

Another focus included Orgill’s Promotional Minimum Advertised Pricing Program (PMAPP), designed to help independent retailers hold their own in highly competitive categories such as power tools, hand tools and accessories.

“PMAPP is a great example of innovation driven by real retailer concerns. This program focuses on retailers’ needs to be price competitive with national chains in high-visibility categories,” Mobley says. “By working closely with vendors, we’re creating disciplined promotional opportunities that help retailers price competitively without sacrificing margin and I think this is an area and a program that could appeal to everyone here at the show.”

When Isaac Smith and his team attend Dealer Markets, they come in with a game plan to assure they can take advantage of every opportunity the event affords them.

“It takes a good team to work the show and some focused pre-planning because you can get pulled in a lot of different directions,” says Smith, is the owner of Matt’s Building Materials with four locations in Texas. “Prior to the market, we come up with a plan for how we are going to work the show, what booths we’re going to visit to talk about resets, POP, merchandising, marketing and more. We work closely with our Orgill rep as well in the planning process. I’ve done a lot of shows, and if you don’t have a strategy behind it, you’re going to set yourself up for failure.”

Relationship building is always a part of the plan for the Dealer Market for Smith and his team.

“The Dealer Markets allow me to see a lot of the vendors and reps you don’t get to see but maybe a couple times a year,” Smith says. “We’re big on relationships, and it’s a relationship to a business that we’re in, so I love to see a lot of the reps who we get to connect with and talk about families and life.”

The 2026 Orgill Dealer Market left attendees with clearer seasonal plans, stronger merchandising ideas, improved strategies for serving pro customers, more efficient inventory approaches and practical digital tools they can apply immediately.

“In a challenging market, independents don’t need hype,” Moore says. “They need clarity, confidence and a partner who understands their business. That’s what our Dealer Market is all about.”