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Retailers from around the globe arrived in Boston this week for Orgill’s Fall Dealer Market.
The show, which opened Thursday morning, ran through Saturday.
One of the most talked-about displays on the show floor was a comprehensive showcase for the plumbing category. According to Orgill representatives, the showcase was designed to prepare attendees for changes scheduled to take effect Jan 4., 2014, in response to the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act. The new legislation limits the amount of lead that will be allowed in certain plumbing products. The display featured product alternatives, and experts were on hand to field questions from attendees.
In addition to the plumbing showcase, Orgill debuted a hand tools showcase, which displayed Orgill’s entire selection of hand tools in one area and merchandised them in a real-world environment.
“The showcases have been well received into new shows,” said Jeff Curler, Orgill’s vice president of advertising. “This kind of setup focuses on the strengths and benefits of each unique category. Plus, the buyers are right there so the customers and buyers can connect one-on-one.”
Attendees also flooded a new dedicated area of the Market called the “Flash Market.” This area offered limited quantities of closeout, end-of-season overstocks and factory discounted merchandise at deep discounts. Curler said the Flash Market allows Orgill to condition its inventory and invest in new inventory. That new inventory was also featured at the show with a special display and show-only deals.
“The Flash Market was the first place I headed this morning; you can get up to 75 percent off some of those products,” says Robert Willey of Hocker’s Hardware in Clarksville, Del. “The show just offers so many new products and specials that we can’t afford to miss.”
Additionally, Orgill has become known for its model stores, which it adjusts and refreshes for each Market. These model stores are laid out like real-world retail locations, so attendees get to view an entire store format and then take even closer looks at specific categories and departments. This year, Orgill spotlighted two model stores.
Cobblestone Hardware, a 10,000-square-foot model representing a traditional hardware store, featured core categories such as paint, paint sundries, lawn and garden and, of course, plumbing. The Cobblestone model store also featured 5,000 new SKUs and emerging niches such as wild bird.
The other model store Orgill featured was an expanded version of its Windsor Falls model, a home center model store with 100-percent Canadian-compliant merchandise and signage that it launched in the spring.
Finally, Orgill used the show to spotlight several new and expanded programs including additional product lines offered through its Dollar Central program and a new As Seen on TV program, which offers products featured on nationally syndicated infomercials.
“The show is just giant,” says Leigh Bright, purchasing coordinator at Bible Hardware in Abilene, Texas. “We’re really impressed by the displays of new retail technologies and the deep discounts we can get here. I have no doubt this will be a productive show for us.”
