Independent brick-and-mortar retailers may finally have a more level playing field with their online competitors thanks to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on internet sales tax laws, says Bill Brunelle, co-founder of Independent We Stand, an organization that promotes …
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Amazon May Open Up to 3,000 Brick-and-Mortar Locations
Amazon may be expanding Amazon Go, the company’s brick-and-mortar convenience store concept, to as many as 3,000 new locations by 2021, according to Bloomberg. The aggressive and costly expansion would threaten chains like 7-Eleven, quick-service sandwich shops like Subway and Panera Bread, …
Read More »10 Reasons I Love Local Businesses
Click the picture to download a PDF of this story. You most likely strive to spend your hard-earned money at other independent businesses. You understand that shopping locally supports your family, your employees and your community. While shopping local seems like a …
Read More »10 Things Hardware Retailers Can Learn From Dollar Stores
The retail industry is facing challenges, with large chain stores declaring bankruptcy or shopping malls shrinking. Amid all these changes and shifting consumer preferences, one type of retail outlet continues to grow and thrive—dollar store chains. Although independent hardware and …
Read More »Product Previews, New Vendors Bring Heat to Blish-Mize Fall Buying Market
With unique products to scope out and early product peeks to entice, the 2018 Blish-Mize Fall Buying Market offered Blish-Mize customers a great market experience, along with plenty of deals on a number of products across multiple categories. The buying …
Read More »HIRI Conference Explores Robust Home Improvement Market
At the HIRI 2018 Insights Conference, an array of speakers detailed the economic trends and consumer preferences that are shaping the home improvement industry. The annual event, presented by the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI), was Sept. 18-19 in Oak …
Read More »Big-Box Retailers Offer Competitive Incentives to Seasonal Hires
Big-box stores, including Target and Kohl’s, are looking for new ways to compete for tens of thousands of seasonal workers, the Chicago Tribune reports. “A strong economy has retailers expecting a busy holiday shopping season, but with unemployment near historic lows, …
Read More »Historical Tour Takes Locals Back in Time at Morris Hardware
Main Street businesses in McConnelsville, Ohio, recently invited the community to celebrate local history and culture through an event called McConnelsville Open Doors. One of the many attractions available during the Sept. 15 community celebration was a guided tour of …
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