Existing-home sales increased again in July, continuing a three-month upward growth trend, according to the National Association of Realtors. Existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 2 percent to 5.59 million in July from …
Read More »Industry News
Outdoor Cooking a Hot Topic at Spoga+Gafa
The emergence of outdoor cooking as a prominent category was clearly evident throughout the Koelnmesse Exhibition Center this week, where grills, barbecues and smokers of all sizes, styles and price points could be found. Outdoor cooking products occupied an entire hall …
Read More »Advantages of In-Store Shopping
Online shopping is convenient, provides quick access to product reviews and makes price comparisons easy, but it lacks two factors consumers value: human interaction and help. Customers still consider advice from knowledgeable staff in their purchasing decisions, according to a …
Read More »Outdoor Living Selling Guide and Resources
Outdoor living is a growing category for retailers, as more consumers are putting emphasis on their outdoor living areas. Homeowners are renovating and adding to their patios to create entertaining, eating and living spaces that add more functional square footage. To better …
Read More »Five Trends in Outdoor Living
To download a PDF of this story, click here. To download the Outdoor Living Selling Guide, visit hardwareretailing.com/outdoor-resources. Light Up the Yard and Fire Up the Grill Five Trends Taking Over Outdoor Spaces The backyard has always been recognized as a spot for people to …
Read More »Spoga+Gafa Features Competitive Lumberjacks and Aerial Dining
Visitors from around the world began gathering this past weekend in Cologne, Germany, to attend spoga+gafa 2015, where more than 2,000 lawn, garden and outdoor living suppliers were on hand to greet them. The event, which runs from Aug. 30 …
Read More »PRO Group Hires Merchandising Manager
PRO Group, Inc., has hired a new merchandising manager. The company hired Jeff Styerwalt, whose responsibilities include managing the housewares, lawn and garden, paint and sundries and commodities categories. Prior to joining PRO Group, Styerwalt worked at PRO Build, where he was a senior …
Read More »Relationships With Sales Reps Make a Difference
Retailers know what they want their relationships with sales reps to look like, and their participation in a North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) study offers insight into their preferences. About 69 percent of home improvement retailers prefer sales reps to …
Read More »
Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information


