Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
When I was younger I wanted to open a chain of stores. The stores would be part shoe retailer, part hair salon and part pub, and I wanted to name them Jaime’s Shoes, Dos and Brews. While this was just …
Read More »RETAIL THERAPY: The Right Stuff
Industry News
The Secret Behind Customer Service
Want to know a secret about amazing your customers? Here it is: Don’t start by focusing on the customers. To consistently deliver high-quality customer service that will give your business a competitive edge and keep customers coming back, you must …
Read More »Ohio Store Sees Quick Results Thanks to Social Media
If you’re still on the fence about whether a Facebook page or Pinterest account would be a helpful addition to your store’s marketing plan, take a look at the results of Thomas Do it Center’s recent fundraiser. In addition to …
Read More »Builder Confidence Holds Steady in November
Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes was unchanged in November according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. For the sixth consecutive month, more builders have viewed market conditions as good than …
Read More »Pending Home Sales Decline in October
Pending home sales were down in October, a decline the National Association of Realtors® attributed to the government shutdown. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, slipped 0.6 percent to 102.9 in October from 102.7 in …
Read More »Retail Sales Increased 2.5 Percent in October
October retail sales, excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, increased 2.5 percent seasonally adjusted over September, according to the National Retail Federation. “Consumer spending is growing as we head into the holiday shopping season, and the timing couldn’t be better,” …
Read More »Lowe’s Net Earnings, Same-Store Sales Up in Third Quarter
Lowe’s reported third-quarter net earnings of $499 million, up 26 percent from the same period last year but below the $503.5 million estimate, and a 6.2 percent increase in same-store sales. Sales were also up 7.3 percent to $13 billion, …
Read More »Do it Best Corp. Hosts Leadership Development Institute for Members
Do it Best Corp. has concluded a week-long intensive leadership training development program for select managers and leaders from its member-owned stores across the United States. The inaugural Leadership Development Institute (LDI) took place Nov. 12-15 at the co-op’s Fort …
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