Operations

Like a dull headache, retail shrink has always been an unfortunate reality of running a retail business. But for some retailers lately, that ache has grown into a splitting migraine. Anecdotal evidence suggests shoplifters in some areas are growing bolder, …

Benchmarking your business can make the difference between a tough season and a disastrous season. Every quarter, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA), in conjunction with The Farnsworth Group, fields the Independent Retailer Index. This survey asks retailers …

As technology advances, there is an ever-increasing array of tools available to help you deter and detect theft at your retail operation. Understanding your options and making sure you’re using the solutions that make sense for your business is key …

Given that a cyberattack could shut down your entire business, preventing one should be a top priority. With a background in IT and cybersecurity, Rob Hord, IT manager at Island Home Center and Lumber in Vashon, Washington, takes a proactive …

In a world buzzing with caffeine enthusiasts, the desire to bring the coffee shop experience home is on the rise. Around 74% of Americans drink coffee every day, with 49% drinking three to five cups every day, according to data …

Attracting willing and engaged employees is still a top priority —and for some, a concern—coming into the new year. In the 2023 edition of the Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report, nearly 5,500 U.S. adults gave their perspectives on their priorities …

While few might call what the home improvement industry experienced during the pandemic a party, 2023 had all the feelings of a day-after hangover as businesses struggled to find their footing and were left dealing with the aftermath of three …

Opening a new store right before the COVID-19 pandemic struck was a challenge for True Value of Rock Hill and owners Jay Simpson and Alex Dorsey. To overcome the obstacles of supply chain woes, Simpson and Dorsey turned to locally …