Operations

Looking at how fellow independent home improvement operators are performing throughout the year gives retailers in the channel a benchmark to make improvements to their own operations. Since 2022, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has partnered with …

Thanks to an uptick in consumer spending, an increase in traffic and a boost in profit opportunities in a short window of time, the holiday selling season—Halloween, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas—is especially important for ending the year …

By Jim Robisch While I was at the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference, which was excellent by the way, I heard hardware and home improvement dealers discussing a wide range of critical issues. Gen …

The North American Hardware and Paint Association’s 2026 Cost of Doing Business Study is now available for purchase! This comprehensive report is your ultimate resource for financial benchmarking in the independent home improvement industry. Why Invest in the 2026 Study? …

Hardware retailers confronting theft face an uncomfortable balancing act: Protect merchandise aggressively enough to reduce shrink versus keeping your store customer friendly and easy to shop. That tradeoff is the focus of the July 2026 white paper “The Complex Relationship …

By Zoe Benson Starting a new job can be hard. You have to learn how the business runs and meet new people all while trying to prove that you belong there, all while trying to hold off a case of …

As the hardware industry anticipates steady growth through 2030, independent retailers have the opportunity to focus on curating a hardware category aligned with current trends and preferences among professionals and DIYers. According to the Home Improvement Research Institute’s March 2026 …

The North American Hardware and Paint Association’s (NHPA) Young Retailer of the Year program is excited to celebrate 30 years of honoring up-and-coming retailers making a big impact in the independent channel. Since 1997, over 200 young retailers have been …