Operations

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 …

One of the ways the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) supports the independent home improvement channel is to foster positive relationships between retailers and vendors, and a prime example of that synergy is through a partnership with the …

The adhesives category continues to evolve as new technologies are introduced and consumers seek more durable, sustainable and functional products. The category is also becoming more specialized, requiring expert knowledge to sell effectively. According to a new study conducted by …

Sponsored by Quikrete While they aren’t engaging in DIY projects at quite the same frequency as homeowners, renters are an untapped audience for independent retailers. The Home Improvement Research Institute’s (HIRI) Renter’s Home Improvement Activity Study took a closer look …

By Curtis Gillman Sometimes the real problem isn’t ignorance, it’s exhaustion. Day-to-day operations can consume so much time and attention that meaningful improvements feel impossible. Leadership teams become trapped in what Chris McChesney, Sean Covey and Jim Huling describe in …

Celebrating three decades of exceptional retailers under the age of 35, the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s (NHPA) Young Retailer of the Year Awards program highlights the efforts of young retailers. NHPA’s Young Retailer of the Year program identifies …

For years, private label has been viewed primarily as a margin play. Across the independent home improvement channel, retailers consistently point to higher margins and price competitiveness as the primary reasons for carrying private label products. In many stores, private …