Operations

Research from The Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) suggests opportunities for independent retailers supplying materials for decking projects are evolving. Success now depends less on simple availability and more on how well retailers respond to a more deliberate and assurance-seeking …

Celebrating its 20th year honoring trailblazing retailers in the channel, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has named its 2026 Top Guns Awards honorees, including Jason Blair, CEO of TAL Building Centers, based in the Pacific Northwest. “Top …

Moving swiftly from nice-to-have to a must-have for independent retailers, an e-commerce site provides an additional channel to engage with customers and a path to other revenue streams. In the U.S. Census Bureau Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales Report from the …

Sponsored by Quikrete According to the National Association of Home Builders, home prices have risen 53% since 2019, while median household income has increased by only 24% in the same time frame. This has lowered the percentage of first-time homebuyers, …

Built for owners and managers in the home improvement industry looking to boost their leadership skill set, the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s Retail Management Certification Program (RMCP) is the industry’s premier management school, focusing on growing store sales …

Moving swiftly from nice-to-have to a must-have for independent retailers, an e-commerce site provides an additional channel to engage with customers and a path to other revenue streams. In the U.S. Census Bureau Quarterly Retail E Commerce Sales Report from …

Earlier in this issue, we met this year’s first Top Guns Awards honoree, David Enmark, who shared how important it is to empower the next generation in the independent home improvement channel to become those next leaders. Engaging with the …

By Mike Aylen In a recent post on social media, I recounted a question I am often asked by retailers: “What is the easiest way to improve margin?” My answer is always the same: “Start with the margin you are …