Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Retailers and wholesalers are gearing up for a full fall market season, preparing to secure the best deals, network with fellow industry members and learn best practices to enhance their businesses. Markets across the country each offer their own unique opportunities and benefits, and ensuring your team is prepared to get the most out of each experience is essential. See an overview of this year’s fall shows and hear from wholesalers about what to expect at each event.
House-Hasson Hardware
August 6-8, 2026
Sevierville Convention Center, Sevierville, Tennessee
The Smoky Mountains are the backdrop for House-Hasson’s summer buying event, The Hardware Exchange Dealer Market. Attendees will experience product discounts, drop ship deals, networking opportunities and the show’s signature Bonus Buy specials at the Sevierville Convention Center in Sevierville, Tennessee. Dealers can spend time with vendors, connect with other dealers and sit down with the House-Hasson team to talk through their business and operational areas that include IT support and systems, marketing and digital programs, new stores, remodels and conversions, credit and financial services and merchandising and category support. The Dealer Market kicks off Thursday with a golf tournament, offering a chance to get on the course and connect with other dealers.
Blish-Mize Company
September 17-19, 2026
Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, Kansas
The Fall Blish-Mize Customer Buying Market is set to feature innovative new products, business-focused seminars and cost-saving specials alongside opportunities to meet with leading retailers in Overland Park. Launched at the Spring market, the Season Ticket program will run at the Fall Market, which rewards consecutive attendance with exclusive promotions, special pricing and prize opportunities throughout the year. Clay Uhrmacher, Blish-Mize vice president of sales and marketing, shares how attendees can capitalize on the market this fall.
Hardware Retailing (HR): How does the Season Ticket program work?
Clay Uhrmacher: If you attend two shows in a row, you get coded as a season ticket qualifier. These qualifying retailers receive extended terms on promotions and some exclusive buying opportunities throughout the year. Season ticket holders are also eligible for exclusive drawings and prizes at the Buying Markets. Blish-Mize has expanded the amount of prize money available through drawings reserved solely for qualifying retailers. It increases opportunities for our customers to take advantage of promotional buys as long as they keep coming to the markets.
HR: Have you seen success with the program so far?
Uhrmacher: Some dealers have said their owner or family only lets them attend one show each year, but this might give them a reason to attend the second show as well. It will take some time to fully see the benefits, but if we can get a few more dealers to attend both shows, it’s going to benefit everyone.
HR: What other activations can attendees expect at the Fall Market?
Uhrmacher: The Impulse Zone, a dedicated display area showcasing products commonly merchandised near checkout counters and high-traffic areas, is returning for the fall show. We saw a need for it and wanted to present to our retailers these quick items that their customers can easily add to a purchase. If you walk into a lot of big retailers, they’re using impulse queue lines. We want to make sure our customers know we can do that for them and have a program to support it.
Ace Hardware
September 22-24, 2026
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida
Returning to Orlando, new products await at the Ace Hardware Fall Convention. Network with peers, discover top trends and build your business alongside the best in the industry. The event will include numerous educational sessions covering various operational topics. Clinton Harris, Ace director of corporate conventions and Chris Huot, Ace corporate vice president of merchandising, provide insight into the 2026 Fall Convention.
HR: What do you hope retailers will take away from the Fall Convention?
Clinton Harris: Our goal is simple: retailers leave Orlando ready to act. We encourage retailers to buy with confidence to secure the right products at the best value for the season ahead; take action immediately to leave with ideas you can implement in your store; learn about and understand new programs, products and opportunities coming your way; strengthen relationships and build connections with vendors, peers and the Ace team; and plan with clarity to walk away with a clear path to grow your business. Here’s the bottom line: attendees should head home energized, informed and ready to drive results.
HR: What will be some highlights at the fall show?
Chris Huot: One major highlight this year is our “Need It Now” marketplace, designed to help retailers capitalize on the increasing trend of consumers using marketplace vendors like DoorDash, Instacart and others. We’re also launching several new RSC programs, including Titan Coolers and HydroJug, giving retailers fresh options for customers looking for premium hydration and cooling solutions.
The new RSC E-Bike & Scooter program from Segway brings innovation and mobility, while our new RSC fishing program and planograms from Lunkerhunt will reel in those looking to expand their sporting goods selection. We’re also thrilled to celebrate the 30-year Anniversary Pokémon release—a unique way to drive traffic and excitement in stores. Plus, we’re introducing a new RSC program with Govee, ensuring our retailers can offer cutting-edge products for home and lifestyle. This year, we’re taking things up a notch with a two-day outdoor barbecue extravaganza, bringing together top industry influencers for hands-on sessions.
These experts won’t just be grilling—they’ll be teaching invaluable product knowledge, demonstrating how to host engaging events and sharing insider tips on getting the most out of our exclusive products. One can’t-miss area will be the launch of our new Exclusive Chirp and Chirp Max Attract Birding program. This initiative brings a clear step-up strategy, introduces stand-up bags and offers increased margins, further strengthening what is already one of the most profitable categories in the store.
We’re also looking forward to featuring seasonal mini-buckets; Cabot exterior stain samples; curated, giftable assortments across Tools, Grilling and Toys; and a fully refreshed faucet display featuring exclusive Kohler-branded faucets.
HR: What new vendors or products will be at the Fall Convention?
Huot: We are excited to feature a solid lineup of new products, including The Ninja Crispi, The Werner Ready Step Ladder, Ego’s new high-flow automotive pressure washer, a new compact fan and new accessories, The Master Lock Elite Series and various mini totes. Some new vendors this year include robotic lawn mower brands Mammotion and Navimow, Cosmic Grading, TOGGLER and Kosmo Q barbecue rubs and sauces.
HR: How will the Fall Convention help retailers prepare for the upcoming holiday season? Huot: Ace is launching our new Christmas Decorator App at this year’s Fall Convention, helping consumers select the right products and quantities for their outdoor decorating projects. The app also recommends add-on items, creates a seamless path to purchase by automatically building the cart and enables online order placement.
It’s fully integrated into the website and mobile app for a connected shopping experience.
HR: What topics will be covered in the educational sessions or addressed during the general session?
Huot: Ace is offering a robust lineup of training sessions for retailers at the Retail Learning Center. These sessions are closely aligned to the strategic priorities highlighted in the general sessions, helping retailers take key ideas from the stage and turn them into practical application in their stores.
From driving sales growth and improving operations to strengthening leadership and enhancing the associate experience, sessions are designed to deliver real-world insights retailers can apply right away
DIY CON
November 6-8, 2026
Fair Park, Dallas, Texas
Engage in immersive DIY experiences, meet the top DIY stars from HGTV and shop exclusive deals at the National Hardware Show’s one-of-a-kind event. DIY CON will transform the traditional trade show into a polished playground for creativity and connection, says event director Hector Morfin-Chong.
“DIY CON is not the traditional trade show, but an immersive experience where attendees are the ones who do it themselves,” Morfin-Chong says. “This isn’t about scrolling through finished projects online, but about being the person who dreams it, sketches it and builds projects that come to life. Whether you’re learning to lay tile, refining woodshopping skills or looking to build community in the DIY industry, we want every attendee to walk away inspired and ready to create.”
Attendees are invited to roll up their sleeves, try out premium tools, learn from leading creators, meet and greet with their favorite home improvement celebrities and leave with the confidence and skills to bring their next project to life.
“RX Global knows how to create fan-driven experiences that inspire action,” Morfin-Chong says. “From New York Comic Con to Star Wars Celebration, we’ve built cultural moments that connect people and brands. DIY CON will bring that same energy to the world of home improvement.”
DIY CON Will Feature:
- Hands-On Workshops: From beginner-friendly projects to pro-level builds led by industry experts, professional techniques are shared with playground energy, where getting hands-on and messy means getting better.
- Interactive Brand Experiences: Explore new products and tools designed to make challenging DIY projects feel fun and within reach with exclusive access to new products curated for real-life projects.
- Hands-On Activations: Explore every part of the home, including paint and wall treatments, storage and organization, outdoor living, living spaces, a Kids Zone and the Tool Shed.
- Celebrity Meet & Greets: Meet your favorite TV home improvement stars.
- Maker Meetups: Spaces for collaboration, mentorship and shared creativity with your favorite DIY stars live. Find your project partners and lifelong mentors in a community that celebrates DIY progress over perfection.
- Inspiring Keynotes: Stories of transformation from your favorite DIY creators who turned “I wish I could” into “I did.” See tomorrow’s trends today, where industry insiders share the secrets that transform your next project plan.
Do it Best and True Value
September 25–28, 2026
Indianapolis, Indiana
The Do it Best and True Value 2026 Fall Market is set to welcome 1,200 vendors in Indianapolis and host 75 learning sessions over the four-day event, providing opportunities to form new connections and glean valuable insights from fellow retailers. Allison Flatjord, executive vice president of marketing and e-commerce, shared a glimpse into the Fall Market and advice for retailers planning to attend.
Hardware Retailing (HR): What do you hope retailers will take away from the Fall Market?
Allison Flatjord: We want to give our retailers a sense of the power of being part of the largest hardware and building materials cooperative in the world. With technology at scale, key product partnerships, and great deals, we want them to leave Indianapolis with a clear view of the opportunities ahead and a practical plan for how to act on them. The Fall Market brings together buying opportunities, vendor partnerships, business insights, education, peer connections, and direct access to Do it Best Group teams in one place. Our goal is for every attendee to return home with stronger seasonal plans, sharper assortments, new ideas to improve profitability, and actionable next steps they can put to work right away in their stores and yards.
HR: Will there be anything new at the Fall Market?
Flatjord: There is always something new at a Do it Best and True Value Market, and Indianapolis will be no exception. Members and retailers will see new product introductions, expanded vendor programs, exclusive Market-only buying opportunities, and continued progress on the tools and resources designed to help them run stronger, more profitable businesses.
We will also be continuing our plans to bring technology to retailers’ stores to help them in their everyday business. Retail Pulse, which was introduced at our Spring Market, will have its own dedicated space on the Market floor where retailers can learn more, see the platform in action, and get hands-on guidance on how data-driven insights can help improve store performance. We will also have a few other surprises around tech tools that make our members’ lives easier.
And, with the new partnership with Sherwin-Williams, we will have an immersive paint area where members can learn details about our plans for our Valspar, Best Look and Easy Care paints.
HR: What new vendors or products will be at the Fall Market?
Flatjord: The Fall Market will feature more than 1,200 vendors, along with new product introductions, expanded vendor programs, and exclusive Market-only buying opportunities across key retail and LBM categories. We’ll be sharing more details soon about new vendors and product opportunities, but retailers can expect a strong lineup designed to help them strengthen assortments, prepare for upcoming selling seasons, and identify new ways to grow sales and margin.
HR: How will the Fall Market help retailers prepare for the upcoming holiday season and winter selling season?
Flatjord: The timing of the Fall Market gives retailers an important opportunity to finalize plans for the holiday and winter selling seasons while also looking ahead to the first half of 2027. Attendees will be able to explore seasonal products, take advantage of Market-only buying opportunities, connect directly with vendor partners, and compare programs that can help them build stronger assortments for the months ahead.
Beyond product selection, the Market gives store owners access to category experts, education sessions, and business tools that can help them think more strategically about inventory, promotions, merchandising, staffing, and customer engagement during critical selling periods. The goal is to help retailers leave with practical ideas and buying decisions that can support stronger performance through the end of the year and into the next.
HR: What topics will be covered in the educational sessions?
Flatjord: Our Knowledge Central sessions will focus on practical, business-building topics attendees can put to work right away. This year’s lineup includes sessions on AI, customer loyalty, employee retention, culture building, conflict resolution, succession planning, marketing and ecommerce growth, digital strategy, warehouse efficiency, suggested ordering, inventory productivity, paint problem-solving, live goods performance, team training, and growth planning for owners considering expansion.
We’ll also feature an LBM Learning Stage devoted to lumber and building materials dealers, with sessions focused on the industry-specific opportunities, challenges, and strategies that can help them improve operations, serve pros more effectively, and grow their business.
Orgill Fall and Winter Buying Events
August 3-16, 2026 and November 2-16, 2026
Virtual
Heading into the fall buying season, Orgill will kick off its Online Buying Event at the start of August. The Fall Online Buying Event is one of five structured buying opportunities Orgill offers its customers throughout the year, which include its in-person Spring Dealer Market and four additional online opportunities, including the Winter Online Buying Event.
Similar to what a retailer might expect to find during the distributor’s traditional in-person market, Orgill’s Online Buying Events are designed to help dealers improve margins, prepare for upcoming selling seasons and take advantage of exclusive buying opportunities.
Orgill’s vice president of hardlines merchandise Heath Kennedy and vice president of seasonal merchandise, Alan Shore, shared how retailers can maximize their opportunities around these events and how the products, programs and services showcased can help customers position their businesses for a successful holiday and winter selling season.
HR: What advice would you give to retailers to ensure they get the most out of Orgill’s Online Buying Events?
Alan Shore: Typically, we see the dealers who get the most value from Orgill’s Online Buying Events as the ones who approach them as more than just a short-term buying opportunity. Instead, they position these events as part of their standard annual buying cycle to make sure they take advantage of the best pricing during these seasonal windows for purchasing.
Heath Kennedy: I think it’s also important to point out that, with any buying event, the retailers who reap the greatest returns from their participation are the ones who spend a fair bit of time preparing before the event even starts.
The greatest returns come from preparation, smart use of data and planning ahead for seasonal demand. We advise all of our customers to get ready for the event by reviewing their sales histories, looking at inventory movement and previous buying patterns to understand what is already performing well in their stores.
We also try to make this as easy as possible for our customers by giving them both support and tools in advance of any of our buying events. For starters, they can lean on their Orgill sales consultant for guidance and support in advance of an event.
They can provide the customer with information, insights into promotions or products they want to look at and just serve as a guide to the event and a sounding board to help the retailers develop a plan. Another powerful tool retailers can use to help maximize these opportunities is our EDGE reports.
Any customer can have access to these reports, and they provide insight into product velocity, category performance and assortment gaps. Having access to this kind of information helps dealers make more informed purchasing decisions rather than relying solely on instinct.
Shore: Retailers should also pay close attention to the promotional opportunities our merchandising teams build into each event. These would be our Power Buys, Door Busters and other limited-time offers that are typically some of the best deals we can offer on the most popular products and assortments.
Paying attention to these offerings and taking advantage of what is often the best pricing and terms available can help retailers compete more effectively with larger national chains by providing compelling promotional products with strong value and attractive margins.
The items featured in these special opportunity buys can also create opportunities for in-store merchandising, digital marketing and local advertising that can help drive customer traffic. I also agree that planning ahead for these events is critical, whether it is an in-person market or an Online Buying Event.
One of the reasons we increased the frequency of our buying events was to offer our customers more opportunities to order merchandise during the buying window that aligns with the appropriate selling season.
Kennedy: It’s also important to point out that dealers really need to make sure they are taking advantage of the extended dating and favorable terms Orgill and our vendor partners offer during these events.
With this extended dating, shipping windows and release dates, retailers can better align their inventory arrivals with expected selling periods. This allows them to manage cash flow while ensuring products arrive when they are needed—not months too early.
Ultimately, the most successful dealers prepare in advance, use the available data, capitalize on promotional opportunities and make buying decisions with the upcoming selling season in mind.
Done well, Online Buying Events become a vital tool for improving margins, strengthening inventory decisions and remaining competitive in local markets.
HR: What new vendors and product introductions can dealers expect to see during the Online Buying Events?
Kennedy: Our merchandising team works closely with our vendor partners to make sure we continue delivering value to our customers through these events, and one of the biggest values we can offer is the steady introduction of new products, programs and vendors.
The Fall Online Buying Event has no shortage of these on offer. Retailers participating in the event will see a number of exciting new vendor partnerships, expanded assortments and exclusive product introductions across several key categories.
One of the biggest additions is our new partnership with Benjamin Moore, which includes a strong assortment of Insl-X specialty paint products, as well as Benjamin Moore Premium paint for qualified dealers. We’re also introducing Evolve Paints, an eco-friendly line of interior and exterior paint solutions, along with Retique It, an innovative paint system that allows DIYers to create authentic wood finishes on virtually any hard surface.
Shore: In the outdoor living category, we’ve added Drip EZ, which features grilling preparation tubs and premium grill mitts, as well as Monument Grills, a feature-rich line of mid-market grills that combines premium styling with innovative cooking features. To complement those offerings, we’re introducing Rufus Teague’s award-winning barbecue sauces and rubs, giving dealers another great opportunity to increase impulse purchases while enhancing their grilling assortment.
We’re also expanding our lawn and garden offerings with Rhino Seed and EZ-Straw, a premium line of lawn repair and erosion control products.
The assortment includes innovative Seeding Mulch with Tackifier and straw blanket solutions designed to protect new seed from washouts, wind and birds, and these products are now stocked in all of Orgill’s U.S. distribution centers. And in addition to some of these new offerings, we are also featuring a number of expanded product assortments from a variety of our vendors, including:
- Metabo HPT cordless pneumatic nailers
- National Nail CAMO Countersink deck screws
- Kwikset expanded padlock assortment featuring SmartKey technology
- Eazypower Tap & Die Program
- Newell Rubbermaid Elmer’s wood, multipurpose and craft glues
- ClosetMaid adjustable closet kits and wood shelving
- Rust-Oleum Ready Seal Turbo aerosol exterior stains
- Purdy Altitude premium roller covers
Together, these additions give dealers access to new categories, assortments and innovative products that support both everyday sales opportunities and seasonal merchandising.
HR: How do these Online Buying Events help dealers prepare for the upcoming holiday season and winter selling season?
Shore: One of the greatest advantages of the Online Buying Events is that we’re no longer forcing customers into two narrow buying windows, as was common with traditional in-person shows. They allow retailers to prepare for multiple selling seasons at the same time and provide a stronger focus on seasonal buying needs.
We’re offering buying events that coincide with the seasonal planning already taking place in their businesses. Some of the key opportunities retailers will see during the Fall Online Buying Event are designed to help them prepare for both the holiday selling season and the months that follow. One of the biggest is the Holiday Tool Catalog, which serves as the first opportunity to purchase high-demand fourth-quarter products at discounts ranging from 10% to 30%.
That includes everything from cordless tool kits, power tools and accessories to mechanic’s tool sets, storage products, grills and more from leading brands like DeWalt, Stanley, Vulcan, Gearwrench, Barbour, Omaha and Kamado Joe.
Dealers will also have access to our Patio Booking Program, which allows them to lock in early pricing on outdoor furniture, fire pits, gazebos, umbrellas and other outdoor living products with February and March release dates. In addition, the Spring Is Here Pre-Book Program gives retailers the opportunity to purchase qualifying spring products early while taking advantage of promotional pricing and rebate opportunities.
Kennedy: Retailers will see many of these same opportunities at our Winter Online Buying Event, but with a slight shift in the seasons being covered.
The Winter Online Buying Event builds on those holiday buying opportunities while helping dealers begin preparing for the spring and summer selling seasons. Retailers will have a second opportunity to purchase holiday merchandise through the Holiday Tool Catalog at promotional pricing, along with access to the Spring/Summer Pre-Season Promotion, which offers early ordering on spring and summer products with extended dating and February and March shipment windows.
Dealers can also participate in the Fan Booking Program, allowing them to pre-order a broad assortment of our private-label PowerZone fans so they’re well positioned ahead of the spring selling season.
These are just some of the examples of how we feel these events bring together strong promotional pricing, extended dating, seasonal release schedules and forward-looking merchandising opportunities that help retailers maximize holiday sales while positioning their businesses for success well into the following season.
HR: Why do you see Orgill’s Online Buying Events becoming such an important part of your customers’ buying strategy? Shore: In today’s retail environment, everything is moving so fast.
The speed at which things change today really requires dealers to think further ahead than ever before. Successful retailers aren’t simply reacting to seasonal demand—they’re planning months, using data to guide buying decisions and taking advantage of promotional opportunities that improve both inventory productivity and margins. Not only does this help ensure they have the products they need when they need them, it also helps them maximize their margin potential by taking advantage of favorable pricing and terms.
In turn, this provides retailers with opportunities for meaningful promotions to their customers throughout the year that can drive traffic and boost basket size. Kennedy: By offering a combination of seasonal Online Buying Events and our in-person Dealer Market, we give our customers more flexibility to take advantage of these buying opportunities.
By combining exclusive promotions, expanded assortments, flexible purchasing programs and future-focused seasonal planning, these events give independent retailers the tools they need to compete effectively, strengthen profitability and better serve the unique needs of their local markets.
