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Handy Hardware concluded its Fall Market at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio this weekend. The market, which ran August 21-23 focused around the company’s proposition of “Profit Plus.”
Prior to Market Handy announced that more 400 dealers had qualified for a loyalty rebate for their continued support of Handy Hardware during the first year under new ownership. Checks were handed out at the market. The loyalty reward program will run for two more years and rewards dealers for maintaining and growing their purchases with Handy.
Additionally, a new travel program to assist dealers with the costs associated with attending the market was put in place for the fall market and will be part of the company’s offering in the future.
Craig Cowart, EVP of Merchandising at Handy Hardware, commented that the deals on the floor were better than ever. “Handy’s Profit Plus markets are primarily a buying event, and our merchants have partnered with our suppliers to bring some incredible deals to our customers,” says Cowart. The market floor offered not only great buys, but also featured a “Bargain Barn” for some select close outs, and the “Profit Plus Paint Store” that incentivized customers to buy full planograms with discounts and dating.”
A new feature at this year’s market was lunchtime seminars covering product and consumer trends, social media and local marketing. We recognize that we have to provide value to our dealers beyond product and price, to help them with closing the transaction,” Cowart says. “We added these seminars on the convention floor, and dealers can attend while enjoying a free lunch during Friday’s market.”
Handy also used the market to welcome Brian Sarnoas as its new Vice President of Sales. Sarnoas joins Handy from Interline Brands and has deep experience in the wholesale and distribution industries having also worked at W.W.Grainger.
“It has been an amazing year for the entire Handy family; dealers, employees and vendor partners. We have successfully fought to preserve a 53-year old company with a great brand and extraordinary history. Fill rates are over 96 percent, our 500,000-square-foot warehouse in Houston is stocked with what our dealers need and we have built a strong management team capable of leading the company into the future,” said Miller during the show. “I just want to thank everyone for their support and confidence in the company.”
