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Celebrating its 59th year, the Retailers’ Choice Awards honored the best, most creative and most innovative products on the show floor at the National Hardware Show. Sponsored by the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA), the Retailers’ Choice Awards program has been an attendee favorite since the program started in 1966.
A panel of independent retailers browsed the show floor looking for products they think would perform well in their operations. The judges met together to share their nominations, and from these nominations, the top 36 products were chosen as Retailers’ Choice Awards winners. Judges included Jared Brown (The Aubuchon Company), Neal DeLowery (The Aubuchon Company), Joel Pletch (Walkerton Home Hardware) Eddie Grundy (Carthage Hardware), Christian Herrick (Randy’s Do it Best) and Jay Engler (Busy Beaver Building Center).
“I thought it was a great way to participate in the show. I tried to think of items that I would actually sell in my store and would serve a great purpose to customers as I looked for products,” Pletch says. “All around, it was a great experience.”
On Wednesday evening, the Retailers’ Choice Awards winners were recognized and the products were highlighted in a fun and engaging ceremony.
“The Retailers’ Choice Awards are really meaningful to the vendors here at the National Hardware Show, they really appreciate the recognition,” says NHPA COO Dan Tratensek. “For some of these smaller vendors, winning something like the Retailers’ Choice Awards can really make or break them.”
- 5′ Utility Scaffold from Scaffoldmart
- 6″ Big Ass Matches from Hell’s Fire
- BetterGrip Paint Roller from BetterGrip
- Big Red Floor Jack from Torin Inc.
- BucketGrips from BucketGrips
- Cord Vault from Midwest Innovative Products
- Defend Cellular Security Camera from Tactacam
- Drill Dock from Midwest Innovative Products
- DuraSack from Halsted Corp.
- Easihold Stone and Mulch Binder from Easihold
- Energizer Smart Indoor Camera from Energizer
- Fly Bucket Top from Rescue
- FreeForm 360 Paintbrush from FreeForm
- Granite and Marble Umbrella Weights from Stone HSF/Xiamen Haisongfu Stone
- Hammer Fist Hammer from Houseworks LTD
- Hera Artificial Botanical Garden from EdenVert
- Hummingbird Feeder with Wi-Fi Camera from FeatherSnap
- Integrated Battery Backup Light Fixture from Fresh Source International
- Kwik Shift 5-in-1 from Harper Trucks
- LitezAll 6-in-1 Emergency Car Light from Promier Products
- LP4 LaserPecker from LaserPecker
- Mag Snap Magnetic Wristband from Wrap-It
- New Rewind Line from Police Security Flashlights
- PowerPaw Handwarmer from Panther Vision
- ProjectPartners Picture Hanging Kit from Allied International
- Retyz Zip Ties from NetConnex
- Rhino Cart from Midwest Innovative Products
- Shubug Kids from Shubug
- Smart Bird Feeder from FeatherSnap
- Stick ‘Em Roll from Wrap-It
- Tackstrap 4-Way Bungee from Stapll
- TakeOff Adhesive Remover from DS Cleaning Kits, Inc.
- Taprack 4 Refillable Propane System from Ignik
- TripleLite from TripleLite LLC
- UPF 50+ Sun Shirt from Berne Apparel
- Wall-Russ Wall Repair Tool from Wall-Russ
