Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Whether it’s your first or fifth time attending the National Hardware Show (NHS), this year’s event is a must-attend for independent retailers with several returning attendee-favorites like the NHS Backyard and plenty of new programming. NHS will take place March 18-20 in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“This year, we’ve raised the bar by expanding our hands-on sessions, live storytelling and programming that honors the outstanding contributions of professionals in our industry,” says Hector Morfin, event leader for the National Hardware Show. “We invite everyone—professionals, innovators and enthusiasts alike—to join us in March for a truly immersive experience that spotlights the latest products, fosters valuable connections and showcases the future of hardware, home improvement, outdoor living and more.”
Here are the top 10 reasons to add NHS to your itinerary for 2025.
10: Come Away With Valuable Insights
The NHS Conference Program is the gateway to unlocking your operation’s full potential. Designed for professionals seeking to enhance their skills and grow their network, this program takes place March 19 and offers tailored learning opportunities across key topics within the industry through several tracks. Topics covered will include remodeling trends, merchandising, marketing, innovation, storytelling, returns and more, with each session featuring industry experts, retailers and professionals.
9: Celebrate and Empower Women in Home Improvement
The How Women Rise in Hardware event, presented in partnership with Build Women, will take place on March 18 on the NHS Main Stage. This new NHS Conference experience is dedicated to celebrating and empowering women leaders in the hardware and home improvement industry.
In the keynote “The Power of Building Your Personal Brand,” Stefanie Couch, founder of Build Women, will share strategies for developing a strong personal brand, overcoming obstacles and positioning oneself for leadership opportunities.
Gina Schaefer, co-founder of A Few Cool Hardware Stores and author of “Recovery Hardware,” will present the keynote “Building a Culture That Helps You Thrive as a Woman in Business” and discuss creating organizational cultures that support women’s success, focusing on the pillars of people, profit and products to drive business growth.
The day’s events will also include a panel discussion, “Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Challenges in a Male-Dominated Industry,” and educational session, “How Women Rise: Overcoming Behaviors That Hold You Back.”
The day will conclude with a relaxed networking session that recognizes nominees and winners for the prestigious How Women Rise Awards. Awards will honor outstanding women in the industry in seven categories: Leadership Excellence, Rising Star, Entrepreneur of the Year, Mentorship, Community Impact, Sustainability Advocate and Lifetime Achievement.
8: Enjoy a Flavorful Experience
Attendees of NHS will have the opportunity tovget their grill on at the Weber Grilling Classes, taking place on Tuesday of the show. Attendees can choose from a beginner or advanced class, and the cost of the class includes all supplies, a gift bag with apron, bottle opener, can koozie and hat, as well as a raffle ticket to win a Weber grill.
Sponsored by NHS and the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS), Weber Immersive Grilling Classes will provide a hands-on grilling experience led by Weber pitmasters that showcases new techniques and secret tips on elevating the grilling experience for both beginner and advanced grill enthusiasts.
7: Get a First Look at the Merchandising for Profit Study
The North American Hardware and Paint Association’s (NHPA) Merchandising for Profit Study is a resource for best-in-class merchandising techniques and a scorecard retailers can use to measure the effectiveness of their merchandising. Gain insights from the study to improve your operation’s merchandising techniques and implement best practices for improving your merchandising.
6: See the Latest and Greatest Products
The segmented floor plan will make it easier to navigate the different product areas, which include building products; hardware and tools; hobby, gift and specialty; home essentials, storage and solutions; lawn, garden and outdoor living; lighting and electric; paint and supplies; plumbing and HVAC; sport and outdoor recreation; and workwear and apparel.
In the NEW Product Zone, attendees will see exciting new-to-market products from veteran vendors and newcomers. For products with high labor and safety standards and top-quality manufacturing that keep Americans working, the Made in USA exhibits highlight best-in-class products and services.
In 2024, NHS launched Shop Global, a dedicated area on the show floor featuring a collection of small and mid-size companies from around the world. With over 500 exhibitors from 15-plus countries, Shop Global is a key area to find quality products, competitive pricing and diverse suppliers.
5: Relax in the NHS Backyard
Always a crowd favorite, the NHS Backyard will once again be a go-to destination for everything lawn, garden, farm, ranch, outdoor living and grilling. Grill masters will be serving up mouth-watering samples all day and the annual NHS Cook-off will take place between top grilling brands and their expert chefs. Each day winds down with live music and refreshing brews in the Backyard Beer Garden—making NHS Backyard the ultimate spot to relax, connect and get inspired.
4. Take Part in Foundations of Merchandising Management Live!
Foundations of Merchandising Management Live! is a two-day industry-focused, educational program for both new and seasoned home improvement retail professionals responsible for managing merchandising functions at their stores.
Designed by NHPA with industry retailers, the program provides strategies and tactics for participants to successfully improve and manage merchandising, assortment planning and vendor relations.
Students in the program will benefit from expert-led course sessions, breakout workshops, networking opportunities, hands-on learning on the NHS Show floor and ROI-driven assignments to take back to their stores.
3. Attend the Retailers’ Choice Awards Ceremony
Celebrating its 59th year, the Retailers’ Choice Awards honor the best, most creative and most innovative products on the show floor at NHS that independent retailers think would perform well in their operations. Sponsored by NHPA, the Retailers’ Choice Awards program has been an attendee favorite since the program started in 1966.
A panel of independent retailers browses the show floor looking for products they think would perform well in their operations. The judges meet together to share their nominations, and from these nominations, the top 30 or so products are chosen as Retailers’ Choice Awards winners.
On Wednesday evening, the Retailers’ Choice Awards winners are recognized and the products are highlighted in a fun and
engaging ceremony.
2. Enjoy Programming Catered to Independent Retailers
During NHS, independent retailers will have their own space to learn, network and relax in the Independent Retail Center (IRC), hosted by NHPA. In the IRC, hear from fellow retailers in three roundtables that will cover topics ranging
from innovation to selling. In the “Navigating the Path to Retail Leadership” session, young retailers will gain best practices to increase their impact and grow their leadership in the industry, connect with peers to discuss shared challenges and explore opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The “Innovation in Retail Technology” roundtable will explore how tech innovations can streamline operations, improve customer experiences and future-proof the business. “Building a Culture of Selling” will take a look at practical strategies for boosting employee morale, improving retention and fostering a team that’s confident and focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences.
NHPA’s Scott Wright will present “Unlocking NHPA Programming: Education, Insights and Connections,” which will provide an overview of key initiatives for the association, including Foundations of Leadership, Retail Management Certification Program, Cost of Doing Business Study and the IHI Conference.
In “Merchandising for Gen Z: Adapting to the Future of Retail,” attendees will step into the future of retail merchandising with this hands-on experience, an extension of NHPA’s Foundations of Merchandising Live! program.
Designed specifically for independent retailers, this session will immerse participants in real-world merchandising strategies to attract and engage Gen Z shoppers. Held in the Merchandising Showcase Section of NHS, attendees will learn how to curate products, design eye-catching displays and integrate digital experiences that resonate with and bring in younger customers.
1. Get a Free Expo Pass
Independent home improvement retailers can register for a free expo pass using the code NHSNHPA
and registering at NHS2025.com/NHPA.
