Merchandising

Throughout 2017, retail consultant Dustin Kaehr has shared his insights into the cornerstones of running a successful retail operation. He’s drawn from his 17 years of experience working with all types of retailers, including small independent businesses as well as …

Click the picture to download a PDF of this story. By Dustin Kaehr, dk@dustinkaehr.com My grandpa used to love eating at little hole-in-the-wall restaurants. “It may look like a dump, but those places usually serve the best food.” My dad, who …

For many retailers, the few inches of space between the floor and the bottom of a gondola run of shelving mostly collects dust bunnies. But at 10th Street Hardware, a store in Philadelphia with an 1,100-square-foot salesfloor, it offers valuable …

Cross merchandising is one of the best ways to increase sales because it gives customers a reminder of an item they might have otherwise forgotten. Encouraging this add-on sale not only increases your average transaction size, but it is also …

Visitors to the paint department at Charlie’s Hardware & Rental in Mosinee, Wisconsin, will find something not often found in hardware stores: a vintage jukebox. Owner Jeff Kyhos says showcasing the retro device, which he calls “a great conversation piece,” …

At Kabelin Ace Hardware, customers can get a gift that is truly one of a kind. A new laser engraver allows customers to put their own messages or images on a variety of gift items, including picture frames, mugs, cutting …

Fire Prevention Week is coming soon. Do you have a plan for how you’ll use the week to promote fire safety? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) organizes Fire Prevention Week as part of its ongoing campaign to educate the public …

A few years ago, Jill and Jeremy Post, owners of Post’s Hardware Hank, noticed that around Memorial Day, it was difficult to find a place in town to buy flowers or ornaments to decorate the graves of veterans. The small town …