Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
As it continually strives to make independent home improvement retailers better and more profitable, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) is leaning into technology to bring efficient and time-saving training offerings to the channel.
The new RetailWise program delivers fast, high-impact two-minute training videos developed with artificial intelligence that are designed to strengthen the frontline skills of independent hardware, paint and lumber retailers.
Built for use in team huddles, during shift meetings and throughout the onboarding process, this series will help improve performance, culture and consistency—without disrupting store operations. Designed for today’s fast-paced retail environment, RetailWise delivers 52 professionally scripted video lessons.
“Two minutes may seem short, but when that time is intentional and focused, it becomes incredibly powerful. These micro-lessons help retailers strengthen their teams without pulling them off the salesfloor,” says Cody Goeppner, NHPA director of education and training. “Independent retailers need training that moves at the speed of their stores. RetailWise was designed to deliver meaningful development in the moments when teams actually have time—right before a shift, during a huddle or even between customers.”
Expanding the reach of the program and meeting employees where they are, the videos are available in English, Spanish and French-Canadian.
“Offering RetailWise in English, Spanish and French-Canadian ensures training is accessible to entire teams—not just a few individuals,” Goeppner says. “When everyone can learn in their preferred language, the whole operation wins.”
RetailWise training categories include customer experience and sales techniques; leadership and people development; operational excellence; merchandising and inventory; marketing and local promotion; safety and risk management; retail tech simplified; store culture and team engagement.
“Training isn’t just about skills—it’s about culture,” Goeppner says. “RetailWise helps reinforce what great customer service looks like, how teams communicate, and how employees show up for each other. That consistency builds stronger stores.”
Training in Action
A second-generation family-owned store, Parry’s in Hamilton, New York, is continually growing to meet the needs of its DIY and professional customers. Owner Gwenn Werner added the RetailWise program to the operation’s training offerings in late 2025 after seeing RetailWise advertised in NHPA emails.
“I subscribed immediately,” Werner says. “Since we already utilize the regular NHPA training program, this felt like a natural extension of our current training resources.”
For Werner, the short-form videos are especially valuable because they work well when the team has limited time and because the bite-sized format leads to better retention.
“Each employee learns differently,” Werner explains. “These quick videos let us train whenever we have a few spare minutes, and our employees retain far more from short, focused lessons.”
Werner says she has been using videos in all of the program’s eight categories. 
“The selection provides a nice assortment of content for both our hourly employees and our managers,” she says. “I particularly appreciate the customer experience and sales techniques categories, as they serve as great reinforcement for what we already teach in the store.”
So far, Parry’s employees have been watching the videos independently on their own time, and Werner has received positive feedback from employees, who have appreciated that the videos are relevant, short and to the point.
“Ultimately, our main goal is to maintain the reputation of having the best employees in town, and RetailWise is another valuable tool to help us achieve that.”
