Operations

Families all over the globe are taking a closer look at what they put in their bodies. Organic foods and locavore tastes have transformed the standard diet for many families, and that has translated to pets as well. Yet it isn’t …

Independent home improvement retailers are committed to customer service and strong product knowledge. They’re also committed to their associates, who provide that service and knowledge to customers. Westlake Ace Hardware, while never wavering from its commitment to its customers, has …

Promoting “quality of life” benefits can help small businesses stand out among competitors that are vying for employees, according to business owners interviewed for an article from USA Today. Decreasing national unemployment has resulted in fewer applicants for jobs with small businesses, USA Today reports. In …

When Sears Holdings recently announced it has “substantial doubt” about its ability to continue its business, it confirmed the fact that the retailer has many more struggles to face. While Sears was once considered “America’s largest retailer,” its recent problems provide lessons for independent …

To see a full PDF of this story, click here. It was almost a decade ago when Rob Gardiner, owner of Damariscotta Hardware in Damariscotta, Maine, was approached by a local contractor to see if he would be interested in installing solar …

Depending on where you live, solar energy and signs of its use can range from ubiquitous to entirely foreign. Yet the ever-increasing number of products that use and provide solar energy is putting the one-time fad of a green movement …

Spring has sprung in many parts of the country–and where it hasn’t, it will soon. The weather is getting warmer and your customers are ready to do some spring cleaning and tackle the outdoor projects they’ve been thinking about over …

What does it take to be the largest, most successful retailer in Southern France? I visited Quincaillerie Aixoise to find out. Quincaillerie Aixoise is a multistore operation headquartered in Aix-en-Provence, France, with five locations in Aix-en-Provence and the surrounding cities. …