Operations

For 100 years, the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) has been putting together the Cost of Doing Business Study annually. The study collects financial information from more than 1,000 independent home improvement businesses. From the data industry averages are determined …

With summer quickly approaching, it’s a great time to throw a party at your store. Special events can create a buzz around your business and draw customers in the door. How successful that event will be will depend, in large …

With all of the new products on the market, updates in building codes and changes in workplace regulations, it can be difficult for contractors to keep up. Lezzer Lumber makes it easier. Every February, the company, which operates 11 retail …

Disagreements are expected in any family dynamic, but when you add business to the mix, things can get even more complicated. Family businesses experience fewer conflicts that non-family businesses, according to the Harvard Business Review. However, when problems such as financial …

To view a PDF of this story, click here. Technology is an ever-changing, ever-advancing piece of your business, your life and the lives of your customers. Think about how quickly our reaction to new technology goes from “wow” to “duh.” …

As a group, the millennial generation of 20- and 30-somethings is often culturally defined as lazy, technology-obsessed and spoiled. However, millennials make up more of today’s workforce than any other generation and, slowly, they’re becoming your target market. Instead of mainly worrying about …

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 …