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Research & Guides

Building Homes, Building Communities

home sweet home pros' edition

To view a PDF of this story, click here. By Dan Tratensek Study Highlights the Positive Impact of Local Sourcing Drive through just about any neighborhood in any state, from Pennsylvania to Oregon, and you’re likely to see homes being …

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Retailers, Consumers Agree: Made in America Matters

To view a PDF of this story and check out more data, click here. Independent home improvement retailers are emphasizing their made-in-America product offerings, and customers are demonstrating that the emphasis hits home for them. A large portion of retailers …

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Quarter 1 Economic Indicators Show Upswing

Inflation Eases

The first quarter of 2017 continued 2016’s upward swing, key U.S. economic indicators show. The largest spike was in consumer confidence. The March 2017 score was 125.6, the highest level since December 2000, The Conference Board reports. That growth helped …

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How Does Your Business Compare to a High-Profit Store?

Cost of Doing Business Study deadline

The differences between a high-profit home improvement store and a typical operation can be significant, according to facts from the North American Retail Hardware Association’s (NRHA) 2016 Cost of Doing Business Study. A high-profit home improvement store nets 9.2 percent profit …

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Prioritize Style and Function in Plumbing

Kitchen and bath updates were some of the most popular home remodeling projects in 2016—a trend that can only be good for your business if your operation excels in plumbing. Online home improvement community Houzz surveyed more than 100,000 homeowners …

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Retailers Speak on Financial Industry Research

Cost of Doing Business

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 …

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New Study: When Pros Buy Local, Communities Benefit

Home Sweet Home

The North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and Independent We Stand released a new study May 9 that provides insight into how much home improvement professionals can impact their communities by buying local. The Home Sweet Home: Pros’ Edition study examines the positive …

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