Tag Archives: research

New and complex government regulations — especially rules connected to taxes, health care and employee safety—can discourage small business growth and entrepreneurship, according to new data from the National Retail Federation. The reasons? Owners of small businesses often work long …

Consumer confidence was relatively strong in 2015, but it took a downward turn toward the end of last year that has carried into 2016. This resulted in a decrease of more than 5 percent in the consumer confidence index in …

Many independent home improvement retailers are looking to expand their businesses by adding store locations, which bring new customers, new product mixes and new opportunities. Recent data gathered by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) shows that more than a quarter of independent retailers plan …

The majority of shoppers from around the world still research and make home improvement purchases in stores–but don’t think that means you can wait to build a robust online presence if you don’t have one. More than half of consumers make their home …

Over the past several years, more and more sustainable products, such as LED lighting and solar elements, and practices are making their way into U.S. homes. Plus, adding sustainable living options into homes and lifestyles is becoming more affordable and mainstream. This …

A consumer survey has ranked True Value as the top retailer for the experiences it provides shoppers. The co-op has come out on top in the retail category for delivering the best customer experiences, according to the 2016 Temkin Experience …

Hardware Retailing magazine’s March 2016 issue features an article focused on retailers who have high-performing social media accounts for their businesses. The story also identifies ways retailers can grow their engagement and audience on social media platforms. The full story can be found here. The North …