Philadelphia -- True Value Co. CEO Lyle Heidemann presented some positive numbers during the co-op's Fall Market general session, as he encouraged members to remain visible to their customers.

Speaking here Friday morning at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, site of the company's fall market, Heidemann pointed to positive recent sales gains across the co-op. Since the third week of May -- a starting point selected because it was the beginning of this year's delayed spring -- retail sales are up 4.3% at True Value, with every department positive, he said.