Mike Clark is already looking ahead to Christmas. 

During Chicago-based True Value’s 2012 Spring Market general session last month, Clark, the co-op's senior VP and chief merchandising officer, told member retailers: "We know you're looking ahead to fall and winter and thinking about what's going to help you drive your sales."

BrassCraft Manufacturing, a division of Masco, has promoted George Werner to the position of VP retail sales. In this position, Werner will direct retail sales strategies and initiatives in support of BrassCraft Manufacturing's business goals and sales targets. In addition to all retail sales, with the exception of The Home Depot, Werner's responsibilities include the retail and wholesale segments of business for BrassCraft service parts and Cobra products.

As a former store owner, avid consumer and general retail junkie, I really get excited when I walk through a store and find myself thinking “WOW! Look at THIS.” More than once, when really excited, the “Wow!” in my head has extended to my mouth, occasionally to my embarrassment, but more often to either agreement from my fellow shoppers or the appreciation from nearby employees.

Despite concerns about the economy and rising household expenses, nearly three out of five (59%) consumers will put aside economic worries and spend the same or more this holiday season, according to Deloitte’s 26th annual survey of holiday spending intentions and trends. While this is a slight decline from 2010, it represents an eight-percentage point increase from 2009.

Store design and the art of packing high-volume sales in a small space was one of the front-and-center topics at the True Value Market in Philadelphia.

The company's Destination True Value (DTV) initiative -- its store design and merchandising concept -- came to Philadelphia in a new package that measured just over 5,200 sq. ft. The concept store, on full display at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, included 50% less lineal feet than the medium-size DTV format, but had 68% of the SKU count, according to the co-op.

Orchard Supply Hardware has gone through a lot of changes in its 80-year history, but the California chain — now numbering 89 units with $660.7 million in annual sales — has weathered them all. Changes in ownership, leadership, store design, color scheme and signage have come and gone. But the stores’ customers — known for their exceptional loyalty — have generally stuck with the chain. 


Lowe’s second-quarter financial report was a disappointment to the company’s executives, who made no excuses for the retailer’s poor showing. Earnings were down slightly, revenues grew by only 1.3%, and comp-store sales were essentially flat. “Even after taking into account the challenges of the macro environment, we are still not pleased with our performance this year,” said chairman and CEO Robert Niblock, speaking at an analysts’ conference call on Aug. 15. 


Do it Best Corp. announced the soft opening of the first four Pongs Do it Best Home Centers in Jakarta, Indonesia, earlier this month.

With the openings in Indonesia, the Fort Wayne, Ind.-based co-op expanded its customer base to 50 countries.

A customer satisfaction survey by J.D. Powers and Associates found that sales, delivery and installation service are slightly more important than facilities, product assortment and price when it comes to buying major appliances. 

You don’t win the hardware retailer of the year award in Worcester, Mass., for 15 straight years by being passive in the marketplace. 


To meet the challenges of a tough economy, Barrows Hardware ramped up its merchandising efforts with aggressive endcap promotions that in turn have generated increased sales.


Brian Barrows, president, said that as part of its “Door Busters” promotion, Barrows places up to 30 endcaps in the store featuring name-brand products and selling the items at cost.


Top-line retail same-store sales held steady with a 5.7% gain in May, but showed the effects of plans by shoppers to curb spending, according to Kantar Retail.