Fall 2014 Hardlines Strategies

STORE PROGRAMS

Success With the SmartBook How Retailers Save Time and Money With a New Tool From Blish-Mize

Why? He was using Blish-Mize’s SmartBook, a new tool that contains his store’s historical purchasing data and sales projections. Because he utilized the SmartBook, a free tool available to Blish-Mize retailers, Lightfoot was able to plan ahead for the Market. Before he even arrived, he’d already taken a look at his store’s purchasing history and was prepared to place his orders right away. “I could see what we purchased three, six and 12 months ago,” he says. “It made the purchasing process this time much quicker and easier.” Lightfoot was just one of several retailers who had a similar experience. “I was apprehensive when Blish-Mize first shared the new concept,” says Tim Wisdom, owner of Wray Lumber in Wray, Colorado. “But when I sat down and went through the SmartBook, I thought it was a great concept. It helps us better prepare for the Market. It’s just so much more efficient.” Hermitage Lumber in Hermitage, Missouri, went to the Blish-Mize Spring Buying Market in March, he already knew what he wanted to buy. As a result, he spent less time placing orders and more time walking around the showfloor and networking. W hen Larry Lightfoot, manager of

A New Tool At the Spring Buying Market in March, Blish-Mize introduced the SmartBook, which is customized to each store and offers you purchasing data so you can better plan your purchases before the Market. By getting much of your work done ahead of time, you can utilize your time at the Market in other ways—by talking with vendors, finding new products and exploring new assortments. “The SmartBook is informative and efficient,” Lightfoot says. “Before, I would look through the old market book, get on the computer to see our purchase history, and then type in every item I wanted to buy. But with the SmartBook, it’s all there in one place. Thanks to it, I’m able to have some extra time at the Market looking at new products and talking with vendors and other retailers.” Lightfoot says he especially likes how the SmartBook is personalized to his store. “It isn’t a generic book of what everyone needs to buy. It’s tailored to our store and our needs.” Wisdom agrees. “We do our homework before these Markets. This easy tool allows us to take a hard look at our purchase his- tory and make more educated decisions.”

Trying It Out Blish-Mize hopes you, too, will take advantage of this complimentary new tool at the Fall Buying Market. “It’s a very intelligent book, custom- ized with your purchase history for your store,” says Blish-Mize Vice President of Marketing Chuck Short. “It’s proven to be very beneficial, offering maximum discounts and helping you make plans for when you go to market. You can do more work ahead of time, which saves you time when you get to the Market.” Short estimates ordering from the SmartBook could save as much as 7 to 9 percent off an entire order. And all orders come with 90 days dating. Visit www.blishmize.com to register online for the SmartBook, which will trig- ger the mailing of the physical book to your store. “The sooner you register, the sooner you’ll have your SmartBook in hand, and the sooner you can start prepar- ing for the Market,” Short says. For more information about the SmartBook, talk to your sales representative or email Chuck Short at chuck.short@blishmize.com.

28 Fall 2014 • Hardlines Strategies