32
Fall 2013 •
Hardlines
Strategies
VENDOR PROFILE
It’s a strategy that keeps your customers
from shopping somewhere else and can
differentiate your product mix from that
of other home improvement retailers.
That’s Blish-Mize’s strategy, too. While
the company is big enough to provide you
with competitive prices and programs,
members of the buying team also listen to
your feedback about which vendors you
would like to see added to the Distribution
Center or which programs it should expand.
At this year’s Fall Buying Market, you’ll
see some new additions to the Blish-Mize
catalog as well as expanded offerings from
key vendors. Blish-Mize buyers carefully
select programs due to the high quality of
products those vendors provide and the
way those vendors can differentiate your
store from the competition. Here are four
featured programs to check out at the Fall
Buying Market.
Mobile Home Parts from
United States Hardware
Visit most big-box stores and you will
likely have a difficult time finding mobile
home parts. While mobile home prod-
ucts are a natural extension to hardlines
assortments, big boxes tend to shy away
from selling these lines. Now you have
the opportunity to be the primary pro-
vider and a destination for those items in
your market.
United States Hardware Manufacturing
has more than 40 years of experience in
the distribution of mobile home parts,
including electrical, plumbing and win-
dow and door hardware. Blish-Mize has
added more than 50 mobile home items
to its warehouse. This vendor also has
RV and marine parts available on a spe-
cial order or drop ship basis. Look for
complete mobile home parts planograms
in 2- and 4-foot options on display at the
Fall Market. In addition, this vendor sells
OEM quality parts, so when a customer
comes to your store looking for a replace-
ment item, you can match the quality of
the part he has.
“Consumers can go anywhere and get
regular hardware for their homes, but
they can’t go anywhere and buy parts
for their mobile homes,” says Kevin
Blum from United States Hardware
Manufacturing. “Now you can offer
those lines. Plus, consumers looking for
mobile home items are likely to buy other
hardware items while in your store.”
Crescent Mechanics Tool
Program from Apex Tool Group
For more than 100 years, consum-
ers have trusted the Crescent wrench
tool brand. Now, the company, part of
the Apex Tool Group, is expanding that
brand to a complete set of mechanics
hand tools. With more than 300 items,
this line includes pliers, adjustable and
combination wrenches, sockets, ratchets,
extensions, screwdrivers and more. At the
Fall Buying Market, you’ll be able to see
the many options available, from single
tools to sets.
This program, new to the marketplace,
presents the perfect opportunity for you
to reset your existing mechanics tool line
or establish your presence in it for the first
time. Maximize your display space and
offer a cohesive presentation with a water-
fall display in adjustable planograms.
Also, you’ll want to see the other inno-
vative products this vendor has to offer as
you think about ways to keep your cus-
tomers excited about shopping your store.
“The Crescent brand has seen more
new products than any other brand in
our company,” says Apex Tool Group’s
Director of Branded Products Paul
Steinweg. “We offer you a lot of innova-
tion that allows you to compete with the
big-box stores.”
A Perfect Fit
Four Vendors Bring Diversity and Value to Your Product Mix
I
f you’re like many
independent retailers,
somewhere behind
the checkout counter you
have a notebook where
you keep track of the
items customers request
that you don’t stock.
When an item makes a
frequent appearance on
the list, you make space
on the shelf and add it to
your regular inventory.
