Page 18 - Spring 2013 Hardlines Strategies

18

Spring 2013 •

Hardlines

Strategies

MARKET PREVIEW

Find More at the Mini-Store

At the Fall Market last year you got

your first look at the mini-store. This

area, front and center on the Market

floor, showcases some of Blish-Mize’s best

assortments and merchandising ideas,

arranged in a model-store format. While

in the rest of the Market you may see a lot

of individual vendors, the mini-store will

show you how Blish-Mize can help you

put them all together.

This Market, the focus of the mini-

store will be on updated assortments in

the plumbing and electrical departments.

“During much of my recent travel, several

customers expressed interest in updating

these departments, so we’re highlighting

these categories at the Spring Market,”

says Doug Long, Blish-Mize vice president

of sales and marketing.

Because no two stores are the same,

you’ll have the option of 2-, 4-, 8-, 12-

or 16-foot assortments in each of the

plumbing and electrical categories.

“These assortments will give our

customers ideas of how we can create

the best assortments for their stores,”

says Don Miller, Blish-Mize marketing

manager. “Through the RMS process,

we can shop their markets to find what

assortments they should be strong in. We

can back that up with a signage program,

endcap program, shelf talkers and

promotions. All of that will be available

in the model store, along with great

prices to get started.”

The store will also feature the

Hardware House line, Blish-Mize’s private

label products that offer quality, value and

a good margin. “We’ll have the updated

Hardware House assortments with a

special emphasis on builders hardware

and wire-goods assortments,” Long says.

Besides product assortments, the mini-

store will also spotlight the many programs

and services Blish-Mize has to offer:

• Signage.

Every store needs clear signage

if it’s going to be an inviting place to

shop. See how Blish-Mize can help you

design a low-cost, totally customizable

sign program for your store.

• Retail services.

If you haven’t yet, now

is the time to start saving time and

money by investing in a computerized

POS system. There will be several

vendors there from which to choose. To

make the ordering process even easier,

check out the Remote Order Entry unit,

now with updated software.

• RPM.

Retail Profit Management is a

comprehensive program that covers

market analysis, assortment planning,

pricing, store design and more. If it’s

been a while since you’ve reviewed this

program, ask one of the Blish-Mize

representatives to show you what it can

do for your store.

Easier Advertising

After you’ve browsed the mini-store,

stop by the Retail Services booth to learn

about the new enhancements to the Blish-

Mize AdStudio ad creation program.

“These updates represent the best

upgrade to our state-of-the-art software

to date,” says Jody Maude, advertising

and communications manager for

Distribution America. “Now it’s easier

than ever to create circulars, fliers and

new ads. New functionality allows you

to add items, call outs, text and line lists

without the confinements of the

selected layout.”

As a bonus to signing up for the

Blish-Mize On-Demand Advertising

program, you’ll also find ways to

integrate your promotions into your

social media sites, using the AdViewer

module, at no additional charge.

Information on the print programs,

the New Mover program, the Repeat

Rewards loyalty program and the website

program will be available at the booth.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, March 22, 2013

9 a.m.

Market Opens

10-11 a.m.

Seminar: “Keys to Converting Bad Debt into Cash”

12-1 p.m.

Lunch

12:30-1:30 p.m.

Lunch of Profits Buying Event

3-4 p.m.

Seminar: “Rough Plumbing and the New Lead-Free Laws”

4:30-5:30 p.m.

Mini-Store Deals & Reception

5 p.m.

Strategies

Coupon Cash Drawings

5:30 p.m.

Market Closes

6-9 p.m.

Customer Appreciation Event

Saturday, March 23, 2013

7:30-8 a.m.

Breakfast & Chris Cakes Pancake Challenge

8-8:30 a.m.

Assortments of Savings Event

8:30 a.m.