Spring 2014 Hardlines Strategies

RETAILER FEATURE

Trusted Experience Construction on the expansion began in April 2013, and immediately customers could tell something big was happening. In addition to the brothers building it literally from the ground up, another aspect of the store’s remodel is unique—all materials used in construction were items available for purchase in-store. Even with a major remodel happening, business didn’t stop for Post Commissary. Matt and Bill relied on Blish-Mize through- out the building process. “Blish-Mize staff worked around the clock to help us move our inventory from one store to the other when we finished the new building,” Bill says. “The whole reset process was done in a weekend.” Once construction was complete, Blish- Mize staff and the store’s regular Blish-Mize sales representative, Terry Lane, were on hand to help move inventory and develop a merchandising layout.

Even though the next big-box store is about 30 miles away, Matt and Bill knew how important it was for their customers to have quick access to a broad selection of home improvement items. The store is known locally for its electrical, hardware and lumber and construction products. Because the store is located in a remote area of southern Colorado, one of the coldest areas of the country, customers rely on Post Commissary’s highest-selling department— plumbing—to fix frozen pipes regularly. “Pipes and fittings account for the single largest portion of things we sell any given year for this reason,” Bill says.

The brothers were also eager to imple- ment new merchandising ideas and bring in items they’d been eyeing at Blish-Mize Buying Markets. “Our store is in a remote location, which brings about its own challenge in that we need to stay stocked with just about everything somebody in a small town could need,” Bill says. “That’s where Blish-Mize really shines with a large selection of goods. “Blish-Mize is also priced well enough that if need be, our prices are never that far off and sometimes better than the big boxes.”

“We need to stay stocked with just about everything somebody in a small town could need, and that’s where Blish-Mize really shines with a large selection of goods.”

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10 Spring 2014 • Hardlines Strategies