Spring 2014 Hardlines Strategies

STORE OPERATIONS

3. Blish-Mize offers Monthly Specials.

“We review our routes on an ongoing basis and make minor adjustments to keep our miles driven down. We break each route down weekly into several categories. We track miles, stops, weight and various other costs to keep any potential surprises out of the process. We are constantly monitoring our processes.” Lutz also mentions that emissions regulations have driven equipment costs higher but focusing on efficiencies helps keep costs lower and more consistent. With Blish-Mize’s distribution services, you can rely on quick turnaround between ordering and delivery. In fact, before product hits the store shelf, a dedicated warehouse team works hard for you by scanning items several times before shipping to ensure your order is accurate. The Blish-Mize Distribution Center, located in Atchison, Kan., is centrally located in the U.S., allowing for timely departure schedules and deliveries for your orders. The personable service from the Delivery Truck Team is another item Tim Hassenstab of A&H Building Supply can 6. Blish-Mize’s dedicated team offers dependable delivery.

add to his list of reasons why he chooses to work with Blish-Mize. “We know the drivers by name, and should we need to make a return we can do so easily,” he says. “Blish-Mize is very easy to deal with.” 7. Blish-Mize offers the best customer care. “Our motto since 1871 has been, ‘Take care of the customer or someone else will,’” says Customer Service Manager Lloyd Evans. “We know the customer comes first and we are prepared to make your customer service experience the best.” customerservice@blishmize.com. They will do what is possible to make your customer service experience a positive one. “We have a very dedicated customer service team with exceptional product knowledge and welcome the opportunity to service all your needs, including doing product quotations,” says Evans. “Our business is to make your business succeed, and we are serious about it.” To learn more about how Blish-Mize can increase your profits, email sales@blishmize.com or ask your Sales Representative for more information. You can call the Blish-Mize team at 800-995-0525 or email them at

Each month Blish-Mize offers a selection of products at special prices. These prices will allow you to make great margins and pass those on to the customer. “Consumers want to feel that they are getting the best value,” Long says. “Our monthly promotions will help you drive foot traffic, establish new customer relationships and make good margins. It is a win-win for everyone.” 4. Blish-Mize makes online monthly promotions even easier. At the end of 2013 Blish-Mize added several new search and sort options to make it easier to find the products you want. These new options include sorting by: Past 12 Months’ Purchases. This will have all your purchases from the last 12 months, with best-selling items at the top of your list. Blish-Mize Top Sales Ranking. Sort the items on the selected promotion by their sales ranking (top to bottom) in the Distribution Center. You can check for items that are Blish-Mize best-sellers that you may have missed and could be selling in your store. Featured Items. There are often feature items within a selected promotion that deserve special attention. Those items will come to the top of the list and have a bright blue tab indicating a special deal. Newest First. New items are listed on top. Blish-Mize adds many items every year based on your needs and requests. Now you can search this way too. 5. Blish-Mize delivers without hidden costs. With an industry-leading fill rate and more than 60,000 items, Blish-Mize strives to have what you want, when you need it. Delivery is cost-effective and timely. Blish-Mize is also competitive when it comes to freight, monitoring the market every few months and eliminating the need to calculate fuel surcharges. Greg Lutz, executive vice president of operations at Blish-Mize, has it down to a science.

Staff at Blish-Mize’s Distribution Center in Atchison, Kan., scan items several times for accuracy in shipping.

6 Spring 2014 • Hardlines Strategies