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1 month ago | 
hardwareretailing.com | Jesse Carleton
This is one of a series of case studies into why training is important and the tangible results it can have on your business. Click Here to read other case studies. Lezzer Lumber faces a labor challenge not uncommon to home improvement retailers today, especially those in rural communities. Having a workforce of experienced, knowledgeable employees, many of whom have been with the company for decades, is the dream of any retailer.
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2 months ago | 
hardwareretailing.com | Jesse Carleton
If you’re trying to attract new shoppers to your business, you only get one chance to make a first impression, so make it a good one by having a spotless salesfloor with impeccable merchandising. Well-trained employees can help you keep your store in top shape. A good place for that training is the Basic Training in Retail Merchandising course from the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA).
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2 months ago | 
hardwareretailing.com | Jesse Carleton
This is one of a series of case studies into why training is important and the tangible results it can have on your business. Click Here to read other case studies. If there’s ever a question as to the effectiveness of employee training at Geerlinks Home Hardware Building Centre, general manager Doug Vannoord just points to the numbers. “We’ve seen sales increases anywhere from 8.7 to 12.7 percent in every department since we started training,” he says.
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2 months ago | 
hardwareretailing.com | Jesse Carleton
If you’ve yet to create an organized training program, don’t wait a minute longer to start. Being successful at retail requires careful attention to operational best practices, such as merchandising, inventory and marketing. Retailers neglect training at their peril. Your employees are the ones who will get your customers headed towards the checkout and keep them coming back, and they need the confidence to do their jobs well.
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2 months ago | 
hardwareretailing.com | Jesse Carleton
Home » Association » Reflections on NHPA’s History: Dan Harris Association, Industry News As it celebrates 125 years, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) contacted past board members to get their reflections on their time at the association. Dan Harris, owner of Palos Ace Hardware and Lamont Ace Hardware in suburban Chicago, was a board member from 2011 to 2020 and help guide the association through several major events, including COVID-19. Hardware Retailing (HR): Why...
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2 months ago | 
hardwareretailing.com | Jesse Carleton
Home » Association » Reflections on NHPA’s History: Megan Menzer Association, Industry News As it celebrates 125 years, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) contacted past board members to get their reflections on their time at the association. Megan Menzer, owner of Newton’s True Value in Cherryvale, Kansas, was a member of the NHPA board from 2009 to 2017, serving as chairman in 2017. During her time in leadership, NHPA launched the Retail Management Certification...
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2 months ago | 
pdrmag.com | Jesse Carleton
This is one of a series of case studies into why training is important and the tangible results it can have on your business. Click Here to read other case studies. Paint and decorating retailer JC Licht needed a better way to onboard and integrate new employees so they would quickly become productive members of the sales team. However, coordinating training for a few hundred employees would be a daunting task without a plan to use resources wisely and efficiently.
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2 months ago | 
hardwareretailing.com | Jesse Carleton
This is one of a series of case studies into why training is important and the tangible results it can have on your business. Click Here to read other case studies. Paint and decorating retailer JC Licht needed a better way to onboard and integrate new employees so they would quickly become productive members of the sales team. However, coordinating training for a few hundred employees would be a daunting task without a plan to use resources wisely and efficiently.
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2 months ago | 
hardwareretailing.com | Jesse Carleton
If you want to generate more add-on sales for your business, you need to make sure you’re using effective promotional and merchandising techniques. But likely the best way to prompt customers to add more items to their shopping carts are employees who understand how to effectively lead a sales conversation. Not everyone instinctively understands the art of add-on selling, either. Selling skills that produce higher transaction sizes come with practice and training.
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Jan 25, 2025 | 
yournhpa.org | Jesse Carleton
TakeawaysTrain heavily during the first few weeks a new hire is on the job, but regular training should continue long after that. Crosstrain so employees are confident about helping customers in multiple departments, which will improve customer service. The training manager must be very organized so they can keep track of learners’ progress. Training has tangible financial benefits, including increased sales and decreased turnover. Leaders must be engaged by showing they care about training.
