Water & Sewer Distributors of America’s Post

Great morning with the Hardware Group Association at The Broadmoor. Some leading independent hardware and paint retailers with support of manufacturers. Good seeing colleagues and friends, and thanks to the group for having The Farnsworth Group present. Also, some great insights from Dan Tratensek and North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) on areas of opportunity for Retailers. - Tech must be a solution - Be a part of your local community - Leverage your local market knowledge - Curate your offering to your market - Instill comfort and confidence in your customers' decisions - Compete like we used to - Planning is a challenge with much uncertainty, but optimistic for growth in 2025 Great to hear from so many strong retailers about the challenges and opportunities in the year ahead. Many unknowns exist, and the more data you have the more accurate you can be with your expectations. Sashco Charlotte Mustard Boyden Moore Doyle Wallace Todd Hermon Keith Anderson Steve Draeger #hardware #independentretail #DIY

In light of yet ANOTHER wholesale distributor announcing bankruptcy 📉 it seems appropriate to question their very existence. Honestly, I always have. The whole distribution model was always funny to me from the perspective of a branded specialty product. I entered the off-road/auto industry about 11 years ago. It was a small company and we didn't deal with distributors. Just direct to dealer. So I had no idea how the whole WD thing worked. When we finally started exploring the idea, a WD actually approached us. I was a little surprised—to say the least—with their demands. They asked for over 50% off, plus co-op, spiffs, special promotions, etc. If we would have accepted those terms, it would have been more like 60%. And they did it with a straight face. It was basically, "give us your best available pricing. Ok. Now help us sell it." Isn't that what the "best available pricing" is supposed to cover? Your operating costs? Now, I get why this is great for companies who make commodity items and mass-market replacement parts. It saves the manufacturer warehouse space, they have a built-in dealer network, they have their own sales force (supposedly), etc. They just pump out the product and send it off to the WD to move. But, for more specialty manufacturers and products driven by brand, it makes little sense to me. Most of the functions they provide you are already doing at some scale–sales, customer service, logistics. In short, YOU have the leverage. If you are considering working with a WD, remember that. If your brand is strong, even in niche markets, they want your product. Push back against all of the requests and don't pay into their co-op slush funds. At least make sure they're actual structured marketing efforts. WDs can do a good job at getting more of your product out there. Some jobbers and dealers ONLY order from WDs, so you will be able to reach those sales channels. But make sure it's on your terms and don't put all of your eggs in their baskets. Compete with them even. Make them earn their keep. You'll get a bunch of their sales reps whining but your first priority is your brand and your people. Don't let a WD take you down with them. PS - one WD I do recommend working with is Turn14. They're organized, responsive, investing in tech, investing in marketing, have a receptive sales force… They just really treated us in a way that made us feel like we were important. Not like we needed them to survive. There are good people there. I hope they make it through all of this. PPS - make sure they pay their bills. If they don't, cut them off! They'll suddenly find the money and you won't be over extended if they fail.

Important to double check carriers have the necessary license to move wine/alcohol across state lines. Our team is thorough and double checks prior to picking up any shipment like this. Monday and Tuesday were a hoot. 34 orders for one client and arranging prompt scheduling between the warehouse and the LTL carrier. Grateful I took the time to connect with the Estes terminal manager and we have a direct line of communication moving forward to optimize this partnership. Tradeshows are so critical for companies. Being able to be their reliable partner to make sure everything arrives not only safely, but most importantly on time is of the essence. Love when we get to be an extension of our clients and contribute with their transportation needs. So many hoops to jump through when it comes to FCL, but as a full service company we do offer it and try to excel at it. It isn't our bread and butter, but our quick response time and attention to detail allows for seamless pickups and deliveries. All six this week have been HHG, what else is everyone importing and exporting? Let's get some variety! How can KLS help with your shipping, ask us and let's see if there is a fit! #logistics #shipping #transportation #drayage #cpgshipping #relocation #LTLshipping

A quick and insightful read on common retail challenges like poor inventory control and stock planning, which can lead to ‘over planning’ for growth beyond what’s achievable. While I believe it’s still possible to grow a business even in challenging times, it’s crucial to identify the root causes of these issues and address them with corrective actions sooner rather than later. Give it a read 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

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True Value, a hardware store brand, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and sold almost all of its operations to a competitor. https://lnkd.in/g77Uf3ZF #stagnanthousingmarket #chapter11 #truevalue

FTC commissioners voted unanimously to block Tempur Sealy’s $4B takeover of Mattress Firm. The agency alleges the deal, which is entirely vertical, combines the largest upstream manufacturer with the largest downstream retailer. The theory: Tempur will harm rival mattress makers by restricting access to Mattress Firm stores. Given the recent rise in online sellers (Avocado, Caspar, Purple), the litigation will be another interesting test of just how much the internet matters. Here is the FTC's take: "Attempts by mattress suppliers to bypass brick-and-mortar retail have not been successful. The advent of mattresses that could be compressed and rolled into a box for shipping led several “bed-in-a-box” mattress suppliers to emerge, most notably Casper, Purple, Resident Home, and Tuft & Needle (which was later acquired by Serta Simmons). At first, these suppliers sold exclusively or primarily online, offering lengthy trial periods and generous return policies to induce consumers to purchase a mattress without first trying it in a store. But these suppliers eventually concluded that their web-driven businesses had plateaued and that they could not grow their premium sales in an online-only format." #antitrust #FTC

First Tactical Announces Price Stability for Second Half of 2024 MODESTO, CA, June 2024—In a move that will benefit public safety departments and their uniform suppliers, First Tactical has announced that it will not implement a price increase for the second half of 2024. The decision was made after careful review and reflects the company's commitment to maintaining stable partnerships with its dealers and the agencies they serve. "We understand the importance of building trust and collaboration with our dealers and the agencies we serve," said First Tactical President Bob Denny. "By keeping our prices stable, we ensure that public safety departments can continue to rely on us for quality uniforms at a fair and consistent price point." This decision is especially significant for public safety departments, which often operate under limited budgets. "We want to make sure we supply the men and women who serve with uniforms that not only look and feel good but are also affordable," Denny added. In addition to maintaining stable prices, First Tactical has announced that its retail merchandising efforts will be focused on supporting its distribution network rather than company retail stores. This approach underscores the company's commitment to strengthening its partnerships with dealers. "We know the value of the partnership we have developed with our dealers since we started," said Matt Sinclair, Vice President of Sales at First Tactical. "We stand ready to assist in any way needed, including assistance with retail floor plans." First Tactical also revealed that it will roll out a series of programs in the upcoming weeks aimed at increasing profit margins for its dealer base. These initiatives are designed to enhance dealers' confidence in their inventory orders, supported by the company's narrow and deep inventory strategy. The leadership at First Tactical emphasized the company's guiding principle of "Serving those who serve others" and expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from their partners. "We thank you for your partnership and look forward to growing your business together," said Denny. For further information, First Tactical can be contacted at their Modesto, CA headquarters or via their website at www.FirstTactical.com.

#MarketsWithMC | PC Jeweller to hold board meet on September 30 to consider stock split 💎📈 writes Jagyaseni Biswas Read for more updates⤵️ https://lnkd.in/dBtmKEjJ #PCJeweller #BoardMeeting #StockSplit

Great products win, but which products? The simple answer is the black one's. Sell black stuff. If you sell homeware, or pool toys maybe this doesn't map on. If you could find out what your fastest growing competitor is selling the most of, not just the product, but the exact SKU. Would that be useful information?