A first in the USA

Independent hardware and home centre retailers from around the world will be meeting American and Canadian retailers from 9 to 12 May in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) plays host to the International Hardware Association. The meeting is being held in conjunction with the National Hardware Show, which is nearly sold out already. The organisers are expecting that more than 2 300 suppliers from the USA and all over the world will be present at the event. The doors will open on 10 May on a display of products and services covering seven categories: hardware & tools, homewares, lawn & garden/outdoor living, paint & accessories, plumbing & electrical, storage & organization, and tailgating/outdoor recreation. Care product categories are also being showcased in the show’s International Sourcing area, along with camping & picnic, which is a new introduction. The supplementary programme covers seminars, social networking round tables and product demonstrations. A new launch is the buying desk programme, designed to make it possible for independent retailers to obtain new products more quickly through their cooperative and distributor programmes. This is the first time the International Hardware Association has ever met in the United States. The association comprises national associations from a number of European countries, America, China and Australia. From a business standpoint, retailers and supporting wholesalers and manufacturers will have an opportunity to hear from Pete Luckett, a UK executive who has been successful in retailing and wholesaling as well as on TV. He will describe what retailers need to do to set themselves apart from competition through superior service and products. Global retail trends will be discussed by three American wholesalers who are active internationally. They are Tom Barfell of Do It Best Corp., Jerry Cardwell of Orgill, Inc. and David Patrizi of True Value Hardware. Today retailers everywhere, of course, are faced with big-box competition. Michael Bergdahl, a former Walmart executive, will discuss ways in which smaller stores can effectively compete with them. Mornings will be devoted to speakers and workshop seminars, leaving afternoons free so retailers can visit the National Hardware Show. In addition, one afternoon is being devoted to a store tour of outstanding independent and mass retailers area. Download: