Slowing Economy to Cause Home Improvement & Repair Product Sales to Grow (2)
This year, the Global Hardware Expo will offer several enhancements dedicated to promoting Private Label opportunities for Chinese manufacturers. Statistics show that demand for private label products increase in a slowing economy because US retailers, distributors and co-ops source products to ‘brand’ under their own name.
“We have created several National Hardware Show programs to facilitate buying including: better location on the show floor, seminars and educational opportunities; a comprehensive promotional and marketing campaign designed to increase the number of buyers in attendance; increased translators and an international buyers lounge to facilitate networking and relationship-building,” said Several.
Another major buying opportunity, the National Hardware Show’s Lawn, Garden & Outdoor Living also offers increased opportunities for Chinese supplies. These include: Better location and increased international buyer promotion via the National Hardware Show’s integrated marketing program and the US Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program; early commitments from these leading US and Canadian retailers to attend in 2009: Ace Hardware; Do-It-Best; True Value; Orgill Hardware; Lowes; Home Depot and Canadian Tire. A customized promotional and marketing program targeted to key US purchasing influencers, such as operations, R&D and product managers from multi-national manufacturers and private label buyers from multi-chain Hardware stores, is also planned. Special match-making services will pre-promote the benefits of attending to an international buyers database looking to do business with China.
“The National Hardware Show is dedicated and focused on the needs of Chinese manufacturers,” said Several. “In addition to the very specific programming for China, we have also created better platforms for all buyers to conduct business,” said Several.
The all-new 2009 National Hardware Show is the largest annual home improvement event in the world with over 800,000 sq. ft of space, 150 product categories and over 3500 vendors representing seven key product categories: Tools & Hardware; Storage and Organization; Electrical & Plumbing; Homewares, selected housewares products for hardlines retailers; Lawn, Garden & Outdoor Living; Paint and Accessories and the Global Hardware Expo.
The National Hardware Show, now in its 64th year, attracts retailers, wholesalers & distributors, importers and exporters from all distribution channels including hardware/hardlines stores, mass merchandisers, home centers, discount stores, warehouse clubs, catalogues, specialty stores, and online retailers.
In 2009, the National Hardware Show will be implementing a targeted marketing program designed to increase buyer penetration by category to more focused database of buyers. This includes obtaining key buyer contact information and email addresses; targeted marketing messages segmented by product category; match-making services to bring buyers with specific interest in Chinese manufacturers, an enhanced, easy-to navigate National Hardware Show website equipped with learning-about-the-show opportunities; and a refreshed branding campaign promoting the product categories separately.
Plans for the 64th annual National Hardware Show May 5-7, 2009, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas are well underway and will include many new programs and services designed to empower manufacturers and retailers with the ideas, new products and merchandising solutions to generate sales and increase profitability in a difficult and competitive environment. These initiatives are specifically designed to achieve new growth for the home improvement marketplace. Big brands such as Char-Broil, Fiskars, 3M, Cosco Home and Office Products, Westinghouse Lighting, Inc., FHP/OCedar, The Scotts Co., Gilmour Group/Robert Bosch Tool Group are recommitting to the 2009 National Hardware Show and in many cases, returning after an absence, to conduct face-to-face sales and marketing opportunities that deliver content, contacts and communities with the power to transform their businesses.
For additional and updated information, visit www.nationalhardwareshow.com.