JULY 2018 RETAILOBSERVER.COM
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There were also a number of events and awards
ceremonies taking place in this area. Attendees
could take some time to head outdoors and
experience all the area had to offer.
REIMAGINE RETAIL
The National Hardware Show asked, and retailers
answered: What would you do if you were given
$100,000 to improve your business? It was the
second year for the Show's Reimagine Retail
program, which this year asked independent retailers
how they would use technology to improve their
businesses. Each entrant submitted a 250-word plan
detailing how they would incorporate technology in
their operations. Retailers were encouraged to
consider how technology could streamline their
inventory management systems, checkout process,
marketing initiatives, e-commerce offerings, and
training programs. Five finalists attended the Show,
and the winner was announced on Wednesday
afternoon.
That winner was Matt Woods, CEO of Woods
Hardware in Cincinnati, Ohio. His store plans to use
the prize money to implement a program allowing
them to offer same-day delivery to customers within a
three-mile radius of each of its five stores. The
business has already developed a 3D walkthrough of
its downtown store that links to the e-commerce
website. The complete plan would allow customers to
virtually walk through the aisles of the store, click on
an item, and have it delivered the same day. To
implement the system, Woods Hardware needs to
make significant improvements to its POS system so
it can send accurate inventory data to the website in
real time. The company also wants to hire a full-time
IT professional to manage the system. "I couldn't be
more excited," says Woods. "We've had this ready to
rock and roll—now we just have to hire the team to
upgrade our systems. With this prize, we can start
taking steps to put our plan into action."
SAVE THE DATE
The 2019 National Hardware Show will be held
May 7-9, 2019, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Keep up-to-date throughout the year by visiting
www.nationalhardwareshow.com.
