by Jacob Musselman | Apr 1, 2026 | Operational Insights
All retailers “slip” sometimes on most aspects of delivering their customer service. It is natural and unavoidable. But can these slips be neutralized in the minds of your customers? I’ve reviewed hundreds of customer surveys with candid comments about store service....
by Jacob Musselman | Apr 1, 2026 | Operational Insights
When it comes to paint sales, dedicating enough time to each customer and their questions while also staying productive and completing daily tasks in a timely manner can be tricky to balance. Small tasks like sampling the paint color on the can provide customers with...
by Jacob Musselman | Apr 1, 2026 | Operational Insights
No other event this year will bring the independent channel together or provide meaningful ROI like the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI), hosted by the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) and The Hardware Conference. Drawing together...
by Jacob Musselman | Apr 1, 2026 | Operational Insights
Always ready. Always there. The venerable motto of the U.S. National Guard is what Tim Kromholtz lived out during his time in the Washington Air National Guard and still adheres to in his executive role in the independent home improvement industry. Kromholtz’s...
by Jacob Musselman | Apr 1, 2026 | Operational Insights
As homeowners continue investing in mid-to-large exterior projects, these projects are frequently completed alongside other exterior work rather than in isolation, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute’s (HIRI) 2025 Project Decision Study. That bundling...
by Jacob Musselman | Apr 1, 2026 | Operational Insights
While relationships with customers are key to the success of any retail operation, they are especially crucial to paint and decorating retailers. Relationship-building matters even more when working with professionals who want to work with a retailer who not only...
