Knowing what types of blades, knives and other hand tools to stock in the store can be a daunting task for paint retailers. Paint & Decorating Retailer spoke to Cincinnati Color Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio, to gain insights into ways retailers can choose what to carry.
Cincinnati Color Co., which specializes in coatings and all things paint, has been supplying paints, coatings and supplies to the area since 1929 and currently has two locations in the city.
Company president Doug Deifel says his company opts to carry a wide product assortment that fulfills the needs of all their customers. Deifel says he doesn’t focus on brands when stocking knives, blades and scrapers, but instead relies on the manufacturers he has carried for many years to supply his stores with the products he needs.
Nearly 90 percent of Cincinnati Color’s customer base are contractors and professional customers, and in his experience, most customers care more about getting the right product for the job and less about what company makes that product.
“There are some contractors who are brand specific, but in terms of blades and scrapers, I don’t think there is a whole lot of brand allegiance,” says Deifel. “They’re just looking for a certain type of blade that fits their handle and helps them get the job done.”
At Cincinnati Color, each of the two locations merchandises a little differently to meet the needs of customers. One location uses a traditional gondola set up with items readily accessible, and the warehouse store keeps these items on pegboards behind the sales counter.
“Customers can come to the counter and tell the employees at the sales counter what they’re looking for,” says Deifel. “The employee can turn right around, pull it off the hook and get the customer on their way.”
