by Jacob Musselman | Jun 1, 2026 | Operational Insights
Bringing together the independent channel for two days of education, industry insights and networking, the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI Conference) will send attendees back to their operations with practical takeaways and applicable best...
by Jacob Musselman | Jun 1, 2026 | Operational Insights
Examining how fellow independent home improvement operations perform throughout the year gives retailers in the channel a benchmark for improving their own operations. Since 2022, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has partnered with The...
by Annie Dameworth | May 1, 2026 | Operational Insights
By Mike Aylen In a recent post on social media, I recounted a question I am often asked by retailers: “What is the easiest way to improve margin?” My answer is always the same: “Start with the margin you are losing right now that you don’t know about.” I think it...
by Lindsey Thompson | Apr 30, 2026 | Operational Insights
Earlier in this issue, we met this year’s first Top Guns Awards honoree, Ash Ebbo, who shared how important it is to empower the next generation in the independent home improvement channel to become its next leaders. Engaging with the next generation at the store...
by Jacob Musselman | Apr 1, 2026 | Operational Insights
Navigating the world of retail, I’ve come to realize that managing conflicts, especially with vendors, salespeople and your own team, is not just part of the job—it’s an art. Whether you’re dealing with a change in sales mix, unexpected problems with a product line or...
