Sales Strategy
What Jewelry Retailers Can Learn From Hardware Buying Markets February 24, 2026 (0 comments)
Indianapolis IN--Buying markets are a critical touchpoint for retailers across industries, including jewelry. An article by Hardware Retailing shows that the real return on any trade show or buying event is driven by preparation, structured planning, and disciplined follow-through—not just time spent on the show floor.
[Image via iStock.com/Seniz Ozbey]
At Porters Ace Hardware Building Centers in Missouri, planning begins immediately after the fall market. Travel logistics, attendee roles, and meeting schedules are set early. According to the article, most purchasing is completed online before arrival, allowing in-person time to focus on vendor discussions, evaluating new products, and aligning on company-wide opportunities. For the spring market, the team is prioritizing lawn and garden and business-to-business initiatives. Educational sessions are assigned to specific team members to support implementation after the event.
Koopman Lumber begins planning four months in advance. The article notes that leadership alternates between sending a small purchasing team and a larger group for broader coverage. Store walkthroughs identify reset needs and assortment gaps. Vendor meetings are scheduled ahead of time, and promotional replenishment orders are completed before travel using wholesaler reports. This allows the team to focus on new vendors, margin improvement, and trend identification during the show. Assigned attendees report back on educational sessions after the market.
Triangle True Value Hardware prepares through store walkthroughs, POS data analysis, and vendor targeting. Unlike others, most purchases are completed in person to compare vendor offers directly, while commodity items are ordered online in advance.
Across all examples, the article highlights early planning, clearly defined responsibilities, pre-scheduled vendor meetings, structured daily check-ins, and disciplined post-market follow-up as consistent practices that improve buying decisions and overall market ROI.
Read the article by Hardware Retailing here.