Content about Marketing

Paint may be a very emotional decision for consumers, but in the retail world, it’s a simple business plan: If you want to sell a lot of paint, dedicate enough space to it, assign a full-time, well-trained sales associate to the paint desk, and carry more than two lines of paint. One of those brands should cater to the pros. Find a way to keep the contractors separated from the homeowners, which is not all that difficult; professional painters don’t like to sit on sofas surrounded by tasseled pillows.

A new Georgia law effective July 1 provides that people who are parties to franchise agreements are not to be considered employees for purposes of workers’ compensation benefits. The legislation essentially protects franchisors from comp claims by franchisees.

The new law covers individuals “who are parties to a franchise agreement as set out by the Federal Trade Commission franchise disclosure rule, and deems that the relationship between franchisors and franchisees is governed by the rules of contract law, not those of employment law.

GE Monogram will open its second design center in the nation at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart in March 2013. It will be located at LuxeHome, on the ground floor, a boutique showcase for home-building products and kitchen and bath renovations. 

GE opened its first Monogram Design Center in New York City's Architects & Designers Building in 2008. The NYC center has increased share of GE Monogram appliances in the northern region by 50% since it opened.

A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for April 20, 2012

CoreLogic, a provider of analytical information about the housing market, reported that the current residential shadow inventory as of January 2012 was 1.6 million units, approximately the same level reported in October 2011. CoreLogic estimates shadow inventory by calculating the number of distressed properties not currently listed on multiple listing services (MLSs) that are seriously delinquent, in foreclosure and real estate owned (REO) by lenders.

In his first market presentation to True Value retailers, the co-op's new VP marketing and chief customer officer Blake Fohl laid out a plan for -- what else? -- improved marketing. 

He also promised improvements to True Value Rewards (TVR).

According to an article in the Evening Standard, a former Sears and Best Buy executive will lead the multi-channel, 750-store Argos. 

John Walden is taking over on a mission described as a turn-around effort and an uphill battle. He replaces Sara Weller, who last year left the top spot at Argus, a division of Home Retail.

Building products distributor ABC Supply has promoted David Johnson to the position of director national accounts. In his new role, Johnson will lead the team that works with large national customers, partners and suppliers to provide the products and services these customers need. He has been part of the company’s national accounts department since 2008, serving as an account executive focused on storm contractors. 

New products and new-product knowledge took center stage earlier this month at Do it Best Corp.'s New Product Expo held in Woodburn, Ore. 

Among the hundreds of new products added to inventory were more than 100 exclusive Channellock items, the company said.

In one of the most passionate outbursts of reader mail of the year, the industry resoundingly sided with a retailer's right to advertise -- or not to advertise -- wherever it deems fit. 

A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for Dec. 2, 2011

York, Pa.-based WOLF, the supplier of kitchen cabinets and building products, is giving away a cabinet and vanity top package through a Facebook-only sweepstakes.

Visitors to WOLF’s Facebook page who are over the age of 18 may enter the contest by completing a simple form. The sweepstakes ends on Dec. 9.