Content about Merchandising

White Cap Construction Supply, a division of Atlanta-based HD Supply, has announced the appointment of  Ross Anker as VP merchandising.

In this role, Anker will help to define and execute major product initiatives for the company. He will focus on supplier relations and agreements, product assortment, new product introduction and volume and margin expansion.

A report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates said that import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports has started to decline for the fall, and November is forecast at 1.9% below the same month last year.

The decrease is attributed to the fact that most retailers already have their holiday season merchandise either on their shelves or en route to their stores. 

Denver -- The air was thick with sports metaphors during Ace Hardware's General Session of the 2011 Denver Fall Convention & Exhibits. 

Ace's top marketing and merchandising executives mixed retail strategies with quotes from Knute Rockne and Vince Lombardi during a presentation in which they described the top 10 plays for winning at retail. The session even included half-time highlights of power tools and football touchdowns.

Several national retailers, including Home Depot and Sears, will begin setting up their Christmas displays this week, according to an article in the Tampa Tribune. The phenomenon of early Christmas merchandising, known as “Christmas Creep,” is overshadowing Halloween this year, the newspaper reported. 

Lowe's has announced a restructuring in both in-store operations and merchandising organizations that will thin the ranks of its management and consolidate both its regions and divisions.

Lowe's merchants have been reorganized into two product divisions, each led by a senior VP/general merchandising manager. Both will report to executive VP merchandising Robert Gfeller Jr. 

Chicago -- With a view toward driving profitable sales, Ace VP merchandising John Surane pointed to some merchandise initiatives, regional wins and corporate strategies during the co-op's 2011 Ace Convention and Exhibits.

One of the brightest merchandising spots was the Craftsman tools brand. Back in February 2010, Ace and Sears announced a partnership that opened the way for Ace retailers to sell the Sears-owned Craftsman brand. 

Memphis, Tenn.-based Orgill's 2011 Spring Dealer Market kicked off Thursday with pallet specials and seminars, among other things.

The market floor included two concept stores to offer merchandising ideas to dealers: Beale Street Lumber and Delta Farm & Hardware. 

"These stores showcase the range of what Orgill can provide to retailers of different shapes, sizes and formats," said Orgill CEO Ron Beal.

In his welcoming note to attendees, Beal also pointed to the deals available in the Coupon and Pallet Buy areas.

In recognition of his business and philanthropic achievements, The Home Depot’s executive VP merchandising, Craig Menear, will receive The Spirit of Life Award from City of Hope’s Hardware/Homebuilding Industry group. Menear will be honored Jan. 11, at a reception, at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla., by colleagues and industry members. The day will begin with a golf tournament event that supports City of Hope’s lifesaving research, education and treatment programs for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Orlando, Fla. -- Record attendance, international growth and an overhaul of Vision 21 were just some of the topics covered during the morning merchandising and consumer marketing presentation at the 2010 Ace Fall Convention Oct. 28. 

The event, held at the Orange County Convention Center, saw an increase of more than 600 members in attendance over the 2009 Fall Convention, the company said. Total attendance, including vendors and dealers, approximated 14,000.