(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) True Value Hardware stores are holding one of their big twice-annual trade shows at the Salt Palace with vendors showing all sorts of new hardware that will soon be available, Friday, September 21, 2012.
True Value retail outlets are no longer your father?s basic hardware store.
That fact was obvious Friday as the Chicago-based cooperative brought 3,500 retailers representing 1,500 stores together with 5,000 vendors and exhibitors for its 2012 Fall Market trade show at the Salt Palace (which is not open to the public).
True Value serves as a cooperative buying organization that allows independent hardware store owners to compete with big-box stores by purchasing in bulk and marketing the entire store line.
These traditional retailers of nuts and bolts, garden equipment, paint and tools are changing to meet the needs of more women customers and younger shoppers who use social media and often hunt for products online.
"Female shoppers make 70 percent of all shopping decisions and now 40 percent of the customers in hardware stores are women," said Chris Taylor, director of corporate communications. "She wants inspiration, new ideas and a high level of service."
Company President and CEO Lyle Heidemann, put it another way:
"The competition is getting tougher, more stores are carrying products that we sell, and the consumer is getting younger and less familiar with the traditional hardware store," he said.
Nontraditional hardware store products such as bobblehead gnomes and lighthouses for garden decorations, and colorful stepping stones with butterfly and bird themes have become a draw.
So might a line of solar-powered electrical supplies products at Friday?s show that True Value?s Mary Shelton called the "home and grave" line because they include cemetery markers, crosses, angels and roses.
Mike Clark, chief merchandiser for True Value Hardware, said the growth of pet, farm and ranch, and automotive products has been impressive in recent years. Carrying products for pet owners is important, considering that pets are a $31 billion a year industry, excluding veterinarian fees, he said.
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That?s why division Vice President Kevin Rewerts showed off several aisles of pet products covering 4,200 square feet of space on the Salt Palace floor. There were lines of holistic and organic pet food, and racks filled with all sorts of dog toys.
Nearby, displays of live baby chicks, a pony and her baby, and three labrador retrievers drew the attention of retailers looking to stock their stores in 2013 with pet and farm products.
This isn?t to say that the show ignores traditional hardware store customers.
"We want to bring customers the latest and greatest," Taylor said. "Retailers are buying to stock their stores to appeal to do-it-yourselfers who love to tackle small projects. Our stores are located all over the country and are community based. We are known for service and expertise."
Traditional products such as home and garden, paint, light bulbs, tools and nuts and bolts were also well represented at the show.
There was even a new $20 screwdriver, the Swift Driver, designed so it continues to screw no matter which way you are turning, making it faster and more efficient than older models.
Weber Grills reintroduced its Spirit Line, a smaller and slightly less-expensive gas grill designed for a market that might include an apartment or condo owner.
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