National Hardware Show Helping Retailers Discover New Methods for Increasing SalesToday marks Days 3 of the 2011 National Hardware Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hardware retailers are looking for new ways to appeal to today’s consumer and encourage them to buy products. One interesting approach has been the survivalist movement.
By: Brand X Agency 
prepared- Hardware retailers are always looking for new and exciting ways to appeal to today’s consumer, create a buzz and encourage them to buy hardware products. One interesting approach has been the survivalist movement. Survivalists today have a growing fear of terrorism, natural disasters and other events that could cause massive disruptions in their lives (e.g. hazmat spill, extended blackouts, nuclear events, etc.), and are doing what they can to prepare. Most stock up on extra batteries, food and water in an effort to purchase peace of mind. Experts in this area recommend that everyone be able to live independently (totally "off the grid") for at least seventy-two hours… three days. In most areas of the country, that's how long it may take for help to reach you in a major disaster. This is referred to as “Level I” survival. “Level II” is a survival plan to live without normal amenities or assistance for 20 days and “Level III” is the plan and supplies to survive for at least 60 days. Hardware stores that recognize this need to prepare have benefited substantially from an increase in sales. One self-sufficiency retailer in Ohio recorded a dramatic improvement in the sale of water-pumps, up 95% since last fall. Grand Rapids Industrial Products (a.k.a. “GRIP”), a nationwide wholesale hardware distributor, has recognized this market trend to the benefit of their customers. “We haven’t had to change what we sell as much as our mind set about how things should be marketed” said Elias Amash, President of GRIP. “I’ve been able to find products in several different categories that appeal to this market and create a substantial increase in our business because of it” he said. “Our retailers really deserve the credit because they first noticed an increase in customers looking for things like flashlights/ It doesn’t appear that the survival trend will be slowing down anytime soon. To take advantage of this “800 mile per hour tailwind” and increase your sales, consider the products you sell or could sell that will appeal to the survivalist (and anyone else wanting to prepare for disasters) and consider setting aside space for a point of purchase display to target this group. Consider developing and handing out free lists of hardware supplies that would be appropriate for Level I, II and III survival so the survivalists have a better understanding of what items they’ll need and where they should spend their money. For more information on how to attract “survivalist” # # # The Brand X Agency has been in business for over 25 years and knows how to think things through and make advertising and marketing work for you. Don't waste your $ on vendors that are learning what ad methods to use on YOUR dime! www.thebrandxagency.com eandros@thebrandxagency.com Photo: https://www.prlog.org/ End
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