Digital Editions

October 2024 Issue

The October issue of Hardware & Building Supply Dealer offers a toast to Bliffert Lumber, the Milwaukee-based HBSDealer ProDealer of the Year. The company emphasizes its family of customers, suppliers and staff as it expands and improves. We’ve got the story.

Also in the issue:

• From the Editor:  An existential question regarding existing home sales and remodeling;
• Market Insights: Examining the cost of card transactions; Home Depot takes a stand on packaging;
• Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply: Career-journey advice from a 2024 Rising Star;
• Plus: Product Knowledge, Poll Results, Top Showrooms; and People in the News

September 2024 Issue

Jay Short appears on the cover of the September issue of Hardware & Building Supply Dealer, featuring our coverage of the 2024 Independent ProDealer of the Year.

Also in the issue:

• From the Editor:  Exploring giant retailers feeling the pressure, and responding;
• Market Insights:  The latest on decking; innovation in wood-based composites, and the most in-demand homebuilding materials;
• Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply: Here's how Pam Stott, executive director of the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition, helps build the next generation of leaders; and
• PLUS: Top Showrooms, Here’s What’s Online; and People in the News.

July/August 2024 Issue

The Top 150 Leaderboard issue is back, and it looks nothing like the go-go years that preceded it. Included are highlights from the “First Fifty,” and stats that set the table for downward trends. For the full Top 150, visit HBSDealer.com/report.

Also in the issue:

• From the Editor: Respect for two prodealers that play in the big leagues;
• Product analysis: Behind the drama over table-saw safety:
• True Value Report: Here's how one dealer successfully combined LBM and hardware; and
• Top Showrooms: Malone Home Center helps customers visualize success.

June 2024 Issue

The June issue of Hardware & Building Supply Dealer — ’the Tech Issue’ looks at innovations bringing results to businesses right now. From Independents transforming their yards with e-commerce, artificial Intelligence and even robotic assembly, to artificial Intelligence at Tractor Supply and Lowe’s. And more.

• From the Editor: Inside HBSDealer’s very own recruitment process;
• Market Insights: Inflation and other macro economic highlights from John Burns Research and Consulting;
• Top Women Profile Series: Amy Marks is the ‘Queen of Prefab.’ And she has strong thoughts on the construction industry; and
• Plus: Top Showrooms, Here’s What’s Online; and People in the News.

May 2024 Issue

Cover story: “STIHL Hardware All Stars:” Some of the most high-performing, service-oriented dealers in the country. It’s the annual STIHL Hardware All Star issue, with 50 stores from 50 states.:

• From the editor: Up close and personal with hardware retailer Solomon Hess;
• Market insights: Home improvement retailers share tactics for discounts and unique items; and
• Top Women Profile Series: Metrie’s Amber Tidd makes the journey from sales to operations.

Plus: Top Showrooms, Here’s What’s Online; and People in the News

April 2024 Issue

The latest issue of Hardware & Building Supply Dealer is green all over, featuring "Sustainability Seekers" who are driving progress toward more sustainable building and retailing practices..

Also in the latest issue:

• The risk-reward of installed sales;
• Page Lumber's 100th anniversary in the Hudson Valley; and 
• A report from the International Builders’ Show.

And in every issue: Product Knowledge, People in the News and the Quikrete Industry Dashboard.

March 2024 Issue

As guardians of the Golden Hammer, HBSDealer is proud to present this year’s class of Golden Hammer Award winners, honoring the best new products of the year.

Also in the latest issue:

• Fasteners on the front line: The industry responds to demands for faster, better, easier;
• Do it Best report: Making moves in e-commerce; and 
• Top Women profile: Jodie Brixey administers healthy doses of leadership in California.

And in every issue: Product Knowledge, People in the News and the Quikrete Industry Dashboard.

February 2024 Issue

Cover story: The Decking issue illustrates and illuminates the trends, the products and the opportunities in what remains a bright category for home centers and prodealers. Plus: The Deck Supply builds a solid reputation in the Midwest.

• Thoughts on the Mount Rushmore of home improvement products;
• Wisconsin hardware store checks all the boxes when it comes to merchandising; and 
• Top Women profile: Megan Menzer of Newton’s True Value shares the meaning of “family.”

And in every issue: Product Knowledge, People in the News and the Quikrete Industry Dashboard.

January 2024 Issue

Cover story: The All-American issue examines how veterans of the armed services have found a home in the. home improvement industry;

Also in the latest issue now available online:

• Independent Profile: Upstate New York’s Erie Materials maintains its forward course with an organic approach to growth. 
• The National Association of Realtors’.  Housing market forecast
• Technology: Do it Yourself lives at this hardware store’s checkout line.

And in every issue: Product Knowledge, People  in the News and the Quikrete Industry Dashboard.

December 2023 Issue

Cover story: Top Women of Hardware & Building Supply get top billing in the latest issue of HBSDealer. The industry showed up and showed out in Chicago as Top Women in Building & Supply continued its pursuit of opportunities and equity, and here are the highlights. 

Plus, a roll call of Rising Stars and Business Excellence award winners.

• A Shrining example of philanthropy, from the leader of Ferguson Lumber;
• Independent profile: By Air or By Sea: Browne’s Home Center, on San Juan Island off the Washington State coast, is the fourth TAL location to receive a major makeover; and
• Co-op Report: Ace Hardware builds on its Handyman Services program as it taps into the do-it-for-me trend.