Do it Best gets active in Indy
INDIANAPOLIS—As the home improvement industry faces a challenging sales environment and shifting consumer behaviors, Do it Best nation gathered in Indianapolis with a focus on analytics and an optimism for growth.
During the Fort Wayne, Indiana-based co-op’s Fall Market Kickoff, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing Nick Talarico explains that leveraging data and technology is the backbone of the company’s strategy and empowers Do it Best members to thrive in today’s competitive retail landscape. “Our data-driven approach is a pathway to growth. The detailed analytics we provide allow our members to enhance inventory management, streamline operations, and make data-backed decisions that drive profitability.”
Emphasizing the theme of “Growth Mode: Activate,” Talarico and other co-op leaders pointed to the power of its Inventory Productivity Analysis (IPA) tools and Tracula system, described by Telarico as “game-changers.”
Tech talk
Among Do it Best’s highlight tech tools:
• Tracula is an inventory tracking system that uses point-of-sale data to select SKUs based on critical factors, and to ensure purposeful and impactful cycle counting.
• The IPA tool identifies high-performing and underperforming areas of retailer stores, including the use of a visual and intuitive heat-map graphic.
In addition to tech tools, the Fall Market here demonstrated some classic approaches to brick-and-mortar retailing. Held Sept. 6–9 at the Indiana Convention Center, this semi-annual event draws in new and prospective members, showcasing more than 100,000 products, displaying 3,300 new items, and introducing more than 120 new vendors.
One example is the immersive, 13,000-square-foot Solutions in Action exhibit — a model store on the shore floor.
The Solutions in Action exhibit showcases the Do it Best store design, which incorporates modern styles, bright open floor plans, and displays to improve the shopping experience. which demonstrates merchandising ideas in key departments, including Farm & Ranch.
Farm and Ranch “is a critical category for retailers serving rural communities where these products are essential for daily life and work,” explained Vice President of Merchandising Jason Stofleth. “We’re committed to equipping our members with everything they need to meet their customers’ diverse demands.”
Another market emphasis is the Millwork and Interior Solutions department’s display of a fully furnished apartment mock-up called “Studio 695.” It highlights the wide range of products Do it Best provides for homes, apartments, condos, even dorm rooms. From cabinets and flooring to mattresses and housewares, even the kitchen sink, Do it Best provides solutions for its members' customers.
“There are tremendous opportunities for Do it Best members to build on the impressive growth we achieved throughout the past five years,” said President and CEO Dan Starr. “By leveraging our data and technology, our members can confidently grow their businesses, whether that’s by expanding their product mix, launching new departments, opening new locations, or acquiring existing retail stores.”
