Painting

Homeowners today are looking for flooring that not only matches a room’s design or aesthetic but also desire materials that are functional and maintainable. Bona’s Floorcast 2026 outlines consumer preferences when it comes to flooring and floor cleaning products, detailing the factors influencing purchasing patterns. See stats from the study and how homeowners are making …

There’s little doubt that price is a major consideration when contractors decide where to buy their paint, and for independent retailers, that’s where the struggle begins. How do you outprice a competitor who’s practically giving away their paint? Fortunately, it’s not always all about price. Providing consistent service and a quality product go a long …

Joe Swortz, a U.S. Army veteran and a financial controller in the independent channel, attributes his current leadership and teamwork skills to his time in the military. Motivated by the desire to go to college without financially impacting his parents, Swortz joined the military at age 17, the summer before his senior year of high …

In-store services provide a unique opportunity to position your operation as more than just an independent paint store. Whether it’s adding a cafe in your front entrance, providing personalized design services or implementing a robust rental department, in-store services help create a repeat customer base and put your store on the map in one or …

Injecting energy into the home industry and delivering on the promise of a newly imagined show, NHS Concept to Commerce, an evolution of the National Hardware Show (NHS), debuted this spring with three days of sourcing connections, exciting product discovery and networking that led to new connections. This Fall, NHS will debut another evolution, DIY …

For over 125 years, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has been serving the needs of independent home improvement retailers across North America, helping retailers be better and more profitable.  NHPA publishes two respected monthly magazines that serve as trusted resources for independent retailers across the channel. Hardware Retailing is dedicated to the hardware …

The Consumer Confidence Index from The Conference Board rose by 0.6 points in June to 91.2, up from a downwardly revised 90.6 in May.  The Present Situation Index, based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions, fell by 3.0 points to 116.4. The Expectations Index, based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, …

Built around coming together to share ideas, struggles, wins and more, the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI Conference) will bring together the independent home improvement channel for collaboration, cultivation of ideas and fun under the Florida sun.  With the retail industry in a state of continual evolution and full of external challenges, retailers who …

Ahoy, it’s time to party! On Tuesday, July 28, the Independents Celebration will kick off the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference with food, fun and a little yacht rock funk. Don your best nautical wear because this party is getting the conference started with a little bit of Yacht Rock—think anything with navy, red and …

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Independents Awards Gala, taking place at the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference. On the second day of the conference, July 29, the Independents Awards Gala will recognize outstanding retailers in the industry for their innovation, leadership and excellence and bring together three of the industry’s biggest awards: …

Data from the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) shows a notable shift in the current housing market: while fewer Americans are taking on home improvement projects, those who do are spending significantly more. According to HIRI’s recent Q1 2026 Homeowner Project Activity Tracker, overall homeowner participation in home improvement projects dropped to 40% in Q1 …

The Sherwin-Williams Company celebrated its 160th anniversary with an event in Shanghai, China. Guests included government officials from Jing’an District and Jiading District of Shanghai and Nantong, Jiangsu Province, as well as delegates from the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai and Shanghai Shibei Hi-Tech Group. Representatives from the U.S.-China Business Council, the American Chamber of …

The Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) recently released the U.S. Size of the Home Improvement Products Market report for Q2 2026, detailing the total market size of the home improvement products market in the U.S. and forecasted likely spending over the next five years. The report found home improvement repairs and renovations continue to drive …

Residential construction building materials prices rose in May as energy prices continued to increase, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index. Prices for residential building materials jumped 4.4% year over year and 0.7% month over month in May, reaching the highest yearly rate since January 2023, according to the NAHB. The Producer …

Renovation activity has remained strong in 2026, with homeowners completing smaller, more necessary projects over luxury renovations. Recent data from the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) reveals insights into what retailers can expect for homeowner spending patterns throughout the rest of 2026 and how to cater to shifting behaviors and preferences.  Outlook on home improvement …

Painter’s Tape (SPONSORED) ScotchBlue™ PROSharp™ Painter’s Tape provides the sharpest paint lines yet, thanks to Edge-Lock™+ technology. Designed to handle both indoor and outdoor projects, it provides two times better hold than the original Edge-Lock™ technology, sealing out paint to leave consistently sharp lines across multiple paint types and finishes. 3M | scotchblue.com The post …

Whether a customer needs to fix a damaged wall, fill in old holes in drywall or repair a mistake, providing a variety of products for customers to have on hand to quickly fix holes in walls is essential. These products can also often serve as last-minute purchases or impulse items. Paint & Decorating Retailer recommends these …

Florida Paints recently announced it has donated $114,000 to Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka to provide paint and coatings for 19 home developments in Legacy Square, a new affordable housing community in Sanford. The donation will support Legacy Square, a $7.2 million development designed to transform underutilized land into a vibrant neighborhood of energy-efficient homes. Once …

Inflation rose in May to the highest rate in three months, according to the latest Consumer Price Index released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The all items index rose 4.2% for the 12 months ending May, after rising 3.8% for the 12 months ending April. The index for energy rose 3.9% in May, after …

Epicor recently announced the appointment of Rachel Barger as chief revenue officer (CRO). Barger brings over two decades of global technology leadership experience spanning enterprise software and SaaS and will be responsible for strategy and execution across global sales and recurring revenue teams. “Rachel brings an exceptional combination of global scale, operational discipline, and customer-first …

Retail sales grew for the eighth consecutive month in May despite high gas prices and ongoing inflation, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released by the National Retail Federation.  “Retail sales maintained momentum in May, driven by a resilient labor market and consumers’ continued willingness to spend on retail goods despite pressure from elevated gas …

Do it Best Group and The Sherwin-Williams Company have entered into a long-term strategic partnership designed to strengthen the future of paint for Do it Best members and True Value retailers. The partnership combines Do it Best Group’s brand ownership, retailer relationships and channel expertise with Sherwin-Williams manufacturing depth, innovation capabilities and supply chain support. …

Whether a customer is looking to fill wall holes before they move, patch a spot to prepare for a painting project or just looking to freshen up their space, stocking a variety of repair products for holes in walls, ceilings and wood is a good way to bring in quick sales and keep your inventory …

Improper fall protection was the most-cited OSHA violation in 2025. OSHA violations carry a financial penalty that the assessed company must pay. Last year, those penalties were $16,550 for each violation, as well as each day an employer fails to abate a previously cited violation. The maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations is $165,514 …