House-Hasson says store-sets are hot
House-Hasson Hardware reported that in 2020 its equaled its 2019 number of store-set projects, despite pandemic conditions. And momentum is continuing in 2021.
Through the program, House-Hasson designed, stocked, and promoted new or expanded stores for independent hardware and lumberyard dealers. Last year, House-Hasson exceeded 2019’s revenue for store-sets by more than $1 million.
This year House-Hasson has already completed 18 store-set projects, a company record for the first four months of a year. In 2020, the Knoxville, Tenn.-based hardware distributor completed 29 store-set projects in 11 states along with a location on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean Basin.
Store-set momentum has grown as independent hardware stores and lumberyards moved into 2021, said Steve Henry, House-Hasson president.
“The hardware and lumberyard business has expanded so significantly during the past 12 months, and demand isn’t slackening,” Henry noted. “This applies as well to new, remodeled, or expanded hardware stores and lumberyard dealer operations.
According to Henry, store-sets were once something that House-Hasson had to promote to independent dealers. That’s no the case anymore. Now, dealers wanting store-sets are knocking on House-Hasson’s doors daily, as well as people wanting to get into the hardware or lumber business.
“Our store-set results speak to the strength of the independent hardware store and lumberyard industries,” said Henry. “The pandemic in some cases has created unusual situations, but our team has done an excellent job meeting our dealers’ needs.
Typically, store-set projects are conducted by House-Hasson teams. However, the pandemic caused the entire St. Kitt’s project to be carried out long-distance, said John Sullivan, House-Hasson vice president of retail development.