Extreme retail in Indy

Indianapolis—Retailers use sports analogies like home run and slam-dunk all the time. But here at the Do it Best May Market, Jim Zyrowski of Ben’s Supercenter reached deeper into the metaphor bag.

“Extreme retailing is like World Extreme Cagefighting,” said Zyrowski. “And our employees are all in the octagon with me,” he added, referring to the typical shape of the cage.

Zyrowski was one of four retailer on the stage during the freewheeling panel discussion called “Extreme Retailing: Taking it to the next level.” Zyrowski, owner of Ben’s Supercenter in Brown City, Mich., also shared a key company philosophy: “We do what Wal-Mart won’t do,” he said.

The session also featured presentations from Brad McDaniel of McDaniel’s Do-It Center in Snohomish, Wash.; Kyle Walters of Dallas-based Elliott’s Hardware, and Jim Lehrer of Brownsboro Hardware & Paint in Louisville, Ky.

“Everybody is facing some sort of challenge out there, and these guys are great examples of looking past those challenges,” said Do it Best CEO Bob Taylor.

During the event, Do it Best announced a deal with Channellock to bring exclusive lines of work gloves, LED flashlights, staple guns, tool chests and wet/dry vacs to Do it Best members.

The co-op also inked a deal with Stanley to support Habitat for Humanity in stores in September, with point-of-purchase displays and NASCAR pit-pass prize drawing for customers.