Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

« Older Entries

Third Quarter Continues Increases for Independent Retailers

Wednesday, December 19th, 2012

Pulse Report redesign 8-2010-TEST.qxd _2nd Qtr 2004Independent paint and decorating stores continue to outpace their sales performance of a year ago, with third-quarter sales rising by 3.7 percent when compared to the same quarter in 2011, according to the latest PDRA Pulse Report.

All regions of the U.S., with the exception of the Northeast, posted increases in the third quarter. However, for the first three quarters of 2012, the Northeast has experienced an increase of 6 percent when compared to the same period the year before.

In Canada, third-quarter sales were slightly lower in comparison to the third quarter of 2011. In contrast, Canada is still in positive territory for the first three quarters as a whole. (more…)

Tags: ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

PDRA Webinar Offers Businesses Facebook Advice

Tuesday, November 20th, 2012

facebook_favicon_v2Posted by Diane Capuano

If you want to come face-to-face with more customers, then you need to learn the ins and outs of Facebook. That was the topic of the latest PDRA webinar, called “A Paint & Decorating Retailers’ Cheat Sheet: Five Ways to Make Your Facebook Business Page Rock.”

Beth Trejo of Chatterkick conducted the webinar, providing nuggets of information and practical advice throughout. For instance, did you know that more than 90 percent of retail companies have acquired a customer through Facebook? It’s pretty hard to deny the power of this social media network when retailers are getting those kinds of results.

For those who are a little apprehensive about using social media to market themselves, Trejo suggested thinking of Facebook as a more high-tech version of word-of-mouth advertising. “It’s still relationship marketing,” she said. “It still relies on word of mouth. We’re just moving it online.” (more…)

Tags: ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Second PDRA Webinar: The Power of YouTube

Friday, July 13th, 2012
youtubePosted by Diane Capuano

Learn all about YouTube in the second in a series of PDRA webinars. The webinar, which is free to PDRA members, will take place from 11 a.m. – noon CDT on Tuesday, Aug. 14. Non-members may also participate at a cost of $50.

The webinar is entitled: “Eight Effective Ways to use YouTube to Promote your Paint and Decorating Business.” A description of the webinar follows:

“Did you know that YouTube is the second largest search engine on the web? It’s important for your business to be found online but you also need the best and most practical ways to feature products and demonstrations. In this webinar, we will talk about how and why you should look at this social media platform and best practices from the paint and decorating community. From setting up a YouTube channel to optimizing your videos and learning how to measure success, this will be one webinar you won’t want to miss!” (more…)

Tags:
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

PDRA’s First Webinar Attracts “Pinterested” Audience

Monday, June 25th, 2012

Pinterest_Logo

Posted by Diane Capuano

If ever there was a social media network that is closely suited to the paint and decorating industry, that site is certainly Pinterest.

Pinterest is the latest social media phenomenon, attracting consumers who want to share their mutual interests on a multitude of topics such as home decorating, crafts, recipes and more. The site is especially popular with women, ages 25 to 54, which just so happens to be the key demographic of the paint and decorating industry.

To help retailers “pin down” the potential of Pinterest, PDRA hosted its first social media webinar on June 19. “Pinning Down Pinterest” was free to PDRA members and $50 for non-members. The interactive nature of the one-hour webinar allowed participants to view the presentation at their computers and ask questions at its conclusion. (more…)

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Retailer to Retailer: Charles Smith

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012
Charles SmithPosted by: Diane Capuano

In the most current edition of “Retailer to Retailer,” we introduce you to PDRA Board Member Charles Smith, Smith Paint Co. Inc., Roswell, N.M. Learn a bit about his background and his work with the PDRA Board in the Q&A interview, below:

Q: Can you provide a bit of background about you and your store?

A: My dad started the business in 1967. I had worked off and on for him through high school and college. After college, I went to work as a bookkeeper for a construction company. It only took a few months to realize that I wasn’t meant to sit behind a desk. I worked as a sales rep for a paint sundry wholesaler for about a year and then as a rep for major paint company for about six years. They were both great jobs, but I wanted to get back to retail. I came back to work “on the other side of the counter” in 1981, and I’ve been here ever since. (more…)

Tags:
Posted in News, Uncategorized | No Comments »

PDRA’s New Customer Service Training Course Launches Online

Sunday, March 4th, 2012
CSS logoPosted by: Diane Capuano

PDRA has officially launched the new PDRA Customer Service Specialist online course.  As part of the PDRA Board of Directors’ new Retailer-to-Retailer initiative, this powerful new training course has been designed by paint store owners specifically for paint and decorating stores.

The course covers all aspects of professional customer service—from greeting your customers when they first walk through the door to finalizing the sale and everything in between. Chapters include: advantages of dealing with an independent store, selling add-ons, how to explain paint quality, telephone techniques, dealing with angry customers, competing against the “big boxes” (more…)

Tags: , ,
Posted in News, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Retailer to Retailer: Jim Wolcott

Monday, February 13th, 2012
Jim Wolcott

Jim WolcottPosted by: Diane Capuano

Posted by: Diane Capuano

In the most current edition of “Retailer to Retailer,” we introduce you to PDRA Board Member Jim Wolcott, Sioux City Paint & Decorating, Sioux City, Iowa. Learn a bit about his background and his work with the PDRA Board in the Q&A interview, below:

Q: Can you provide a bit of background about you and your store?

A: I worked for a large retailer for 17 years in about all areas of the business, starting in the warehouse unloading freight and checking in orders and then merchandise ordering, management and new store setups. While working for them, I enjoyed the building materials department about the best. It was long hard hours but great training for my own store. I was financed by my main paint supplier and spun off from them in a little under three years. I could not have done that without the hands-on education I received by working in retail.

Q: What is it about your business that sets you apart from other paint and decorating stores in your community?

A: We continually try to do something different than everyone else. We do “how-to” clinics. We try just about every new product that comes out. We put on programs for ladies’ groups, community colleges and service clubs. (more…)

Tags:
Posted in News, Uncategorized | No Comments »

What’s Ahead in Paint Color for 2012?

Friday, November 11th, 2011
Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue

Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue

Posted by Diane Capuano

With 2012 just around the corner, quite a few national and regional paint manufacturers are releasing their color trend forecasts for the coming year. Common threads seem to be the use of color as a remedy to what ails us—whether it be a splash of bold color to lift our mood or a tranquil color to provide a backdrop for a peaceful retreat.

Here are specific color forecasts from five of the paint industry’s most well-known paint manufacturers:

Benjamin Moore: Blue Will Be Big

Benjamin Moore color experts are forecasting that blue will be big in 2012 as the population seeks out a sense of calm, trust, and the tried-and-true. The paint company’s top color pick for the coming year is Wythe Blue HC-143, a blue green hue with a cool gray cast to it.

“It’s interesting that Wythe Blue is from our historical color collection,” said Sonu Mathew, ASID, IIDA and Benjamin Moore’s senior interior designer. “We’ve actually cited it because it has a modern edge, yet it’s so rooted in history and is respectful of what’s classic and enduring.” (more…)

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Trends, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

2D Codes Are Making an Impact

Thursday, June 30th, 2011
Hyde Tools showed QR Codes at its booth in the PDRA Paint & Accessories Section of the National Hardware Show® in Las Vegas.

Hyde Tools showed QR Codes at its booth in the PDRA Paint & Accessories Section of the National Hardware Show® in Las Vegas.

Posted by: Diane Capuano

Have you noticed 2D codes cropping up all over like corn in the middle of Illinois? I’ve personally seen them on product labels, in print ads, on direct mail pieces, on business cards, on trade show booths, on taxi cab advertising and on real estate “for sale” signs. Some people even are putting codes on T-shirts!

2D codes are small squares of multi-directional data that can be scanned by a mobile phone app, which immediately takes you to a website or online video for more information about a product or service. Most of the content is informative or instructional in the form of more detailed product descriptions or a how-to demonstration, but it can also be promotional (enter a contest, receive a discount). I’ve even read that this could be a great solution to giving customers quick access to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). (more…)

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Trends, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Demand for Cord Retrofit Kits Soars

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
CPSCPosted by: Diane Capuano

Increased public awareness of the child strangulation risk posed by cords on Roman and roll-up blinds has caused a dramatic rise in requests for free retrofit kits that alleviate the problem, according to the Window Covering Safety Council.

WCSC Executive Director Ralph Vasami reported that requests for the kits has risen significantly in the past two calendar years. “Prior to 2009, the average was 55,000-60,000 retrofit kits distributed per year. In 2009, we distributed 153,245 kits, which is nearly triple that rate,” he said.

For the first quarter of 2010, demand has still been high, with 32,489 retrofit kits requested. Demand is still high in the wake of a December 2009 announcement in which the U.S. Consumer Product Safety (more…)

Tags:
Posted in News, Uncategorized | No Comments »

« Older Entries