2008 Ad

Business Wire, May 30, 2008

2008 National Hardware Show([R]) Houses Leading Brands, Top Retailers and Favorite Home Indulgences

LAS VEGAS -- From no-touch paper towel holders and automated water conservation devices to colorful adhesives and the highest-tech outdoor gas grill ever created, all of the latest devices for the home and outdoors were on display at the 63rd annual National Hardware Show([R]) in Las Vegas! Making news after the event was the 14 percent increase in attendance from the 2007 event1.

This year's show, featuring Lawn & Garden World([R]), The Homewares Show([R]), and Global Hardware Expo([R]), was held May 6-8, 2008, occupying all three halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The combined events offered home channel retailers of all sizes, including independent and specialty stores, a comprehensive preview of the entire home enhancement marketplace with over 3,500 exhibitors and 150 product categories in over 750,000 square feet.

"With the real estate market remaining in flux, we were pleased with the increase in overall attendance," said Dennis MacDonald, senior vice president, National Hardware Show. "Over 70 percent of the attending companies' personnel hold executive positions, enabling them to make direct purchasing decisions."

Other interesting statistics include:

* 21 percent of the overall registrations were an international audience

* Attendees from 114 countries

* Top product category interest of attendees came from, in descending order: hardware; lawn & garden; hand and power tools; electrical and lighting; kitchen and bath

"This comes as no surprise as these represent the core product interest categories at the show and those that most retailers find their consumer-customers are demanding," said MacDonald. "More consumers are staying in their existing homes and looking for less costly methods and products to maintain the value of their homes or improve their lifestyle within them. The National Hardware Show offered the best preview of the latest and most innovative home enhancement products in one location. This is really the only place to find everything consumers need for their homes - both indoor and outdoor."

Big-name retailers such as The Home Depot, Costco, ACE Hardware, JCPenney and Amazon.com were in attendance to seek new products for their retail mix.

This year, the National Hardware Show added new, exciting programs to reflect current consumer trends and make the show a one-stop destination for all home enhancement needs:

* Green Product World[TM] - Addressing current, environmental concerns, the National Hardware Show launched a new, specially designated area on the show floor that highlighted the latest in green, eco-friendly products. Winners included: Mead Westvaco for its Natralock([R]) security packaging; Earthtronics, Inc. for its Earthbulb line of products; and Web Products, Inc. for its full-line of furnace filters, air conditioning filters, air filters, allergy filters, and air filter accessories

* Open-to-Buy Days - Top retailers and wholesalers were able to meet with hundreds of exhibiting vendors in one place. Exhibitors had the opportunity to set up individual appointments with retailers to show off their new and innovative products and pursue the prospect of bringing them to market.

* Homewares Show Awards - Senior buyers from the largest specialty retailers in the country, including Ace Hardware, Amazon.com and The Home Depot, judged entries based on "sell-through" benefits, such as aesthetics, uniqueness, consumer friendliness, value and packaging. The first annual Homewares Show Awards was created by the National Hardware Show and HomeWorld Business. Winners included Reynolds([R]) Handi-Vac Vacuum Sealer and Ped Egg[TM] foot file.

* Inventors' Spotlight - This unique program, which debuted last year, showcased patent-pending inventions that aren't on the market yet. It focused on products that bring an innovative, never-before-seen approach to today's homeowner and provides opportunities for small entrepreneurs looking for manufacturing and retail opportunities. Participating companies more than doubled indicating a surge in innovation for home products.

* Hot Topic Seminars - The annual educational seminars are designed to build industry knowledge and professional development. Each seminar was chosen based on the hottest industry trends and led by a top industry expert. Topics ranged from "The New and Changing World of Sustainability" by Lawn & Garden Retailing to "Future Trends in Home Improvement" by the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI).

Key trends shaping the home improvement industry in 2008 include:

* His and Hers Registries: She likes having her best friends over for cocktails and conversation, while he's more into football and fried food. When it comes to wedding registries, it's better to celebrate these differences with a variety of stores and product categories on the registry. Since couples are getting married later, they may already own all the home essentials, so now they need all the extras for entertaining, relaxing and getting organized. Several retailers offer online bridal registries for all home improvement needs.