United Hardware stores in Laois attends trade show which generated €750,000 in revenue

90 hardware suppliers exhibited at the Show, with stores in Laois being represented among the 200 delegates

United Hardware’s annual trade show for Homevalue and Arro retailers has reported an increase in the amount of revenue generated, with the figure for this year’s event standing at over €750,000.  Representatives from Ging’s Homevalue in Centrepoint and in Kealew Business Park attended the high-profile trade show at the Citywest Convention Centre, which is organised to provide members of the United Hardware group with special offers that can be passed on to their customers.
The Trade Show is a major annual event which attracts strong attendance from United Hardware members nationwide, including their Laois stores.  The show is intended to act not only as an opportunity for suppliers to engage directly with the retailers, but also to allow retailers an opportunity to network and discuss the challenges facing them, and how a collaborative approach can assist them to secure the most reasonable prices from suppliers.


The number of stores attending the Trade Show was in excess of 100, with many stores sending two or three representatives in order to ensure direct face-to-face communications with suppliers and other retailers.  Over 90 suppliers covering both heavy and light hardware products exhibited at the show, and numerous special offers and deals were made available to retailers – these deals were available on the day of the show only, leading to a significant generation of revenue as a result of the event.
Suppliers present offered a range of products from pet care, kitchenware, lighting, bathrooms, flooring, heating and gardenware.  The range of suppliers present demonstrates the commitment of United Hardware retailers to providing the greatest selection of products, at competitive prices, direct to the consumer.

 

Homevalue are currently engaged in a major innovative marketing campaign in the run up to Christmas, which is scheduled to continue into the New Year.  The quirky, eye-catching tv ads were devised by the Homevalue creative team in conjunction with Gerry Kennedy (creative director) and Tony Purcell (art director), with post-production by Lotus Films.  The ads will be broadcast across various platforms, across Setanta and Sky TV channels with a penetration of 1.1 million viewers.  The concept of the series of animated advertisements was to use high-impact, offbeat imagery and messaging to draw the viewers attention to the range of products on offer at Homevalue stores nationwide.

 

“This is a hugely positive annual event for United Hardware, Homevalue and Arro members, one which attracts much attention from both suppliers and retailers alike.  It’s heartening to see such a significant amount of revenue being generated directly as a result of the show, showing that there is still an appetite among the public for high quality, reasonably priced hardware for the home.  The hardware industry itself appreciates the opportunity to be able to get together in a setting such as the Show, which allows them time to network and socialise with other retailers, discuss challenges, and learn from successes in the industry,” commented Mark Delaney of United Hardware.  He continued, “We really find this Trade Show allows our members to sell a wider variety of excellent quality products directly on to the consumer at reduced cost, the show has always proven to be beneficial to stores in Laois and consumers.”

 

United Hardware is a joint venture group established in 2009, and operates as an independent sourcing and buying operation, working on behalf of over 150 Irish owned builders merchants, DIY, and hardware stores across the country.  The company has buying power in the region of €300 million per year.  The group was established to achieve significant buying potential for its members.

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