True Value Company Announces Third Annual ‘Best Hardware Store in Town’ Winners

Friday, March 19, 2010

CHICAGO, March 19, 2010 – True Value Company recognized 12 True Value hardware stores, one selected from each of the co-op’s retail regions, as winners of its third annual ‘Best Hardware Store in Town’ nationwide recognition. The winning retailers were announced in a ceremony earlier today at True Value’s 2010 Spring Market General Session in Chicago.

Sponsored by the independent hardware cooperative, the ‘Best Hardware Store in Town’ program is designed to recognize co-op members that exemplify successful retailing. From customer service to the store’s lighting, these retailers’ keen attention to detail is paramount to delivering a superior shopping experience. When a customer walks into a store and finds a knowledgeable staff ready to offer local expert advice; clean, well-organized departments stocked with relevant products; and an ambience that provides inspiration for future home projects, they know they’ve walked into a True Value hardware store.

“These 13 stores ‘win’ with the customer by anticipating shoppers’ needs and exceeding expectations, day in and day out,” said Lyle Heidemann, president and chief executive officer of True Value Company.

Stores up for consideration as the ‘Best Hardware Store in Town’ are either self-nominated, or are nominated by their retail consultant or another True Value retailer. From there, mystery shoppers visit each of the 24 finalists (two from each retail region) and experience the store from a customers’ point of view. Using customer feedback, a committee of co-op associates reviews the finalists and names the 12 winners, selecting one from each region. This year drew close to 200 entries. Store evaluation criteria includes physical appearance, product selection, competitive pricing, promotional sales and customer assistance. The 12 winning retailers and their store locations are:

True Value of Bethel, Bethel, Conn.
Nuts and Bolts, Overland Park, Kan.
Belgrade True Value, Belgrade, Mont.
Helms True Value Hardware, Selah, Wash.
Wallace Thompson True Value, Rusk, Texas
Drillen True Value Hardware, South Portland, Maine
True Value Hardware, Placerville, Calif.
Hahn True Value, Hartford, Wis.
Boston's True Value Hardware, Page, Ariz.
Western Ohio True Value, St. Henry, Ohio
Pembroke Hardware, Pembroke, N.C.
Marchwood True Value, Exton, Pa.

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