This month was very exciting and informative for the team at Crest Hardware. I was invited to participate in a discussion with several prominent home & garden bloggers at the Spoga Gafa tradeshow in Germany.

I initially met the folks from Spoga at the annual NRHA conference this past Spring, where I was invited to speak on a panel among other leading hardware retailing experts. After hitting it off over dinner and beers, I was invited to give a talk about my experience with garden retailing in an urban environment. Given that Crest is located in such a hyper-urban area, we carry a unique perspective on retailing. It was amazing to get to share some of the challenges we face and the opportunities that lie here with an entire new continent of people!

I’m excited for these gatherings and to share with the retailing community both nationally and world-wide. I’ll be heading out later this month to the True Value Reunion, so stay tuned for more!

-Joe