Home Improvement

Manufacturers and retailers in the home-center market differ on what the term "category management" means and how it should be achieved.

Client: Amerock Corp.
Products promoted: Cabinet hardware
Category management strategy: Home Depot asked Amerock to develop a merchandising plan that mixed a variety of high-end products with an assortment of typically merchandised hardware. The special interactive ordering system was designed to be consumer-friendly while not requiring the assistance of store personnel.
Retailer: Home Depot
P-O-P company: Process Graphics Corp.
Number of displays: 60

Products: Power tool accessories
P-O-P company: Astoria Wire/Metal Products, Bedford Park, Ill.
Distribution: Home centers and hardware stores
Introduction: March 1998
Duration: Permanent
Construction: Metal, fiberboard
Magna Industrial Tool created a freestanding display that merchandises its key products to both professional contractors and consumers.

Product: AccuSet air-powered nailing and stapling systems
Number of displays: 1,500
P-O-P companies: Strata-G Communications Inc. (graphics), Cincinnati; Whitewater Industries (displays), Lawrenceburg, Ind.
Distribution: Home-center stores
Introduction: June 1998
Duration: Permanent
Construction: Metal (frame); pegboard, cardstock (panels)
This freestanding unit features triangular benches for displaying a new line of air-powered fastening tools.