Retailers flooded into the Orgill 2025 Spring Market as doors opened, eager to explore nearly 1 million square feet of products, vendor showcases and exclusive buying opportunities.
With a distinct New Orleans flair, thousands of retailers descended on the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for the Orgill 2025 Spring Market, Feb. 20-22, for an event that also featured industry networking. The three-day extravaganza showcased products, vendors and discussions across nearly 1 million square feet of exhibit space. Pricing and service were key themes throughout, with vendors highlighting competitive costs and the distributor promoting programs designed to help independent retailers remain competitive.
“Our goal is to make it as seamless as possible for our customers to access the tools they need to grow their businesses,” said Boyden Moore, Orgill’s president and CEO. “Whether they’re here in person or taking part in our concurrent Spring Buying Event online, we’re committed to supporting their success.”
In an interview with Hardware Connection, Clay Jackson, Orgill’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing industry-leading pricing. He highlighted the implementation of new software enhances Orgill’s pricing strategies to benefit retailers. He also noted the popularity of the company’s FanBuilder marketing tool, which enables retailers to customize their loyalty programs, and the ongoing improvements to its integrated e-commerce platform.
A second line parade with costumes, dancing and jazz made its way through the Orgill 2025 Spring Market at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, bringing a taste of New Orleans to the event.
“We champion Orgill’s Industry PIM to make every item in the industry available whether we supply it or not,” Jackson said. He underscored that while efficient distribution is essential, Orgill’s focus on retail services aims to eliminate scale disadvantages for its customers. The Spring Market coincided with Orgill’s online buying event, running from February 17–March 2 and offering virtual booths, special promotions and access to Orgill-sponsored programs.
New Partnerships and Expanded Offerings
During the show, Orgill highlighted several new vendor partnerships, including its affiliation with Big Green Egg, which brings the popular outdoor cooking brand to Orgill retailers. Other notable new vendors featured at the market include GE Lighting, Sunnyside and Feathered Friend.
“Our merchandising team is always looking for ways to strengthen our vendor partnerships and ensure our customers have access to the best possible assortments for their markets,” Jackson said. “These new additions reflect our commitment to providing retailers with the right products to meet their customers’ needs.”
Retailers at the show found several good deals. Nancy Lee, owner of Nancy’s Hardware & Feed in Monrovia, Ind., was enthusiastic about attending her first Spring Market: “I wish I could have come years ago.” She said she found several good buys, mentioning her plans to upgrade from silver to platinum dealer status for knives, which would enhance her discount.
Conversation with Orgill CEO Boyden Moore
Moore shared key insights about the direction of the company and the response from retailers attending the show. He emphasized Orgill’s commitment to service, highlighting the large and growing presence of retail services at the show. “We’re always going to be a great distributor—that’s table stakes. But beyond that, we focus on helping our customers be successful. If you look at the square footage dedicated to retail services and the number of people assisting retailers with branding and business management, that’s an area that will continue to grow for us,” he said.
He also noted the strong presence of former True Value retailers at the event, many of whom were attending their first Orgill Dealer Market. “The ones I’ve spoken to have been blown away. We keep hearing, ‘I didn’t realize this about Orgill, I didn’t know what you guys were,’ and while it’s great to hear, it also tells us we need to do a better job communicating who we are and what we offer.”
Welcoming True Value Retailers and Industry Panel Discussions
Greg Stine, Orgill’s executive vice president of marketing and communications, hosted a panel discussion at the Orgill 2025 Spring Market featuring former True Value retailers who have transitioned to Orgill, sharing insights on their experiences and business growth.
Greg Stine, Orgill’s executive vice president of marketing and communications, hosted a panel discussion featuring five former True Value retailers who have chosen to work with Orgill. The panelists shared their experiences making the switch, detailing the transition process, restocking with Orgill and the support they received after. More than 100 attendees gathered around the Learning Center stage for the hourlong session, with many standing to listen as retailers discussed their decision-making process and answered audience questions about their experiences with Orgill’s service and product availability.
More than 100 retailers, many standing, attended a panel discussion at the Orgill 2025 Spring Market at which former True Value retailers shared their experiences with Orgill and answered questions from the audience.
During an interview with Hardware Connection, Moore pointed to the enthusiasm on the show floor as a sign of industry momentum. “Another standout for us has been the number of first-time attendees—over 350 businesses representing more than 900 stores. That’s something we expected based on conversations over the last six months, and seeing it come to life at the show is exciting,” he said.
Concept Stores, Showcase Areas Provide Inspiration
Orgill’s 2025 Spring Market featured two fully merchandised concept stores— the 15,000-square-foot Frattallone’s Hardware & Garden and the 3,600-square-foot Pinehaven Lumber pro dealer store—giving retailers a real-world look at merchandising strategies, customer flow, and category optimization.
In addition to the extensive exhibit floor, Orgill once again featured two fully merchandised concept stores to provide real-world merchandising inspiration. This year’s selections included a 15,000-square-foot Frattallone’s Hardware & Garden concept store and a 3,600-square-foot Pinehaven Lumber pro dealer store. Both served as immersive experiences demonstrating best practices in merchandising, customer flow and category optimization.
Specialized showcase areas also played a key role in helping retailers maximize their visit. The Smart Start showcase focused on optimized product assortments, while the Rental, Impulse and Exclusively Orgill showcases highlighted key growth opportunities in high-margin categories.
Technology Symposium Draws Retailers Seeking Digital Solutions
The day before the market officially opened, Orgill hosted its annual Technology Symposium, attracting hundreds of retailers looking to leverage digital tools for business growth. Sessions covered a range of topics, from e-commerce advances to data-driven marketing strategies and customer loyalty programs.
“The symposium has grown tremendously over the past eight years,” said Grant Morrow, Orgill’s director of eCommerce. “What started as a niche discussion about early e-commerce adoption has evolved into a full-fledged event covering the latest advancements on all aspects of retail technology.”
