The home improvement industry just wrapped up one of its most significant events of the year. NHS Concept to Commerce 2026 brought together retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and inventors for three days of sourcing connections, product discovery, and actionable education at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
If you missed the show (or just want the highlights), here’s everything that mattered at this newly reimagined event and what it means for your business.
What is NHS Concept to Commerce?
NHS Concept to Commerce represents the biggest evolution in the National Hardware Show’s 80-plus year history. The event completely restructured itself around one clear goal: helping retailers and brands move from product ideas to retail-ready solutions faster and more efficiently.
Gone is the traditional trade show format where you wander aisles hoping to stumble across something interesting. The new NHS Concept to Commerce is organized around three dedicated pavilions, each designed for a specific stage of the retail product journey:
-
Brand Pavilion: Established brands showcasing new launches and line extensions
-
Inventor Pavilion: Startups and early-stage creators looking for licensing deals and commercialization partners
-
Global Manufacturing and Private Label Pavilion: Vetted international suppliers from over 40 countries
This intentional layout earned positive feedback from attendees like Adam Gunnett, vice president of business intelligence for Busy Beaver Building Centers, who noted: “The new layout made a big difference; it was super easy to navigate and much more intentional. It really helped frame more meaningful conversations.”
With 500+ exhibitors showcasing 1,300+ products across the three pavilions, the numbers reflect the scale of opportunity. But the real value came from the Expert Talks Conference, where industry leaders shared insights you can actually put into practice.
Expert Talks at NHS Concept to Commerce: Private Label and AI Take Center Stage
The educational programming at this year’s show focused heavily on two themes that kept coming up in conversation after conversation: private label strategy and AI-powered retail operations.
The State of the Industry
Opening the Expert Talks Conference, Grant Farnsworth of The Farnsworth Group, Marine Sargsyan of Houzz, and Scott Wright of NHPA tackled the economic realities facing home improvement retailers.
Farnsworth didn’t sugarcoat the consumer outlook: “Consumers are feeling worse today, and this level of uncertainty is going to continue to be pervasive throughout this year and continue to put constraints on their comfort to spend.”
With costs up over 4% year over year but spending staying flat, retailers are feeling margin pressure. Farnsworth’s recommendation? Private label can help offset those costs, especially for entry-level DIY buyers who are more price-sensitive than ever.
Wright reinforced this point based on input from NHPA roundtables: “Independent retailers are saying it’s more important now than ever to offer DIY consumers low entry-level pricing.”
AI in Retail: No Longer Optional
Stefanie Couch, CEO and founder of Grit Blueprint, delivered one of the most talked-about sessions on how AI is transforming procurement, pricing, and demand forecasting.
Global companies are already using AI to manage supplier risk, protect margins, and reduce stock issues. But Couch made it clear this isn’t just for the big players. Her message to the room: “We’re at a critical point in history. Those who decide to adopt [AI] are gonna change your business.”
The key insight? AI doesn’t replace the people or the work, it amplifies what teams can accomplish. The depth and volume of analysis that becomes possible with AI tools means smaller teams can compete with much larger operations.
Private Label as Strategy
Cody Goeppner, NHPA’s director of education and training, delivered what many attendees called the most actionable session of the show. His presentation walked independent retailers through using private label and strategic sourcing to build stronger brands.
Goeppner covered everything from selecting the right OEM partners to modeling margins against national brands, understanding speed-to-market advantages, and exploring global sourcing opportunities. But his core message went deeper than tactics:
“Private label is not just a margin strategy. It’s one of the most powerful ways independent retailers can control their assortment, build their brand and differentiate their business. The opportunity isn’t to sell more private label. It’s to use private label as a strategic tool to build your brand and compete on your own terms.”
Women Rising at NHS Concept to Commerce: Celebrating Female Leadership in Hardware
One of the most powerful moments of the show came during the How Women Rise Awards and panel discussion. The hardware industry has historically been male-dominated, but Tuesday evening’s ceremony made clear that women are not just participating, they’re leading.
The award recipients:
-
Gina Schaefer (founder of A Few Cool Hardware Stores): Lifetime Achievement Award
-
Sarah Lee (Blish-Mize Co.): Leadership Excellence Award
-
Darla Claypool (City of Hope): Community Impact Award
-
Brookelyn McClellan (Hardware Sales): Rising Star Award
Schaefer, whose business spans multiple locations in the DC area, also participated in a panel moderated by Couch featuring leading women in the industry. The conversation covered honest stories, hard lessons learned, and practical approaches to growing operations.
NataLee Callahan from Aleah shared a sentiment that resonated throughout the room: “My mission is to help lift women and empower them. I think it’s really important to know that you don’t need to push others down to lift yourself up.”
Sarah Lee expressed similar appreciation for the supportive environment she’s found: “Our company’s fifth-generation president and CEO has been so supportive of the women in our company. It takes one person to be open to the fact that yes, we can do this and can do this very well.”
McClellan, receiving the Rising Star Award, summed up what many attendees felt about the show itself: “These conferences for me are always a breath of fresh air with new products, new ideas, new connections. You come and talk to people who are going through all the same things that you are and come to one place and just learn from each other, which I think is amazing.”
The Show Floor Experience at NHS Concept to Commerce: Three Pavilions, One Goal
Walking the show floor revealed how the new format changes the attendee experience. Instead of a chaotic mix of every type of vendor, the pavilion structure helps you find exactly what you’re looking for.
The Brand Pavilion featured established names like Ledvance/Sylvania, Lifetime Products, IMC Outdoor Living, Bradshaw Home, and Segway Navimow showcasing their newest lines and category extensions.
The Inventor Pavilion delivered on its promise of “the next products to hit the market.” For retailers looking to differentiate their assortment with exclusive products no one else carries, this is where the magic happens.
The Global Manufacturing and Private Label Pavilion represented the show’s strategic focus, with a special emphasis on sourcing from Mexico, Vietnam, and India. Exhibitors from over 40 countries gave retailers direct access to manufacturing partners without the cost of international travel.
Other programming throughout the three days included sessions on social media strategy, insights from executives at Lowe’s, Ring, and LitezAll, and sessions from Harvard Business School faculty.
Lowe’s Into the Blue and Industry Partnerships at NHS Concept to Commerce
Several special events ran alongside the main show programming, giving attendees additional opportunities to connect and learn.
Lowe’s Into the Blue
Lowe’s hosted its “Into the Blue” supplier recruitment event, inviting entrepreneurs, factory owners, and product suppliers to apply for opportunities to become Lowe’s vendors. The retailer was specifically looking for innovative home improvement products across categories including home décor, building products, seasonal items, and hardlines.
For inventors and smaller manufacturers, events like this represent a direct path to national retail distribution that would otherwise take years of relationship-building to access.
Brand Licensing Insights
A seminar on brand licensing explored how well-known products (think Scotts garden tools, John Deere gloves, and Caterpillar industrial fans) leverage licensing to extend their reach. Led by Licensing Hall of Fame inductee Stu Seltzer alongside senior leaders from Scotts Miracle-Gro, ShelterLogic Group, and Intertape Polymer Group, the session covered deal structures, royalty economics, and legal fundamentals through real-world case studies.
Retailers’ Choice Awards
Tuesday evening’s NHS Networking Party also celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Retailers’ Choice Awards, recognizing the latest and greatest products on display at the show. While specific winners weren’t detailed in coverage, the recognition represents valuable social proof for products that independent retailers found most compelling.
What NHS Concept to Commerce Means for Independent Retailers
So what should you actually do with all this information? Here are the practical takeaways for smaller hardware stores and home improvement retailers:
Private Label Is Now Essential, Not Optional
The message from multiple speakers was clear: if you’re not developing private label products, you’re leaving margin on the table and ceding price-sensitive customers to competitors. Start by identifying one category where you can introduce a store-brand alternative to a national brand product. Use that as a testing ground to learn the process before expanding.
AI Tools Are Accessible to Smaller Operations
You don’t need an enterprise IT department to start using AI. Tools for demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and pricing analysis are increasingly available to smaller retailers. Start with one use case (inventory planning is often the easiest) and build from there.
Sourcing Without International Travel
The Global Manufacturing and Private Label Pavilion proved you can evaluate international suppliers without the time and expense of overseas trips. For independent retailers, this democratizes access to manufacturing partnerships that were previously only available to big box competitors.
The Value of Getting Out of Your Four Walls
Gina Schaefer’s observation captures something important: “As retailers, we get stuck in our four walls. Coming to shows like this is a great way to get outside of those four walls, see what’s happening in other industries and learn from people who are doing things in tech or in marketing more.”
Even if you can’t attend every industry event, the principle applies. Make time to step outside your daily operations and see what others in the industry are doing differently. The ideas you bring back often pay for the trip many times over.
Looking Ahead: NHS Concept to Commerce 2027
If you missed this year’s show, mark your calendar for March 9-11, 2027, when NHS Concept to Commerce returns to Las Vegas. Pre-registration is already open on the official website.
For those who attended, the real work begins now: implementing the private label strategies, exploring the supplier relationships, and putting those AI tools to work. The connections made and insights gained at the show are only valuable if you turn them into action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend NHS Concept to Commerce?
The event is designed for retailers, wholesalers, distributors, sourcing teams, product development professionals, R&D teams, licensing professionals, and media who are actively involved in product discovery and supplier relationships. It’s an industry-only event focused on B2B connections.
What makes NHS Concept to Commerce different from the old National Hardware Show?
NHS Concept to Commerce replaces the traditional trade show format with a purpose-built experience organized around three pavilions: Brand, Inventor, and Global Manufacturing/Private Label. The new format emphasizes intentional connections and streamlined sourcing rather than general browsing.
How much does it cost to attend NHS Concept to Commerce?
The show offers different badge tiers. Basic show floor access is available at standard registration rates, while upgrades include access to the Expert Talks Conference and the NHS Networking Party. Some qualifying buyers may be eligible for the Hosted Attendee Program, which provides travel support and VIP access.
Can independent retailers really benefit from NHS Concept to Commerce, or is it just for big box stores?
Independent retailers were specifically highlighted throughout the conference programming. Sessions focused on how smaller retailers can use private label, AI tools, and strategic sourcing to compete with larger competitors. The pavilion format actually helps level the playing field by giving independents direct access to the same suppliers and manufacturers that big box buyers use.
Where can I find information about the products and exhibitors from NHS Concept to Commerce 2026?
The NHS Concept to Commerce website maintains an exhibitor directory with company information, product categories, and contact details. This is often the most visited page on the site and remains accessible year-round for follow-up connections.
