The July 18 issue of HOMEWORLD BUSINESS® features the 17th annual Impact Merchants special report. Housewares suppliers, representing the categories that HomeWorld covers, once again were asked to nominate buyers and merchandisers believed to have made a significant impact during the past year.
The selection of the 18 Impact Merchant winners is not intended as a definitive list of the best merchants in housewares retailing. Votes went to several more merchandisers than those featured. This year’s honorees represent buyers in given categories that received the majority of votes by vendors polled.
Voters were asked to give added weight to merchandising creativity, trend and marketing astuteness, attention to detail, openness to risk, flexibility, relationship building and the ability to deliver a profitable program for both the vendors and retailer while providing value to consumers. One thing this year’s Impact Merchants share is a vote of respect by their vendors. In today’s unpredictable retail environment, that vote really counts.
Dallas Dobbs, Walmart, Senior Buyer, Storage & Organization
Dallas Dobbs, a 2016 HOMEWORLD BUSINESS® Impact Merchant in the home organization category, is receiving his second buying honor. He was chosen in 2014 as well.
“Dobbs is an expert in his category, because he is a team player. He works with an amazing group of loyal individuals that are excited about the opportunity to assist him with marketing ideas, financial analysis and administrative support. He then takes this information to decide what works, what needs to be changed and what can be done to grow the business to the next level,” said one vendor.
As a buyer for Walmart for 34 years, and in its storage segment for 13, vendors said Dobbs understands Walmart’s corporate culture and has a strong commitment. Dobbs uses this belief in every day low prices to “own pricepoints and drive the total category,” explained one vendor. His experience also helps him to understand the competition and what his costs should be, added another vendor.
Dobbs is also touted for his transparency. “He is always fair with his vendor partners. He’s an honest and upfront person. You know where you stand and what’s expected,” said one vendor.
“He creates an environment of trust that causes you to work even harder to provide the best possible solutions for his customers’ needs and at the same time making your company successful, too— a true win-win situation,” noted one vendor.
Dobbs is also a great listener, the vendor said, and is not afraid to ask questions. “He realizes suppliers come up with new ideas and opportunities. He collaborates to consistently implement transformative merchandising strategies as well as promotional plans,” said one vendor.
2016 HomeWorld Business Impact Merchants (click on name for profile):
- Bob Couch, Shopko
- Lance Allen, Home Depot
- Paul Casey, Groupon
- Melissa Gaeto, Sur La Table
- Michelle Rado, Costco
- Erica Price, Wayfair
- Joan Haney, Kroger
- Gregg Smith, The Cook’s Warehouse
- Sara Stuckert, Kohl’s
- Dallas Dobbs, Walmart
- Shawn Austin, Macy’s
- Melissa Cameron, Tuesday Morning
- Chris Kutil, Bon-Ton
- Susan Cantalupo, Crate & Barrel
- Alex Ogof, Bed Bath & Beyond
- Michael Beltrami, Cutlery And More
- John Gehre, H-E-B
- Diana Wilf, Gracious Home
