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.
Michael Beltrami, Cutlery and More, Owner
Since taking over his family’s business, Michael Beltrami, owner of Cutlery and More, East Dundee, IL, has emerged as an influential voice within the independent gourmet retail channel.
“We nominated Beltrami for his technical knowledge of cutlery,” said one supplier. As a fourth generation owner, Beltrami has continued his family’s legacy that began in the early 1920s. At the time, the company was a door-to-door business, focused strictly on sharing its knowledge about cutlery and sharpening services. It is this passion and commitment that has impressed several vendors.
Beltrami’s commitment to quality customer service and dependability are also traits that vendors praised, as is his acumen in navigating modern retail challenges, such as e-commerce.
“Beltrami has been thriving in an increasingly competitive Internet landscape via superior customer service and compelling email blasts and marketing programs,” said another vendor.
Beltrami’s belief in e-commerce as an extension of the family’s retail store, played a pivotal role in the launch of the Cutlery and More website in the 1990s. He has since leveraged the site to build the company’s sales and customer base.
Today, Cutlery and More still offers customers knife sharpening services, as well as a wide selection of cutlery and housewares. The store serves both the home cook as well as professionals and, offering a variety of brands and pricepoints to fit all needs.
The retailer’s informative email blasts, engaging social media activity and year-long return policy are all attractive customer-facing tactics Beltrami and his team have utilized to support continued growth.
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