Chicago — Maya Schultz has an eye for product innovation, as well as a good sense of humor. When the Ace Hardware product innovation merchant was asked why the innovation area was all the way in the back of the convention center during the Ace Hardware Convention Aug. 17-19, she had a good answer: “We’re like the milk in the grocery store,” she said.
Innovative products are more than just a traffic generator – they’re increasingly viewed by Ace and other retailers as a key pillar in a “differentiate or die” approach to business.
