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Do it Best Group received the 2026 Mark Michael and NEI Innovative Company of the Year Award for technology initiatives aimed at independent hardware retailers. The company cited tools for AI-assisted store support and retail analysis, along with mobile apps it plans to launch in early 2027.
Do it Best Group received the 2026 Mark Michael and NEI Innovative Company of the Year Award from the Northeast Indiana Innovation Community, recognizing the Fort Wayne-based company’s technology initiatives for independent hardware retailers. The award was presented through the group’s annual Innovation@Work awards.
The award recognizes companies using innovation to support business growth in northeast Indiana. Do it Best Group was cited for work involving artificial intelligence tools, retail data analysis and mobile applications intended to help its Do it Best and True Value members operate their stores and serve customers.
One initiative is HardwareIQ, an AI-powered tool developed internally to help store associates find product and project information. The company previewed it at the Do it Best and True Value Fall Market in Indianapolis. The report does not specify when the tool will be broadly available or how many stores are using it.
The company has also expanded Retail Pulse, a platform that gives members with compatible point-of-sale systems information about store performance. Capabilities introduced at the Fall Market include SKU-level analysis of pricing, assortments, margins and inventory productivity. Do it Best Group is developing a loyalty and e-commerce app for early 2027, with planned features including product searches, real-time inventory availability, rewards, purchase histories, fulfillment choices and mobile payments. A separate Best Rewards app is intended to offer similar capabilities to independently branded stores.
Technology Aimed at Independent Stores
The award draws attention to a practical challenge for independent hardware retailers: using digital tools to make decisions and compete while retaining local ownership and store identities. Retail analytics can give participating stores more detailed views of pricing, margins and inventory, while a mobile app could connect product discovery, rewards and purchasing for customers.
Those potential benefits depend on adoption and implementation. The source report describes the tools and their planned functions but does not provide data showing effects on sales, operating costs or customer retention. The award recognizes the company’s innovation efforts; it does not, by itself, establish measurable results for retailers.
Do it Best Group says its aim is to make the technology easier for members to adopt and use. For store owners, the relevant test will be whether the tools fit existing operations, work with their systems and provide value without erasing the distinct identity of each business.
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Tools Shown at Fall Market
Do it Best Group is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and serves independent retailers operating under Do it Best and True Value banners, as well as independently branded stores. The award was part of the Northeast Indiana Innovation Community’s annual Innovation@Work program, which recognizes companies applying innovation to support regional business growth.
At the 2026 Fall Market in Indianapolis, the company previewed HardwareIQ and introduced new Retail Pulse features. It also opened an Innovation Hub where members could see demonstrations and speak with company representatives about implementation. These activities provide the immediate context for the award: the recognition covers a set of technology initiatives at different stages, rather than one product alone.
The planned mobile apps remain in development. The company’s stated early-2027 schedule and feature lists describe intentions, not a confirmed release date or a guarantee that every listed capability will be available at launch.
“Technology creates value when it helps a member serve a customer, make a better decision or capture a sale.”
— Ken Widner, chief information officer at Do it Best Group
Release Dates and Results Remain Open
The report does not provide independent performance data for HardwareIQ or Retail Pulse, such as effects on sales, margins, inventory levels or labor time. It also does not say how many members have adopted the expanded Retail Pulse features, what systems are required beyond compatible point-of-sale software, or whether HardwareIQ is available beyond its preview.
The loyalty and e-commerce app is scheduled for early 2027, but no specific launch date is given. The report does not confirm final feature availability, pricing, rollout coverage or whether the Best Rewards app will follow the same schedule. Those details may change as development continues.
Early 2027 App Plans
The next stated milestone is the planned early-2027 release of the loyalty and e-commerce mobile app. Do it Best Group has listed product search, inventory availability, rewards, purchase histories, fulfillment options and mobile payments as intended features. The company has not announced a precise launch date in the source report.
Members may also learn more through the Innovation Hub demonstrations and discussions with company representatives. Further information on rollout, store eligibility, final app capabilities and adoption of HardwareIQ and Retail Pulse will help clarify how the initiatives move from demonstrations and development into regular use.
Key Questions
What award did Do it Best Group receive?
It received the 2026 Mark Michael and NEI Innovative Company of the Year Award from the Northeast Indiana Innovation Community.
Why was the company recognized?
The award recognized technology initiatives for independent hardware retailers, including AI-assisted information tools, retail data analysis and planned mobile applications.
What is HardwareIQ?
HardwareIQ is an internally developed AI-powered tool intended to help store associates access product and project information. Do it Best Group previewed it at its 2026 Fall Market.
When is the mobile app expected?
The company says its loyalty and e-commerce app is scheduled for early 2027. A specific release date and final feature set have not been reported.
Are the tools proven to improve store performance?
The report describes the tools and their intended uses but does not provide outcome data showing effects on sales, costs, margins or customer retention.
Source: hardwareretailing.com
