When Mike Clark, True Value’s senior VP and chief merchandising officer, talks about growth areas, he points to canning, he points to pet food. He points to strength in these warm times, of anything that moves cool air through a ouse, or moves water around the yard.

But Clark seems most excited about initiatives in farm and ranch. 

Mike Clark is already looking ahead to Christmas. 

During Chicago-based True Value’s 2012 Spring Market general session last month, Clark, the co-op's senior VP and chief merchandising officer, told member retailers: "We know you're looking ahead to fall and winter and thinking about what's going to help you drive your sales."

With the message that relevant, up-to-date assortments are the lifeblood of successful hardware retailers, True Value Co.'s Mike Clark, senior VP and chief merchandising officer, identified winners during his presentation at the co-op's Fall Market in Philadelphia.

Clark also introduced the Chicago-based co-op's initial Farm & Ranch assortments.

True Value's farm and ranch offerings range from towing, jacks, oil and air filters, electric fencing, baler twine and Miller plastic buckets, to name a few.