TL;DR
Get cleaning gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
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 work includes an AI tool, expanded store-performance analytics and mobile apps, one of which is scheduled for early 2027.
Do it Best Group has received the 2026 Mark Michael and NEI Innovative Company of the Year Award from the Northeast Indiana Innovation Community, recognizing its development of technology intended to support independent hardware retailers. The Fort Wayne-based company’s cited initiatives include artificial intelligence, retail data analysis and mobile applications.
The award was presented through the organization’s annual Innovation@Work awards, which recognize companies using innovation to support business growth in northeast Indiana, according to the report published by Hardware Retailing on November 5. Do it Best Group was recognized for a range of technology efforts rather than a single product.
One 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 describe the tool’s availability to members or provide performance results.
The company has also expanded Retail Pulse, a platform that gives Do it Best and True Value members with compatible point-of-sale systems information about store performance. Capabilities introduced at the Fall Market include SKU-level analysis of pricing, product assortments, margins and inventory productivity.
Technology Aimed at Independent Retailers
The award highlights a business challenge for independent hardware stores: using digital tools to make decisions and serve customers while retaining local ownership and store identities. Do it Best Group says its technology initiatives are intended to help member retailers improve operations. That is the company’s stated aim; the report does not offer independent evidence of resulting sales gains or operating improvements.
The tools described address several parts of retail work. HardwareIQ is intended to help associates access information, while Retail Pulse gives eligible members more detailed views of store performance. Planned mobile features would connect product discovery, inventory, rewards and payment. Together, those efforts show the range of the company’s technology program, but their value to stores will depend on rollout, adoption and results.
For members, the award may bring attention to tools they could consider using as they compete with larger retailers and online sellers. The Innovation Hub at the Fall Market offered demonstrations and discussions with company representatives about implementation. The report does not say how many members have adopted any of the initiatives.
Products Worth Considering
eufy Security Essential 7-Piece Alarm System
Ring Alarm 5-Piece Wireless Security System
Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum – Corded, 290 AW, De‑tangling Motorbar Cleaner Head, 3 Suction Modes
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Tools Shown at the Fall Market
Do it Best Group is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and serves independent retailers, including Do it Best and True Value members. The award recognizes the company’s regional business and technology work, while the reported examples focus on tools being introduced, expanded or developed for those retailers.
At the 2026 Fall Market in Indianapolis, the company previewed HardwareIQ, introduced new Retail Pulse capabilities and opened an Innovation Hub. Members could view technology demonstrations and speak with company representatives about implementation, according to the report. The market therefore served as a venue for presenting the initiatives; it does not establish that all products are generally available.
The company is developing a loyalty and e-commerce mobile app, with a planned launch in early 2027. Intended features include product searches, real-time inventory availability, rewards, purchase histories, fulfillment options and mobile payments. A separate Best Rewards app is intended to offer similar capabilities to stores operating under their own brands.
“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
Rollout and Results Still Pending
The report does not specify the award ceremony date, the selection criteria in detail, or the other companies considered. It also provides no adoption figures, cost information or measured outcomes for HardwareIQ and Retail Pulse, so the degree to which the tools have changed store performance is not established.
The loyalty and e-commerce app remains in development, with early 2027 given as its planned timing. The report does not provide an exact launch date, participating-store count or confirmation that every listed feature will be available at launch. It also does not give a release schedule for the separate Best Rewards app or say whether HardwareIQ is already available beyond its preview.
Early 2027 App Plans
The next stated milestone is the planned release of Do it Best Group’s loyalty and e-commerce app in early 2027. The company has outlined intended features, but further details about timing, availability and rollout have not been reported. The separate Best Rewards app is also in development, with no launch date specified in the source.
Retailers and industry observers can look for updates on those apps and for more information about member access to HardwareIQ and Retail Pulse. The report does not identify a further award-related event or a specific date for the company’s next technology announcement.
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 through its annual Innovation@Work awards.
What technology work was recognized?
The cited initiatives include HardwareIQ, an internally developed AI tool for product and project information; expanded Retail Pulse store analytics; and mobile applications being developed for loyalty and e-commerce.
When is the new loyalty and e-commerce app expected?
Do it Best Group plans to release it in early 2027. An exact launch date and final feature list were not provided in the report.
Are the tools already available to all member stores?
The report does not confirm broad availability. Retail Pulse serves members with compatible point-of-sale systems, while HardwareIQ was previewed at the Fall Market. The apps are described as in development.
What results have the technology initiatives produced?
The report does not provide adoption figures or measured effects on sales, margins or store operations. The company says the initiatives are intended to help members improve operations and serve customers.
Source: hardwareretailing.com
