Sudoku

approval, is expected to close by the end of June.

In 2005. Andersen had roughly $2.5 billion in sales and Silver Line $700 million.

Online Sales Keep Jumping

Online sales are expected to increase 2OVc this year, reaching $21 1.4 billion, according to the National Retail Federation's online division, Shop.org. The volume is nearly twice that of three years agoand far ahead ofthe 3Vc annual growth of retail sales.

Online sales rose 25Vc in 2OO5, 24Vc in 2004. and 5l%c in2OO3.

"Consumer comfort and familiarity with the Internet has been a hurdle to growth in the past," said Scon Silverman, executive director of Shop.org. "But people are used to the Internet now, for email and doing research. If you aren't in that game [as a retailerl, you're at a huge disadvantage."

In response. retailers are trying to better integrate their stores with telephone, catalog and online ordering. More in-store and telephone salespeople now have access to the Web for information. prices and ordering. Merchants are also doing more crosspromotions. such as placing coupons online that can be redeemed in their stores. "You want that seamless shopping experience," Silverman said.

In-store kiosks allorv customers to order online if they can't find what they're looking for in the store. Or, shoppers can access product information or get assistance, such as how to measure a rvindow correctly.

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 once. Therefore, each number in the solution will be unique in each of three "directions."

The solution is on page 83.

Although easily-mailed goods have enjoyed the greatest success in online sales. sales of larger, heavier building materials also present opportunities by allorving consumers to order online for pick up at the store.

Eco-Friendly Store Grows

Just seven months after opening, the first environmentally friendly building supply store in the Phoenix, Az., area had already outgrown its location and recently moved into larger quarters.

"Business has been great," said Mick Dalrymple, co-owner of a.k.a. Green, Scottsdale, Az., which has been enjoying a3O7o increase in sales each month. "There is a large nonserved market in this area. And it doesn't take a brain surgeon to see our

Green Experts On The Line

Green building is booming in North America. Its residential sector growth in the U.S. alone is estimated to reach $38 billion by 2010.

But what constitutes green building? How are the certification standards set? And is wood welcomeor is it discriminated against? To address these questions and more, Forestleadership is presenting a series of teleseminars on "Green Building and Lumber" June 13,20 and2'1.

Ward Hubbell. executive director energy crisis is not going away. We want to be prepared for it rather than be overwhelmed by it." of the Green Building Initiative, begins the series June 13 by sharing his perspective on the development of a Green Globes environmental assessment and rating system.

More than four times larger than the original store, the new location features a wide range of earth-friendly materials. including bamboo and cori flooring, recycled denim insulation, and IceStone, a durable countertop and flooring surface made of 75Vc recyclable glass and concrete. "We don't carry stuff just for the sake of green," said Dalrymple. "It has to be green and have real design appeal."

Thomas Mueller, president of the Canada Green Building Councilwhich holds an exclusive license for the implementation of LEED in Canada, speaks June 20.

"Green Builder" Ron Jones, principal of Sierra Custom Builders, closes the seminar June 27.

For more details or to register, visit www.forestleadership.com.

Ghain Gets Site Selection Help

Determined to keep up its rate of expansion despite many markets becoming saturated, Home Depot turns to site selection experts to help identify areas that can provide a high rate of sales per square foot.

"Location is everything." said Home Depot v.p. of real estate Mike LaFerle. "Convenience is the driving factor for most customers."

Since its founding in 1978. Depot has relied on Maplnfo. Troy. N.Y.. for "location intelligence." Their advice has helped the chain push into nerv markets. including rural. urban and international.

"We do just about everything for Depot." said Bob Buckner. vice president of Maplnfo and author of Sile Selectiott. Projects include analyzing horv many stores a market can support. evaluating point-of-sale data. and supporting merchandising.

Sales forecasting models showed. for example. that there tvas opportunity for Home Depot to enlarge its stores' larvn-and-garden centers.

For 2006 and beyond. the chain hopes to add 4O0 to 500 new stores and expand into China. where Depot recently opened an office in Shanghai.

ExrnemrREowooo

5

ExrnrmeTroERwooD

Extreme Tropicol Hordwoods

You understand that you can have the best and still not break your budget. Extreme Hard' wood decking is rhe beautiful answer. Durability has never looked so good. Whether you're looking for rich color with frne gratnor disdnctive color with bold pattern, Tropical Hardwoods are certain to please. Natural resistance to fungi and termites makes them even more arftactive, For more information on Extreme Tropical Hardwoods and other deck surface materials or to frnd a quality retailer near you, visit McFarlandCascade.com.

To become a Certified Contractor and take advantage of our contractor co-op program, visit McFadandCascade.com and click on "become a Certifred Contractor'j