August 27, 2024 — Dallas, Texas-based Nation’s Best was one of four retailers honored as Beacon Award winners during the Beacon Awards banquet on Tuesday, August 27 at the JW Marriott in Marco Island, Fla. The Beacon Awards are a premier national industry awards program developed by Hardware Connection magazine to recognize the “best of the best” independent hardware/home improvement retailers.

The Beacon Awards are sponsored by Epicor Software Corp., Ettore Products Company and Fluidmaster, with wholesaler sponsorship support from Do it Best and other wholesalers. The Beacon Awards, now in their 12th year, honored the Retail Beacon Award winners for each of the two participating wholesalers, plus two winners for Best New Store. Nation’s Best and CEO Chris Miller received the Retail Beacon Award.

“Nation’s Best is very worthy of its inclusion in the 2024 class of Beacon honorees,” stated Doug Donaldson, editor/principal of Hardware Connection, the hardware industry’s leading digital publication. “Through the strategic vision of CEO Chris Miller, Nation’s Best has grown rapidly because of its culture of idea sharing, internal communications and smart investments into acquisitions while maintaining individual store autonomy.”

About Nation’s Best

Nation’s Best, founded in 2019 with Chris Miller as CEO, has rapidly become a significant force in the retail hardware industry, earning the 2024 Retail Beacon Award. With a strategic partnership with Do it Best, the company has grown to 60 locations across 18 states, employing more than 1,200 associates. This growth strategy focuses on acquiring well-run, profitable businesses, often in secondary markets, while preserving the local store  names and empowering local management.

Miller’s leadership style emphasizes personal involvement and trust-building with the previous owners, ensuring a smooth transition. Nation’s Best modernizes stores by upgrading infrastructure, expanding product lines, and  implementing innovative tech solutions like the Tracula inventory-tracking system.

Community involvement remains a core value with initiatives such as NB Cares, a non-profit foundation supporting local charities and scholarships. The company also retains local traditions, such as Calaveras Lumber’s support for the 4-H club. This blend of modernization, community focus, and strategic growth has positioned Nation’s Best as a leader in the industry, with Miller’s vision and hands-on approach driving the company’s  continued success and expansion.

About Hardware Connection magazine and the Beacon Awards

Hardware Connection is the only digital native magazine designed and distributed solely in an electronic format for independent hardware retailers. With a circulation of nearly 60,000, Hardware Connection has been honored with 16 awards for editorial excellence in the past decade. Nation’s Best and other 2024 Beacon Award winners will be featured in the September 2024 issue of Hardware Connection magazine. For more information about Hardware Connection magazine or the Beacon Awards, visit thehardwareconnection.com.

Nation’s Best Center Media Contact:
Kristin Peterson; info@nationsbest.net

Beacon Awards Media Contact:
Doug Donaldson, 646-508-7904; doug@thehardwareconnection.com