Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Last August, along with celebrating 100 years of serving the independent channel, Ace Hardware also unveiled its new experiential store format, ELEVATE³ Ace, at the 2024 Fall Ace Convention. During this year’s 2025 Fall Convention, Ace Hardware celebrated its one-year anniversary of ELEVATE³ Ace, which reimagines the traditional hardware store by creating immersive brand experiences in four key areas: paint, power, backyard and barbecue and home preservation.
The concept has since moved out of pilot mode and into full roll-out, with more than 130 ELEVATE³ Ace stores completed so far. These stores are reporting an increase of 12% in sales and 10% in gross profit dollars compared to non-implementing stores. Looking at specific categories, ELEVATE³ Ace stores have seen sales increase 25% in power, 22% in barbecue, 6% in backyard, 6% in paint and 8% in home preservation.
At the Fall 2025 Ace Convention, the ELEVATE³ Ace Store-on-Floor model featured expanded power and barbecue brands and a pilot “Sun & Shade” department, offering premium sunglasses, lifestyle apparel, hydration products and outdoor audio equipment. Also new was a refreshed lighting aisle with adjustable white lighting in bulbs and fixtures and an Ace-exclusive Kohler faucet.
“ELEVATE³ Ace is experiential retail wrapped in the servant-hearted humanity that’s made Ace famous,” says John Venhuizen, president and CEO of Ace Hardware. “These stores let customers see, touch and try the best of Ace, while staying true to our mission of serving neighbors. A year in, they’re driving strong growth for our retailers and making Ace an even more valuable part of the communities we serve.”
