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Ace Hardware’s November sales exceeded expectations, with same-store sales soaring 9.9 percent over November 2013 numbers, according to a press release from the cooperative. In addition, same-store transactions improved by 4.9 percent year over year.
“While it seemed many competitors were tripping over each other to open as early as possible on Thanksgiving Day, I’m delighted to report that the decision of Ace’s independently-owned stores to remain closed on Thanksgiving did not appear to dampen consumer enthusiasm,” says John Venhuizen, president and CEO of Ace Hardware Corp. “(L)ooking ahead, I’m confident that many of our loyal and local consumers will find equally compelling values for their last-minute Christmas shopping needs at their neighborhood Ace.”
Washington, D.C.-based Ace retailer Anne Stom saw sales that were up 41 percent versus the prior year.
“Annie’s Ace Hardware performed incredibly well in November, thanks in large part to holiday shopping and Black Friday deals, but we also saw an uptick in customers wanting to be prepared for the winter weather ahead,” Stom says. “What’s most encouraging is that our average sales per transaction were up 16.7 percent compared to last year.”
Ace retailer Rick Alspaugh also reports strong growth at his two Alspaugh’s Ace Hardware stores in the Houston suburbs. Alspaugh’s store in Kingwood, Texas, had a 16.6-percent sales increase in November and his Woodlands, Texas, location was up more than 25.3 percent.
“We are pleased that even by remaining closed on Thanksgiving Day, so that our employees could be with their families, we are still able to report outstanding double-digit growth for the month of November,” Alspaugh says in the press release. “Our November sales were fueled by shoppers who were looking to get a head start on their holiday décor, as well as Christmas shopping.”
Greg Gold, owner of two Miller’s Ace Hardware stores in McMurray and Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, saw his biggest November sales increases in his electrical and holiday décor departments.
To read the full press release, click here.
