Mortgage rates continued to decline in August and are now reporting at the lowest rate since November 2024, according to Freddie Mac.  The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.59%, 13 basis points (bps) lower than July, while the 15-year rate declined …

Bayview Building Materials announced it has changed its name to Elma Building Center, reflecting the community the store serves in Elma, Washington. “Our new name reflects our deep connection to the Elma community, and we’re excited to showcase our newly …

Rocky’s Ace Hardware recently announced the purchase of its newest location in Manchester, Connecticut, marking its third store in the state. Construction on the store will begin immediately and the company anticipates opening the new location in February 2026.  “We’re …

Lowe’s recently announced the launch of the Lowe’s Earn Your Sunday campaign, a new initiative to motivate NFL fans to complete home projects during the week so they can enjoy football and family without interruption on Sundays. Throughout the football …

Diamond Vogel recently announced it is implementing a strategic shift in its approach to the architectural coatings market. The company will exit the retail space and divest its company-owned retail stores. Spectrum Paint will acquire Diamond Vogel’s architectural paint business …

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently opened online registration and housing for the 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS). The largest annual light construction trade show will take place in Orlando, Florida, from February 17-19, 2026. This will …

By Tony Corsberg, Principal, Merchant5 Advisors One of the most economical ways to increase sales is by increasing the average transaction size of the customers already in the store. Promotional space management is a valuable tool for achieving this, as …

Celebrating a newly renovated store and freshly restocked shelves, Crossroads Hardware in Leonard, Texas recently celebrated the store’s grand reopening. The two-day event brought in over 350 guests to enjoy special discounts and deals on products, raffle giveaways and complimentary …