Students in the 2025 Retail Management Certification Program (RMCP) recently completed the first site visit of the year in Fishers, Indiana. Designed specifically for store owners, regional supervisors and managers, the program blends strategic leadership training, hands-on business improvement projects …

While independent home improvement retailers are set apart from competition in areas like customer service and personalized product knowledge, a store’s return policy can also make independents stand out from the crowd—and keep customers coming back.  ​​According to the National …

In June, nationwide total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 147,000, up from 144,000 jobs added in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  The construction sector saw a 15,000-job increase in June compared to May. 21 states added construction …

Westlake Ace Hardware recently relocated one of its Omaha, Nebraska, stores to a new location in the Westgate Plaza shopping center. The new 16,000 square feet store will employ the same general manager, Sean Grant, and all store associates from …

Hammond Lumber Company recently announced plans to acquire Ware-Butler Building Supply. The acquisition is planned to close on July 31, 2025.  The transition includes 15 Ware-Butler retail locations in Maine and all Ware-Butler employees will be offered continued employment at …

House-Hasson Hardware recently announced the appointment of Jay Bunch as chief financial officer and Matthew Patti as vice president of purchasing. Bunch brings over 30 years of financial leadership and accounting experience to House-Hasson as a licensed CPA in the …

The Lowe’s Foundation announced the funding of 12 new Gable Grants for community and technical colleges to address the shortage of skilled trades workers in the U.S. Recipients of the grants span across 60 organizations that are paving pathways into …

Single-family housing starts decreased in June to the lowest rate since July 2024, due to elevated interest rates, rising inventories and ongoing supply issues in the housing sector, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). While overall housing …