Shoppers spent less in January than they did during the busy holiday months but retail sales still had strong sales year over year according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. “Consumers pulled back in January, taking a breather after a stronger-than-expected …
Read More »Jacob Musselman
Quickrete, Summit Materials Announce Merger
Summit Materials, a producer of aggregates and cement, announced the closure of its agreement to be acquired by Quickrete Holdings for around $11.5 billion, including debt. The acquisition was unanimously approved by both Summit and Quikrete’s board of directors. “We …
Read More »Trex Releases Outdoor Living Forecast
Outdoor living is a popular category at many independent home improvement retailers. In 2025, homeowners are rethinking how they use and enjoy their backyards—blending design with personalized touches and sustainability. “Homeowners today are thinking far beyond the basics of a …
Read More »Stanley Black & Decker Releases Q4 Financials
Stanley Black & Decker (SB&D) announced its fourth quarter financials results. In 2024, Dewalt, an SB&D brand posted its seventh consecutive quarter of organic growth. SB&D reported Q4 2024 sales of $3.720 billion, a 0.43% decline year over year. Q4 …
Read More »The Latest on China, Canada and Mexico Tariffs
President Donald Trump has announced multiple tariffs since taking office in January. Here’s the latest on where China, Canada and Mexico stand with the impending and active tariffs. China As of Feb. 4, President Trump implemented a 10% tariff on …
Read More »Hot Products – February 5, 2025
Solar-Powered Hearing Protection (SPONSORED) The future of hearing protection is bright. Introducing the all-new 3M™ WorkTunes™ Connect + Solar Hearing Protection. Engineered with a Powerfoyle™ Solar Cell that charges continuously in outdoor or indoor light, the WorkTunes Connect is equipped …
Read More »Fortify Your Defenses: Top 4 Cybersecurity Risks Small Retailers Face in 2025
By Luke Vander Linden, VP of Membership & Marketing, Retail & Hospitality ISAC While cyberattackers are constantly shifting tactics, and with growing supply chains and AI advancements, retailers of all sizes should be on the lookout for new threats in …
Read More »Independent Insights: Offering Options
Because professionals make up at least a part of the audience of most independent home improvement operations, gaining their attention is key to boosting sales. The Pro Attitudes Toward Good-Better-Best Product Offerings report from the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) …
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