Scott Reynolds, president and CEO of Member Insurance, recently answered questions from Hardware Retailing about preparing for and recovering from catastrophic storms, such as the recent hurricanes and related flooding. Member Insurance is the largest provider of insurance to independent hardware …

Bruce R. Berkowitz, one of Sears Holdings’ biggest investors and a board member, is leaving the company. Sears confirmed that Berkowitz has chosen to leave the board and will make his exit Oct. 31.  He has served on the board of directors since February …

John Venhuizen, Ace Hardware president and CEO, recently took questions from Hardware Retailing about the co-op’s purchase of The Grommet, an e-commerce startup company. Ace announced the purchase Oct. 3. Hardware Retailing (HR): Why did Ace purchase a majority stake in The Grommet?  John Venhuizen (JV): There …

Ace Hardware Corp. announced Tuesday that it has purchased the majority stake in e-commerce startup The Grommet. The Grommet operates an e-commerce website that markets and sells new and innovative products created by independent entrepreneurs, also known as makers, according to Ace. The Grommet has …

Ace Hardware Corp. hosted its first Maker to Market™ Day, an event created to allow entrepreneurs and inventors to pitch product ideas that could end up for sale in co-op stores. Ace employees who make purchasing decisions for more than 5,000 …

Click the picture to download a PDF of this story. Store owners throughout the industry have discovered that business critiques from other independent home improvement retailers help them become better operators. Ask a fellow retailer or two to walk through your store, …

If you’re hiring extra help to staff your retail store during the winter holidays, you won’t be competing for temporary hires with Walmart this year. “Wal-Mart is redefining the holiday hiring scene, at least for its huge operation of more …

Hardware Distribution Warehouses, Inc. (HDW) saw record attendance and sales during its recent fall market. Retailers, vendors and staff composed the group of more than 1,000 people who attended the event, which was Sept. 8-10 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Tim Teague of Meadors Lumber in Alma, Arkansas, commented …