In an attempt to dig deeper into the growing smart home market, Amazon has been digging into its pockets to invest in and acquire several companies. This week, home device manufacturer Ecobee received $62 million through series C funding from …
Read More »Renee Changnon
PRO Group and VAL-TEST Group Announce Alliance
A new alliance in the independent hardware and home improvement industry was announced today. PRO Group and VAL-TEST Group are joining forces. The partnership is “designed to leverage both groups’ strengths to deliver superior value to member wholesale distributors, suppliers …
Read More »Take Note of 2018 Color Trends
While many elements of home decor remain popular for a few years, color trends evolve and change at a rapid pace. If your business is deeply invested in the paint category, staying on top of color trends can help you …
Read More »Iowa Business Uses Expansion to Widen Audience, Create Retail Destination
Click the picture to download a PDF of this story. By Renee Changnon, rchangnon@nrha.org ‘If You Build It, They Will Come’ When a fire destroyed Marcus Lumber Co.’s shop buildings, lumber shed and delivery vehicles in 2004, the Leavitt family found a …
Read More »D.C. Businesses Welcome Community Members, Provide Unique Goods
In major cities around the world, many consumers are looking for a sense of community and belonging. To help their customers along, many independent retailers are using their businesses to create an inviting space for like-minded people to gather. One …
Read More »Revenues, Same-Store Sales Up for Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware Corp. released its fourth-quarter and year-end financial results for 2017, showing increases in revenues and U.S. same-store sales. The home improvement cooperative saw fourth-quarter revenues of $1.3 billion, an increase of 6.8 percent from the same period in …
Read More »True Value Spring Reunion Showcases Marketing Tools and Retail Independence
Independent retailers gathered in Washington, D.C., to discover new products, attend educational sessions, learn about marketing opportunities and network with industry peers at the True Value Spring Reunion. The day before the buying show began, retailers were invited to attend …
Read More »Animals Find Loving Homes at Annual Retailer Event
For nearly a decade, Patti Christie, owner of Hood’s Do it Best in Wyandotte, Michigan, has been using her platform to help animals find their forever homes. She has always been an advocate for animals, and her friend Terra Muscat …
Read More »