Industry News

The month of October saw a jump in three leading consumer metrics—inflation, price gains and overall retail sales. According to the U.S. Labor Department Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, inflation increased 0.9 percent in October, following a modest …

If an operation didn’t already utilize e-commerce and contactless systems before the pandemic, they most likely added them during the shutdowns to better serve their customers. Customers have come to expect these options, so retailers should stay on top of …

No one likes to be criticized, but it can be extra difficult for a company to receive negative feedback, especially when it is given publicly. The internet has made it easy for anyone to say anything about anybody else and …

Last Thursday, the Biden administration released two new rules regarding vaccination mandates for employers.  The first rule was issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and covers companies with 100 or more employees. The rule requires employees of those …

Nominations are open for the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s (NHPA) 2022 Young Retailer of the Year program. Now in its 26th year, the program identifies young leaders who represent the future of the independent home improvement industry. Program …

The number one Canadian-made and Canadian-owned retail paint brand, BeautiTone, announced that its 2022 Color of the Year is ‘Warm Hugs’, a mid-tone red-pink shade with an influence of orange. The color offers hope and comfort in one hue. “‘Warm Hugs’ …

In a recent survey of 1,000 Americans who made a major purchase of $500 or more in the last year, TD Bank found that 70 percent of consumers are likely to make large purchases in the next six months. Nearly …

The North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has recognized key home improvement operators for their successes and strategic solutions for 15 years with the Top Guns award. This award highlights retailers who are committed to their communities, their teams …