When employees arrived to work at Key-Aid Ace Hardware on Saturday, Feb. 25, they knew bad weather was in the forecast. But the staff had no idea that the powerful storm that was brewing would come right to their front door. …
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How HGTV Star Nicole Curtis Depends on Independents
HGTV star Nicole Curtis was at the recent Ace Hardware Spring 2017 Convention & Exhibits to promote products, but she also took time to tell Hardware Retailing about the independent retailers she relies on. Curtis’ TV show “Rehab Addict” details …
Read More »Delay Likely for Sherwin-Williams’ Purchase of Valspar
The Sherwin-Williams Co. announced this week that its deal to buy The Valspar Corp. likely won’t close as soon as planned. When the two U.S. paint companies publicized the purchase agreement in March 2016, they expected the $11.3 billion deal to go …
Read More »NRHA Announces Marcus Moran Jr. Scholarships
The North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) is awarding two scholarships to attend the Fall 2017 class of the NRHA Retail Management Certification Program in the name of one of the program’s greatest supporters—former Aubuchon Hardware CEO Marcus Moran Jr. The …
Read More »If Sears Goes Bankrupt, Will Stanley Lose Craftsman?
Sears Holdings Corp. has acknowledged “substantial doubt” in its ability to stay out of bankruptcy, which may kill recent sales of its businesses, such as Craftsman. The struggling retailer released its annual report on Tuesday, and the news was dismal. Based on information from …
Read More »Ace Hardware CEO: In a Retail War, ‘Differentiate or You Die’
When Ace Hardware’s top executive stepped on stage at the start of the co-op’s spring buying show, he had fierce words for fighting competitors: find weakness and “attack it relentlessly.” President and CEO John Venhuizen spoke March 16 to kick …
Read More »Expansion, Efficiency Key Themes at Blish-Mize Spring Buying Market
There were big crowds, busy aisles and a positive atmosphere at the Blish-Mize Spring Buying Market, which was held last weekend in Overland Park, Kansas. Customers gathered to find new products, good deals and more. “We’ve seen strong attendance,” says …
Read More »HIRI, The Farnsworth Group Announce Partnership
The Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) is continuing to deliver market research on the home improvement industry through a new partnership with market research firm The Farnsworth Group, according to a recent press release from The Farnsworth Group. Through this …
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