Taking a leap of faith can be a big risk, but when you’re chasing your dreams, it’s worth it, say Joe and Leah Van Walbeek. The couple reopened Akron Lumber Co. in Akron, Iowa, this past May. Over the weekend, …
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Combined Kmart-Sears Store Is a New Venture for Sears Holdings
Sears Holdings is experimenting with a Kmart and Sears combination store, even as it closes dozens of individually branded stores throughout the U.S. The company recently opened a Kmart store inside of a Brooklyn, New York, Sears location, according to …
Read More »Dollar General Pilots App for Mobile Checkout
Customers at Dollar General stores in Nashville, Tennessee, can now pay for items directly through their smartphones, company CEO Todd Vasos announced in a May earnings call. Vasos says the app launched in May and will soon expand to include …
Read More »Supreme Court: States Can Require Online Retailers to Pay Sales Tax
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 21 that online purchases can be subject to the same state and local taxes as purchases made at brick-and-mortar locations, The New York Times reports. This week’s decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. establishes that …
Read More »Do it Best Promotes Mergy to New Tech VP
Do it Best Corp. has promoted John Mergy to the role of vice president of information technology, effective July 1. Earlier this year, the co-op announced the retirement of the department’s former executive Mike Altendorf, who is retiring from the …
Read More »Tesla Ending Home Depot Partnership at Year-End
Tesla will cease selling its solar products at Home Depot by the end of the year, ending a brief retail partnership. Tesla began selling solar panels and batteries in Home Depot early this year, planning to create dedicated space for …
Read More »NRHA Launches Fresher, More Accessible Website
The North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) has launched a refreshed, updated version of its website that allows the association to serve independent home improvement retailers better. The new nrha.org, which went live June 15, features an updated design. The …
Read More »Illinois Lumber Company’s a-Maze-ing Journey
When Peter Loveland heads to work, he knows he’s walking in the footsteps of family members who came before him. Loveland is the fifth generation to manage his family’s home improvement business, Maze Lumber. Founded in Peru, Illinois, in 1848 …
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