Industry News

The prices on home improvement products are growing, and so are retailers’ efforts to keep those prices competitive and retain customers. Price continues to be a key factor consumers consider when choosing where to shop. Over the years, product pricing has …

Bart Tucker, who leads a team of volunteers to build and renovate homes in major disaster areas, is used to buying building materials from big-box stores. But a grant from the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) inspired a partnership …

Jared (Jake) Smith, owner of Jared’s Ace Hardware and Crossroads Outdoors in Bishopville, South Carolina, was elected to the North American Retail Hardware Association’s (NRHA) board of directors at the organization’s May Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. After growing up working …

Loyal customers of Lowe’s stores in Canada will soon gain more than home improvement products from shopping at the big-box chain. Last week, Lowe’s Canada announced a new agreement with LoyaltyOne Co., owner and operator of AIR MILES Reward Program. Through the agreement, …

Existing-home sales increased again in July, continuing a three-month upward growth trend, according to the National Association of Realtors. Existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 2 percent to 5.59 million in July from …

The emergence of outdoor cooking as a prominent category was clearly evident throughout the Koelnmesse Exhibition Center this week, where grills, barbecues and smokers of all sizes, styles and price points could be found. Outdoor cooking products occupied an entire hall …

Online shopping is convenient, provides quick access to product reviews and makes price comparisons easy, but it lacks two factors consumers value: human interaction and help. Customers still consider advice from knowledgeable staff in their purchasing decisions, according to a …

Outdoor living is a growing category for retailers, as more consumers are putting emphasis on their outdoor living areas. Homeowners are renovating and adding to their patios to create entertaining, eating and living spaces that add more functional square footage. To better …