Inspired Home, a new website from the International Housewares Association (IHA), was launched mid-October as a resource for consumers to discover trends in home and housewares products. IHAInspiredHome.org, “delivers compelling information and ideas across a broad spectrum of home lifestyle …
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More Americans Opting Out of Paid Vacation
Paid time off is a benefit that a majority of companies offer; yet a new study by Oxford Economics found that employees are not taking advantage of these vacation days. In 2013, Americans let 169 million days of paid time …
Read More »Google’s Nest adds Revolv to Smart Home Team
The future is before us, as consumers have control of their home with the touch of a button. According to the New York Time, Google’s Nest recently purchased the home automation company Revolv, adding to its smart home team. The …
Read More »Lowe’s Uses Robots to Assist Customers
The future has arrived. Robots are helping customers shop, and we’re not talking about smartphones. In late November, Lowe’s will introduce its robotic shopping assistant to a California Orchard Supply Hardware store. The 5-foot tall OSHbot is bilingual, can display …
Read More »Lowe’s Opens Smaller-Store Format in Manhattan
According to an article by Market Watch, two Lowe’s stores are set to open in the second half of 2015 in Manhattan. While these locations will be about 30,000 square feet, they will “offer products and services that are locally …
Read More »Orillia Home Hardware Building Centre Awarded for Community Service Excellence
John Locke and Bill Ecklund, Dealer-Owners of Orillia Home Hardware Building Centre, were awarded the 13th Annual Paul Straus Public Relations award during Home Hardware’s Semi-Annual Shareholders’ Meeting in St. Jacobs, Ontario. The award was to recognize their outstanding commitment …
Read More »Retailers Affected by Data Breaches May See Decline in Holiday Traffic
Although major retailers affected by data breaches have put a stop to the criminals activity and offered to pay for extra security over customers debit and credit cards, consumers may avoid these stores as the holiday season approaches. According to a …
Read More »American Consumers Still Have Wallets on Lockdown
As the economy takes small steps towards recovery, many Americans are still monitoring their spending. According to a national poll for Bankrate’s monthly Financial Index, two-thirds of Americans “say they have a reason to limit how much they spend each …
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