Industry News

Nationwide housing starts rose 6.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 914,000 units in May due primarily to increased production of multi-family homes, according to released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the …

Lowe’s has agreed to buy Orchard Supply Hardware for approximately $205 million on the same day Orchard Supply filed a petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The purchase agreement would enable Lowe’s to expand through a new store format and reach …

True Value recently introduced the True Value Discover® credit card program for True Value retailers and customers in the United States. The program connects retailers to consumers with new offerings that pass financial benefits and incentives along to the consumer …

House-Hasson Hardware has constructed a “buy local” electronic tool for its more than 2,000 independent hardware store and lumberyard dealers. The program, designed to give retailers more flexibility in advertising and branding, will be unveiled at House-Hasson’s Summer Dealer Market, …

May retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from April and increased a strong 4.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The National Retail Federation attributes the …

Ace Hardware appointed two new member directors to its Board of Directors and extended its chairman’s term by one year. At the retailer-owned cooperative’s annual shareholders meeting June 11, Ace Hardware elected two new member directors: Stew Elliott Jr., of …

This year, NRHA honors eight of the best and brightest young retailers in the industry with its Young Retailer of the Year awards. Click on each of the names below to see a multi-media presentation of their accomplishments. Under $2 …

Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corp., the chain spun off by Eddie Lampert’s Sears Holdings Corp. 17 months ago, is considering a bankruptcy filing as soon as next week, according to a Bloomberg News story. Orchard Supply, based in San Jose, California, said …