Canada’s premier awards program for home improvement retailers has a new home. The Outstanding Retailer Awards (ORAs) are now owned and managed by Hardlines Inc. Hardlines, which publishes the quarterly hardware/home improvement trade magazine Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly (HHIQ) and …
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Indianapolis Retailer to Discuss Competitive Pricing on Upcoming MSNBC TV Show
Independent home improvement retailer Keith Payne will be featured in an upcoming episode of MSNBC’s weekly “Your Business” TV show. Payne, owner of Indianapolis-based North Meridian Hardware, will appear in a segment scheduled to air later this year. “North Meridian …
Read More »Strong Sales, Optimism Evident at Do it Best Spring Market
Do it Best’s Spring Market, held May 17-20 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, was highlighted by optimistic attitudes from attendees who are seeing firsthand improvement within the home improvement industry. The market got off to a strong start …
Read More »Friedman’s Home Improvement Names New CEO
Friedman’s Home Improvement, one of the largest locally owned home improvement stores in California, announced it is appointing Barry Friedman as its new CEO and president. The announcement is the result of a long-term succession planning process led by Chairman …
Read More »Google Introducing Online Customer Service Ratings
Smaller online merchants will soon be able to better compete with large online retailers like Amazon.com thanks to a multi-year deal Google made recently with an independent provider of customer service ratings and analytics of online businesses. Google has plans …
Read More »Pending Home Sales Increase in April
Pending home sales improved slightly in April and continue to be well above a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 0.3 percent to 106 in April from …
Read More »Ace Adds Stores in Afghanistan
Ace has plans to enter the home improvement market in Afghanistan and has already partnered with Afghan entrepreneurs to open stores there. Ace Hardware International Holdings, Ltd., the company’s international division, has joined with managing owner Najib Safi and country …
Read More »Home Depot Workshops to Help Customers Weather Hurricane Season
As one of several preemptive measures Home Depot is taking in preparation for 2013 hurricane activity, the company is launching a single-day effort to prepare residents in storm-prone regions. On July 27, Home Depot will host free Hurricane Preparedness Workshops at more than …
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