News

You know the results of the heated presidential election, but have you checked in on how various states voted on business issues? Four states approved minimum wage increases in November’s general election, and South Dakota residents voted down a decrease …

Lowe’s Canada has plans for expansion that include growing the Canadian company RONA and roughly tripling Ace Hardware’s store count. In May, Lowe’s finalized its purchase of home improvement chain RONA and this month released more information about its plans for the acquisition. Through its purchase of RONA, Lowe’s …

Amazon made its first successful delivery by unmanned drone to a customer this month. The online retailer delivered an Amazon Fire TV stick and popcorn Dec. 7 in a rural area near Cambridge, England, just a few miles from an Amazon fulfillment …

Rick Whitson, vice president of distribution, will retire Dec. 31 from Ace Hardware Corp. after 37 years with the company. Whitson has a long history of contributions to the co-op’s retail support area. During his career, he directed the operational startup of the …

Stanley Black & Decker has entered into an agreement to sell most of its commercial mechanical security business, according to the company. Swiss company Dormakaba will purchase Stanley’s commercial mechanical security brands Best Access, phi Precision and GMT for $725 million …

This month, Ace Hardware and The Grommet announced a collaboration that brings innovations of local makers into Ace Hardware retail stores. The Grommet, a product-launching platform for innovative consumer products, began its partnership with Ace for the holiday season, and it will continue in …

Jack Kleinhenz is chief economist for the National Retail Federation (NRF), the world’s largest retail trade association. Formerly with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Kleinhenz is a contributing forecaster to The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Federal Reserve Bank of …

An advisory group made up of some of House-Hasson Hardware’s largest or oldest customers developed four significant changes for future House-Hasson dealer markets at a pre-market meeting in October. The advisory group meets at least annually to share with House-Hasson leaders …