News

Spending growth at small businesses has outpaced big-box chains in the past two years and affluent consumers are contributing to the growth, according to Bloomberg. When consumers aren’t shopping online, they are seeking out businesses that provide personal connections and …

Last summer, it was lights, camera, action at Wadeson Home Center when the store was used as a set for an online TV show. Located in Warwick, New York, an hour away from New York City, the store had been …

The Home Depot made deals to buy two businesses during the second half of 2017, eyeing opportunities for future growth online and in its brick-and-mortar locations. Now, reports suggest that the home improvement retailer is considering the purchase of XPO …

A new study from financial data firm Market Watch finds that Walmart and Amazon’s online prices are closer than ever, Business Insider reports. The study, which tracked prices on Amazon and Walmart’s website, spanned 700 days. Walmart’s online prices were …

Click the image above to view a full PDF. Casting the Right Spell Since the 1960s, the east side of Waterloo, Iowa, hasn’t seen very much economic activity other than restaurants and convenience stores. Allen Speller and his father, Wendell, …

Click the image above to view a full PDF. A Global Glimpse Get a head start on your competition by visiting the EISENWARENMESSE International Hardware Fair (IHF) to see a sneak peek of upcoming products from leading manufacturers. The event …

Click the image above to view a full PDF. The nation’s third-quarter 2017 consumer confidence levels rose nearly 20 percent over third-quarter 2016, indicating that consumers feel confident about the overall economy. Some regions ravaged by hurricanes showed measurable consumer …

Click the image above to view a full PDF. Third-quarter sales results are in for the public companies that are prime competitors for independent home improvement retailers, and only Sears continues to decline. Walmart—the United States’ biggest retailer, and the …