Valentine’s Day consumer spending is expected to reach a record $29.1 billion this year, according to an annual survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. This year’s anticipated amount surpasses the previous record of $27.5 …
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Ace Hardware and Menards recently earned the highest scores in the customer experience (CX) category in Market Force Information’s 2025 Home Improvement Retail Benchmark Study. The two companies outperformed national big-box competitors on factors surrounding loyalty, including helpful staff, store …
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The Home Depot recently introduced Material List Builder AI, a new capability that helps professional renovators, remodelers and builders quickly create project lists using AI to interpret the project intent and generate an accurate, grouped list of materials. “Pros often …
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NAHB chairman Buddy Hughes recently testified at a congressional panel hearing focused on housing affordability, urging policymakers to eliminate excessive regulations that are preventing builders from increasing the housing supply. Hughes said to ease housing constraints for homebuyers and renters, …
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Retailers shopped deals, networked with other attendees and made valuable connections at the House-Hasson Spring Dealer Market in Nashville, Tennessee, despite the shortened two-day winter weather timeline. Originally scheduled from Jan. 22-24, 2026, the House-Hasson team made the decision to …
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In August, Ace Hardware marked one year since it unveiled its experiential store format, ELEVATE³ Ace, which reimagines the traditional hardware store by creating immersive brand experiences in four key areas: paint, power, backyard and barbecue and home preservation. Since …
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Amazon released portable Just Walk Out lanes to bring checkout-free shopping to pop-up venues. The lanes can be deployed in hours instead of weeks, making them ideal for pop-up shops and events. Motorized gates open automatically while screens display purchases …
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Bank of America Institute research released last week found that overall, consumers were price conscious last year. When making discretionary purchases, they favored smaller-ticket items rather than more expensive goods and services. An expected increase in tax refunds in 2026 …
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