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February 22, 2010
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Hot Products |
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Retail Poll |
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Selling Tip |
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People on the Move |
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Headlines |
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Ace Hardware Corp. announced Friday that it has forged an alliance with Sears Holdings that will allow Ace Hardware’s network of more than 4,500 retail members to sell Craftsman branded tools and products... Read more »
House-Hasson Hardware announced plans to invest more than $1 million in expansion and improvements to its Knoxville, Tenn. warehouse and grounds to accommodate expanded inventory and the addition of 50 employees... Read more »
HOUSTON—At its recent Spring Buying Market in February, Handy Hardware Wholesale Inc., reported that member attendance increased by 15% compared to its Spring 2009 Market, which at that time was a record for the Houston-based, member-owned wholesaling co-operative. Read more »
Brian Richards and Scott Westlake, the team who opened the first Nuts and Bolts Hardware store in Overland Park, Kan., in 2008 announced plans to open a fourth location later this spring. Read more »
Despite seeing revenues decline by nearly $400 million in 2009 Ace Hardware Corp. still managed to report a net income of $95.7 million for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2010, an increase of $9.9 million or 11.5 percent, compared to $85.8 million for 2008. Read more »
While some elements of the service industry may fall short on customer expectations, the retail sector is doing a better job of meeting customers’ service needs, according to the American Consumer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Read more »
SPECIAL REPORT—In an attempt to create more jobs, President Barack Obama asked Congress to temporarily expand two lending programs for the owners of small businesses, according to the Associated Press. Read more »
SPECIAL REPORT—A stimulus-fueled tax change could put cash back into the pockets of qualifying entrepreneurs. Read more »
SPECIAL REPORT—Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose two points to 17 in February as favorable home buying conditions and signs of healing in the job market helped boost the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). Read more »
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News in Brief |
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SPECIAL REPORT—One of every five U.S. homeowners are “under water” or owe more on their mortgage than their home was worth in the fourth quarter, according to a report from real estate Web site Zillow.com. The percentage of American single-family homes with mortgages in negative equity rose to 21.4% in the fourth quarter from 21% in the third quarter, according to the Zillow Real Estate Market Reports.
BOCA RATON, Fla.—Q.E.P. CO., INC., a trade supplier of QEP®, Roberts® and Capitol®-branded products, announced that on Friday, Feb. 12, it completed the acquisition of ArborCraft LLC, which sells its products under the Harris® brand. ArborCraft is one of the leading North American hardwood flooring manufacturers and produces a broad line of hardwood flooring, including engineered plank, prefinished solid and unfinished parquets, along with a complete line of moldings and accessories.
VANCOUVER—Wal-Mart Canada announced that it will open its first sustainable refrigerated distribution center in Balzac, Alberta, later this year. Expected to be one of the most energy-efficient distribution facilities of its kind in North America, the cutting-edge center will be an estimated 60% more energy-efficient than Wal-Mart’s traditional refrigerated distribution centers. The center will include a pilot of fuel cell technology and many other sustainable features.
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Upcoming Events |
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Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2:00 p.m.
As a staple in every hardware store, the paint and sundries department has always been a popular destination for DIYers and contractors. But, how can retailers really get the most profit out of paint? This webinar will focus on what best-in-class retailers have done to take their paint department to the next level. To register for this webinar, click here.
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2:00 p.m.
What are high-performance lumber and building material retailers doing to keep their businesses profitable, especially in light of the recent economy? This webinar will explore trends in this segment and how retailers are responding. To register for this webinar, click here.
Win instant recognition for your packaging and merchandising among global retail merchants and executives. Enter the NRHA Packaging and Merchandising Awards Program today! For more information, contact Allison DeWitt at adewitt@nrha.org or visit www.nrha.org to download the brochure. Deadline is March 12, 2010.
Save the Date! Join NRHA for another great convention in historic Savannah, Ga., July 19-21, 2010. Contact Diane Allen at dallen@nrha.org for more details, or visit www.nrha.org.
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