NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — The Canadian home improvement industry gathered last night to recognize its top retailers during Hardlines’ 2016 Outstanding Retailer Awards. The awards were part of a gala dinner that concluded day one of the 21st Annual Hardlines Conference, held in Niagara Falls, Ont.
Hardlines, the information service for the retail home improvement industry, again celebrated the industry’s finest from across the country, who were honoured in seven categories covering the range of hardware and home improvement retailing formats.
“There is something about each of this year’s winners that impressed the judges, not only for their business acumen and leadership skills, but for their ability to connect with their customers and their communities in a profound way,” said Michael McLarney, Editor and President of Hardlines Inc.
The winners of the Hardlines 2016 Outstanding Retailer Awards are:
- Best Hardware Store – Brantford Home Hardware, Brantford, Ont.;
- Best Building Supply/Home Centre under 15,000 sq.ft. – Home Building Centre-Salmon Arm, Salmon Arm, B.C.;
- Best Building Supply/Home Centre over 15,000 sq.ft. – Vanderhoof and Districts Co-op Home Centre, Vanderhoof, B.C.;
- Best Contractor Specialist Store – Sen Western Wholesale Lumber (TIMBER MART) in Vancouver, B.C.;
- Best Large Surface Retailer – RONA Home & Garden, Kelowna, B.C.;
- Young Retailer of the Year – Cindy Caron and Raphaël D’Amours, Quincaillerie Palmarolle (TIMBER MART), Palmarolle, Que.;
- Marc Robichaud Memorial Community Leader Award – Orillia Home Hardware Building Centre, Orillia, Ont.
The ORAs were founded more than two decades ago as a way to honour and recognize the finest retailers in the hardware/home improvement industry. This year’s winning entries operate their stores, motivate their employees, connect with their customers, and contribute to their local communities in ways that put them ahead of their peers and identified them as truly outstanding to the Hardlines panel of judges.
