Hardlines News of the Week

March 8, 2010, Vol. xvi, #10

Full story available to our loyal subscribers:

Year-end results position RONA for next phase of strategic plan

BOUCHERVILLE , Que. ― RONA inc. posted consolidated sales of $1.14 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009, up 1.5% from 2008. This growth stems from a ... [Full Story]

Hardware Fair proves successful for Canucks abroad

COLOGNE, Germany ― The International Hardware Fair, held here last week, drew healthy attendance from international delegates, which was good news for Canadian companies exhibiting ... [Full Story]

Hardware party cheers Team Canada's Olympic win

COLOGNE , Germany ― A focal point for Canadians and many Americans who came here for the International Hardware Fair was the annual Hardlines Canada Night Reception.

The party, considered one of the best in town during the show (as anyone who has been to our conference or networking events can attest to ―Editor), drew a packed house to a great little nightclub at the local train station beside the fair grounds ... [Full Story]

TSC announces sales increase, acquisition

LONDON , Ont. ― TSC Stores, the farm and hardware chain based here, announced an increase in its year-end sales. The company has developed a number of initiatives over the past year, which contributed to this success, including a recent acquisition ... [Full Story]

A. Richard celebrates 120 years

MONTREAL — A. Richard is celebrating 120 years in business this year. The paint tool and surface prep tool company began as a tool company in 1885, when Alfred Richard and his brother, toolmakers from Massachusetts, came to Canada ... [Full Story]

Court rules in favour of Reed in AHMA lawsuit

SPECIAL REPORT — A lawsuit filed by the American Hardware Manufacturers Association against the owners of the National Hardware Show has been decided. A U.S. District Court in Illinois has granted summary judgments in favour of Reed Elsevier and Freeman Decorating on several of the main points of the civil lawsuit filed by the AHMA ... [Full Story]

Daily News Updates

RONA opens Alberta store

SHERWOOD PARK, Alta. — RONA president and CEO Robert Dutton is on hand on Wednesday with Mayor Cathy Olesen and store manager Dennis Daly for the grand opening of RONA’s new store here. The 52,000-square-foot outlet represents a $16 million investment and features environmentally-friendly construction eligible for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification…

Full story in the next mind-bending issue of Hardlines!

Wholesalers face challenges in year ahead

WORLD HQ, Toronto — How are Canada’s two-step distributors confronting the challenges of lower housing starts and increased consolidation? Find out what Taiga, CanWel, OWL, Guardian, AFA, IRLY, Can-Save and Goodfellow are facing — all in the latest edition of Hardlines Quarterly Report…

All this, plus “10 Trends that will Affect Your Business in 2010” and “The Year in Review”. Click here for more info!

Walmart learns the downside to downsizing inventory

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart successfully reduced its inventory by almost 8% last year, but at the cost of customer choice. Now the giant retailer is reinstating some brands to stem consumer defections…full story at bloomberg.com

________________
________________

RONA pledges funds to aid victimized women

BOUCHERVILLE, Que. — RONA is launching a fundraising campaign at all its stores across the country on behalf of the Canadian Women’s Foundation and the Canadian Association of Women in Construction. The aim of the campaign is to help female victims of domestic violence re-establish their independence and rebuild their lives…full story at live-pr.com

Home Depot tracks energy reduction, sets five-year target

TORONTO — The Home Depot says it has reduced its Canadian store energy use by 220 million kilowatt-hours since 2005 and that it will achieve a further 20% reduction in its Canadian stores by 2015. Also, the Company has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its domestic supply chain by 20% within the next five years…full story at istockanalyst.com

GP gets go-ahead for Grant Forest takeover

ATLANTA — Georgia-Pacific has been notified by the Canadian Competition Bureau that the Bureau has found no competitive risk in GP’s proposed acquisition of three of Grant Forest Products’ OSB facilities…full story at newswire.ca

________________
________________

ADVERTISEMENTS