Hardlines News of the Week

Octover 5, 2009, Vol. xv, #37

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TIM-BR MARTS confirms dates for own show

CALGARY — TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. has confirmed that it will host its own buying show. Called the TIM-BR MART National Buying Show, it will be held in Toronto ... [Full Story]

Home Depot and Lowe’s enjoy increases in second quarter

ATLANTA — The Home Depot announced second-quarter results last week, which included a 1.8% increase in sales.

These results, though positive, fall short of the numbers reported by Home Depot’s biggest rival, Lowe’s Cos., which reported its second quarter a day earlier ... [Full Story]

Downs and Simko appointed to run CanWel divisions

VANCOUVER — Two key appointments at CanWel Building Materials Group Ltd. resolve one of the big question marks surrounding the largest industry takeover in Canada last year.

Bob Simko, formerly President and CEO of Broadleaf, has been named President of the new entity, called CanWel+Broadleaf Division.

Simultaneous with Simko’s announcement, CanWel Chairman Amar Doman announced the promotion of Robert Downs to President of the CanWel Hardware Division ... [Full Story]

RONA continues to gain ground in second quarter

BOUCHERVILLE , Que. — RONA’s second-quarter results reflect continued recovery that started in the first quarter: Total consolidated sales increased 2.1% to $1.4 billion, while same-store sales were also up ... [Full Story]

Seasonal sales up for Canadian Tire in second quarter

TORONTO — Canadian Tire Corp. recorded a 2.5% increase in retail sales for its second quarter to $2.86 billion, while net earnings were up ... [Full Story]