RONA has announced the opening of a second Direct Delivery Centre (DDC) in the Greater Toronto Area. Located in Hamilton (Parkdale), this new site, which has been in operation since April 17, 2025, strengthens RONA’s ability to serve construction professionals in Hamilton, Halton, Guelph, Cambridge, Brantford, Hagersville, and the Niagara Peninsula.
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Time is running out for Outstanding Retailer Awards nominations!
Only two weeks remain to submit entries for the 33rd Outstanding Retailer Awards, to be presented Oct. 21 during the 2025 Hardlines Conference in Banff, Alta. Canadian hardware, home improvement, and paint store retailers and managers are eligible after their first two years operating under the current ownership.
Dealers are welcome to self-nominate and group head offices are invited to identify promising dealers and support them in the nomination process. A chain or buying group may enter more than one store per category, and suppliers may also recommend entries.
Nominations for the ORAs are due June 13. Click here for the form (disponible en français également)!
Hudson Bay to layoff 8,347 employees, shutter stores June 1
Canada’s Hudson’s Bay Co. will lay off 8,347 employees June 1, according to a report published by Reuters. The terminations will cap off the company’s liquidation sale and mark the final shuttering of the all stores.Of the remaining 1,017 employees, the report noted, 899 are expected to be cut by June 15 when distribution centres are anticipated to close. The last 118 employees will assist with winding up the company under Canada’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act.
RCCSTORE25 brings together innovators
The Retail Council of Canada is hosting RCCSTORE25, from June 3 to 4, 2025 at the Toronto Congress Centre.
As disruption accelerates, it’s where industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers must come together to spark ideas, confront challenges, and shape the future of retail in Canada, organizers noted in a release.
The event will feature more than 75 top industry leaders and innovators including:
- Per Bank, president and CEO of Loblaw Companies Limited
- Ian White, president and CEO of Home Hardware Stores Ltd.
- Ira Kalish, chief global economist at Deloitte
- Doug Stephens, industry futurist
- Sharon Gai along with senior leaders Samir Kulkarni, CEO of Showcase, and Ilana Santone, SVP business and AI transformation at Canadian Tire.
Visit the RCCSTORE25 website for more information.
What’s In Store: featuring DIG360 principal David Ian Gray
What’s In Store, our podcast series for hardware industry insiders, is now live. This episode features David Ian Gray, principal at Vancouver-based DIG360 and an insightful retail strategist and expert.
In this podcast, Gray talks with Hardlines editor Rebecca Dumais about the changing retail landscape including the impact of tariffs on Canadian businesses, the fall of iconic brands Hudson’s Bay and Peavey Mart, and charting a path in uncertain economic times.
Gray is highly sought after by business leaders and executives for his retail knowledge and strategic insights. His views on the hardware and building supply industry in Canada make this podcast a much watch!
Listen to all the Hardlines podcasts here.
Castle expands in Greater Montreal
Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. has announced the addition of a new member location in Quebec. Barbe Aluminium et fils is located in Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, on the North Shore of Montreal. Martin Barbe and Sonia Daoust Barbe founded the business over two decades ago. The married duo’s team includes their daughter and son-in-law.
RONA to launch new combined event for fall
RONA is launching a new combined event this year. Called “RONA Momentum,” the large-scale event will merge its four key annual meetings: RONA Connexia for its dealers, the Vendor Forum, the annual Store Manager Meeting, and the Pro services team meeting.
The Momentum event will take place Oct. 14 to 16, 2025, at the Quebec City Convention Centre.
What’s In Store podcast with David Ian Gray goes live tomorrow
What’s In Store, the podcast for hardware industry insiders, goes live tomorrow.
David Ian Gray of Vancouver-based DIG360 is a retail strategist and expert. In this podcast, Gray talks with Hardlines editor Rebecca Dumais about the changing retail landscape including the impact of tariffs on Canadian businesses, the fall of iconic brands Hudson’s Bay Company and Peavey Mart and charting a path in uncertain economic times.
David is highly sought after by business leaders and executives for his retail knowledge and strategic insights. His views on the hardware and building supply industry in Canada make this podcast a much watch.
Listen to all the Hardlines podcasts here.
TIMBER MART commercial dealer named one of Canada’s best managed companies
Manugypse, a TIMBER MART member with three locations in the province of Quebec, has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. The program awards excellence in private Canadian-owned companies with revenues of $50 million or greater.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition for our team’s hard work, passion and dedication towards our customers’ satisfaction and innovation in interior systems,” says Steve Rancourt, CEO of Manugypse. “Our business has grown exponentially since our inception in 1983 from one facility to three that serve contractors and builders across the Greater Montreal, Quebec City, and Chaudière-Appalaches markets.” Manugypse is a commercial dealer specializing in interior systems.
Hudson’s Bay in talks to sell 28 store leases
Plans are in the works for Hudson’s Bay Co. to sell up to 28 of its store leases.
If approved by the court, Weihong Liu, the billionaire founder of B.C.-based real estate investment firm Central Walk, plans to open a new department store focused on bridging the gap between generations and providing immersive shopping experiences.
