NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — Canada’s best hardware and home improvement retailers were recognized last night at the 2017 Outstanding Retailer Awards Gala Dinner. The Gala, held November 14, marked the end of day one of the 22nd Annual Hardlines Conference in Niagara Falls, Ont.
Dealers from across the country were celebrated in seven categories covering the range of hardware and home improvement retailing formats. Delegates at the Hardlines Conference joined leaders from the retail chains, co-ops, and buying groups who attended the Gala Dinner to honour their members and fellow retailers.
This year’s winners are:
- Best Hardware Store, any size−Gow’s Home Hardware, Bridgewater, N.S., Amanda Fancy, Owner;
- Best Building Supply or Home Centre under 15,000 square feet−Ace Matériaux Armand Dumaresq, Rivière-au-Renard, Que., Guy Samson and Camil Bouchard, Owners;
- Best Building Supply or Home Centre over 15,000 square feet−Discovery Co-op, North Battleford, Sask., Mike Nord, General Manager;
- Best Contractor Specialist−RONA Penticton, Penticton, B.C., Chad Mielke, Manager;
- Best Large Surface Retailer−Lowe’s Barrie, Barrie, Ont., Piero Palmerio, Manager;
- Best Young Retailer−Alex Yakovyshenko, Manager, Haney Builders Supplies, Maple Ridge, B.C.;
- Marc Robichaud Community Leader−Sayer Home Hardware, Hagersville, Ont., David Sayer, Owner.
These dealers, chosen from a list of nominees in each category, have demonstrated leadership, a positive culture for staff, imaginative merchandising, creative niches in their respective markets, and solid sales growth year over year. The winners each displayed an edge that put them ahead of their peers and identified them as truly outstanding.
Launched in 1992, the Outstanding Retailer Awards are the industry’s only national awards program dedicated to celebrating the achievements of hardware and building supply dealers in Canada. In its 25-year history, the program has honoured more than 150 retailers.
This year’s awards were sponsored by Techniseal, The Mibro Group, Schlage/Allegion, 3M Canada, Storesupport Canada, the National Hardware Show, and the North American Retail Hardware Association.
