In the latest episode of our podcast What’s in Store, we talk to Barry Eidt, 2023 winner of our Outstanding Retail Award in the category of Young Retailer of the Year. Barry’s family owns three stores in Southwestern Ontario: Exeter, Arthur, and Mitchell, under the BMR banner. A key feature which he’s proud of is BMR’s AgriZone farm supply store-within-a-store concept. Listen to this and other podcasts from Hardlines here!

The latest instalment of our podcast series What’s In Store goes live tomorrow! In this episode, we talk to Barry Eidt, co-owner of Eidt’s BMR Express in Arthur, Ont. The winner of the 2023 Outstanding Retailer Award in the Young Retailer category co-owns two other stores with his parents, who founded their first store in Mitchell, Ont., when he was just 13. Sign up now to get updates about the latest free podcasts in your inbox!

RONA inc. is seeking a District Manager, Sales and Dealer Services (Northern Ontario). This individual will build and maintain strong relationships to increase loyalty with affiliate partners, serving as the primary point of contact for all business-related matters. For details, check out our Hardlines Classifieds page!

Hudson’s Bay Co. will begin liquidation of all but six of its stores today. “This is the art of the possible, and we are where we are today,” Judge Peter Osborne of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice said in giving approval on Friday. “In my view, there is no alternative.”

The six stores being spared for now are three in the Greater Toronto Area (including the flagship Yonge Street location, pictured) and three in Greater Montreal (including the downtown Sainte-Catherine Street store).

Marwood Ltd. is seeking an Ontario Regional Manager for Cape Cod Siding products. This remote position is responsible for the Central Ontario region, working with the National Accounts Manager. For more details, check out our Classifieds page!

Canadians shoppers are seeking out domestic products amid the ongoing trade war with the U.S. Will this momentum lead to a long-term change in consumer behaviour? It depends, says retail expert David Ian Gray (seen here addressing the 2023 Hardlines Conference).

He told CBC Radio’s Sunday Magazine that with “values-based” choices like shopping local or choosing eco-friendly products, “the behaviour often falls short” of the intention, “and that’s usually because of the trade-off. If doing the virtuous thing costs too much or the quality isn’t as good, those things become inhibitors.”

Still, Gray adds, “we see a very motivated consumer base in Canada right now to ignore any of the friction and really they are making changes.”

Retail sales decreased 0.6 percent to $69.4 billion in January, StatCan reports. Sales were down in three of nine subsectors and were led by decreases at motor vehicle and parts dealers. Sales in LBM and garden categories were 1.5 percent below the previous month and 0.5 below January 2024. Core retail sales—which exclude fuel and automotive categories—were down 0.2 percent in January.

Mission Building Supplies is seeking an experienced Contractor Lumber Salesperson to join its team. Key responsibilities include building and maintaining strong relationships with contractors and industry professionals and providing expert advice on lumber products and their applications. Check out our Classifieds page for more details!

RONA inc. has announced the acquisition of the RONA Forget store in Mont-Tremblant, Que., by Carlos Munoz. The affiliated dealer already owns three stores under the banner on Montreal’s South Shore. The transaction closes today. The Forget family will stay involved in the business to ensure a smooth transition for the 120-year-old business. Some family members will retain their position at the store for the long term as it continues to operate under the same name.

Home Hardware has announced that Home Hardware dealer-owners Christine Hand (pictured) and Thomas Hand have acquired a long-standing building materials location in Conception Bay South, N.L. The store will now operate as Kelligrews Home Hardware Building Centre. It joins the Hands’ existing Handyman Home Hardware in Conception Bay South.