Construction spending in the U.S. experienced a slight downturn in May, falling by 0.1 percent to an annual rate of $2.1 trillion, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. That follows a rise of 0.3 percent in April. The decrease came as spending on private construction fell by 0.3 percent. Spending on residential construction inched down by 0.2 percent to an annual rate of $918.2 billion.

Throwback Thursday is a regular weekly feature in which we dip into the archives of the Hardlines Weekly Report.

In the July 3 (fax) edition of Hardlines Weekly, we reported on the pushback from Home Depot Canada to any price increases (you sure this isn’t from last week?—Editor). Stephen Bebis, the outspoken American who had come up from Atlanta to run Home Depot Canada, railed against higher prices from plumbing and roofing suppliers, in the light of a weak housing market.

“Manufacturers should be giving us lower costs so we can pass them along to our customers,” he complained to Hardlines.

Sexton Group Ltd. has become the latest member of Octo Purchasing Group, the Montreal-based hardlines, electrical, and plumbing buying group. The arrangement will begin Jan. 1, 2025. In a release, the companies stated that the deal “unites two Canadian-founded entities dedicated to supporting their independent members through the robust industry relationships they have cultivated.”

(We’ll have more details on this partnership in the rip-roaring July 8 edition of our flagship publication, Hardlines Weekly Report. You can learn more—and subscribe—by clicking here!)

The Weather Network (TWN) launched an ad campaign using an AI-powered avatar of presenter Rachel Schoutsen. TWN partnered with Home Hardware Stores Ltd. to promote local stores during Ontario summer forecasts, including highlighting summer sales. “This partnership puts Home Hardware front and centre when Canadians are engaging with weather content and planning for the summer ahead,” said TWN chief revenue officer Simon Jennings.

Air Miles has announced a series of new benefits that will, says the company, “reshape the future of loyalty programs in Canada.” Called “Collect more points,” it’s a platform that Air Miles says “marks a fundamental shift in how the program operates and functions to reward collectors almost everywhere they shop and allow them to get more from what they want.”

According to a release (one of the longest, most confusing press releases we’ve received in years—your perplexed Editor), “These enhancements include a new travel platform with improved earning opportunities and more flexibility on booking, the introduction of the innovative Air Miles Receipts offering Canadians a new way to earn Miles and stack on the value while grocery shopping….”

(We’re not sure what it all means, but we’ll try and make more sense of this one in our July 8 edition of our Hardlines Weekly Report, which you can subscribe to by clicking here!)

Lowe’s Cos. chairman and CEO Marvin Ellison has received the 2024 William McGowan Ethical Leader of the Year. The annual honour is presented by the William McGowan Charitable Fund, dedicated to fostering ethical leadership, in partnership with human resources firm SHRM. It includes a $25,000 grant to a nonprofit organization of Ellison’s choosing.

RONA inc. affiliate dealers Al Tsuchiya and Michael Trentalance, owners of T & T Hardware Group, celebrated this week the grand opening of the new RONA Walnut Grove Urban store in Langley, B.C. Leaders from the RONA dealer support team, partners, and store employees gathered yesterday for a traditional board-cutting ceremony.

Over the past year, Tsuchiya and Trentalance have added 2,200 square feet to their hardware store, located in the Walnut Grove Community Centre. This new space, offering a total sales area of 5,500 square feet, has allowed them to increase their selection of building materials and plumbing products. In all, between 500 and 650 new SKUs have been added.

The Home Depot Canada has been named the Energy Star Canada National Retailer of the Year for the sixteenth time, earlier this month.  In a statement, the company said it is dedicated to environmental and social governance, offering 5,000 Energy Star certified products in its 182 stores across Canada, both in-store and online.

“We have a responsibility to reduce our environmental footprint, which is why we are focused on offering our customers product options that support our collective goal of reducing emissions,” said Ginny Hicks, senior director of merchandising at The Home Depot Canada.

Ace Hardware is celebrating a century in business in the U.S. with a “100th Anniversary Block Party” nationwide. The promo runs this coming Saturday, June 29, at participating stores. Each Ace store will transform into a block party venue and feature specials on a range of products including barbecues, outdoor furniture and accessories, and power tools, along with live demonstrations and family-friendly activities.

Lowe’s Cos. has announced the recipients of its third annual round of Lowe’s Hometowns grants, with a $100 million commitment to revitalizing community spaces across the U.S. over the next five years. This year, 88 communities in 44 states and Washington, D.C., will receive grants for a range of projects, including renovations in community centres, affordable housing services, veterans’ and military family facilities, and first responder communities.