Gypsum Management & Supply Inc. said this week its Q3 net sales rose by 0.2 percent to US$1.3 billion while organic net sales declined by 6.7 percent. Gross profit of $393.1 million represented a $21.6 million decline from the prior year’s third quarter.

The Atlantic Building Supply Dealers Association’s 2025 Expo is now underway, and Hardlines is on the scene. The event, which marks the association’s 70th anniversary, kicked off with a meet-and-greet on Tuesday. Yesterday, at the end of the show’s first day, members and sponsors participated in a gala dinner honouring the industry’s best.

Three new lifetime members were inducted into the ABSDA. They were Tim Dietrich, director of retail operations for Atlantic Canada at Home Hardware Stores Ltd.; Chris Deveaux, past chair of the ABSDA board of directors; and John Logan, its longest-serving employee.

High Tide Home Hardware Building Centre of Truro, N.S., was recognized as Retailer of the Year. Olivier Lavoie, of Lavoie Home Hardware Building Centre in Campbellton, N.B., was named Young Retailer of the Year. Metrie’s Jeff Smith was Salesperson of the Year, and the Industry Achievement Award went to Terry Mulock, business development manager for the Maritime provinces at Castle Building Centres.

More than 90 percent of Canadian consumers say they want to buy Canadian, and they’re turning to their local retailers to help them. A new survey from KPMG finds that shoppers want stores to promote Canadian products and think grocery stores should be required to give them preferential shelf space. Nearly 70 percent say they want their local stores to stop selling U.S. products altogether. Eight in 10 are actively looking for non-U.S. versions of products when a Canadian one isn’t available.

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

Target Canada ceased operations in this country on April 12, 2015. It was indicative  of “the slow death of the big box,” according to the Toronto Star, a view which we reported on.

But the “death of the big box” has been greatly exaggerated. Walmart sales worldwide were US$473 billion in 2014. They were US$681 billion in the company’s latest fiscal year. Home Depot reported sales of US$83.2 billion in 2014. They had grown to US$159.5 billion in 2024.

How does one coffee shop stand out from another? By providing a combination of top-notch service and a consistent experience. This was the observation of one retail executive speaking at last week’s DX3 conference for retail and tech, held in Toronto. Armin Yassaie is a partner with Mos Mos Coffee, a small chain with locations in Toronto’s business district. Yassaie stressed the importance building customer expectations—then living up to them.

Michael Rowe has moved on. Formerly president of The Home Depot Canada, Rowe has been appointed executive vice-president of Pro at Home Depot, effective immediately.

Taking over in the top job at the Canadian division is Vinod Nalajala. A 24-year veteran with the company, he served most recently as vice-president of human resources, central operations, contact centres, asset protection, and building services.

A counter-response from the Canadian government was swift following the implementation of 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods this week. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a press conference Tuesday announcing counter tariffs of 25 percent on $155 billion worth of American products, with $30 billion starting immediately and the remaining $125 billion in 21 days.

The Prime Minister emphasized the negative impact tariffs will have on American jobs, inflation, and national security, and highlighted Canada’s efforts to combat fentanyl, including a $1.3 billion border plan and a $200 million joint operations partnership. Trudeau added that Canada would not back down from what he called a “bogus” trade war, adding that imposing tariffs on the country’s closest ally was “a very dumb thing to do.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to the tariffs, ordering all U.S. liquor to be removed from Ontario liquor stores, which are operated by the province, and by implementing a 25 percent export tax on electricity.

In his 2025 joint address to Congress Tuesday night, U.S. president Trump limited his comments on specific Canadian tariffs, however he announced that further undefined “reciprocal tariffs” will be imposed on countries across the globe on April 2.

Canadians are bracing for the fallout from tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which took effect today. A 25 percent tariff has been placed on on all imports into the United States from Canada and Mexico and 10 percent for Canadian energy-related imports such as crude oil. Additionally, Trump raised tariffs on China from 10 percent to 20 percent. The announcement sent Canadian and U.S. markets tumbling yesterday by nearly two percent on the day.

In response both the federal and provincial governments announced measures to counteract tariffs. In a statement Prime Minister Trudeau said, “Canada will not let this unjustified decision go unanswered.”

Recently re-elected Ontario Premier Doug Ford said at a press conference Monday, “If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything, including cut off their energy, with a smile on my face. And I’m encouraging every other province to do the same.”

Trump plans to outline tariffs in more detail during his 2025 joint address to Congress tonight at 9 p.m. (Eastern).

BMR Group is emphasizing its history as a business founded and controlled by Quebecers, as the public mood sours on buying American goods. “You can’t get more Quebecois than BMR,” CEO Alexandre Lefebvre (pictured) told La Presse. “It’s not the flavour of the month. It’s an enterprise that will never be sold [because] it’s a co-op.”

A new marketing campaign features a mineral wool background with a message reminding that the company has been “pure laine” Quebecois since 1967. (The expression, which literally translates to “pure wool,” refers to old-stock Quebecers).

Federated Co-operatives Ltd. kicked off its 96th annual general meeting yesterday. The co-op’s 2024 sales were $11.9 billion, resulting in net earnings of $297 million. As a result, FCL provided $252 million back to local Co-ops in 650 communities across Western Canada.

The meeting also marked the end of Sharon Alford’s (pictured) term as president and chair of FCL’s board of directors. A successor will be elected during the meeting and announced following its conclusion.