RPM International has announced an agreement to acquire the Star Brands Group, the parent company of The Pink Stuff, for its Rust-Oleum subsidiary. Star Brands will become part of RPM’s Consumer Group. The transaction is expected to close late in fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 or early in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Henrik Pade and Tim North, co-managing directors of Star Brands, along with the senior management team, are expected to stay with the business to ensure continuity.

Weihong Liu, chair of Nanaimo, B.C.-based Central Walk, has stated her intention to announce on April 18 a proposal to acquire Hudson’s Bay Co.’s retail business. Central Walk owns three major mall complexes in B.C.: Mayfair Shopping Centre in Victoria, Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo, and Tsawwassen Mills in the Tsawwassen First Nation Lands. The deadline for binding bids on HBC is at the end this month.

IKEA Canada will open a Plan and Order Point in Sherbrooke, Que., on April 14. Plan and Order Points offer customers support from IKEA experts to plan, order, and purchase home furnishings for the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.

At the IKEA Sherbrooke Plan and order point, customers will get design support as well as a curated selection of relevant IKEA products to touch and try. When their designs are complete, they can be ordered for home delivery or picked up at a local pick-up point location. The Sherbrooke Plan and Order Point will be the fourth such in Quebec and the ninth in Canada.

The latest edition of Hardlines Dealer News lands in inboxes tomorrow. In this issue, we explore one BMR dealer’s ag focus, an independent affiliate’s purchase of a RONA corporate store, and encouraging shop-local habits. Hardlines Dealer News is monthly and it’s free: click here to subscribe now!

Canada’s housing crisis is exacerbated by immigration policy that favours highly educated workers over those considered “unskilled,” a real estate developer has told CBC News. “We’re really struggling with getting the right type of workers,” said Sue Wastell, president of Wastell Homes in London, Ont.

In a statement to CBC, the Department of Citizenship and Immigration said it plans to convene a council of advice to “assess the needs in the industry and  advise on new pathways to bring in the skilled workers we need.”

The U.S. is gearing up to more than double duties on Canadian softwood lumber, which will rise to a rate of 34.45 percent from 14.54 percent. The U.S. Lumber Coalition and the office of B.C. premier David Eby both confirmed the move, which Eby denounced as “an attack on forest workers and British Columbians” in a statement over the weekend. He is set to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney today.

The Peak Group of Companies has announced that Becky Yan is joining it as VP, marketing, effective April 14. During her career, Yan has contributed to the success of product launches for brands such as American Standard, Dulux, Ryobi, and Ridgid. Her role at Peak will cover both traditional and digital marketing strategies.

BMR Group has partnered with creative agency lg2 to revamp its brand identity. In the last few days, it has launched a marketing campaign in support of this new image, with the tagline “Built for Pros”. The platform campaign is being broadcast across various media in Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritimes, including TV, radio, billboards, and digital media. “This repositioning truly reflects our identity, expertise, and dedication to excellence,” CEO Alexandre Lefebvre said in a release.

Call2Recycle Canada has recognized RONA as a “Leader in Sustainability” for the thirteenth year. The award is presented to organizations that demonstrate “an outstanding commitment to the environment and to responsible battery management.” In 2024, RONA inc. stores collected 121,808 kilograms of batteries.

New 25 percent tariffs on all non-U.S.-made automobiles came into effect at midnight this morning. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the tariffs during a press conference yesterday on what he dubbed ‘Liberation Day’ for America. A further global 10 percent baseline tariff was also announced on all imports to the U.S.

In addition, Trump announced ‘friendly reciprocal tariffs,’ which would be equal to approximately half of the amount of what foreign countries impose on the U.S. In addition, the U.S. has signaled that there will be additional tariffs on so-called strategic sectors such as pharmaceuticals, lumber, and semiconductors.

Not expected to be subject to the additional tariffs are Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)-compliant goods; however, non-CUSMA-compliant goods could face up to 25 percent tariffs, while the potash tariffs would remain at 10 percent.