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

Twenty-five years ago, on May 1, 2000, we reported on RONA’s recent investment in e-commerce. “[RONA has] joined with nurun Inc., the information technology division of Quebecor, to expand RONA’s online selling capabilities.

Under the agreement, nurun will provide the tech know-how to develop RONA’s e-commerce hardware business. RONA intends to invest $50 million over five years to underwrite the venture.” We also quoted Robert Dutton, then-president of RONA, who expected the company to eventually sell more than 25,000 products online. RONA had been selling online for about six months, at that point. RONA today says it has more than 350,000 products online.

Alimentation Couche-Tard has confirmed the company has signed a non-disclosure agreement with Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd. as it seeks to take over the Japanese firm. Couche-Tard made the announcement in a brief release on Wednesday, noting that  there can be no assurance that these discussions will result in a transaction.

“We appreciate the Special Committee of Seven & i engaging in substantive discussions regarding our proposal and providing access to diligence. We look forward to working collaboratively with Seven & i in the interests of all stakeholders,” said Alex Miller, Couche-Tard president and CEO.

Loblaw Companies Limited released  Q1 results ending March 22, 2025, this week.

Revenues were $14.13 billion, an increase of $554 million, while retail segment sales were $13.83 billion an increase of $547 million. Food retail (Loblaw) same-store sales grew by 2.2 percent while drug retail (Shoppers Drug Mart) same-store sales increased by 3.8 percent, with pharmacy and healthcare services same-store sales growth of 6.4 percent and front store same-store sales growth of 0.9 percent.

E-commerce grew sharply this quarter increasing 17.4 percent. In a statement the company noted that it plans to open approximately 80 new stores and 100 new clinics in 2025.

“We will continue to support Canadian companies and brands, highlight Canadian-made products in our stores, and deliver value across our network,” said Per Bank, president and CEO of Loblaw Cos. Ltd.  “Our commitment to retail excellence is resonating with customers and allowed us to deliver consistent financial results.”

Hardlines is calling for entries in the 33rd Outstanding Retailer Awards, to be presented Oct. 21 during the 2025 Hardlines Conference in Banff, Alta. Canadian hardware, home improvement, and paint store retailers and managers are eligible after their first two years operating under the current ownership.

Dealers are welcome to self-nominate and group head offices are invited to identify promising dealers and support them in the nomination process. A chain or buying group may enter more than one store per category, and suppliers may also recommend entries.

Nominations for the ORAs are due June 13. Click here for the form (disponible en français également)!

Canadian Tire Corp. chief information and technology officer Rex Lee has been named one of Canada’s Best Executives by the The Globe and Mail Report on Business.

Lee has been with Canadian Tire since 2012. Recently he has managed the implementation of AI shopping assistants.

“Rex, a valuable member of my senior leadership team, is incredibly deserving of this award. He helped build the springboard to our next chapter of growth, positioning us for long-term success by reimagining our technology architecture and championing agile operating models, critical platforms, and responsible AI and emerging technologies. As we advance our True North strategy, his leadership, deep expertise, and unwavering work ethic continue to be powerful drivers of our momentum,” said company president and CEO Greg Hicks in a statement on LinkedIn.

Atlas Engineered Products (AEP) a truss and engineered products firm released its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.

Revenue for Q4 ending December 31, 2024 was $15,069,615 and $55,828,723 respectively compared to revenue of $14,197,425 and $49,413,675 for the same time in 2023.

Gross profit for the end of the quarter was $3,591,777 and $4,084,663 compared to $3,046,448 and $4,258,301 in 2023.

Net loss after taxes was $212,128 for the year compared to net income after taxes of $3,149,838 in the previous year.

As final numbers continue to trickle in this morning, it is a fourth mandate for the Liberals, with Prime Minister Mark Carney at the helm of a second minority government.

Carney, who ran on an anti-Trump platform and a promise for the “most ambitious housing plan since the Second World War” including 500,000 new homes over the next decade, told his supporters following his win that, “when I sit down with President Trump, it will be to discuss the future economy and security relationship between two sovereign nations.”

While Carney touted his plans for the future, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh both lost their seats, with the NDP also losing official party status. The Bloc also suffered significant losses as a wave of patriotism reinforced Liberal sentiment in the province.

(Check out the next issue of our sister publication, Hardlines Weekly Report, for more coverage of the Canadian election results and how they could impact home improvement retailers. Sign up here.)

In our Hardlines Weekly Report distributed to Hardlines Premium Subscribers yesterday (April 28, 2025) we ran a report headlined “Home improvement industry starts to feel the effects of tariffs.”

The report quoted David Sandke of United Truss/United Lumber in Southern Ontario, saying: “We are supplying all-Canadian EWP goods right now.” One of the Canadian EWP products that Sandke referred to is West Fraser LVL.

Distribution of that product comes from Gillfor Distribution in Eastern Canada, not as stated yesterday.

Hardlines regrets the error.

Maxi, Loblaw’s discount banner in Quebec, has announced the upcoming opening of a new 15,000-square-foot store in Caraquet, N.B., this fall. This marks the first location for the popular Quebec banner outside of its home province and signals the organization’s commitment to providing affordable grocery options to more Canadians.

The company stated it believes Maxi’s strong brand and commitment to meeting the evolving needs of consumers will resonate in this new market.

“At Loblaw, we’re always looking for ways to bring value to more communities across Canada, and we believe Maxi offers a wonderful opportunity to do just that in Caraquet,” said Melanie Singh, president of the hard discount division at Loblaw. “The strong community values, francophone heritage, and thriving region resonate deeply with the DNA of the Maxi banner, and we look forward to being part of this community.”

“We are coming to Caraquet with our newest concept, which is a simplified and user-friendly shopping experience in a modern and welcoming environment,” added Patrick Blanchette, VP of Maxi.