The National Hardware Show is underway at the Las Vegas Convention Centre and Hardlines is on-site. Premium Members can look for full coverage of this flagship industry event in a forthcoming edition of the Hardlines Weekly Report. Pictured are Hardlines publisher David Chestnut and Jillian MacLeod, administration and sales assistant.

The latest instalment of our podcast series What’s In Store is live! In this episode, we talk to Barry Eidt, co-owner of Arthur Ace Hardware. 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!

Home Hardware Stores Ltd. has signed on as a presenting sponsor of the Skills Canada National Competition for 2024. Skills/Compétences Canada is a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in the skilled trades and technologies to youth and their communities in Canada. The competition will take place in Quebec City on May 30 and 31.

Canada’s biggest retail, marketing, and technology event, DX3, is back at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on April 9 and 10. Learn how technology is transforming the retail and marketing industries. Discover how to build supply chain resiliency, leverage AI for growth, and navigate an increasingly chaotic marketing landscape. Our readers can register for a free floor pass by using coupon code HLPASS.

Canadian Tire Corp. has forged a joint arrangement with Petro-Canada that ties together their loyalty programs. Through the new loyalty partnership, Canadian Tire’s Triangle Rewards members can earn Canadian Tire Money at Petro-Canada, and Petro-Points members can earn and redeem their points at Canadian Tire’s Gas+ locations.

In addition, members of each respective loyalty program continue to earn existing benefits, including savings and rewards on fuel and other purchases. Together, the points can be earned at more than 1,800 Canadian Tire Gas+ and Petro-Canada locations across the country.

BeautiTone, the paint business of Home Hardware Stores Ltd., has revealed its 2024 exterior colour of the year. “Pacific” is described as a “dramatic hue that draws inspiration from the deep blue sea.”

“For several years now, Canadians have embraced neutral tones on the exteriors of their homes, but with ‘Pacific’ we have entered a new, more vibrant era,” Kristen Gear, lead design and colour specialist at BeautiTone, said in a release.

Loyalty programs are playing an increasingly important role in the offerings of many home improvement retailers. One customer points program that took a hit was Air Miles Canada. Numerous retailers and service providers have dropped the program. But after being purchased by Bank of Montreal, it’s expected to regain traction.

That’s the outlook of Bernie Owens, president and CEO of TIMBER MART, the national buying group. TIMBER MART, along with Kent Building Supplies in Atlantic Canada, continues to offer Air Miles among home improvement retailers.

“I do believe there’s value for the dealers that Air Miles can deliver,” Owens says. He adds that the program is optional for his dealers.

(Full story on the direction of Air Miles with TIMBER MART appears in today’s edition of our flagship publication, Hardlines Weekly Report. Get the full story. Subscribe to HWR today!)

Giant Tiger, the Ottawa-based discount store chain, said on Saturday that it had recently experienced a cybersecurity breach involving customer information. The company said the cause of the issue lies with a “third-party vendor” and that the incident occurred on March 4.

Customer identities were leaked in the breach, including addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. No payment or credit card information was leaked, Giant Tiger says. The chain said it has hired cybersecurity experts to conduct an independent investigation.

RONA inc. celebrated yesterday the grand opening of RONA+ Hull in Gatineau, Que. The former Réno-Dépôt store is the first in the province to convert to the new banner, as part of a pilot project by the company. Among the new banner’s features are “shop in shop” spaces showcasing brands such as DeWalt, EGO and Worx. In addition, Quebec-based company Bouclair, a new partner for RONA, also has an exclusive section in three RONA+ stores, including RONA+ Hull.

Simons, the Quebec-based specialty department store, has opened its 17th store, and its first in the Maritimes. The 56,000-square-foot outlet, located at the Halifax Shopping Centre, represents an investment of over $20 million and 150 new jobs.

Each department in the store has been conceptualized to represent a Canadian city or region. The Pacific Coast, the Okanagan Valley, the Rockies, the Prairies, the Arctic, the Great Lakes, Downtown Toronto, Old Montreal and the Maritimes all serve as design inspiration.

The retailer says it’s intent on expanding its presence from coast to coast.