Investment in building construction fell by 1.1 percent, or $243.3 million, to $21.4 billion in October, StatCan reports, after a 2.6 percent increase in September. Year over year, construction spending grew by 3.4 percent in October. Investment in the residential sector declined by 2.1 percent to $14.9 billion, but single-family spending was up 1.6 percent to $7.1 billion.

Housing starts in the U.S. declined by 1.8 percent to 1.289 million units in November, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Building permits for the month rose by 6.1 percent. In the single-family residential sector, starts were up 6.4 percent to $1.01 million, while permits edged up 0.1 percent to 972,000.

The latest instalment of our podcast series What’s In Store goes online this week. In this episode, we talk to Lisa Bergeron, director of business development and government affairs at Jeld-Wen. She shares with us how building codes and voluntary industry standards are changing the game when it comes to energy efficiency, and how Jeld-Wen’s product offering is responding. Sign up now to get updates about the latest podcasts in your inbox!

The latest edition of Hardlines HR Advisor hits inboxes tomorrow. This issue looks at TIMBER MART’s commitment to hiring from within, IKEA’s investment in employee care, and how Home Hardware told its story to support recruitment. HR Advisor is monthly and it’s free: click here to sign up today!

Retail sales in the U.S. rose by an unexpected 0.7 percent in November, according to U.S. Commerce Department data, while October’s preliminary estimate was revised upward to a 0.5 percent gain. Economists expected an increase of 0.5 percent. In LBM and garden categories, sales fell to $40.71 billion from $45.08 billion,

(From left to right: Christopher Skeete, Quebec minister for the economy; Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer; Canac director-general Martin Gamache; marketing director Patrick Delisle; Charles Laberge, senior development and construction manager; and Daniel Châtelain, commercial development project manager)

Canac has unveiled plans for its largest store ever, and its first in Laval, Quebec’s third-largest city. The chain’s 36th store, it will occupy a 45,000-square-foot property, comprising a 30,000-square-foot sales area, a 12-000-square-foot garden centre, a 41,500-square-foot covered warehouse, an outdoor lumber yard of more than 83,000 square feet, and 250 parking spaces.

(Hardlines was on the scene for this key announcement. Premium Members will read more details in the first scintillating edition of Hardlines Weekly Report for 2025. Not yet a Premium Member? Click here to start a four-week trial today!)

The annualized rate of housing starts rose by 8.0 percent to 262,443 units in November, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. Urban starts were 9.0 percent above October’s rate, at 245,083 units. Actual starts in urban areas came to 210,912 units year-to-date.

Sales of existing Canadian homes rose by 2.8 percent (seasonally adjusted) in November, according to data from the Canadian Real Estate Association. On an unadjusted basis, monthly activity was 26.0 percent above November 2023. The number of new listings edged down by 0.5 percent month-over-month.

President-elect Donald Trump’s threatened 25 percent tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods entering the U.S. is causing concern throughout Canada’s retail home improvement industry. Economists warn that the measures could trigger a recession and drive up prices on both sides of the border.

This is a concern shared by Sam Moncada (shown here), CEO of the Canadian Home Products Trade Association (CHPTA). Moncada said the tariffs would be detrimental to both Canadian and American interests, leading to increased prices and potential retaliation.

(Get the full story on how the threatened tariffs are impacting the industry in the next mind-bending edition of our weekly flagship publication, Hardlines Weekly Report. Each issue of HWR gives you the big picture on the events and news shaping home improvement retailing in Canada and beyond. Click here to get your own four-week complimentary trial subscription!)

Lowe’s growth strategy for 2025 includes investment in its range of services for its contractor customers, which now account for 30 percent of Lowe’s overall sales. In early 2025, the company is relaunching its pro loyalty program as MyLowe’s Pro Rewards, designed specifically for the small-to-medium pro. Lowe’s is also bringing its DIY and pro loyalty programs onto one platform.

(Get the full story on Lowe’s growth plans in the next ear-splitting edition of our weekly flagship publication, Hardlines Weekly Report. Click here to get your own four-week complimentary trial subscription!)