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

Ten years ago next week, in our Feb. 4, 2013, edition of our Hardlines Weekly Report, we revealed some statistics from our Hardlines Retail Report (which gives market share and estimated retail sales—and a whole lot more—for the home improvement banners in our industry).

We reported in that February 2013 issue that big boxes had a 20.5 percent market share of the retail home improvement industry.

Last year, in the 2023 version of the Hardlines Retail Report, big box market share had increased to 28.2 percent. That means that the big boxes in our industry have grown their market share approximately 38 percent over the past decade. Still, 71.8 percent of our industry is still outside the control of the big boxes.

Home Hardware has announced the launch today of a credit card for contractors. Developed in partnership with Scotiabank, the Scotia Home Hardware Pro Visa Business Card has been designed to support entrepreneurs in the trades and construction industry to better manage and expand their businesses.

The new card will tie in with Home Hardware’s existing Scene+ loyalty program, with features including a variable interest rate, no annual fee, a 21-day interest-free grace period on new purchases, and credit limits up to $500,000. Users of the new card will have flexibility to redeem Scene+ points on a range of products and services.

(Find out more about how Home Hardware is rolling out this new program, and what it means for Home’s Top Notch Rewards, in the next searing issue of our sister publication, Hardlines Weekly Report!)

IKEA has promised to cut prices in a number of countries, including Canada, where it has 16 stores and a growing number of Planning & Design Studios. The idea is fundamental to mass-market retailing: lower the prices, increase volumes.

IKEA says it has lowered costs—and also is seeing decreased raw material prices—enabling the price cuts. IKEA has said that its goal is to lower prices to “inflation-adjusted” pre-pandemic levels by the end of next year. IKEA says it plans to cut prices in Canada on more than 1,500 products. The retailer has already announced lower prices in Germany as well as Sweden and the UK.

At Wolseley Canada, Brad Rutledge has been appointed VP, Waterworks, effective Feb. 1. Rutledge joined Wolseley in 2018 and led the national quotations team. He’s held progressive leadership roles since then, including branch area manager in Alberta and eventually director for Wolseley Industrial. Prior to joining Wolseley, he worked at MRC Supply and at Lockwood.

The latest instalment of our podcast series What’s In Store is now online! In this episode, we talk to Jest Sidloski, VP of marketing and customer experience at Peavey Industries, about the latest developments with the retailer, which owns Peavey Mart and the licence for the Ace banner in Canada. Sign up now to get updates about the latest free podcasts in your inbox!

Jayne Hounslow, age eight, was killed in a hit-and-run incident in her school parking lot in Burlington, Ont., on May 3 last year. Jayne was on her way to perform in her school’s spring concert.  She was the daughter of Sarah Hounslow, president of Burlington Merchandising & Fixtures (BMF), well known to many in the industry. Jayne was also the granddaughter of Rob Wilbrink, founder of BMF and a former executive at Lansing Buildall and RONA inc.

The Hounslow family set up an endowment fund in memory of Jayne. The Love, Jayne Foundation will help remove financial barriers for children wanting to participate in sports, music, and summer camps.

The recent WRLA Building & Hardware Showcase featured a $51,500 cheque presentation (pictured) to the foundation. “The WRLA and its partners are coming together in support of the Love, Jayne Foundation and the resiliency of the Hounslow family,” the WRLA said. “We stand together as one industry and one community. Together, we will help to ensure children have access to recreation and activities that support their well-being and sense of belonging, honouring the legacy of Jayne Anne Hounslow.”

The foundation has a goal of reaching $100,000 by March 31, 2024. If you are able to contribute to the Love, Jayne Foundation, please click here.

At supermarket and pharmacy giant Metro, sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 ended Dec. 23 were $4.97 billion, up 6.5 percent from the previous first quarter. Food same-store sales were up 6.1 percent and up 3.4 percent when adjusting for the timing of the Christmas season versus last year. Net earnings of $228.5 million were down 1.1 percent.

Pharmacy same-store sales were up 3.9 percent, with a 6.6 percent increase in prescription drugs and a 1.2 percent decrease in front-store sales.

RONA’s senior VP for affiliate dealers, wholesale, and public affairs has left the company. Jean-Sébastien Lamoureux started out at RONA in early 2017 as VP of communications and public affairs, assuming his current role at the beginning of 2022. In a farewell statement posted to LinkedIn, he paid tribute to “all the dealers across the country who make RONA shine everyday.”

Bruno Baldessari has a new position as senior vice-president, lumber and building materials, at RONA inc., his LinkedIn post said last week. He was formerly VP forest products, trading, at TIMBER MART, where he served just over two years. Prior to that, Baldessari was VP retailing at BMR. He served almost 16 years at that buying group. Baldessari was employed by RONA once before, from 2000 to 2006, as a merchandiser.

Home Hardware Stores Ltd. has announced that Quincaillerie B.L. in Mont-Louis, Que., has joined the Home Hardware banner. “We chose to join Home Hardware because its business model aligned with our values,” dealer-owner Bernardin Lemieux said in a release. Bernardin and his wife, Louise Côté-Lemieux founded the business 50 years ago. The co-owners’ sons, David and Louis, work at the store and are ready to take the reins of the business one day.