Taiga Building Products reported Q2 sales of $427.8 million, a decline of $19.1 million or 4.0 percent from $446.9 million a year earlier. Net earnings fell to $13.9 million from $17.0 million in the previous Q2. Sales for the first half of the fiscal year amounted to $821.5 million, compared to $855.4 million in the comparable period of last year, while profits slipped to $26.7 million from $30.5 million.

The latest edition of Hardlines Dealer News hits inboxes tomorrow. In this issue, we explore how retailers are responding to the wildfires near Jasper, Alta.; a B.C. store gaining attention as a “living museum”; and a Toronto big box’s furniture store-within-a-store.

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Flexiti Financial Inc., a provider of POS consumer financing solutions for retailers, has partnered with RONA inc. to become its primary financing provider for in-store purchases. Customers can avail themselves of Flexiti financing at any corporate RONA or RONA+ location and at participating RONA affiliate dealers. They can use an existing FlexitiCard or apply for a new one on the spot.

The total value of building permits in Canada fell 13.9 percent to $9.9 billion in June, StatCan reports. Declines were reported in 11 provinces and territories, and in both residential and non-residential sectors. The total value of residential permits decreased 11.5 percent to $6.5 billion. Construction intentions in single-family homes, however, rose by 4.0 percent to $2.6 billion.

RONA inc. is seeking District Manager, Dealer (Atlantic). This individual is experienced in retail management and business development and passionate about building relationships and driving growth. For details, check out our Hardlines Classifieds page!

Hardware + Building Supply Dealer magazine has unveiled its list of the industry’s Top Women of 2024. Among them is Sarah Hounslow, president of Burlington Merchandising & Fixtures. Along with the other chosen professionals, she will be honoured at the fourth annual Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply event in Chicago on Nov. 20 and 21.

Red Apple Stores has taken over four The Bargain! Shop locations and converted them to the Red Apple banner. The new stores are in Wynyard and Rosetown, Sask.; Oliver, B.C.; and Timmins, Ont. They will have grand openings on Aug. 23. Red Apple is a Mississauga, Ont.-based retail chain with 143 general merchandise stores, all located in smaller markets across the country.

Canadian Tire Corp. reported Q2 earnings of $198.8 million, or $3.56 per diluted share, up from $99.4 million or ($1.76) a year earlier. Revenues fell to $4.13 billion, from $4.26 billion in the previous Q2. Comp sales declined by 4.6 percent, down 5.6 percent at the Canadian Tire banner and 0.8 percent at SportChek.

Castle Building Centres Group has announced that Encore Drywall Material Supplies has joined the buying group’s commercial division. Encore operates two locations in Vaughan and Trenton, Ont. “It is with great pride that Encore joins the Castle Commercial Division,” partner Doug Skrepnek said in a release, “and we consider the move to Castle a foundational step toward our future growth.”

RONA inc. has added AMS Building Centre in British Columbia’s Haida Gwaii to its network of independent affiliates. The business has served the archipelago formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands for nearly 40 years. Dealer-owner Mark Goetzinger (pictured left with GM Alanah Mountifield) is moving it to RONA from another banner. The store’s retail space totals 5,000 square feet and is complemented by a 2.5-acre lumber yard. As part of the banner conversion, it will be remerchandised to offer 350 new products.