The Canadian Home Products Trade Association is offering a free virtual class on public speaking for business settings.

Gerry Lubanszky (pictured), a veteran of business development in the consumer goods sector, will guide participants on how to use voice and body language to best represent their organizations. The event takes place May 12 and it’s free, but spaces are limited, so click here to register today!

Canadian Tire Corp. has submitted a bid on some of Hudson Bay Co.’s intellectual property assets, sources have told The Globe and Mail.

CTC would not comment on any potential bid, the deadline for which was yesterday.

HBC’s IP holdings include the rights to the Zellers, Stripes, and Gluckstein brands.

Canada’s largest skilled trades and technology conference, the Skills Ontario Competition, will be held  May 5 and 6 at the Toronto Congress Centre.

Started in 1989, the Skills Ontario Competition offers a unique opportunity for top students to demonstrate that they are the best of the best in their skilled trade or technology field.

“We look forward to welcoming students from across Ontario to compete in the Skills Ontario Competition to showcase their skills, knowledge and passion for their craft,” said Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario. “The young people participating in this event are the future skilled trade and technology leaders of Ontario, and our staff wish everyone competing the best of luck and to have fun.”

In addition to observing the contests, spectators can also explore the Career Exploration Showcase which features over 75 employers, labour unions, and colleges. A number of pre-registered conferences will also be running during the Skills Ontario Competition.

Competitors who win gold and meet the eligibility criteria at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) 2025 will earn the opportunity to represent Canada at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China in 2026.

Hardlines is calling for entries, which are due June 13, 2025, for the 33rd Outstanding Retailer Awards (ORAs).

The ORAs are the only national awards program in Canada recognizing hardware, LBM, and paint retailers across all banners. Awards are presented in at least seven categories, including Young Retailer of the Year and Marc Robichaud Community Leader.

Winners get to attend the Hardlines Conference as our guests, including the Outstanding Retailer Awards Gala, where they will be honoured in front of the entire industry. Winners will also receive marketing materials including a write-up in Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly magazine.

Click here for more information and to download the nomination package (disponible en français également)! The ORAs will be presented Oct. 21 during the 2025 Hardlines Conference in Banff, Alta.

B.C. mall tycoon Weihong Liu has placed a bid for 25 Hudson’s Bay Co. properties, she confirmed yesterday to The Toronto Star. Liu had previously announced her intention to “acquire” HBC on Chinese social media app Red Note. She told the newspaper she will be holding a press conference within 10 days.

At the same time, Toronto investment firm Urbana has come out with a proposal of its own to acquire the Hudson’s Bay brand and the company’s historic 1670 royal charter, an artifact whose fate some Indigenous advocates say should be decided by First Nations.

RONA has expanded its exclusive Tilley Tuff workwear line. New men’s products have been added for spring and, for the first time, Tilley has introduced a women’s workwear collection.

Designed for anyone from pros to interior design enthusiasts, the line aims to position RONA as a destination for workwear and casual clothing. The Tilley Tuff brand has been designed for Canadians doing physical jobs in demanding environments, with items starting at under $15.

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.”