Hardlines is looking to host an exclusive complimentary 60-75 person HR workshop at the 2025 Hardlines Conference at Fairmont Banff Springs, Oct. 21 and 22.
The workshop will be hosted by Nicole Galucci, founder of In Good Company. Nicole is a strategic advisor and coach helping business leaders design growth-focused, values-driven organizations through actionable frameworks. It will be free to conference delegates.
Please let us know your interest by filling out the very quick survey here.
Home Hardware Stores Limited has announced its sponsorship of the 2025 Ontario RAM Rodeo Tour, which will travel to 16 locations between May and October.
“Partnering with the Ontario RAM Rodeo Tour is a natural fit for Home Hardware,” said Jennifer Bryl, the retailer’s director of brand and loyalty. “It gives us a unique opportunity to engage directly with families in our dealers’ communities, showcase our Canadian values, and drive meaningful connections at the grassroots level.” The attendance is expected to be approximately 2,000 at each event.
RONA has announced the opening of a second Direct Delivery Centre (DDC) in the Greater Toronto Area. Located in Hamilton (Parkdale), this new site, which has been in operation since April 17, 2025, strengthens RONA’s ability to serve construction professionals in Hamilton, Halton, Guelph, Cambridge, Brantford, Hagersville, and the Niagara Peninsula.
Only two weeks remain to submit entries for the 33rd Outstanding Retailer Awards, to be presented Oct. 21 during the 2025 Hardlines Conference in Banff, Alta. Canadian hardware, home improvement, and paint store retailers and managers are eligible after their first two years operating under the current ownership.
Dealers are welcome to self-nominate and group head offices are invited to identify promising dealers and support them in the nomination process. A chain or buying group may enter more than one store per category, and suppliers may also recommend entries.
Nominations for the ORAs are due June 13. Click here for the form (disponible en français également)!
Canada’s Hudson’s Bay Co. will lay off 8,347 employees June 1, according to a report published by Reuters. The terminations will cap off the company’s liquidation sale and mark the final shuttering of the all stores.
The Retail Council of Canada is hosting RCCSTORE25, from June 3 to 4, 2025 at the Toronto Congress Centre.
As disruption accelerates, it’s where industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers must come together to spark ideas, confront challenges, and shape the future of retail in Canada, organizers noted in a release.
The event will feature more than 75 top industry leaders and innovators including:
Visit the RCCSTORE25 website for more information.
What’s In Store, our podcast series for hardware industry insiders, is now live. This episode features David Ian Gray, principal at Vancouver-based DIG360 and an insightful retail strategist and expert.
In this podcast, Gray talks with Hardlines editor Rebecca Dumais about the changing retail landscape including the impact of tariffs on Canadian businesses, the fall of iconic brands Hudson’s Bay and Peavey Mart, and charting a path in uncertain economic times.
Gray is highly sought after by business leaders and executives for his retail knowledge and strategic insights. His views on the hardware and building supply industry in Canada make this podcast a much watch!
Listen to all the Hardlines podcasts here.
Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. has announced the addition of a new member location in Quebec. Barbe Aluminium et fils is located in Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, on the North Shore of Montreal. Martin Barbe and Sonia Daoust Barbe founded the business over two decades ago. The married duo’s team includes their daughter and son-in-law.
RONA is launching a new combined event this year. Called “RONA Momentum,” the large-scale event will merge its four key annual meetings: RONA Connexia for its dealers, the Vendor Forum, the annual Store Manager Meeting, and the Pro services team meeting.
The Momentum event will take place Oct. 14 to 16, 2025, at the Quebec City Convention Centre.
What’s In Store, the podcast for hardware industry insiders, goes live tomorrow.
David Ian Gray of Vancouver-based DIG360 is a retail strategist and expert. In this podcast, Gray talks with Hardlines editor Rebecca Dumais about the changing retail landscape including the impact of tariffs on Canadian businesses, the fall of iconic brands Hudson’s Bay Company and Peavey Mart and charting a path in uncertain economic times.
David is highly sought after by business leaders and executives for his retail knowledge and strategic insights. His views on the hardware and building supply industry in Canada make this podcast a much watch.
Listen to all the Hardlines podcasts here.
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