Quebec was one of the fastest-growing markets under COVID. According to the 2021 Hardlines Retail Report, it has over 1,100 hardware, building supply, and big box stores and represents more than one-fifth of overall retail home improvement sales in Canada.
But the province has been a tough sell for buying groups and banners through the years, with barriers to entry that include language and culture. Now many are trying to play catch-up. Home Hardware, TIMBER MART, Castle, and TORBSA are among the banners adding dealers. At the same time, banners that are based in that province, including BMR, RONA, and Canac, are working hard to keep their visibility strong.
(We take a closer look at dealer development in Quebec in the next issue of our weekly Hardlines newsletter, coming out Monday morning. If you’re not a subscriber to Hardlines weekly, I invite you to check it out on us for four weeks. Click here for a free trial.)
