HARDLINES™ Five years serving Canada's home improvement industry December 18, 2000 - Volume vi, #48 Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher Ph: 416-489-3396 Fx: 416-489-6154 E-mail: buzz@hardlinesfax.com  
Check out our incredible Classifieds section!
* * * * * * * Traditional hardware stores maintain market share * Canadian Tire makes changes in marketing operations * New vice-president and CFO at Sodisco-Howden * * * * * *   SPECIAL HARDLINES "CHRISTMAS EXTRA" EDITION. Hey, this marks the end of our fifth year in business. I have to admit I'm kinda tired and look forward to a few days rest. I think many of you are in the same boat, so take care during the holidays ahead. And get some sleep! Please note that Hardlines will not be published on December 25 or January 1. See you again on January 8. UNTIL TheN, Have A safe and happy holiday! - Michael * * * * * * IN A LAST MINUTE GIFT PANIC? TRY SENDING A GIFT BASKET: Wright's Send a Basket has 15 years of family-run experience to help choose a basket suitable for your family, friends, and corporate needs. We like these folks: they have friendly, knowledgeable staff and will make local and worldwide deliveries in a pinch. Wright's Send a Basket Ltd., 205 Oxford St. E., London, ON N6A 5G6. Phone: 519-432-3707; fax: 519-432-0020 * * * * * * SAVE BIG ON YOUR PURCHASE OF THE HARDLINES INDUSTRY REPORT: "Hardlines Industry Report: Home Improvement Retailing in Canada" is almost ready to ship! This incredible book is a comprehensive overview of the size of the market, how many stores are out there, who the key players are, their market position, the size and growth of the big boxes, the trends in housing and renovations, market trends - and much, much more! 120-plus pages filled with charts, graphs and photos. Regular price: $945, only $750 for subscribers. BUT CALL, or e-mail, BEV RIGHT AWAY because she's cooked up even more SAVINGS if you order before December 31!!! * * * * * * PRICING UPDATE: Effective January 1st, 2001, all Hardlines subscription renewals will have a price increase of 7.5% to $199 for basic subscriptions, and to $28 for additional email subscriptions at the same location. We've held off as long as we could: our last (and only) increase was January 1998. Since 1995, we've doubled our frequency - from bi-weekly to weekly - and more than doubled the amount of information in each issue. Plus you get our Classified section and all those great features online at our website! Thanks very much for your support - we look forward to keeping you informed for many years to come!  
HARDWARE STORES REMAIN KEY PART OF HOME IMPROVEMENT MARKET   Despite the rise of specialty formats in hardware/home improvement retailing, traditional hardware stores have grown in both numbers and overall sales in the past three years. According to The Hardlines Industry Report: Home Improvement Retailing in Canada, the number of hardware stores in Canada has remained above 3,000 while overall sales have grown from 7.2% of the Canadian market in 1996 to 8.1% in 1999. Building centres, however, have slipped in overall share of the market, likely at the expense of big box players, which have increased their overall market share by an average of 13% annually between 1996 and 1999. The Hardlines Industry Report is a special study that's just been published by Hardlines, Canada's electronic newsletter for the home improvement industry. To order or for more information, call Beverly at 416-489-3396 or email her: bev@hardlinesfax.com  
COMPANIES IN THE NEWS   Canadian Tire Corp. made some changes last week that affected some buyers, mostly from the automotive side, as well as a number of people from the marketing operations group. A total of 23 positions have been eliminated so far. At the same time, some titles have been added to the buying side, which I'll report on further in the new year. Imperial Manufacturing Group has acquired Boflex, a Montreal-based manufacturer of flexible air ducts and connective products for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Better Living Products of Canada has appointed Nimatec Inc. to represent them in Québec and the Ottawa Valley, effective January 1, 2001, under Stephane Stonely.
  CANADIAN STOCK WATCH
COMPANY 52-WEEK HIGH 52-WEEK LOW CLOSE (FRI.)
       
Canadian Tire 37.35 15.10 18.90
Canfor 19.80 8.10 8.80
Goodfellow 12.55 8.50 9.25
Home Depot 70.00 34.68 41.94
Hudsons Bay 21.65 12.50 13.80
Lowe's Cos. 67.25 34.25 41.06
Sears Canada 42.50 20.00 22.20
Taiga Forest 14.20 6.80 8.00
West Fraser 39.50 25.80 28.15
    "At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year." - Thomas Tusser (1524-1580)
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE   Sodisco-Howden Group Inc. has appointed Robert Harritt to the position of executive vice-president and CFO, effective January 8, 2001. He previously held positions as vice-president and CFO of Hartco Corp. and vice-president finance and administration with Rona Inc. (450-441-6001) Following the acquisition of Boflex by Imperial Manufacturing Group, Stephane Room, former Boflex vice-president, has been installed as national sales manager - Boflex. (506-523-9117)  
NOTED ...   The Atlantic Building Supply Dealers Association will hold a Professional Development Day on Monday, January 22, 2001. Last year, ABSDA made available some 32 workshops as well as the opportunity to recognize graduates of the Certified Retail Management Studies program. Quality seminars and valuable networking are expected. Call 506-858-0700 for more info. The Prairie Showcase trade show and annual convention will be held at the Saskatoon Prairieland Exhibition Centre January 18-21, 2001. This is a great buying show, so anyone serving the Western market should make a point of being there. To register, call 204-957-1077. Members of the WRLA are invited to attend the annual general meeting on January 19, 2001. Other events include breakfast & speakers, The President's Gala, and Western Night.  
OVERHEARD...   * * * * * * * *  
Are you reading your own copy of Hardlines? Find out about our special company rates!    
Hardlines Marketplace   THE HARDLINES MARKETPLACE: It's a great place to announce new lines or acquisitions, services or lines available. And of course they are an effective, low-cost way to hire new people. At just $16 per line, here's what you get with each Marketplace Ad: - two weeks in the fax version - three weeks in the email version - posted on our website for three weeks - your ad read by more than 3,000 people every single week - thousands of hits on our Website! - our boundless thanks for your support of Hardlines! Beverly takes care of the Classifieds so contact her: bev@hardlinesfax.com or call her at 416-489-3396. at 416-489-3396, ext. 2, for more details. * * * * * * * HARDLINES™ the electronic newsletter. www.hardlinesfax.com phone: 416-489-3396; fax: 416-489-6154. E-mail: buzz@hardlinesfax.com Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher (extension 1): mike@hardlinesfax.com Beverly Allen, Marketing Manager (extension 2): bev@hardlinesfax.com Nancy Wright, Administrative Assistant: nancy@hardlinesfax.com Hardlines is published weekly (except monthly in December and August) by McLARNEYCOM 542 Mount Pleasant Rd., Suite 302, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4S 2M7 © 2000 by Michael McLarney. Reproduction in whole or in part is very uncool and strictly forbidden and really and truly against the law. Call for information on a site license for your company. Subscription: $185+$12.95 GST = $197.95 (or $27.75 HST = $212.75) per year (GST #13987 0398 RT). (Please make cheque payable to McLarneyCom.)  
  HARDLINES™ Five years serving Canada's home improvement industry December 18, 2000 - Volume vi, #48 Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher Ph: 416-489-3396 Fx: 416-489-6154 E-mail: buzz@hardlinesfax.com  
Check out our incredible Classifieds section!
* * * * * * * Traditional hardware stores maintain market share * Canadian Tire makes changes in marketing operations * New vice-president and CFO at Sodisco-Howden * * * * * *   SPECIAL HARDLINES "CHRISTMAS EXTRA" EDITION. Hey, this marks the end of our fifth year in business. I have to admit I'm kinda tired and look forward to a few days rest. I think many of you are in the same boat, so take care during the holidays ahead. And get some sleep! Please note that Hardlines will not be published on December 25 or January 1. See you again on January 8. UNTIL TheN, Have A safe and happy holiday! - Michael * * * * * * IN A LAST MINUTE GIFT PANIC? TRY SENDING A GIFT BASKET: Wright's Send a Basket has 15 years of family-run experience to help choose a basket suitable for your family, friends, and corporate needs. We like these folks: they have friendly, knowledgeable staff and will make local and worldwide deliveries in a pinch. Wright's Send a Basket Ltd., 205 Oxford St. E., London, ON N6A 5G6. Phone: 519-432-3707; fax: 519-432-0020 * * * * * * SAVE BIG ON YOUR PURCHASE OF THE HARDLINES INDUSTRY REPORT: "Hardlines Industry Report: Home Improvement Retailing in Canada" is almost ready to ship! This incredible book is a comprehensive overview of the size of the market, how many stores are out there, who the key players are, their market position, the size and growth of the big boxes, the trends in housing and renovations, market trends - and much, much more! 120-plus pages filled with charts, graphs and photos. Regular price: $945, only $750 for subscribers. BUT CALL, or e-mail, BEV RIGHT AWAY because she's cooked up even more SAVINGS if you order before December 31!!! * * * * * * PRICING UPDATE: Effective January 1st, 2001, all Hardlines subscription renewals will have a price increase of 7.5% to $199 for basic subscriptions, and to $28 for additional email subscriptions at the same location. We've held off as long as we could: our last (and only) increase was January 1998. Since 1995, we've doubled our frequency - from bi-weekly to weekly - and more than doubled the amount of information in each issue. Plus you get our Classified section and all those great features online at our website! Thanks very much for your support - we look forward to keeping you informed for many years to come!  
HARDWARE STORES REMAIN KEY PART OF HOME IMPROVEMENT MARKET   Despite the rise of specialty formats in hardware/home improvement retailing, traditional hardware stores have grown in both numbers and overall sales in the past three years. According to The Hardlines Industry Report: Home Improvement Retailing in Canada, the number of hardware stores in Canada has remained above 3,000 while overall sales have grown from 7.2% of the Canadian market in 1996 to 8.1% in 1999. Building centres, however, have slipped in overall share of the market, likely at the expense of big box players, which have increased their overall market share by an average of 13% annually between 1996 and 1999. The Hardlines Industry Report is a special study that's just been published by Hardlines, Canada's electronic newsletter for the home improvement industry. To order or for more information, call Beverly at 416-489-3396 or email her: bev@hardlinesfax.com  
COMPANIES IN THE NEWS   Canadian Tire Corp. made some changes last week that affected some buyers, mostly from the automotive side, as well as a number of people from the marketing operations group. A total of 23 positions have been eliminated so far. At the same time, some titles have been added to the buying side, which I'll report on further in the new year. Imperial Manufacturing Group has acquired Boflex, a Montreal-based manufacturer of flexible air ducts and connective products for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Better Living Products of Canada has appointed Nimatec Inc. to represent them in Québec and the Ottawa Valley, effective January 1, 2001, under Stephane Stonely.
  CANADIAN STOCK WATCH
COMPANY 52-WEEK HIGH 52-WEEK LOW CLOSE (FRI.)
       
Canadian Tire 37.35 15.10 18.90
Canfor 19.80 8.10 8.80
Goodfellow 12.55 8.50 9.25
Home Depot 70.00 34.68 41.94
Hudsons Bay 21.65 12.50 13.80
Lowe's Cos. 67.25 34.25 41.06
Sears Canada 42.50 20.00 22.20
Taiga Forest 14.20 6.80 8.00
West Fraser 39.50 25.80 28.15
    "At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year." - Thomas Tusser (1524-1580)
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE   Sodisco-Howden Group Inc. has appointed Robert Harritt to the position of executive vice-president and CFO, effective January 8, 2001. He previously held positions as vice-president and CFO of Hartco Corp. and vice-president finance and administration with Rona Inc. (450-441-6001) Following the acquisition of Boflex by Imperial Manufacturing Group, Stephane Room, former Boflex vice-president, has been installed as national sales manager - Boflex. (506-523-9117)  
NOTED ...   The Atlantic Building Supply Dealers Association will hold a Professional Development Day on Monday, January 22, 2001. Last year, ABSDA made available some 32 workshops as well as the opportunity to recognize graduates of the Certified Retail Management Studies program. Quality seminars and valuable networking are expected. Call 506-858-0700 for more info. The Prairie Showcase trade show and annual convention will be held at the Saskatoon Prairieland Exhibition Centre January 18-21, 2001. This is a great buying show, so anyone serving the Western market should make a point of being there. To register, call 204-957-1077. Members of the WRLA are invited to attend the annual general meeting on January 19, 2001. Other events include breakfast & speakers, The President's Gala, and Western Night.  
OVERHEARD...   * * * * * * * *  
Are you reading your own copy of Hardlines? Find out about our special company rates!    
Hardlines Marketplace   THE HARDLINES MARKETPLACE: It's a great place to announce new lines or acquisitions, services or lines available. And of course they are an effective, low-cost way to hire new people. At just $16 per line, here's what you get with each Marketplace Ad: - two weeks in the fax version - three weeks in the email version - posted on our website for three weeks - your ad read by more than 3,000 people every single week - thousands of hits on our Website! - our boundless thanks for your support of Hardlines! Beverly takes care of the Classifieds so contact her: bev@hardlinesfax.com or call her at 416-489-3396. at 416-489-3396, ext. 2, for more details. * * * * * * * HARDLINES™ the electronic newsletter. www.hardlinesfax.com phone: 416-489-3396; fax: 416-489-6154. E-mail: buzz@hardlinesfax.com Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher (extension 1): mike@hardlinesfax.com Beverly Allen, Marketing Manager (extension 2): bev@hardlinesfax.com Nancy Wright, Administrative Assistant: nancy@hardlinesfax.com Hardlines is published weekly (except monthly in December and August) by McLARNEYCOM 542 Mount Pleasant Rd., Suite 302, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4S 2M7 © 2000 by Michael McLarney. Reproduction in whole or in part is very uncool and strictly forbidden and really and truly against the law. Call for information on a site license for your company. Subscription: $185+$12.95 GST = $197.95 (or $27.75 HST = $212.75) per year (GST #13987 0398 RT). (Please make cheque payable to McLarneyCom.)