Beverly Allen, Publisher Vicky Sanderson, Editor John Caulfield, Contributing Editor Phone: 416-489-3396 Email: bev@hardlines.ca
November 19, 2007, Vol. xiii, #45
 
In This Issue

“He who hesitates is a damned fool.” Mae West (American actress, 1892-1980)
RONA unveils sustainability initiative
BOUCHERVILLE,QC — RONA is making a bid to become the greenest home improvement retailer in Canada. The company’s eco initiative, announced last week at its spring market, will include the launch of a new private-label brand called RONA Eco. An initial line of 450 eco-responsible products will be available in stores in spring 2008, about three quarters of which are already on RONA shelves. Products for the line will be chosen in partnership with the International Industrial Chair in Life Cycle Assessment Methodology at École Polytechnique de Montréal (CIRAIG), an assessment method that looks at the environmental impact of a product over its entire life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials up to its end-of-life. Working with CIRAIG, RONA will identify items that meet strict environmental standards in seven main categories: earth, air, water, energy, recycled products and health. Currently, the product mix includes such products as solar panels, rain-water barrels, green roofing materials and an eco-friendly line of household cleansers. Speaking to the media here last week, RONA president and CEO Robert Dutton said that although the idea of environmental responsibility in the home is not new, consumers are confused about what constitutes a green product. Carrying products approved by CIRAIG will provide consumers with an easily recognizable and reliable standard, Dutton said. The partnership will also allow the company to more easily identify products that are less harmful to the environment. Dutton believes his company is the best-suited in Canada to deliver a comprehensive green line. “RONA is already the most trusted home improvement retailer with Canadians,” he said. “I think when they see us offer a logo that says the product is environmentally-friendly, they will believe it.” Dutton made clear that the company’s commitment to the sustainability is not merely cosmetic. “This is not greenwashing. It’s the next step in the ethical behavior we always have shown.” The company also plans to create an employee-driven sustainable development committee, launch compact fluorescent lightbulb recycling in its stores early next year, and create a new professional category of sustainable products.

Top

Offshore DC anchors Ace in Canada
SHANGHAI —The centrepiece of Ace Hardware in Canada will be Ace Global Distribution (AGD), a distribution centre erected here in August 2006. The operation, named Ace Global Sourcing, takes products directly from Asian factories and puts them into a distribution centre for delivery to Ace’s international customers.The AGD facility has 1,100 SKUs, of which more than half are Ace-branded products. But it also has the flexibility to provide hundreds more in a “Shanghai Bulletin” that alerts dealers to special buys available through the warehouse. However, says Murray Armstrong, chairman of AGD and president and general manager of Ace Hardware International, “Right now the warehouse is really looking at core items, rather than specialty buys.”The capacity in the warehouse is gradually being expanded, and another 400-500 SKUs will be added over the coming months. Armstrong expects to bring more national brands, such as Shop-vac, Globe Union and Rubbermaid, on board. It will ship product sourced in Asia directly from the Shanghai facility, bypassing the need to bring it into vendors’ facilities or into warehouses in North America, only to have it shipped again from there to retailers. A dealer can now order an entire container-load of product from offshore by simply clicking through the online catalogue, adding products until a container is filled. The online process keeps track of the size of an order, counting down the percentage of space left to fill in a choice of three container sizes. When a container is filled, the dealer can choose to cut off the order or to continue with a larger size of container. Armstrong sees the possibility of making the warehouse — and online catalogue — available to other retailer groups, such as, say, Mitre 10, a co-op in Australia and New Zealand which, like RONA, has a number of dealer-owned big boxes. These types of stores, says Armstrong, will be ideal for an expanded offering through AGD.

Top
Home Depot reports 26.8% quarterly earnings decline

ATLANTA — Home Depot felt the impact of the housing market’s downturn during the three months ended Oct. 28, when its net income fell by 26.8% to $1.09 billion, on sales of $18.9 billion that were off 3.5%. Quarterly same-store sales were down 6.2%.

In the quarter, virtually all of the company’s store metrics declined: customer transactions (down 0.5%), sales per customer (off 2.4% to $58.26), and average weekly sales (off 8.4% to $696,000 per store). “We are facing a tough environment as housing indicators continue to deteriorate,” said Frank Blake, Home Depot chairman and CEO. “Our financial performance in the third quarter reflects these tough conditions.” Blake expects the softness in the housing market to continue throughout the remainder of this year, and projected that Home Depot’s earnings per share for the year would by off 11%. Through the first nine months of its fiscal year, Home Depot reported sales of $59.69 billion, which were down 3.1% from the same period a year ago. Its earnings for the nine months fell 23% to $1.9 billion. During the latest quarter, Home Depot completed the sale of its HD Supply subsidiary to a group of private equity firms. And since June, it has completed almost half of its planned $22.7 billion stock buyback plan. The company opened 24 stores and ended its latest quarter with 2,224 stores. Top
Equity firm to buy troubled Restoration Hardware

CORTE MADERA, CA — A Connecticut-based equity firm with interests in several food-service chains has agreed to pay $267 million to acquire Restoration Hardware, the struggling home décor and furnishings retailer.

Catterton Partners, based in Greenwich, CT, will purchase the $700 million retailer for the equivalent of $6.70 per share. Gary Friedman, who became Restoration Hardware’s CEO in 2001, is participating in the buyout. The retailer, which operates 100 stores in 30 states, said that it would continue to solicit bids from other investors until Dec. 13. If it agrees to another bid, it would pay Catterton a $10.68 million termination fee. Catterton’s other investments include an ownership stake in the parent company of the Outback Steakhouse chain, P.F. Chang’s, Build-A-Bear and Baja F. Top
Lowe’s calls "family tree" ads a mistake

MOORESVILLE, NC — Lowe’s has committed to use the word “Christmas” when marketing trees and decorations during the holiday season, after a conservative Christian organization criticized the retailer for advertising “family trees” in its recent ads.

In response to an “Action Alert” that the American Family Association issued to its constituents about the ads, Lowe’s apologized for using the “family” reference in its 56-page holiday catalogue and said it would henceforth use the word “Christmas.” “That was a complete error,” Maureen Rich, a Lowe’s spokesperson, told Cybercast News Service. “Lowe’s has been selling Christmas trees for more than 60 years,” she said. “We are committed to doing that, and we are doing that this year again.” Lowe’s is the latest target of certain groups that have taken aim at dealers, cities and entire countries (Australia) that they believe are trying to expunge religious symbolism or connotations from Christmas. Top
Classifieds

Castle Building Centres Group Limited

Business Development Manager - Ontario Region

Castle Building Centres Group is an industry leader among Buying Groups in the Lumber and Building Materials segment in Canada. You are a highly motivated individual with strong relationship and communication skills that can manage and develop our future growth in Central Canada. This position requires an individual who is familiar with the Central Canada Lumber and Building Supply industry, willing to travel extensively and accustomed to working remote from head office. Reporting to the President, you welcome the opportunity to work with a dynamic group of independent LBM dealers while planning and executing our future growth initiatives. Providing continual communication to our Central members while understanding their needs is fundamental to your success. Sound computer and presentation skills combined with good administrative qualities are imperative. Castle Building Centres Group offers a comprehensive compensation package including full benefits. All submissions will be treated with complete confidentiality. Please forward your resume in confidence to: Yvonne Patton Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. 6375 Dixie Road, Suite 400 Mississauga, Ontario L5T-2S1 E-mail: ypatton@castle.ca  
TERRITORY MANAGER
RCR International is a prime manufacturer of complete lines of products for professionals and do-it-yourselves. The company is recognized as a pioneer in the door and window insulation market, and is proud of expanding its innovative expertise to encompass various other quality product lines. RCR International currently manufactures over 3000 products including weather-stripping, insulation components, floor protection products, screen and squeegees. Being the supplier of the most prestigious retailers in America, RCR International wants to offer the best to its customers. We have in place an effective and efficient distribution network with facilities in key regions: Montreal, Toronto and Chicago. This allows RCR International to distribute its vast array of products all over the world. We currently have an opening for a dynamic individual to join our team as a Territory Manager for the area of Northern of Alberta.   JOB DESCRIPTION - TERRITORY MANAGER Under the immediate responsibility of the Western Sales Manager, the sales representative plans and organizes all activities related to the business development of his assigned territory. More specifically, he is responsible for the increase in sales and profits of his current customers and the development of additional accounts. His past history proves without a doubt that he is result oriented and capable of working with a minimum of supervision. Main Tasks: Drive sales in territory by: - Analyse sales reports to understand his market; - Visit his customers: this may require out-of-town overnight reservations; take physical inventory of Company displays in stores; refilling of empty shelves; - Install racking and shelves in new stores and fill the shelves with Company products; - Set up numerous trade shows (this may require installing the booths using different power tools, putting in racking and shelves and carrying heavy cases of products); - Offer and demonstrate Company products during trade shows; - Contact his customers by telephone to offer special promotions; - Prepare product catalogues; - Transmit all orders to the order desk; - Write and forward weekly sales and expense reports to the office; - Maintain his customer files up to date and file customer invoices. This position requires: - Minimum of a Junior College degree in administration; - A minimum of 3 to 5 years experience in a similar position; - Experience in the hardware industry and computer literacy are a sure asset; - Ability to analyze and make a diagnosis of current problems; - Excellent physical health; - Occasional week-end availability during trade shows. Please submit your resume to Nathalie Charbonneau through email or fax to 450-670-1669.
 
Marketplace 
Sell your company - or buy one - with Hardlines Classifieds! Do your executive search, find new lines or get new reps in the Hardlines Marketplace. Only $2.75 per word for three weeks in the classifieds. To place your ad, call Brady Peever at 416-489-3396 or email: brady@hardlines.ca
To ensure you receive your Hardlines newsletter each week, please add admin@hardlines.ca to your address book.

Did your email system make this newsletter unreadable? You can read it online instead . Publishing Details:

Hardlines is published weekly (except monthly in December and August) by HARDLINES Inc. 542 Mount Pleasant Rd., Suite 302, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4S 2M7

© 2007 by HARDLINES Inc. HARDLINES™ the electronic newsletter hardlines.ca ; Phone: 416.489.3396; Fax: 416.489.6154

Beverly Allen, Publisher - bev@hardlines.ca Vicky Sanderson - Editor - vicky@hardlines.ca Michael McLarney - President - mike@hardlines.ca Brady Peever - Circulation Manager - brady@hardlines.ca

The Hardlines "Fair Play" Policy:

Reproduction in whole or in part is very uncool and strictly forbidden and really and truly against the law. So please, play fair!

Call for information on multiple subscriptions or a site license for your company. We do want as many people as possible to read Hardlines each week - but let us handle your internal routing from this end! Subscription:

$265 (Canadian subscribers add $15.90 GST = $280.90 per year/ GST #13987 0398 RT).

Secondary subscriptions at the same office are only $42 (Canadian subscribers add $2.52 GST = $44.52).

Ask about our reduced rate for branch offices.

You can pay online by VISA/MC/AMEX at our secure website or send us money. Please make cheque payable to Hardlines.

HELD OVER ONE WEEK. Our once-a-year special on the ultimate Hardlines information package. Get the fact-packed Retail Report, the most current issue of the insightful HQR, and the always-useful Who’s Who for one low price. Buy now,  save 15% and receive extra power point slides with forecasts for 2008.
Contact Brady Peever or click here to order.
COMPANIES IN THE NEWS
SURREY, BC — IRLY Building Centres of British Columbia are offering customers a green alternative to plastic bags. Several of IRLY’s suppliers, including Bosch, Henkel, Makita, Rust-Oleum, Schlage, Stanley, Task and Tree Island, supported the launch of navy and yellow eco-bags. _________________________________________ MONTREAL — At its recent dealer market, PRO Retail Services announced the launch of a new private-label line of environmentally-friendly products. Called “EnviroEfficient”, the line represents a key category for PRS, and will be featured prominently in advertising, flyers and promotions when it rolls out in spring 2008. _________________________________________ BENTONVILLE — Wal-Mart’s 3Q sales and earnings were approximately $90.9 billion, up 8.8% over the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Income from continuing operations was $2.86 billion. Same-store sales, excluding fuel, for Wal-Mart were up 1%, while same-store sales for Sam’s Clubs, excluding fuel, were up 3.9%. _________________________________________ CALGARY — U.J. Robichaud TIM-BR MART in Meteghan Centre, NS has won Canada’s prestigious Laurier de la PME 2007, an award that recognizes important Francophone businesses outside Quebec. Upon receiving the award, Marc Robichaud, great-great-grandson of founder Jean Pierre Robichaud and a member of the fifth generation running the business, said “receiving a national award for entrepreneurial excellence when we are celebrating our 140th anniversary tells us we are doing the right things at the right time.” _________________________________________ VANCOUVER — Dozens of people rallied against a Canadian Tire store to be built here, despite promises by company representatives that it will be the greenest CT in the country, according to CKNW Radio. The development would be built to LEED Gold — a benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings — to minimize impact on the environment. If the development permit is approved, the company would pay up to $100,000 to reduce local traffic, and another $100,000 to improve bike routes. But opponents say the centre will add between 75 and 100 car trips to the area daily. _________________________________________ TORONTO — Almost one-third (27%) of Americans who received gift cards last holiday season had not used them a year later, says the Consumer Reports National Research Center. According to the consumer watchdog group, that’s up from the previous year, when 19% of consumers had one or more unused gift cards. The most common reasons for not using the cards were that consumers lost or forgot about them, or the cards had expired. But 58% of respondents said they just didn’t have time to shop. The unused cards are worth about $8 billion, according to Consumer Reports. At the same time, a recent poll of Canadians conducted by Ipsos Reid found that 88% Canadians enjoy receiving gift cards, and 72% would rather receive a gift card than a traditional gift. _________________________________________ SHERBROOKE, QC — Shermag Inc., which produces and distributes residential furniture, saw 2Q revenue drop 40% to $27.2 million, down $45.5 million for the corresponding period last year. Net loss for the quarter was $3.7 million, compared to a net loss of $1.1 million a year earlier. In the second quarter, Canadian sales fell nearly 15% from $13.8 million. _________________________________________ CHICAGO — Edward Lampert, the billionaire chairman of Sears Holdings Corp., purchased $485 million of Home Depot stock in the third quarter. The Chicago Tribune, quoting from a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, reports that the Lampert-controlled hedge fund, ESL Investment, held 16.7 million shares of Home Depot stock as of Sept. 30. The Tribune points out that the fund hadn’t reported owning any of Home Depot’s shares the previous quarter. _________________________________________ PURVIS, MS — Lowe's will open a new flatbed distribution centre here that supply products to more than 60 Lowe's retail stores in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. The facility, which is 200,000 square feet, is situated on a 30-acre site, and will initially employ about 35 people. The flatbed center will receive rail and truck shipments of large building materials from suppliers. Products will then be quickly loaded as customized orders on flatbed trucks destined for Lowe's stores in the Southeast. _________________________________________ LONDON, U.K. — Wolseley, the London-based building products distributor, has extended the reach of its American pro dealer chain, Stock Building Supply, to industrial/commercial customers through its acquisition of Architectural Building Supply Co., which operates in Utah and Idaho; and certain assets of Jacobi Hardware, which is based in Wilmington, NC. Both companies fabricate, distribute and install doors, hardware and access control devices for commercial and institutional projects.
People on the move
Murray Shanks has landed at Loxscreen Flooring as national sales manager for retail products. He was formerly at ICI. He replaces Stewart Mathie, who has resigned to take a sabbatical and to pursue other opportunities. (905-625-3210) _________________________________________ Sandra Pierce of Mr. Longarm Inc. was re-elected chair of the Worldwide DIY Council. Vice-chair will be Boake Paugh, president of Key-Bak.  Jim Burton, international sales manager for Master Lock, is the new treasurer. New directors are Scott Vilagi of Gorilla Glue and Jayne Seagrave of Vancouver Tool, who will serve terms ending in 2010, while Pat Murphy of Moerman will fill the unexpired term of Boake Paugh. _________________________________________ At Home Depot Canada, Serge Lafleur has replaced Mike Clements as director installation services. Sima Sadooghi has been named marketing manager soft lines. _________________________________________ Heather Janisse has left Hilroy, where she was national account manager serving the Wal-Mart account. A seasoned industry veteran, she was formerly sales manager at Royal International, and before that president of Canadian Instore Merchandising. (416-669-7537)
Economic Indicators
The housing index fell 1.7% in September after three large monthly gains and existing home sales retreated from the record highs set during the summer. Sales of furniture and appliance rose 0.7%, while other non-durable goods rose 0.6%. (StatsCan) _________________________________________ Wood product manufacturers saw sales drop 4.9% to $2.0 billion in September, the third consecutive monthly decrease. Sales of manufactured wood products have been falling steadily for the last three years since reaching $3.2 billion in August 2004. (StatsCan)
NOTED….
Hardlines is moving its World Headquarters to 360 Dupont St., Toronto, ON, M5R 1V9 later this month. Our phone number will remain the same. The move means we will have no access to phones or computers Nov. 26 – 27. Back on the air — bigger and better — on Nov. 28.
Beverly Allen, Publisher Vicky Sanderson, Editor John Caulfield, Contributing Editor Phone: 416-489-3396 Email: bev@hardlines.ca
November 19, 2007, Vol. xiii, #45
 
In This Issue

“He who hesitates is a damned fool.” Mae West (American actress, 1892-1980)
RONA unveils sustainability initiative
BOUCHERVILLE,QC — RONA is making a bid to become the greenest home improvement retailer in Canada. The company’s eco initiative, announced last week at its spring market, will include the launch of a new private-label brand called RONA Eco. An initial line of 450 eco-responsible products will be available in stores in spring 2008, about three quarters of which are already on RONA shelves. Products for the line will be chosen in partnership with the International Industrial Chair in Life Cycle Assessment Methodology at École Polytechnique de Montréal (CIRAIG), an assessment method that looks at the environmental impact of a product over its entire life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials up to its end-of-life. Working with CIRAIG, RONA will identify items that meet strict environmental standards in seven main categories: earth, air, water, energy, recycled products and health. Currently, the product mix includes such products as solar panels, rain-water barrels, green roofing materials and an eco-friendly line of household cleansers. Speaking to the media here last week, RONA president and CEO Robert Dutton said that although the idea of environmental responsibility in the home is not new, consumers are confused about what constitutes a green product. Carrying products approved by CIRAIG will provide consumers with an easily recognizable and reliable standard, Dutton said. The partnership will also allow the company to more easily identify products that are less harmful to the environment. Dutton believes his company is the best-suited in Canada to deliver a comprehensive green line. “RONA is already the most trusted home improvement retailer with Canadians,” he said. “I think when they see us offer a logo that says the product is environmentally-friendly, they will believe it.” Dutton made clear that the company’s commitment to the sustainability is not merely cosmetic. “This is not greenwashing. It’s the next step in the ethical behavior we always have shown.” The company also plans to create an employee-driven sustainable development committee, launch compact fluorescent lightbulb recycling in its stores early next year, and create a new professional category of sustainable products.

Top

Offshore DC anchors Ace in Canada
SHANGHAI —The centrepiece of Ace Hardware in Canada will be Ace Global Distribution (AGD), a distribution centre erected here in August 2006. The operation, named Ace Global Sourcing, takes products directly from Asian factories and puts them into a distribution centre for delivery to Ace’s international customers.The AGD facility has 1,100 SKUs, of which more than half are Ace-branded products. But it also has the flexibility to provide hundreds more in a “Shanghai Bulletin” that alerts dealers to special buys available through the warehouse. However, says Murray Armstrong, chairman of AGD and president and general manager of Ace Hardware International, “Right now the warehouse is really looking at core items, rather than specialty buys.”The capacity in the warehouse is gradually being expanded, and another 400-500 SKUs will be added over the coming months. Armstrong expects to bring more national brands, such as Shop-vac, Globe Union and Rubbermaid, on board. It will ship product sourced in Asia directly from the Shanghai facility, bypassing the need to bring it into vendors’ facilities or into warehouses in North America, only to have it shipped again from there to retailers. A dealer can now order an entire container-load of product from offshore by simply clicking through the online catalogue, adding products until a container is filled. The online process keeps track of the size of an order, counting down the percentage of space left to fill in a choice of three container sizes. When a container is filled, the dealer can choose to cut off the order or to continue with a larger size of container. Armstrong sees the possibility of making the warehouse — and online catalogue — available to other retailer groups, such as, say, Mitre 10, a co-op in Australia and New Zealand which, like RONA, has a number of dealer-owned big boxes. These types of stores, says Armstrong, will be ideal for an expanded offering through AGD.

Top
Home Depot reports 26.8% quarterly earnings decline

ATLANTA — Home Depot felt the impact of the housing market’s downturn during the three months ended Oct. 28, when its net income fell by 26.8% to $1.09 billion, on sales of $18.9 billion that were off 3.5%. Quarterly same-store sales were down 6.2%.

In the quarter, virtually all of the company’s store metrics declined: customer transactions (down 0.5%), sales per customer (off 2.4% to $58.26), and average weekly sales (off 8.4% to $696,000 per store). “We are facing a tough environment as housing indicators continue to deteriorate,” said Frank Blake, Home Depot chairman and CEO. “Our financial performance in the third quarter reflects these tough conditions.” Blake expects the softness in the housing market to continue throughout the remainder of this year, and projected that Home Depot’s earnings per share for the year would by off 11%. Through the first nine months of its fiscal year, Home Depot reported sales of $59.69 billion, which were down 3.1% from the same period a year ago. Its earnings for the nine months fell 23% to $1.9 billion. During the latest quarter, Home Depot completed the sale of its HD Supply subsidiary to a group of private equity firms. And since June, it has completed almost half of its planned $22.7 billion stock buyback plan. The company opened 24 stores and ended its latest quarter with 2,224 stores. Top
Equity firm to buy troubled Restoration Hardware

CORTE MADERA, CA — A Connecticut-based equity firm with interests in several food-service chains has agreed to pay $267 million to acquire Restoration Hardware, the struggling home décor and furnishings retailer.

Catterton Partners, based in Greenwich, CT, will purchase the $700 million retailer for the equivalent of $6.70 per share. Gary Friedman, who became Restoration Hardware’s CEO in 2001, is participating in the buyout. The retailer, which operates 100 stores in 30 states, said that it would continue to solicit bids from other investors until Dec. 13. If it agrees to another bid, it would pay Catterton a $10.68 million termination fee. Catterton’s other investments include an ownership stake in the parent company of the Outback Steakhouse chain, P.F. Chang’s, Build-A-Bear and Baja F. Top
Lowe’s calls "family tree" ads a mistake

MOORESVILLE, NC — Lowe’s has committed to use the word “Christmas” when marketing trees and decorations during the holiday season, after a conservative Christian organization criticized the retailer for advertising “family trees” in its recent ads.

In response to an “Action Alert” that the American Family Association issued to its constituents about the ads, Lowe’s apologized for using the “family” reference in its 56-page holiday catalogue and said it would henceforth use the word “Christmas.” “That was a complete error,” Maureen Rich, a Lowe’s spokesperson, told Cybercast News Service. “Lowe’s has been selling Christmas trees for more than 60 years,” she said. “We are committed to doing that, and we are doing that this year again.” Lowe’s is the latest target of certain groups that have taken aim at dealers, cities and entire countries (Australia) that they believe are trying to expunge religious symbolism or connotations from Christmas. Top
Classifieds

Castle Building Centres Group Limited

Business Development Manager - Ontario Region

Castle Building Centres Group is an industry leader among Buying Groups in the Lumber and Building Materials segment in Canada. You are a highly motivated individual with strong relationship and communication skills that can manage and develop our future growth in Central Canada. This position requires an individual who is familiar with the Central Canada Lumber and Building Supply industry, willing to travel extensively and accustomed to working remote from head office. Reporting to the President, you welcome the opportunity to work with a dynamic group of independent LBM dealers while planning and executing our future growth initiatives. Providing continual communication to our Central members while understanding their needs is fundamental to your success. Sound computer and presentation skills combined with good administrative qualities are imperative. Castle Building Centres Group offers a comprehensive compensation package including full benefits. All submissions will be treated with complete confidentiality. Please forward your resume in confidence to: Yvonne Patton Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. 6375 Dixie Road, Suite 400 Mississauga, Ontario L5T-2S1 E-mail: ypatton@castle.ca  
TERRITORY MANAGER
RCR International is a prime manufacturer of complete lines of products for professionals and do-it-yourselves. The company is recognized as a pioneer in the door and window insulation market, and is proud of expanding its innovative expertise to encompass various other quality product lines. RCR International currently manufactures over 3000 products including weather-stripping, insulation components, floor protection products, screen and squeegees. Being the supplier of the most prestigious retailers in America, RCR International wants to offer the best to its customers. We have in place an effective and efficient distribution network with facilities in key regions: Montreal, Toronto and Chicago. This allows RCR International to distribute its vast array of products all over the world. We currently have an opening for a dynamic individual to join our team as a Territory Manager for the area of Northern of Alberta.   JOB DESCRIPTION - TERRITORY MANAGER Under the immediate responsibility of the Western Sales Manager, the sales representative plans and organizes all activities related to the business development of his assigned territory. More specifically, he is responsible for the increase in sales and profits of his current customers and the development of additional accounts. His past history proves without a doubt that he is result oriented and capable of working with a minimum of supervision. Main Tasks: Drive sales in territory by: - Analyse sales reports to understand his market; - Visit his customers: this may require out-of-town overnight reservations; take physical inventory of Company displays in stores; refilling of empty shelves; - Install racking and shelves in new stores and fill the shelves with Company products; - Set up numerous trade shows (this may require installing the booths using different power tools, putting in racking and shelves and carrying heavy cases of products); - Offer and demonstrate Company products during trade shows; - Contact his customers by telephone to offer special promotions; - Prepare product catalogues; - Transmit all orders to the order desk; - Write and forward weekly sales and expense reports to the office; - Maintain his customer files up to date and file customer invoices. This position requires: - Minimum of a Junior College degree in administration; - A minimum of 3 to 5 years experience in a similar position; - Experience in the hardware industry and computer literacy are a sure asset; - Ability to analyze and make a diagnosis of current problems; - Excellent physical health; - Occasional week-end availability during trade shows. Please submit your resume to Nathalie Charbonneau through email or fax to 450-670-1669.
 
Marketplace 
Sell your company - or buy one - with Hardlines Classifieds! Do your executive search, find new lines or get new reps in the Hardlines Marketplace. Only $2.75 per word for three weeks in the classifieds. To place your ad, call Brady Peever at 416-489-3396 or email: brady@hardlines.ca
To ensure you receive your Hardlines newsletter each week, please add admin@hardlines.ca to your address book.

Did your email system make this newsletter unreadable? You can read it online instead . Publishing Details:

Hardlines is published weekly (except monthly in December and August) by HARDLINES Inc. 542 Mount Pleasant Rd., Suite 302, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4S 2M7

© 2007 by HARDLINES Inc. HARDLINES™ the electronic newsletter hardlines.ca ; Phone: 416.489.3396; Fax: 416.489.6154

Beverly Allen, Publisher - bev@hardlines.ca Vicky Sanderson - Editor - vicky@hardlines.ca Michael McLarney - President - mike@hardlines.ca Brady Peever - Circulation Manager - brady@hardlines.ca

The Hardlines "Fair Play" Policy:

Reproduction in whole or in part is very uncool and strictly forbidden and really and truly against the law. So please, play fair!

Call for information on multiple subscriptions or a site license for your company. We do want as many people as possible to read Hardlines each week - but let us handle your internal routing from this end! Subscription:

$265 (Canadian subscribers add $15.90 GST = $280.90 per year/ GST #13987 0398 RT).

Secondary subscriptions at the same office are only $42 (Canadian subscribers add $2.52 GST = $44.52).

Ask about our reduced rate for branch offices.

You can pay online by VISA/MC/AMEX at our secure website or send us money. Please make cheque payable to Hardlines.

HELD OVER ONE WEEK. Our once-a-year special on the ultimate Hardlines information package. Get the fact-packed Retail Report, the most current issue of the insightful HQR, and the always-useful Who’s Who for one low price. Buy now,  save 15% and receive extra power point slides with forecasts for 2008.
Contact Brady Peever or click here to order.
COMPANIES IN THE NEWS
SURREY, BC — IRLY Building Centres of British Columbia are offering customers a green alternative to plastic bags. Several of IRLY’s suppliers, including Bosch, Henkel, Makita, Rust-Oleum, Schlage, Stanley, Task and Tree Island, supported the launch of navy and yellow eco-bags. _________________________________________ MONTREAL — At its recent dealer market, PRO Retail Services announced the launch of a new private-label line of environmentally-friendly products. Called “EnviroEfficient”, the line represents a key category for PRS, and will be featured prominently in advertising, flyers and promotions when it rolls out in spring 2008. _________________________________________ BENTONVILLE — Wal-Mart’s 3Q sales and earnings were approximately $90.9 billion, up 8.8% over the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Income from continuing operations was $2.86 billion. Same-store sales, excluding fuel, for Wal-Mart were up 1%, while same-store sales for Sam’s Clubs, excluding fuel, were up 3.9%. _________________________________________ CALGARY — U.J. Robichaud TIM-BR MART in Meteghan Centre, NS has won Canada’s prestigious Laurier de la PME 2007, an award that recognizes important Francophone businesses outside Quebec. Upon receiving the award, Marc Robichaud, great-great-grandson of founder Jean Pierre Robichaud and a member of the fifth generation running the business, said “receiving a national award for entrepreneurial excellence when we are celebrating our 140th anniversary tells us we are doing the right things at the right time.” _________________________________________ VANCOUVER — Dozens of people rallied against a Canadian Tire store to be built here, despite promises by company representatives that it will be the greenest CT in the country, according to CKNW Radio. The development would be built to LEED Gold — a benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings — to minimize impact on the environment. If the development permit is approved, the company would pay up to $100,000 to reduce local traffic, and another $100,000 to improve bike routes. But opponents say the centre will add between 75 and 100 car trips to the area daily. _________________________________________ TORONTO — Almost one-third (27%) of Americans who received gift cards last holiday season had not used them a year later, says the Consumer Reports National Research Center. According to the consumer watchdog group, that’s up from the previous year, when 19% of consumers had one or more unused gift cards. The most common reasons for not using the cards were that consumers lost or forgot about them, or the cards had expired. But 58% of respondents said they just didn’t have time to shop. The unused cards are worth about $8 billion, according to Consumer Reports. At the same time, a recent poll of Canadians conducted by Ipsos Reid found that 88% Canadians enjoy receiving gift cards, and 72% would rather receive a gift card than a traditional gift. _________________________________________ SHERBROOKE, QC — Shermag Inc., which produces and distributes residential furniture, saw 2Q revenue drop 40% to $27.2 million, down $45.5 million for the corresponding period last year. Net loss for the quarter was $3.7 million, compared to a net loss of $1.1 million a year earlier. In the second quarter, Canadian sales fell nearly 15% from $13.8 million. _________________________________________ CHICAGO — Edward Lampert, the billionaire chairman of Sears Holdings Corp., purchased $485 million of Home Depot stock in the third quarter. The Chicago Tribune, quoting from a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, reports that the Lampert-controlled hedge fund, ESL Investment, held 16.7 million shares of Home Depot stock as of Sept. 30. The Tribune points out that the fund hadn’t reported owning any of Home Depot’s shares the previous quarter. _________________________________________ PURVIS, MS — Lowe's will open a new flatbed distribution centre here that supply products to more than 60 Lowe's retail stores in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. The facility, which is 200,000 square feet, is situated on a 30-acre site, and will initially employ about 35 people. The flatbed center will receive rail and truck shipments of large building materials from suppliers. Products will then be quickly loaded as customized orders on flatbed trucks destined for Lowe's stores in the Southeast. _________________________________________ LONDON, U.K. — Wolseley, the London-based building products distributor, has extended the reach of its American pro dealer chain, Stock Building Supply, to industrial/commercial customers through its acquisition of Architectural Building Supply Co., which operates in Utah and Idaho; and certain assets of Jacobi Hardware, which is based in Wilmington, NC. Both companies fabricate, distribute and install doors, hardware and access control devices for commercial and institutional projects.
People on the move
Murray Shanks has landed at Loxscreen Flooring as national sales manager for retail products. He was formerly at ICI. He replaces Stewart Mathie, who has resigned to take a sabbatical and to pursue other opportunities. (905-625-3210) _________________________________________ Sandra Pierce of Mr. Longarm Inc. was re-elected chair of the Worldwide DIY Council. Vice-chair will be Boake Paugh, president of Key-Bak.  Jim Burton, international sales manager for Master Lock, is the new treasurer. New directors are Scott Vilagi of Gorilla Glue and Jayne Seagrave of Vancouver Tool, who will serve terms ending in 2010, while Pat Murphy of Moerman will fill the unexpired term of Boake Paugh. _________________________________________ At Home Depot Canada, Serge Lafleur has replaced Mike Clements as director installation services. Sima Sadooghi has been named marketing manager soft lines. _________________________________________ Heather Janisse has left Hilroy, where she was national account manager serving the Wal-Mart account. A seasoned industry veteran, she was formerly sales manager at Royal International, and before that president of Canadian Instore Merchandising. (416-669-7537)
Economic Indicators
The housing index fell 1.7% in September after three large monthly gains and existing home sales retreated from the record highs set during the summer. Sales of furniture and appliance rose 0.7%, while other non-durable goods rose 0.6%. (StatsCan) _________________________________________ Wood product manufacturers saw sales drop 4.9% to $2.0 billion in September, the third consecutive monthly decrease. Sales of manufactured wood products have been falling steadily for the last three years since reaching $3.2 billion in August 2004. (StatsCan)
NOTED….
Hardlines is moving its World Headquarters to 360 Dupont St., Toronto, ON, M5R 1V9 later this month. Our phone number will remain the same. The move means we will have no access to phones or computers Nov. 26 – 27. Back on the air — bigger and better — on Nov. 28.