HARDLINES
Canada's electronic information service for home improvement
industry
November 5, 2001
Volume vii, #46
Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher
Phone: 416.489.3396
Fax: 416.489.6154
email: mike@hardlines.ca
hardlines.ca
* * * * * *
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Réno-Dépôt names new CEO
* BMR enjoys growth thanks to new members
* Retail guru challenges retailers to take long-term view
* Retail sales up for Canadian Tire dealers in 3Q
* GDP stays flat in August
* * * * * *
I know some people object to the promotional stuff, but I
wouldn't include it if a lot of people weren't finding these
information products really helpful. So please, check 'em
out!! - Michael
There's no better place to get information on the Canadian
hardware/home improvement industry than the Hardlines
Information Service.
Save hundreds of hours of research (and cut down on
frustration) with:
** Hardlines Quarterly Report **
An executive summary and in-depth analysis of the issues and
news driving hardware and home improvement retailing - plus
proprietary research you can't get anywhere else. ($349 +
taxes)
** Hardlines Industry Report: Home Improvement Retailing in
Canada **
The Big Kahuna: comprehensive overview of the Canadian
market: size, key players, growth of big boxes, trends in
housing, renovation and market. ($750 for subscribers to the
weekly newsletter, way more for everyone else.)
** Hardlines 2001-2002 Who's Who **
An invaluable aid for targeting your prospects in the
industry. It includes sales figures, product mix, executive
personnel and key buyers for more than 100 hardware and home
improvement retailers, wholesalers, buying groups, mass
merchants and co-ops. ($135 + taxes for subscribers, $175 +
taxes for non-subscribers.)
** NEW: PowerPoint Presentation on the Canadian Market **
(from our first annual Retail Strategies Symposium)
A point-by-point illustration of how the Canadian market
works and where it's heading. Dazzle your bosses with this
one! ($179 + taxes for subscribers, $449 + taxes for
non-subscribers.)
Call Nancy Wright at 416.489.3396, email her at:
nancy@hardlines.ca, or go online:
https://hardlines.ca/html/order.html to order any of the
above publications.
______________________________________________
TOUTANT NAMED CEO OF RÉNO-DÉPÔT,
ARCHAMBAULT BECOMES CO-CHAIR
Sylvain Toutant, 38, has been named the new head of Canada's
sixth-largest retail home improvement organization.
Toutant's promotion to president and CEO of Réno-Dépôt Inc.
is just the latest step in his rise. In January 2001, he had
added merchandising to his duties as vice-president
marketing at Réno-Dépôt, when Richard Martoccia exited the
merchandising role to work more closely with Réno-Dépôt's
parent, Castorama in France, as Réno-Dépôt's vp synergy.
Toutant's assumption of the day-to-day operations of the
company has left Archambault to join company founder Pierre
Michaud as co-chairman of the board. Earlier this year,
Archambault told the company's shareholders that he wished
to relinquish his duties as president and CEO of Réno-Dépôt
in favour of personal pursuits, including spending more time
with his family. The announcement prompted the change in
leadership. As part of his new responsibilities, he will
serve as special consultant to Toutant for an unspecified
length of time.
"Over the past two decades, Mr. Archambault has helped
redefine the product offering in Quebec's hardware and home
renovation industry. He has been a driving force behind the
development of the 'home renovation warehouse' concept in
Quebec," said Michaud in a prepared release.
Toutant himself has worked with Archambault at Réno-Dépôt
for nearly 15 years. A graduate in administration from the
University of Québec at Trois-Rivières, he joined the
company as marketing coordinator with Brico Centre,
Réno-Dépôt's predecessor.
In 1992 and 1993, Toutant was involved in setting up
Réno-Dépôt and, in 1994, became its vice-president,
marketing. Since then, he has been integral to the
development of the banner. On November 24, Réno-Dépôt will
open its 14th warehouse store in Canada, this one in
Sherbrooke, QC.
______________________________________________
BMR ENJOYS DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH
New stores and a relatively healthy economy in Québec have
resulted in double-digit growth for Groupe BMR in 2001, says
Yves Gagnon, president of the Longueuil, QC-based wholesale
buying group.
The group, a member of umbrella buying group Matreco, "is
doing very well," says Gagnon, who expects retail sales
growth to be 22% higher in 2001 than in the previous year. A
good deal of that growth has come from the acquisition of
new member dealers, starting at the beginning of the year
with the signing of Builders' Warehouse, a former Rona
member that has sales of $50 million. Four other stores have
since joined, while Gagnon is evaluating enquiries from 15
more.
______________________________________________
PACO UNDERHILL: RETAILERS MUST
FOCUS ON THE STORE FLOOR
Most merchants or marketers were trained to fight wars, like
the ones between The Bay and eatons or McDonald's and Burger
King," says retail guru Paco Underhill. But singular focus
on the cash register is a myopic one, he warned. He spoke
last week in Toronto at a conference hosted by the Retail
Council of Canada.
Underhill's job, as he described it, is to find out how
little merchants actually know about what happens on their
store floor. "They've got to remember they need to have a
living, effective store," he said.
"Knowing store traffic patterns is crucial." Most people go
to the right because 80% of the world is right-handed.
Beyond that, managing store traffic includes setting
landmarks that help people get their bearings and feel
comfortable with the store quickly. And there are marketing
advantages to sitting still: if a woman can plant her
significant other on a chair, she will spend more time in
the store - and spend more.
Underhill emphasizes common impediments to spending money in
a store, regardless of its size. "We are part of an aging
culture," he said. "Demographics will determine how
lighting, colours and legible signage can make a friendly
store." He added that reaching out to ethnic communities
has proven very effective for retailers such as Home Depot
Canada.
Because retail spending tends to follow housing trends,
Underhill sees the era of the big box coming to a
conclusion. The small, nimble independent will have the
advantage through selling unique selections of products.
"The strength and the weakness of the big guys is the
ability to buy in bulk," he said.
_____________________________________________
COMPANIES IN THE NEWS
For its third quarter, Canadian Tire Corp. reported earnings
of $53.5 million, up from $43 million a year earlier. A
one-time gain from the sale of receivables totalling $9.5
million impacted the earnings. Sales, however, fell 1.7%,
from $1.33 billion to $1.30 billion. Retail sales grew 6.2%,
while same-store sales increased by 2.6%. Retail sales for
the first nine months were up 7.4% from the same period a
year earlier.
Calgary Co-op has opened a new store in Calgary. The new
store is part of the co-op's strategic development and
enhancement plan, which includes the replacement and
renovation of older centres. The new 54,000-sq.ft. store is
in the site of a previous outlet, which opened in 1963 and
has been demolished.
In an effort to integrate its entire North American
operations, American Tool Cos. has eliminated its
distribution and marketing function in Canada. The move has
resulted in the closing of its Mississauga, ON distribution
centre, in favour of a cross-docking operation handled by
Caterpillar Logistics in Guelph ON. In addition, five
positions, including marketing, were eliminated.
Swan Co., formerly owned by Mark IV Industries, has been
purchased by Tekni-Plex. The Columbus, NJ-based company also
owns six other companies, including Colorite and American
Gasket and Rubber. Canadian operations, formerly Dayco Swan,
will continue to operate unchanged, under the Swan Hose
name.
SICO Inc. has posted net earnings of $3,193,000, up 3.4%
over net earnings of $3,088,000 during the same period in
2000. Sales rose 3.4% to $56.6 million, due mainly to
business from the acquisition of Chemcraft International
Inc. last year.
GSW Inc. has announced its results for the third quarter of
2001. Sales were $59.3 million, up from $55.2 million in
2000. Net income was reported at $467,000, up from $407,000
a year ago.
MiTek and Trus Joist, a Weyerhaeuser business headquartered
in Boise, Idaho, have formed a joint venture to develop
"whole-house" software to be used in residential wood-framed
construction. The software will support component suppliers
through a focus on design solutions for structural frames.
OptiFrame Software LLC will be headquartered in Denver,
Colorado, and will be operational during the first quarter
of 2002.
Newell Rubbermaid Inc. expects its recovery plan to continue
on cue in spite of a slowdown in the U.S. economy. The
company posted expectations of a 15% growth in earnings in
2002. This follows an announcement of a 27% net income fall
and 0.7% sales growth in the third quarter, which was slated
as the first quarter of its expansion plan.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. has posted a 25% rise
in third-quarter earnings, mostly due to new lines of
business and cost controls. The company also announced multi
year merchandising partnerships with Bernhardt Furniture Co.
and Shaw Industries Inc. to design and market home furniture
and floor coverings bearing the "Martha Stewart Signature"
label.
_____________________________________________
CANADIAN STOCK WATCH
COMPANY 52-WEEK HIGH 52-WEEK LOW CLOSE
| COMPANY |
52-WK HIGH |
52-WK LOW |
CLOSE (FRI) |
| Canadian Tire |
25.20 |
15.05 |
15.05 |
| Canfor |
16.95 |
7.65 |
7.65 |
| Emco |
7.50 |
2.60 |
2.60 |
| Goodfellow |
11.00 |
8.00 |
8.00 |
| Home Depot |
49.74 |
47.61 |
30.30 |
| Hudson's Bay |
17.65 |
12.40 |
12.40 |
| Lowe's |
64.90 |
34.25 |
18.18 |
| Sears Canada |
37.25 |
18.55 |
12.50 |
| Sodisco Howden |
2.80 |
0.75 |
0.75 |
| Taiga Forest |
10.00 |
6.80 |
6.80 |
| West Fraser |
36.50 |
21.00 |
21.00 |
______________________________________________
"When a man sells 11 ounces for 12, he makes a compact with
the devil, and sells himself for the value of an ounce."
- Henry Howard Beecher (1813-87)
______________________________________________
MARKET INDICATORS
Gross domestic product remained largely flat for the fourth
straight month, according to Stats Canada. The economy
increased a marginal 0.1% in August, just prior to the
terrorist attacks in the U.S. It was only the fifth time in
the past 12 months that the economy as a whole showed any
improvement. Output of wood products was 0.9% higher in
August, largely in response to the surge in new home
building.
The annual rate of growth in industrial product prices was
the same in September as in August, according to Stats
Canada. Raw materials prices continued to decline compared
with September 2000, the fourth consecutive month of
negative growth. Manufacturers' prices, as measured by the
Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI), grew 0.6% in
September compared with September 2000; August saw a similar
year-over-year gain of 0.6%.
The U.S. chain stores sales snapshot reported by the Bank of
Tokyo-Mitsubishi and UBS Warburg's fell 1.6% during last
week. This is the largest decline since March. According to
the report, consumer confidence plummeted in October,
hitting a seven-year low.
* * * * * *
INDUSTRY NEWS. EVERY DAY -
OUR WEBSITE HAS DAILY UPDATES ON RETAIL AND INDUSTRY NEWS
THAT MATTER TO YOU. KEEP INFORMED.
VISIT hardlines.ca - EVERY DAY!
* * * * * *
EUROPE IS STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS! CANADIANS SHOULD BE THERE!
THE COLOGNE INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR/DIY'TEC:
March 3-6, 2002. For show information, contact: Edel
Wichmann, 416-598-3343; or colognet@idirect.com. To book
your flight and hotel, call Carol-Ann Contact Trade Show
Travel by phone: 1-877-873-7469; fax: 403-247-2448; or
tradeshowtravel@shaw.ca to arrange your trip. Packages
include return airfare and accommodations, as well as
admission to the Exhibition. BOOK EARLY!
Packages also include an invitation to the internationally
famous Canada Night Reception on Sunday, March 3, 2002,
sponsored by Hardlines and Cologne International Trade
Shows. We'll see you in Cologne!
* * * * * *
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Rona Inc. has made some changes to its buying team: Larry
Jarvis, previously vice-president building materials for
Revy, has been named vice-president building materials for
the entire Rona network ... Jeff Kilgour is now
vice-president, forest products ... Pierre Charron is
vice-president for buying and purchasing of hardware ...
Mark Dufresne is now vice-president purchasing and
logistics. He was previously vice-president strategy and
development. (514-599-5100)
After more than 27 years with Canadian Tire Corp., most
recently as project manager in its head-office marketing
operations division, Harold Fry has moved to Nexwood
Industries in Brampton, ON as sales manager. Nexwood sells
composite wood/resin building products for use in decks,
fencing and other outdoor construction. (905-799-9686)
More cuts at Sodisco-Howden Group: Peter Ulmer, formerly
regional sales manager, Ontario, left on October 25th ...
Richard Mitton, previously regional sales manager for
Atlantic Canada, left at the same time. Mitton's experience
includes three years with Sodisco-Howden and 14 years with
Thornes. The shuffle occurred at the same time as the
previously announced exit of two vice-presidents, Bill
Wilson in London, ON and Terry Bice in Surrey, BC.
(519-686-2200)
______________________________________________
OVERHEARD ...
"Canadian Tire needs to understand that Wal-Mart and
Shoppers Drug Mart are their competitors, not just Home
Depot." - Paco Underhill, author and retail guru who spoke
last week in Toronto at a conference hosted by the Retail
Council of Canada.
______________________________________________
* * * * HARDLINES MARKETPLACE* * * *
Check out Hardlines Classifieds on the web:
https://hardlines.ca/html/classifieds_new.asp
______________________________________________
NORAL MARKETING:
Representing leading manufacturers since 1986.
We ensure high profile retail presence for a wide range of
product lines.
Why not make yours one of them?
www.noralmarketing.com or call 519-439-6800 ext. 201
* * * * * *
PROMOTE YOUR COMPANY BETTER
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Need help announcing new products, businesses or marketing
initiatives?
McLARNEYCOM brings vendors and retailers the marketing tools
they need to boost sales:
press releases, corporate brochures, customer newsletters,
direct mail and more!
Contact us at 416-489-3396; buzz@hardlines.ca
* * * * * *
THE HARDLINES MARKETPLACE: just $16 per line.
A classified ad with Hardlines is the most direct way to
industry eyes.
Over 3,000 executives in the industry come in contact with
our email and fax publications ...
... and have you seen our Marketplace in our new website?
https://hardlines.ca/html/classifieds_new.asp
Publish your ad where it matters. Get industry exposure
today.
Contact us at 416-489-3396 or email: buzz@hardlines.ca
______________________________________________
Hardlines is published weekly (except monthly in December
and August) by McLARNEYCOM
542 Mount Pleasant Rd., Suite 302, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4S 2M7 (c) 2001 by Michael McLarney.
HARDLINES(tm) the electronic newsletter hardlines.ca
Phone: 416.489.3396; Fax: 416.489.6154
Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher: mike@hardlines.ca
Eugenia Canas, Assistant Editor: buzz@hardlines.ca
Beverly Allen, Marketing Manager: bev@hardlines.ca
Nancy Wright, Circulation Manager: nancy@hardlines.ca
______________________________________________
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HARDLINES
Canada's electronic information service for home improvement
industry
November 5, 2001
Volume vii, #46
Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher
Phone: 416.489.3396
Fax: 416.489.6154
email: mike@hardlines.ca
hardlines.ca
* * * * * *
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Réno-Dépôt names new CEO
* BMR enjoys growth thanks to new members
* Retail guru challenges retailers to take long-term view
* Retail sales up for Canadian Tire dealers in 3Q
* GDP stays flat in August
* * * * * *
I know some people object to the promotional stuff, but I
wouldn't include it if a lot of people weren't finding these
information products really helpful. So please, check 'em
out!! - Michael
There's no better place to get information on the Canadian
hardware/home improvement industry than the Hardlines
Information Service.
Save hundreds of hours of research (and cut down on
frustration) with:
** Hardlines Quarterly Report **
An executive summary and in-depth analysis of the issues and
news driving hardware and home improvement retailing - plus
proprietary research you can't get anywhere else. ($349 +
taxes)
** Hardlines Industry Report: Home Improvement Retailing in
Canada **
The Big Kahuna: comprehensive overview of the Canadian
market: size, key players, growth of big boxes, trends in
housing, renovation and market. ($750 for subscribers to the
weekly newsletter, way more for everyone else.)
** Hardlines 2001-2002 Who's Who **
An invaluable aid for targeting your prospects in the
industry. It includes sales figures, product mix, executive
personnel and key buyers for more than 100 hardware and home
improvement retailers, wholesalers, buying groups, mass
merchants and co-ops. ($135 + taxes for subscribers, $175 +
taxes for non-subscribers.)
** NEW: PowerPoint Presentation on the Canadian Market **
(from our first annual Retail Strategies Symposium)
A point-by-point illustration of how the Canadian market
works and where it's heading. Dazzle your bosses with this
one! ($179 + taxes for subscribers, $449 + taxes for
non-subscribers.)
Call Nancy Wright at 416.489.3396, email her at:
nancy@hardlines.ca, or go online:
https://hardlines.ca/html/order.html to order any of the
above publications.
______________________________________________
TOUTANT NAMED CEO OF RÉNO-DÉPÔT,
ARCHAMBAULT BECOMES CO-CHAIR
Sylvain Toutant, 38, has been named the new head of Canada's
sixth-largest retail home improvement organization.
Toutant's promotion to president and CEO of Réno-Dépôt Inc.
is just the latest step in his rise. In January 2001, he had
added merchandising to his duties as vice-president
marketing at Réno-Dépôt, when Richard Martoccia exited the
merchandising role to work more closely with Réno-Dépôt's
parent, Castorama in France, as Réno-Dépôt's vp synergy.
Toutant's assumption of the day-to-day operations of the
company has left Archambault to join company founder Pierre
Michaud as co-chairman of the board. Earlier this year,
Archambault told the company's shareholders that he wished
to relinquish his duties as president and CEO of Réno-Dépôt
in favour of personal pursuits, including spending more time
with his family. The announcement prompted the change in
leadership. As part of his new responsibilities, he will
serve as special consultant to Toutant for an unspecified
length of time.
"Over the past two decades, Mr. Archambault has helped
redefine the product offering in Quebec's hardware and home
renovation industry. He has been a driving force behind the
development of the 'home renovation warehouse' concept in
Quebec," said Michaud in a prepared release.
Toutant himself has worked with Archambault at Réno-Dépôt
for nearly 15 years. A graduate in administration from the
University of Québec at Trois-Rivières, he joined the
company as marketing coordinator with Brico Centre,
Réno-Dépôt's predecessor.
In 1992 and 1993, Toutant was involved in setting up
Réno-Dépôt and, in 1994, became its vice-president,
marketing. Since then, he has been integral to the
development of the banner. On November 24, Réno-Dépôt will
open its 14th warehouse store in Canada, this one in
Sherbrooke, QC.
______________________________________________
BMR ENJOYS DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH
New stores and a relatively healthy economy in Québec have
resulted in double-digit growth for Groupe BMR in 2001, says
Yves Gagnon, president of the Longueuil, QC-based wholesale
buying group.
The group, a member of umbrella buying group Matreco, "is
doing very well," says Gagnon, who expects retail sales
growth to be 22% higher in 2001 than in the previous year. A
good deal of that growth has come from the acquisition of
new member dealers, starting at the beginning of the year
with the signing of Builders' Warehouse, a former Rona
member that has sales of $50 million. Four other stores have
since joined, while Gagnon is evaluating enquiries from 15
more.
______________________________________________
PACO UNDERHILL: RETAILERS MUST
FOCUS ON THE STORE FLOOR
Most merchants or marketers were trained to fight wars, like
the ones between The Bay and eatons or McDonald's and Burger
King," says retail guru Paco Underhill. But singular focus
on the cash register is a myopic one, he warned. He spoke
last week in Toronto at a conference hosted by the Retail
Council of Canada.
Underhill's job, as he described it, is to find out how
little merchants actually know about what happens on their
store floor. "They've got to remember they need to have a
living, effective store," he said.
"Knowing store traffic patterns is crucial." Most people go
to the right because 80% of the world is right-handed.
Beyond that, managing store traffic includes setting
landmarks that help people get their bearings and feel
comfortable with the store quickly. And there are marketing
advantages to sitting still: if a woman can plant her
significant other on a chair, she will spend more time in
the store - and spend more.
Underhill emphasizes common impediments to spending money in
a store, regardless of its size. "We are part of an aging
culture," he said. "Demographics will determine how
lighting, colours and legible signage can make a friendly
store." He added that reaching out to ethnic communities
has proven very effective for retailers such as Home Depot
Canada.
Because retail spending tends to follow housing trends,
Underhill sees the era of the big box coming to a
conclusion. The small, nimble independent will have the
advantage through selling unique selections of products.
"The strength and the weakness of the big guys is the
ability to buy in bulk," he said.
_____________________________________________
COMPANIES IN THE NEWS
For its third quarter, Canadian Tire Corp. reported earnings
of $53.5 million, up from $43 million a year earlier. A
one-time gain from the sale of receivables totalling $9.5
million impacted the earnings. Sales, however, fell 1.7%,
from $1.33 billion to $1.30 billion. Retail sales grew 6.2%,
while same-store sales increased by 2.6%. Retail sales for
the first nine months were up 7.4% from the same period a
year earlier.
Calgary Co-op has opened a new store in Calgary. The new
store is part of the co-op's strategic development and
enhancement plan, which includes the replacement and
renovation of older centres. The new 54,000-sq.ft. store is
in the site of a previous outlet, which opened in 1963 and
has been demolished.
In an effort to integrate its entire North American
operations, American Tool Cos. has eliminated its
distribution and marketing function in Canada. The move has
resulted in the closing of its Mississauga, ON distribution
centre, in favour of a cross-docking operation handled by
Caterpillar Logistics in Guelph ON. In addition, five
positions, including marketing, were eliminated.
Swan Co., formerly owned by Mark IV Industries, has been
purchased by Tekni-Plex. The Columbus, NJ-based company also
owns six other companies, including Colorite and American
Gasket and Rubber. Canadian operations, formerly Dayco Swan,
will continue to operate unchanged, under the Swan Hose
name.
SICO Inc. has posted net earnings of $3,193,000, up 3.4%
over net earnings of $3,088,000 during the same period in
2000. Sales rose 3.4% to $56.6 million, due mainly to
business from the acquisition of Chemcraft International
Inc. last year.
GSW Inc. has announced its results for the third quarter of
2001. Sales were $59.3 million, up from $55.2 million in
2000. Net income was reported at $467,000, up from $407,000
a year ago.
MiTek and Trus Joist, a Weyerhaeuser business headquartered
in Boise, Idaho, have formed a joint venture to develop
"whole-house" software to be used in residential wood-framed
construction. The software will support component suppliers
through a focus on design solutions for structural frames.
OptiFrame Software LLC will be headquartered in Denver,
Colorado, and will be operational during the first quarter
of 2002.
Newell Rubbermaid Inc. expects its recovery plan to continue
on cue in spite of a slowdown in the U.S. economy. The
company posted expectations of a 15% growth in earnings in
2002. This follows an announcement of a 27% net income fall
and 0.7% sales growth in the third quarter, which was slated
as the first quarter of its expansion plan.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. has posted a 25% rise
in third-quarter earnings, mostly due to new lines of
business and cost controls. The company also announced multi
year merchandising partnerships with Bernhardt Furniture Co.
and Shaw Industries Inc. to design and market home furniture
and floor coverings bearing the "Martha Stewart Signature"
label.
_____________________________________________
CANADIAN STOCK WATCH
COMPANY 52-WEEK HIGH 52-WEEK LOW CLOSE
| COMPANY |
52-WK HIGH |
52-WK LOW |
CLOSE (FRI) |
| Canadian Tire |
25.20 |
15.05 |
15.05 |
| Canfor |
16.95 |
7.65 |
7.65 |
| Emco |
7.50 |
2.60 |
2.60 |
| Goodfellow |
11.00 |
8.00 |
8.00 |
| Home Depot |
49.74 |
47.61 |
30.30 |
| Hudson's Bay |
17.65 |
12.40 |
12.40 |
| Lowe's |
64.90 |
34.25 |
18.18 |
| Sears Canada |
37.25 |
18.55 |
12.50 |
| Sodisco Howden |
2.80 |
0.75 |
0.75 |
| Taiga Forest |
10.00 |
6.80 |
6.80 |
| West Fraser |
36.50 |
21.00 |
21.00 |
______________________________________________
"When a man sells 11 ounces for 12, he makes a compact with
the devil, and sells himself for the value of an ounce."
- Henry Howard Beecher (1813-87)
______________________________________________
MARKET INDICATORS
Gross domestic product remained largely flat for the fourth
straight month, according to Stats Canada. The economy
increased a marginal 0.1% in August, just prior to the
terrorist attacks in the U.S. It was only the fifth time in
the past 12 months that the economy as a whole showed any
improvement. Output of wood products was 0.9% higher in
August, largely in response to the surge in new home
building.
The annual rate of growth in industrial product prices was
the same in September as in August, according to Stats
Canada. Raw materials prices continued to decline compared
with September 2000, the fourth consecutive month of
negative growth. Manufacturers' prices, as measured by the
Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI), grew 0.6% in
September compared with September 2000; August saw a similar
year-over-year gain of 0.6%.
The U.S. chain stores sales snapshot reported by the Bank of
Tokyo-Mitsubishi and UBS Warburg's fell 1.6% during last
week. This is the largest decline since March. According to
the report, consumer confidence plummeted in October,
hitting a seven-year low.
* * * * * *
INDUSTRY NEWS. EVERY DAY -
OUR WEBSITE HAS DAILY UPDATES ON RETAIL AND INDUSTRY NEWS
THAT MATTER TO YOU. KEEP INFORMED.
VISIT hardlines.ca - EVERY DAY!
* * * * * *
EUROPE IS STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS! CANADIANS SHOULD BE THERE!
THE COLOGNE INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR/DIY'TEC:
March 3-6, 2002. For show information, contact: Edel
Wichmann, 416-598-3343; or colognet@idirect.com. To book
your flight and hotel, call Carol-Ann Contact Trade Show
Travel by phone: 1-877-873-7469; fax: 403-247-2448; or
tradeshowtravel@shaw.ca to arrange your trip. Packages
include return airfare and accommodations, as well as
admission to the Exhibition. BOOK EARLY!
Packages also include an invitation to the internationally
famous Canada Night Reception on Sunday, March 3, 2002,
sponsored by Hardlines and Cologne International Trade
Shows. We'll see you in Cologne!
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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Rona Inc. has made some changes to its buying team: Larry
Jarvis, previously vice-president building materials for
Revy, has been named vice-president building materials for
the entire Rona network ... Jeff Kilgour is now
vice-president, forest products ... Pierre Charron is
vice-president for buying and purchasing of hardware ...
Mark Dufresne is now vice-president purchasing and
logistics. He was previously vice-president strategy and
development. (514-599-5100)
After more than 27 years with Canadian Tire Corp., most
recently as project manager in its head-office marketing
operations division, Harold Fry has moved to Nexwood
Industries in Brampton, ON as sales manager. Nexwood sells
composite wood/resin building products for use in decks,
fencing and other outdoor construction. (905-799-9686)
More cuts at Sodisco-Howden Group: Peter Ulmer, formerly
regional sales manager, Ontario, left on October 25th ...
Richard Mitton, previously regional sales manager for
Atlantic Canada, left at the same time. Mitton's experience
includes three years with Sodisco-Howden and 14 years with
Thornes. The shuffle occurred at the same time as the
previously announced exit of two vice-presidents, Bill
Wilson in London, ON and Terry Bice in Surrey, BC.
(519-686-2200)
______________________________________________
OVERHEARD ...
"Canadian Tire needs to understand that Wal-Mart and
Shoppers Drug Mart are their competitors, not just Home
Depot." - Paco Underhill, author and retail guru who spoke
last week in Toronto at a conference hosted by the Retail
Council of Canada.
______________________________________________
* * * * HARDLINES MARKETPLACE* * * *
Check out Hardlines Classifieds on the web:
https://hardlines.ca/html/classifieds_new.asp
______________________________________________
NORAL MARKETING:
Representing leading manufacturers since 1986.
We ensure high profile retail presence for a wide range of
product lines.
Why not make yours one of them?
www.noralmarketing.com or call 519-439-6800 ext. 201
* * * * * *
PROMOTE YOUR COMPANY BETTER
Want to communicate more effectively to your customers?
Need help announcing new products, businesses or marketing
initiatives?
McLARNEYCOM brings vendors and retailers the marketing tools
they need to boost sales:
press releases, corporate brochures, customer newsletters,
direct mail and more!
Contact us at 416-489-3396; buzz@hardlines.ca
* * * * * *
THE HARDLINES MARKETPLACE: just $16 per line.
A classified ad with Hardlines is the most direct way to
industry eyes.
Over 3,000 executives in the industry come in contact with
our email and fax publications ...
... and have you seen our Marketplace in our new website?
https://hardlines.ca/html/classifieds_new.asp
Publish your ad where it matters. Get industry exposure
today.
Contact us at 416-489-3396 or email: buzz@hardlines.ca
______________________________________________
Hardlines is published weekly (except monthly in December
and August) by McLARNEYCOM
542 Mount Pleasant Rd., Suite 302, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4S 2M7 (c) 2001 by Michael McLarney.
HARDLINES(tm) the electronic newsletter hardlines.ca
Phone: 416.489.3396; Fax: 416.489.6154
Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher: mike@hardlines.ca
Eugenia Canas, Assistant Editor: buzz@hardlines.ca
Beverly Allen, Marketing Manager: bev@hardlines.ca
Nancy Wright, Circulation Manager: nancy@hardlines.ca
______________________________________________
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