November 20, 2017 Volume xxiii, #44

“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.”
—Jimi Hendrix (American rock musician and songwriter, 1942-1970)

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Industry honours winning dealers at Outstanding Retailer Awards Gala

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — Canada’s best hardware and home improvement retailers were recognized last week at the 2017 Outstanding Retailer Awards Gala Dinner. The Gala, held November 14, marked the end of day one of the 22nd Annual Hardlines Conference in Niagara Falls, Ont.

Dealers from across the country were celebrated in seven categories covering the range of hardware and home improvement retailing formats. Delegates at the Hardlines Conference joined leaders from the retail chains, co-ops, and buying groups who attended the Gala Dinner to honour their members and fellow retailers.

This year’s winners are:

• Best Hardware Store, any size−Gow’s Home Hardware, Bridgewater, N.S., Amanda Fancy, Owner;
• Best Building Supply or Home Centre under 15,000 square feet−Ace Matériaux Armand Dumaresq, Rivière-au-Renard, Que., Guy Samson and Camil Bouchard, Owners;
• Best Building Supply or Home Centre over 15,000 square feet−Discovery Co-op, North Battleford, Sask., Mike Nord, General Manager;
• Best Contractor Specialist−RONA Penticton, Penticton, B.C., Chad Mielke, Manager;
• Best Large Surface Retailer−Lowe’s Barrie, Barrie, Ont., Piero Palmerio, Manager;
• Best Young Retailer−Alex Yakovyshenko, Manager, Haney Builders Supplies, Maple Ridge, B.C.;
• Marc Robichaud Community Leader−Sayer Home Hardware, Hagersville, Ont., David Sayer, Owner.

These dealers, chosen from a list of nominees in each category, have demonstrated leadership, a positive culture for staff, imaginative merchandising, creative niches in their respective markets, and solid sales growth year over year. The winners each displayed an edge that put them ahead of their peers and identified them as truly outstanding.

Launched in 1992, the Outstanding Retailer Awards are the industry’s only national awards program dedicated to celebrating the achievements of hardware and building supply dealers in Canada. In its 25-year history, the program has honoured more than 150 retailers.

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Hardlines Conference filled with ideas, challenges, and inspiration

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. ― Powerful speakers brought key ideas to the delegates at the 22nd annual Hardlines Conference, which was held in Niagara Falls, Ont., November 14 and 15.

Robert Howard of retail consultancy Kurt Salmon kicked off day one with insights into the two worlds of bricks and mortar and online selling. He said it’s not enough to have one or the other; they must be utilized together to connect with consumers. Economist Peter Norman, of the Altus Group, talked about the housing and renovation markets in Canada. Based on healthy job growth and rising GDP, his outlook was largely positive for the entire country.

Retailers Doug Anderson of Peavey Industries and Daniel Lampron of Patrick Morin talked about finding niches in their respective markets. Both individuals stressed the importance of making―and maintaining―a strong connection with their respective customers. A strong corporate culture that values its employees figured in both their talks.

Other speakers at the conference were John Herbert of the European DIY retailers’ association EDRA/GHIN, Emil Cermak from FedEx Canada, Dan Tratensek of the NRHA, and Denis Melanson, president of the Building Material Council of Canada and head of the Atlantic Building Supply Dealers Association.

One of the recurring themes throughout the conference was the notion of respect. Much of the discussion centred around the importance of valuing the customer and providing great customer service to stand out from the competition. But several speakers addressed the need to maintain a strong corporate culture that respects staff, as well.

Anderson told the audience that one of his objectives, in growing the company, has been the need to maintain the corporate values that Peavey was built on. Jim Thompson, a former executive with Walmart Canada and Walmart China, stressed the need for having straightforward objectives and communicating those objectives clearly on an ongoing and consistent basis—a theme that figured prominently the presentation by Herbert from EDRA/GHIN.

The event was preceded by a meet-and-greet pub night the evening before the conference started, sponsored by RONA. Close to 100 people gathered at a local brew pub to network before attending the conference.

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Canadian Tire finally launches a test for home delivery of online sales

TORONTO — Canadian Tire continues to develop its online strategy, aiming to make at-home delivery its next plateau. Online shoppers can, so far, have their purchases delivered to a nearby store for pickup. But a fully integrated delivery model to a shopper’s own home is just now materializing for the giant retailer.

Home delivery was first announced by CEO Stephen Wetmore at Canadian Tire’s annual general meeting back in May and confirmed upon the release of its latest results last week. A pilot has begun with 10 stores in the Ottawa area.

“We’re phasing our deployment here first and then we’ll look to extend regionally and eventually nationally,” said Greg Hicks, newly appointed to the role of president of Canadian Tire Retail (see People on the Move). The original intention was to facilitate a wider rollout in the New Year.

“Our focus right now is on parcel delivery, which is over 100,000 SKUs, which represents about 80% of our assortment.” Hicks added that the company’s Living and Playing categories were showing the best results with online sales.

However, there are challenges still to be worked out, which may push a wider launch further into 2018. These include the logistics of delivering from the stores, how it will impact each dealer’s own sales, and how to track inventory.

The company has had its ongoing challenges with online sales. It tested a pilot online program to buy online and pick up in-store in Nova Scotia in 2012. It was to be rolled out within a year to the rest of Canada. After a test period that lasted more than two years, a wider rollout finally materialized.

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Lowe’s expands smart home “store-within-a-store” concept


MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s announced it is building on the “Smart Home powered by b8ta” pilot project it launched last fall in three stores in partnership with software-powered retailer b8ta. The store-within-a-store will be rolled out to 70 locations across the U.S., to serve customers interested in smart home devices.

“Smart home products simplify life—but the technology can sometimes be confusing or intimidating,” explained Ruth Crowley, Lowe’s VP of customer experience design, in a release. “So, we developed Smart Home powered by b8ta to emulate a ‘lab-like’ atmosphere that empowers customers to make informed decisions.”

Each location features a curated selection of more than 60 smart home products in wood-panelled aisles near the front of the store. Trained experts known as “b8ta testers” offer onsite customer support. Products include such categories as thermostats, security systems, and cameras from well-known brands like Google, GE, and Samsung. Customers can use iPads and smartphones to try out interacting with apps.

The venture is a logical move for Lowe’s, one of the industry’s early adopters of technologies linked to what has come to be known as the “internet of things”. The retailer started its home automation business in 2011, teaming up with AlertMe to launch smart home platform Iris early in 2012.

Since then, Lowe’s and its Innovation Labs have been at the forefront of combining high-tech with brick-and-mortar. In the fall of 2015, the Labs unveiled the Holoroom virtual reality system, which allows renovators and decorators to envision projects as they’ll appear in the home. It also serves as the basis for the Holoroom How-To, a virtual DIY tutorial launched this year.

According to Lowe’s Canada, there are no plans in the short run to introduce the b8ta testers on this side of the border.

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Greg Hicks has been put in charge of Canadian Tire Retail, the company’s largest division, as president of CTR. Hicks was formerly group senior vice-president, consumer products and retail experience for Canadian Tire, where he oversaw that division’s general merchandise and automotive businesses and was also responsible for managing store experience, store operations, product sourcing and quality including the management of the company’s Pacific Rim offices. With this move, Hicks replaces Allan MacDonald, who has moved into a role as executive vice-president, retail. MacDonald now oversees Canadian Tire’s nearly 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets across all of its retail banners, as well as consumer brands and marketing.

Bailey Metal Products has announced the upcoming retirement of Executive Vice President Kenneth Meinert, taking effect at the end of March 2018. Meinert, who joined Bailey’s executive team in 2010, has more than two decades of experience in the gypsum industry, including time as CEO of the Canadian Gypsum Company. At the same time, Bailey announced three new VP appointments: Malcolm Nobbs for strategic development, Mark Griffioen for operations, and Derick Vinthers for sales. A family firm since 1950, Bailey Metal Products recently moved to third-party certification of its drywall studs.

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CLASSIFIED ADS

Taymor Industries Ltd. is now recruiting for a National Sales Manager for their Retail Channel – located out of their Mississauga location.

Family owned since 1948, Taymor is a leading designer and manufacturer of architectural hardware.

If you would like to review a detailed job description for this role please visit our company careers webpage at http://www.taymor.ca/en/careers. Please send questions and resumes to careers@taymor.com.

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COMMERCIAL SALES MARKETING MANAGER (#1363)

About Home Hardware Stores Limited
Home Hardware Stores Limited is Canada’s largest Dealer-owned cooperative with close to 1,100 Stores and annual retail sales of over $6 billion.
Located in rural St. Jacobs, Ontario, Home Hardware remains 100% Canadian owned and operated.  Home hardware has received designations as one of Canada’s Best Cultures and Best Managed Companies and is committed to providing local communities with superior service and quality advice.
Responsible to the Director, Marketing for Commercial Sales Marketing including: creative development of commercial account recruitment tools and store training programs, implementation B2B CRM systems and overall program oversight to ensure program adoption and growth by Home Dealers.
Develop, implement and measure effectiveness of advertising and promotional programs (digital/print media).
Develop, maintain and recruit National Commercial Account Business.
Motivate and lead department Staff in achieving corporate goals and supporting Dealers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

College/University Diploma/Degree with post-secondary courses in sales, marketing or business management.
Five to ten years’ experience in sales/corporate/retail or B2B business environment.
Experience with commercial maintenance service programs, working with a large group of retail stores or other dealer/distribution network.
Excellent communication, organizational and problem-solving skills, confident public speaker.
Willingness to travel and work extended hours.
Bilingual in English and French is an asset.

Interested applicants, please submit your resume to Beth White, Recruitment, Human Resources at hr@homehardware.ca.
Full posting available at www.homehardware.ca.
Phone: 519-664-4975
34 Henry St W, St. Jacobs, ON, N0B 2N0
Deadline: Friday, November 10, 2017

*While we appreciate all applications received, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.

We will accommodate the needs of qualified applicants under the Human Rights Code in all parts of the hiring process

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Home Hardware Building Center is looking for a managing partner in a new business in Central British Columbia.  We are looking for a person to grow this business with and ownership will be discussed.

We are looking for an individual that that has had at least 5 years of management, which includes hiring,  wage costing, merchandising, product ordering and inventory management, blue print estimation.

The incumbent will have excellent organizational and problem skills as well as the ability to develop and maintain a positive rapport with staff and customers.

Please forward resumes to grant@centralpg.ca

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