READING THIS ON A MOBILE DEVICE? CLICK HERE FOR THE MOBILE EDITION! IN THIS ISSUE: Lowe’s opens its doors to Quebec vendors AQMAT to launch lobbying effort for permanent reno tax credit TruServ market showcases paint, décor, and high-end products TSC caters to rural customers with online sales PLUS: Castle adds Ontario member, Taiga adds line, Bemis bought, Masters sucks money, Armstrong spins off, Cologne Fair partners with promotional show, Tembec mill, U.S. retail sales—and more! _ _____________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ DID YOU KNOW… …that most of us are at the Hardlines Conference starting tomorrow and through to Thursday evening? If you are joining us, be sure and come to the Westin Bristol Place Toronto Airport Hotel, 950 Dixon Road, Toronto, Ont., M9W 5N4. And don’t miss tomorrow evening’s Meet & Greet, sponsored by RONA! ________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ RETAILER NEWS MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. has added Stoney Point Hardware Ltd. in Stoney Point, Ont., as its newest member. The business has been part of the local community since 1949, when founder Rob Duquette decided that the small lakeside town in Southwestern Ontario needed a hardware store of its own. Since the move to Castle, Stoney Point Hardware has renovated the store and showroom and re-branded under the Castle name. A grand re-opening is planned for next spring. __________________________________ _________________________________ SYDNEY — Woolworth’s and Lowe’s have injected an additional $150 million into their loss-making joint venture Masters Home Improvement, just ahead of the date after which Lowe’s can sell its 33% stake. Documents filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald show that Woolworth’s invested $70 million and Lowe’s $35 million on September 30, the fifth time the partners have boosted the struggling chain’s capital this year. From October 20, Lowe’s is permitted under the partnership’s terms to sell its one-third of the business provided it gives 13 months’ notice. __________________________________ __________________________________ LONDON — British DIY retailer B&Q says it will close nine stores in Wales through next year as it continues its overall plan to shut 60 stores across the UK over the next two years. These closures will leave 15 stores in Wales. B&Q will also close five outlets in Northern Ireland. The chain is owned by Kingfisher. __________________________________ __________________________________ SUPPLIER NEWS BURNABY, B.C. — Taiga has announced that it will carry Plycem’s Allura Fiber Cement products at all 15 of its Canadian distribution centres. The building materials wholesaler has been experiencing high demand for the Allura line at its west coast centres in Canada and the U.S. since Plycem launched the brand last year. Builder and Developer magazine named Allura “Editor’s Pick for Best Exterior” and the line was also chosen as the 2014 Brand Survey Winner for Best Exterior Siding. DRUMMONDVILLE, Que. — Gas and electricity supplier Napec has announced its U.S. subsidiary Riggs Distler & Company’s acquisition of Bemis. A business of Willbros Group, Jacksonville, Vt.-based Bemis has provided construction and maintenance services to utility companies since 1981. Under the terms of the $19.2 million dollar deal, the Bemis management team will remain in place. It currently employs a staff of 40. __________________________________ __________________________________ COLOGNE, Germany — When Eisenwarenmesse, the Cologne International Hardware Fair, opens its doors March 6 to 8, 2016, it will overlap with the International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports (IAW), enabling visitors to visit both events. At the Cologne International Hardware Fair, trade visitors from all over the globe gain an overview of products in the hardware industry, including tools, industrial supply, fastening technologies, and building supplies. IAW is a fair for promotional and trend-led products and high-volume orders. For more information, contact Sarah Kraft at Koelnmesse: s.kraft@koelnmesse.de __________________________________ __________________________________ TEMISCAMING, Que. — Demolition of the former Marathon, Ont., Tembec mill continues and is expected to be complete in the fall of 2016, the Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal reports. Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment cleared the project for an extension, originally due by the end of this year, but turned down Tembec’s request to leave an evaporator building standing until 2017 while a buyer was sought. Tembec attempted to abandon the mill after its 2009 bankruptcy, but was ordered to retain control while environmental hazards were eliminated. __________________________________ _________________________________ MANOR TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Armstrong World Industries has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to separate its resilient flooring and wood flooring business into its own company, Armstrong Flooring Inc. Writing to shareholders, chairman James J. O’Connor explained that, “As two distinct publicly-traded companies, AWI and AFI will be better positioned to focus resources on their respective businesses and strategic priorities.” The spin-off company already has a team of executives in place and is expected to formally separate early in the new year. ________________________________ __________________________________ ECONOMIC INDICATORS U.S. retail sales in September were up 0.1% from August to $447.7 billion. However, they were up 2.4% from the same month a year earlier. Excluding automobiles, retail sales were $353 billion, down 0.3% from the prior month but up 0.8% from one year earlier. The building materials sector was down 0.3% from August, but up 3.4% year over year. (U.S. Commerce Dept.) OUT AND ABOUT We are, of course, at the 20th Annual Hardlines Conference this week, starting with a Meet & Greet cocktail reception sponsored by RONA tomorrow evening. It’s not too late for you to attend: you can still pay at the door! Won’t you join us?   October 19, 2015 Volume xxi, #39 “People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote—a very different thing.” —Walter H. Judd (American physician and politician, 1898-1994) ______________________________________________________________________ Lowe’s opens its doors to Quebec vendors TORONTO — Lowe’s Canada will hold a meeting with Quebec vendors on November 5, but the company says it’s not announcing any expansion plans for that province—at least not yet.  In an exclusive interview with HARDLINES, Lowe’s Canada President Sylvain Prud’homme says, “Canada is an important, stable market that keeps growing.” He further notes that Quebec accounts for almost one-quarter of the Canadian retail home improvement market. For the next year and a half, however, expansion will focus on a dozen former Target sites: four in British Columbia, two in Alberta, one in Saskatchewan, and seven in Ontario—but none in Quebec. The first step to expanding in Quebec is to begin understanding that market better, Prud’homme says. The meetings on November 5, in Montreal, will be an important first step. Lowe’s is interested in a range of new products, including doors, flooring, and décor. “Yes, we are starting to look seriously into the opportunity,” he says, “and as we get engaged with the [Quebec] community and we learn from that market, we will determine the right timing for the entrance.” back to top ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ AQMAT to launch lobbying effort for permanent reno tax credit LONGUEUIL, Que. — The Quebec Hardware and Building Supply Association, AQMAT, has announced it will spearhead a lobbying effort to push for a permanent renovation tax credit, regardless of who wins today’s election. According to a poll conducted by OpinionQc, 74% of Quebecers agree with the following statement: “a permanent tax credit of 15% on home renovations, available at all times, without limiting expenses for supplies and labour, would convince me to renovate my home.” Respondents from all sections of the population showed support for such a tax credit, despite differences in gender, age, language, household, education, area of residence, or income. The most enthusiastic respondents, those who “strongly agreed,” were 35 to 54 years old, with a college education or higher, living as a couple and/or with children in a large urban centre, with a household income above $60,000. The issue of a permanent tax credit for home renovations made headlines at the beginning of the election campaign and has come up again with the publication of the results of the poll. “The results provide assurance at a time when we have fittingly decided to create a fund financed by the hardware and building supply industry in order to conduct in-depth studies,” said Richard Darveau, president and CEO of the AQMAT. The fund will be used to convince the federal government of the importance of a tax credit to encourage quality home renovations. AQMAT hopes to show that the cost of instituting permanent tax relief measures to promote quality home renovations would be largely covered by clear socio-economic and societal benefits. “No matter which party forms for the next government, AQMAT, with its new defense fund, intends to arm itself with irrefutable arguments so that one day a permanent home renovation tax credit will exist,” concluded Darveau. back to top ___________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ TruServ Market showcases paint, décor, and high-end products WINNIPEG — The recent TruServ Canada dealer market presented many new products, both from existing vendors and through an expanded assortment of private-label Ace-branded items. New lines of household consumables, plus core categories such as locks and abrasives, were displayed right on the show floor in a dedicated Ace merchandising section. In addition, Greg Hollander, director of merchandising for TruServ Canada, told the dealers during a breakfast presentation about other sales opportunities for the coming months. He suggested adding décor items to sales in core categories to increase margins. And he pointed out the value of selling higher-end lines, citing Husqvarna, the outdoor power equipment maker, which specializes mainly in sales through independents (notwithstanding a deal with Lowe’s Canada that carries over from its arrangement with Lowe’s in the U.S.). Promoting more sophisticated barbecues presents “a high margin opportunity,” he added. “In addition, housewares present a great sales opportunity in the fourth quarter.” Other hot categories that dealers are picking up on include pet food and accessories, plus a major appliance warehouse program. Now one year old, the program lets smaller dealers compete by offering larger appliances through their stores. Reflecting the Ace influence (Ace makes its own paint and considers it a key category for all its dealers), Hollander added that the Boomerang recycled paint program from Laurentide was being introduced at the show for the first time. back to top ______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ TSC caters to rural customers with online sales LONDON, Ont. — Farm and hardware retailer TSC Stores is looking for new ways to target its core “rural lifestyle and agriculture” customer, and online sales is an important part of the mix. According to Darryl Jenkins, president and COO of TSC, the company launched an online sales initiative two years ago. The site is currently being enhanced with additional SKUs that are not available in its stores, while expanding core categories, such as equipment for agriculture, ranging from animal health to higher-end pet foods and supplies. Other products getting a push online include power tools and outdoor power equipment. The site will also be able to offer “higher-spec” items, Jenkins notes, that would appeal to a more specialized user. TSC now has an online community of 48,000 “TSC Country Members,” in addition to a loyal walk-in clientele that visits two to three times a week, Jenkins says. back to top ______________________________________________________________________ FROM THE ARCHIVES: This week in 1995 We covered the appointment of Canfor-Weldwood CEO Tom Donaldson to the additional role of EVP at parent company Canfor. Plastmo names Pierre Langevin general manager (Plastmo was also my very first-ever plant tour! —Michael). And Kmart’s fortunes continue to erode. Click here to read these blasts from the past! back to top ___________________________________________________________________ CLASSIFIED ADS Bilingual Sales Coordinator Positec manufactures and markets the Rockwell and Worx line of home improvement tools and accessories to professional contractors and home improvement enthusiasts around the world.  We are currently seeking a Bilingual Sales Coordinator to be responsible for supporting the sales team in attaining annual sales targets and operates with management and clients to determine business requirements. This position is instrumental in assuring focused and productive communication with the new and existing clients, as well marketing & logistics departments. Resolves all complex inquiries from the clients and ensures customer satisfaction. The Sales Coordinator is responsible for various administrative functions.  Previous Sales Coordinator experience is a must.  This is a remote position.  Ideal candidate will have a proven track record of effectively working from a remote location.  Please send resumes & salary requirements to kammi.parker@positecgroup.com. Account Manager Positec manufactures and markets the Rockwell and Worx line of home improvement tools and accessories to professional contractors and home improvement enthusiasts around the world.  We are currently seeking an Account Manager to be responsible for supporting the company’s sales goals through professional sales techniques and good customer service, maintaining quality relations with existing accounts, and providing sales and marketing coverage. 75% of focus will be on managing assigned account responsibility 25% focused on internal support and assigned tasks. Ideal candidate must have industry related outside sales experience. Please send resumes & salary requirements to kammi.parker@positecgroup.com. Job Opportunity – Business Development Manager – Construction (GTA) We have an exciting career opportunity available to represent Bosch as an Onsite Business Development Manager (Construction Industry) within our Power Tools Division. Your responsibilities and Qualifications: Establish relationships with major construction companies to promote sales of Bosch Branded Products and identify and penetrate key vertical markets for Bosch Branded products. Drive Bosch sales (Conversion) through the major construction companies in the Greater Toronto area by building partnerships with the biggest end-users and distributors across all trades in the defined metro market. Plan and measure the growth and improvement of Bosch Power Tools through training, sales support and building professional relationships with the Distributor Representatives, Distributor Management Teams and local contractors. Focus on New Product introduction and Brand user engagement. 3-5 years of experience in the power tool, construction industry or related industry experience and 3 years of business development experience. High School Diploma and post secondary education an asset. This is a full time position in partnership with King Marketing. King Marketing will also offer a competitive benefits package. Company vehicle and other business tools (laptop, cell phone) will be provided. To view more details on this opportunity and apply online go to: http://ca.indeed.com/cmp/Robert-Bosch-Inc/jobs/Business-Development-Manager-cce6f1fb77fb3a9f?sjdu=vQIlM60yK_PwYat7ToXhk0YpwxAsQYrbGk-g50jzcnSrzqlf8a26dsYgAtnbrOhk8JlBpYkJf1M7OAHlH7ej0OZIWf_QVEobjllA-JB9aiU The Robert Bosch Tool Corporation is a world leader in the design, manufacture and sale of power tools, rotary and oscillating tools, accessories, laser and optical leveling and range finding tools. We bring together some of the most well-known brands in North America, including: Bosch, CST/Berger, David White, Dremel, RotoZip, SKIL, and Vermont American.       Publishing Details HARDLINES is published weekly (except monthly in December and August) by HARDLINES Inc. 528 Queen Street East Toronto, Ontario M5A 1V2 © 2015 by HARDLINES Inc. HARDLINES™ the electronic newsletter www.HARDLINES.ca Phone: 416.489.3396; Fax: 647.259.8764 Michael McLarney — Editor & President — mike@HARDLINES.ca Sigrid Forberg — Managing Editor— sigrid@HARDLINES.ca Beverly Allen — Publisher — bev@HARDLINES.ca Katherine Yager — Marketing and Production — kate@HARDLINES.ca Margaret Wulff — Accounting — margaret@HARDLINES.ca Administration— admin@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! 1 Subscriber: $364 2-6 Subscribers: $61 each 7-25: Subscribers: $28 each 25+ Subscribers $305 per block of 25 people. (Call 416-489-3396 for a quote) You can pay online by VISA/MC/AMEX at our secure website, by EFT, or send us money. Please make cheque payable to HARDLINES. HARDLINES Inc. | 528 Queen St, East,| Toronto, ON | M5A 1V2 416-489-3396 | admin@HARDLINES.ca www.HARDLINES.ca

Hardlines Weekly Newsletter

READING THIS ON A MOBILE DEVICE? CLICK HERE FOR THE MOBILE EDITION! IN THIS ISSUE: Ace brand looms large at TruServ Show RONA completes buyout of 20 franchise stores ABSDA re-brands buying show, adds contractor day TSC puts more focus on private label PLUS: Ray Gabel honoured, housing starts surge, Ikea and 7-Eleven, Canadian Tire’s day off, Winder and Whitehouse offer consulting services, NRHA at FCL—and more!  _ _____________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ DID YOU KNOW… …that space is filling up fast for our Hardlines Conference, October 21 and 22? Don’t miss out on this top-level symposium for home improvement dealers, executives, and merchants! (And did we mention that it is an incredible networking opportunity?) ________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ RETAILER NEWS TORONTO — Canadian Tire Corp. gave employees at its head offices the day off last Friday, enabling them to watch the Toronto Blue Jays’ second playoff game against the Texas Rangers. The team aroused the ire of fans last week when it announced a schedule of afternoon pitches, leaving fans scrambling to make arrangements at work. Some 5,000 employees at Canadian Tire’s Toronto headquarters, as well as the Sport Chek and Mark’s Work Warehouse offices in Calgary, were able to take advantage of the “free” day. __________________________________ _________________________________ BURLINGTON, Ont. — Ikea Canada has selected Whitby, Ont., as the site of its next Pick-Up and Order Point, to open next spring. The facility will allow customers who make purchases online or in Ikea retail stores to pick them up closer to home. The pick-up points are part of an international pilot program in markets without Ikea stores. Two others are currently under construction in Canada, in Quebec City and London, Ont., while a third has recently been announced in St. Catharines, Ont. Ikea Canada has 12 stores in five provinces. __________________________________ __________________________________ MISSISSAUGA, Ont.  — Walmart Canada is using six 7-Eleven Canada stores in the Greater Toronto Area as sites for its “Grab & Go Locker” service. The program offers customers using Walmart.ca a free shipping option where they can pick up their order, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no cost. This expands Walmart Canada’s current Grab & Go Locker service, which now offers 45 Grab & Go Lockers in the GTA. __________________________________ __________________________________ SUPPLIER NEWS VANCOUVER — CanWel Building Materials has signed an agreement to become the exclusive Canadian distributor of Louisiana-Pacific’s CanExel line of prefinished siding products. Effective January 1, the deal will allow the U.S.-based manufacturer of engineered wood building materials to take advantage of CanWel’s distribution network in Canada. Both Louisiana-Pacific sales VP Mike Sims and CanWel president Marc Seguin expressed their excitement at the agreement. __________________________________ __________________________________ FRANKFURT — Henkel plans to cut 1,200 jobs in its adhesives division as part of the company’s efforts to trim costs. The German manufacturer missed sales expectations in the second quarter, largely owing to a slower demand for adhesives in North America and China. Originally slated to take place by the end of 2016, the layoffs will be moved up to March. Henkel’s adhesives division includes the Loctite and Pattex brands. __________________________________ __________________________________ ECONOMIC INDICATORS Housing starts reached 230,701 units on a seasonally adjusted basis in September, up from 214,255 units in August. The SAAR of urban starts increased by 7.7% in September to 216,194 units. Multi-unit urban starts increased by 10.5% to 157,919 units in September and the single-detached urban starts segment increased by 0.8% to 58,275 units. In September, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts increased in Quebec, the Prairies, Atlantic Canada, and British Columbia, but decreased in Ontario. Rural starts were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 14,507 units. (CMHC) __________________________________ _________________________________ OUT AND ABOUT Bill Wilson, Retail Advisor for NRHA Canada, is off to the Federated Co-operatives fall market this coming weekend. There, he’ll be explaining the many training programs of the North American Retail Hardware Association to co-op dealers. ________________________________ __________________________________ October 12, 2015 Volume xxi, #38 “Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.”— Voltaire (French Enlightenment author, historian and philosopher, 1694-1778) ______________________________________________________________________ Ace brand looms large at TruServ Show WINNIPEG — At the recent TruServ Canada Fall Market, the presence of the Ace name was everywhere. TruServ Canada, which is owned by RONA inc., was making the most of RONA’s acquisition of the master license agreement for all Ace products and brands in Canada just over a year earlier. The 30-year agreement, which has been further solidified by RONA’s acquisition of shares in Ace International, opens the doors for the conversion of existing TRU dealers to Ace, as well as recruitment from other banners. Based on the number of dealers at this show switching or considering making a switch, the Ace name is gaining a lot of traction. During the show, which featured more than 300 vendors, hundreds of Ace products were on display, offering price points—and a product guarantee—that dealers on hand said they found appealing. Besides products, Ace was also promoting its culture, one that is focused on the customer and driving profits. Art Freedman, an Ace dealer from Folsom, Calif., and now a spokesperson for Ace in the U.S., was part of an afternoon of a series of Ace introductory sessions held the day before the show. Freedman talked to a room full of dealers about the importance of customer service—and the necessity of driving profits. He added that Ace offers programs to help dealers deliver on both fronts, programs that TruServ is keen to make part of the overall Ace offering. Bill Morrison, president of TruServ Canada, says the arrangement is a win for independents. “Our goal is to source the products with the best quality to meet the expectations of our customers.” back to top ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ RONA completes buyout of 20 franchise stores BOUCHERVILLE, Que. ― RONA inc. has completed the acquisition of its 20 franchised stores. The deal, first announced in mid-July, reflects negotiations with each of 15 franchisees. The franchise arrangement was unique to certain Quebec-based long-time RONA dealers. RONA has made definitive purchase agreements with each of those franchisees to secure substantially all of the assets of 17 big box stores and three proximity stores operating under the RONA, RONA L’éntrepôt, and RONA Home & Garden banners. Two of the stores are Ontario and the rest are in Quebec, and together generate more than $500 million in retail sales annually. RONA paid $193 million for the stores. That amount took into account $19 million that was returned to RONA for its part ownership in some of those dealers’ stores. “We are pleased to announce that this transaction has been finalized and we are proud to be able to count on the skills and experience of the 2,600 employees as they continue to provide our customers with excellent service,” said Robert Sawyer, president and CEO of RONA. RONA moved to acquire the franchise stores, whose owners are mainly Quebec based, to reduce the variety of relationships it has with independents and gain more control of its store network, especially its big boxes. back to top ___________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ ABSDA re-brands buying show, adds contractor day MONCTON, N.B. ― Less than a year into his new job as president of the Atlantic Building Supply Dealers Association, Denis Melanson began working with the association’s board to establish a new branding, complete with a new logo and a fresh look for its buying show. With the new look, says Melanson, “we are taking our brand to the next level.” “Right now, I’m currently working to redo our website from A to Z and get our members to adopt some new technologies,” Melanson says. That rebranding affects the ABSDA’s biggest asset, its trade show. The Atlantic Building Materials Show is held annually in February in Moncton, N.B. Most noticeably, the show has a new name, the ABSDA Building Supply Expo, and will offer a number of new initiatives, such as an emerging leaders component. “We will encourage dealers to bring their young up-and-comers to the show. We will even offer a travel rebate to help with the expense.” The single biggest change being made to the show will be the admittance of contractors for the last half of the final day. Contractors and builders will be able to walk the show with their dealers to see what’s new from exhibiting vendors. Considered a touchy issue for many dealers, who don’t wish to share their pricing with their customers, Melanson is quick to respond: “We will communicate to the vendors that no pricing information will be made available.” Besides driving some more traffic to the show and giving dealers another reason to bring more people, Melanson hopes the move will inspire vendors to increase the size of their booths. “We’re going to focus on the fact that our show is for Atlantic Canada―a sense of pride that includes all banners, not just one colour.” But the rebranding does not rely entirely on the show as a revenue source for the association. “We will continue to look for other value-adds besides the show, which will be contributing to the long-term sustainability of the ABSDA,” Melanson adds. back to top ______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ TSC puts more focus on private label LONDON, Ont. — TSC Stores continues to look for opportunities to expand its product categories to better serve its target farm and hardware market. And private label is becoming an increasingly important part of that strategy. According to Darryl Jenkins, president and COO of London, Ont.-based TSC, dog food and other consumables are already an important part of the retailer’s mix, “now with the addition of bigger sizes—but branded TSC—so we can support customers who have large farm properties.” TSC is also launching its own line of private-label clothing and work wear, always an important part of the farm hardware market. A house line of power tools will be launched soon, as well. “We’re really under-developed on private label,” says Jenkins, “and we’re excited about our ability to grow private label over the next three to five years—and drive margins.” back to top ______________________________________________________________________ FROM THE ARCHIVES: This week in 1995 The slow economy of exactly 20 years ago continues to plague the industry. Ross Mascoe, then-president and CEO of Vancouver-based wholesaler Smith-Barregar, expected tough times to last until at least the end of the year. Marty Ross at CanWel explained the importance of staying close to retail customers’ needs. Plus: Cashway prepares to relocate and Ontario co-op Growmark signs dealers. Click here to take a walk with us down memory lane! back to top ___________________________________________________________________ Home Hardware inducted its former VP of merchandise and marketing for hardlines, Ray Gabel, into its Builders’ Circle at a shareholder’s meeting last month. The Builders’ Circle program, inaugurated for the company’s 50th anniversary last year, recognizes retired executives and directors who have supported its dealer-owners in an extraordinary way. Gabel retired from active duty as VP in August and is now senior merchandise advisor. Two veteran retail merchants have hung up their shingle. Tony Whitehouse and Bruce Winder have established Retail Advisors Network, an advisory firm. Through their combined 60 years of experience, which spans across key retailers such as Canadian Tire, as well as manufacturers, Whitehouse and Winder have built a network of experts to provide a comprehensive full-service advisory network to their client base. They tell us they offer highly practical solutions, combined with their low overhead structure to bring value and ROI to their clients. (t_whitehouse@rogers.com; bwinder@brucewinder.com) back to top ___________________________________________________________________ CLASSIFIED ADS Bilingual Sales Coordinator Positec manufactures and markets the Rockwell and Worx line of home improvement tools and accessories to professional contractors and home improvement enthusiasts around the world.  We are currently seeking a Bilingual Sales Coordinator to be responsible for supporting the sales team in attaining annual sales targets and operates with management and clients to determine business requirements. This position is instrumental in assuring focused and productive communication with the new and existing clients, as well marketing & logistics departments. Resolves all complex inquiries from the clients and ensures customer satisfaction. The Sales Coordinator is responsible for various administrative functions.  Previous Sales Coordinator experience is a must.  This is a remote position.  Ideal candidate will have a proven track record of effectively working from a remote location.  Please send resumes & salary requirements to kammi.parker@positecgroup.com. Account Manager Positec manufactures and markets the Rockwell and Worx line of home improvement tools and accessories to professional contractors and home improvement enthusiasts around the world.  We are currently seeking an Account Manager to be responsible for supporting the company’s sales goals through professional sales techniques and good customer service, maintaining quality relations with existing accounts, and providing sales and marketing coverage. 75% of focus will be on managing assigned account responsibility 25% focused on internal support and assigned tasks. Ideal candidate must have industry related outside sales experience. Please send resumes & salary requirements to kammi.parker@positecgroup.com. Job Opportunity – Business Development Manager – Construction (GTA) We have an exciting career opportunity available to represent Bosch as an Onsite Business Development Manager (Construction Industry) within our Power Tools Division. Your responsibilities and Qualifications: Establish relationships with major construction companies to promote sales of Bosch Branded Products and identify and penetrate key vertical markets for Bosch Branded products. Drive Bosch sales (Conversion) through the major construction companies in the Greater Toronto area by building partnerships with the biggest end-users and distributors across all trades in the defined metro market. Plan and measure the growth and improvement of Bosch Power Tools through training, sales support and building professional relationships with the Distributor Representatives, Distributor Management Teams and local contractors. Focus on New Product introduction and Brand user engagement. 3-5 years of experience in the power tool, construction industry or related industry experience and 3 years of business development experience. High School Diploma and post secondary education an asset. This is a full time position in partnership with King Marketing. King Marketing will also offer a competitive benefits package. Company vehicle and other business tools (laptop, cell phone) will be provided. To view more details on this opportunity and apply online go to: http://ca.indeed.com/cmp/Robert-Bosch-Inc/jobs/Business-Development-Manager-cce6f1fb77fb3a9f?sjdu=vQIlM60yK_PwYat7ToXhk0YpwxAsQYrbGk-g50jzcnSrzqlf8a26dsYgAtnbrOhk8JlBpYkJf1M7OAHlH7ej0OZIWf_QVEobjllA-JB9aiU The Robert Bosch Tool Corporation is a world leader in the design, manufacture and sale of power tools, rotary and oscillating tools, accessories, laser and optical leveling and range finding tools. We bring together some of the most well-known brands in North America, including: Bosch, CST/Berger, David White, Dremel, RotoZip, SKIL, and Vermont American. Publishing Details HARDLINES is published weekly (except monthly in December and August) by HARDLINES Inc. 528 Queen Street East Toronto, Ontario M5A 1V2 © 2015 by HARDLINES Inc. HARDLINES™ the electronic newsletter www.HARDLINES.ca Phone: 416.489.3396; Fax: 647.259.8764 Michael McLarney — Editor & President — mike@HARDLINES.ca Sigrid Forberg — Managing Editor— sigrid@HARDLINES.ca Beverly Allen — Publisher — bev@HARDLINES.ca Katherine Yager — Marketing and Production — kate@HARDLINES.ca Margaret Wulff — Accounting — margaret@HARDLINES.ca Administration— admin@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! 1 Subscriber: $364 2-6 Subscribers: $61 each 7-25: Subscribers: $28 each 25+ Subscribers $305 per block of 25 people. (Call 416-489-3396 for a quote) You can pay online by VISA/MC/AMEX at our secure website, by EFT, or send us money. Please make cheque payable to HARDLINES. HARDLINES Inc. | 528 Queen St, East,| Toronto, ON | M5A 1V2 416-489-3396 | admin@HARDLINES.ca www.HARDLINES.ca

READING THIS ON A MOBILE DEVICE? CLICK HERE FOR THE MOBILE EDITION! IN THIS ISSUE: Chalifour sale to Orgill by TIM-BR MART finalized Welland, Ont., store marks TSC’s 52nd, with more to come Cornwall, Ont., location the latest in Lowe’s expansion plans Jack Baillie retires, leaving a legacy that includes Home, Beaver PLUS: Peavey Mart in High River, Vicwest in Edmonton, new VPs at Goodfellow, Home Hardware and Tree Canada, Wal-Mart urges price cuts (no, really?), Costco year end, U.S. housing starts, GDP grows—and more! _ _____________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ DID YOU KNOW… …that the Hardlines Conference is only two weeks away? What part of rubbing shoulders with the top industry executives doesn’t work for you? And how can you miss hearing from the industry’s top retail leaders, including Home Hardware, TIM-BR MART, and Castle? Register today to reserve your seat at this amazing event, taking place October 21 and 22 in Toronto! And hey, did we mention it’s our 20th anniversary? ________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ RETAILER NEWS RED DEER, Alta. — Peavey Mart’s High River, Alta., store has a new, larger location. Last month, store manager Randy Doran told High River Online that the old location was no longer fit for the purpose. “We’re getting more merchandise all the time and our yard was way too small,” he explained. Doran expects the larger store to take on six to 10 new employees. __________________________________ _________________________________ ST. JACOBS, Ont. — Home Hardware and Tree Canada teamed up to plant and care for mature trees at 38 locations across Canada in celebration of the fifth National Tree Day. In support of the occasion, Home Hardware dealer-owners are hosting tree-planting and maintenance events throughout the fall. Rather than planting small saplings, Home Hardware dealer-owners will plant and help look after large, mature trees in the urban areas of communities. __________________________________ __________________________________ BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart is urging suppliers who manufacture goods in China to cut prices, arguing that it should also benefit from the devaluation of the yuan, Reuters has reported. Managers have been in touch with more than 10,000 suppliers over the past few weeks asking for price reductions of 2% to 6% on items including home furnishings, fashion and beauty, appliances, electronics, and toys. The People’s Republic adjusted its closely-managed currency downward by 2% last month in an effort to encourage growth. __________________________________ __________________________________ ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco saw its Q4 net sales rise 1% to $34.99 billion, while net sales for the fiscal year increased by 3% to $113.67 billion. A $57 million tax benefit boosted net income, which rose from $697 million the same time last year, to $767 million. Revenues from membership fees climbed 2.2% to $785 million, while gross margin grew from 10.7% to 11.1%. __________________________________ __________________________________ SUPPLIER NEWS OAKVILLE, Ont. — Vicwest Building Products has announced that it has secured the site of a new manufacturing facility in Edmonton, to open in the first quarter of 2016. With the opening of this new “centre of excellence,” the company confirmed it will close its Delta, B.C., plant at the end of this year. Western customers will be served from the current facilities in Edmonton and Saskatoon in early 2016 until the new Edmonton site is fully operational. “The decision to close the Delta manufacturing plant was not taken lightly,” said President and General Manager Paul Lobb. __________________________________ __________________________________ ECONOMIC INDICATORS Real gross domestic product grew 0.3% in July, after rising 0.4% in June. The growth in June and July followed five consecutive monthly declines from January to May. The July increase was led by mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction, manufacturing, and the finance and insurance sector. Gains were also made in retail trade, up 0.2%, although wholesale was down 0.4%. (StatCan) U.S. Construction spending in August reached $1,086.2 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, up 0.7% from July and up 13.7% from August 2014. (U.S. Commerce Dept.) __________________________________ _________________________________ OUT AND ABOUT Intrepid Editor Michael McLarney is back in the office after spending the weekend in Winnipeg for the TruServ Fall National Buying Show. And our spunky Managing Editor Sigrid Forberg is off to a BestBuy product launch this week to learn about the latest in smart home technology. ________________________________ __________________________________     October 5, 2015 Volume xxi, #37 “Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia.”— Charles M. Schulz (American cartoonist & creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip, 1922-2000) ______________________________________________________________________ Chalifour sale to Orgill by TIM-BR MART finalized MEMPHIS, Tenn. & LONDON, Ont. — The sale of Chalifour Canada Ltd. to Memphis-based Orgill, Inc. has been finalized. The deal, first announced in mid-August, was awaiting approval by the Canadian Competition Bureau. Orgill has managed the takeover through the creation of Orgill Canada Hardlines, ULC, a wholly owned, Canada-based subsidiary, which completed the purchase of the hardware assets of Chalifour Canada from TIM-BR MART Group. Those assets include Chalifour Canada’s London, Ont., distribution centre, as well as the hardware inventory in Chalifour’s Surrey, B.C., facility.  All Canadian distribution and retail services previously provided by Orgill, Inc. and Chalifour Canada are now operating as Orgill Canada. For the past five years, this country’s last national full-line hardware wholesaler was owned by TIM-BR MART Group. But under the leadership of President Bernie Owens, that group has been making radical changes to its organization. Divested of the distribution business, TIM-BR MART intends to stay focused on supporting its members with building materials purchases and other store services. “This strategic alliance will offer our members many competitive advantages that will allow them to better compete in their local markets and continue to build profitable and sustainable businesses,” says Owens. “TIMBER MART continues to raise the bar for the independent entrepreneur, offering industry-leading programs, resources, guidance, and services.”  Orgill has been actively expanding its reach in Canada over the past several years, a process that was helped along dramatically by a supply partnership with Castle Building Centres Group. Over time, Orgill has managed to find customers across a range of banners and buying groups. back to top ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Welland, Ont., store marks TSC’s 52nd, with more to come LONDON, Ont. — Farm and hardware retailer TSC Stores has opened its latest outlet in Welland, Ont. The newest store has 26,000 square feet of retail space and employs 20. It carries about 20,000 SKUs that include core hardware categories, automotive, animal and pet supplies, clothing and footwear, farm and fencing, hunting, lawn and garden, and toys. “We’re excited to open a new store in Welland, Ont., to serve the Niagara area,” says President and COO Darryl Jenkins. “For more than 45 years, TSC has developed strong roots in Ontario, becoming part of local towns and communities. We felt that Welland was a perfect fit for a TSC Store.” The location also fits well with TSC’s search for smaller sites as they become available—especially in locations other retailers have left behind, Jenkins says. Expansion efforts are focused mainly in Ontario, where most of its 52 stores are located, but the chain continues to eye Manitoba, where it already has two sites. In fact, TSC’s reach may extend even farther over time. “We’ve quite frankly looked right across Canada, albeit that’s a very long view,” Jenkins notes. Growth is being directed at three levels: retrofitting of existing stores that warrant expansion; existing markets that are worth investing in with a new store at a new location; and new markets where the right rent structure exists. One aspect of the retrofits includes enclosing the covered compounds behind the stores. The compounds are getting wrapped to protect the merchandise and shield customers from the elements. Ten stores have been refitted already, and Jenkins expects another eight to 10 will get upgraded through next year. back to top ___________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Cornwall, Ont., location the latest in Lowe’s expansion plans TORONTO — Lowe’s Canada has confirmed the establishment of a new store in Cornwall, Ont., which is scheduled to open mid-year 2016. The site will have about 100,000 square feet of retail sales space, plus a 13,000-square-foot garden centre. “This new store will allow us to become part of an established and active shopping hub, and supports our ongoing strategy to be the home improvement choice for Canadians,” said Sylvain Prud’homme, president, Lowe’s Canada. The company plans to open 14 new stores in Canada through 2016, bringing its total to 54 locations. Last month, Lowe’s Canada opened its 40th store in Saskatoon with its next locations set to open in Ancaster and Mississauga, Ont., in early 2016. The Cornwall store will represent Lowe’s 38th store in Ontario—and its 55th in Canada. back to top ______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Jack Baillie retires, leaving a legacy that includes Home, Beaver ST. JACOBS, Ont. — After more than three decades in the hardware and home improvement industry, Jack Baillie, marketing director for Home Hardware Stores Limited, has retired. His presence at the latest Home Hardware dealer market, held two weeks ago, would be Baillie’s last, as his final day of work was September 30. He and his wife have retired to Abbotsford, B.C., a place he worked in at one point during a career that included 18 years at Beaver Lumber and another 16 at Home Hardware, after that company bought Beaver Lumber in 1999. During his last market, Baillie took time to show HARDLINES’ Managing Editor Sigrid Forberg (shown here) around the marketing services area set up for the dealers. Under Baillie, Home’s promotional strategies have expanded to include TV ads, brochures, banners, and charity tie-ins. back to top ______________________________________________________________________ FROM THE ARCHIVES: This week in 1995 In this issue of the HARDLINES fax newsletter from exactly 20 years ago, we surveyed the buying groups across Canada. They were all facing a poor housing market, with even “bright spots” like British Columbia and Newfoundland skidding to a halt. In Newfoundland, AWARD dealers were stymied by housing starts that fell by more than 62% over the summer. Home Hardware’s fall market, held a week earlier, was likewise not an upbeat affair, as that company found itself below budget year to date.  Read these nostalgic tidbits by clicking here! back to top ___________________________________________________________________ Michel Simard has been appointed national director of IT for the Imagine division of RDTS, the Laval, Que.-based retail merchandising services company. (514-334-7387) Christian Levasseur has joined Goodfellow Inc. as vice-president, procurement. He was most recently at Richelieu Hardware as director of purchasing. Harold Sheepwash, Jr., moves to the position of vice-president, sales and marketing. He was formerly vice president, industrial and manufactured wood products. The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has appointed Paul Grinsell as home improvement executive director following the departure of Peter Stone. Grinsell brings to the role 18 years’ experience in the DIY industry in both sales and marketing. Most recently, he was exhibition and sales director of the Totally DIY and Totally Tools Exhibitions for Brintex Ltd. Prior to that, he worked in industry publishing with roles at Miller Freeman, Morgan Grampian, and Benn Publications, respectively. (pg@bheta.co.uk) back to top ___________________________________________________________________ CLASSIFIED ADS       Publishing Details HARDLINES is published weekly (except monthly in December and August) by HARDLINES Inc. 528 Queen Street East Toronto, Ontario M5A 1V2 © 2015 by HARDLINES Inc. HARDLINES™ the electronic newsletter www.HARDLINES.ca Phone: 416.489.3396; Fax: 647.259.8764 Michael McLarney — Editor & President — mike@HARDLINES.ca Sigrid Forberg — Managing Editor— sigrid@HARDLINES.ca Beverly Allen — Publisher — bev@HARDLINES.ca Katherine Yager — Marketing and Production — kate@HARDLINES.ca Margaret Wulff — Accounting — margaret@HARDLINES.ca Administration— admin@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! 1 Subscriber: $364 2-6 Subscribers: $61 each 7-25: Subscribers: $28 each 25+ Subscribers $305 per block of 25 people. (Call 416-489-3396 for a quote) You can pay online by VISA/MC/AMEX at our secure website, by EFT, or send us money. Please make cheque payable to HARDLINES. HARDLINES Inc. | 528 Queen St, East,| Toronto, ON | M5A 1V2 416-489-3396 | admin@HARDLINES.ca www.HARDLINES.ca

READING THIS ON A MOBILE DEVICE? CLICK HERE FOR THE MOBILE EDITION! IN THIS ISSUE: BMR to close large Ontario store Prime Minister drops in at Home Hardware Fall Market Learn how to drive online profits at Hardlines Conference Home Depot supports online sales with new fulfillment centre PLUS: TIMBER MART teams with Polaris for contest, Patrick Morin dispels takeover rumours, Shop.ca and FireFly Direct launch neighbourhood marketplace, Canadian Tire offers payments app, InterWrap partners with Goodfellow, Laurentide Paint releases fall palette, Saint-Gobain to sell U.S. distribution—and more! _ _____________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ DID YOU KNOW… …that the Hardlines Conference offers you 17 expert speakers, six networking events, two breakfasts and two lunches, a gala dinner, and 200 industry leaders to rub shoulders with? Join us October 21-22 at the Westin Bristol Place Hotel for our 20th Annual Conference. Guaranteed to blow your mind! Click here for more mind-blowing information and to register now! ________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ RETAILER NEWS VAUGHAN, Ont. ― Over the last three weeks, participating TIMBER MART members and recreational vehicle manufacturer Polaris awarded eight prize winners across Canada with $100,000 in off-road vehicles as part of the TIMBER MART “Do Anything, Go Anywhere” contest. One Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 ATV and one Polaris Ace 570 SP off-road vehicle was awarded in each of four regions: West, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada. The contest garnered more than 46 million “impressions” (consumer views) through television advertising, flyers, an online campaign, posters, and in-store point-of-sale. “We’re glad to see the contest has been successful in increasing local brand awareness and consumer traffic for our members on a national scope,” says Jon Irwin, TIM-BR MART Group’s vice president of retail services. __________________________________ _________________________________ SAINT-PAUL-DE-JOLIETTE, Que. ― Rumours of a possible takeover of Patrick Morin by RONA inc. have been dispelled in a letter co-signed by the 21-outlet, family-held retailer’s president, Denis Morin, and Daniel Lampron, general manager. The letter, issued late last week to vendors, says, “Unfounded rumors are circulating about Patrick Morin’s acquisition by a competitor. We want to inform you that there is absolutely no ongoing discussion whatsoever with our competition on that matter. We don’t know the source of that rumor, but we want to insist on the fact that Patrick Morin plans to continue its expansion and to increase its presence on the market. Our constant growth seems to bother some of our competitors.” The letter ends by reaffirming Patrick Morin’s long-term strategy to grow under the third generation of the Morin family. __________________________________ __________________________________ TORONTO — Shop.ca and FireFly Direct announced that they have entered into an exclusive agreement to power a soon-to-be-launched neighbourhood marketplace in Canada. Shop.ca is responding to queries from local merchants looking for an online market with the launch of Shop.ca Neighbourhood Marketplace within a year. The customized e-commerce site will allow customers to purchase products and services from their favourite local stores and schedule delivery times at their convenience. FireFly Direct will power the last-mile delivery trucks to pick up products from neighbourhood stores and deliver to the customer’s doorstep at the scheduled time. __________________________________ __________________________________ TORONTO — Canadian Tire Corp. has launched a mobile payments app called Canadian Tire Pay & Play. It’s an exclusive for holders of Canadian Tire’s Options MasterCard that allows users to make payments and track their banking information and e-Canadian Tire “money” rewards. It also has gaming features, special offers, and rewards. The app can be used at all Canadian Tire retail locations across the country and is available for download from the App Store and on Google Play. __________________________________ __________________________________ SUPPLIER NEWS VANCOUVER — InterWrap, which manufactures Titanium and RhinoRoof synthetic roofing underlayments, has reached a deal that makes Goodfellow its new Canadian distributor. The Canadian wood products processor and distributor’s strategic locations across the country appeal to InterWrap as demand for its products grows north of the border. Likewise, the addition of these new lines fits with Goodfellow’s move to diversify its range of construction products available to Canadian dealers. Goodfellow will also provide additional sales support to InterWrap’s distribution network. __________________________________ __________________________________ SHAWINIGAN, Que. — Laurentide Paint has released a palette “to celebrate the bounty of fall,” featuring aubergine, teal, chocolate, copper, and ochre, contrasted with subtler shades of grey and cream. The neutrals offset the deeper hues to avoid oversaturating the room. Laurentide’s paints are sold through a retail distribution network spanning Quebec and Atlantic Canada. __________________________________ _________________________________ PARIS — Saint-Gobain has signed an agreement to sell its U.S. distribution business to ABC Supply Co., Inc., a distributor of roofing and siding products. Norandex has a network of 103 branches specializing in windows, doors, siding, and roofing products. It has 770 employees and generated sales of $393 million in 2014. The transaction is in line with Saint-Gobain Building Distribution’s strategy of divesting non-core assets and bolstering its positions in Europe and Brazil. The transaction is subject to clearance under U.S. antitrust legislation and is expected to close in the fourth quarter 2015. ________________________________ __________________________________ ECONOMIC INDICATORS Retail sales rose for the third consecutive month in July, up 0.5% to $43.3 billion. Higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers and clothing and clothing accessories stores accounted for most of the gain, as the building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers sector was down 0.7% seasonally adjusted from June, but up 3.2% year over year. In volume terms, all retail sales rose 0.2%. (StatCan) OVERHEARD… “Our company is recognized as Canada’s best-trained dealer group and it’s our goal to ensure we continue to provide the best service to our dealer-owners so they can provide the best service to their customers. The Fall Market is just one of the many ways Home Hardware supports the growth of its dealers to help them achieve retail excellence.” —Terry Davis, CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited, on the attendance by thousands of dealers at last week’s market. OUT AND ABOUT Our intrepid Editor Michael McLarney is heading to Winnipeg this coming weekend to get the latest news coming out of TruServ Canada at that wholesaler’s Fall Market.     September 28, 2015 Volume xxi, #36 “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”— Albert Einstein (Nobel prize winning German physicist, 1879–1955) ______________________________________________________________________ BMR to close large Ontario store ORLEANS, Ont. — Facing tough local competition, Groupe BMR has announced it will begin closing its Builder’s Warehouse hardware store in Orleans. The required time to complete the final closure will be two to three months. The move is significant for the fact that it is such a large store (the closing will affect 83 employees) and one of just a handful that BMR has in Ontario.   “It is a business decision that was carefully thought through,” says Martin Lecomte, vice president retail for Groupe BMR. “The strong competition in Orleans, paired with a difficult economic context in the hardware and renovation sector, has been making it hard to achieve profitability targets for several years already, despite our efforts and those of our team of employees.” Since being acquired by La Coop fédérée late last year, the company has been looking for ways to consolidate its retail assets, mainly in the province of Quebec, where most of the Coop and BMR stores are located. According to a release, the company “will ensure a fair and equitable transition for all of its employees,” which will include access to a range of resources to support them during the transition. back to top ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Prime Minister drops in at Home Hardware Fall Market ST. JACOBS, Ont. — Home Hardware Stores held its Fall Market last weekend, drawing dealers—and a surprise guest—to the company’s hometown. The theme for the 2015 Fall Market is “Be Bold,” reflecting the company’s mandate to provide a retail setting that mixes tradition and innovation. The company claims that up to 75% of its dealers make the trek to the market, which is held right in Home Hardware’s distribution centre in the small Mennonite town of St. Jacobs, where Home Hardware had its beginning. Every morning of the three-day market began with sessions on best practices from dealers, such as John Locke of Orillia Home Hardware, who spoke on Monday morning. Locke told dealers how he manages his store, which is considered by many to be one of the best Home Hardware stores in the country. Locke’s presentation was followed by the arrival of a special guest: Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who added St. Jacobs to his list of campaign stops across the country, leading up to the federal election on October 19. Harper made a speech to the gathered dealers, focusing on issues like payroll taxes and the promised return of a national renovation tax credit. back to top ___________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Learn how to drive online profits at Hardlines Conference TORONTO ― Understanding where the home improvement market is headed will be the focus of the upcoming Hardlines Conference. The conference, which is being held in just three weeks, on October 21 and 22, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. And understanding the world of online retail will be a key part of many of the presentations. Liz Drayton is part of the retail team at Google Canada, which means she works with the country’s largest retailers to help them best translate their brand and customer experience through digital media. She will present on day one of the conference, along with Joseph Thompson, VP Marketing, BuildDirect, who will explain how his company sells tiles, flooring, and other building materials online. Each of these industry leaders is part of a complete lineup of speakers over the two days of the Hardlines Conference, which will be held October 21 and 22 at the Westin Bristol Place Hotel near the Toronto International Airport. (Click here for more information on the conference and sign up today! ―Michael) back to top ______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Home Depot supports online sales with new fulfillment centre ATLANTA — The Home Depot has opened its third and largest of three new direct fulfillment centres. The centres are part of an infrastructure that supports the retailer’s online sales, which now account for approximately 5% of total revenues. The 1.6 million-square-foot facility is in Troy Township, Ohio, and is expected to eventually employ 500. The company opened two other direct fulfillment centres last year: one in Locust Grove, Ga., just outside Atlanta, and another in Perris, Calif.  Home Depot says these new facilities enable the company to deliver 90% of its online orders of regionally stocked parcel items in two business days or less using economical ground delivery service. The company also announced that in October it will officially open a 200,000 -square-foot technology centre in Marietta, Ga. It will house 1,000 information technology staff. In November, the company will open a third online customer care operation in Tempe, Az., bringing 800 new jobs to that community. This will be the third online customer service operation dedicated to the online business. back to top ___________________________________________________________________ Olivier Picard has been named vice president of international business development for RDTS. He has 28 years of expertise in the field of merchandising in France. He joined the RDTS sales and merchandising teams in 2014, after working with RDTS on an IMAGINE Program deployment mandate in France. He is the designated person to support RDTS President Robert Di Tomasso in business development strategies and diversification efforts. (olivierp@rdts.ca) At Osram Sylvania Ltd., Lou Tassone has joined as national account manager, retail. He was formerly with Domtar. (lou.tassone@sylvania.com) Cam Brayton has been named territory sales manager for Eastern and Northern Ontario at Garaga Inc., a Canadian family-owned garage door manufacturer for the residential, commercial, and industrial markets. He reports to Maxime Gendreau, sales and marketing manager for  Canada. Brayton has worked in the door industry for more than 25 years in both the manufacturing and retail sectors. His experience includes being past president and director of the Ontario chapter of the Canadian Door Institute. (cbrayton@garaga.com) back to top ___________________________________________________________________ CLASSIFIED ADS Product Merchandising Coordinator – Retail (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC) The Product Merchandising Coordinator is responsible for the structure and positioning of the product lines in accordance with regional electrical codes requirements (residential and light commercial markets) by accounts. He has an excellent understanding of the major home improvement retailers. Responsibilities Serve as product expert Manage the product portfolio according to performances objectives Produce analysis with multiple inputs Develop excellent collaboration with the Sales team and excellent communication with internal and external clients Projects Develop the product structure for the introduction of a new line of products including all related activities Participate in the development of added value strategies in consideration of line revisions Develop planograms for each client and product line Identify and coordinate cost saving projects Identify and communicate stock management improvement projects according to the clients’ needs Prepare a price list based on price increases or reductions, according to the established strategy Qualifications College Diploma or Bachelor Degree in Marketing 5 years of experience in portfolio management or similar experience French and English: written and spoken Organization and excellent ability to manage and perform multiple tasks Thank you in advance for sending your resume to hr_canada@tnb.com, quoting the position title in your email. For further information on our company, please consult our web site at www.tnb.ca. ___________________________________________________________________       Publishing Details HARDLINES is published weekly (except monthly in December and August) by HARDLINES Inc. 528 Queen Street East Toronto, Ontario M5A 1V2 © 2015 by HARDLINES Inc. HARDLINES™ the electronic newsletter www.HARDLINES.ca Phone: 416.489.3396; Fax: 647.259.8764 Michael McLarney — Editor & President — mike@HARDLINES.ca Sigrid Forberg — Managing Editor— sigrid@HARDLINES.ca Beverly Allen — Publisher — bev@HARDLINES.ca Katherine Yager — Marketing and Production — kate@HARDLINES.ca Margaret Wulff — Accounting — margaret@HARDLINES.ca Administration— admin@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! 1 Subscriber: $364 2-6 Subscribers: $61 each 7-25: Subscribers: $28 each 25+ Subscribers $305 per block of 25 people. (Call 416-489-3396 for a quote) You can pay online by VISA/MC/AMEX at our secure website, by EFT, or send us money. Please make cheque payable to HARDLINES. HARDLINES Inc. | 528 Queen St, East,| Toronto, ON | M5A 1V2 416-489-3396 | admin@HARDLINES.ca www.HARDLINES.ca

READING THIS ON A MOBILE DEVICE? CLICK HERE FOR THE MOBILE EDITION! IN THIS ISSUE: Lowe’s plans Quebec vendor day as it eyes new markets Castle adds three members over the summer Dealers drawn to RONA show by new products, simpler corporate structure Tembec faces investor unrest as share prices drop PLUS: Castle hosts supplier appreciation golf, Sears Canada makes changes to loyalty program, Woolworths and Lowe’s sink more money into Masters, Miller Edge and Creative Door Services join forces, Wittie becomes Home Hardware store design manager—and more! _ _____________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ DID YOU KNOW… …that the Hardlines Conference is exactly one month away? What part of rubbing shoulders with the top retail leaders in Canada doesn’t work for you? And how can you miss hearing from the industry’s top retail leaders, including Home Hardware, TIM-BR MART, and Castle? Register today to reserve your seat at this amazing event, taking place October 21 and 22 in Toronto! ________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ RETAILER NEWS MISSISSAUGA, Ont. ― Castle Building Centres held its annual Supplier Appreciation Golf Day on Monday. The event, which brought suppliers and dealers together at the Club at North Halton, Georgetown, Ont., served as a fundraiser for Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, with Castle matching donations made by the participants. Over the years, the event has raised more than $100,000 for SickKids Foundation. __________________________________ _________________________________ TORONTO — Sears Canada is rolling out changes to its customer loyalty program, Sears Club, in order to “bring it more firmly into the digital age.” The enhanced Sears Club program, set to launch before the holiday shopping season, will allow Sears Club points on purchases made in cash as well as with any debit or credit card accepted by Sears Canada. Points can be earned on in-store, catalogue, online, and mobile purchases. __________________________________ __________________________________ SYDNEY — Woolworths and Lowe’s have injected an additional $90 million into their struggling joint venture Masters Home Improvement, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. At the same time, Woolworths acknowledged that its home improvement losses have ballooned by 33%, including a hike from $176 million to $245 million in losses at Masters. This year, the two companies have pumped a total of $3.22 billion into the venture, up from last year’s $2.9 billion. Woolworths meanwhile remains firm that the chain can become profitable and that it is willing to wait. __________________________________ __________________________________ SUPPLIER NEWS EDMONTON — Miller Edge and Creative Door Services have joined forces in an exclusive distribution agreement for the sale of Miller Edge products in Western Canada effective July 22, 2015. The agreement is Miller Edge’s first in the Canadian marketplace and forms part of the company’s corporate strategy to expand its reach into Western Canada and provide its existing Canadian customer base with locally stocked products with reduced freight costs and improved delivery times. __________________________________ __________________________________ NOTED The 14th Annual Industry Memorial Golf Classic of the Canadian Hardware and Housewares Manufacturers Association is on September 30 at the Blue Springs Golf Club in Acton, Ont. The event honours stalwarts from the industry who have passed away. CHHMA members and non-members are welcome to attend. (Click here to register online). __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ ECONOMIC INDICATORS The number of U.S building permits reached 1,170,000 seasonally adjusted in August. This is 3.5% above July’s rate of 1,130,000 and is 12.5% above last August’s 1,040,000. Housing starts fell to a seasonally adjusted rate of 1,126,000, down 3% from July, but up 16.6% from the same month a year ago. (U.S. Commerce Dept.) ________________________________ __________________________________ OUT AND ABOUT The Hardlines team is in St. Jacobs, Ont., this week for Home Hardware’s Fall Market. We’ll also be working in the NRHA Canada booth up in the mezzanine, telling dealers about the latest online training programs available from NRHA. Come by and say “hi”!     September 21, 2015 Volume xxi, #35 “The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.”— Ashley Montagu (British anthropologist, 1905-1999) ______________________________________________________________________ Lowe’s plans Quebec vendor day as it eyes new markets TORONTO — A planned day of meetings for Quebec vendors by Lowe’s Canada indicates that company’s desire to do business with suppliers from la belle province. But is the giant retailer ready to expand into Canada’s second-largest market? “Canada is an important, stable market that keeps growing,” says Lowe’s Canada president Sylvain Prud’homme, noting that Quebec accounts for almost one-quarter of that market. And with nine consecutive quarters of positive same-store sales growth—eight of them in double digits—Prud’homme believes his company is in step with that growth. Meanwhile, he is keeping an eye on the Quebec market. For now, that means formal meetings with Quebec vendors. The meetings, which are slated for November 5, could be considered a first step in getting to understand that market better. “Yes we are starting to look seriously into the opportunity,” says Prud’homme, “and as we get engaged with the [Quebec] community and we learn from that market we will determine the right timing for the entrance.” He does admit that initial growth for the company when it entered Canada in 2007 was “slower than expected,” but that slowdown has proved beneficial. It helped Lowe’s prevent making the kinds of mistakes that hammered Target when it tried unsuccessfully to expand into this country. (Quebec vendors who wish to participate can get more information by clicking here. —Editor) back to top ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Castle adds three members over the summer MISSISSAUGA, Ont. ― Over the summer, Castle Building Centres Group added three new member locations: Interlake Glass in Arborg, Man.; VONR Hardware in High Prairie, Alta.; and South Parry Lumber, Parry Sound, Ont. Castle’s mandate to support independents on their own terms, leaving them to promote their own local banners, continues to have resonance for dealers. “The continued growth of Castle is no coincidence. It is a direct result of the Castle business model and the message that new and existing Castle members are sending to the industry,” says Castle President Ken Jenkins, adding that Castle goes to market as “a secure and transparent buying group.” Interlake Glass located north of Winnipeg, a new Castle Specialty store specializing in windows, doors and glass, and custom cladding, roofing and mouldings. The owner is Chris Eyolfson, who purchased the existing store and warehouse in 2012. He plans to add an additional 2,000 square feet of retail and 1,000 square feet of warehouse. VONR Hardware is northwest of Edmonton, in the industrial town of High Prairie. Co-founders Trever Sekulich and Debra Wales have been owner operators for more than 11 years, and moved to Castle when they decided to expand into lumber and building materials. In Ontario cottage country, Mike Argue and Neil Tucker acquired South Parry Lumber in Parry Sound in August. The store will hold a grand re-opening later this fall. back to top ___________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Dealers drawn to RONA show by new products, simpler corporate structure MONTREAL — The second annual show for its independent dealers provided a preview of the company’s spring lineup, including a revamped lighting department and expanded lawn and garden assortment. The show, held September 10 and 11 at Montreal’s Palais de congrès, featured several outdoor furniture sets in the middle of the floor, including more high-end collections. A new line of lighting included a nostalgic look with Edison light bulbs and vintage fixtures, showcased in a lower light cloud to enhance a sense of intimacy in the store. Dealers could also take advantage of a new mix-and-match program for lamps and shades. These assortments, tailored for independents, are among the efforts RONA is making to secure its affiliate dealer base―and attract new dealers. More than a dozen prospects attended the show, and RONA has recruited 26 new dealers so far this year. In addition, RONA has removed a layer of dealer involvement by purchasing its franchised dealers in Quebec. “We’ve simplified the business. They see where we’re going,” says Luc Rodier, executive vice president of RONA.  “We’ve proved that the dealers are an important part of our strategy going forward.” back to top ______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Tembec faces investor unrest as share prices drop MONTREAL — Prem Watsa, dubbed “Canada’s Warren Buffett,” is Tembec’s biggest shareholder—and if its fortunes don’t improve, he may be its saving grace. Bloomberg News reports that shares in the forestry company plunged after it warned investors that without a turnaround, it risks breaking the terms of a bank loan. Running out of options, the firm may have to resort to a bailout from Watsa’s Fairfax Financial Holdings, if its own bankers don’t cut it a break, says Ed Sustar, who rates Tembec for Moody’s Investors Service. “Fairfax is behind all of this debt that’s on Tembec’s balance sheet, so they have the ability to lend them money,” he told Bloomberg. “We’re kind of at crunch time.” Tembec, which has been struggling with falling sales, is responding to investor pressure by issuing an optimistic earnings forecast as its fourth quarter draws to a close. The forest product manufacturer is expecting that EBITDA for the quarter ending September 26 will rise to between $31 and $34 million from $2 million in the previous quarter. Operating earnings will be in the range of $19 million to $22 million in the September 2015 quarter, as compared to an operating loss of $11 million in the June 2015 quarter. The June 2015 quarterly results had been negatively impacted by significant planned major maintenance activities at the Temiscaming, Quebec, and Tartas, France, complexes. There will be no significant planned major maintenance in the September 2015 quarter. The decrease in the relative value of the Canadian dollar is also contributing to the more favourable operating results. back to top ____________________________________________________________________ FROM THE ARCHIVES: This week in 1995 The addition of a West Coast buying office results in some changes in Home Depot Canada’s buying team. Eric Schmidt is put in charge of lumber and building materials (he would be Western regional VP three years later, then go on to head up Southwire), while Mike Daniels (now GM at Spancan) takes over the flooring and paint portfolio. Also: Rubbermaid results suffer, due in part to its woes with Wal-Mart; and Hudson’s Bay earnings decline. Blame Wal-Mart for that, as well. Click here to read these blasts from the past! back to top ___________________________________________________________________ At Home Hardware Stores Limited, Laurie Wittie has accepted the position of store design manager, effective September 14. Laurie has been serving as the assistant manager, visual merchandising in Store Design. At Lowe’s Cos., Jocelyn Wong has been named senior vice president and general merchandising manager for the company’s seasonal product business area, effective October 12. She will be responsible for merchandising strategies for the lawn and garden, seasonal living, and outdoor power equipment divisions. Wong joins Lowe’s from Family Dollar, where she served as SVP, chief marketing officer. She will report to Chief Merchandising Officer Michael P. McDermott. back to top ___________________________________________________________________ CLASSIFIED ADS Product Merchandising Coordinator – Retail (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC) The Product Merchandising Coordinator is responsible for the structure and positioning of the product lines in accordance with regional electrical codes requirements (residential and light commercial markets) by accounts. He has an excellent understanding of the major home improvement retailers. Responsibilities Serve as product expert Manage the product portfolio according to performances objectives Produce analysis with multiple inputs Develop excellent collaboration with the Sales team and excellent communication with internal and external clients Projects Develop the product structure for the introduction of a new line of products including all related activities Participate in the development of added value strategies in consideration of line revisions Develop planograms for each client and product line Identify and coordinate cost saving projects Identify and communicate stock management improvement projects according to the clients’ needs Prepare a price list based on price increases or reductions, according to the established strategy Qualifications College Diploma or Bachelor Degree in Marketing 5 years of experience in portfolio management or similar experience French and English: written and spoken Organization and excellent ability to manage and perform multiple tasks Thank you in advance for sending your resume to hr_canada@tnb.com, quoting the position title in your email. For further information on our company, please consult our web site at www.tnb.ca. ___________________________________________________________________       Publishing Details HARDLINES is published weekly (except monthly in December and August) by HARDLINES Inc. 528 Queen Street East Toronto, Ontario M5A 1V2 © 2015 by HARDLINES Inc. HARDLINES™ the electronic newsletter www.HARDLINES.ca Phone: 416.489.3396; Fax: 647.259.8764 Michael McLarney — Editor & President — mike@HARDLINES.ca Sigrid Forberg — Managing Editor— sigrid@HARDLINES.ca Beverly Allen — Publisher — bev@HARDLINES.ca Katherine Yager — Marketing and Production — kate@HARDLINES.ca Margaret Wulff — Accounting — margaret@HARDLINES.ca Administration— admin@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! 1 Subscriber: $364 2-6 Subscribers: $61 each 7-25: Subscribers: $28 each 25+ Subscribers $305 per block of 25 people. (Call 416-489-3396 for a quote) You can pay online by VISA/MC/AMEX at our secure website, by EFT, or send us money. Please make cheque payable to HARDLINES. HARDLINES Inc. | 528 Queen St, East,| Toronto, ON | M5A 1V2 416-489-3396 | admin@HARDLINES.ca www.HARDLINES.ca

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<td width=”486″ height=”51″><div align=”center”><span class=”style25″><span class=”style8″><span class=”style24″></span><span class=”style24″><a href=”https://hardlines.ca”></a><a href=”https://hardlines.ca”><img src=”https://hardlines.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/20th-anniversary-header-march1.jpg” width=”100%” border=”0″ /></a></span></span></span></div></td>
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<p class=”style69″>Serving The Retail Home Improvement Industry<br>
</p>
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<td><div align=”center” class=”style61″>Editor:<br>
<a href=”mailto:%20mike@hardlines.ca”>Michael McLarney</a></div></td>
<td><div align=”center” class=”style61″>Publisher:<br>
<a href=”mailto:bev@hardlines.ca”>Beverly Allen</a></div></td>
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<td><div align=”center” class=”style61″>Managing Editor :<br>
<a href=”mailto:sigrid@hardlines.ca”>Sigrid Forberg </a></div></td>
<td><div align=”center” class=”style61″>Marketing:<br>
<a href=”mailto:kate@hardlines.ca”>Katherine Yager</a></div></td>
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<td><div align=”center” class=”style61″>Accounting:<br>
<a href=”mailto:margaret@hardlines.ca”>Margaret Wulff </a></div></td>
<td><div align=”center” class=”style61″>Admin:<br>
<a href=”mailto:christine@hardlines.ca”>Christine Minnery </a></div></td>
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<p align=”center” class=”style61″>&nbsp;</p>
<p align=”center” class=”style61″>September 14, 2015 Volume xxxiv, #34</p>
<p class=”style62″>&ldquo;There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.&rdquo;<em>—Ernest Hemingway&nbsp;(American author and journalist, 1889-1961)</em></p></em> </p>
<p class=”style62″>&nbsp;</p>
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<p class=”style62″><FONT COLOR=black><o:p><st1:place w:st=”on”><st1:City w:st=”on”><FONT COLOR=black><o:p></o:p></FONT></st1:City></st1:place></o:p></FONT><FONT COLOR=black><o:p><st1:place w:st=”on”><st1:City w:st=”on”><FONT COLOR=black><o:p></o:p></FONT></st1:City></st1:place></o:p></FONT><FONT COLOR=black><o:p><st1:place w:st=”on”><st1:City w:st=”on”><FONT COLOR=black><o:p></o:p></FONT></st1:City></st1:place></o:p></FONT><strong><span class=”style62″>IN THIS ISSUE: </span></strong></p>
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<p><strong>RONA show focuses on buying opportunities for independents</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Atlantic buying expo attracts Castle members to Charlottetown </strong></p>
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<p><strong>Young leaders will weigh in on succession, empowerment</strong> </p>
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<p><strong>RONA plans more openings for 2016</strong> </p>
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<p> <strong><em>PLUS: </em></strong><em>Cobourg Home Hardware to double in size, Lowe’s money loser in Australia, Home Depot’s “strong growth” in e-retail, Wal-Mart’s Neighborhood Market a hit, changes to buying team at Home Hardware, housing starts in August &mdash;and more!</em></p>
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<p><span class=”style5″><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><SPAN
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style=”mso-ansi-language: EN-US”><a href=”http://www.homehardware.ca/en/index/become-a-home-owner.htm”><img src=”https://hardlines.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2enTradeBannerHomeImp400x90.gif” width=”100%” border=”0″ align=”middle”></a></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></span></font></SPAN></FONT></FONT></span><strong> <span class=”style62″><strong>RONA show focuses on buying opportunities for independents</strong></span></strong></p>
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<p class=”style62″>MONTREAL &mdash; Turnout was strong and the attitude upbeat at the latest RONA dealer show, held in Montreal last week. According to show organizers, the event attracted about 85% of the company&rsquo;s independent, or affiliate, dealers, as well as store managers from across the country. That included RONA, Reno-Depot, and Ace-branded stores, as well as more than a dozen prospects from other banners. </p>
<p class=”style62″>Held at Montreal&rsquo;s Palais de congr&egrave;s, the show floor was 20% bigger than last year and included an additional 50 vendors. Featured areas included an expanded, higher-end seasonal department and a revamped lighting program. </p>
<p class=”style62″>Dealers interviewed at the show all expressed their satisfaction with the availability of new products, special buys (from four &ldquo;Deal Zones&rdquo; throughout the show), and ease of ordering, which could be done electronically. Each store was provided with a tablet that let them order online. </p>
<p class=”style62″>Roy Perkins, a RONA dealer from Cornwall, Ont. <em>(shown above)</em>, was enthusiastic about the entire experience. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a buying show. I love it,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The iPad orders go right to our store&rsquo;s order system, and a purchase order is created right away.&rdquo;</p><table width=”100%” border=”0″>
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<p class=”style62″><strong>Atlantic buying expo attracts Castle members to Charlottetown </strong></p>
<p class=”style62″><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><span style=”mso-ansi-language: EN-US”><img src=”https://hardlines.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/castle_atlantic_expo.jpg” width=”100%” border=”0″ align=”middle”></span></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></font></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></font></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></font></FONT></FONT></p>
<p class=”style62″>CHARLOTTETOWN &mdash; Castle members and vendor partners from Atlantic Provinces and across the country teamed up last month in Charlottetown for the group&rsquo;s 2015 Atlantic Region Buying Expo. Bob Delaney, business development manager for Newfoundland and Labrador, and Terry Mulock, who covers the Maritimes, along with representatives from Castle&rsquo;s head office, welcomed some 250 guests to the Delta Charlottetown for the event.</p>
<p class=”style62″>The Buying Expo gives vendors 10 minutes of face time with each of the dealers in attendance. Castle introduced a new online buying platform that allows vendors to offer regional, time-sensitive, special promotions and buys in real-time. The paperless buying tool enabled Castle members to use tablets and laptops to take advantage of localized savings and pallet buys.</p>
<span class=”style62″>&ldquo;The Buying Expos in all regions were successful,&rdquo; says Ron Ishmael, senior buyer for Castle Building Centres Group. He adds that Castle&rsquo;s online innovations were also used at the group&rsquo;s Central and Western Expos, which were held in June. &ldquo;There were 50-plus vendors at each of the shows and approximately the same number of member locations,&rdquo; Ishmael adds.</span>
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<p><strong><span class=”style62″>Young leaders will weigh in on succession, empowerment</span></strong> </p>
<p class=”style62″><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><img src=”https://hardlines.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/hardlinesconference.jpg” width=”100%” border=”0″ align=”middle”></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></font></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></font></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></font></FONT></FONT></p>
<p class=”style62″>TORONTO &mdash; Every new generation brings fresh, new ideas to the industry. But how can you recognize, inspire, and empower young leaders to take charge and turn those ideas into innovative policies and strategies?</p>
<p class=”style62″>Join us at the 20th Annual Hardlines Conference on October 21 and 22 for a panel discussion featuring&nbsp;some of this industry&rsquo;s bright young leaders from across the country and from all levels: dealer, vendor, and corporate retail, while they weigh in on the needs and drives of the home improvement industry&rsquo;s new generation.&nbsp;Moderated by Sherri Amos, the director, Dealer Support, at Home Hardware, the panellists will answer the burning questions about where they see this industry headed.</p>
<p class=”style62″>Preparing to pass on the torch to a younger generation is top of mind for many industry leaders. But along with current technology, the necessary knowledge and skillsets have evolved rapidly. In addition to navigating the fields of social media and e-commerce, there&rsquo;s a need to draw in not just a younger generation for the family business, but also to attract young people that may never have considered a career in home improvement.</p>
<p class=”style62″>For panellists Jillian Sexton from Hector Building Supplies and Ryan Emmerson from Cottage Country Building Supplies, joining the family business was always the plan. But Vanessa Morin from Mountain View Building Materials and Matthew Raetsen from Mitten by Ply Gem didn&rsquo;t always know they&rsquo;d be so passionate about a career in the home improvement and hardware industry. Rounding out the panel will be Steve Wilson from Canadian Tire, who started his career in the industry as one of Lowe&rsquo;s Canada&rsquo;s first employees.</p>
<p class=”style62″>While they&rsquo;ve each ended up in the industry through various experiences&mdash;both personal and professional&mdash;each of the panellists agree that there&rsquo;s something special about the home improvement industry that has kept them here. How are they and their peers going to bring the industry forward? Join us at the Hardlines Conference to find out.</p>
<p class=”style62″><em>(</em><a href=”https://hardlines.ca/events/hardlines-conference/”><em>Click here for more information</em></a><em> on the conference and the full lineup of speakers.)</em></p><p class=”style62″><br>
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<p><strong><span class=”style62″>RONA plans more openings for 2016</span></strong></p>
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<p class=”style62″>BOUCHERVILLE, Que. &mdash; RONA says it will open 10 new stores in 2016, including at least one Reno-Depot. It is also working on a new concept for its other big boxes.</p>
<p class=”style62″>RONA rolled out a new concept for its 17 Reno-Depot stores in Quebec last year. Two other big box stores, in Calgary and Aurora, Ont., that had formerly been closed, were also been reopened as Reno-Depots (but with the accents dropped from the logo). </p>
<p class=”style62″>RONA says it will continue opening the new-format big boxes, but on a more measured basis. The next one will be in Quebec. </p>
<p class=”style62″>RONA is also working on another format, one that will modify its traditional big box stores. Luc Rodier, executive vice president of RONA, says the first store in this format will open in Anjou, Que., by year&rsquo;s end. </p>
<p class=”style62″>The remaining openings for next year will be proximity stores, up to 50,000 square feet in size.</p><p class=”style62″><br>
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<p class=”style62″><strong> </strong><strong><span class=”style62″>FROM THE ARCHIVES: This week in 1995</span></strong></p>
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<p class=”style62″>Ace&rsquo;s attempts to grow its presence in Canada date back decades. Check out the headline from our September 18, 1995 edition: &ldquo;Ace still keen on Canada.&rdquo; Back then, currency exchange rates posed a problem for U.S. distributors, just as they do now. Plus: Home Depot sets up an office in Western Canada, headed up by none other than James Jones (now VP at Castle); and the beginning of a fine HARDLINES tradition: our Corrections! <a href=”https://hardlines.ca/hardlines-20th-anniversary/”>Click here</a> to read these nuggets from 20 years ago!<br>
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</strong></p>
<p class=”style62″><strong> DID YOU KNOW&hellip;? </strong></p>
<p class=”style62″>&hellip;that the Early Bird Special Pricing for our 20th Annual Hardlines Conference ran out on Friday? But no worries&mdash;sign up before 5 p.m. today and you can still save up to $135 on your registration at this incredible event, which takes place October 21 to 22. <a href=”https://hardlines.ca/2015-hardlines-conference-registration/”>Click here</a> to register now!</p>
<p class=”style62″>&nbsp;</p>
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<p class=”style61″><strong><span class=”style62″>RETAILER NEWS</span></strong></p>
<p class=”style62″>COBOURG, Ont. &mdash; The owners of Cobourg Home Hardware and the Home Hardware Building Centre, Joel Curtis and Brad O&rsquo;Neill, are building a new Home Hardware Building Centre that is scheduled to open early next year. According to <em>Northumberland Now</em>, the new store will be 76,000 square feet, including 37,000 square feet of retail space, almost double the size of the two existing stores.</p>
<p class=”style62″>SYDNEY &mdash;In the wake of continued disappointing results from Australian retail giant Woolworths&mdash;including a string of high-profile resignations, speculation is mounting about who might acquire the Masters Hardware joint venture it shares with Lowe&rsquo;s. The <em>Sydney Morning Herald</em>&nbsp;declared Wal-Mart &ldquo;[o]ur bid for most likely bidder,&rdquo; should Masters go on the market. Woolies and Wal-Mart already have some overlap at the highest levels:&nbsp;former Woolworths CEO Roger Corbett sits on Wal-Mart&rsquo;s board while Wal-Mart U.S. CEO Greg Foran is also a Woolies alumnus.</p>
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<p class=”style62″>ATLANTA&nbsp;&mdash; Home Depot reported &ldquo;strong growth&rdquo; in e-retail during Q2, as online sales rose by about 25%. The company also paid attention to improving the experience of mobile customers and website functionality. The online channel accounted for 5% of sales for the quarter. The growth in e-retail demand has prompted the company to respond at the supply end, and its third direct fulfillment centre has begun receiving orders.</p>
<p class=”style62″>BENTONVILLE, Ark. &mdash; Walmart&rsquo;s quarterly report included the announcement that the retail giant will focus less on small stores in an effort to stress &ldquo;quality over quantity.&rdquo; The smaller Neighborhood Market format has been a hit with customers, outperforming other Walmart stores for the past two years. They may have been a victim of their own success: Brian Yarbrough, an analyst at Edward Jones, suggested the markets may be &ldquo;cannibalizing supercentres.&rdquo; Building forecasts for new Neighborhood Markets have been cut by up to 20% and fewer than 120 new ones will be built between now and the end of the year.</p><p class=”style62″>&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>SUPPLIER NEWS</strong> <br></p>
<p class=”style62″>ATLANTA &mdash; Forest products supplier Georgia-Pacific has forged a sales and distribution agreement with Lamco Forest Products, a producer of laminated finger-jointed lumber (LFL) products based in St-F&eacute;licien, Que. Lamco will manufacture several LFL products for Canadian and U.S. markets under the Georgia-Pacific brand. Lamco&rsquo;s LFL products use a patented process combining double tongue-and-groove and finger joints to create a warp-resistant dimensional beam. The Lamco products are expected to complement GP&rsquo;s existing engineered wood lines. In addition, they add &ldquo;a product that helps meet fire-related codes being adopted in some of the geographies in which we sell,&rdquo; said Paul Watterson, general manager for&nbsp;Georgia-Pacific&rsquo;s engineered lumber business. </p>
<p class=”style62″>&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>PEOPLE ON THE MOVE</strong><br></p>
<p class=”style62″>Home Hardware Stores Limited has created three new merchandise positions. <strong>Dave Martin</strong>, <strong>Brian Straus</strong>, and <strong>Ron Van Rootselaar</strong> have been appointed as group merchandise managers, assigned to a specific portfolio, all reporting to <strong>Joel Marks</strong>, vice president, merchandise. Martin has been with Home Hardware for six years, serving as the hand and power tools product manager. In his new role, he will continue to oversee his existing department as well as the electrical, plumbing, and hardware departments. Currently building products and heating manager, Straus will continue to oversee this department as well as overseeing seasonal, yard d&eacute;cor and maintenance, sporting goods and automotive, household cleaning and commercial maintenance, allied building materials and farm, agriculture, pets, and rentals. Van Rootselaar has been the major appliances and room air conditioners product manager for the past three years. In his new capacity, he will continue in that role, and oversee the housewares and giftware, paint and d&eacute;cor, small appliances and electronics, furnishings, and general merchandise, and toys departments.</p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>Kevin VanderWerf</strong> has been appointed national channel marketing manager at InSinkErator Canada, effective October 1. He reports to <strong>David Coffey</strong>, general manager. VanderWerf started with Emerson in 2002 as a product manager at ClosetMaid. After five years at ClosetMaid, he had a stint with a Canadian ladder manufacturer, then rejoined Emerson in 2011 as national account manager for the ClosetMaid sales department. </p>
<p class=”style62″>&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>ECONOMIC INDICATORS</strong><br></p>
<p class=”style62″>Housing starts in August were up 12.6%, to 216,924 units seasonally adjusted from 193,253 units in July. Urban starts seasonally adjusted increased by 13.6% to 201,312 units, driven by condos, mainly in Ontario, as multi-unit urban starts nationally increased by 19.5%. By comparison, single-detached urban starts increased by just 1.4%. <em>(CMHC)</em></p>
<p class=”style62″>Employment was little changed in August, ticking up 0.1% as an increase in full-time employment was offset for the most part by a drop in part-time work. At the same time, the unemployment rate rose for the first time by 0.2% after holding steady at 6.8% for six consecutive months, as more people sought work. Compared with the same time last year, employment was up 1.1%. <em>(StatCan)</em></p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>OVERHEARD<br>
</strong></p>
<p class=”style62″>&ldquo;A store is not overhead. It&rsquo;s a brilliant piece of infrastructure from which you can sell [your products] on the internet.&rdquo; <em>&#8213;Gerald L. (Jerry) Storch, CEO of Hudson&rsquo;s Bay Company. He spoke earlier this summer at the Retail Council of Canada&rsquo;s annual Store Convention.</em></p>
<p class=”style62″>&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”style62″>&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”style62″><strong><a href=”https://hardlines.ca/classifieds/”>CLASSIFIED ADS</a></strong></p>
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<td width=”486″ height=”51″><div align=”center”><span class=”style25″><span class=”style8″><span class=”style24″></span><span class=”style24″><a href=”https://hardlines.ca”></a><a href=”https://hardlines.ca”><img src=”https://hardlines.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/20th-anniversary-header-march1.jpg” width=”100%” border=”0″ /></a></span></span></span></div></td>
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<td height=”18318″><div align=”center”>
<p class=”style69″>Serving The Retail Home Improvement Industry<br>
</p>
</div>
<table width=”100%” border=”0″>
<tr>
<td><div align=”center” class=”style61″>Editor:<br>
<a href=”mailto:%20mike@hardlines.ca”>Michael McLarney</a></div></td>
<td><div align=”center” class=”style61″>Publisher:<br>
<a href=”mailto:bev@hardlines.ca”>Beverly Allen</a></div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div align=”center” class=”style61″>Managing Editor :<br>
<a href=”mailto:sigrid@hardlines.ca”>Sigrid Forberg </a></div></td>
<td><div align=”center” class=”style61″>Marketing:<br>
<a href=”mailto:kate@hardlines.ca”>Katherine Yager</a></div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div align=”center” class=”style61″>Accounting:<br>
<a href=”mailto:margaret@hardlines.ca”>Margaret Wulff </a></div></td>
<td><div align=”center” class=”style61″>Admin:<br>
<a href=”mailto:christine@hardlines.ca”>Christine Minnery </a></div></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p align=”center” class=”style61″>&nbsp;</p>
<p align=”center” class=”style61″>September 7, 2015 Volume xxiii, #33</p>
<p class=”style62″>&ldquo;Lots of folks confuse bad management with destiny.&rdquo;<em>—Frank McKinney Hubbard&nbsp;(American humourist, 1868-1930)</em></p></em> </p>
<p class=”style62″>&nbsp;</p>
<p align=”center” class=”style61″>
</em></span></p>
<p class=”style62″><FONT COLOR=black><o:p><st1:place w:st=”on”><st1:City w:st=”on”><FONT COLOR=black><o:p></o:p></FONT></st1:City></st1:place></o:p></FONT><FONT COLOR=black><o:p><st1:place w:st=”on”><st1:City w:st=”on”><FONT COLOR=black><o:p></o:p></FONT></st1:City></st1:place></o:p></FONT><FONT COLOR=black><o:p><st1:place w:st=”on”><st1:City w:st=”on”><FONT COLOR=black><o:p></o:p></FONT></st1:City></st1:place></o:p></FONT><strong><span class=”style62″>IN THIS ISSUE: </span></strong></p>
<ul class=”style62″>
<li>
<p><strong>Orgill reaches out to Canadians at latest show</strong></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>PrimeSource will shed Canadian operations through year-end</strong></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Lowe’s Canada plans a total of 70 stores within two years</strong> </p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>RONA to test new format for its traditional big boxes</strong> </p>
</li>
<li>
<p> <strong><em>PLUS: </em></strong><em>Lowe’s Canada has Air Miles, Sears Canada partners with Debbie Travis, Payzant buys Enfield in Halifax, Ace opens in Paraguay, Ikea Canada will only sell LEDs, Grainger completes acquisition of Cromwell, Masco Canada appoints Ken Roberts, retail sales increase &mdash;and more!</em></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p align=”center”>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span class=”style5″><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3><SPAN
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style=”mso-ansi-language: EN-US”><a href=”http://www.homehardware.ca/en/index/become-a-home-owner.htm”><img src=”https://hardlines.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2enTradeBannerHomeImp400x90.gif” width=”100%” border=”0″ align=”middle”></a></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></span></font></SPAN></FONT></FONT></span><strong> <span class=”style62″><strong>Orgill reaches out to Canadians at latest show</strong></span></strong></p>
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<p class=”style62″>NEW ORLEANS — Orgill’s fall dealer market has attracted Canadian dealers from every province and across a range of banners. Hot on the heels of the Memphis-based wholesaler’s planned acquisition of Chalifour, this show is attracting more interest than ever from retailers and vendors alike north of the border.
<p class=”style62″>&ldquo;We expect we&rsquo;ll break a record for attendance,&rdquo; Ron Beal, president and CEO of Orgill, told HARDLINES at the market. &ldquo;New Orleans has proven to be really popular with our dealers.&rdquo;<p class=”style62″>The show drew a number of Canadian vendors, as well, in addition to plenty of U.S. vendors who will do business with Canadians. Those exhibitors each sported a Canadian flag in their booth?something that has become a common sight at this show.

<p class=”style62″>Another fixture at the Orgill show is its model stores, including one that featured a full range of Canadian-compliant products. Called North American Home Centre, the store is stocked with an assortment that is geared 60% to contractors and 40% to DIYers.
<p class=”style62″>“Everything in here is available for Canadian customers,” says Shane Leonard, a retail development manager for Orgill. “We really wanted to show the Canadian customers that come down that we can do business with Canada.”
<p class=”style62″>The new model store features an open design centre and paint department, with room for contractors to bring their own customers into the store to get design and product ideas. The design area includes flooring samples, entry sets, and window trim ideas. Another feature of the model store is the back storage area, which is outfitted with merchandisers and shelves of its own, to show off as much product as possible </span>
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<p class=”style62″><strong>PrimeSource will shed Canadian operations through year-end</strong></p>
<p class=”style62″>MISSISSAUGA, Ont. &mdash; PrimeSource&rsquo;s announced withdrawal from the Canadian market continues, as it winds down operations in this country. The fastener and materials distributor will close its doors on October 30. Beginning November 1, the company will liquidate or move its final inventory and begin the full shutdown of the business.</p>
<p class=”style62″>&ldquo;We are going to service our Canadian customers all the way to October 30,&rdquo; says Danny Strachan, regional vice president of PrimeSource Canada, &ldquo;and fulfill our commitments on open orders, after which we will begin the shutdown. This will last until the end of the year, or possibly January [2016].&rdquo;</p>
<p class=”style62″>PrimeSource Canada has four full operations, in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal, as well as two reload locations, in Winnipeg and Halifax. The reload centres will be closed on or about September 15. Those facilities carry LBM, including shingles and underlayment, but not fasteners, so orders through those centres will be supplied from other locations until October 30 as well.</p>
<p class=”style62″>Strachan adds that, as inventory winds down, &ldquo;there could be stock outages.&rdquo; In addition to filling orders, he is looking to dispose of remaining inventory. His advice to dealers and competitors who may want to keep product off the market: &ldquo;We&rsquo;re taking offers now.&rdquo;</p>
<p class=”style62″>(NOTE: This article updates a previous story in HARDLINES that contained some incorrect information about PrimeSource&rsquo;s timelines and distribution network.)</p>
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<p><strong><span class=”style62″>Lowe’s Canada plans a total of 70 stores within two years</span></strong> </p>
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<p class=”style62″>SPECIAL REPORT &#8213; Home Depot and Lowe&rsquo;s reported strong second-quarter results, thanks in large part to the recovery of the housing market in the U.S. While the economic climate in Canada is not nearly as buoyant, both companies are banking on good growth here as well. </p>
<p class=”style62″>But Lowe&rsquo;s is really stepping up its Canadian expansion in a concerted effort to reach the critical mass that will finally make its Canadian operations profitable. With the recent acquisition of 12 retail sites and a distribution centre from Target, combined with greenfields openings, Lowe&rsquo;s expects to have 70 stores here by 2017. That store count will give the company the profitability it seeks in Canada. </p>
<p class=”style62″>According to Lowe&rsquo;s chairman, president, and CEO Robert Niblock, the company would have been close to achieving profitability by next year. However, the costs surrounding the Target acquisitions will delay profitability until 2017.</p>
<p class=”style62″>Lowe&rsquo;s Canada opened its 40th store in Saskatoon last week with two more, in Ancaster and Mississauga, Ont., expected to open sometime early next year. Expansion is being further supported by the promotion last week of Jeff Boyd as vice president, real estate, construction, and store design. Boyd joined Lowe&rsquo;s Canada in October 2007 in the company&rsquo;s real estate and construction division. </p><p class=”style62″><br>
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<p><strong><span class=”style62″>RONA to test new format for its traditional big boxes</span></strong></p>
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<p class=”style62″>BOUCHERVILLE, Que. &mdash; Even as it rolls out a big box model for its Reno-Depot stores, RONA inc. has now revealed a strategy for its traditional big boxes, as well.</p>
<p class=”style62″>According to Luc Rodier, executive vice president for RONA, the big box concept, which emerged in Canada in the early 1990s, must change to meet the needs of an evolving customer base. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d say the big box concept is due for an overhaul and we&rsquo;re focusing on that.&rdquo;</p>
<p class=”style62″>RONA is developing a concept that combines elements of Reno-Depot&rsquo;s contractor-focused format with the more retail-driven L&rsquo;Entrep&ocirc;t/Home &amp; Garden model. &ldquo;Over time, you&rsquo;re going to see this roll out.&rdquo; He expects the new concept to be rolled out beginning in the middle of next year.</p>
<span class=”style62″> He adds that both the contractor and the DIY customer need to be focused on. With that in mind, both the Reno-Depot and Home &amp; Garden formats can be developed simultaneously. &ldquo;They live very well together. In the same towns they can both do very well.&rdquo;</span>
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<p class=”style62″><strong> </strong><strong><span class=”style62″>FROM THE ARCHIVES: This week in 1995</span></strong></p>
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<p class=”style62″>Home Hardware gets a big win in Quebec with the signing of L&rsquo;Esperance. Turkstra, a big ILDC member, adds a store. And Beaver Lumber hits the airwaves with a new TV ad. Meanwhile, the Western Show in Vancouver prepares to play host to retailers such as Totem, Lumberland, and IRLY. <a href=”https://hardlines.ca/hardlines-20th-anniversary/”>Click here</a> these blasts from the past!<br>
<strong><br>
</strong></p>
<p class=”style62″><strong> DID YOU KNOW&hellip;? </strong></p>
<p class=”style62″>&hellip;that Early Bird Pricing for the 20th Annual Hardlines Conference ends soon? <a href=”https://hardlines.ca/2015-hardlines-conference-registration/”>Click here</a> now to save money and ensure your spot at this incredible event!</p>
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<p class=”style61″><strong><span class=”style62″>RETAILER NEWS</span></strong></p>
<p class=”style62″>TORONTO &mdash; Lowe&rsquo;s Canada now has Air Miles. The home improvement retailer has announced an agreement with LoyaltyOne Co., owner and operator of the Air Miles Reward Program, to launch the reward program in Lowe&rsquo;s stores. Full roll-out is anticipated for December 1. No other terms of the agreement have been released. Both RONA and TIM-BR MART already have the program in their stores, and on a regional basis, Kent has it in Atlantic Canada. Home Hardware uses Aeroplan.</p>
<p class=”style62″>TORONTO &mdash; Sears Canada has announced that it is entering into a strategic relationship with celebrity designer Debbie Travis to launch a new line of home products, exclusive to Sears Canada. The Debbie Travis collection is &ldquo;inspired by the places around the world that are a meaningful part of Debbie’s life and the people in those places who have had a positive impact on her.&rdquo; The collection will be sold in stores, online, and by catalogue, starting next year. It will include tabletop, home d&eacute;cor, bed and bath, home furnishings and outdoor items, including furniture, tabletop, and cushions.</p>
<p class=”style62″>&nbsp;</p>
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<p class=”style62″>ENFIELD, N.S. &mdash; Payzant Building Products has expanded its real estate holdings, acquiring the facilities of the former Enfield Home Hardware Building Centre, which went bankrupt last spring. The receiver selected Payzant&rsquo;s bid and the deal is expected to close&nbsp;by month’s end. Under its terms, Payzant will acquire the former Home Hardware&rsquo;s land and buildings, but not its home building division, Scotian Homes. The acquisition will be Payzant&rsquo;s fourth outlet in Metro Halifax. The company also has a store in New Brunswick.</p>
<p class=”style62″>OAK BROOK, Ill. &mdash; Ace Hardware has opened its first store in Paraguay. Located in the capital city Asunci&oacute;n, it has a sales area of 22,000 square feet and offers about 12,000 SKUs.</p>
<p class=”style62″>BURLINGTON, Ont. &mdash; Ikea Canada announced that as of September 1, all Ikea stores will only sell LED bulbs and lighting, fulfilling a commitment announced in 2012. LED is a light source that uses 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 20 years. Each LED bulb&nbsp;reportedly&nbsp;saves approximately $10 in electricity costs per year, compared with incandescent bulbs. This year, Ikea has already sold 1.5 million LED bulbs to Canadians, which the company says has helped Canadian customers save 110 million kilowatt hours and about $12 million in energy costs.</p>
<span class=”style62″> BENTONVILLE, Ark. &#8213; Walmart&rsquo;s voluntary minimum-wage hike is fostering resentment among more senior workers who won&rsquo;t be getting a raise. As of April, new Walmart employees have been earning $9, to reach at least $10 next February. More experienced staff, meanwhile, do not benefit from the increase, which is &ldquo;pitting people against each other&rdquo; as one such employee, Charmaine Givens-Thomas, told <em>Bloomberg Business</em>.</span>
<p class=”style62″>&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>SUPPLIER NEWS</strong> <br></p>
<p class=”style62″>CHICAGO &mdash; Grainger announced the completion of its acquisition of England&rsquo;s Cromwell Group (Holdings) Ltd,&nbsp;a large&nbsp;British independent distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating products. Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Leicester, Cromwell serves more than 35,000 industrial and manufacturing customers worldwide with 80,000 industrial products, and employs more than 2,150&nbsp;people. Sales for the closing fiscal year are forecasted to be approximately &pound;283 million ($573.4 million). Cromwell will now operate as a subsidiary of Grainger.</p>
<p class=”style62″>NORWALK, Conn. &mdash; The National Hardware Show will return to Las Vegas this spring, reverting to the Central and North Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Centre after last year&rsquo;s show in the Central and South Halls. As a result, the schedule will be offset by one day, beginning this year on Wednesday, May 4 and running until Friday, May 6. According to organizers, the floor layout will more closely resemble that of the 2014 show.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>PEOPLE ON THE MOVE</strong><br></p>
<p class=”style62″>Masco Canada has appointed<strong> Ken Roberts</strong> as its new president. He has been with Delta Faucet Company for 22 years and most recently held the position of vice president &#8208; international. </p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>Lynn Pendergrass</strong> has joined Sears Holdings in the new role of president of hardlines. Pendergrass will be responsible for working across the Kenmore, Craftsman &amp; DieHard business unit and its hardlines partners&mdash;including Home Appliances, Lawn &amp; Garden, Tools, and Sears Auto Centers.&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>Rob Wallace </strong>has been promoted to director of marketing for Home Hardware Stores Ltd. A 23-year veteran of the company, Wallace has spent the last 14 years as public relations and promotional events&nbsp;manager. The appointment takes effect September 6, allowing outgoing marketing director <strong>Jack Baillie </strong>to co-ordinate a seamless transition with Wallace before retiring at the end of the month.</p>
<p class=”style62″>&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>IN MEMORIAM</strong></p>
<p class=”style62″> Former industry icon <strong>Glen Johnson</strong> passed away suddenly, but peacefully, on August 27. Glen was formerly with Beaver Lumber and Cashway for many years and was very well known in the industry. He is remembered fondly by his wife of 63 years, Nancy, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. For those who wish to, donations may be made to the Heart &amp; Stroke Foundation.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>ECONOMIC INDICATORS</strong><br></p>
<p class=”style62″>Retail sales increased 0.6% to $43.2 billion in June, according to StatCan. Sales were up in eight of 11 sub-sectors, representing 64% of retail trade. In the first six months of 2015, retail sales were up 2.2% compared with the same period in 2014. Excluding gasoline stations, retail sales were up 5% in the first half of 2015. Following six straight monthly gains, sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers were 1.4% lower in June.<em> (StatCan)</em></p>
<p class=”style62″>Canada&rsquo;s gross domestic product shrank by 0.5% in the second quarter, marking the second continuous quarter of negative growth following a contraction of 0.8% in the first quarter. This technically put Canada in a recession for the first half of the year. However, June&rsquo;s GDP showed a broad-based recovery. This is leading some analysts to suggest that the third quarter is in a recovery and that the recession might be over already. <em>(StatCan)</em></p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>OVERHEARD<br>
</strong></p>
<p class=”style62″>&ldquo;As we grow our business in&nbsp;Canada, we continue to look for ways to add value for our customers and enhance their overall shopping experience. This partnership gives our customers one more reason to shop at Lowe&rsquo;s.&rdquo; <em>&#8213;Sylvain Prud’homme, president of Lowe&rsquo;s&nbsp;Canada, on the retailer&rsquo;s adoption of the Air Miles loyalty program.</em></p>
<p class=”style62″>&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”style62″><strong>OUT AND ABOUT</strong><br>
Katherine and Michael just got back from the Orgill Fall Market, where they hosted an incredible Canada Night Reception for visiting Canadian dealers. Later this week, Michael is off to Montreal for the RONA Buying Show.</p>
<p class=”style62″>&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”style62″><strong><a href=”https://hardlines.ca/classifieds/”>CLASSIFIED ADS</a></strong></p>
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