January 18, 2021

Increasing COVID restrictions place further pressure on the industry
Home Hardware’s B2B online gift card program proves popular during COVID
WRLA Showcase will use its magazine and app to host showcase
Dealers find ways to cope with supply issues as pandemic continues
PLUS: Amazon and Walmart let customers keep returns, Home Hardware launches Inspired Home Collection, BSIA virtual Wave of the Future Product event, DX3 Canada will hold its 10th edition, Armstrong launches commercial e-retail site, building construction declines, and more!

January 11, 2021

Canadian Tire’s latest digital play to include exclusive online vendors
With latest hire, TORBSA aims at signing members in Quebec
Lowe’s launches “Total Home” strategy to build market share
New buyers at Home Hardware rally to meet e-commerce challenge
PLUS: NHPA names Home Hardware dealer to its board of directors, Hudson’s Bay Co. does battles with Ontario, Home Hardware sells golf course, Home Depot will pay $20 million in fines, Shop-Vac acquired by a Chinese conglomerate, BSIA of B.C.’s Wave of the Future Product Expo coming soon, U.S. construction rises and more!

IN THIS ISSUE:
THE YEAR IN REVIEW: our top stories of 2020 that will shape the year ahead
Hardlines Conference reboots for 2021—and what a speaker lineup!
IKEA CEO: online plus in-person shopping equals a combo with staying power
On strong Q3 sales, Home Depot putting focus now on supply chain
PLUS: TIMBER MART’s newest member, Federated Co-operatives reports annual revenues, Canadian Tire’s Greg Hicks, Quebec dealers open third RONA store, Amazon depot in Iqaluit, IKEA stops print catalogue, BSIA Product Expo, building permits, U.S. housing starts and more!

HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM TEAM HARDLINES:
This is our last issue of 2020. The Virtual World Headquarters remains open until noon on December 22. We look forward to rejoining you on January 4 with our first blazing issue of the New Year. Until then, we wish you all, our Faithful Readers, a very safe and happy holiday. We hope you can hug the people in your bubble and share your love with those outside of it. Stay safe, get some rest, and we’ll see you in 2021!
—Geoffrey, Christina, Michelle, David & Michael
IN THIS ISSUE:
Home Depot Canada campaign steps up during COVID to help at-risk youth
Electronic shelf tags rolling out in Lowe’s Canada corporate stores
Peavey works with Ace to provide private labels to Canadian dealers
At Home Hardware, product trends under COVID mean new opportunities
PLUS: Home Hardware introduces B2B gift card, Lowe’s Canada brings toys to underprivileged kids, Stephany Robinson promoted at BMR, Cologne cancels International Hardware Show, Castle adds dealer, Rockwool sets carbon reduction goals, Fenplast acquires Fenêtres Drummond, Brian Straus joins RTS, Willmar founder among appointees, TORBSA takes on Monarch, Canac’s 32nd expected and more!

Taiga set for wide rollout of its online ordering system, TaigaNow
Canada ranks high among global home improvement markets
Big boxes position themselves as home décor and furnishings destinations
Attend this buyer networking summit to grow your online sales
PLUS: BMR’s new ERP, TIMBER MART’s newest member, Ace Hardware’s record sales, Loblaw’s driverless trucks, BSIA’s speaker program at its Wave of the Future, West Fraser’s acquisition of Norbord, Structure du Nord’s new site, Husqvarna’s latest acquisition, retail sales and more!