September 14 2020

Lowe’s Canada launches program for pros at all its corporate stores
Orgill lifts pandemic restrictions, fast-tracks new Northeast U.S. DC
TORBSA’s new president: strengthening vendor relationships will be key
Associations know a reno tax credit is a good idea. Here’s what they’re doing about it
PLUS: RONA in Wickham gets a facelift, Walmart tests drones, Orgill completes first online buying event, LM2 Marketing to represent SamaN in Quebec, Uniboard’s virtual product launch, Momentive sells sealants business to Henkel, National Hardware Show will take place virtually, Dollarama reports Q2 sales rise and more!

September 7 2020

Home Hardware’s latest reorg cements merch teams under Thompson
Peavey will rebrand all TSC stores to the Peavey Mart banner
Lowe’s, Home Depot outperform in Q2 as pandemic drives home renos
WTO backs Canada in softwood lumber dispute—yet again
PLUS: BMR adds Quebec dealers, Home Hardware’s new sales and ops teams, Walmart’s online sales double (almost), Lowe’s plans e-commerce fulfilment centre, Ace to enter Mexico, Taiga develops online B2B platform, Goodfellow and Knauf, Rust-Oleum acquires Ali Industries, softwood lumber prices climb and more!

News
New head of TORBSA will focus on member growth, strengthening purchases
Consolidation continues as big retailers absorb market share, says new report
Walmart goes after vendors for price breaks
Trends
Shortages continue as dealers and wholesalers scramble for product
Business is strong for most dealers. How long can it last?
Staying safe means non-confrontation. So how can rules be enforced?
Summer Insights
Canadian Tire second quarter reveals surge in online sales
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Cashway relocates, Turkstra expands, Home Depot goes West
PLUS: Walmart Canada breaks ground on new DC, Lowe’s Canada donates to charitable organizations, Home Depot to open DCs in Georgia, Walmart Canada mandates masks, Intertape Polymer Q2 results, ACCEO will hold its first virtual user event, Home Depot donates to kids, WRLA to hold recruitment webinar, CanWel reports Q2, Hamilton Beach’s quarterly revenue and more!

IN THIS ISSUE:
TORBSA expands reach with new member in Quebec
Sexton Group welcomes Manitoba co-op, member gets new location
Western association urges consumers to support “shop local” initiative
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Big boxes face slowdown, Atlantic dealers make news
PLUS: Castle welcomes new member, retailers try to enforce mask wearing, 3M posts Q2 earnings, West Fraser’s second quarter, Briggs & Stratton enters Chapter 11, Sherwin-Williams reports sales and more!
SUMMER PUBLISHING SCHEDULE: Please note that Hardlines is published only once more in August. Our Summer Reading issue will be out August 17. There will be no issues on August 10, 24 and 31. We resume our regular publishing schedule with our September 7 edition.

Big box stores gain record market share, says new report from Hardlines
Product shortages plague dealers across Canada as demand stays high
Home Depot accelerates investments in outdoor power, Lowe’s picks up Ego
As project sales soar, can the new housing market pick up in 2020?
PLUS: U.S. retail chains impose mandatory mask rules, Walmart Canada will invest in customer experience, Amazon’s first Quebec fulfillment centre, Tractor Supply reports strong second quarter, Global DIY Summit postponed, retail sales rise, U.S. housing starts and more!