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December Issue In Interactive PDF format

Banners - Who They Are - What They Are Doing
Maximizing Tax Deductions
A Profitable Ice Melt Season
Enhancing The Contractor Experience

Read Home Improvement Retailing's digital issue

Uniboard Launches New Collection

Uniboard, a manufacturer of engineered wood products including laminate flooring, is back at the helm of its state-of-the-art flooring facility in Laval, QC, and is launching a brand new 40 SKU collection. Due to recent administrative restructuring, Uniboard has taken back management control of its laminate flooring plant. "This new collection sets the standard with a distinct Canadian flair. The line is truly the best-of-the-best for 2012 in the North American laminate arena." says Susan Doherty, product manager. "From modern urban looks to smoky urban rustics, this collection trends heavily to narrow, beveled planks and complex surface finishes that more than rival the best wood floor." Uniboard Canada Inc. is a subsidiary of Pfleiderer AG. Its products are sold to retailers, distributors, and finished goods manufacturers, which cater to the kitchen cabinet industry, the furniture industry, and the renovation and construction industries, as well as to the floor covering industry.

Hart Must File Plan Of Arrangement

The Québec Superior Court has granted an order authorizing Hart Stores to file a plan of arrangement under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada). The plan calls for Hart Stores to make payments totaling $6 million over three years for distribution to its creditors. The order also extends to March 14 the period during which all proceedings on the part of its creditors are stayed.

Skilled Labour Shortage Imminent

Canada is facing a shortage of skilled workers over the next two decades as the first wave of the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age, says a Construction Sector Council report. The number of young people who are training to fill those vacancies is vastly lower than the number who are retiring and the situation will only get worse as more Baby Boomers head into retirement. According to the report, the province of Ontario will be short almost 100,000 skilled workers by 2019.

Simpson Makes Two Acquisitions

Fastener maker Simpson Strong-Tie has acquired Fox Industries, a manufacturer of coatings, grouts, mortars, adhesives, sealers, sealants, and other products. Simpson has also acquired S&P Clever Reinforcement Co., which makes epoxy resins and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials for concrete and asphalt reinforcement.

Home Sales Gain For Third Consecutive Month

Existing home sales increased to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.61 million in December, up five per cent from a downwardly revised November. The results, says the National Association of Realtors (NAR), marks the third consecutive month of existing home sales gains in the U.S. The latest figure from December is also 3.6 per cent higher than the 4.45 million unit level reported in December 2010. For the full year 2011, existing home sales increased 1.7 per cent to 4.26 million.

Mega Rolling Out BrandSource

The Countrywide and Multi Meubles furniture banners will disappear in March when Mega Group rolls out BrandSource as its primary go-to-market strategy for independent furniture, mattress, and appliance retailers across Canada. Mega launched the BrandSource.ca website in early 2009 primarily as a promotional tool focusing on appliances and mattresses. These will be fully bannered stores and, in addition to access to all Mega member services, will have access to the complete core furniture lineup featuring product from suppliers such as Lane, Broyhill, Ashley, Sealy, Serta, and Springwall as well as Mega's private label upholstery and case goods programs. In all, BrandSource's product offering will include some 15,000 SKUs across 38 brands in furniture, mattresses, and appliances. BrandSource Canada is affiliated with BrandSource in the United States, which is operated by the California-based AVB buying group.

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Price Major Concern For Consumers

Canadian retailers will have no time to enjoy the post-holiday season, as 2011 challenges spill into 2012, says Ernst & Young. Retailers face numerous challenges including an influx of foreign competitors, weak consumer sentiment, and decreased consumer buying power. The firm says consumers will continue to focus squarely on price in 2012 and retail sales are expected to rise marginally. Meanwhile, higher gas prices, taxes, and costs for groceries and certain manufactured goods will further erode buying power and combine to squeeze retailers' bottom lines. As Canadian retailers continue to reel from the entrance of numerous U.S. companies in 2010 and 2011, they'll need to focus on differentiating themselves with more patriotic ‘buy Canadian’ marketing in the year ahead.

Canadian Tire Extends CP Contract

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. has extended its contract with Canadian Tire Corp. to haul a majority of the retailer’s domestic container traffic until early 2017. The retailer says CP is the most efficient and sustainable way to move products and technology as it needs to deliver products efficiently and reliably to more than 1,700 locations across the country. Canadian Tire is one CP’s biggest intermodal transport customers – or moving loaded containers on to rail flat cars for fast deliveries.

Fields Closing Stores

Seven towns across northeastern Ontario are about to lose their local department stores as the Fields chain will shut its stores at the end of February. Its parent firm, The Hudson's Bay Company, says the competitive retail market in Ontario forced the closures. The stores are located in mill towns such as Englehart and Kapuskasing and in Sudbury suburbs such as Chelmsford and Lively. The other Fields stores closing in the region are in Smooth Rock Falls and Parry Sound.

Consumers Willing To Be More Optimistic In 2012

Canadian consumers are willing to take a fresh and more optimistic view of the economy and their prospects as they enter 2012, says the latest consumer confidence survey from TNS Canada. After dropping to 95 in December, its 'Canadian Consumer Confidence Index’ rose sharply in January to 98.6, the highest it has been since July of last year. The ‘Present Situation Index,’ which measures how people feel about the economy right now, dropped slightly in December to 92.9 and then rebounded five full index points to 97.9. The ‘Expectations Index,’ which measures the outlook for the economy six months from now also rose sharply, from 99.2 in December to 102.9 in January, the highest it has been since July of last year. The ‘Buy Index’ also rose, although not quite as sharply as the other indices, from 93.8 in December to 95.2 in January.

Remodeling Spending Hopeful For 2012

After a slow start, home improvement spending is expected to trend up later this year, says the ‘Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA)’ from the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. If this momentum continues to build during the second half of the year, remodeling activity is on course to end 2012 on a positive note. “Sales of existing homes have been increasing in recent months, offering more opportunities for home improvement projects,” says Kermit Baker, director of the program. LIRA is designed to estimate U.S. homeowner spending on improvements for the current quarter and subsequent three quarters.

European Retailer Sees Bleak Advances

French retailer Carrefour SA reiterated a warning that profits would fall by up to 20 per cent in 2011 and reported that sales barely grew during the year as the bleak economic backdrop in Europe offset advances elsewhere. Europe's largest retailer by sales has struggled over the past year and has repeatedly lowered its profit guidance. The company confirmed that it was still expecting 2011 profits to be down between 15 to 20 per cent over the year before, but acknowledged that they would likely come in at the bottom of that range. The company posted €91.5 billion ($117.4 billion) in sales last year, up 1.1 per cent. The gain was due to strong demand in Asia and Latin America as Europe's debt crisis decimated consumption in Carrefour's largest markets.

Single-family Starts See Highest Monthly Gain

December's total housing starts were down from November, but single-family starts were at the highest rate in 21 months, says the U.S. Commerce Department. December housing starts were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 657,000, down 4.1 per cent from the November pace of 685,000. But compared with last year, total starts are up 24.9 per cent. On a single-family basis, starts in December were at 470,000, up 4.4 per cent from November and 11.6 per cent from December 2010. The December number was the strongest since April 2010. For the full year, an estimated 606,900 housing units were started in the United States, up 3.4 per cent from the 2010 figure of 586,900. However, single-family starts declined in 2011 to 428,600 for the full year, down nine per cent from 2010 to its lowest figure on record.

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Home Hardware Launches Contractor Tradeshows

The 2012 Home Hardware ‘Tough as Nails Contractor Tradeshows’ kicked off in Peterborough on Monday. The annual invitation-only event connects Home Hardware Building Centre’s suppliers with contractor customers from across Canada. This year’s six tradeshows will be held in Peterborough, Sudbury, and Waterloo, ON; Saskatoon, SK; Edmonton, AB; and Moncton, NB. The show gives contractors the chance to learn about the latest trends in hardware, tools, and building materials using hands-on demos, exhibitor booths, and the opportunity to ask expert questions while networking with other pro-contractors, renovators, and trades professionals.

RONA Relocates Décor Boutique

RONA Inc. will be relocating its Studio by RONA stores in Saint-Leonard, Vaudreuil, and Rosemere, QC, into its big box stores, the retailer says. The Studio by RONA stores were initially planned as a pilot project to analyze possible expansion plans across Canada. The company used the locations to study trends and key segments. The new concept will offer consumers, interior designers, and professional painters greater accessibility to the retailer’s design specialists and its products.

Net-Zero Homes Forecast Strong Growth

NEXUS EnergyHomes, Inc. anticipates sales growth exceeding $1 million in 2012, as multiple green energy home projects in the mid-Atlantic region move towards completion. The Maryland-based builder of Net-Zero custom homes and communities says its homes cost no more than other new homes on the market. Following three years of research and development in conjunction with the Research Center at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), NEXUS launched single family home developments last year in Maryland, as well as custom urban townhomes in Philadelphia, PA. EnergyHomes’ 2012 projects include developments in Maryland, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

Flexibility, Wellness Drive Employee Engagement

Employers need to think beyond the business and outside the traditional office setting to create an engaged, productive workforce, says Sodexo. Its ‘2012 Workplace Trends Report’ says a continued focus on well-being and unique value propositions will be important as employees are looking to organizations for tools and resources to help them simplify their lives, stay healthy and balanced, and bring their ‘whole self’ to work. Employee engagement, productivity, brand image, and loyalty continue to be relevant measures of success. The top workplace trends for 2012 include promoting sustainability in the workplace, rewards and recognition, virtual workforces, health and wellness initiatives, and flexibility.

Vending Program Boosts Sales

Fastenal Co. reported fourth-quarter sales of $697.8 million, up 21.6 per cent from $573.8 million in the same quarter last year. For the full year ended December 31, net sales increased to $2.767 billion, up 21.9 per cent. Net earnings for the fourth quarter were $87.4 million, up 34.2 per cent. For the full year, net earnings were $357.9 million, up 34.9 per cent. Fastenal continues its progress rolling out industrial vending programs, increasing its totals to 7,453 machines in the fourth quarter, up from 5,642 in the third quarter. The programs represent 15.7 per cent of its total net sales, up from 13.1 per cent in the previous quarter.

Fiskars Celebrates 45 Years

This year marks the 45th anniversary of Fiskars’ orange-handled scissors, introduced in 1967 as fabric scissors. The company is celebrating the anniversary with a 45 day campaign leading up to the start of National Craft Month March 1. The 45 day countdown will include daily Facebook posts with fun facts, contests, prizes, as well as a weekly Q&A with professionals who use orange-handled scissors in their work, including fashion designers, artists, and pastry chefs.

First LivingHome To Arrive In Toronto

Canada’s very first prefabricated LivingHome by Nexterra Green Homes Ltd. will arrive in Toronto, ON, on January 25. The show home is the first of four homes in this eco-enclave and is on track to becoming the first prefabricated LEED Canada for Homes Platinum Certified project. The home will be situated on a ravine property and go on the market in February. It will arrive in six separate modules on four flatbed trucks and be assembled to 2,100 square feet of modules with 1,000 square feet of finished basement and a two-car garage. The home’s many green features include energy efficient systems and appliances, low flow plumbing fixtures, and responsible and sustainable materials such as FSC certified wood and zero VOC paint. Nexterra Green Homes’ goal is to encourage a new generation of innovative prefabricated homes in Canada.

Insulation System Achieves ICC-ES Approval

Building products manufacturer CertainTeed Corporation has received an evaluation report from ICC Evaluation Services, Inc. confirming that its T-Roc Foundation Insulation System is building code compliant. T-Roc enables building professionals to bypass several costly, time-intensive tasks required to turn foundation walls into finished walls as part of a liveable basement space. The ICC-ES report provides third-party verification to architects, builders, contractors, and code officials that the product meets the 2006 and 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and the 2006 and 2009 International Residential Code (IRC).

January 19 Product Spotlight

• Silestone by Cosentino’s LIFE! series of quartz countertops come in five colours for residential and commercial kitchen and bath. The countertops offer Microban protection and Greenguard and National Sanitation Foundation certifications.
• The Breville One-Touch Tea Maker gives optimal brewing temperatures with its fully automated tea basket to precisely infuse tea. Push-button controls and an LCD display create the desired tea settings.
• Stanley’s Flexi-Felt line of floor protection solutions reduce noise and dust. The line features high-density plastic furniture glides, sliders, leg tips, bumpers, casters, and a wide array of 100 per cent wool felt protectors. They use a thick industrial adhesive to ensure adhesion.
• Phiger Incorporated’s collection of Designed Fabrics are certified by the Greenguard Environmental Institute. Fabrics are 100 per cent recyclable and available in a variety of colours and woven designs for awnings, umbrellas, pillows, and other exterior fabric applications.
• DeWalt’s Rolling Miter Saw/Planer Stand is designed for cabinetmakers, trim carpenters, framers, and installers. The unit has a tubular steel construction that allows for 300 pounds of maximum weight capacity. The mounting rails are easily adjustable and they can adapt to nearly any miter saw or portable thickness planer on the market.
• Samsung’s WF457 WiFi-enabled front-loading washer with Smart Control system allows consumers to stay connected to the washer cycle without having to remain close by the machine. Via smartphone, they can monitor cycle selections, remaining time, and finishing alerts, as well as remotely start or pause the cycle.

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Effective April 20, the Montreal, QC, Chalifour Canada office will be relocated within the London, ON, facility. The company says the consolidation of the Montreal office into the London location will facilitate improvements to service through centralization as sales, operations, and customer service teams will work together under one roof.

Spending Down In Institutional Building

Investment in non-residential building construction in the fourth quarter was down 0.6 per cent from the previous quarter to $11 billion, says Statistics Canada. This was the second consecutive quarterly decline and largely reflected lower spending in the construction of institutional buildings in seven provinces. Investment fell in four provinces in the fourth quarter. The largest decreases occurred in Ontario and British Columbia. The largest increases occurred in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Quebec.

Brands Must Tailor Online Strategies

Businesses across Canada and around the world are failing to develop social network profiles that speak directly to customers, says research from TNS Canada. The ‘Digital Life’ study of 72,000 consumers (1,000 Canadians) looks at how consumers behave online. The study reveals that 54 per cent of Canadians do not want to engage with brands via social media, compared to 60 per cent in the U.S. and 61 per cent in the UK. Although only 44 per cent of Canadians see social networks as a good place to learn about brands, this goes up considerably ‒ to 81 per cent ‒ when a friend recommends or endorses a brand.Canadians also engage less with brands online with only 28 per cent of digital consumers in Canada commenting on brands online compared to the global average of 47 per cent.

Robichaud Loses Battle With Lymphoma

Marc Robichaud, a fifth generation retailer for UJ Robichaud TIM-BR MART in Meteghan Centre, NS, passed away on January 10 at age 36 after a short battle with lymphoma. He starting working at his family’s home improvement business at age 14 and, in 2009, he was named NRHA Retail Innovator of the year in the ‘green marketing’ category. Robichaud was committed to operating eco-minded businesses, opening a second location last summer in Church Point that was a model of environmental sustainability. He also served on the board of directors of the Atlantic Building Supply Dealers Association from 2002 to 2005.

Higher Prices Will Increase Sales Statistics

The largest retail trade group in the U.S. expects a 3.4 per cent increase in sales this year, below last year's 4.7 per cent increase as job woes weigh on shoppers. The National Retail Federation says sales should reach $2.53 trillion in 2012, up from last year's $2.45 trillion. Part of the increase will be due to higher prices across all goods. However, a 3.4 per cent increase would still outpace the 10-year annual average increase of almost 3.1 per cent and would also mark a third consecutive year of recovery for consumer spending.

ADI Distributes Aluminum Components

Fairway Building Products will serve as a key distributor for Absolute Distribution Inc.'s Solutions aluminum railing and balusters. ADI is a marketer and two-step distributor of decking-related specialty products to independent lumber dealers, building centres, and home improvement centres in the U.S. It offers railing components, rail systems, balusters, post caps, deck lighting, fasteners, aluminum decking, tools, and accessories from leading manufacturers.

Steel-Framed Home Sales Halted

Rhino Steel Building Systems will halt the sale of its steel-framed homes. A provider of pre-engineered and custom steel buildings, Rhino Steel Building Systems was founded in 1988 and partners with upstream steel manufacturers. With the changes in the economy, stability from suppliers and consumer behaviour, the company is stopping all sales of new steel-framed homes, but will continue to provide customer service to its current list of customers. It sells its products across the United States.

Ashe Heads Wal-Mart E-Commerce

Neil Ashe is president and CEO of global e-commerce for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. He was previously president of CBS Interactive. Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, has recently made the expansion of online sales a priority.

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Housing Activity Sees Year-End Increase

National resale housing activity posted an increase from November to December 2011 as sales activity rose 1.8 per cent, says The Canadian Real Estate Association. Annual activity totaled 456,749 sales in 2011, up 2.2 per cent from 2010. The number of newly listed homes increased three per cent from November to December. A simultaneous increase in sales and new listings kept the national resale housing in balanced territory. A total of 456,749 homes traded hands via Canadian MLS Systems in 2011. This stands broadly in line with the average over the past 10 years and represents an increase of 2.2 per cent from annual levels reported in 2010.

Business Owners Dissatisfied With CRA Service

Asked to grade Canada Revenue Agency’s overall service, nearly 40 per cent of small business owners gave the agency a ‘D’ or ‘F.’ Most of the 10,600 small business owners and tax practitioners who took part in the survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business say there has been little improvement in service in the last three years. This report is the fourth in a series that CFIB has produced on the CRA since 2001 and coincides with Canada's third annual ‘Red Tape Awareness Week.’ The CFIB has outlined a number of recommendations to help the CRA change its culture and solve its customer service deficit.

Retailers See Improved Sales Performance

The world's 250 largest retailers recorded sales growth in excess of five per cent in fiscal year 2010 (encompassing fiscal years ended through June 2011), says the ‘2012 Global Powers of Retailing’ report from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. The report also found that profitability improved, with net profits increasing to 3.8 per cent in 2010, up from 3.1 per cent in 2009.

CertainTeed Reduces Manufacturing Impact

CertainTeed Corporation is making significant strides in reducing its overall environmental impact at its 60 North American manufacturing facilities. It has reduced energy consumption by 15 per cent and water usage by 24 per cent over the past four years in addition to decreasing the amount of waste going to landfills from its facilities by 33 per cent. During 2010 and 2011, CertainTeed employees received various types of sustainability training, which has helped drive energy, water, and waste reductions. Additionally, more than 30 plants achieved ISO 14001 certification, which helps drive continuous improvement in regard to environmental performance.

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Ontario Considers Energy Efficient Regulations

Ontario is looking at regulations to ensure home renovations are done in an energy efficient manner. The province has put out a request-for-proposals looking for companies to study ways of developing regulations to make sure energy efficient standards are observed in home renovations. Similar regulations were introduced January 1 for new home construction. While the Ontario Home Builders Association, which also represents home renovators, welcomes the government's research, it does warn more regulations only add to costs and drive up prices for consumers. This could, in turn, drive home owners to the underground economy which already threatens the renovation industry.

Canadians Spend More During Holiday Season

Canadians spent more during the past holiday season than they did a year earlier, says Moneris Solutions. Purchases through its debt and credit card processing machines were up 5.8 per cent year-over year in the fourth quarter ‒ which includes October, November, and December. The data suggest that 2011 holiday sales may have been better than expected. However, it also shows that most of the growth was at restaurants and grocery stores. Spending tracked on Moneris machines was strongest in November, with a 6.2 per cent increase, followed by a 5.6 per cent rise in December. Spending in October was lower, posting 5.4 per cent growth from a year earlier.

Target Offering Specialty Products

Target is teaming up with specialty shops to offer limited edition merchandise including dog biscuits, shoes, and Apple products, in an attempt to further distinguish itself from the competition in the U.S. The retailer has been made popular through its offerings of stylish apparel and trendy décor alongside discount groceries and toiletries. The company says it will continue to seek out new partnerships with designers as it has in the past. Upcoming collaborations include retro sweets distributor The Candy Store, vintage home goods retailer The Privet House, clothing store The Webster House, and cosmetics store The Cos Bar. Mini boutiques will pop up in select target stores starting in May and rotate into the fall.

Basement Insulation Top Project

With eco ENERGY Retrofit rebate incentives from the government of Canada, projects such as finishing basements have already become among the top renovation projects for 2012 in the $45 billion Canadian home renovation market, says Dow Building Solutions. The rebate program has been extended to March 31, allowing homeowners time to take advantage of the financial incentives to make their homes more energy efficient. Homeowners can earn a rebate of up to $1,250 for the installation of basement insulation, with an average annual savings of 20 per cent on energy bills. Its Styrofoam Brand Extruded Polystyrene Foam Insulation qualifies as an approved product under the program

DIY Association Grows

The European DIY-Retail Association (EDRA) added seven new members in 2011, bringing the latest tally to 92 home centre companies. Among the new members are Lowe's, which joined EDRA's Global Home Improvement Network (GHIN) in 2011, along with RONA (Canada), EASY (Chile), JSC Start (Russia), and Tekzen (Turkey). Other new members in 2011 were Comeos (the Belgian Association) and Praktis (Bulgaria). The EDRA also announced the ‘2nd European Home Improvement Forum’ in Paris May 31 to June 1. The association is expecting more than 500 executives from all over Europe to attend. Gille Caille, president of Unibal and co-founder of fediyma, will receive a lifetime award during the forum.

Garage Door Replacement Best Value Renovation

Garage door replacement continues to be one of the best value renovations homeowners can make, says the Overhead Door Corporation. It says a recent national home renovation study in the U.S. found that homeowners who upgrade their garage door to either a mid-range or upscale model will reap one of the best returns on investment (ROI) for home improvement projects. A mid-range garage door replacement is a top five improvement for returning value at resale, ahead of both bathroom and major kitchen remodels.

Canadian Tire Carries LED Line

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited will be the first major retailer in North America to launch the Energizer branded line of LED lighting products manufactured exclusively by CRS Electronics Inc., a developer and manufacturer of LED lighting. It will supply a range of Energizer LED lighting products including the A19, MR16, GU10, and a variety of PAR lights (typically referred to as ‘pot lights’). Canadian Tire has committed to showcasing the Energizer lights in creative and attention-getting merchandisers designed to educate consumers on the benefits of LED lighting in their homes. Products are scheduled to be available in stores in mid-January 2012.

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Columbia Acquires Cabinotch

CFP Components, a division of Columbia Forest Products, has acquired Cabinotch, a maker of ready-to-assemble face-framed cabinet boxes that feature Columbia’s formaldehyde-free PureBond hardwood plywood. The Cabinotch system, which involves an interlocking side panel-to-face frame joint, has been shown to help cabinet shops reduce costs and improve productivity. Through a Web portal (cabinotch.com), customers can order their cabinet box parts, which are then shipped directly to their shop. Columbia Forest Products is North America's largest manufacturer of hardwood plywood and veneer.

Retailer Begins Seasonal Hiring

The Home Depot has begun recruiting to fill more than 70,000 seasonal positions as it prepares for spring, the company's busiest selling and hiring season. Hiring will begin ramping up over the next several weeks on a market-by-market basis, based on the needs of individual stores and as spring climates begin to approach. The Home Depot has 2,252 retail stores in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and China. It employs more than 300,000 associates.

AGA Range Comes To Canada

AGA Marvel has brought the AGA Total Control Range Cooker to Canada. The range has been redefined with state-of-the-art touch screen controls giving ultimate programmability while retaining the classic design value that have made it a kitchen icon in the UK. With two hotplates and three large cast iron ovens ‒ preset at the correct temperature for roasting, baking, and simmering ‒ it can cook food in 10 different ways from grilling and toasting to roasting. It is expected to be available in March.

Cyclist Launches Fitness Equipment At Canadian Tire

Canadian Tire announces the launch of the LIVESTRONG premium home fitness equipment by champion cyclist Lance Armstrong at select retail locations across Canada. The products include professional-grade ellipticals, treadmills, and exercise bikes manufactured by Johnson Health Tech, in partnership with the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Part of the proceeds from the sale of each piece of equipment will go towards a minimum $4 million donation to LIVESTRONG and the fight against cancer.

Material And Garden Sales Up

Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for December, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $400.6 billion, says the U.S. Census Bureau. The December figure is up 0.1 per cent from November and up 6.5 per cent from December 2010. Total sales for the October through December 2011 period were up seven per cent from the same period a year ago. Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers were $25.879 billion, up 1.7 per cent from the previous month, and up 1.6 per cent from the same month last year.

NKBA Announces 2012 Committee

Alan W. Zielinski, president and CEO of Better Kitchens Inc.; is president of the National Kitchen & Bath Association. President-elect is John K. Morgan of Morgan Pinnacle. Serving as vice-president is John A. Petrie, owner of MH Custom Cabinetry. Treasurer is Carolyn F. Cheetham, of Design Works by Cheetham. Clay Lyon, owner of Lyon Construction + Design, LLC, will serve as the secretary. David Alderman, Dave’s Cabinet Inc., will serve as immediate past president.

Fixtures Brand Reveals New Identity

BLANCO Canada will showcase a new corporate visual identity including a new trade show booth at the Interior Design Show in Toronto, ON, January 26 to 29. The new identity reflects the evolution of the company over its 85-year history. Its booth will feature new visuals, an interactive faucet display, and a live Twitter feed. BLANCO will also introduce an App for use with the iPad or iPhone that allows consumers to mix and match different Silgranit colour sinks with leading stone and laminate countertops and select the combination that's right for their kitchen. The App also provides detailed dimensions for each sink model so consumers can ensure the sink selected will fit into their kitchen cabinetry.

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Canadian Tire Launches New Data System

Canadian Tire Corporation has licensed ibs Referential Vendor Management from retail systems provider Software Solutions to accomplish the full coverage of its Master Data Management. The implementation is said to guarantee the purchasing system transparency, optimize the daily cost management, and simplify the vendor contract management. Ibs Referential, part of the Soft Solutions' Retail Suite, was selected by Canadian Tire for its business advantages, its unique foundation for providing a single version of the truth for its information management, and for its seamless integration with its external systems.

Housing Starts Up In December

The seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts was 200,200 units in December, says the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This is up from 185,600 units in November 2011. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts increased by 10.1 per cent to 181,900 units in December. Urban single starts increased by 3.8 per cent in December to 70,600 units, while multiple urban starts were up by 14.5 per cent to 111,300 units.

Search For Cheap Labour Over

The movement of manufacturing production to low cost nations is over, says Joe Carson, chief economist at AllianceBernstein. Speaking at its ‘2012 Economic Outlook Luncheon,’ he said technology has levelled the playing field. Today, the total labour cost for manufacturers is about 25 per cent, whereas at one time it was about 60 per cent of the cost of production. This means that manufacturers are moving production back to Japan, Europe, and even the U.S. In fact, he said, in the Americas, the big winner could be Mexico. Its labour cost are about the same as China’s. Unfortunately, he doesn’t see Canada as a winner as its labour costs are about twice those of Mexico with the U.S. somewhere in between.

CEOs Judge Green Challenge

A panel of CEOs will judge the Walmart Green Student Challenge. Shelley Broader, president and CEO, Walmart Canada; John Guarino, president, Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada; John LeBoutillier, president, Unilever Canada; Michael McCain, president and CEO, Maple Leaf Foods; and Peter Robinson, CEO, The David Suzuki Foundation; will judge the five semi-finalist submissions in-person February 29 in Toronto, ON. The challenge encourages the next generation of leaders to develop proposals that are good for the environment and for business for a chance to win a portion of $100,000. Submissions will be judged on ease of implementation; originality; and potential economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Signs Of Stability Boost Sales

Lennar had fourth-quarter sales of $952.7 million, up 11 per cent from the year-ago quarter. Net earnings for the quarter were down slightly from $32 million to $30.3 million. For the full year, revenues were up one per cent to $3.1 billion as net earnings of $92.2 million slipped from $95.3 million. In the fourth quarter, deliveries were 3,375 homes, up nine per cent. New orders were 3,027 homes, up 20 per cent. Lennar received 11,412 new orders in fiscal 2011, up four per cent from the previous year.

January 12 Product Spotlight

• Saniflo Canada’s Sanicompact and Sanistar toilets with a dual flush system use 38 per cent less water per flush than a low-flush toilet.
• The new adjustable Double Curved Shower Rod from Moen Canada provides extra elbow room and visual appeal, while keeping towels easily accessible. It expands to fit shower enclosures between 144″ and 153″ ‒ the most common size tub/shower combos. It also offers new double shower curtain rings and shower rod hooks available in chrome, brushed nickel, and old world bronze finishes.
• Variform siding accessories and trim by Plygem offer corners, columns, guttering, and soffit in 10 ultra-low gloss finishes and a brushed cedar wood grain texture.
• True Refrigeration has added a Professional Series residential line of commercial-grade products. The line offers customizable undercounter refrigeration products and includes wine cabinets, beverage centers, undercounter refrigerators, undercounter refrigerator drawers, and beverage dispensers.
• The Breville Barista Express offers both programmable and manual options for café quality results. Its integrated conical burr grinder produces fresh grounds and the 15-bar Italian pump, Thermacoil heating, and pressure gauge produce optimal beverages.
• Eboka International’s LED lighting solutions include flood light bulbs, globe bulbs, flat panel fixtures, and T8 tubes. They carry an average life span of 30,000 hours, are mercury-free, and flicker-free.
• Cosentino North America has added a new lineup of semi-precious stone surfacing material called the Prexury Collection. It offers 12 colours of slabs that can be used in vertical and horizontal applications.
• COAST Products’ HP7 LED flashlight features a rugged 5.5-inch aluminum casing delivering a run-time of more than five hours. It has a beam distance of 196 meters and offers high and low beams.

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Home Depot Tests PayPal

Home Depot is testing the PayPal system at its point-of-sale terminals in five stores. Customers can use their PayPal accounts to pay for merchandise by either entering their phone numbers and PayPal PIN, or by swiping their PayPal cards. PayPal, a division of eBay, is competing head on with Visa, MasterCard, and other credit card companies by developing a magnetic strip card that account holders can use in bricks-and-mortar stores. Traditionally, PayPal was a system utilized by consumers to complete Internet transactions.

Businesses Pessimistic About Future

Canadian businesses are becoming more pessimistic about the economy and their future prospects for sales both at home and in foreign markets, says the Bank of Canada. The central bank's survey of senior management at 100 representative firms shows confidence is well off post-recession highs across the broad spectrum of issues ‒ from sales expectations to their ability to pass through their costs to customers. But executives are most gloomy about sales. For the first time in almost three years, more firms on balance expect sales growth to slow rather than increase over the next 12 months. In the survey, 41 per cent expect their sales pace to slow, as opposed to 37 per cent that expect an increase.

Sales Up, Earnings Decline For WD-40

WD-40 Co. posted net sales for the quarter ended November 30 of $84.9 million, up five per cent from the same period last year. Earnings, however, declined 25 per cent to $6.8 million. The lubricant and all-purpose maintenance product manufacturer says the Americas and Asia Pacific regions experienced growth in the first quarter driven by sales of multi-purpose maintenance products, while it continues to see economic uncertainty in Europe. First quarter multi-purpose maintenance products sales, which include WD-40, 3-IN-ONE, Blue Works, and the WD-40 Specialist product line, were $70.8 million, up six per cent from the prior year fiscal quarter. Homecare and cleaning products sales, which include all other brands, were $14.1 million for the first quarter, down two per cent from the prior year fiscal quarter.

ProBuilding Names CEO

Robert Marchbank is CEO of ProBuilding Holdings. He was previously CEO of European operations at Wolseley and has 30 years of industry experience.

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Non-Residential Permits See Decline

The total value of building permits decreased 3.6 per cent to $6.1 billion in November, following an 11.6 per cent increase in October, says Statistics Canada. A decline in the non-residential sector, particularly in Ontario, more than offset gains in the value of residential permits. Contractors took out $2.2 billion of permits in the non-residential sector, down 17.6 per cent, following a 31.9 per cent increase the previous month. In the residential sector, the permit values rose 6.9 per cent to $3.9 billion following three consecutive monthly declines. The advance was attributable to higher construction intentions in eight provinces led by British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. Nationally, municipalities approved the construction of 16,895 new dwellings, up 5.8 per cent from October. The increase came from both single-family dwellings, which increased 6.2 per cent to 7,199 units, and multi-family dwellings, which rose 5.5 per cent to 9,696 units.

Manufacturer Collaborates With Customers

Canadian window and door product manufacturer Chaordix has launched Gienow Pulse, a project leveraging collaboration between Gienow Windows & Doors and its customers. The company is looking to homeowners living in Western Canada to share their passions, frustrations, experiences, and stories about their home improvement needs and projects. Through this collaboration, Gienow hopes to gather suggestions for developing new products and services that will make renovations a more enjoyable experience for its customers. The challenge will run until February 2012 when the grand prize will be drawn ‒ a $5,000 window and door makeover or an Apple products shopping spree. Visit www.gienowpulse.com for more details.

Nucor Stops Steel Framing Productions

Nucor Corporation will close its Nuconsteel division and no longer fabricate light gauge steel framing used in residential and commercial structures. Nucor expects to close Nuconsteel's facilities in the spring of 2012 after meeting current customer contractual obligations. Nucor and affiliates are manufacturers of steel products with operating facilities primarily in the United States and Canada. It entered the light gauge steel framing business in November 2001 with the acquisition of Itec Steel.

Cement Exports Return To U.S.

The Siam Cement Group (SCG) is planning to begin exporting building materials once again to the United States. Kan Trakulhoon, president and CEO of the cement supplier, says a team has been assigned to prepare the group's re-entry into the U.S. market after positive economic signs. These indicators include a rebound in the U.S. stock exchange and the seven per cent growth in housing sales during November 2011. The United States was once one of SCG's biggest export markets, accounting for 20 per cent of shipments in 2006.

Fiskars Announces Grant Recipients

Fiskars has selected 10 organizations to receive garden grants of $5,000 cash and tools to help support their community garden goals as part of the ‘2012 Project Orange Thumb’ program. Since 2002, Project Orange Thumb has contributed more than $1.3 million to more than 125 community groups and completed 12 garden makeovers in the U.S. and Canada. These include garden projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, sustainable agriculture, and horticulture education.

Ace Hosts Spring Convention

Ace Hardware Corporation’s Spring Convention will take place March 8 to 10 at the Georgia World Congress Centre in Atlanta, GA. The convention includes two days of pre-show training sessions and exhibits. For more information, visit www.acehardware.com

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Lowe’s Connecting Home

Lowe’s www.lowes.com is introducing Iris, a cloud-based home management system that gives customers the ability to control and interact with their home from anywhere using their smartphone or computer. Iris will be available in Lowe’s stores and on Lowes.com in mid-2012. Greg Bridgeford, Lowe’s executive vice-president of business development, says the retailer wants to deliver the idea of the connected home for all types of homeowners, erasing the notion that this is only suited for the affluent. The product will include connections for thermostats, locks, lighting, and appliances and will extend out to home monitoring and surveillance through the use of video cameras and door, motion, and fire sensors.

Recovery Boosts Furniture Imports

Furniture imported via ocean shipping rose sharply in November driven by a recovering housing market, says The Journal of Commerce. Increases in U.S. home sales were buoyed by the housing market, leading to the seven per cent growth in furniture shipments.

Discount Product Demand Increases Income

Family Dollar Stores Inc’s net income rose eight per cent in its first fiscal quarter, as demand for its discount products rose in the uncertain economy. For the three months ended November 26, it earned $80.4 million, compared with $74.3 million a year ago. Sales were $2.15 billion, up from $2 billion last year, but below the average estimate of $2.17 billion. Revenue at stores open a year rose 4.1 per cent as a result of a higher average customer transactions and increased customer traffic. It opened 101 stores in the quarter, which was almost 20 per cent more than in the year-ago quarter. It operates more than 7,100 locations in 45 states.

Website Promotes Renovation Benefits

Property owners and real estate investors stand to benefit from renovating in 2012, says Wo-Built Inc. The design and build company says homeowners should consider renovating over moving and discover the benefits a building project can offer. The company hopes to convince owners that building can be enjoyable, relaxing, and rewarding as many homeowners overlook the advantages of renovating due to misconceptions there's less cost and fewer headaches in selling and buying a new home. On the company’s website, whobuilt.com, common renovation myths are put to rest and financial benefits are compared.

Boise Moves Into Expanded Distribution Centre

Boise Cascade’s Building Materials Distribution has moved its Portsmouth, NH, operation into an expanded distribution facility in Greenland, NH. The new facility includes 15 acres of yard space, 120,000 square-feet of warehouse space, and 9,000 square-feet of office space. John Tiano, manager of the Portsmouth operation, says the increased capacity will allow the company to significantly increase its product offering.

Manufacturing Facility Converted For Distribution

Superseal Windows and Doors has converted its South Plainfield, NJ, manufacturing facility to a distribution and service centre. The move is part of the company’s plan, which began in early 2011, to centralize its manufacturing capability in its facility in Merrill, WI, near Superseal’s parent company, Hurd Windows and Doors. Hurd president and CEO Dominic Truniger says the move to centrally locate the manufacturing plant was critical as the brand grows on the national and international level.

Target Adds Third Canadian Distribution Centre

Target Canada is building a distribution centre in Calgary, AB. It will be the third in Canada. The centre will be approximately 1.3 million square feet. Target intends to open its first stores in early April 2013 and its distribution centres will be completed in time to support the needs of the stores. The first 24 stores are all in Ontario.

B.C. Girls Win Hockey Challenge

The Lillooet, BC, Pistons Junior Girls hockey team was the grand prize winner in the TIM-BR Mart World Junior Hockey Video Challenge. The 20 players, along with their coaches and parents, attended the World Junior Games in Edmonton, AB and were rink-side for two games.

Kitchen And Bath Show In Novi

The Building Industry Association of Southeastern Michigan (BIA) is sponsoring the Novi Home Improvement Show featuring the Michigan Kitchen and Bath show, January 27 to 29, 2012. The show will take place at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, MI, and is part of the National Home & Garden Series presented by Dish. Exhibits include kitchen and bath interiors, windows, doors, flooring, furniture, cabinetry, and more. For more information, visit http://novihomeshow.com/

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Employee Engagement Tied To Customer Experience

A new report finds a strong link between the level of employee engagement and the effort and commitment of employees to their company. The Temkin Group’s ‘Employee Engagement Benchmark Study’ shows that companies that are customer experience leaders have 2.5 times as many highly engaged employees as do customer experience laggards. The study found 31 per cent of employees are highly engaged, while 23 per cent are disengaged. Compared with disengaged employees, highly engaged employees are 480 per cent more committed to helping the company succeed, 250 per cent more likely to do something good for the company that's unexpected of them, 250 per cent more likely to make a recommendation about an improvement, and 370 per cent more likely to recommend that a friend or relative apply for a job.

First Canadian Target Stores Announced

Target has announced the locations of its first 24 Canadian stores. The first stores will begin to open in Ontario early in April of 2013 and up to 135 stores will be opened throughout the year in leased sites currently operated by Zellers Inc. Some of the first locations will include Toronto, London, Hamilton, and Windsor.

Purchasing Power Better With Low Currency Rate

U.S. and Canadian dollar currency comparisons between 1970 and 2010 have found that Canadians received more discounts on goods when the dollar was at depressed levels, says Statistics Canada. The agency compared fluctuations to what purchasing power was based on prices for goods and services in Canada and the U.S. The most recent figures in this data showed that despite Canadians enjoying a dollar that averaged about US97 cents in 2010, prices in Canada gave consumers here a purchasing power that was about eight cents less. The study shows Canadians enjoyed a discount of almost 20 cents on the dollar compared to Americans in the early 2000s when the loonie was worth around US65 cents, but our purchasing power at home was closer to US85 cents.

Home Improvement Confidence Expected To Improve

The ‘Home Improvement Industry Current Situation Index’ declined in December to 229.2 from 266.7 in November, says the American Hardware Manufacturers Association. Looking forward six months, 60 per cent of respondents expect sales to be above current levels, down from 76 per cent in November. In December, 30 per cent expected sales to be even in six months and 10 per cent expected sales to be below current levels. Looking forward one year, 80 per cent of respondents project sales will be higher, up from 76 per cent who felt that way in November. Fifteen per cent of December respondents project sales will be even one year from now and five per cent project sales will be below current levels.

Dorel Expands With European Acquisition

Dorel Industries Inc. has acquired Poland-based juvenile products distributor and retailer Poltrade for an undisclosed amount. The move comes as the Montreal, QC-based maker of infant car seats, bicycles, and ready-to-assemble furniture is looking to expand its international reach with acquisitions. Poltrade has posted strong sales growth and is targeted to have sales of $7.5 million in 2012. In November, Dorel made its first foray into the retail market with an agreement to buy a 70 per cent stake in South America's leading juvenile brands company Silfa, which owns 52 stores in Chile and Peru.

Hyde Launches Digital Catalogue

Hyde Tools has released an interactive digital master catalogue featuring a complete listing of products. The flipbook style publication provides product descriptions, photos, and selected how-to videos. It also allows readers to search content by keyword, product code, product name, or category. The catalogue can be accessed by computer, iPad, or smart phone at www.hydetools.com/catalog and will be continuously updated.

MasonryWorx President Earns Medal

Jack Prazeres, of Target Masonry and president of MasonryWorx, was presented with the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship in December for his contribution to the community. Prazeres won the medal for his work that led to the development of the Luso Canadian Charitable Society Centre which provides support services to those with physical or developmental disabilities. Created in 1973, the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship recognizes people who have made exceptional long-term contributions to the quality of life in the province. There were 11 outstanding recipients for 2011.

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Canadian Small Businesses Grow In Confidence

Small business confidence rose in December to 65, almost a point and a half higher than in November, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Its ‘Business Barometer Index’ typically hovers between 65 and 70 when the economy is expanding. Provincially, business owners in Alberta and Saskatchewan were Canada's most optimistic in December at 73.6 and 72.2 respectively, while British Columbia scored a 68 on the 0-to-100 scale. Heading east, optimism wanes some with Quebec businesses at 65.3, Manitoba firms at 64.8, and Ontario businesses at 63.5. The confidence scores drop even further in Atlantic Canada with Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick all at 59.8. Small businesses in Nova Scotia were the least optimistic of all, at an index level of 55.6.The wholesale goods sector was just under 68, while confidence in the construction and manufacturing sectors rose in December to 60.6 and 63.6 respectively.

Housewares Industry Tops $300 Billion

The average housewares expenditures for U.S. households increased 1.5 per cent in 2010, says the International Housewares Association. In its ‘2011 State-of the-Industry Report,’ it listed the top three categories in the global housewares market as cook and bakeware (17.3 per cent), kitchen tools and accessories (14.2 per cent), and tabletop (12.1 per cent). The global market size of the housewares industry is $301.9 billion, up 4.7 per cent from 2009 with North America, Western Europe, and Asia encompassing 82 per cent of the spending. Hardware stores and home centres accounted for 5.7 per cent of houseware sales in 2010, up from 5.5 per cent in 2009.

Construction On Road To Recovery

Construction spending in the U.S. rose in November for a third time in four months, says the Commerce Department. Building outlays increased 1.2 per cent, exceeding the estimate of 0.5 per cent by economists. Recent gains in the housing market, spurred in part by mortgage rates near record lows, are helping the construction industry recover from the 18-month recession that ended in June 2009. Public expenditures also climbed during the month, a sign that budget constraints may be easing. Private construction spending climbed one per cent in November from the prior month to $522 billion, the highest level since December 2009. Home building outlays increased two per cent, including a 2.6 per cent gain in home improvement.

Armstrong Refinances

Flooring and ceiling products manufacturer Armstrong World Industries has completed a refinancing and a special dividend payment by WAVE, its 50 per cent joint venture with Worthington Industries. Proceeds of the transaction were used to repay WAVE's previous credit agreement, as well as to pay special dividends to each of WAVE's parent companies, Armstrong and Worthington. Armstrong is revising its free cash flow guidance range for 2011 to an estimate of $150 million to $175 million, up from its previous guidance range estimate of $80 million to $120 million.

WOLF Building Now WOLF Home

WOLF Building Products will become WOLF Home Products. This division will source and sell WOLF-branded products through WOLF and other channels located in the United States and beyond. WOLF develops products and programs that enable 3,000 professional dealers across 18 East Coast states.

January 5 Product Spotlight

• 3M’s TEKK Forceflex safety eyewear has flexible resilient frames for a customizable fit. Lenses absorb 99.9 per cent of ultraviolet radiation and are available in clear or grey.
• The SDS Plus Rotary Hammer from Milwaukee is ideal for drilling overhead spaces and provides up to 65 per cent faster drilling with 1.5 foot-pounds of impact energy.
• The WrightGrip SB Ratchet is ideal for scaffolding as it consists of a ½″drive, ⅞″ ratchet, ⅞″ wrench, replaceable hammer, and a lanyard ring.
• TASK’s latest striking tool line includes sledges, mauls, axes, pickaxes, tampers, wedges, and bars with double injected fibreglass handles that significantly reduce vibration transmission, have built-in overstrike protection, and integrated rubber grips that won’t twist or slip under pressure.
• Ecofitt’s line of ultra high-efficiency toilets includes the Niagara Flapperless models Claremont (17″) and Simcoe (16″). They meet EPA Water Sense Criteria and fit a 10.5″ to 12″ rough-in.
• Xylem’s Islander bath furniture collection includes a bath vanity, hutch, and matching mirror set. Two width selections (24″ and 30″ vanity) and adjustable legs allow for maximum space optimization.
• EasyHeat’s Sno Melter electrical heating mats automatically melt snow and ice, eliminating the hassle of shovelling, salting, and plowing. It uses low temperature heating cables formed into flexible mats up to 30 feet in length which are placed below the surface of asphalt, pavers, or concrete and energized during freezing conditions.
• PURE Inspired Design’s Kicks fabric collection is made from eco-friendly, U.S.-made organic fabrics. It includes eco-friendly furniture, wool rugs, and home accessories.

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Hamilton Joins Castle

Hamilton Builders Supply has joined the Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. network of independent dealers. Hamilton commenced operations in 1923 with a location in downtown Hamilton, ON. Today, it operates five locations in the GTA and Niagara Peninsula regions of Ontario and is one of southern Ontario's largest privately owned building supply companies. Its customers include professional contractors, municipalities, institutions, commercial accounts, and homeowners.

Sentiment Highest Since June 2011

Consumer sentiment in the U.S. rose 5.8 points for the fourth month of consecutive increases, says the Reuters/University of Michigan ‘Consumer Sentiment Index.’ It is the highest level reached since June 2011. The index hit 69.9 points in December and researchers pointed to falling gasoline prices, mildly better employment prospects, an uptick in the stock market, and real income growth for the rise.

PWBank Launches Home Hardware Credit Card

Pacific & Western Credit Corp’s wholly owned subsidiary Pacific & Western Bank of Canada (PWBank) has launched the Home Credit Card with its partner Home Hardware Stores Limited. The card was launched on a national basis and all locations will be accepting applications for the new card. President and CEO of PWBank, David Taylor, says the partnership will provide Home Hardware customers with a credit tool to facilitate their home improvement investments.

Sears Announces Executive Vice-president

Ron Boire is executive vice-president, chief merchandising officer, and president of the Sears and Kmart brands at Sears Holdings Corp. Boire previously served as president and CEO of specialty retailer Brookstone. The company has more than 4,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada.

Discover Design Expands Show Space

Discover Design, showcasing inspired design and cutting-edge product innovation, will increase in space and the number of exhibitors at the ‘2012 International Home + Housewares Show,’ March 10 to 13 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.Expanded to nearly 100 companies this year, the space will feature Alessi, ASA, Cristel, Design House Stockholm, Eva Solo, Guzzini and others. Also planned for Discover Design are educational seminars. For more information, visit www.housewares.org

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Lowes Buys Online Retailer

Lowe's Cos. has bought online home improvement retailer ATG Stores in a bid to broaden its product assortment. ATG Stores, or Allied Trade Group Inc., operates more than 500 websites and offers 3.5 million products from more than 3,300 manufacturers, ranging from furniture and lighting to home décor, fitness equipment, and apparel. ATG Stores will be a Lowe's subsidiary.

Uniboard U.S. Sells Particleboard Facilities

Uniboard USA LLC will sell its MDF and particleboard facilities located in North Carolina to a subsidiary of Paneles Arauco S.A. The facilities sold to Arauco include particleboard, MDF, and TFM production capacity serving primarily the U.S. South-east. Uniboard Canada Inc. will continue to serve the Canadian and U.S. markets with its full range of products of particleboard, MDF, thermofused melamine, and laminate flooring.

Harmonized Standards Work Best

The best way to provide consumers with the best selection of products is to work with the federal government towards harmonizing standards with the United States, says the Retail Council of Canada (RCC). It was responding to an announcement that updated child car safety regulations would come into force January 1. This highlights the need for governments on both sides of the border to maintain the same standards across North America, it says. It notes that the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council is pursuing more common standards in the areas of agriculture and food, transportation, environment, and health and consumer products.

Consumer Confidence Hits Low Level

The Conference Board of Canada’s consumer confidence numbers show the index hit its lowest level since the height of the recession in December. The index posted a 6.5-point drop bringing 2011 to a "disappointing" close and signalling further belt-tightening by Canadians is in store. At 69.9, the index is down 11.1 points from where it was at the end of 2010, its lowest point in more than 2½ years.

Credit Facility Renewed

RONA Inc. has renewed its existing credit facility for a period of five years. Maturing in 2012, the credit facility was renewed until 2016, with the total available amount increased from $650 million to $950 million. The facility can be extended annually. It will be used for general needs and future development projects as well as to refinance a portion of the corporation's recently redeemed debentures.

Sears Plans To Close Stores

Sears Holdings Corp. plans to close between 100 and 120 Sears and Kmart stores in the U.S. after poor sales during the holidays. The closings are the latest and most visible in a long series of moves to try to fix a retailer that has struggled with falling sales and shabby stores. The company has more than 4,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada. Its revenue at stores open at least a year fell 5.2 per cent for the quarter at both Sears and Kmart.

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Home Improvement Retailing News

New Feature - Investment Showcase

December Issue In Interactive PDF format