DISTRIBUTORS/CO-OPS

Do it Best Corp. entered the Elite 100 annual rankings conducted by Information Week. The recognition was linked to the co-op’s development and implementation of a dedicated app for its Sneak Peek sales events at its May and October markets. 

Atlanta -- True Value Co.'s Special Order App for mobile devices is putting more power into the hands of retailers, according to the co-op.

What began as a concept about 18 months ago, the True Value mobile ordering app is now in its sixth month of operation. It's in use at about 1,800 retailers making thousands of orders, said Rosalee Hermens, VP and chief information officer for True Value. 

When Doug Christner first laid eyes on the Destination True Value format, he knew he...

Hardware store owners are using social networking sites on the Internet to connect with customers...

HCN congratulates the 50 hardware store, home center and farm and ranch retailers who made the annual HCN Hardware Store All-Star list.

Now in its third year, HCN's annual list of high performers recognizes hardware stores -- one from each state -- that are outstanding in their field. The complete list and analysis can be found in the September issue of HCN. Meanwhile, HCN Daily will work its way across the country with mini profiles, continuing this week with Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.

Indianapolis -- Do it Best Corp. members appear to be buying into the idea of a recovery. At the co-op’s October Market here, which runs through Oct. 21, sales of Sneak Peak merchandise amounted to $8.8 million in 90 minutes, a new record. 

“The October market always provides our members a wealth of opportunities to learn, connect and plan for the year ahead,” said Do it Best Corp. President and CEO Bob Taylor. 

Orlando, Fla. -- First came a roll out of Clark & Kensington private label paint. Next came a blockbuster deal with Valspar. And now comes the introduction and unveiling of the Paint Studio, the new brand for Ace Hardware’s self-described “Paint Reinvention” program.

It’s all part of Ace Hardware’s efforts to get relevant and make noise in the retail paint arena, said John Surane, senior VP merchandising, marketing and sales.

The distributor has branches in Nebraska, Iowa and Colorado.