DISTRIBUTORS/CO-OPS

Atlanta – An information-packed general session here at the True Value Reunion included up-close interviews with a new slate of senior executives and an update on the co-op’s long-running strategic planning effort.

And there was also a little comedy on the stage, as actors impersonated shoppers experiencing BBTSD, or “big box traumatic stress disorder.”

Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Do it Best Corp. reported net sales of $2.33 billion for the year ended June 25, 2011, an increase of 1.4% over the previous fiscal year.

Other data from the company's income statement showed gross profit for fiscal 2011 of $176.8 million, up 3.4% from $171 million last year.

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 Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

Lee Cockerell, retired executive VP of Walk Disney World will deliver an address on customer service at the Do it Best Fall Market Oct. 19. 

Cockerell’s presentation: “The Customer Rulse … The 39 Essential Rules for Delivering Sensational Service,” will take place at the Do it Best Fall Market Kickoff Breakfast. 

Cockerell will share the service rules he learned at three service organizations: Hilton, Marriott and Disney. 

Pre-registration is required for the $15 per-ticket breakfast event.

Denver -- Ace Hardware stores are showing strong same-store sales, while the distributor's wholesale sales are running ahead of the budgeted 3% growth, CEO Ray Griffith told dealers.

Speaking Saturday morning at the General Session of the co-op's 2011 Convention & Exhibits here at the Colorado Convention Center, Griffith said data from about 3,000 Ace stores show a 2.4% comparable-store sales increase over last year. In each of the last four months, the stores showed comp-sales increases of more than 4%. 

Chicago-based True Value Co.'s September market kicks off bright and early Friday morning with a 7:30 a.m. general session in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Sept. 23 to 25 event at the Philadelphia Convention Center also includes a Retail Best Practices Conference today, Sept. 22. 

One of the highlights of the event will be a display and demonstration of a small-format Destination True Value store, which will be open all hours of the market, with guided tours throughout the day. 

Dorvin Lively, the former chief financial officer and executive VP of Ace Hardware, has been hired at RadioShack as the company’s CFO, chief administrative officer and executive VP, effective immediately. 

Lively, 53, left the Oak Brook, Ill, buying group on Aug. 10. He joined Ace in March 2008 as senior VP and CFO and was promoted to executive VP in December 2010.