DISTRIBUTORS/CO-OPS

AVM Industries, Inc. has entered into a new distribution deal in the Western region with ABC Supply Co.

Lowry's is a distributor of waterproofing, sealants, air barriers and related products.

The show is described as a “furniture design competition series,” featuring emerging furniture designers competing for $100,000 cash prize, plus plenty of perks.

Orlando, Florida – Ace’s current merchandise strategy is heavy on the paint department, but there were plenty of other categories making news in the 850,000 square feet of exhibits here at the Orange County Convention Center.

Ace Hardware VP Merchandising Frank Carroll, speaking during the General Session here at the 2014 Fall Ace Convention & Exhibits, described the market as “a retail wonderland” with paint leading the way.

Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Do it Best Corp. has high praise for its vendors of the year.

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware Corp. is bringing its 19-million strong Ace Rewards customer loyalty program to a new level, with the help of Visa.

The new Ace Rewards Visa has been launched nationwide -- marking the first time for a hardware co-op to pair up with one of the big payment networks with a rewards card. Issued by U.S. Bank, the Visa card is available in a consumer version, plus a version designed for small business owners.

Guadalupe Lumber in San Antonio has a reputation for its eclectic product mix. “Jackets, boots and all sorts of stuff,” said Kyle Grothues, fourth-generation general manager of the three-store hardware home center retailer. “We ended up with a lot of statues of the Virgin Mary one year.”

And the results? “We sold all of them.”

The ability to seize merchandise opportunities is one of the common themes among the crop of 2013 Hardware Store All-Stars.

Ace Hardware, together with The Weather Channel, is offering a $15,000 customized home maintenance makeover for the winner of its "Forecast Fix Up." Launched on April 2, the contest invites consumers to submit photos and a 100-word description of their homes. Nominations will be accepted until April 30 and official rules and details can be found online at weather.com/fixup, as well as on The Weather Channel's Facebook page.