HBSDaily

Retail, like many sectors, is one that is experiencing significant upheaval. But there are certain timeless qualities that elevate stores to All-Star status.

Briggs & Stratton Corporation has released a new mower that's a combination of its two most popular innovations: an engine that's up to 60 percent quieter than comparable models, and also never needs an oil change.

Tom Mahlke is CEO of Mid-States Distributing Co. Inc., which just unveiled a new logo (a red and brown M in a circle), a new slogan (The heart and soul of farm, ranch and home), and moved into a new headquarters (in Mendota Heights, Minnesota).

He spoke with HBSDealer shortly after Mid-State’s “Rendezvous,” the co-op’s semi-annual market and trade show for its farm-and-ranch retailer membership. Here’s the edited conversation:

Tifton, Georgia-based Short & Paulk Supply Co. recently promoted Mitzi Phillips, a longtime employee, to its assistant manager position of the Tifton store location. 

Each year, HBSDealer editors face the tough task of sifting through dozens of nominations for the annual Hardware All Stars feature (sponsored by <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; max-height: 100000px; border: 0px; font-family: open_sansbold, sans-serif; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initi

Rugby Holdings LLC., a subsidiary of Langley, British Columbia-based Hardwoods Distribution Inc., purchased Downes & Reader Hardwood Company Inc. Downes & Reader is a distributor of hardwood lumber with four locations in the US Northeast and annual sales estimated at $25 million.

Downes & Reader services both the wholesale and retail customer segments.

Lumberyards are critical suppliers to the home-building industry. With escalating building material prices and labor shortages, builders are looking for more collaboration with their lumberyards. I recently had an opportunity to speak on a panel with executive management from two lumberyards. The audience of home builders was genuinely interested in collaboration.

The summer months are typically the high points for home improvement project planning, and based on the second-quarter installment of the Home Improvement Research Institute’s Project Sentiment Tracking Study, this year doesn’t seem to be different.