Home Centers

Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe’s acquired ATG Stores, an online retailer of home improvement and lifestyle products based in Kirkland, Wash. 

The acquisition, announced Thursday morning, "underscores Lowe’s commitment to providing an endless aisle of products," the company said. The move is part of an effort to boost the retailer's online and multichannel presence.

Ask Marvin Ellison any question about Home Depot’s business, and the answer will probably circle around, gravitate toward or — probably most likely — hammer squarely on the concept of customer service.

The Home Depot this morning reported first quarter sales of $19.7 billion, up 2.9% from last year's first quarter. Comparable-store sales were up 2.6%. Comp-store sales for U.S. stores were positive 3.3%.

The Atlanta-based retail giant also reported double-digit growth in net earnings -- up 12.5% to $1.38 billion. 

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores opened its newest Illinois location in Pekin.

The store is the first new Sears Hometown Store to open this year and the sixth opening of a new store across all Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores.

“We’re both proud and excited to fulfill high consumer demand for Sears Hometown Stores in the Pekin area and to become a staple in the community,” said Adam White, store manager of the new Sears Hometown store.

After announcing its plans last December to do away with yet another one of its assets, Sears Holdings officially completed its spinoff of the Lands' End unit on Friday. 

As according to plan, Lands' End began trading as a separate company Monday (stock ticker symbol LE), with about 32 million shares to its name. Those holding Sears shares as of March 24, 2014 received about .3 shares of common Lands' End stock per Sears share.

Small and medium-sized businesses selling on Amazon Marketplace racked up big sales figures in 2017.

The Home Depot has named Craig Menear president, U.S. retail, and Mark Holifield EVP supply chain and product development.

"Craig is a world-class retailer and has done a terrific job in recent years leading some of the most important and successful initiatives in our company," said Frank Blake, chairman and CEO. "And Mark has successfully led one of the most extensive supply chain transformations in retail history. Both are very deserving of their new leadership roles, and I look forward to their continuing contributions to our business."

The Home Depot announced Thursday that it has closed its acquisition of Blinds.com, the Houston-based online window coverings retailer.

In explaining the appeal of the partnership, Home Depot cited Blinds.com's integrated user experience, on-demand staff and knowledge base.