Home Centers

In Langford, British Columbia, the evolution of the Lowe’s big box continues.

The one-two punch of bad weather and a weak economy took its toll on Boucherville, Quebec-based RONA's second-quarter performance. 

Canada's largest distributor and retailer of hardware, renovation and gardening products posted second-quarter sales of C$34.2 million, down 2.4%. Same-store sales declined 9.6%. Net income amounted to C$39.5 million, down from C$66.3 million in the second quarter of 2010.

Driving a Chevrolet sponsored by the home center chain founded by his father, Nascar driver Paul Menard won his first race. 

John Menard, founder of Eau Claire, Wis.-based Menards, celebrated the upset victory at the Brickyard 400 with his son at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The win was the first for Paul Menard, after 167 races.

Sears Home Services has entered into agreements with three branches of the military to provide delivery and installation services for merchandise sold through their stores in the continental U.S. After success with initial pilots, Sears began the nationwide launch on June 8,  at various Navy, Army, and Air Force Exchanges that sell home improvement services such as siding, windows, cabinet refacing, kitchen remodeling, roofing, carpet, and upholstery cleaning, air duct cleaning and garage door installation and repair.

An article in the Edmonton Journal reports Lowe's officials sawed a board to launch the retail company's first Edmonton-area store, which will open to the public Monday.

Federal authorities are looking into a fatal accident that occurred at a Lowe’s store in Enterprise, Ala., the company has confirmed. The victim, who has not been identified, was pinned between a delivery truck and a trailer and was airlifted to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident. Karen Cobb, a spokeswoman for Lowe’s, said the cause has not yet been determined.

The world’s largest retailer is experimenting with the taxi alternative.

Menards may become the first anchor tenant in a vacant St. Louis mall, one of local several sites the Midwest retailer is eyeing for expansion, according to an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The developer of the Northwest Plaza shopping center told the County Tax Increment Financing Commission on May 23 that Menards is interested in purchasing 17 acres of the site to build a 160,000 sq. ft. store.