Home Centers

Former Sony Electronics executive, Steve Haber, is joining Sears Holdings as SVP and president, home appliances. 

In his new role with Sears Holdings, Haber will lead the company's effort to continue driving profitable growth in its industry-leading appliance business.

From the outside, the Mount Prospect, Ill., True Value hardware store looks a lot like any other True Value store. It’s only 2 years old, so the sign above the door appears extra bright red and white.

When you walk through the entrance, it still looks a lot like most of the Chicago-based co-op’s fashion-forward Destination True Value format stores. At 12,600 sq. ft., it’s a little bigger than most. The registers are ringing up front, and a racetrack is punctuated by 38 endcaps promoting product, as well as ideas for the home.

Boosted by mild temperatures and spring-like selling conditions throughout much of the country, Atlanta-based Home Depot saw sales rise nearly 6% in the fourth quarter.

The home improvement giant reported fourth-quarter sales of $16.0 billion, up 5.9% from the same quarter last year. Comparable-store sales were positive 5.7%, and up 6.1% in the United States.

"We had a strong finish to 2011, and with favorable weather, our business delivered results that exceeded our expectations," said CEO Frank Blake. 

Home Depot's net earnings crossed the $2 billion mark in the second quarter, as spring business for the world's largest home improvement retailer rebounded along with core departments.

Net earnings of $2.050 billion were up 14.2% from the same quarter last year. Net sales rose 5.7% to $23.811 billion. Comparable store sales were positive 5.8% -- and positive 6.4% for U.S. stores.

Lowe's and Houzz, a website for home remodeling ideas, design and social interaction, has announced a marketing relationship that kicks off with a "Dream Kitchen" sweepstakes. The winner of the contest will receive a “dream kitchen,” valued at $50,000, designed and built by Houzz's top designers and contractors with materials from Lowe's.

Home Depot has announced the purchase of Redbeacon, an online matchmaker that connects consumers with contractors for home repairs, maintenance and remodeling. The purchase price was not disclosed. 

Lowe's new Iris Smart Home solution is slated to be available in Lowe's stores and through Lowes.com in mid-2012.

Iris is described as an affordable system that will give homeowners the ability to control and interact with their homes from anywhere. Energy and technology company Genability will be used by Lowe's in its new cloud-based smart home solution called Iris.