Market Insights

April sales estimates from the Monthly Retail Trade Report showed NAICS 44413 sales at $1.76 billion, compared with $1.79 billion last year. 

The report from the U.S. Census Bureau showed April hardware store sales -- the latest month of available statistics for the 44413 hardware store classification -- were up 17.3% on an unadjusted basis over March 2011. 

Orlando, Florida -- There have been some ambitious presentations at Home Improvement Research Institute conferences in the past, but few have plunged the depths of the art and science of human decision making like Michelle Adams' dive into neuroscience.

In 2011, Westlake Ace Hardware took top honors as Home Channel News "Retailer of the Year." The Lenexa, Kan.-based 88-store retail company has successfully planned and executed a customer service initiative and re-established its mission to serve the needs of project-oriented DIYers through a program called Project North Star. 

Here are the recent HCN Retailers of the Year:

Two-thirds of homeowners have concerns about over-paying on a home project, according to survey data released from Home Advisor.

So long as students graduate, student debt doesn't have a huge effect on young homeowners.

Driven by recent home purchases, spending is on the rise for renovations -- especially in kitchen and bath.

Nearly 260 million people will go online at least once a month in 2015.

Stocks again had a solid performance, with 26 out of the 30 home improvement stocks showing positive gains.