Technology

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware Corp. has unveiled the redesigned acehardware.com for consumers.

The website features new functionality designed to greatly enhance the consumer’s online experience, prominently featuring product reviews, tips and advice, store locator, enhanced “My Store” pages and Ace’s “Red Hot Buys.”            

Called etoolbox.net, the new dealer-exclusive website enables orders through the Internet and the latest product information for the 105-year-old distributor.

House-Hasson Hardware has inaugurated a new dealer-exclusive website, etoolbox.net, which enables dealers to order via the Internet and get up-to-the-second information on House-Hasson’s more than 50,000 products. 

DMSi joins lumber dealer group’s Manufacturers and Services Council.

Home Depot’s Craig Menear, executive VP merchandising, shared details and data from a first quarter that saw double-digit comps in certain seasonal product categories.

Overall, Home Depot saw comp-store sales increase 5.8% in the first quarter of strong sales and earnings growth.

The 2012 crop of Home Channel News Hardware Store All-Stars marks the second year of the state-by-state accounting of high-performance retailers. The common theme of “excellent customer service” runs through the entire list, but that’s just the beginning.

Here are the first three on our alphabetical listing:

Chicago-based hardware co-op True Value Co, announced the appointment of Robert Young to divisional VP for the paint, hardware and tool departments, effective January 2011.

Young joined the company from Briggs & Stratton Corp., where he served as VP/general manager of business units and oversaw product development, brand management and engineering of key power products. Young has more than 20 years experience in retail and merchandising roles, and has held positions of increasing responsibility in growing sales and profits.

The power tools aisle is a cornerstone in any hardware retailer’s selection—where brands like DeWalt,...

Earnings rose 7.4 percent, while sales for the third quarter saw a 5.8 percent gain year-over-year....