Home Improvement

Lowe's is helping to fulfill the makeover wishes of 515 schools in 46 states with money for improvement projects.

Memphis, Tenn. -- Fred's Super Dollar reported $138.8 million in sales, up 3%, for the four-week fiscal month of January ended Jan. 31, 2015. Comparable store sales for the month increased 4.3% versus a decrease of 1.8% for the same period last year.

Minneapolis -- The Tile Shop has expanded its presence in the Tampa, Florida market, opening a location at the Dale Mabry Shopping Center in Tampa, and another at in Brandon.

The new locations join the growing family of Tile Shop stores in Florida, including a location in Jacksonville and an Orlando location to open this spring.

San Jose, Calif. -- Orchard Supply Hardware announced it has opened three new stores, including a location in Portland, Oregon, and two in California (Irvine, and Cerritos).

In addition to the 300 jobs these new stores have created, the retailer plans to hire an additional 1,000 associates as it prepares for the busy spring season, and to support its continuing growth.
 

A bigger focus on the pharmacy department was a key driver of success for Fred’s in January.

The retailer reported that total sales for the month increased 3% to $138.8 million from $134.7 million in January 2014. Same store sales for the month increased 4.3% versus a decrease of 1.8% for the same period last year.

San Jose, Calif. – Tractors are a long way from Pez dispensers, but EBay is entering the equipment and industrial live online auction space. EBay and online marketplace platform provider Proxibid are partnering to make heavy equipment, industrial machinery, farm equipment, cars and trucks accessible via live auctions on the EBay marketplace using Proxbid’s software solutions and bidding technology.

Irvine, Calif. – Custom window covering retailer 3 Day Blinds is taking customization to a new level. The company has selected the engagement marketing platform from Marketo Inc. to create and deliver personalized content to new and existing customers, drive revenue increases and streamline marketing activities.

Stanley Black & Decker and Newell Rubbermaid reported modest but steady growth in the fourth quarter, results that position both companies on solid ground going forward.

At Stanley Black and Decker, net sales for the fourth quarter came in at $2.98 billion, up from $2.88 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013. This was mainly due to increases in volume and price, but partially offset by currency. In terms of net income, the company pulled in $145.8 million, up considerably from last year's $56.1 million.