Home Improvement

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears was arguably synonymous with its “Big Book” catalog, but as the world became more technologically advanced and look books went digital, the retailer bade its catalog and catalog stores farewell and shifted to a new retail model of locally owned and operated dealer stores. 

Net sales at WD-40 Co. increased 7% in the third quarter, as the company's multi-purpose maintenance products showed double-digit growth.

WD-40 sales were $93.1 million in the quarter ended May 31, compared to sales of $87.0 million in the year-ago period. Net income for the third quarter was $10.3 million, up 12%.

Corte Madera, Calif. -- Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc. said Friday that a group of stockholders will plan to sell up to 10 million shares of the company.

The company registered an offering of up to 10 million shares worth as much as $753.2 million. It did not specify who will sell the shares or when the offering is expected to close.

Restoration Hardware's biggest shareholders are the private equity firms Catterton Partners and Tower Three Partners, followed by Glenhill Capital.
 

Brand Keys, a customer engagement and research consultancy, has identified the 25 brands consumers regard as the most patriotic.

Topping the list were Jeep, Hershey and Coca-Cola with Walmart the only retail brand to make the list at number 15.

Chicago -- The Macy’s store in the recently renovated Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville, Ohio, has begun its first full-store renovation since opening in 1979. The single-level 100,000 sq. ft. store will receive new flooring, wall treatments, paint and additional accent lighting. In addition, the renovation will reconfigure the aisles to improve flow and sight lines. Macy’s will remain open throughout the renovation, which will finish up in time for the holiday season.

WASHINGTON — Lowe’s and the USO treated hundreds of servicemen and women and their families to an all-American event headlined by a charity grill-off at Nationals Park to thank the U.S. armed forces and celebrate the Fourth of July. 

Active-duty troops from each branch of the armed services grilled up burgers for the grilling competition.

Austin, Minn. -- Karis Ventures LLC, an online retailer of kitchen products, has unveiled a new e-commerce site known as MyNewKitchenProducts.com. Product categories include blenders, coffee makers, cookware sets, food dehydrators, frying pans, juicers, kitchen carts, pasta makers, pot racks, pressure cookers, refrigerators and mini fridges, rice cookers, wine racks and wine coolers. Customers can filter products by price and create personal accounts to track orders.

To counteract weak demand for conventional office products, Staples is peddling some decidedly non-traditional office products as part of an expanded assortment billed as, "summer celebration essentials."

The company is offering condiments such as ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard along with grills, coolers, bottle openers, patio furniture, salty snacks and disposable cutlery to appeal to Fourth of July shoppers.