Home Improvement

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Lowe’s Companies and the collegiate multimedia, marketing and licensing/brand management firm IMG College announced a national marketing agreement that helps the home improvement retailer reach college sports fans where dialogue is a game changer: official social media platforms.
 

Towson, Md.-based Black & Decker has introduced the GYRO 4V MAX Lithium-ion Rechargeable Screwdriver (BDCS40G).

The manufacturer describes the new product as “the world’s first motion-activated screwdriver.” It uses gyroscopic technology that allows users to rotate their wrist one-quarter turn to the right for forward or left for reverse.

The variable speed feature and direction change that occurs with a twist of the wrist provide improved control while screwdriving, the company said.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears' Craftsman brand is using the upcoming Republican and Democratic National Conventions to show that two sides can come together.

The company has teamed up with Ty Pennington of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" fame, Sears Heroes at Home, Rebuilding Together, NextGen Home built by Champion and Bank of America to build two halves of one home -- one in Tampa, Fla. during the RNC and the other in Charlotte, N.C. during the DNC.

Electrolux has upped its investment in innovation as it looks to stay at the forefront of the household appliance industry.

The company, best known for its Electrolux, Eureka and Frigidaire brands, said it would spend $6.3 million on a state-of-the-art research and development center at an existing refrigerator facility in Anderson, S.C., where the company had already committed to spending $45 million on upgrades. The facility opened in 1988.

New York -- A group of Rona Inc.'s dealers on Wednesday released an open letter on Wednesday that criticized the proposed takeover of the Canadian home-improvement retailer and distributor by Lowe’s Cos., Reuters reported.

The letter, which was addressed to Lowe's CEO Robert Niblock, was signed by merchants that operate 164 affiliate or franchise Rona stores.

PALATINE, Ill. — Weber-Stephen Products has released its first digital book: "Weber's Time to Grill: Get In. Get Out. Get Grilling," available for download on the iBookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Written by New York Times best-selling cookbook author and James Beard Award nominee Jamie Purviance, "Time to Grill," released in a soft-cover format in 2011, has sold more than 260,000 copies to date.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's Cos. Inc. on Monday reported lower-than-expected second quarter results, with its results hurt by a timing shift and a charge tied to job cuts. The chain also lowered its fiscal 2012 earnings and revenue outlooks.

Lowe’s earned $747 million for the period ended Aug. 3, down from $830 million in the year-ago period. Sales fell 2% to $14.25 billion. Same-store sales fell 0.4% and dipped 0.2% at U.S. locations.

The company noted that fiscal 2012 has one less week than last year.

CORTE MADERA, Calif. — Restoration Hardware has expanded its Big Style/small spaces collection.

“We call it a collection of epic proportions,” says Creator and Curator Gary Friedman of Restoration Hardware's Big Style/small spaces source book, which features a tongue-in-cheek cover of a climber scaling the nose of Abraham Lincoln on Mount Rushmore. Friedman continued, “And good design is all about proportions.”