Home Improvement

New York -- On the heels of disappointing sales trends, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. said that its CEO W. Bruce Johnson will leave the company Aug. 1.

The company also announced that the board of directors has commenced a search for a new CEO and has retained Heidrick & Struggles, a leading global executive search firm, to assist the Board in identifying and evaluating external and internal candidates.

New York -- Sears Holdings Corp. is hoping to spark a turnaround in its struggling Hometown and Outlet Stores division with a 51-store refresh program that starts with seven stores in Arizona.

The store refresh includes a new product assortment, redesigned merchandising, new fixtures & signage, and comprehensive employee training, among other changes.

Louisville, Colo. -- Ace Hardware is America’s favorite home improvement store and Costco is the favorite for home furnishings, according to a new nationwide survey by Market Force Information. The findings are based on consumers’ satisfaction levels and their likelihood to recommend the retailer to others.

In the home improvement sector, Ace Hardware earned the top spot with a composite loyalty score of 61% (out of a potential 70%). Menards came in second, at 50%, followed by Lowe’s, Home Depot and Walmart.

Staples is looking to Martha Stewart once again to re-invigorate its home office product assortment.

The retailer and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia have announced a new, multi-year strategic direct retail collaboration for the manufacture and distribution of a brand new line of Martha Stewart Home Office products.

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc., which had disappointing financial results in its last quarter, said CEO W. Bruce Johnson will leave the company Aug. 1.

The company also announced that the board of directors has commenced a search for a new CEO and has retained Heidrick & Struggles, a leading global executive search firm, to assist the Board in identifying and evaluating external and internal candidates.

Ace Hardware is looking to lure more female shoppers into the largely male domain of the hardware store with its latest partnership with OPI.

Following the retailer/s launch last year of an inaugural paint palette from OPI, the hardware cooperative is adding even more colors, including colors from the new Hawaii Collection by OPI.

The Tile Shop had good results for its first fiscal quarter of 2015, with double-digit sales growth and steady progress in other key areas. But with the housing market rebounding, one may wonder why sales weren't even stronger.

Retailers with a presence in Denver, San Antonio, Nashville, Fort Lauderdale and Dallas should expect strong sales in the months ahead based on a new report which identifies those cities as the nation’s hottest housing market.