Home Improvement

Toano, Va. -- Lumber Liquidators, the largest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring in North America, announced the appointment of Sandra C. Whitehouse as senior VP chief human resources officer, effective later this month.

Whitehouse most recently served as chief human resources officer for Earthbound Farm. Previously, she led the human resources department at Orchard Supply Hardware.

Ridgefield, Conn. -- Schimenti Construction Company breaks ground on a $15 million retail shopping development in the Deptford Town Center shopping center in Deptford, N.J. The one-story 100,000-sq-ft. building will be the first to include every Bed Bath & Beyond brand under one roof: Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, buybuy Baby and Harmon Face Values.

Boston -- A new study from Kantar Retail and TNS revealed that shoppers prefer The Home Depot over Canadian Tire, Rona and other DIY retailers when shopping for home improvement items and do-it-yourself projects.  

In the April 2013 survey, Canadian shoppers rated top DIY competitors on a variety of attributes, including assortment, price, service, and community appeals.  



Atlanta -- The Home Depot announced a single-day effort to prepare residents in storm-prone regions for the upcoming hurricane season. On July 27, Home Depot said it will host Hurricane Preparedness Workshops at more than 700 of its stores from the Gulf Coast to New England.

The expansion of the workshops is one of several preemptive measures the company is taking in preparation for 2013 hurricane activity, which is once again predicted to be above average.

Albany, Ore. -- Vintage Real Estate said that it has signed a lease with Hobby Lobby for a 61,000-sq.-ft. store at the Heritage Mall, marking the arts-and-crafts retailer’s first location in Oregon.

Hobby Lobby will be located in a former Gottschalks space.  It is expected to open in the first quarter of 2014. “Our ability to quickly fill this long-vacant space is a major step in the execution of our renovation and repositioning plans for Heritage Mall,” said general manager Betsy Penson.

Charlotte, N.C. -- Beachwood, Ohio-based DDR Corp. has announced the opening of Belgate Shopping Center, the company's first ground-up domestic development in over four years.

Belgate is a 100% leased, 900,000-sq.-ft. prime power center located in Charlotte, N.C., anchored by Ikea, Walmart and a complimentary lineup of junior anchors including Marshalls, Ulta, Old Navy, Petco, Cost Plus World Market, Hobby Lobby and Shoe Carnival.

Los Angeles – A survey from online shopping site PriceGrabber indicates U.S. consumers are leaning toward practical Father’s Day gifts this year. Almost four-in-10 (38%) consumers plan to purchase practical Father’s Day presents this year, such as tools, auto accessories or appliances.

Nearly one-fifth of respondents (18%) are planning to shop for a tech-type gift such as a computer, tablet or smartphone. Forty-five percent of men plan to buy a practical gift, compared to 33% of women.

New York -- Sears Canada reported a net loss in its first quarter of C$31.2 million ($30.3 million) compared with a net profit of C$93.1 million, a year earlier amid weakened demand for major appliances and home products.

Revenue fell more than 6% to C$867.1 million. Same-store sales fell 2.6%.

The company also named E.J. Bird as CFO. Bird was appointed interim CFO in March, two months after Sharon Driscoll resigned from the post.