Hardware Stores

by Gina Acosta   Mooresville, N.C. - Lowe’s Companies’ CEO Robert Niblock cited the recovering U.S. economy as among the reasons why the company plans to focus more on market differentiation and omnichannel retailing. The company said it will outline these and other strategic priorities in a meeting with investors on Dec. 11 in North Carolina.  

Atlanta - The Home Depot has reached an agreement to purchase HD Supply Hardware Solutions, formerly known as Crown Bolt, a wholesale hardware supplier. The transaction is expected to close by the end of fiscal year 2014 subject to obtaining customary regulatory approvals.

The Home Depot is HD Supply’s largest customer and accounts for about 98% of its annual sales. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Mooresville, N.C. – Lowe’s Companies Inc. will open three new stores in Canada, starting with a 94,500-sq.-ft. store in Lethbridge, Alberta in spring 2015. Lowe’s also plans to open an 86,000-sq.-ft. store in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and a 75,000-sq.-ft. store in Saulte Ste. Marie, Ontario.  

DALLAS - The Container Store has long been lauded as one of the places to work—and now it looks like it’s also a great place to get married. The chain on Saturday celebrated the wedding of two 25+ year tenured employees—Greg Arechar and Lety Covarrubias—from its distribution Center,  at its headquarters. Co-founder and chairman emeritus Garrett Boone, an ordained officiant, led the ceremony.

New York - The chief executive of hardware giant True Value is going undercover—on television that is. True Value Company president and CEO John Hartmann will appear in the season premiere of "Undercover Boss," which airs on Dec. 14 on CBS. 

Brentwood, Tenn. - Tractor Supply Company plans to build a new distribution center in Casa Grande, Arizona. Located in the Central Arizona Commerce Park, the facility is expected to begin operating in the fourth quarter of 2015 and will be approximately 650,000-sq.-ft., with the potential to create more than 250 local jobs.
Tractor Supply Company's new distribution center will have the potential to service approximately 250 stores in the Southwest region. Currently, the company operates more than 1,360 stores in 49 states across the country.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's Companies Inc. has named 3M, Stainmaster and Truper as the company's 2014 Vendor Partners of the Year. The companies were selected for their commitment to product quality, innovation and customer service.   

Brentwood, Tenn. –- Tractor Supply Company has entered the Utah market with the opening of a store in Perry City, Utah. The store officially opened on Saturday, Oct. 25 and holds its grand opening Saturday, Nov. 1. The new store is 21,930-sq.-ft. and employs approximately 15 team members. Tractor Supply Company now operates more than 1,360 stores in 49 states and employs more than 19,000 workers across the country.