Hardware Stores

Lowe’s takeover of Canadian home improvement chain gets regulatory OK With regulatory hurdles out of the way, Lowe's Cos. is one step closer to completing its acquisition of Canadian home improvement retailer Rona Inc. Lowe's has officially been granted approval under the Investment Canada Act and clearance from the Competition Bureau. Rone operates nearly 500 stores in Canada.

Lowe's Companies Inc. is pricing a $3.3 billion notes offering, with an eye toward supporting a planned purchase of another home improvement retailer.

The retailer has agreed to sell $250 million of floating rate notes due 2019, $350 million of 1.15% notes due 2019, $1.35 billion of 2.5% notes due 2026 and $1.35 billion of 3.7% notes due 2046.

Ace is the place with the helpful hardware store, and the retailer is extending its classic motto to the digital realm.

As an independently-owned retail cooperative, Oak Brook, Illinois-based Ace Hardware Corp. operates more than 4,400 stores and a distribution network of 14 retail support center across the U.S. The company leverages this physical footprint to help meet the needs of online shoppers.

Lumber Liquidators on Monday announced the appointment of Dennis Knowles as COO, effective March 1, 2016.

Knowles has served in store operations leadership roles at Lowe's Companies since 2001, most recently as chief store operations officer, and prior to that as senior VP of store operations support and specialty sales and its senior VP of store operations for Lowe's West and South Central Divisions, respectively.

Lowe's rode the same wave of recovery in the housing market as its rival Home Depot in the fourth quarter, topping its own expectations with substantial gains.

Tractor Supply Company continues its rapid expansion, with the grand opening of its 1,500th store, on Feb. 13, in Odessa, Texas.

The retailer opened a total of 114 stores in 2015, and expects to open between 115 and 120 locations in 2016. Tractor Supply stores are located primarily in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities.

Tractor Supply Company continues its rapid expansion, with the grand opening of its 1,500th store, on Feb. 13, in Odessa, Texas.

The retailer opened a total of 114 stores in 2015, and expects to open between 115 and 120 locations in 2016. Tractor Supply stores are located primarily in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities.