Hardware Stores

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s has donated $250,000 to the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts associated with the wildfires in Colorado and the flooding in Florida.

In addition to the $250,000 donation, Lowe’s is also launching a social media support program to aid disaster victims. For every Facebook Like and Twitter Retweet received on the Lowe’s disaster-specific posts, Lowe's will donate a pair of work gloves, up to a total value of $50,000, to the American Red Cross to distribute to residents and emergency officials.

MOORESVILLE, N.C — Through its charitable and educational foundation, Lowe's has awarded more than $2.3 million in Spring 2012 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grants to 543 schools in 47 states throughout the nation. The grants were given to schools and parent organizations for parent-initiated school-improvement projects benefiting K-12 public education.

The projects funded during the spring grant period include technology and safety improvements, library renovations, walking trails, greenhouses, outdoor learning environments and more.

Atlanta -- The Home Depot on Wednesday expanded its share buyback plan for the year by $500 million and reaffirmed its full-year outlook.

The retailer said it now expects to buy back $4 billion of its shares and that the increase in its share repurchase plan would not have a material impact to earnings per share for 2012.

New York -- The Justice Department and The Home Depot have reached a settlement in a case where the government accused the retailer of unlawfully terminating an employee who was a member of the Army National Guard.

Home Depot’s Craig Menear, EVP merchandising, shared details and data from a first quarter that saw double-digit comps in certain seasonal product categories.

Overall, Home Depot saw comp-store sales increase 5.8% in the first quarter of strong sales and earnings growth.

The world’s largest retailer is taking steps to display its home improvement prowess through a digital marketing campaign centered on a “Projects Made Simple” area at Walmart.com.

The area is organized by home improvement project. For instance: how to stain a deck, install a water filter system, caulk a window or install a towel bar. In the deck video, an unidentified handy-man narrator explains, “All the tools are available at Walmart to get you going."

New York -- The world’s largest retailer is taking steps to display its home-improvement prowess through a digital marketing campaign centered on a “Projects Made Simple” area at Walmart.com.

The area is organized by home improvement project. For instance: how to stain a deck, install a water filter system, caulk a window or install a towel bar. In the deck video, an unidentified handy man narrator explains, “All the tools are available at Walmart to get you going.”

New Haven, Conn. -- RHYS Commercial said that Harbor Freight Tools is opening three Connecticut locations – in New Haven (17,000 sq. ft.), Bridgeport (14,284 sq. ft.) and Waterbury (16,813 sq. ft.).

The tool and equipment retailer’s location in New Haven opened April 27; construction is underway on the other two outlets.