Rick Whitson, vice president of distribution, will retire Dec. 31 from Ace Hardware Corp. after 37 years with the company. Whitson has a long history of contributions to the co-op’s retail support area. During his career, he directed the operational startup of the …
Read More »Kate Klein
Use This Termination Checklist Before Firing an Employee
Hardware Retailing is providing a checklist to help you think through when and how to terminate problem workers. Keeping a poorly performing employee is risky for your business. However, firing comes with its own risks, even if you can justify the termination. If …
Read More »Q&A: Economist Shares Outlook on 2017
Jack Kleinhenz is chief economist for the National Retail Federation (NRF), the world’s largest retail trade association. Formerly with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Kleinhenz is a contributing forecaster to The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Federal Reserve Bank of …
Read More »Walmart Testing 4,000-Square-Foot Stores
Walmart is testing Walmart Pickup with Fuel, a store format so tiny that about 45 of them could fit in one of the retail giant’s super centers. The new stores are 4,000 square feet and serve as pick up locations for …
Read More »What’s Next for the Stalled Overtime Law?
The U.S. Department of Labor is appealing a federal judge’s order to stop implementation of new overtime pay increases, which were slated to take effect nationwide on Dec. 1, the date the appeal was filed. Texas federal Judge Amos L. …
Read More »Where Consumers Buy Products to Keep Baby Safe
Many U.S. homeowners use hidden latches to keep children out of cabinets and gates to prevent toddlers from tumbling down the stairs. But what are the top childproofing products consumers buy, and where do they purchase those items? Hardware Retailing …
Read More »Using GMROI to Improve Your Business
The annual Cost of Doing Business Study from the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) is the industry’s only inclusive benchmarking study and has been conducted annually for more than 100 years. The study provides detailed financial information from hardware stores, home centers …
Read More »Ex-Lowe’s Exec: Focus Is ‘Growth and Profitability’ for Lumber Liquidators
A former Lowe’s executive is now leading Lumber Liquidators as CEO, and he is planning on a recovery for the controversy-embroiled flooring discounter. Dennis R. Knowles, who Lumber Liquidators hired as chief operating officer in February, was promoted to CEO this month. Prior to working …
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