The Home Depot has announced an agreement to purchase Compact Power Equipment Inc., a national provider of equipment rental and maintenance services, for $265 million in cash. The transaction, which Home Depot confirmed July 6, is expected to close by the …
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Walmart Uses Virtual Reality for Training
Walmart has introduced virtual reality (VR) headsets into its training program, allowing new employees to practice customer service before encountering customers on the salesfloors, the company reports. Walmart says the technology is intended to allow new store associates “to experience …
Read More »Ace’s Retail Holdings Expand to 100 Stores
Ace Retail Holdings, the division of Ace Hardware that owns and operates the Westlake Ace Hardware chain, has expanded to 100 stores. Westlake Ace Hardware in June finalized its acquisition of two Q.P. Ace Hardware stores in the Omaha, Nebraska, area. Westlake …
Read More »Sears Introduces First Appliances and Mattresses Store
While Sears Holdings has recently announced hundreds of store closures, the company is also introducing a new business model to the market. Sears Appliances & Mattresses in Pharr, Texas, is a new Sears-branded store that cuts out the other categories to …
Read More »Department of Labor Reconsiders Overtime Pay Increase
The Department of Labor announced it is requesting feedback from the Office of Management and Budget on a proposed policy that would make millions more Americans eligible for overtime pay, reports The Washington Post. The policy was introduced by the …
Read More »Past NRHA Chairman Not Reopening Store Scorched by Arsonists
Valley Supply Hardware’s building in Rising Sun, Indiana, is a cavern of charred and melted power tools, fixtures, furniture, computers and all of the other supplies needed to operate a local hardware store. Two men were convicted on burglary and arson charges …
Read More »Ace Hardware Pushing for New Store Growth With Program
Ace Hardware Corp. has launched a new financing program for Ace Hardware store owners in an effort to help fuel new store growth efforts. The financing program gives qualified Ace store owners access to up to $200,000 in a dollar-for-dollar equity match …
Read More »PRO Group Hosts Merchandising Conference
PRO Group member distributors had the opportunity to meet with more than 95 manufacturers at the recent Group Merchandising Conference in Chicago. The conference, which took place June 19-22, began with a meeting for PRO Group members to introduce themselves and a …
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