Consumer confidence is making strides, recovering from pre-government shutdown levels, according to the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index®. The index, which had decreased in November, rebounded in December, now standing at 78.1, up from 72.0 the month prior. “Consumer confidence rebounded …

Ace recently recognized six member stores with the company’s third-annual “Coolest Hardware Store” awards. Of 4,700 locally-owned and operated Ace Hardware stores worldwide, these stores were named during Ace’s annual Platinum Conference held in Las Vegas this week: Ace Hardware …

Consumer confidence improved for the third straight month, according to the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index. The Index now stands at 81.4, up from 74.3 in May, bringing it to its highest level since January 2008 (Index 87.3). “Consumers are …

Canada’s premier awards program for home improvement retailers has a new home. The Outstanding Retailer Awards (ORAs) are now owned and managed by Hardlines Inc. Hardlines, which publishes the quarterly hardware/home improvement trade magazine Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly (HHIQ) and …

National Hardware Show® attendees finished up the last day of the show by exploring new products, industry connections and ideas for doing business. This year, the show focused more on what attendees said was most valuable to them—the newest products on …

As a global event and the largest of its kind in North America, the 68th annual National Hardware Show® kicked off in grand fashion this morning, culminating in a confetti cannon showering the crowd of exhibitors and attendees gathered around …