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3 weeks ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
Castle Building Centres Group has announced its 13th annual Academic and Trade Scholarship Program, for the 2025/2026 school year. Academic scholarships will be awarded to students from the Castle community enrolled in a study program at a recognized Canadian university or college. Trade scholarships will be offered to students of an eligible skilled trade program at a Canadian trade college.
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3 weeks ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
Castle Building Centres Group held its first Buying Expo of the summer season last week at the JW Marriott Lake Rosseau Resort, northwest of Bracebridge, Ont. More than 250 Castle member and vendor participants came together for the three-day event. It included a regional member meeting, vendor product showcase, and two days of buying opportunities.
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1 month ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. has announced the addition of a new member location in Quebec. Barbe Aluminium et fils is located in Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, on the North Shore of Montreal. Martin Barbe and Sonia Daoust Barbe founded the business over two decades ago. The married duo’s team includes their daughter and son-in-law.
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1 month ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
RONA inc., via LinkedInRONA inc. has announced the launch of RONAGO, a new “micro-learning platform” geared at teaching team members how to navigate the day-to-day challenges of operating their business. Users can take advantage of a mobile app to learn at their own pace. The app was devised by the company’s Learning and Development Team.
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1 month ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
Retail sales increased 0.8 percent to $69.8 billion in March, StatCan reports. Sales were up in six of nine subsectors and were led by increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers. Core retail sales rose by 0.2 percent, a second consecutive monthly gain, led by a 2.6 percent sales increase in LBM and garden categories.
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1 month ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
Lowe’s Cos. today reported Q1 net income of US$1.64 billion, or $2.92 per share, down from $1.8 billion a year earlier but beating estimates of $2.88 per share. Revenues of $20.93 billion were also down, from $21.4 billion, while exceeding forecasts. Same-store sales fell by 1.7 percent, less than the expected 2.0 percent.
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1 month ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
Home Depot reported Q1 net earnings of US$3.56 per share, down three percent from a year earlier and short of Wall Street estimates of $3.59. Revenues rose by 9.4 percent to $39.86 billion, exceeding estimates of $39.29 billion. Same-store sales fell by 0.3 percent, a bigger drop than the expected 0.2 percent. In a statement accompanying the announcement, CFO Richard McPhail said the company said it plans to keep prices unchanged despite the threat posed by U.S. tariffs.
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1 month ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
BMR Group has announced the addition of CBS Bancroft in Central Ontario and Severn Building Supply, with locations in the communities of Brechin and Coldwater, to the BMR Pro banner. The new members expand the group’s footprint in Ontario and reflect its efforts to position itself as the top destination for pros. CBS Bancroft has been in business since the 1970s and was purchased by a trio of business partners in 2021.
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1 month ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
A group of shareholders including the leaders of Technoform Industries has acquired the assets of Luxo Marbre. Technoform’s president Richard Davidson and VP Annie Caron say they want to “live up to the brand’s potential” under the new name of Créations Luxo. The new owners have also announced a partnership with Davidson Sales & Marketing, which will represent Luxo to Canadian retailers.
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1 month ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
The latest edition of Hardlines Dealer News lands in inboxes tomorrow. In this issue, we get to know Home Hardware’s new head, explore the pitfalls of the Buy Canadian push, and unpack Lowe’s latest expansion.
