Page 11 - Nov-Dec 2022 Reporter

Industry NEWS

Owner; Jeff Hill, Manager. Award sponsored LOWE'S/RONA ANNOUNCEMENTS
by Burlington Merchandising and Fixtures.
The winners were carefully chosen from
a field of high-quality nominees submitted
from every part of Canada. The winners stood
out within this elite group thanks to their
ability to exceed in the areas of good business The Lowe’s Canada Network Presents Over
practices, customer relations, innovation, and $1.44 Million to Canadian Charity Partners
niche marketing. Lowe’s Canada is proud to announce the
“The past two and a half years were results of its fifth highly successful Heroes
marked by a level of disruption not seen in campaign. Thanks to the involvement of
this industry in our lifetime,” said Michael 313 teams from participating locations, an
McLarney, President of Hardlines Inc. “In a unprecedented engagement, and customers’ Two Stores of the Lowe’s Canada Network
field of entries where the bar was already generosity, over $1.44 million will be Honoured at the Hardlines Outstanding
raised high by pandemic conditions, this distributed to 242 charities, NPOs, and public Retailer Awards
year’s winners shine bright.” schools across the country. Each local team Lowe’s Canada celebrates the
chose their own cause to support. recognition received by two of its Ontario
About the Outstanding Retailer Awards “Helping build stronger communities stores at the 2022 Outstanding Retailer
Launched in 1992, the Hardlines Outstanding is a top priority at Lowe’s Canada, and this Awards (ORAs) gala in October. Organized
Retailer Awards are the home improvement campaign reflects that engagement. With by Hardlines, a home improvement retail
industry’s only national awards program 242 organizations supported, we hope to industry news and information service, this
dedicated to celebrating the achievements of make a difference in the lives of many. These competition recognizes the best players in the
hardware and building supply dealers across are challenging times—both economically home improvement and hardware industries
all banners in Canada. In its 30-year history, the and socially. These organizations’ needs in Canada. This year, RONA Fort Erie won the
program has honoured more than 165 retailers. are greater than ever, and our teams Marc Robichaud Community Leader award
are working extremely hard to support and Lowe’s Pickering was named Best Large
About Hardlines them,” said Mélanie Lussier, Director, Surface Retailer.
Celebrating its 27th year, Hardlines Inc. is External Communications and Sustainable
Canada’s leading authority on the retail Development. RONA Fort Erie: Marc Robichaud Community
home improvement industry. Hardlines’ Lowe’s Canada associates wanted to do Leader award
products and services include its weekly their part more than ever by coming together With a history spanning over 36 years,
Hardlines e-newsletter; its print magazine, in large numbers in 313 locations across the the RONA Fort Erie affiliated store is actively
Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly; country. This year, six distribution centres and contributing to building strong communities,
a comprehensive and informative website; 81 RONA affiliated dealer stores joined the one of Lowe’s Canada’s top priorities. The
Hardlines Dealer News for retail dealers and Lowe’s, RONA, and Réno-Dépôt corporate store’s associates regularly host fundraising
managers; Hardlines HR Advisor for the people stores. Associates ramped up creative ideas campaigns and several charity events in
side of the business; the Hardlines Daily News and personal determination to raise the most support of local Fort Erie charities. Store
service; and the annual Hardlines Conference. funds possible for their chosen organization. Manager, Jeff Hill, and his entire team have
In addition, Hardlines annually publishes two Some teams even volunteered to help carry developed a strong relationship with the
definitive financial analyses of the industry: out a project. For a bigger impact, Lowe’s community they serve.
the Hardlines Retail Report and the Hardlines Canada matched 50% of all donations, up “Fort Erie displayed this in spades. The
Market Share Report. to $2,000 per location. This contribution is store gives, without hesitation, to a range
For more information, contact Steve Payne, included in the grand total of $1.44 million. of good causes, including Heart & Stroke
Editor of Hardlines Inc. at 416-219-9949, For more information on this initiative or Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and
steve@hardlines.ca; or Michael McLarney, to view the list of supported organizations in Meals on Wheels. But the attitude behind
President of Hardlines Inc., at 647-209-5663, your area, as well as the amounts raised per that giving reflects a sense of selflessness
mike@hardlines.ca store, visit their websites. and caring that stood out prominently for the
judges,” says Michael McLarney, President,
Alberta - $188,995.88 Hardlines Inc.
Atlantic - $6,645.01
British Columbia - $128,187.91 Lowe’s Announces Sale of Canadian Retail
Manitoba - $20,129.71 Business to Sycamore Partners
Ontario - $644,608.33 Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW)
Québec - $542,869.32 announced that it has entered into a definitive
Saskatchewan - $20,836.44 agreement to sell its Canadian retail business
to Sycamore Partners, a private equity
firm specializing in retail, consumer and

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