News

The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in April, rose 6.3 percent to 88.2 from a reading of 83 in March. It’s the highest index since October but remains 13.1 percent lower than April 2007, when it stood at 101.5.

HD Supply has launched two new proprietary brands covering kitchen and bath fixtures, ceiling fans, heavy duty tools and hardware. The “Seasons” brand will be carried on products including kitchen and bath fixtures and ceiling fans, with consumers as the intended end user.

The industry’s third largest pro dealer closed nine stores and a truss plant on March 24 in an effort to consolidate locations or leave unprofitable markets.

Spring is the most important time of year for home improvement retailers, and independent hardware stores need to compete for consumer dollars by getting their store names in front of the local audience. Having a well-stocked store is one element in a successful spring campaign.

Alpine Lumber has purchased five units from AC Houston, the western chain of lumberyards headquartered in North Las Vegas. This will be the Colorado pro dealer’s first foray into New Mexico.

Last April, about a week after former Sears executive Steve Poplawski was hired as True Value’s senior vp logistics and supply chain management, he received a phone call from a disgruntled co-op member.“He said, ‘I have to tell you about this one distribution center.

As Americans have expanded their living spaces to the outdoors, the hardware co-ops have gone offshore to find better quality patio furniture at reasonable prices to help their members compete with other retailers and get a bigger piece of that pie.

The fate of 210,000 acres of prime California timberland, much of it redwood, may be decided next month in a Corpus Christi, Texas, courtroom. That’s where Judge Richard Schmidt will try to pick one of several reorganization plans for Pacific Lumber Co.

PrimeSouce Building Products, the Carrollton, Texas-based distributor, has announced the acquisition of the assets of 3-G Supply, a distributor with locations in Cleveland and East Brunswick, N.J. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Alvin M. Rickel , founder of Rickel Home Centers, died Jan.

Many of the customers who came to Lowe’s grand opening in Brampton, Ontario, didn’t have any specific purchases in mind; they just came to check it out.Brampton residents Matt and Lori Simpson were among the crowd to visit the Brampton store, one of three Ontario locations that officially opened De