True Value

Orlando, Fla. -- At True Value Co., a national gift card program and a re-launched True Value Rewards Program are among the marketing moves designed to drive revenue and profit for members, according to Carol Wentworth, VP marketing for the Chicago-based co-op.

The gift cards represent a move -- along with the co-op's launch of e-commerce in November -- to better compete in today's world of retailing, she said, and deliver what the customer expects.

Coast Hardware, a True Value dealer in Willits, Calif., keeps some unusual merchandise in the front of the store: a large cage full of cats, ready for adoption. According to an article in the Willits News, owner Don Buchanan and staff have been helping place animal rescue shelter cats in homes for several years. 

The Northern California hardware store partners with the local chapter of the Humane Society and a group called Anderson Valley Animal Rescue.

Is the repeal of health care's 1099 expansion imminent? Towers Watson consultant Regina Ihrke thinks so. 

During her presentation during True Value's Spring Market, Ihrke interpreted remarks in President Obama's State of the Nation address as a signal that the 1099 provision buried deep in the health care legislation will be repealed within the next year.

Orgill, Distribution America, Ace Hardware, True Value and Lancaster make up the list of co-ops/distributors signed up for the new Buying Desk Program so far, according to organizers of the National Hardware Show.

Independent retailers attending the May 10-12 event in Las Vegas will have instant access to new products introduced at the event  through the show’s new Buying Desk Program. On the flip side, suppliers attending the 2011 event will be able to sell products to independent retailers through their existing co-operative and distributor programs.

It’s been nearly two months since Chicago-based True Value launched its new e-commerce site, and in that time the hardware co-op has seen traffic to TrueValue.com triple.


The new site already features more than 22,000 SKUs of its core assortments in accordance with its Destination True Value format. 


Orlando, Fla. -- Chicago-based hardware co-op True Value Co. reported wholesale revenues increased 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2010, and retail revenues increased 4.6% for the quarter.

CEO Lyle Heidemann delivered the preliminary results to True Value members during the General Session of the co-op's 2011 Spring & Rental Market held here in Orlando. 

"Our fourth quarter results should give us some momentum going into 2011," Heidemann said. 

Chicago-based True Value Co. recognized 13 member hardware stores as part of its fourth annual "Best Hardware Store in Town" campaign.

"These 13 stores represent what it takes to exceed customer expectations,” said Lyle Heidemann, president and CEO of True Value Co. “This select group of retailers continues to succeed by constantly recognizing and adapting to meet the different needs of the local communities they serve.”

The winners are:

Atlanta – Before the True Value Reunion here, Brent Burger spent some quality time with kids from an Atlanta area Boys & Girls Club. On Saturday afternoon, he announced a national partnership between True Value and the youth organization.