Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware and ServiceMaster® Brands Announce Multi-Year Agreement

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

OAK BROOK, Ill., Feb. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ace Hardware, the world's largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative, has entered into a multi-year agreement with ServiceMaster® Brands – a leading franchise provider of needs-based residential and commercial services in the restoration, cleaning, moving, and bioremediation industries. The new partnership will enable local franchise owners within the ServiceMaster® organization the ability to buy business supplies with exclusive benefits from locally owned Ace Hardware stores.

Key Points: 
  • OAK BROOK, Ill., Feb. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ace Hardware, the world's largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative, has entered into a multi-year agreement with ServiceMaster® Brands – a leading franchise provider of needs-based residential and commercial services in the restoration, cleaning, moving, and bioremediation industries.
  • "The entrepreneurial spirit of local Ace Hardware owners and ServiceMaster® Brands franchise owners create a perfect energy for independent, local-to-local partnerships to thrive," said Kiko Garcia, Ace Hardware's Corporate Vice President, Business to Business.
  • The key element that distinguishes this collaboration is its emphasis on fostering local connections – uniting ServiceMaster® Brands franchise owners with Ace Hardware local store owners.
  • With a shared commitment to excellence, Ace Hardware and ServiceMaster® Brands look forward to further leveraging their collective strengths to meet the evolving needs of customers and communities alike.

Batteries Plus Hires Retail Industry Professional to Lead Merchandising

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 28, 2024

HARTLAND, Wis., Feb. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Batteries Plus, the world's leading consumer and business specialty battery franchise, announced today the hiring of retail industry leader Kristen Kunas as Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager. With over a decade of experience in the retail space, Kunas will lead the Batteries Plus team to ensure all retail locations have the right product mix to power the communities around them.

Key Points: 
  • With over a decade of experience in the retail space, Kunas will lead the Batteries Plus team to ensure all retail locations have the right product mix to power the communities around them.
  • Kunas began her career at Ace Hardware in 2010 and held multiple positions within replenishment planning, marketing and merchandising.
  • She most recently led the Paint and Cleaning division of merchandising at Ace before joining Batteries Plus.
  • With the goal of helping to improve the merchandising model and a commitment to improving store profitability for the franchisees at Batteries Plus, Kunas will help build and execute a playbook for merchandising and for our retailers.

Digital Turbine's New Report Highlights Brands With "BIG" Opportunities in Mobile Games

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 28, 2024

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Turbine and Apptopia today announced the launch of the BRAG Index IV, pivoting the Index's scope to focus specifically on the "Brands in Games" (B.I.G.) opportunity. The B.I.G. BRAG Index marks a pivotal moment for brand advertisers seeking to capitalize on the explosive growth and untapped potential of mobile gaming.

Key Points: 
  • version of the BRAG Index reveals 100+ brands with untapped advertising potential in mobile games.
  • BRAG Index marks a pivotal moment for brand advertisers seeking to capitalize on the explosive growth and untapped potential of mobile gaming.
  • BRAG Index IV highlights over 100 brands with untapped advertising potential in mobile games.
  • While nearly 11% of app usage occurs within mobile games, advertising spending in this space languishes at less than 4% of total ad spend.

Feit Electric Announces First Patent Enforcement Action Against Infringing White LED Filaments

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 5, 2024

Despite being warned by Feit Electric, Ledvance imported and then sold white LED filament light bulbs marketed under the brand name Sylvania.

Key Points: 
  • Despite being warned by Feit Electric, Ledvance imported and then sold white LED filament light bulbs marketed under the brand name Sylvania.
  • Feit Electric introduced light bulbs with white LED filaments in August 2022 and the fresh alternative to the traditional yellow filament quickly appealed to retailers and consumers.
  • Anticipating that other light bulb suppliers might copy the Feit Electric white LED filament bulbs, Feit Electric announced to the industry that it owns a set of patents directed to covering the yellow material used on LED filaments.
  • We also hope that retailers look to us for light bulbs with visible white filaments, rather than infringers,” said Mr. Feit.

Over 60% of Retailers See Customer Satisfaction Spikes, With Costco, H-E-B, and Publix Leading the Way, ACSI Data Show

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Chewy's multichannel customer support also shines, and the site is a leader in this area amid a competitive field.

Key Points: 
  • Chewy's multichannel customer support also shines, and the site is a leader in this area amid a competitive field.
  • Macy’s and Costco top general merchandise retailers, but Target has its sights fixed on the leaders
    Customer satisfaction with general merchandise retailers climbs 3% to an ACSI score of 77.
  • Customer satisfaction with specialty retailers stays pat at an ACSI score of 79.
  • This study scores six retail industries — online retailers, general merchandise retailers, specialty retailers, drugstores, supermarkets, and gas stations — as well as consumer shipping and the U.S.

Rocky's Ace Hardware Grows to 50 Stores, Adding Two Massachusetts Locations

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 24, 2024

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Jan. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Rocky's Ace Hardware, one of the country's largest family-owned Ace Hardware dealers, today announces its planned acquisition of two Massachusetts stores, growing to 50 locations in nine states. The Falcone family will purchase the Smith family's Cape Ann stores – Smith Hardware & Lumber in Rockport and Hometown Ace Hardware in the Gloucester Shopping Center in Gloucester. The sale is slated to become final in March 2024.

Key Points: 
  • Rocky's Ace Hardware, one of the country's largest family-owned Ace Hardware dealers, will acquire two Massachusetts stores, growing to 50 locations in nine states.
  • The Falcone family will purchase the Smith family's Cape Ann stores – Smith Hardware & Lumber in Rockport and Hometown Ace Hardware in Gloucester.
  • SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Jan. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Rocky's Ace Hardware , one of the country's largest family-owned Ace Hardware dealers, today announces its planned acquisition of two Massachusetts stores, growing to 50 locations in nine states.
  • The Falcone family will purchase the Smith family's Cape Ann stores – Smith Hardware & Lumber in Rockport and Hometown Ace Hardware in the Gloucester Shopping Center in Gloucester.

ACE HARDWARE RANKED AS ONE OF THE TOP FIVE FRANCHISES IN THE WORLD, FIRST IN CATEGORY FOR 2024

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 16, 2024

OAK BROOK, Ill., Jan. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ace Hardware is the world's largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative, and it is now ranked as No. 5 on the list of top franchise opportunities in the world in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500®, the world's first and most comprehensive franchise ranking. This improved ranking, up from No. 7 on the list in 2023, shows that Ace Hardware continues to win the hearts of retailers and customers as one of the leading franchise opportunities based on its retailer support, yearly sales growth, and strong brand recognition. 

Key Points: 
  • Ace Hardware climbs two spots in the world's most comprehensive franchise ranking, Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500®
    OAK BROOK, Ill., Jan. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ace Hardware is the world's largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative, and it is now ranked as No.
  • In its individual category, Entrepreneur also named Ace Hardware the No.
  • This marks the third year in a row that Ace secured the top spot in the 'Miscellaneous Retail Business' category.
  • Ace Hardware wasn't the only Ace company to make the list in 2024.

Kibo Joins the MACH Alliance

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 15, 2024

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Kibo Commerce, a market leader in composable commerce solutions, announces its acceptance into the MACH Alliance. This marks a significant milestone, reflecting Kibo's dedication to the principles of Microservices-based, API-first, Cloud-native SaaS, and Headless (MACH) technologies.

Key Points: 
  • Leading composable commerce platform accepted into prestigious MACH Alliance, showcasing commitment to modern commerce technology.
  • AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Kibo Commerce , a market leader in composable commerce solutions, announces its acceptance into the MACH Alliance.
  • "Joining the MACH Alliance reinforces our commitment to providing flexible, scalable solutions to our customers," said Ram Venkataraman, CEO of Kibo.
  • "We are thrilled to welcome Kibo to the MACH Alliance," said Casper Rasmussen, President of the MACH Alliance.

ACE HARDWARE PLUMBING SERVICES CELEBRATES FIRST YEAR AT WESTLAKE ACE HARDWARE IN OKLAHOMA CITY

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 12, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ace Hardware Plumbing Services celebrated today its one-year anniversary of in-home plumbing services now available at Westlake Ace Hardware in Oklahoma City.

Key Points: 
  • OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ace Hardware Plumbing Services celebrated today its one-year anniversary of in-home plumbing services now available at Westlake Ace Hardware in Oklahoma City.
  • The Plumbing Services location operates in a dedicated space inside Westlake Ace Hardware at 1509 W. Britton Road and was the first location to offer plumbing services in Oklahoma City as part of Ace Hardware's expansion into the home services sector.
  • "We have created the perfect marriage with Ace Hardware Plumbing Services added to our store and community," said Chris Blose, Westlake Ace Hardware General Manager.
  • Ace Hardware Plumbing Services specializes in full-service plumbing installation, repair, and maintenance services for residential and commercial projects.

Woodland Tools Co. Tree Pruner Earns 2023 Golden Hammer Award from HBSDealer Magazine

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 12, 2024

MADISON, Wis., Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Woodland Tools Co.'s 14' Heavy Duty Tree Pruner has been selected by Hardware & Building Supply (HBS) Dealer magazine for its prestigious 2023 Golden Hammer Awards. Judged by the magazine's editorial staff, the awards put a spotlight on the "best of the best" home improvement products. The Woodland Tools 14' Heavy Duty Tree Pruner is the ultimate tool for all tree pruning needs and embodies the criteria used to guide the judging process: innovation, value, and shelf appeal.

Key Points: 
  • HBSDealer Magazine awarded Woodland Tools Co. with the 2023 Golden Hammer Award for their 14' Heavy Duty Tree Pruner, recognizing the tool as one of 2023's best home improvement products
    MADISON, Wis., Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Woodland Tools Co.'s 14' Heavy Duty Tree Pruner has been selected by Hardware & Building Supply (HBS) Dealer magazine for its prestigious 2023 Golden Hammer Awards.
  • The Woodland Tools 14' Heavy Duty Tree Pruner is the ultimate tool for all tree pruning needs and embodies the criteria used to guide the judging process: innovation, value, and shelf appeal.
  • "Our team is incredibly proud to have our 14' Heavy Duty Tree Pruner selected as a 2023 Golden Hammer Award winner," said Keegan Nesvacil, Co-Founder of the brand.
  • "Our team is incredibly proud to have our 14' Heavy Duty Tree Pruner selected as a 2023 Golden Hammer Award winner," said Keegan Nesvacil, Co-Founder of the brand.