Michael McLarney

The Southwestern Ontario Home Hardware Group has launched “SW Buy Local 50,” a regional initiative to showcase products from 50 new southwestern Ontario vendors before December 2026. The participating Home Hardware dealers are in Newbury, London, Chatham, Sarnia, Tilbury and West Lorne. Manufacturers, makers, growers, distributors and suppliers from across southwestern Ontario are invited to submit products for consideration.

RONA inc. is renewing its partnership with Skilled Trades College (STC) for a second year. The goal of the collaboration is to support the next generation of skilled trades professionals by helping them access training programs and enter the workforce. As part of this agreement, RONA is again investing $40,000 in the RONA Future Trades Bursary program, which helps reduce financial barriers that can hinder access to specialized training. RONA and STC are also taking their partnership a step further by launching a program that will connect graduates with contractors seeking qualified labour.

Home Hardware dealers from across Canada have gathered in Toronto this week for the retailer’s 2026 Homecoming event. It’s being held in the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place, with an expanded outdoor living section, more emphasis on farm products, and, for the first time, a big demo centre where vendors can provide product knowledge to dealer-owners. The show is also putting increased emphasis on Home Hardware’s pro initiatives for dealers. The event ends today.

Kent Building Supplies has joined a provincial program that supports regional and local producers. Called “Nova Scotia Loyal,” the program provides stores with marketing materials and campaigns to help Nova Scotia-made products stand out on shelves. Kent made the announcement last week at the store’s Dartmouth Crossing location, with a small trade to showcase Nova Scotia Loyal businesses that have products sold at Kent.

Following the latest round of tariffs imposed on trade with the U.S., Canadians are switching to local retailers and businesses in growing numbers. A survey conducted by Meridian Credit Union reveals that seven out of 10 Canadians confirm that they’re buying more from local businesses. Meridian’s newly released 2026 Small Business Big Impact survey found that 77 per cent of Canadians view buying from small business as their way of “standing up for my community in the face of U.S. tariffs.”

The 30th anniversary of Hardlines is being celebrated in style in only a few days and we want everyone to join us. This will include a bash at the end of day two of this year’s Hardlines Conference that will celebrate “30 Years of the Industry As Seen Through the Eyes of Hardlines.”

Almost 200 dealers and suppliers from coast to coast are arriving in the nation’s capital today to attend the 30 th Hardlines Conference. A lineup of senior retail executives, plus experts in tech and workplace best practices, will take to the podium starting tomorrow morning. This evening, however, delegates will have the opportunity to network at our Pub Night, which is kindly sponsored by RONA inc. Also on hand, the winners of this year’s Outstanding Retailer Awards, who will be honoured tomorrow evening at the Hardlines industry gala dinner.

Staples Canada today announced the launch of Staples Business, a new, dedicated brand to support Canadian businesses of all sizes. Created to meet the unique needs of business customers, Staples Business brings together products, services and expertise that organizations need to operate, adapt and grow. The company says the service is aimed at “everyone from entrepreneurs and small businesses to mid-sized companies and large enterprises.”

The 30 th annual Hardlines Conference unfolded yesterday with a lineup of speakers who addressed everything from being an effective boss to deciphering how housing in Canada is responding to new population levels.

The 30th annual Hardlines Conference wrapped up yesterday at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa. It was hosted by emcee Sherri Amos, director, dealer support at Home Hardware Stores Ltd. (shown here), who introduced the conference’s final speakers.