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MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PRO HARWARE AND GARDEN MASTER CELEBRATES 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Shari Kalbach was honored at the 2007 PRO Group, Inc. Holiday Luncheon for 10 years of continuous service and success. Shari joined PRO Group in 1997 as stores program manager and account executive. She quickly mastered her initial roles and in 2002 was promoted to managing director of GardenMaster and then in 2005 added on the role of managing director of PRO Hardware. Today Shari is recognized as one of the most respected women in the industry.
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WAL-MART TESTS NEW CONCEPT IN ARIZONA
Retail watchers, take note: The Wall Street Journal reported on January 15 that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will open a small grocery store in Phoenix, testing stores about half the size of its Neighborhood Market format. Last year, U.K. retailer Tesco opened its first U.S. stores called Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets in California, Nevada and elsewhere. Both the Wal-Mart and Tesco concepts seem to be geared to the segment of shoppers that are overwhelmed by larger stores.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR YOUNG RETAILER OF YEAR PROGRAM
There is still plenty of time to submit a nomination for the Young Retailer of the Year program. Established in 1997 by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA), the annual program recognizes the achievements of outstanding hardware retailers 35 years of age and younger. Owners, managers, supervisors, sales associates and other management personnel can be nominated for this award, which is judged based on career advancement, professional accomplishments, goals for the future, education and community involvement. The program is sponsored by 3M, Cooper Hand Tools, Scotts Co. and the American Hardware Manufacturers Association. Among other prizes, honorees will be special guests at NRHA’s 2008 Convention in Monterey, California. For more information on putting together your 2008 nomination form, call (800) 772-4424 or go to www.nrha.org. To read full article visit: http://www.nrha.org/news5.html
BOSTWICK-BRAUN PROMOTES BEACH TO SENIOR VP
The Bostwick-Braun Company has announced that former VP of Industrial Supply, Chris Beach, has been promoted to senior vice president of marketing and chief marketing officer. Beach oversees the company’s sales divisions and merchandising department. Beach started his career with Bostwick-Braun’s Industrial Supply Division in 1989. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Toledo. After managing a successful sales territory in Detroit for several years, he was promoted in 1999 to field sales manager for the Industrial Supply Division. One year later, Beach was promoted to vice president of Bostwick-Braun Industrial Supply. Also, Scott Wolfrum has been promoted to director of distribution for the company’s Ashley, Ind., distribution center. He replaces John Gilbert, who retired after 30 years of service. To read press release visit: http://www.bostwick-braun.com/press.htm
NEWELL RUBBERMAID PLANS DISTRIBUTION FACILITY
Newell Rubbermaid announced it is continuing to reduce costs and improve efficiency in its global distribution network with the planned opening of a fifth new multi-branded distribution facility. The 800,000 square-foot distribution center in metro Atlanta, which will have 300 employees in two shifts, is part of Newell Rubbermaid's ongoing strategy to convert many single-brand distribution centers to select multi-brand distribution centers that are located more centrally. To read full article visit: http://ir.newellrubbermaid.com/releases.cfm
MAKING A CASE FOR AMERICA CAMPAIGN, SUPPORTS SMALL TOWNS
Concerned about the livelihoods of downtown merchants and jobs going overseas, W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company created “Making a Case for America,” an awareness campaign aimed at supporting and paying tribute to small-town retailers, small-town values and the spirit of all things “Made in America.” The cause hit close to home with country music superstars Brooks & Dunn, who have joined forces with Case to help spread the word. “Making a Case for America” is about focusing attention and pledging support for local products manufactured in small-town U.S.A. It’s also about giving back to the local, independent retail stores that were once the centerpiece of downtown America. To find out more about the “Making a Case for America” campaign, visit www.caseforamerica.com.
HOUSING STARTS FELL 14.2 PERCENT IN DECEMBER
Privately owned housing starts in December 2007were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,006,000. This is 14.2 percent (±8.3%) below the revised November estimate of 1,173,000 and is 38.2 percent (±4.9%) below the revised December 2006 rate of 1,629,000. Single-family housing starts in December were at a rate of 794,000; this is 2.9 percent (±8.7)* below the November figure of 818,000. The December rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 196,000. An estimated 1,353,700 housing units were started in 2007. This is 24.8 percent (±1.3%) below the 2006 figure of 1,800,900.
To read full article visit: http://www.census.gov/newresconst
MDM PUBLISHES SURVEY ON WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION TRENDS
The economy and the decline of the dollar top the concerns of many (though not all) distributors and manufacturers, according to the latest MDM survey. As in the past few years, distributors are paying close attention to consolidation trends among suppliers, competitors, end-users and ERP providers, materials costs, sales force development, supplier relationships, recruiting and retaining talent and controlling benefits costs. Private label, foreign competition and global sourcing have also moved front and center.
To read full article visit: http://www.mdm.com/stories/planning3722.html
ACE FINED $850,000 OVER AIR QUALITY VIOLATIONS
Ace Hardware has been fined $850,000 by the Air Resources Board (ARB) of California for selling windshield washer fluid that failed to meet California air emissions requirements. This represents California's largest-ever consumer products settlement, ARB spokeswoman Karen Caesar said. From 2003 to 2007, Ace sold nearly 25,000 one-gallon containers of washer fluid with higher volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in areas where it was not allowed, resulting in more than 20 tons of excess emissions, the ARB confirmed. To read full article visit: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2008/2008-01-10-095.asp
SPECIALTY RETAILERS REPRESENT GROWING TREND
“Specialty” retailers may be one of the more exciting trends these days in retailing, suggests the January Chronicle report release by investment banking firm, The Mercanti Group. In the last three years, over 50 of these emerging entrepreneurial chains have attracted investments by savvy strategic and financial investors in excess of $9 billion. Specialty retailers, says Mercanti Managing Director Jim D’Aquila, “achieve success with differentiated, compelling and scalable concepts.” A copy of this report, which includes a comprehensive listing of recent transaction in the specialty retail sector, can be obtained at www.mercantigroup.com. Source: Business Wire
WAL-MART LOSES NORTH CAROLINA TAX REFUND CASE
Bentonville, Arkansas based Wal-Mart has lost its case in North Carolina to recoup more than $30 million in tax refunds from the state. The company argued that the state had assessed its tax revenues improperly for four fiscal years ended Jan. 31, 2002, according to the Wall Street Journal. But Wake County appellate court Judge Clarence Horton Jr. agreed with state revenue officials’ claims that the retailer was using tax shelters to hide true income and dismissed the case. At issue was the company’s use of real estate investment trusts (REITs). According to the Wall Street Journal, at least three other states are also challenging Wal-Mart’s tax strategy, and in the last year at least six states have passed laws prohibiting the practice. To read full article visit: http://www.homechannelnews.com/story.aspx?id=35923
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PROfiles: TOMMY COLLIER
Tommy joined PGM with extensive knowledge of digital media production, artistic talent, and a knack for realizing the vision of the client. With a strong background in Video Production, Tommy offers a fresh and modernistic approach to motion media. As PGM's Media Specialist, Tommy uses his impeccable customer service skills combined with a creative edge to execute and oversee numerous media projects. Tommy has gained his experience by working on feature films, commercial video productions, high-end photo shoots, as well as running his own production company. He received a degree in Video Production and graduated Magna Cum Laude Portfolio Par Excellence from the Art Institute of Colorado.
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UPCOMING DISTRIBUTOR SHOW DATES & EVENTS
SUCCESS
“Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
- Thomas Edison
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