Article Abstract:
Ace Hardware Corp.'s aggressive plans and actions to become the leader of the Big Four hardware cooperatives have brought the company success but some criticism from other Big Four members even though they have benefitted by Ace's leadership. Ace store managers have set and augmented sales standards and the company has adopted methods used by its major competitors, the huge chain home improvement stores, that should help them reach their goal of $5 billion in sales by the year 2000.
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Article Abstract:
Hardware Age magazine has changed its name to Home Improvement Market in 1996 to reflect the change in the hardware industry. Independent hardware stores lost market share to large, chain home improvement centers, and different types of home improvement products increased over the last 20 years. The magazine redesign reflects this change by including more articles on building materials, contractors and technology and the home improvement market.
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Article Abstract:
The home improvement business was tumultuous in 1996 and is likely to be more so in 1997. Newsworthy events such as mergers, closings, and bankruptcies could occur monthly. The race between Home Depot and Lowe's to add new units has destabilized the industry. Those chains will continue to squeeze out home improvement retailers that do not adequately differentiate their products and services.
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