Oustanding Home Improvement Retailers Honoured at Hardlines Gala

Suppliers and retailers from across Canada gathered in November to honour the retail home improvement 

industry’s best hardware and home improvement retailers. The occasion was the 2018 Outstanding Retailer Awards (ORA) Gala Dinner, which marked the end of day one of the 23rd Annual Hardlines Conference at the scenic Queen’s Landing Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON.

Dealers from across the country were celebrated in seven categories covering the range of hardware 

and home improvement retailing formats. Delegates at the Hardlines Conference joined leaders from the retail chains, co-ops and buying groups who attended the Gala Dinner to honour their members and fellow retailers.

This year’s winners are:• Best Hardware Store, any size - Quincaillerie Sainte-Julie, Sainte-Julie, QC, Michel Robidoux and Marie-Josée Hébert, Owners;• Best Building Supply or Home Centre under 15,000 sq. ft - Ace Building Centre-Kaslo, Kaslo BC, Monica and Jeff Davie, Owners; • Best Building Supply or Home Centre over 15,000 sq. ft - Matériaux JLS-BMR in Mansfield-en-Pontefract, QC, Connie Gutoskie Lasalle and Jean-Guy Lasalle, Owners;• Best Contractor Specialist - Form & Build Supply, London, ON, Bill Ross, Owner;• Best Large Surface Retailer - Lowe’s South Windsor, Windsor, ON, Mark Birse, Manager;• Best Young Retailer - Tyler Dueck, Co-owner of RONA Valley Enterprises, Rosenort, MB;• Marc Robichaud Community Leader - Fort St. John Home Hardware Building Centre, Fort St. John, BC, Doug & Shelley Gallinger and Darrell & Debbie Alexander, Owners.

Chosen from a competitive field of nominees, the winners each displayed an edge that put them ahead of their peers in the areas of good business practice, customer relations, innovation and niche marketing.
“These retailers reflect a diversity of backgrounds, marketplaces and personal challenges, yet they all share a passion for retail and incredible connections with their customers and communities,” said Michael McLarney, President of Hardlines Inc., which presents the awards. “These winners are truly outstanding and set new standards for excellence in retail.”

About the Outstanding Retailer Awards Launched in 1992, the Hardlines Outstanding Retailer Awards are the industry’s only national awards program dedicated to celebrating the achievements of hardware and building supply dealers in Canada. In its 26-year history, the program has honoured more than 150 retailers. 

About Hardlines
Celebrating its 24th year, Hardlines Inc. is a leading authority on the retail home improvement industry. Hardlines’ products and services include its weekly Hardlines electronic newsletter; its print magazine, Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly; a comprehensive and informative website; Hardlines Dealer News, a newsletter for retail dealers and managers; a free Daily News Service; and the annual Hardlines Conference. For more information, please contact Michael McLarney, President of Hardlines Inc., at 416-489-3396 or mike@hardlines.ca.