2026
MEDIA KIT
1 ABOUT HARDLINES
Canada’s Voice for the Home Improvement Industry
TABLE OF CONTENTS About Hardlines 3 Contact Information 4 Reach & Circulation 5 Print Publications 6 Digital Advertising 9 Conference & Events
15
Sponsorship Opportunities
16
Premium Membership
17
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT HARDLINES WHO WE ARE For over 30 years, Hardlines has been the trusted source for news, data, and connections in Canada’s hardware and building supply industry. We reach the decision-makers who matter: independent dealers, national retailers, buying groups, and suppliers. Hardlines connects your brand to the people shaping this market, at the places they are the most. From our early days as a weekly newsletter to today’s multi-platform presence, our mission hasn’t changed: connect the industry and deliver results for our partners.
11,000+
HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAILERS AND MANAGERS
EVERY MAJOR BUYING GROUP AND CORPORATE HEAD OFFICE
THE PRO DEALER AND CONTRACTOR SUPPLY MARKET
3 ABOUT HARDLINES
92% of our readers would recommend our products to a friend or colleague. Source: Hardlines survey
OUR AUDIENCES Our readers are decision-makers; retail owners, senior executives, and managers who control buying decisions for thousands of locations nationwide. Hardlines puts your message in front of the people who matter.
AN INTEGRATED APPROACH HOW WE CONNECT YOU Your customers also consume media across multiple touch points. We offer a unique mix of platforms to put your message in front of the right people.
Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly (HHIQ) and Pro Dealer, the two most respected publications in the industry.
DIGITAL
Hardlines.ca, Canada’s leading industry news service, plus targeted monthly and weekly newsletters with open rates up to 51.8%.
EVENTS
The Hardlines Conference and the Outstanding Retailer Awards (ORAs)—Canada’s only national gathering of top executives, suppliers, and dealers.
No one else offers this level of reach and engagement in the Canadian hardware and building supply sector. 4 CONTACT INFORMATION
YOUR HARDLINES TEAM David Chestnut
VP & Publisher 416-725-7992 david@hardlines.ca
Shannon MacLeod
Account Manager 905-691-2492 shannon@hardlines.ca
CONTENT Michael McLarney, President mike@hardlines.ca
MARKETING, EVENTS, AND CLIENT SERVICES Michelle Porter, Senior Marketing & Events Manager michelle@hardlines.ca
Steve Payne, Editor-in-Chief steve@hardlines.ca
Jill MacLeod, Client Services Manager jillian@hardlines.ca
Rebecca Dumais, Editor rebecca@hardlines.ca
Shawn Samson, Design & Production shawn@twocreative.ca
Sarah McGoldrick, Digital Editor sarah@hardlines.ca
ACCOUNTING acounting@hardlines.ca
QUEBEC OFFICE Geoff McLarney, Features Editor geoff@hardlines.ca
Hardlines Inc. 2060 Lakeshore Road, Suite 702 Burlington, ON L7R 0G2 905.330.3061 | hardlines.ca
10,506
QUALIFIED CIRCULATION
REACH AND CIRCULATION
Our audience spans every province, every buying group, and every major retail banner.
PRINT REACH HARDLINES HOME IMPROVEMENT QUARTERLY (HHIQ) 10,506 QUALIFIED CIRCULATION This publication is an industry trade publication carefully designed to meet the needs of the modern home improvement decision maker.
6,321
QUALIFIED CIRCULATION
Pro Dealer Magazine 6,321 QUALIFIED CIRCULATION This publication is focused on LBM dealers and the pro contractor market and delivered to the businesses driving Canada’s building boom. Our readers are: • Corporate head office decision-makers • National buying groups • Independent hardware and building supply dealers
DIGITAL REACH Hardlines.ca • •
180,000+ Monthly Ad Views High engagement from retail executives and industry suppliers
E-Newsletters • •
Hardlines Weekly Report: 51.8% open rate Dealer News & HR Advisor: 30%+ open rates (Industry average: 15% monthly)
Audit statements are available upon request. REACH AND CIRCULATION
HARDLINES HOME IMPROVEMENT QUARTERLY (HHIQ)
The go-to publication for Canada’s home improvement retailers, packed with insights on trends, strategies, and success stories.
OUTDOOR LIVING SUPPLEMENT (HHIQ Q3 INSERT) Hardlines will publish its fifth annual edition of the Outdoor Living supplement in 2026. This essential resource captures one of the industry’s fastest-growing categories. Each page is extensively dedicated to showing products for backyards, and includes everything from patio furniture, outdoor structures, and decks and railings to barbecues, grills and hardscaping. A standalone magazine supplement that is part of Hardlines’ Category Captains series, Outdoor Living 2026 will once again feature three dealer-owners who have specialized in the department, upcoming category trends, and a compendium of available products. Publishes with the Q3 2026 edition of HHIQ Magazine.
Deadlines Space: May 15 Material: June 12
PRINT PUBLICATIONS
Pricing Full Page: $4,995 Half Page: $2,895
PRINT PUBLICATIONS HHIQ 2026 EDITORIAL SCHEDULE QUARTER
COVER STORY
FEATURES
PRODUCT FOCUS
SPACE CLOSE
MATERIAL CLOSE
MAIL DATE
Q1
Young Retailer of the Year
Hardlines Conference Report, Compensation
Kitchen & Bath
Nov 28, 2025
Dec 12, 2025
Jan 8, 2026
Q2
Hardlines 30th Anniversary
AI, Retail Psychology
Housewares
Feb 19, 2026
Mar 12, 2026
Apr 10, 2026
Q3
Top 20 Report
ERP Systems, Credit Management
Adhesives & Sealants
May 22, 2026
Jun 10, 2026
Jul 10, 2026
Q4
ORA Winners
Meet the Buyers, GSDs
Decks & Railings
Aug 28, 2026
Sept 16, 2026
Oct 9, 2026
HHIQ AD RATES AD SIZE
1x
2x
3x
4x
Double Page Spread
$14,210
$13,785
$13,260
$12,725
Full Page
$8,090
$7,535
$6,895
$6,360
Half Page
$5,570
$5,195
$4,770
$4,375
Third Page
$4,360
$4,135
$3,715
$3,315
Quarter Page
$3,075
$2,845
$2,365
$2,230
Premium positions: • Outside back cover add 20% • Inside front cover add 15% • Inside back cover add 10% • Insert/outsert rates available upon request
PRO DEALER 2026 EDITORIAL SCHEDULE
PRO DEALER
The only Canadian magazine focused exclusively on the pro contractor market and building supply dealers.
QUARTER
COVER STORY
Q1
Pro Dealer of the Year
Q2
FEATURES
PRODUCT FOCUS
SPACE CLOSE
MATERIAL CLOSE
MAIL DATE
Competitive Analysis, Taxation
Power Tools
Jan 9, 2026
Jan 21, 2026
Feb 18, 2026
Pro Yard Equipment Guide
Loss Prevention, ERP Systems
Specialty Fasteners
Apr 3, 2026
Apr 22, 2026
May 15, 2026
Q3
Disaster Restoration
Compensation, Sales to Pros
Gypsum Board
Jul 9, 2026
Jul 22, 2026
Aug 21, 2026
Q4
Equipment Rental Programs
Selling to Jobsites
Insulation
Oct 9, 2026
Oct 21, 2026
Nov 13, 2026
PRO DEALER AD RATES AD SIZE
1x
2x
3x
4x
Double Page Spread
$9,265
$8,435
$8,195
$7,820
Full Page
$6,380
$5,755
$5,495
$5,350
Half Page
$4,320
$3,700
$3,495
$3,195
Premium positions: • Outside back cover add 20% • Inside front cover add 15% • Inside back cover add 10% • Insert/outsert rates available upon request
PRINT PUBLICATIONS
PRINT AD SPECIFICATIONS PRINT AD SPECIFICATIONS
Double Page Spread
Full Page
Half Page Horizontal
Quarter Page Square
Trim Size: 18” x 10.875” With Bleed: 18.25” x 11.125” Type Safety: 17.5 x 10.375”
Trim Size: 9” x 10.875” With Bleed: 9.25 x 11.125” Type Safety: 8.5” x 10.375” Non-Bleed Size: 8.5” x 10.375”
Half Page Vertical
Trim Size: 4.375” x 10.875” With Bleed: 4.625” x 11.125” Type Safety: 3.875” x 10.375” Non-Bleed Size: 3.875” x 10.375”
Material Specifications
Ads must be supplied as a press-ready PDF file with embedded fonts and graphics (PDF/X-1a:2001 preferred). Images should have a resolution of 300 ppi. Do not use spot colours or RGB art. Keep all colours CMYK.
Submission Requirements Ads can be emailed to
shannon@hardlines.ca
Non-Bleed Size: 8” x 4.75”
Third Page Vertical
Non-Bleed Size: 2.375” x 10.375”
Non-Bleed size: 3.75” x 4.75”
Half Page Island Non-Bleed size: 5” x 7.75”
Third Page Horizontal Non-Bleed size: 8” x 375”
Quarter Page Horizontal Non-Bleed size: 8” x 2.5”
For the above bleed ads, please ensure 0.125” bleed is added to all sides and important type or logos are kept 0.25” away from trim edges. PRINT AD SPECIFICATIONS
DIGITAL ADVERTISING OVERVIEW
WEBSITE BANNERS
WEB-L-1
WEB-L-2
WEB SS-1
HARDLINES.CA Hardlines.ca is the industry’s digital hub, averaging over 225,000 monthly ad views in three key positions. Our newsletters drive unmatched engagement, with open rates up to 51.8%.
WEB-L-LG
WEB SS-2
WEBSITE BANNER RATES WEB SS-3
WEB SS-4
WEB SS-5
LOCATION
SKU
SIZE
3 MONTHS
6 MONTHS
12 MONTHS
Leaderboard-1
WEB-L-1
728 x 100
$13,820
$22,095
$38,070
Leaderboard-2
WEB-L-2
728 x 100
$13,820
$22,095
$38,070
Leaderboard-LG
WEB-L-LG
1372 x 100
$13,820
$22,095
$38,070
Skyscraper-1
WEB-SS-1
240 x 500
$7,995
$12,995
$19,995
Skyscraper-2
WEB-SS-2
240 X 500
$7,195
$11,695
$17,995
Skyscraper-3
WEB-SS-3
240 X 500
$6,475
$10,525
$16,195
Skyscraper-4
WEB-SS-4
240 X 500
$5,830
$9,475
$14,575
Skyscraper-5
WEB-SS-5
240 X 500
$5,250
$8,530
$13,120
Each digital ad links to the website of your choice. Web banners appear in eight second intervals and rotate top to bottom randomly. GIF images must be under eight seconds. Artwork must be provided at least five days before go live date. Third-party code embedding is available at no extra charge. DIGITAL ADVERTISING
HARDLINES WEEKLY REPORT (E-NEWSLETTER) This is the only weekly Canadian source for industry intelligence and a keystone product in our digital marketing mix. Distributed every Monday morning, and packed with the latest news, trends analysis, interviews with industry leaders and statistics on housing and retail, our subscribers can start the week fully informed.
HWR-A
HWR-S1
HWR-S2
HWR-B1
DIGITAL ADVERTISING
POSITION
SKU
SIZE (PX)
3 MONTHS
6 MONTHS
12 MONTHS
Leaderboard
HWR-L
690 x 100
$10,655
$15,390
$23,685
Large Banner 1
HWR-B1
450 x 100
$7,100
$10,655
$15,390
Large Banner 2
HWR-B2
450 x 100
$4,740
$8,285
$11,840
Large Banner 3
HWR-B3
450 x 100
$3,555
$6,275
$9,470
Small Banner 1
HWR-S1
200 X 75
$2,960
$5,915
$8,285
Small Banner 2
HWR-S2
200 X 75
$2,960
$5,915
$8,285
DEALER NEWS (MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER) Dealer News is targeted squarely at store owners and managers. A monthly send, it’s packed with news, tips, insights, and concrete ideas for dealers and store managers who want to run their businesses at maximum efficiency.
DN-S1
DN-B1
DN-S2
DN-B2
DN-S3
DIGITAL ADVERTISING
DN-B3
POSITION
SKU
SIZE (PX)
3 MONTHS
6 MONTHS
12 MONTHS
Large Banner 1
DN-B1
420 x 90
$6,630
$9,705
$16,105
Large Banner 2
DN-B2
420 x 90
$5,915
$8,640
$13,740
Large Banner 3
DN-B3
420 x 90
$4,730
$7,100
$10,655
Small Banner 1
DN-S1
200 x 75
$4,730
$7,100
$10,655
Small Banner 2
DN-S2
200 X 75
$3,075
$4,730
$7,100
Small Banner 3
DN-S3
200 x 75
$2,370
$3,905
$5,445
DAILY NEWS We offer our industry a daily roundup of the news impacting the home improvement industry, store openings, appointment announcements, and event coverage. POSITION
SKU
SIZE (PX)
3 MONTHS
6 MONTHS
12 MONTHS
Large Banner
D-L1
590 x 100
$7,415
$12,355
$19,770
Medium Banner
D-M1
290 x 100
$4,945
$7,900
$12,355
D-L1
D-M1
PRO DEALER BUSINESS
PDB-2
PDB-1
PDB-4
DIGITAL ADVERTISING
PRO Dealer Business is the digital companion to Hardlines PRO Dealer magazine, featuring strategies to boost profits, case studies of successful dealers, insights on economic trends, and the latest products and innovations for pro customers. POSITION
SKU
SIZE (PX)
3 MONTHS
6 MONTHS
12 MONTHS
Large Banner 1
PDB-1
680 x 120
$5,195
$7,795
$12,995
Large Banner 2
PDB-2
680 x 120
$4,675
$7,015
$11,695
Large Banner 3
PDB-3
680 x 120
$4,205
$6,315
$10,525
Large Banner 4
PDB-4
680 x 120
$3,785
$5,680
$9,475
HR ADVISOR Hardlines HR Advisor is a monthly e-newsletter for the retail home improvement industry, keeping you informed on staffing issues, legal updates, and HR best practices. Each issue includes industry news, expert advice, and insights from HR professionals and agencies. HRA-1
POSITION
SKU
SIZE (PX)
3 MONTHS
6 MONTHS
12 MONTHS
Large Banner 1
HRA-1
680 x 120
$4,295
$6,995
$9,995
Large Banner 2
HRA-2
680 x 120
$3,865
$6,295
$8,995
Large Banner 3
HRA-3
680 x 120
$3,480
$5,665
$8,095
Large Banner 4
HRA-4
680 x 120
$3,130
$5,100
$7,285
DIGITAL
Custom Send Requirements
HRA-2
HRA-3
HRA-4
4 Include a subject line for the email (preheader is optional). 4 Sender - Please provide the company name you would like to use for your custom send. The format is Hardlines on behalf of Company Name. 4 Email must be provided as an HTML file. 4 Email layout must not be larger than 800px wide. 4 Images must be hosted and embedded in the HTML file upon submission. 4 HTML file and subject line must be submitted a week before scheduled email deployment date.
3RD PARTY E-MAILS
Hardlines Custom Sends/3rd Party Emails give you direct access to our entire subscriber base of industry decision-makers. With When creating your HTML, keep in mind: fully customizable content and branding, they’re a powerful way • Opens and link tracking are automatic. • External style sheets are not supported. to showcase your products, promotions, and expertise inthey’ll be • Styles can be added to the code at the top of theright email and inlined when the email sends, or you can use inline styles. your target audience’s inbox.• automatically To get the best results in the most email clients, design your code for 1 SEND
4 SENDS
$2,195/send
$1,795/send
an email, not for a webpage. • iFrames and form code are supported but are usually stripped out by the email client. • Media queries aren’t supported. • Non-standard HTML tags generated by proprietary software, like Microsoft Publisher or Frontpage, won’t display correctly in many browsers and email clients: - <v:shape> - <o:column> - <b: Xl> - ![endif] • JavaScript will most likely not display because most email clients disable it for security reasons. • We discourage the use of image mapping (adding multiple links to a single image) for the following reasons: - Using image mapping breaks our link-tracking functionality, so any clicks on these links won’t show up in your Clicks report. - Using image maps is an outdated practice, and many versions of Outlook and other email clients do not render them correctly. - They aren’t mobile-responsive. Image mapping specifies the “clickable spot” in your email using exact coordinates, but the elements of your email can shift when an email is viewed on a mobile device in order for it to display properly. As a result, the coordinates you mapped the links to may not stay in the spot you intended.
8 SENDS
12 SENDS
$1,595/send
$1,095/send
hardlines.ca
DIGITAL ADVERTISING
Need help creating your custom send? We can create an HTML file for you using your supplied photos, logos and text. We can customize the HTML template to include your company’s branded colours.
Cost: $995
DIGITAL AD SPECS All banners link to the website of your choice. Web banners appear in eight second intervals and rotate top to bottom randomly. GIF images must be under eight seconds. Artwork must be provided at least five days before go live date. Third-party code embedding is available at no extra charge. WEBSITE Leaderboard - 1 & 2
728 x 100
Leaderboard - LG
1372 x 100
Skyscraper - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
240 x 500
WEEKLY REPORT Leaderboard
690 x 100
Large Banner - 1, 2, 3
450 x 100
Small Banner - 1 & 2
200 X 75
DEALER NEWS Large Banner - 1, 2, 3
420 x 90
Small Banner - 1, 2, 3
200 x 75
DAILY NEWS Large Banner
590 x 100
Medium Banner
290 x 100
PRO DEALER BUSINESS Large Banner - 1, 2, 3, 4
680 x 120
HR ADVISOR Large Banner - 1, 2, 3, 4
DIGITAL AD SPECS
680 x 120
Access the people who matter most, in an environment designed for real conversations and meaningful connections.
CONFERENCE & EVENTS WHERE THE INDUSTRY COMES TOGETHER For nearly three decades, the Hardlines Conference has been the premier gathering for Canada’s hardware and building supply leaders. It’s the only national event where retailers, buying groups, suppliers, and industry experts connect to share insights and explore what’s next. Two days of high-level presentations, expert panels, and invaluable networking opportunities. This is where strategic partnerships are formed and the industry’s future is shaped.
The Outstanding Retailer Awards (ORAs)
Celebrating the best in Canadian home improvement retail with categories spanning hardware stores, building centres, large-format retailers, and pro dealers.
15 CONFERENCE & EVENTS
2026 CONFERENCE DATE AND LOCATION Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa, Ontario October 20 & 21, 2026 hardlinesconference.ca
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Position your brand front and centre at the most influential event in Canada’s home improvement sector. Sponsorship provides extended visibility before, during, and after the event. Reach out for a full list of sponsorship perks. PACKAGE
16 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
PRICE
INCLUDES
ORA Sponsor
$15,995
• Present an ORA • Full-page ad in HHIQ • 2 tickets to conference & gala • 6 months online visibility
Meal or Coffee Sponsor
$9,995
• On-site signage • Verbal recognition • 2 tickets to conference & gala • Logo in program, supporting sponsorship assets
Supporting Sponsor
$5,995
• 1 ticket to conference & gala • 3 months online visibility
PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP YOUR EDGE STARTS HERE
Hardlines Premium Membership isn’t just a subscription it’s your competitive edge. Members get insider access to the most trusted intelligence in Canada’s home improvement industry, along with exclusive benefits that pay for themselves. What’s Included:
MAKE SURE YOUR TEAM HAS THE INSIGHTS AND ADVANTAGES THEY NEED TO STAY AHEAD. Sign up for Hardlines Premium Membership today and start saving on reports, events, and advertising opportunities while staying connected to the people and information that matter most. Contact: jillian@hardlines.ca Or visit hardlines.ca to get started.
17 PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP
Hardlines Weekly Report Every Monday morning, get the latest news, trend analysis, and insights that help you make smarter decisions.
Classified Ads One free 250-word ad with logo per year (2-week run), plus 15% off additional listings.
Breaking News Alerts Be first to know about major developments in the industry delivered straight to your inbox.
Exclusive Discounts Save 20% on Hardlines Annual Reports and 20% on tickets to the Hardlines Conference and Outstanding Retailer Awards Gala.
HHIQ (Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly) One print issue per office, every quarter. Additional copies at a discounted price.
MEMBERSHIP PRICING SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE
PRICE
1–3 people
$545
4–6 people
$725
7–10 people
$875
Total Annual Savings: up to $2,206. Membership packages for up to 100 people available upon request. Contact Jill for more information.
905-330-3061
hardlines.ca