Issuu

H A RDL INE S.C A

CONNECTING THE HOME IMPROVEMENT INDUSTRY

BUILTFOR LABRADOR F E AT U R E S T O R Y

How Pike’s Home Hardware Building Centre keeps growing with the community it serves

April and Greg Pike PIKE’S HOME HARDWARE BUILDING CENTRE Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L. 2025 Outstanding Retailer Awards Best Building Supply Under 15,000 sq. ft.

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026 Canadian Publications Mail Agreement # 42175020. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly, PO Box 430 Stn Main, Alliston, ON L9R 1V6

HHIQ_4Q_26_Cover.indd 1

2026-10-04 1:09 PM

Orgill-PDQ12026.indd 2

2026-09-24 9:06 PM

Orgill-PDQ12026.indd 3

2026-09-24 9:06 PM

March 31 - April 1, 2027 Toronto Congress Centre Toronto, Ontario

Where Ontario’s building supply leaders meet

Discover new products, forge strategic partnerships, and drive business growth in the lumber, building materials, and hardware industry. Expected Exhibitors: 200+ companies

Expected Attendees: 750+ buyers

Get involved at the LBMAO Buying Show 2027. Contact Frank Scalisi at frank.scalisi@informa.com for more information.

LBMAO-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 4

2026-09-24 9:08 PM

HOME IMPROVEMENT QUARTERLY

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026 • VOLUME 16, NO. 4 2060 Lakeshore Road, Suite 702, Burlington, ON L7R 0G2 • 905-330-3061

Power More. Clutter Less.

@Hardlinesnews • www.hardlines.ca EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Steve Payne steve@hardlines.ca

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER David Chestnut david@hardlines.ca

EDITOR Rebecca Dumais rebecca@hardlines.ca

SR. MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER Michelle Porter michelle@hardlines.ca

QUEBEC EDITOR Geoff McLarney geoff@hardlines.ca

ACCOUNT MANAGER Shannon MacLeod shannon@hardlines.ca

MANAGING EDITOR Rob Gerlsbeck rob@hardlines.ca

CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER Jill MacLeod jillian@hardlines.ca

ACCOUNTING accounting@hardlines.ca

ART DIRECTOR Shawn Samson TwoCreative.ca

FOUNDER AND EDITOR-AT-LARGE Michael McLarney mike@hardlines.ca SUBSCRIBER SERVICES ★ FREE TO HOME IMPROVEMENT DEALERS ★ To subscribe, renew your subscription, or change your address or contact information, please contact our Circulation Department at 866-764-0227; hhiq@mysubscription.ca.

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly is published four times a year by Hardlines Inc., 2060 Lakeshore Road, Suite 702, Burlington, ON L7R 0G2. $25 per issue or $90 per year for Canada. Subscriptions to the Continental United States: $105 per year and $35 per issue. All other countries: $130 per year. (Air mail $60 per year additional.) Canadian Publications Mail Agreement # 42175020 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly, PO Box 430 Stn Main, Alliston, ON L9R 1V6. All editorial contents copyrighted 2026 by Hardlines Inc. No content may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher.

NUMBER ONE IN THE HOME IMPROVEMENT

INDUSTRY. ONLINE AND PRINT.

Leviton Outlets with USB charging ports offer a wide range of options to meet your power needs. Free up your outlets and enjoy a more efficient way to charge your devices.

SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE leviton.com/products/residential/ usb-wall-outlet-chargers

HHIQ is just one facet of the Hardlines Information Network. Since 1995, we’ve been delivering the most up-to-date information directly to you online, in print, and in person. Find out how you can get your message out with us. Contact: David Chestnut, President & Publisher 416-425-7992 • david@hardlines.ca

HHIQ_4Q_26_Masthead.indd 5

2026-09-24 7:44 PM

V OL UME 16, NO. 4

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS EDITOR’S MESSAGE

9 Knowing what matters 18 Smart home appliances, PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

yard maintenance tools, building materials and more.

AD INDEX 64 Index of advertisers

COVER FEATURE

BUILT FOR LABRADOR

Pike’s Home 22 How Hardware Building Centre

ENDCAP

66 Victory Building Centre rings true

keeps growing with the community it serves

MEET THE BUYERS

INSIDE THE BUYER’S PLAYBOOK

NEWSROUNDUP

PAGE 10

buyers share what earns 34 Industry a place on their shelves, where

RONA reshapes its Maritime footprint

human judgment still matters and which trends they’re watching for 2027.

Encore builds its GTA presence CONSUMER AI USAGE

FROM SEARCH TO STORE is 48 AIreshaping

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_Contents.indd 6

MR. DRYWALL Skrepnek 56 Doug knows the

the home improvement customer journey 6

PRO CORNER

drywall game in Canada better than almost anyone Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

Richelieu invests at home and in U.S. Kent moves ahead with new Miramichi store AI tools target independent dealers

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 7:54 PM

ATLANTIC CANADA’S PREMIER BUILDING SUPPLY EXPO

Halifax Convention Center

CONNECT • DISCOVER • GROW Interested in exhibiting or reserving booth space? Visit us at www.absda.ca ABSDA-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 7

2026-09-24 2:55 PM

“

I think wearing the red shirt means something to people across this country. Chris Locke Store Owner Orillia, ON

”

Owned by you. Backed by Home. When you join the Home Hardware family, you become part of a tight-knit community that’s free from the pressures of external shareholders. Gain access to a trusted brand with personalized resources dedicated to helping your unique business thrive, plus a coastto-coast Dealer network ready to back you every step of the way.

Scan to learn more

DRC-26-010_Ad_HIQ Q4 Oct 2026.indd 1 HomeHardware-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 8

2026-09-02 2026-09-24 1:40 2:55 PM PM

EDITOR’S ME S S AGE

REBECCA DUMAIS, EDITOR

KNOWING WHAT MATTERS

Our industry keeps moving: retailers, buyers and ideas helping shape what comes next.

here’s an abundance problem in this industry that has very little to do with inventory. There are more products, more data, more technologies and more competing demands for attention than ever before. Somewhere in all that possibility, someone still has to decide what actually deserves a place on the shelf. That thought kept surfacing as we put together this issue of Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly. Our annual Meet the Buyers feature offers perhaps the clearest example. Buyers weigh price and performance, supplier relationships, customer expectations, emerging trends and the realities of finite retail space. A product can be clever, beautifully packaged and backed by an impressive campaign. The harder question remains: will customers want it? Retailers make versions of that decision every day. Pike’s Home Hardware Building Centre, featured in this issue, demonstrates how much local knowledge still

www.hardlines.ca

HHIQ_4Q_26_Editorial.indd 9

matters. Dealers have access to increasingly sophisticated tools and enormous amounts of information, but knowing their customers, their communities and where their businesses can genuinely compete remains a powerful advantage. That judgment becomes particularly valuable in an uncertain market. After years of inflation, shifting consumer behaviour, supply disruptions and an increasingly complicated, competitive landscape, waiting for the industry to become predictable again may be a long wait. Businesses still have to choose where to invest, what to stock and which opportunities deserve pursuit. Throughout this issue, you’ll meet people making those calls from different places in the home improvement supply chain. Sometimes the competitive advantage is simply knowing what matters—and what can be left on the shelf.

“

Sometimes the competitive advantage is simply knowing what matters— and what can be left on the shelf.

”

rebecca@hardlines.ca

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

2026-09-24 8:10 PM

NEWSROUNDUP OF THE HOME IMPROVEMENT INDUS TRY

Visit Hardlines.ca for breaking news in the Home Improvement Industry

RONA RESHAPES ITS MARITIME FOOTPRINT Adam Barrett acquired three Halifax-area RONA stores through Terraine Capital in 2024. The operation later grew to five locations, all of which have now returned to RONA corporate ownership.

ONA has brought five Maritime stores back under corporate ownership, reversing a move made just over two years ago when it transferred several locations to an affiliated dealer. The Boucherville, Que.-based retailer acquired the stores from RONA Atlantic Ltd., along with a direct-delivery centre. The transaction includes locations in Halifax, Elmsdale and Tantallon, N.S., as well as stores in Charlottetown, P.E.I., and Saint John, N.B.

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_News.indd 10

The move marks another change in RONA’s evolving presence in Atlantic Canada. In early 2024, Halifax businessman Adam Barrett acquired three corporate RONA stores in Halifax, Elmsdale and Tantallon through his real estate company, Terraine Capital. The transaction meant that all RONA locations in the Halifax Regional Municipality were dealer-owned at the time. Barrett subsequently expanded the operation. In 2025, RONA Atlantic acquired the former Sherwood BMR Building Centre in

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

Charlottetown and converted it to the RONA banner. The company later acquired a former Kent Building Supplies location in Saint John. RONA’s purchase brings all five locations, and the delivery centre serving them, into its corporate network. The retailer continues to operate a mixed model nationally, with both corporate locations and stores owned by independent affiliated dealers. RONA currently operates and services approximately 425 stores across Canada, with nearly half of its network consisting of affiliated locations. The company has also continued actively recruiting independent dealers. Its dealer program offers support in areas including operations, marketing, category management, succession planning and acquisitions. The Maritime transaction therefore represents a significant shift for the five stores rather than a broader retreat from the affiliated-dealer model. RONA said when announcing the acquisition that bringing the locations into its corporate network would strengthen its presence in Atlantic Canada and allow the company to continue serving both retail and professional customers in those markets. For the Halifax-area stores in particular, the deal completes a relatively short trip from corporate ownership to independent operation and back again, underscoring the changing shape of RONA’s retail network as the company continues to refine its Canadian footprint. www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:13 PM

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Stay in the know every single week with HARDLINES. Subscribe online at Hardlines.ca

ENCORE BUILDS ITS GTA PRESENCE

Photo: Ema Suvajac

ncore Drywall Material Supplies is expanding its Greater Toronto Area footprint with the acquisition of two locations from Bernardi Building Supply. The deal adds Bernardi yards in Toronto and Mississauga to Encore’s existing Ontario operations in Concord and Trenton. For Encore president Doug Skrepnek, the acquisition represents another step in a remarkably quick return to the gypsum supply business. Skrepnek previously built The Signature Group and later WSB Titan into a major gypsum supply organization before selling the business to U.S.-based GMS Inc. in 2018 for $800 million. After a fiveyear non-compete agreement expired, he returned to the industry and launched Encore in 2024. The company joined Castle Building Centres Group’s commercial division with its first two Ontario locations.

BRIEFLY CANFOR CLOSES FOX CREEK SAWMILL

Encore’s reach has since expanded beyond Ontario. Skrepnek partnered with Carl Léonard of Quebec-based Groupe Beauchesne to form Leonek Corporation, which acquired a majority stake in Coastal Drywall Supplies. Coastal operates three locations serving markets in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and joined Castle’s commercial division at the beginning of 2026. The Bernardi transaction brings Encore’s focus back to the GTA and adds two established yards to its Ontario network. Bernardi has served the Toronto construction market since 1971, supplying drywall, insulation, masonry products, tools and other building materials. “Bernardi has built a strong presence in the GTA, and we’re excited to build on that foundation,” Skrepnek said when the acquisition was announced. “It’s an important step in our growth and longterm vision for Encore.” The acquisition also adds to continuing consolidation in Canada’s gypsum supply sector, where commercial building- material distributors have become increasingly active acquisition targets. Earlier this year, Castle president and CEO Ken Jenkins said changes in the GSD market were pushing buying groups to strengthen their support for the commercial channel. Doug Skrepnek launched Encore Drywall Material Supplies in 2024 following a five-year non-compete. The company’s acquisition of two Bernardi Building Supply locations brings its Ontario network to four.

www.hardlines.ca

HHIQ_4Q_26_News.indd 11

Canfor Corp. is permanently closing its sawmill in Fox Creek, Alta., citing persistent weakness in lumber markets and challenges securing an economically sustainable fibre supply. The closure will reduce the Vancouverbased forest products company’s production capacity by approximately 120 million board feet annually. President and CEO Susan Yurkovich acknowledged the impact the decision will have on employees, contractors and the Fox Creek community, calling it a difficult decision for the company. The closure comes as Canfor continues to adjust its Western Canadian operations. Earlier this summer, the company completed its acquisition of PinkWood Ltd.’s Calgary manufacturing facility, which Canfor said would support the growth of its value-added manufacturing business.

HOME HARDWARE EXPANDS ON VANCOUVER ISLAND Home Hardware Stores Ltd. has expanded its presence on Vancouver Island by adding Central Builders Lumberworld in Victoria, B.C. The building supply business, which has served the Victoria market for more than 50 years, was recently acquired by Central Builders Group, led by dealer-owner Rick Fisher. The group also operates Home Hardware locations in Courtenay and Parksville, B.C. The addition gives the Central Builders Group three Home Hardware locations on Vancouver Island and extends the banner’s presence in the Victoria market.

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

2026-09-25 2:49 PM

NEWSROUNDUP

Richelieu Hardware has begun a $15-million-plus expansion of its Drummondville, Que., distribution centre, which will grow from approximately 40,000 to 180,000 square feet. The expanded facility is expected to be operational in spring 2027.

RICHELIEU INVESTS AT HOME, EXPANDS IN U.S.

ichelieu Hardware is accelerating its growth on both sides of the border, pairing a major expansion of its Quebec distribution network with one of its largest U.S. acquisitions. The Montreal-based hardware distributor is investing more than $15 million to expand its distribution centre in Drummondville, Que. The project will nearly quadruple the facility from approximately 40,000 to 180,000 sq. ft., significantly increasing Richelieu’s distribution capacity in the province. The expanded centre will serve customers across Montreal’s South Shore, the Quebec City region, Centre-du-Québec and the Eastern Townships. Construction officially got underway in September, with the expanded facility expected to become

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_News.indd 12

operational in spring 2027. Local reporting also indicates the project is expected to create about 30 jobs. “Richelieu has been growing for several decades, and this investment in Drummondville gives us the means to keep building on that momentum,” said president and CEO Richard Lord when the project was announced. The Quebec investment came just one day after Richelieu announced another significant expansion, this time in the United States. The company acquired the hardware division of the Penrod Company, a U.S. distributor specializing in hardware and components for residential and commercial doors. The acquisition adds approximately US$70 million in annual sales and expands

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

Richelieu’s reach among door manufacturers, architects, residential and commercial contractors and specialty distributors. Penrod’s hardware division has operated in the door hardware and components market for more than 35 years and maintains a nationwide distribution network in the U.S. The transaction continues an active acquisition year for Richelieu. Earlier in 2026, the company completed three Canadian acquisitions representing approximately $20 million in annual sales. Richelieu reported second-quarter sales of $532.1 million, up 3.9 per cent from the previous year. Together, the Drummondville investment and Penrod acquisition extend a growth strategy focused on expanding Richelieu’s distribution capacity and specialized product reach across North America. www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:13 PM

Being a dealer owner with

Discover the RONA difference

Chad and Kerry Tourand

Dealer Owners, RONA Pinecrest Lumber, Nipawin, since 2008

RONA-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 13

RONA has proven time and time again that they’re the right partner for us. We work great as a team, and we have the support that we need. There’s always somebody a phone call away to answer whatever question we might have.

RONAdealer.ca becomeRONA@rona.ca

RONA, proud partner of

2026-09-24 2:56 PM

NEWSROUNDUP

KENT MOVES AHEAD WITH NEW MIRAMICHI STORE

lans for a new Kent Building Supplies store in Miramichi, N.B., are moving forward, with work beginning on infrastructure needed to serve the development. The new location will replace Kent’s existing store at 2417 King George Highway and will be built off Douglastown Boulevard, between the Miramichi Power Centre and the Arbec Wellness Centre site. Kent’s current Miramichi location includes a lumberyard, garden centre, appliance department, KENT pro service desk and project centre. The replacement store has been in development for several years. In August, Miramichi city council awarded a $637,387.90 contract to local firm Vye Construction & Paving to construct a new street providing access to the site. The street, to be named Carpiquet Drive, will be constructed in two phases. The first includes underground utilities

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_News.indd 14

A new access road is being built to serve the site of Kent Building Supplies’ planned replacement store in Miramichi, N.B. The retailer has not yet announced an opening date. and is scheduled for completion this fall, while the second phase is expected to be finished by June 2027. City officials said the project could proceed after Kent’s parent, J.D. Irving Limited, signed a development agreement with the municipality. The investment comes during Kent’s 50th anniversary year. The Atlantic Canadian retailer, founded in 1976 and owned by J.D. Irving, has continued investing in its store network, including new locations and renovations across the region. Earlier this year, general manager Patrick O’Neill said Kent intended to keep growing while increasing the use of technology in its stores. Kent has not yet announced an opening date for the new Miramichi location.

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

BRIEFLY

CERTAINTEED ADDS ONTARIO MANUFACTURER CertainTeed Canada has expanded its Canadian manufacturing operations with the acquisition of MCM Acoustical Inc., a Mississauga, Ont.-based manufacturer of specialty architectural products. The acquisition adds MCM’s approximately 70,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and roughly 90 employees to CertainTeed Architectural, part of parent company Saint-Gobain. MCM manufactures architectural ceiling and wall products, including custom metal ceilings, acoustical products and specialty systems used in commercial construction. The deal continues Saint-Gobain’s recent expansion of its Canadian manufacturing footprint. The company has made a series of investments and acquisitions in Canada as part of its strategy to increase local production and broaden its building-products portfolio. MCM will operate as part of CertainTeed Architectural following the acquisition.

AD REPORTS DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH AD reported a 15-per-cent increase in member sales through the first six months of 2026, reaching US$51 billion across its divisions in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The independent distributor organization also added 167 new members during the period, while 20 existing members completed acquisitions involving another 31 companies. AD operates across several industries serving independent distributors, including building materials, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and industrial supplies.

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:13 PM

Working for our members everyday. So you can focus on what matters most — your business.

“We have had seven major expansions since joining Sexton Group in 2010. We couldn’t have done that without the tight-knit team of professionals at Sexton Group pointing us in the right direction. I’m often asked at conferences and meetings if I feel the pricing is competitive. I say “YES.” You don’t expand seven times in 10 years without competitive pricing programs. That’s why I am a Sexton member.” Albert Pike, Pike’s Building Centre

Our Promise to You: We help members succeed through advocacy, competitive programs, and transactional excellence—resolving issues fast, securing regional pricing advantages, and delivering the fastest rebates in the industry. Join Canada’s leading lumber & building supply network. Visit www.sextongroup.com or call 1-800-665-9209.

Sexton-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 15

2026-09-24 2:58 PM

NEWSROUNDUP

AI TOOLS TARGET INDEPENDENT DEALERS

rtificial intelligence is moving deeper into the day-to-day operations of independent home improvement dealers, with technology companies targeting everything from order entry to inventory management and point-of-sale systems. Toronto-based Toolbx has added AI Order Entry to its platform for building material suppliers. The technology uses Forge AI to convert orders received through emails, texts, PDFs and even handwritten lists into draft orders that can be reviewed before being entered into a dealer’s existing ERP system. Toolbx says its broader order-to-cash platform is now used by more than 200 dealers across more than 1,000 locations. The company’s technology connects with dealers’ existing ERP systems rather than replacing them, adding functions including online ordering, quotes, payments and accounts receivable management. Another technology company is bringing an AI-focused point-of-sale platform into the Canadian market. Rundoo, which develops soft ware specifically for independent supply stores, went

live at its first Canadian location, Alpine Design Co. in Cornwall, Ont., in August. Its web-based platform combines point of sale, inventory, purchasing, contractor accounts, payments and reporting. The system has been adapted for Canadian retailers with support for GST, HST and PST, Canadian-dollar transactions and Interac debit. Rundoo also integrates with Benjamin Moore for electronic ordering. Its AI assistant, called Dooey, uses a retailer’s own sales, inventory and account information to answer questions, generate reports and assist with tasks such as purchase orders. Rundoo says its technology is now used by more than 500 independent stores across Canada and the U.S., serving hardware, paint, lumber, lawn and garden and other retail sectors. The arrival of the two systems reflects AI’s expanding role in independent retail, where developers increasingly focus on automating routine back-office work while allowing dealers to retain existing customer relationships and operating models.

BRIEFLY

QUEBEC RETAILER EARNS YOUNG RETAILER HONOUR Félix-Antoine Moisan of Matériaux Audet has been recognized by the North American Hardware and Paint Association as one of its 2026 Young Retailer of the Year honourees. Moisan represents the fourth generation of his family in the business, which operates locations in Quebec. The annual NHPA awards recognize outstanding retailers age 35 and under for their achievements in independent home improvement retailing.

CASTLE ADDS NEW BRUNSWICK DEALER Castle Building Centres Group has added Centre Multi Decor in Richibucto, N.B., to its network. In operation for nearly 30 years, the specialty retailer is now owned and operated by Nadine Guitard. Centre Multi Decor offers ﬂooring, windows, doors, blinds and paint to customers in the Richibucto area. The store becomes the latest independent retailer to join Castle’s growing network of building supply and specialty dealers across Canada.

RONA FOUNDATION SUPPORTS SKILLED TRADES

Toronto-based Toolbx has added AI Order Entry to its platform for building material suppliers. The technology uses Forge AI to convert orders received through emails, texts, PDFs and even handwritten lists.

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_News.indd 16

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

The RONA Foundation has launched a new bursary program to support students pursuing careers in the skilled trades. The program will provide ﬁnancial assistance to students enrolled in recognized construction and skilled-trades programs across Canada. It expands the foundation’s support for training and education in sectors connected to housing and home improvement. The initiative comes as Canada’s construction industry continues efforts to attract and train workers to meet future demand.

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:13 PM

BMR-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 17

2026-09-24 2:59 PM

ProductSpotlight GSW Connected Electric Water Heater Experience smarter hot water with the GSW Connected Electric Water Heater. Designed for convenience, efﬁciency, and peace of mind, this innovative water heater features built-in WiFi connectivity, which allows monitoring and control performance remotely through the A. O. Smith app. Adjust water temperature, select operating modes, check hot water availability, and schedule usage from virtually anywhere. Advanced leak detection technology helps protect the home by triggering an audible alarm when a leak is detected, while optional automatic shut-off protection provides an added layer of security. Dry-ﬁre protection and an intuitive electronic display. www.gsw-wh.com

+osb Total 1 2-in-1 Bath Waste System The +osb Total 1 2-in-1 Bath Waste System from combines offset and direct waste conﬁgurations in a single kit, allowing installers to accommodate either conﬁguration without carrying separate bath waste kits. The all-in-one design eliminates unused components while helping reduce inventory requirements and save space on the job site. www.osb.ca

Einhell Turbo Cordless Leaf Blower This turbo leaf blower moves 670 CFM at air speeds up to 270 km/h, the highest output in the Einhell blower line. A practical arm support carries the load on larger properties. Five electronically controlled speed settings allow precise work around beds and walkways, with a turbo mode for wet leaves and driveways. An additional volume nozzle increases airﬂow for better coverage. Weighs 4.8 lbs and draws on two 18V Power X-Change batteries. www.einhell.ca

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_ProductSpotlight.indd 18

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 10:03 PM

7-Inch Folding Saw Tackle pruning and outdoor tasks with the versatile Garant 7-inch Folding Saw. Its carbon steel blade features a non-stick coating and intercalated teeth for fast, efﬁcient cuts with less friction, handling branches up to 3.5” thick. It folds easily for storage and carrying. An ergonomic ambidextrous handle provides a comfortable grip in all seasons, while the integrated safety latch securely locks the blade in both the open and closed positions. www.garant.com

Kohltech Entrance Systems Flex Jamb Designed specifically for applications like ICF and other deep-wall residential construction, the Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems Flex Jamb Hybrid Door system brings flexibility, performance and design together in one solution. The “flex” comes from the jamb. Choose a customized depth from 5-5/8” to 10-5/8” with brickmould, or up to a full 12” plain frame. The design allows the door slab to be fully recessed into the jamb, while an exterior extension provides the depth needed for the wall system. The “hybrid” comes from combining a strong, rigid wood frame for easier installation and a durable PVC exterior extension for low-maintenance weather protection. www.kohltech.com

Moen Verso with Inﬁniti Dial Moen’s Inﬁniti Dial, available on Verso showerheads, lets users customize spray pressure and coverage by simply turning the dial. The adjustable system moves from a wide, drenching spray to a more focused rinse, with a range of settings in between. Integrated into the Verso showerhead design, the dial provides greater control over water coverage and intensity. www.moen.ca www.hardlines.ca

HHIQ_4Q_26_ProductSpotlight.indd 19

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

2026-09-24 8:11 PM

ProductSpotlight Fusion Stone Omni 100 Fusion Stone Omni 100 Collection has the appearance and durability of masonry with a mechanically fastened installation system. Designed for residential, multi-residential and ICI construction, the CCMC-certiﬁed system can install up to 50 per cent faster than traditional masonry and is designed to reduce labour and installation costs. Backed by a lifetime guarantee. www.domanbm.com

TYPAR Wraps, Flashing & Construction Tape The TYPAR Weather Protection System combines building wraps, flashing products and construction tapes to help manage air and moisture through the building envelope. The lineup includes BuildingWrap, all-temperature, butyl and flexible flashing products, along with tapes for sealing seams, joints and other transitions. TYPAR Construction Tape is also CCMC-approved for specified sheathing applications in Canada. www.domanbm.com

MicroPro Sienna Plus Treated Wood MicroPro Sienna Plus builds on the established MicroPro Sienna treated wood line with enhanced colour performance and long-term protection against fungal decay and termites. Made in Canada, the treated wood is suitable for decks, fences, landscaping and other exterior applications, including above-ground, ground-contact and freshwater uses. The treatment also offers corrosion rates comparable to untreated wood and is approved for direct contact with aluminum in above-ground applications. www.domanbm.com

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_ProductSpotlight.indd 20

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:11 PM

24” 2-Stage Cordless Electric Snow Blower Take on harsh winter conditions with Garant’s most powerful cordless snow blower. Its 24” two-stage system, brushless motor and selfpropelled drive deliver the power and traction needed to clear large areas and compacted snow with ease. Powered by two 62V 8.0 Ah batteries, it provides up to 60 minutes of runtime. A 200-degree rotating chute throws snow up to 50 ft, while heated handles, LED headlights, easy-turn steering and adjustable controls provide greater comfort and control in demanding winter conditions. www.garant.com

12” Cordless Electric Snow Shovel Clear snow quickly and easily with the Garant 12” Cordless Electric Snow Shovel. Lightweight and easy to maneuver, it features a powerful brushless motor with turbo function to tackle varying snow conditions. Its 180-degree rotating chute directs snow precisely, with a throwing distance of up to 25 ft. Two adjustable skid shoes adapt to different surfaces, while the multi-position ergonomic handle provides added comfort and control. Includes a 62V 4.0 Ah battery and charger. www.garant.com

Carbide Teeth Hole Saws Diablo’s new range of high-performance Demo Demon carbide teeth rough-in hole saws deliver 50-times longer cutting life, faster cutting performance and maximum productivity in nail-embedded wood and clean wood. An optimized carbide tooth geometry provides up to five-times faster holes than other hole saws. Diablo’s hole saw system and universal mandrel design simplify the attachment process for fast and efficient hole saw mounting. Each saw provides ultimate cutting length to bore deeper holes in a single pass. www.diablotools.com www.hardlines.ca

HHIQ_4Q_26_ProductSpotlight.indd 21

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

2026-09-24 8:11 PM

BY REBECCA DUMAIS

AT THE END OF THE LINE How Pike’s Home Hardware Building Centre turned Labrador’s greatest retail challenges into its greatest competitive advantage Photos: Becken Photography

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_Pikes Home Hardware-2.indd 22

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:08 PM

COVER FEATURE

PIKE’S HOME HARDWARE BUILDING CENTRE

April and Greg Pike OWNERS Pike’s Home Hardware Building Centre Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L.

www.hardlines.ca

HHIQ_4Q_26_Pikes Home Hardware-2.indd 23

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

2026-09-24 8:08 PM

PIKE’S HOME HARDWARE BUILDING CENTRE

he further north you travel, the more geography begins making business decisions for you. Roads become fewer. Freight becomes more expensive. Weather shifts from inconvenience to operational reality. A missed delivery isn’t simply frustrating— it can alter construction schedules, delay housing projects or leave entire communities waiting for materials that may not arrive again for weeks. For Greg and April Pike, those realities aren’t exceptional. They’re simply part of doing business. From their Home Hardware Building Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the couple serves a market unlike almost any other in Canada. Situated in central Labrador, the town is the region’s transportation hub, where road, marine and air routes converge before extending farther north. While the immediate population is roughly 8,000 people, the store’s trading area reaches approximately 14,000 residents

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_Pikes Home Hardware-2.indd 24

COVER FEATURE spread across one of the country’s most geographically demanding regions. “Normally, people think we’re on the island portion of Newfoundland,” Greg Pike says. “Most don’t realize we are more

“

years, they’ve increased sales by roughly 40 per cent, expanded services, modernized operations and transformed Pike’s into one of Atlantic Canada’s most respected independent building supply dealers—an

Success here comes from understanding the community and adapting to the unique realities of doing business in Labrador.

than 2,500 kilometres from any major centre. We have to think further ahead, be prepared for longer shipping times and occasional weather-related delays and make the most of every shipment. Success here comes from understanding the community and adapting to the unique realities of doing business in Labrador.” Those unique realities have shaped every decision the Pikes have made since purchasing the business in 2017. Over the past eight

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

”

achievement recognized in 2025 with an Outstanding Retailer Award in the Best Building Supply under 15,000 square foot category.

BUILT BY EXPERIENCE

Long before they became owners, Greg and April understood the customers they would eventually serve. April grew up around construction, helping her father, a contractor, on job sites

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:08 PM

Marwood-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 25

2026-09-24 2:59 PM

PIKE’S HOME HARDWARE BUILDING CENTRE and learning practical skills at an early age. Greg spent much of his childhood building things, eventually helping construct his family’s home. The trades weren’t simply familiar to them—they were part of everyday life. Those early experiences continue to influence how Pike’s approaches retail today. “Growing up around the construction industry gave us an appreciation for having a product on the ground before customers needed it,” Greg explains. “Most people in the trades plan well, but you can’t plan everything. Being the place that anticipates those unexpected situations builds trust

LABRADOR

HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

NOVA SCOTIA

“

Most don’t realize we are more than 2,500 kilometres from any major centre. We have to think further ahead.

with our consumers. We want customers to say, ‘Go to Pike’s, they always have it.’” Greg joined Home Hardware in 1997 as a retail manager, spending nearly two decades learning every aspect of the operation before he and April purchased the business in March 2017. Rather than dramatically changing its direction, they focused on strengthening its foundation. “Our main priority was enhancing the flow of our lumber yard,” Greg says. “We removed and reorganized products to create a smoother operation, with a priority on reducing the labour required to serve customers. One of our biggest wins was repurposing an older warehouse into covered lumber stalls for lumber up to 12 feet. The impact was immediate, with less cull and far less shovelling during the winter months.” That philosophy has guided nearly every investment since. Rather than chasing expansion for its own sake, the Pikes have focused on removing friction—from customer experiences, employee workflows and contractor projects alike.

WHERE RELIABILITY BECOMES A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

QUEBEC

NEW BRUNSWICK

COVER FEATURE

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_Pikes Home Hardware-2.indd 26

Retailers in major metropolitan areas often compete on price, assortment or convenience. NEWFOUNDLAND In Labrador, reliability may be the most valuable commodity of all. Projects regularly extend into remote communities. Marine shipping schedules dictate construction timelines. Long lead times require forecasting months in advance, while severe weather has the potential to interrupt Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

”

carefully coordinated supply chains. Greg recalls the 2024 wildfire season, when fires along the Labrador Highway threatened one of the region’s primary transportation corridors. “During that time, we stayed in touch with our suppliers and shipping companies, kept a close eye on our inventory and changed our shipping plans as things developed,” he says. “Planning ahead and being ready to adjust helped us keep things moving and allowed us to continue serving our customers.” Experiences like that have reinforced an operating philosophy built around preparation rather than reaction. Inventory decisions carry greater weight. Relationships with transportation partners become strategic assets. Every shipment represents an opportunity that cannot easily be replaced. Over time, those realities have transformed Pike’s from a traditional retailer into something broader—a logistics partner capable of helping customers navigate Labrador’s unique construction environment.

WINNING THE CONTRACTOR’S CONFIDENCE

Today, approximately 40 per cent of Pike’s business comes from professional contractors. The growth of that segment wasn’t accidental. “We took a multi-pronged approach by breaking our business into different segments, including contractors, retail and business-to-business, and then addressing the unique needs of each one,” Greg explains. “We’ve seen significant growth in our PRO business by building stronger www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:08 PM

April grew up around construction, helping her father, a contractor, on job sites and learning practical skills at an early age. relationships, demonstrating our value and becoming the premier supplier for contractors in our region.” Rather than expecting contractors to adapt to the business, Pike’s adapted the business to contractors. Dedicated contractor sales staff understand individual projects and purchasing habits. Pricing structures reflect the needs of different trades. Deliveries are scheduled around job-site requirements rather than store convenience. Greg summarizes the philosophy in five words. “They call: we answer.” Then he elaborates. “Deliveries are prioritized and are usually completed on the same day or scheduled around their needs. We open at 7:00 a.m. to support early starts, added more drivers for faster deliveries, invested in new equipment, including a truck with a Moffett forklift and brought on another salesperson while investing in their training. Every decision has been made with one goal in mind: being more helpful to our customers.” That commitment was tested during one of the largest projects in the company’s history. When a Northern Ontario contractor secured a housing development in Natuashish, a remote Labrador community accessible primarily by seasonal marine transport, Pike’s was invited to supply

“

materials for 28 homes. The order included everything from concrete products to furnishings. Success depended on coordinating purchasing, inventory, packaging, transportation and delivery against an unforgiving shipping deadline. Looking back, Greg remembers something other than the logistics. “I was incredibly impressed by my team and how they came together to order, pick, package and ship all the different materials required,” he says. “It meant long hours

We’ve seen significant growth in our PRO business by building stronger relationships, demonstrating our value and becoming the premier supplier for contractors in our region.

www.hardlines.ca

HHIQ_4Q_26_Pikes Home Hardware-2.indd 27

”

and tight deadlines, but their commitment never wavered. Seeing the team pull together under pressure and deliver such a large project successfully is something I’ll always be proud of.” Projects like Natuashish changed more than Pike’s project portfolio. They changed how the company viewed itself. The business had become more than a supplier of building materials. It had become a trusted project partner.

INVESTING IN THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

While the contractor business has become a major engine of growth, the Pikes have never viewed investment through a single lens. Every improvement they’ve made over the past eight years has been measured against one question: will it make the business easier to work with?

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

2026-09-24 8:08 PM

PIKE’S HOME HARDWARE BUILDING CENTRE Sometimes the answer has meant redesigning physical spaces. The retail floor has been completely remerchandised, creating a brighter, more intuitive shopping experience while improving product presentation. In the lumber yard, previously underutilized warehouse space has been converted into covered lumber stalls, making product easier to access while protecting inventory from Labrador’s demanding weather. Other investments have expanded the store’s role within the community. Today, Pike’s offers installation services for appliances, heat pumps, countertops and Thermopane products, operates a dedicated window shop for glass cutting and repairs and runs the community’s only bulk propane plant and propane delivery service. The company has also expanded into custom home building through Home Hardware’s Beaver Homes & Cottages program, allowing customers to work with a

COVER FEATURE

“

Growth and expansion are exciting, but they need to be managed well. We’re always looking for ways to improve and introduce new services to our community.

single trusted supplier from planning through construction. Most recently, Greg and April opened a standalone Design Centre adjacent to the main store, giving homeowners a dedicated space to plan kitchens, bathrooms and larger renovation projects in a more consultative environment. Despite the expansion, Greg insists growth has never been the objective on its own. “April and I are focused on finding greater efficiency throughout our store,” he says. “Growth and expansion are exciting, but

”

they need to be managed well. We’re always looking for ways to improve and introduce new services to our community.” That philosophy explains why Pike’s investments often feel practical rather than flashy. Every addition is designed to remove another obstacle, reduce another delay or solve another customer problem.

TECHNOLOGY BEHIND THE SCENES

That same thinking extends to technology. Like many independent dealers, Pike’s saw customer expectations shift dramatically during the pandemic. Phone orders increased, online purchases accelerated and customers expected faster updates about the status of their orders. Rather than layering additional administrative work onto employees, the company chose to redesign the process itself. “In 2021, after online and phone orders increased significantly, we needed a better way to process, dispatch and communicate orders,” Greg says. “That’s when we adopted Monday.com. What started as a necessity has become the operating system for much of our business, automating processes, sending direct customer updates and giving our team visibility into every part of the operation.” Today the platform manages everything from deliveries and order tracking to maintenance schedules, employee training and Greg joined Home Hardware in 1997 as a retail manager, spending nearly two decades learning every aspect of the operation before he and April purchased the business in March 2017.

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_Pikes Home Hardware-2.indd 28

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:08 PM

DIAMOND BLADES FOR CONCRETE CUTTING

EXTREME

DURABILITY & LONGER LIFE in Concrete Cutting Applications

SUPERIOR SPEED-EDGE SLOT DESIGNS, COMBINED WITH ULTRA-DURABLE DISC MATERIALS, DELIVER

30%

UP TO

FASTER CUTS

LONGER LIFE

AVAILABLE IN:

4", 4-1/2", 5", 6", 7", 9", 10", 12", 14"

VS. STD DIAMOND BLADES

DiabloTools.com DiabloTools.com

@DiabloTools

Customer Service 1.800.263.7016 Hardlines Diamond Masonry Ad.indd 1 Diablo-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 29

@DiabloTools

@Diablo_Tools

@DiabloTools

canadasupport@diablotools.com 2026-03-19 11:19 AM 2026-09-24 9:02 PM

PIKE’S HOME HARDWARE BUILDING CENTRE departmental task lists. Customers may never realize those systems are working behind the scenes, but that’s exactly the point. When technology functions well, it becomes invisible, allowing employees to spend less time managing paperwork and more time helping customers.

COVER FEATURE PEOPLE FIRST

Ask Greg what has contributed most to Pike’s success and he doesn’t begin with technology, inventory or facilities. He talks about people. The company now employs 46 staff members, including employees who have been

with the business for decades, families spanning multiple generations and several former employees who eventually returned. Greg and April’s daughter has also joined the management team, continuing the family tradition that has shaped the business since they became owners. Maintaining that culture requires far more than competitive wages or benefits. “We look for people who genuinely want to help others,” Greg says. “That natural desire to serve people and solve problems isn’t something you can teach. The rest can be learned. Our employees aren’t just numbers; they’re family. We celebrate their successes and support them whenever they need us.” That philosophy has become increasingly important as labour shortages have affected retailers across Canada. Pike’s responded by becoming a designated employer under the Atlantic Immigration Program, welcoming employees from several countries while helping many work toward permanent residency. The experience has broadened the business in unexpected ways. “Learning the nuances of different cultures is necessary in today’s labour market,” Greg says. “We still look for the same qualities in everyone we hire: people who are interested in the industry and have a great desire to help.” Those qualities are reinforced through what the company calls its Helpful Mission—a philosophy that guides everything from hiring decisions to customer service. “With every decision we make, we ask ourselves, ‘Is it helpful?’” Greg explains. “Is it helpful for the customer, a co-worker, the company, or the community? We work to find the right balance across those priorities because that’s what guides how we operate every day.”

Most recently, Greg and April opened a standalone Design Centre adjacent to the main store, giving homeowners a dedicated space to plan kitchens, bathrooms and larger renovation projects in a more consultative environment.

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_Pikes Home Hardware-2.indd 30

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:08 PM

Testim

ial #1342

Why JRTech? “I chose JRTech Solutions primarily because

of the clarity of the information I received about the quality of their products. Their team demonstrated great availability and attentive listening, which allowed me to find a solution well-suited to our needs. With the current labor shortage, JRTech’s electronic shelf labels are an undeniable asset. They enable automatic price updates, and simplify product replacement by making the process more visible. Additionally, they offer optimized inventory management, accessible to the entire team, while facilitating the reading of prices and promotions for our customers. This not only improves the efficiency of our management but also enhances the in-store shopping experience.” Marie-Josée Clément, Vice President of Retail, BMR-Novago cooperative

Call us to visit a client store near you.

The leading supplier of electronic shelf labels in North America

Scan QR code to learn more about our solutions

info@jrtechsolutions.com | +1 514 889 7114 | www.jrtechsolutions.com

JRTech-TestimonialAd-Clement-BMR-Novago.indd 31

2026-09-24 4:28 PM

PIKE’S HOME HARDWARE BUILDING CENTRE Simple in wording, the question has become a remarkably effective filter for decision-making.

A HOMETOWN BUSINESS

Although Pike’s has earned recognition well beyond Labrador, Greg never speaks about the business without returning to the place it calls home. Happy Valley-Goose Bay isn’t simply where the company operates. It’s where Greg grew up, where he and April raised their daughters and where their granddaughter is now growing up. That connection explains why community involvement has remained central to the business. The Pikes have volunteered with youth

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_Pikes Home Hardware-2.indd 32

COVER FEATURE sports, the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and numerous local organizations for years, while encouraging employees to become equally involved. The company supports fundraising events, food security initiatives, shelters, youth organizations and community celebrations throughout the year. “April and I have always volunteered,” Greg says. “We try to do our part, and whenever we’re able to do more, we do. This is our hometown. It’s where my kids grew up and now it’s where my granddaughter is growing up. We’ll continue doing everything we can to make it an even better place for everyone.” That commitment has become part of Pike’s identity. Customers know the store because of the products it sells. They

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

remember it because of the role it plays in the community.

THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS

Winning an Outstanding Retailer Award naturally encourages reflection. For Greg, however, success isn’t measured by revenue growth, industry awards or expansion projects. Instead, he thinks about a conversation from years ago, when he was still a young manager. “A customer pointed to a photo of Patrick Vickers, the founder of the original company, hanging on the wall and said, ‘That man was a fine man and always helped his customers,’” Greg recalls. “Patrick had died several years earlier, but people still remembered him because of how he made them feel.” The memory has stayed with him throughout his career. “That’s what I’d hope my granddaughter says about me one day—as long as she still calls me Poppa.” Perhaps that captures Pike’s Home Hardware Building Centre better than any financial metric ever could. The company has grown substantially since Greg and April took ownership. It has expanded its contractor business, modernized its operations, diversified its services and earned national recognition for excellence. Yet the principles driving those achievements remain remarkably uncomplicated. Understand your community. Prepare for what others overlook. Solve problems before they become obstacles. Help whenever you can. At the edge of Canada’s supply chain, where geography demands resilience and relationships matter as much as inventory, those values have allowed Pike’s Home Hardware Building Centre to build far more than a successful retail business. They’ve built the kind of place people remember long after they’ve left the store. www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:08 PM

CANADIAN Crafted. LOCALLY Loved.

From customer service to warranty coverage to pricing and environmental sustainability, Kohltech’s passion is to make your house feel like a home. If you can dream it, we can do it! kohltech.com

Kohltech-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 33

2026-09-24 3:01 PM

MEET THE BUYERS

F LE

INSIDE THE BUYER’S PLAYBOOK FROM THE EDITORS OF HARDLINES

Consumers are watching every dollar while tariffs, technology and shifting supply chains complicate the buying equation. Industry buyers share what earns a place on their shelves, where human judgment still matters and which trends they’re watching for 2027.

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_MeetBuyers.indd 34

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:10 PM

www.hardlines.ca

HHIQ_4Q_26_MeetBuyers.indd 35

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

2026-09-24 8:10 PM

MEET THE BUYERS

F LE

James Kolibash PURCHASING AGENT

Kelly Lake Building Supplies (AD member) Sudbury, Ont.

This 14,000-square-foot store plus lumberyard dates to 1971, when a group of contractors took a chance on starting a new business in Sudbury, Ont. The business is now managed by Steve Choquette, who is a shareholder in the building supply yard and is also general manager. The store is a member of AD. The purchasing agent is James Kolibash, who did most of the interview with us.

With consumers watching their spending closely, how is that changing what products you bring into Kelly Lake Building Supplies?

Steve Choquette: You know, new home construction is down. The tract builders aren’t building many spec homes because in our market, like most markets, you can’t build a home for what the market can handle right now. Young couples are finding there’s a threshold there that is just below what it costs to build a house. So, it’s getting a little slower on that end. And it’s very competitive on the commercial side of it. But we’re a mining town—mining is strong. And there’s a lot of spin-off companies that service northern Ontario that call Sudbury their home. James Kolibash: Our focus is on always having quality products that our customers want. Where the product originates from does factor into our buying decisions— but does not control those decisions. I wouldn’t say that we’ve made any changes to the products that we bring in, but with consumer spending down, obviously our order velocity has decreased as well. Even though discretionary spending is down, we are still focusing on providing quality name-brand products.

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_MeetBuyers.indd 36

When evaluating a new brand, what does it take for a supplier or a product to earn a place in your assortment?

Kolibash: We take into account whether the product fits with our current assortment. Do customers want this? And will they use it? Our willingness to take on new products has not wavered. We’ve always been mindful of these points and will continue to evaluate new lines with the same lens that we always have.

How is technology, including AI, changing the way you buy?

Kolibash: We have a feature-rich ERP system (Kelly Lake Building Supplies uses the Spruce system from ECI Software Solutions). To this day, we are still discovering new ways to utilize it to its full capacity. AI hasn’t been shown to us in a way that would make substantial changes to the way that we buy. However, we do monitor how it is being utilized and how we can potentially use it in our organization.

How have tariffs and trade uncertainty changed the way you look at suppliers? Are you bringing in more Canadian products?

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

Kolibash: We’ve always had a focus on made-in-Canada products. Tariff uncertainty hasn’t stopped us from bringing in products that are made elsewhere. But there is definitely some hesitation. And with consumer spending down, we are not having to order as frequently from suppliers in general. At the moment, the Canadian retaliatory tariffs that came into effect on Sept. 8 don’t have a big impact on the products we buy. Choquette: We want to support Canada. Have we made specific changes to the way we buy? Since everything that’s been going on? Yes.

Looking ahead to 2027, what product, consumer or retail trend are you most excited about?

Kolibash: With trade uncertainty, consumers seem hesitant to spend their money as their dollar could be worth more down the road. We are looking forward to that settling down. And being able to help customers with their projects as they come up. Currently, we are using some of these slower times to revamp our showroom and upgrade our presentation. www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:10 PM

QUICK SUPPORT ROD®

80% Stronger

YOUR EXTRA SET OF HANDS

40% Stronger

The TASK® Quick Support Rod® (QSR®) provides a quick, easy, and load-bearing extra hand to hold up drywall, crown moulding, dust barriers, heating and ventilation ducts, cabinets…or almost anything else! The load-bearing weight capacity micro adjustment, and patented locking mechanism makes the QSR® the toughest and most versatile support rod on the market.

TASK IS A BRAND OF 7900, boulevard Henri-Bourassa Ouest Montréal, QC H4S 1V4 1 866 833-4150

Richelieu-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 37

1 866 614-4100

richelieu.com

T74507

T74505

T74500

T74501

T74490

T74491

2026-09-24 3:01 PM

MEET THE BUYERS

Gonzalo Abarca VP OF SUPPLY CHAIN

Castle Building Centres Group Mississauga, Ont.

With consumers watching their spending closely, what are you seeing driving purchasing decisions in home improvement right now? How is that influencing the products and price points you bring into your assortment? Macroeconomic pressures and ongoing market uncertainty are leading many consumers to delay larger remodelling projects. Instead, they are prioritizing essential repairs, remodels and maintenance items. Spending appears to be shifting toward smaller and necessary projects. Immediate repairs, maintenance or necessary work caused by natural disasters is obviously a must-do. As for price points, in the good, better, best equation, “good” may be enough today. Consumers are looking at entry-level or value-driven options as we navigate these uncertain times.

When you are evaluating new or emerging brands, what does it take for a supplier or product to earn a place in your assortment? Has your appetite for taking a chance on something new changed over the past year? When the Castle buying team considers new products, we want them to bring something new to a category. Ideally, they should address something that is not currently in our product offering or solve a consumer problem. Vendors need to create a new story. If it is something unique, or the product can solve a problem that wasn’t solved properly with other products, then that is something the Castle team wants to look at. The pressure is always on the vendor to demonstrate a product’s potential. Vendors should provide supporting evidence, such as market research, consumer insights or behavioural analysis, to show there is a

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_MeetBuyers.indd 38

F LE viable opportunity. Given the challenges this year, I have seen vendors delay new product introductions. Many are focused on strengthening their existing offerings.

How is technology, including AI and predictive analytics, changing the way you forecast demand, manage inventory or make sourcing decisions? Where does human judgment still matter most? I think forecasting, demand planning and inventory control are areas where it will be extremely useful. If you input historical data, it could intelligently give you a better answer than traditional models can provide, especially when you add factors that can create correlations with each other. For instance, in the outdoor patio category, correlating sales data with weather patterns and seasonality could lead to more accurate forecasting. Data protection regulations are still evolving, so organizations also need to be cautious about the information they enter in AI models. AI will continue to become a great tool for processing and analyzing large amounts of data at great speeds. In the LBM industry, much of the analysis still comes down to market knowledge, experience and gut instinct. The human element and judgment will always be there. Machines aren’t replacing us yet!

How have tariffs, trade uncertainty and changes in global sourcing affected the way you approach suppliers, inventory and lead times? Are you looking differently at Canadian sources or alternative sources than you were a year ago? Consumers shopping at Castle member stores are increasingly looking for Canadian-made products. We are seeing consumers come into our stores specifically asking, “I want to buy Canadian. Do you have it or can you source it?” Fortunately, many of our larger product categories are

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

already sourced in Canada, which puts Castle retailers in an advantageous position. However, there is still a significant U.S. component to our supply chain. The latest list of Canadian tariffs published by the Finance Department includes Americanmade products important to our business. Gypsum and appliances, for example, are among the affected categories. Even smaller items, such as screws and fasteners, are impacted. On a positive note, governments across Canada are increasingly prioritizing Canadian sourcing.

Looking ahead to 2027, what product, consumer or retail trend do you believe will have the biggest impact on the home improvement industry? What are you most excited about? I believe the first is aging in place. There is a growing trend among older adults to remain in their homes longer, requiring modern products to support mobility, safety, healthcare and daily living. Smart home technology is also becoming increasingly relevant. Today’s generations are comfortable with technology, making it less of a barrier to entry and adoption. I also think design trends are changing. We are starting to see a shift toward a retro revival—bringing back colonial influences, more textures, and bolder paint colours. www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:10 PM

ENGINEERED FOR OUR CHANGING WORLD DURABLE AND LOW-MAINTENANCE VINYL AND ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION ALUMINUM-CLAD EXTERIOR, OFFERED IN A N AT T R A C T I V E S E L E C T I O N O F C O L O U R S SLEEK, LOW-PROFILE HARDWARE DESIGN E N E R G Y- E F F I C I E N T D U A L - P A N E A N D T R I - PA N E L O W- E G L A S S O P T I O N S 26% LOWER PROFILE FRAME INCREASES GLASS AREA UP TO 22% BETTER ENERGY EFFICIENCY

With the unique changes of our Canadian climate, the demand for energy-efficient products that can stand up to the elements is higher than ever. JELD-WEN of Canada proudly introduces the groundbreaking JWC8500 series window —a perfect blend of style, performance, and energy savings, meticulously engineered to exceed expectations. Our newest JELD-WEN® window, the JWC8500 hybrid option exceeds performance, in all regions of Canada, offering an aluminum-clad exterior finish with an exquisite selection of colours to choose from. Discover the advantages of JELD-WEN of Canada’s most energy-efficient window. Our 8500 series windows are 2030-rated to meet Canada’s U-Factor 0.14 (U.S./I-P) / 0.82 (Metric/SI) or ER 44 building codes, and are designed to significantly reduce energy costs while ensuring year-round comfort in your home. Tailored to meet the regional needs of homeowners, our windows are the perfect fit when planning a renovation or new home build, seamlessly blending functionality and style to suit any project. Discover the JWC8500 series window from JELD-WEN of Canada—and experience the future of home comfort and efficiency.

LEAR N MOR E T OD AY jeld-wen.ca

Jeld-Wen-HHIQ4Q2024.indd 39

2026-09-24 9:03 PM

MEET THE BUYERS

Derek Smith

SENIOR MANAGER, B2B HOME AND BUILDING SOLUTIONS

Federated Co-operatives Limited Saskatoon, Sask.

With consumers watching their spending closely, what are you seeing drive purchasing decisions in home improvement right now, and how is that inﬂuencing the products and price points you bring into your assortment? We help drive purchase decisions by leaning into our core category pillars of quality, service and value. Consumers are prioritizing products that deliver durability, functionality and long-term savings while still expecting a positive and seamless in-store experience. Within my categories, we actively promote product families at opening price points while contrasting them with premium options that highlight quality and long-term value. We work closely with our vendors and stores to ensure the in-store experience remains a top priority, providing consumers with a high level of service regardless of their budget. Merchandising displays and advertised products help start the conversation with our team members, while strong service and expertise we offer in-store give consumers confidence in their purchasing decisions. Ultimately, the focus is not on the lowest cost, but on delivering the right value to meet the needs of the customer’s project and help them throughout the process to bring it to life.

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_MeetBuyers.indd 40

F LE that brings value to the consumer, has strong demand or meets a unique need, is innovative and fits the strategy of our brand and stores. We do not look for “quick sale” products that may be out of style or relevance in the near term but try to list vendors and products that can bring us genuine incremental growth within the category that is sustainable into the future. My appetite for taking a chance on something has become more conservative over the past year, with decisions needing to be backed by data, strong demand and operational readiness in order for me to feel confident with the listing.

How is technology, including AI and predictive analytics, changing the way you forecast demand, manage inventory or make sourcing decisions? Where does human judgment still matter most? While technology and AI continue to advance in our daily lives, including in our roles, we need to make important decisions on when and where to use these technologies. While it can bring a lot of efficiencies in our day-to-day tasks, humans are still very much in the driver’s seat and involved in the majority of tasks. While AI can enhance our processes and bring on efficiencies, it is only used strategically and will not replace or be able to replicate the human thought process.

How have tariffs, trade uncertainty and changes in global sourcing affected the way you approach suppliers, inventory and lead times? Are you looking differently at Canadian or alternative sources than you were a year ago? I would say that with the recent trade uncertainty and increase in global trade tensions, we have less of an appetite for taking risks and are taking more of the conservative path. We have also been successful in prioritizing Canadian sourcing options, while

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

also having contingencies in place if the supply funnel becomes constrained. We are also making sure that we call out Canadian-made products in our marketing and in-store experience, which will help Western Canadians purchase domestic products more seamlessly and with more visibility.

Looking ahead to 2027, what product, consumer or retail trend do you believe will have the biggest impact on the home improvement industry, and what are you most excited about? I am quite excited to see how All Weather At Home’s quad pane window continues to perform in our stores and in the marketplace. We have put a strong focus in the last two years on energy efficiency training and awareness for our team members and stores, and this is a product that we are proud to have access to as it pushes the envelope for hyper-efficient designs. I’m looking forward to seeing what other hyper-efficient products may emerge in the marketplace in future years that are strongly related to efficiency and envelope performance, as I feel it will continue to be a critical focus in our industry and become even more prominent. www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:10 PM

NOW MORE THAN EVER, BUY AUTHENTICALLY CANADIAN PROMOTING THE COALITION OF PAINT DEALER & SUPPLIER

DEALER PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

PLUS QUE JAMAIS, CHOISISSEZ L’AUTHENTIQUEMENT CANADIEN PROMOUVOIR LA COALITION DES REVENDEURS ET FOURNISSEURS DE PEINTURE

PROGRAMME DE PARTENARIAT AVEC LES DÉTAILLANTS

Trevor Maximuk Director of National Dealers and Eastern Trade Sales Directeur national des détaillants et des ventes commerciales de l’Est (306) 713-8053

2026 Hardlines Ad - Authentically Cloverdale-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 41Canadian.indd 1

tmaximuk@cloverdalepaint.com

2026-09-233:02 11:11 2026-09-24 PM

MEET THE BUYERS

F LE Where does human judgment still matter most? Technology has become an incredibly important tool for decision-making and forward planning, especially given the scale and diversity of the RONA network, with its multiple store formats across both corporate and affi liate locations. It’s helped us get much better at spotting exceptions and making adjustments despite the diversity of our vast network; every single store counts. That said, human judgment remains essential for spotting emerging trends and strategic shift s that AI is helping us to see!

Isabelle Giguère MERCHANDISING DIRECTOR, TOOL & HARDWARE

RONA inc.

Boucherville, Que.

With consumers watching their spending closely, what are you seeing drive purchasing decisions in home improvement right now, and how is that inﬂuencing the products and price points you bring into your assortment? Our DIY and pro customers are actively seeking trusted, value-driven brands and we’re seeing customers become more deliberate about taking advantage of promotional offers. We’re also seeing better upfront planning from customers. It shows up in the significant increase in online traffic ahead of in-store visits. The rapid adoption of our Valu+ private brand has been a big part of our response, giving both DIY and pro customers quality products at great value. At RONA, we have been improving our breadth and depth on the top national brands while

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_MeetBuyers.indd 42

improving value for our customers with the expansion of Valu+. Our Valu+ and RONA private brands have been a hit with our customers.

When evaluating new or emerging brands, what does it take for a supplier or product to earn a place in your assortment? Has your appetite for taking a chance on something new changed over the past year? In recent years, RONA has been successfully using a testing and learning approach. Our vast, differentiated network of over 400 corporate and affi liate dealer stores gives us the ability to test new products and concepts in select stores and quickly see how they perform before we scale. There are many examples within RONA today that have launched through the test, learn and scale approach. It is important to have strong collaboration with the vendor/brand, creating a win-win partnership.

How is technology, including AI and predictive analytics, changing the way you forecast demand, manage inventory, or make sourcing decisions?

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

How have tariffs, trade uncertainty and changes in global sourcing affected the way you approach suppliers, inventory and lead times? Are you looking differently at Canadian or alternative sources than you were a year ago? Tariffs, trade uncertainty and the evolving global sourcing landscape are issues we track very closely. That vigilance allowed us to make strategic sourcing decisions in the past 18 months, and those choices are still paying off today, allowing us to pass on that value to our customers. RONA is an active participant in the “Well Made Here” initiative, which you can see across our stores and online at rona.ca

Looking ahead to 2027, what product, consumer or retail trend do you believe will have the biggest impact on the home improvement industry, and what are you most excited about? I’m truly excited about the wave of products that make job-site execution faster and easier, whether it’s cutting, fastening, transporting materials or working solo. Pros are responding very positively to these innovations. I believe it’s just the beginning of a major renewal cycle as leading brands compete to win a new segment of customers. www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:10 PM

Samantha Jacobs

DIRECTOR, PRODUCT STRATEGY AND MERCHANDISING

UFA Co-operative Ltd. Calgary, Alta.

With consumers watching their spending closely, what are you seeing drive purchasing decisions in home improvement right now, and how is that influencing the products and price points you bring into your assortment? Delivering value at UFA has always been a key part of how we approach product sourcing. While today’s economic environment has made customers more thoughtful about their purchasing decisions, we’re seeing the same fundamental behaviour we’ve always seen; people want products that meet their needs and provide the right balance of quality, performance and price. Our members and customers have always expected dependable products at a fair price, and that’s what we’ve focused on providing. As costs continue to fluctuate due to factors such as inflation, supply chain pressures and tariffs, we regularly review our sourcing strategies and supplier network towards remaining competitive. Our objective is to manage those pressures wherever possible while maintaining the quality and performance standards our customers expect.

When evaluating new or emerging brands, what does it take for a supplier or product to earn a place in your assortment? Has your appetite for taking a chance on something new changed over the past year? We’re always looking for opportunities to bring new products and brands to our members and customers. Innovation is important, but any new product or brand has to earn its place in our assortment. We’re focused on introducing products that www.hardlines.ca

HHIQ_4Q_26_MeetBuyers.indd 43

offer a clear benefit, whether that’s better performance, greater durability, improved efficiency or stronger overall value. Just as importantly, the products need to align with the level of quality and reliability our members and customers expect when they shop with UFA.

How is technology, including AI and predictive analytics, changing the way you forecast demand, manage inventory or make sourcing decisions? Where does human judgment still matter most? Technology is only one part of the equation. These tools are most effective when they’re supported by good data and paired with people who understand the business, our members and customers, and the realities of the markets we serve. In our industry, factors like weather, commodity prices, economic conditions and changing customer needs can have a significant impact, and those aren’t always things that can be fully predicted by an algorithm. I see the greatest value in using technology to support decision-making rather than replace it. Analytics can help identify trends, improve visibility and highlight opportunities or risks more quickly than ever before. But experience, judgment and strong member and customer relationships remain essential when it comes to understanding what those insights actually mean and deciding how to respond.

members and customers have access to the products they need when they need them. That means maintaining strong relationships with our suppliers, looking at alternative sourcing options where appropriate and ensuring we have the ability to respond quickly when market conditions shift. We’ve always believed in supporting Canadian suppliers and products when they make sense for members and customers.

Looking ahead to 2027, what product, consumer or retail trend do you believe will have the biggest impact on the home improvement industry, and what are you most excited about? Looking ahead to 2027, I think we’ll continue to see our members and customers scrutinize their purchasing decisions more carefully than ever. But value isn’t just about finding the lowest price. It’s about having the right product available when it’s needed, knowing it will perform as expected and feeling confident that it’s worth the investment.

How have tariffs, trade uncertainty and changes in global sourcing affected the way you approach suppliers, inventory and lead times? Are you looking differently at Canadian or alternative sources than you were a year ago? The last few years have reinforced how important flexibility and resiliency are in managing a product supply. Tariffs, trade uncertainty, transportation challenges and broader global disruptions have created volatility across many product categories. Our primary focus is making sure our Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

2026-09-24 8:10 PM

Garant-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 44

2026-09-24 3:03 PM

Garant-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 45

2026-09-24 3:03 PM

MEET THE BUYERS

F LE

FIVE BUYERS, FIVE SIGNALS FOR 2027

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

VALUE GOES BEYOND PRICE

SMARTER HOMES AND MORE PERSONAL

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_MeetBuyers.indd 46

“ Value isn’t just about finding the lowest price. It’s about having the right product available when it’s needed, knowing it will perform as expected and feeling confident that it’s worth the investment.” — Samantha Jacobs, director, product strategy and merchandising, UFA Co-operative Ltd.

RIGHT PRODUCT RIGHT TIME REAL PERFORMANCE LASTING VALUE

AGING IN PLACE

“ There is a growing trend among older adults to remain in their homes for longer, and requiring modern products to support mobility, safety, medication adherence and daily living tasks.”

SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY BOLDER COLOURS AND TEXTURE

—Gonzalo Abarca, VP of supply chain, Castle Building Centres Group

HIGH EFFICIENCY MOVES FORWARD

NEXT-GEN PRO WANTS BETTER TOOLS

What Canada’s home improvement buyers are watching, and what they believe will shape the industry in the year ahead

“ I’m looking forward to seeing what other hyper-efficient products may emerge in the marketplace in future years that are strongly related to efficiency and envelope performance, as I feel it will continue to be a critical focus in our industry and become even more prominent.” — Derek Smith, senior manager, B2B, home and building solutions, Federated Co-operatives Limited

QUAD-PANE WINDOWS HIGHER EFFICIENCY STRONGER HOMES BRIGHTER FUTURES

“ I’m truly excited about the wave of products that make jobsite execution faster and easier, whether it’s cutting, fastening, transporting materials, or simply working solo.”

EASIER MATERIAL FLOW

—Isabelle Giguère, merchandising director, tool and hardware, RONA inc.

BUILT FOR TODAY’S PRO

READY FOR THE REBOUND USING THE SLOWDOWN TO RESET Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

FASTER EXECUTION SMARTER TOOLS

“ With trade uncertainty, consumers seem hesitant to spend their money as their dollar could be worth more down the road. We are looking forward to that settling down. And being able to help customers with their projects as they come up.”

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE TRADE CERTAINTY SHOWROOM REVAMP READY FOR WHAT’S NEXT

— James Kolibash, purchasing agent, Kelly Lake Building Supplies

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:10 PM

EMPOWERING YOUR STORE AND THE PEOPLE WHO DRIVE IT Hardlines HR Advisor is a monthly e-newsletter designed to keep you informed about staffing issues in the retail home improvement industry. Are you having trouble finding good people? Or getting rid of a problem worker? Do you have a vision for guiding and coaching your team, and yourself, to take your business and your career to the next level? Hardlines HR Advisor is filled every month with insights and tips to help you.

Each issue of Hardlines HR Advisor features: ✔ News about HR topics of interest to our industry ✔ Legal issues that affect your HR decisions ✔ Expert Advice of the Month from HR managers ✔ Ask The HR Department, from a well-known HR agency

Hardlines.ca/publications/hr-advisor

Hardlines-HR-Advisor-fullpagead.indd 47

2026-09-24 3:14 PM

F LE

FROM SEARCH TO STORE BY SOPHIE MARAI AND MICHAEL SCIDA

AI is reshaping the home improvement customer journey Canadians research products and make buying decisions long before they reach checkout, and AI is now doing much of that work. For home improvement retailers and manufacturers, that shift is rewriting how discovery, consideration and loyalty happen

HHIQ_4Q_26_AI.indd 48

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 7:55 PM

www.hardlines.ca

HHIQ_4Q_26_AI.indd 49

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

2026-09-24 7:55 PM

F LE

he home improvement shopper no longer discovers products the way they did five years ago. They are not necessarily flipping through a flyer on a Sunday morning or wandering the aisles hoping inspiration strikes. Instead, they snap a photo of a cramped laundry room and ask an AI tool what storage solutions would fit. Or they type a question into a chatbot about which exterior paint holds up best against a Canadian winter. By the time that shopper walks into a store, or clicks “add to cart,” they often already know more than the flyer ever told them. For decades, the home improvement customer journey ran on a predictable script: browse, compare in-store, ask an associate, buy. AI tools have not thrown out that script, but they have rewritten nearly every scene. According to IBM’s consumer retail study, AI usage among Canadians has surged over the past two years, growing by 82 per cent, well ahead of the 62 per cent

growth rate seen globally. Nearly half of all shoppers now use an AI tool somewhere in their purchase journey, whether they are renovating a bathroom or simply looking for decor that fits their personal style. For an industry built on trust and the

“

Nearly half of all shoppers now use an AI tool somewhere in their purchase journey, whether they are renovating a bathroom or simply looking for décor that fits their personal style.

physical experience of touching materials before buying them, that is not a small shift. It is one of the most significant changes in consumer behaviour this sector has seen in a decade. And it is happening alongside tighter margins, tariffs and expanded online channels, with shoppers more price-conscious than ever.

Two-year growth in consumer AI usage +82%

CANADA

+62%

GLOBAL

Source: IBM consumer retail study. Nearly half of all shoppers now use an Al tool somewhere in their purchase journey.

Canadian consumer groups driving AI adoption YOUNG URBANITES

SUBURBAN SOPHISTICATES

Living in urban centres and motivated by novelty and aesthetics

Larger households with above-average income who lean into new technology and statusconscious purchases

HHIQ_4Q_26_AI.indd 50

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

AI ACCELERATION

AI adoption is growing, but it’s not evenly distributed. Canadians have been especially quick to fold AI tools into everyday tasks, including shopping. The visit data behind that trend tells a clear story: this is not a

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILIES Balancing shared living spaces with price sensitivity, alongside genuine enthusiasm for what Al tools can do

”

niche behaviour confined to early adopters in urban centres. Distinct, identifiable consumer groups drive this acceleration. Environics Analytics (EA) PRIZM segmentation system points to three groups leading the charge. These are not the same customer, but they share one trait that matters enormously to a home improvement retailer: they use AI alongside reviews, advice and retailer trust to reduce uncertainty before completing the transaction.

THE GREAT WEALTH TRANSFER

There is also a demographic undercurrent worth watching. Wealth in Canada is shifting toward younger generations, and that shift changes who is likely to be the decision-maker with real purchasing power over the coming decade. Millennials and gen Z have grown their share of total Canadian net wealth by more than a third since 2020, from 16.8 per cent to 22.3 per cent. Baby boomers, still the largest single wealth-holding generation, have seen their share fall from 46.2 per cent to 37.8 per cent over the same period. Generation X, meanwhile, is quietly outpacing baby boomers in average household spending. Environics Analytics ClickScapes data makes clear that these generations are most comfortable leveraging AI tools, as

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 7:55 PM

More Than a More Than a Membership. Membership. A P Partner for A Partner for Y Your Business. Your Business.

Supply-Build Canada helps Supply-Build Canada helps building supply retailers: building supply supp retailers: SAVE A AVE

CONNECT

EDUCATE A ATE

ADVOCATE A ATE

A ATTR ATTRACT ACT

You build the business. We help build what’s behind it. SupplyBuildCanada-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 51

SUCCEED

DISCOVER THE VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP supplybuild.ca/ membership

2026-09-24 9:00 PM

F LE

HHIQ_4Q_26_AI.indd 52

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

27.0%

16.8%

10 0

37.8% 32.0% 22.3%

10.1% Q2 2020

8.0% Q2 2021

Q2 2022

Q2 2023

Q2 2024

Q2 2025

Source: Statistics Canada, Household Economic Accounts

Canadian average household spending AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURES 2025

INCREASE IN AVERAGE EXPENDITURES 2022-25

$150K

25%

$125K

20%

$100K

15%

$75K

≥65

55-64

45-54

0% 35-44

TOTAL

5% ≥65

$25K

<35

10%

$50K

55-64

”

fications and spot meaningful differences in quality before they commit. This matters enormously in categories defined by big-ticket and infrequent purchases, like appliances, flooring, windows and power tools, where getting it wrong is expensive and getting it right requires real expertise. Shopping preferences are no longer limited to the transaction. They extend to how customers research. Tools that synthesize large volumes of customer reviews are proving especially influential. Rather than reading through dozens of individual reviews, a shopper can now ask an AI tool to summarize the consensus on reliability and common complaints across an entire category of similar

45-54

“

The hybrid journey retailers now need to support: seamless movement between online research, AI-driven inspiration and an in-store experience that delivers on what the digital research promised.

46.2%

35-44

Once a shopper has an idea of what they want, AI increasingly plays the role of an informed adviser during consideration. It helps them understand product speci-

<35

CONSIDERATION: AI AS THE INFORMED ADVISER

Distribution of total net wealth, per cent, Canada

TOTAL

we see their continued usage accelerating nationally. All this while, they are gaining spending power at precisely the moment those tools are becoming central to how they shop.

Source: Statistics Canada National accounts

products. AI also helps shoppers find the best value across retailers by comparing prices and warranties in a fraction of the time it once took.

PURCHASE: TRY BEFORE YOU BUY (BUY MOSTLY IN-STORE)

More than 80 per cent of Canadian consumers still prefer to complete their purchase in-store, according to the latest IBM consumer retail study. Physical retail remains

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

the dominant channel, even as shoppers arrive better informed and more confident, with noticeably higher expectations. That is the hybrid journey retailers now need to support: seamless movement between online research, AI-driven inspiration and an in-store experience that delivers on what the digital research promised. So-called “try-on” technology lets shoppers preview how a paint colour or a new fixture will look in their space before they

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 7:55 PM

INDEPENDENT HOME IMPROVEMENT CONFERENCE

SEPTEMBER 28-30, 2027 MARCO ISLAND, FL

Meet Us In Marco THE INDEPENDENT HOME IMPROVEMENT CONFERENCE RETURNS TO MARCO ISLAND We are excited to announce that the Independent Home Improvement Conference is heading back to one of the industry’s favorite destinations. Join independent retailers, wholesalers, service providers, manufacturers,and industry leaders for three days of education, networking and collaboration designed to help you strengthen your business and connect with the independent channel. Be among the ﬁrst to receive conference updates, registration announcements, speaker news and special offers.

NHPA-HHIQ3Q2026.indd 53

2026-09-24 3:16 PM

F LE

Not every household shops the same way How Canadian families prefer to research a purchase, and how they prefer to complete it ● Less likely than average

● About average

● More likely than average

RESEARCH In person Computer

Mobile

BUY Live chat In person Computer

Mobile

Older Families MiddleAged Families Diverse Families Young Urbanites Source: Environics Analytics, Opticks eShopper. Tendencies relative to the average Canadian shopper, not absolutes.

Canadian consumer in-store purchasing

80%+

of Canadian consumers still prefer to complete their purchase in-store

Eight in ten. Physical retail remains the dominant channel—but shoppers arrive better informed, more confident and carrying noticeably higher expectations.

Source: IBM consumer retail study.

buy, using augmented reality layered over a photo of the room. Measurement tools can confirm whether an appliance will fit through a doorway or whether a new door slab matches an existing frame—a use case with obvious relevance for a category where returns of oversized or ill-fitting items are costly for both retailer and customer. Recommendation engines can increasingly adjust suggestions in real time based on a household’s stated budget and specific project needs.

HHIQ_4Q_26_AI.indd 54

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

Canadian consumers are direct about what they now expect from a retail relationship.

“

This is where loyalty becomes the key to unlocking customer lifetime value. A loyalty program built on real usage patterns, rather than generic points-per-dollar rewards, can reach a customer at exactly the moment a project naturally resurfaces: the furnace filter that needs replacing every three months or the deck that will need to be re-stained. This kind of predictive engagement depends on retailers knowing their customers well enough to anticipate what comes next—precisely the insight that segmentation and behavioural data can deliver when applied thoughtfully. Machine learning can personalize rewards based on individual purchase history and predicted lifetime value, rather than blanket promotions that treat every loyalty member the same. Retailers who invest in this kind of proactive engagement are positioned to capture repeat business that would otherwise drift to whichever competitor happens to run a sale at the right moment.

THE AI ASSISTANTS SHOPPERS WANT

It is worth being specific about what Canadian consumers say they want from an AI-powered shopping experience because the answer is more practical than futuristic. Environics Analytics (EA)’s research points to four recurring roles shoppers want AI to play, and each maps directly onto a familiar pain point in home improvement retail. The retailers who move first to make their own inventory and project content legible to these tools rather than waiting for shoppers to somehow find them anyway will be the ones capturing this demand.

The retailers who move first to make their own inventory and project content legible to these tools rather than waiting for shoppers to somehow find them anyway will be the ones capturing this demand.

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

”

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 7:55 PM

WHAT THIS ALL MEANS

Many hardware and home improvement retailers are independent, community-rooted businesses with genuine local relationships with their customers. AI is not replacing the showroom, the brand or the knowledgeable staff member who can explain why one grade of lumber outper-

“

For an industry that has always sold expertise and confidence as much as materials and tools, the fundamentals have not changed. What has changed is where that expertise and confidence need to show up first.

”

forms another for a specific application. It is enhancing all three, provided retailers treat this shift as an operational priority rather than a marketing afterthought. The retailers that benefit most will identify where AI is already shaping customers’ research, then activate tools and content that meet shoppers at that stage and measure whether those investments translate into foot traffic and repeat visits. That starts with auditing how a retailer’s product information appears to AI-powered search and shopping tools. It continues with training staff to add value beyond what a chatbot can already tell a customer, and with using loyalty and customer data to anticipate the next project instead of waiting for the customer to walk back in. It means investing in visualization tools that

www.hardlines.ca

HHIQ_4Q_26_AI.indd 55

What Canadian consumers expect from a retail relationship

7 in 10

expect retailers to anticipate their needs through genuinely personalized experiences— not generic loyalty offers.

1 in 5

want product or promotional information tailored to their history with a favourite retailer.

say they would pay extra for products personalized to their own taste and style.

Four recurring roles shoppers want AI to play

1. DEAL HUNTER

2. CUSTOMER SERVICE

Automatically tracks prices and flags rebates, so a customer never overpays for an appliance or a big-ticket tool they could have timed better.

Intelligent support that resolves a straightforward question— whether a specific stain will work over an existing finish—without a customer waiting on hold.

3. PRODUCT REVIEWER

4. PERSONAL SHOPPER

Synthesizes thousands of reviews into a single trustworthy recommendation.

Learns a household’s preferences and curates suggestions accordingly—the home improvement equivalent of a design consultant who remembers which cabinet hardware a customer already owns.

let a customer preview a product in their own home, and it means being transparent about data practices in a way that turns privacy from a liability into a competitive advantage. For an industry that has always sold expertise and confidence as much as materials and tools, the fundamentals have not changed. What has changed is where that expertise and confidence need to show up first. Increasingly, that is on a shopper’s connected devices, well before they ever reach the parking lot. Retailers who show up well there will earn the right to show up in person, too.

Michael Scida is vice-president of retail business development and Sophie Marai is vice-president of client strategy at Environics Analytics (EA). The company’s segmentation and consumer behaviour data were used to identify the key consumer groups and trends cited in this article. EA is a marketing, information and analytical services company that helps organizations across every industry sector turn data and analytics into strategy, insights and results. For further information, contact inquiries@ environicsanalytics.com.

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

2026-09-24 9:31 PM

PRO CORNER

F LE

“

The business chess match had gone away from me. I wanted to be back in that game, so in June of 2024, I sat my wife down and said, ‘Okay, I’m ready.’

MR.

”

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_ProCorner-Doug Skrepnek.indd 56

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:32 PM

BY STEVE PAYNE

DRYWALL Doug Skrepnek knows the drywall game in Canada better than almost anyone Photos: Ema Suvajac

www.hardlines.ca

HHIQ_4Q_26_ProCorner-Doug Skrepnek.indd 57

oug Skrepnek knows the drywall game. He ran CGC in the 1990s but is probably better known for building buying groups of gypsum supply dealers. After CGC, he started with The Signature Group, which once belonged to TIMBER MART. In 2009, he formed WSB Titan, his own buying group, which became one of the most powerful GSD buying entities in Canada in less than a decade. He sold WSB Titan to Gypsum Management and Supply (GMS Inc.) of Tucker, Ga., for $800 million. Now he’s back in the game he loves so much—making money out of drywall. After a five-year non-compete with GMS, during which he got involved with other businesses, including a land development company, a financing company, and Drain-Tite Industries, Skrepnek missed the “chess match,” as he calls it.

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

2026-09-24 8:32 PM

PRO CORNER

F LE

Encore Drywall Material Supplies launched with locations in Concord and Trenton, Ont., marking Doug Skrepnek’s return to the gypsum supply business. “I’ll just say I have a few other tentacles, but none of them were keeping me overly busy,” Skrepnek said.

THE CHESS MATCH

“The business chess match had gone away from me. I wanted to be back in that game, so in June of 2024, I sat my wife down and said, ‘Okay, I’m ready.’” Skrepnek emerged anew to buy two GSDs, which he appropriately named Encore Drywall Material Supplies. He acquired one location, in Concord, Ont., from CSR Building Supplies. A second location, in Trenton, Ont., was a greenfield project. He then hitched his wagon to the commercial division of Castle Building Centres Group. The next year, he was reportedly instrumental in bringing the Beauchesne Group, a GSD with five outlets in Quebec, into Castle as well. He was a personal friend of the father of the current owner, Carl Léonard—and counted on WSB Titan to

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_ProCorner-Doug Skrepnek.indd 58

provide Beauchesne with great deals (the B in WSB is from Beauchesne). Earlier this year, Skrepnek formed a business with Carl Léonard called Leonek. Leonek would buy one of the biggest GSDs in Atlantic Canada, Coastal Drywall Supplies. Coastal has one store in Halifax and two in New Brunswick. Still in growth mode, Skrepnek bought Bernardi Building Supplies, which has outlets in Mississauga, Ont., and Toronto, just before press time. “[Bernardi] has built a strong presence

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

in the GTA, and we’re excited to build on that foundation as we bring our two organizations together,” Skrepnek said. “It’s an important step in our growth and longterm vision for Encore.” “It’s exciting to see Encore continue to grow and strengthen its position in the commercial market,” said Ken Jenkins, president and CEO of Castle Building Centres Group. “This acquisition is a great example of a member recognizing an opportunity, making a strategic investment and building on the strengths of an established business.” www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:32 PM

Water heating made simple. A solution for every household.

Explore solutions for every home and budget. gsw-wh.com

GSW-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 59

2026-09-24 3:16 PM

PRO CORNER Encore has grown from two outlets to having a partnership in seven outlets in less than two years. For a man who preaches patience so much, he seems to be in a hurry.

“

F LE biggest buying group for GSDs, gypsum supply dealers, in Canada in about six months.” “But it was never really my desire to do that. Manufacturers had some pushback

Allroc and FBM and those guys certainly didn’t want me to be on that side of the fence, so they pushed back. A CANADIAN KID

When Skrepnek was head of CGC in the late 1990s, a move was afoot to have him take over an international division of USGC. “I just decided as a Canadian kid I wasn’t going to do that, so I left that business. I opened up a buying group called the Signature Buying Group. That became the

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_ProCorner-Doug Skrepnek.indd 60

”

from my now-competition, but back then they were, you know, the buying groups like Allroc and FBM. Those guys certainly didn’t want me to be on that side of the fence, so they pushed back.” “They got their way, but then I got all the members to take a position. GSD companies all came together and said that if you

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

were our president and general manager, then, you know, I think this would work. Of course, it worked! But it was never my plan to leave to go work for a bunch of gypsum supply dealers.” “Watson Building Supplies was one of those companies. My operating partner wanted to retire. I’d been talking to him, and so I bought him out as the operating partner [of Watson].” Watson now has eight locations in southern Ontario and is one of the principal assets in GMS Inc.’s Canadian holdings. Last summer, Home Depot bought GMS. This means that the two largest home improvement retailers in the world, Home Depot and Lowe’s, own the two biggest GSDs in North America. (Lowe’s bought Foundation Building Materials, which used to be known as Winroc in Canada, last summer.)

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:32 PM

Window’s Best Friend Tough Flashing Protection that Outsmarts Water Une protection de solin résistante qui déjoue l‘eau

Protection for Corners and Curves Protection pour les coins et les courbes

Sealing for Heads and Jambs Scellement pour les têtes et les jambages

The Proven Performance Package Le forfait de performance éprouvé www.dupont.ca/building

"DuPont believes this information to be reliable. It may be subject to change as additional knowledge and experience are gained. It is not intended as a substitute for any testing you may conduct to determine for yourself the suitability of our products and information for your particular purpose. Since conditions for use are outside the DuPont’s control, DUPONT DE NEMOURS, INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND ASSUMES NO LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY USE OF THIS PRODUCT AND INFORMATION. This information is not intended as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any trademark, patent or technical information of DuPont or other persons covering any material or its use. ©2025 DuPont. All rights reserved. DuPont™, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with ™, SM or ® are owned by affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. unless otherwise noted."

Dupont-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 61

2026-09-24 4:20 PM

PRO CORNER

“The only division we had that we didn’t sell to GMS was Beauchesne,” Skrepnek recalls. “That was a decision from Beauchesne. They didn’t want to join.” Eventually, Beauchesne became an affi liate partner of GMS, enjoying the benefits of the relationship but remaining independent.

MEETING WITH CASTLE

Ken Jenkins, current president and CEO of Castle Building Centres Group, used to work at CGC with Doug Skrepnek. When Skrepnek was running The Signature Group

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_ProCorner-Doug Skrepnek.indd 62

F LE

and WSB Titan, Castle was a competitor. “I phoned Ken and said, ‘Listen, you’ve always wanted to grow your commercial division. If you’re interested in me joining your team, sitting beside you when we talk to manufacturers, not behind you, not in front of you, but beside you—I think this could work. And we will grow the commercial division across the country over the next five years.”

A MARKET STEWARD

Reflecting on his time running both Watson Building Supplies and WSB Titan, Skrepnek

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

says that he believes he acted as “a tremendous market steward.” “And that moral compass for our manufacturers is in high regard for me. So, I will not push the envelope in a market in which the pie used to be three times what it is today.” “2027 will be better than it is today. And 2028 will be exponentially better.” As far as the market is concerned for his Concord and Trenton stores, “They are doing as well as I think they should be doing,” Skrepnek says. As for pursuing www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:32 PM

“

And that moral compass for our manufacturers is in high regard for me. So, I will not push the envelope in a market in which the pie used to be three times what it is today.

” Doug Skrepnek sees Encore’s expansion as a long-term play, with growth planned across Canada’s commercial building supply market. trying to do it with corporate diligence in mind and a moral compass that understands that Ontario is having its worst year in 35 years.”

more jobs, Skrepnek knows price is always a lure to attract more contractors. “You are talking about customers that may or may not be interested in making a switch but will only switch for price. That is not who I am. That’s never been our reputation.” “I would rather wait until the pie grows. So for now, we’re putting together our technology strategy. We’re putting together our team. We’re building a team that can potentially be a billion-dollar organization nationally.” “When you think about Coastal, Beauchesne, Encore and the future, we’re www.hardlines.ca

HHIQ_4Q_26_ProCorner-Doug Skrepnek.indd 63

BULLISH ON ATLANTIC CANADA

That Ontario has been such a dead market made buying Coastal in Atlantic Canada such good sense to Skrepnek. “We weren’t in Atlantic Canada, but if anyone goes there in 15 years, you’re going to be surprised.” “Frankly, it’s a buoyant market there. It’s always been something no one thought about unless you were from Atlantic Canada. “People are missing the boat if they don’t understand that Halifax will be synonymous with the other four big cities in Canada. When you think about the hub of Atlantic

Canada and the hospital they’re doing now, the QEII Health Sciences Centre [in Halifax], that $6-billion project will also bring another $5 to $10 billion worth of infrastructure over the next 10 years. And I think for some people in Atlantic Canada, they’re not going to love how big Halifax gets in the next 10 years.”

PUBLIC PERCEPTION

Doug Skrepnek says there are still some people in Canada who think that “I got back in the business to own Encore with two locations in Toronto. But this is a journey, not a sprint. “Along the way, I have time to make good, logical decisions. And we’ll not be rushed in making those, because they’ll be the right ones at the right time. And the timing right now in construction in Canada, it’s not a great time to go and acquire a bunch of companies. Or a bunch of geography that you don’t need if you can service it from other places.”

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

2026-09-24 8:32 PM

AD INDEX

ADVERTISERS: FOURTH QUARTER / 2026 ABSDA

Kohltech

BMR

LBMAO Buying Show 2027

Castle Building Centres Group

Leviton

Cloverdale Paint

Marwood

Diablo Tools

NHPA

DuPont

Orgill

2, 3

Garant

44, 45

Richelieu Hardware

RONA

Supply-Build Canada

absda.ca

bmr.ca/becomeadealer

youarethebrand.ca

cloverdalepaint.com

diablotools.com

dupont.ca/building

garant.com

GSW

gsw-wh.com

Hardlines

47, 65

hardlines.ca

kohltech.com

informaconnect.com/lbmao-buying-show

leviton.com

marwoodltd.com

yournhpa.org

orgill.com

richelieu.com

rona.ca/becomeRONA

supplybuild.ca

Home Hardware Stores

Sexton Group

JELD-WEN

Taiga Building Products

JRTech Solutions

home-owner.ca

jeld-wen.ca

jrtechsolutions.com

IN THE

NEXT ISSUE OF HHIQ:

sextongroup.com

taigabuilding.com

Young Retailer of the Year PLUS: • Hardlines Conference coverage • Outstanding Retailer Awards profiles • Product Spotlight: Paint and Accessories

Publication Date: January 8, 2027 • Ad Reservations: November 27, 2026 • Ad Material Due: December 11, 2026

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_AdIndex.indd 64

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

HOME IMPROVEMENT QUARTERLY

PUBLISHER:

david@hardlines.ca ACCOUNT MANAGER:

shannon@hardlines.ca

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 7:46 PM

POST YOUR JOB. FIND YOUR PERFECT HIRE. NO SWIPING REQUIRED.

Hiring in the home improvement industry? Reach qualified managers, executives, sales reps, and top-tier retail professionals with Hardlines Classified Ads— featured in our exclusive Hardlines Weekly Report every Monday morning. This industry-leading publication goes straight to the inboxes of decision-makers across Canada’s home improvement industry. Why Choose Hardlines Classifieds? Highly Targeted Exposure Affordable Pricing Immediate Placement Trusted by Industry Professionals RATES:

Premium Member Perks: 1 FREE 2-week classified per year – 15% OFF all other postings – Discounts on other Hardlines products

2 Weeks: $2.99/word (75-word minimum) 4 Weeks: $3.99/word (75-word minimum) Logo Placement (optional): $149.99 (one-time fee)

JOIN THE NETWORK. REACH TOP TALENT. LEARN MORE OR POST YOUR JOB TODAY AT HARDLINES.CA FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT JILL MACLEOD AT JILLIAN@HARDLINES.CA

Hardlines-Classifieds-HHIQ3Q2025.indd 65

2026-09-24 3:17 PM

ENDCAP

F LE

BY GEOFF McLARNEY

THESE BELLS CAN’T BE UNRUNG Marilyne and Sylvain Laferriere’s store is called Victory Building Centre, so it’s only natural that they should celebrate the small victories that punctuate life in retail. A trip overseas provided the inspiration for the “Victory Bell,” and a new store tradition was born. Sylvain and Marilyne Laferriere are dealer-owners of Victory Building Centre, a Sexton member in Mackenzie, B.C., and the 2019 winners of the Retail Spirit Award at Hardlines’ Outstanding Retailer Awards.

ylvain and I love to celebrate, and we do it often,” says Marilyne Laferriere. The Laferrieres are dealer-owners of Victory Building Centre, a Sexton member in Mackenzie, B.C., and the 2019 winners of the Retail Spirit Award at Hardlines’ Outstanding Retailer Awards. “We always try to do things that are good for morale,” she adds. Sylvain eventually came up with the idea of a bell to ring to celebrate special moments in the store’s day-to-day life. “If we’ve had a

“

FOURTH QUARTER / 2026

HHIQ_4Q_26_Endcap.indd 66

big sale, a successful day or a new employee learned something new or fulfilled a challenge,” Laferriere explains, the front-desk bell marks the occasion.

daughter who was living in Indonesia for a year. Sylvain had come up with the idea for the victory bell, and we saw some beautiful brass bells.” After choosing a bell, they placed the new acquisition by the front desk and began ringing it at celebratory moments. Sometimes customers get to ring it. For example, Laferriere says, “if we know them and it’s their birthday or they’ve completed a big project.” After they acquired the first bell, a customer came forward with an offer for another. Now, says Laferriere, “we have one at the front counter and have added one at the office.” It allows store staff to celebrate good news at the office, such as getting a good quote on an inventory purchase. The two bells have allowed Victory Building Centre to mark everyday achievements in a way that befits the store’s name, while upholding its dedication to boosting

“

staff morale. As Laferriere puts it, “It’s a way of recognizing what’s going well.”

It’s a way of recognizing what’s going well.

A family visit gave them a chance to put the plan into action. “We were visiting our

Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly

”

www.hardlines.ca

2026-09-24 8:12 PM

HHIQ Full Page: Trim Size - 9” x 10.875”, 0.125” bleed

When we say we know where it is, we know. At Taiga, it starts with one simple scan. From there, our integrated technologies ensure Taiga customers get certainty with every product, at all times. We are leaders in distribution innovation and customer service, getting you what you want, when you need it—every time.

Taiga-HHIQ4Q2026.indd 67

Explore our products at taigabuilding.com

2026-09-24 3:18 PM

DON’T WEATHER THE STORM ALONE!

Our industry is facing stormy waters. We see uncertainty, obstacles and so much that remains beyond our control. In these challenging conditions, is your buying group adding to the storm, or helping guide you toward calmer waters? At Castle, we stand alongside our members through every challenge. We listen. We adapt. We support. And we continuously evolve to meet their needs. That is the strength of being part of the Castle community, when conditions get tough, you do not face them alone. You face them with a community that is stronger together. Jaana Reinikka

Lillian Diaz

Richard Hamel

Terry Mulock

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER BRITISH COLUMBIA & ALBERTA

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER ONTARIO - SOUTHWEST / CENTRAL

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER NEW BRUNSWICK, NOVA SCOTIA & PEI

780-722-1870 | jreinikka@castle.ca

905-757-4918 | ldiaz@castle.ca

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER EASTERN QUÉBEC & NORTHERN NEW BRUNSWICK

Darren McCooeye

Lyndon Deyo

Mélanie Belley

Brian Warr

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER MANITOBA, SASKATCHEWAN, NORTHWEST ONTARIO

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER ONTARIO - NORTHERN / EASTERN

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER WESTERN QUÉBEC

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

613-805-7271 | ldeyo@castle.ca

514-809-6443 | mbelley@castle.ca

709-770-5607 | bwarr@castle.ca

Amplify Your Independence! www.IndependenceAmplified.ca Castle-HHIQ4Q2025.indd 68

902-471-3985 | mulock@castle.ca

Scan Here

204-771-1908 | dmccooeye@castle.ca

418-520-6244 | rhamel@castle.ca

2026-09-25 10:10 AM