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The annual NRHA (North American Retail Hardware Association) sponsored National Hardware Show in Las Vegas last week was another great tradition for our Accelerated Analytics team! Thousands of vendors displayed their product lines and future new releases in everything from paints and tools to lawn care and appliances. This was a great opportunity to meet... Read more »

Much has been said about millennials—with good reason. Their attitudes, habits, knowledge and expectations are spurring cultural and technological changes to businesses worldwide. But the next generation is advancing, right on the heels of the millennials—Gen Z, and its presence will bring even bigger changes and challenges to retailers. While millennials made the most impact... Read more »

Each year, Green Builder magazine makes an annual selection of the “most innovative, creative and all-around sustainable products available to the building market”. This year’s HOT 50 PRODUCTS list was announced on April 17, and two Accelerated Analytics DIY, Home & Hardware customers were named to the list: DuPont Tyvek and Trex! DuPont Tyvek’s Protec... Read more »

Ace Hardware Corporation, with 5,000 locally owned and operated stores in all 50 states and 60 countries, announced Thursday it will be opening a 1.1 million square-foot distribution center in Bethel Township, PA. The company is investing $20M to create the DC, and will serve stores in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Washington, DC.... Read more »

According the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, Mother’s Day Spending is expected to reach a record-high of $23.6 billion. That’s the highest number in the survey’s 14 year history, topping last year’s previous record of $21.4 billion. The 85% of those surveyed who said they will be celebrating the holiday say they will spend more... Read more »

Like an extreme theme-park rollercoaster, the U.S. housing market has dipped and turned and raced and plummeted over the past decade. And, when the housing market crashed in 2007, it was not surprising that home improvement spending also declined. Ten years later, the overall housing market is stable, but the construction of single-family homes has... Read more »

Luxury retailers have historically been considered immune to the challenges of mass-market chains, like declining foot traffic and endless price wars, but that no longer appears to be true. High-end retailers are learning that even wealthy customers are hunting for better deals and selection empowered by the pricing and supply transparency of an omni-channel marketplace.... Read more »

According to a Credit Suisse report released Thursday, 2017 year-to-date store closings have already topped the historical high set in 2008 when the last U.S. recession was raging. About 2,880 stores have closed year to date compared to 1,153 at the same time last year. And since 60 percent of store closures are typically announced... Read more »

Barron’s reported on Sunday that home improvement retailers The Home Depot and Lowe’s are strongly positioned financially going into Spring. Homeowners are undertaking renovations and projects due to a healthier economy and improved real estate markets. Barron’s also states that The Home Depot and Lowe’s are “Amazon-proof” as home improvement is low on the list... Read more »