Toronto-- Hardware Merchandising magazine recently named the winners of its annual Outstanding Retailer Awards. The only independent awards program dedicated to celebrating the achievements of hardware/home improvement dealers in Canada, the ORAs celebrated its 20th anniversary this past fall. The ORAs were first presented by Hardware Merchandising in 1992 to draw attention to excellence and innovation in the field of hardware/home improvement retailing. Each year, a panel of industry experts selects winners in seven categories from entries submitted by dealers and buying groups from across the country. The nominees are judged on criteria such as sales growth, customer service, overall store appearance, merchandising and marketing, employee management and community involvement.
The 2011 winners, by category, include:
Outstanding Hardware Store
Hook's RONA
Cloyne, Ont.
Owners: Tracy and Sandi Hook
Outstanding Building Supply/Home Centre (under 25,000 sq. ft.)
Proudfoot's Home Hardware Building Centre
Pictou, N.S.
Owners: Jim and Kendall Proudfoot
Outstanding Building Supply/Home Centre (over 25,000 sq. ft.)
Pioneer Home Hardware Building Centre
Campbell River, B.C.
Owners: Gary, Glen and Dean Thulin
Outstanding Large Surface Retailer
Reno-Depot Rimouski
Rimouski, Que.
Owner: RONA Inc.
Outstanding Contractor Specialist Dealer
Dick's Lumber -- Surrey
Surrey, B.C.
Owner: RONA Inc.
Outstanding Young Retailer
Chris Galer - POCO Building Supplies (TIM-BR MART)
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Owners: Chris Galer, Jeff Galer
Outstanding Community Leader
Renfrew Home Hardware Building Centre
Renfrew, Ont.
Owners: Steve and Karen Maxwell
Founded in 1889, Hardware Merchandising is one of Canada's oldest magazines. It is published six times per year, delivering industry news and analysis to more than 15,000 dealers, executives and vendors working in hardware/home improvement retailing across the country. For more information on the Outstanding Retailer Awards program, including sponsorship opportunities, contact Stephen Dempsey, publisher, at (416) 510-6780.