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NEWSROUNDUP
The RONA and Ace brands were
prominently on display at the latest
Lowe’s Buying Show in Montreal.
RONA AND ACE
DEALERS FRONT AND
CENTRE AT LATEST
LOWE’S BUYING SHOW
L
owe’s Canada held the annual
buying show in September for its
independent dealers and the event
benefitted from solid attendance by both
RONA affiliates and the growing number
of Ace dealers in Canada.
According to Annick Day, director of
wholesale and dealer support for Lowe’s
Canada, 87 percent of the company’s
dealer base attended, including 71 of
the company’s 87 Ace dealers. For many
affiliates of the burgeoning Ace banner,
it was their first show. “Only a few
Ace dealers from Quebec were here last
year, but they’re all here this year—and
they’re pretty excited.” No corporate store
14 FIRST QUARTER / 2018
Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly
managers were in attendance, reinforcing
that Lowe’s wanted to focus directly on its
dealer base at the show.
With some 330 vendors on hand, the
show was also the largest yet by Lowe’s
Canada, in terms of support from suppliers.
The show featured some new assortments,
including a range of Ace products
“
A lot of products
this year are
exclusive to
the dealers.
”
that is now available to RONA dealers.
These included workwear, toys, sports,
fishing and hunting, and agro products.
Another notable newcomer to the show
floor was a range of large appliances, an
important category for Lowe’s big box stores
and one that is being introduced into other
parts of the Lowe’s store network.
Seasonal products got a lot more space,
as well. “This year, it’s huge,” said Day.
“A lot of products this year are exclusive
to the dealers.” She cited patio sets as an
example: while perhaps 10 sets might be
featured in a Lowe’s big box, about 30 sets
in total are available to independents,
depending on their local markets.
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