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DIY CON, has announced the top industry names that will be featured at its inaugural event November 6-8 at Fair Park in Dallas. Drew and Jonathan Scott, the Property Brothers, will headline the Saturday lineup, joined by HGTV fan-favorites Chelsea and Cole DeBoer from Down Home Fab and digital home design powerhouses Mr. Kate. Designed …

Retail sales climbed for the ninth consecutive month in June as positive factors overcame economic challenges, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. “The summer shopping season got off to a strong start in June,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay says. “Consumers took advantage of summer sales events, and many got an early jump on …

Prepping a surface for painting is essential in reducing errors, increasing longevity and ensuring a clean finish. Stocking products for paint preparation can also serve as add-on products for customers already purchasing paint for their project. Offer these four products to your customers so they can be fully equipped for all their painting needs. The …

For contractors on a busy schedule and homeowners looking to get paint projects done on time, utilizing efficient products while painting can be a huge time-saver. Paint & Decorating Retailer recommends these four products to help customers increase efficiency and precision when painting. The Mr. Long Arm Trim Smart Paint Edger allows for faster painting …

AkzoNobel announced it has received multiple conditional and non-binding proposals from Nippon Paint Holdings Co. (“Nippon Paint”) regarding the potential acquisition of AkzoNobel’s Decorative Paints business at an indicative enterprise valuation of €7.5 billion, or $8.5 billion. AkzoNobel claims the proposal significantly undervalues AkzoNobel’s Decorative Paints business, as previously communicated to Nippon Paint. The board …

Heavy Duty Duct Tape (SPONSORED) 3M™ Heavy Duty Duct Tape is essential for every toolbox. It features an improved adhesive for quick sealing, holding and repairing. Easy to apply, it tears by hand lengthwise or crosswise for versatility. Its smooth, durable and water-resistant backing ensures a clean finish. Regrip your hammer, seal a The post …

Start your conference experience early with partner-hosted events leading into the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference. All conference attendees are invited to the partner events to gather ideas, connect with your peers and see what’s new in the industry. The sessions, which will be hosted by Orgill, will cover a wide variety of topics, including …

Square announced that Sherwin-Williams Company has selected Square as its payment solutions partner in the Sherwin-Williams Digital Alliance Program. The curated program connects Sherwin-Williams’ extensive network of PRO+ customers with best-in-class digital tools designed to help grow their businesses and save money through exclusive offers. For professional painters, contractors and designers, running a thriving business extends …

PaintCare, the nonprofit organization created by the American Coatings Association to make it easy for households and businesses to recycle leftover paint, recently announced the launch of a new artificial intelligence–powered product recognition tool designed to help paint consumers quickly determine whether their leftover products are accepted at PaintCare drop-off locations. Developed in partnership with …

The Sherwin-Williams Company recently announced that it hosted a ceremonial ribbon-cutting celebrating the grand opening of the company’s new Morikis Global Technology Center, located in Brecksville, Ohio. “This grand opening marks a bold step forward in how the Company innovates, performs and leads on the global stage and it’s located in our own backyard,” says …

The U.S. economy added 57,000 jobs in June, the smallest gain since February’s decline, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Downward revisions to April and May estimates subtracted 74,000 jobs from previously reported totals. The unemployment rate also dropped to 4.2%, essentially unchanged from June 2025. Wage growth accelerated modestly in June. Average …

The National Retail Federation (NRF) recently released its annual list of the Top 100 Retailers, compiled by Kantar. The 2026 Top 100 Retailers ranks the industry’s largest companies according to 2025 U.S. retail sales. As the largest retailers continue to expand outside of retail revenues, this list focuses only on retail-specific revenues and not overall organizational …

Homeowners today are looking for flooring that not only matches a room’s design or aesthetic but also desire materials that are functional and maintainable. Bona’s Floorcast 2026 outlines consumer preferences when it comes to flooring and floor cleaning products, detailing the factors influencing purchasing patterns. See stats from the study and how homeowners are making …

There’s little doubt that price is a major consideration when contractors decide where to buy their paint, and for independent retailers, that’s where the struggle begins. How do you outprice a competitor who’s practically giving away their paint? Fortunately, it’s not always all about price. Providing consistent service and a quality product go a long …

Joe Swortz, a U.S. Army veteran and a financial controller in the independent channel, attributes his current leadership and teamwork skills to his time in the military. Motivated by the desire to go to college without financially impacting his parents, Swortz joined the military at age 17, the summer before his senior year of high …

In-store services provide a unique opportunity to position your operation as more than just an independent paint store. Whether it’s adding a cafe in your front entrance, providing personalized design services or implementing a robust rental department, in-store services help create a repeat customer base and put your store on the map in one or …

Injecting energy into the home industry and delivering on the promise of a newly imagined show, NHS Concept to Commerce, an evolution of the National Hardware Show (NHS), debuted this spring with three days of sourcing connections, exciting product discovery and networking that led to new connections. This Fall, NHS will debut another evolution, DIY …

For over 125 years, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has been serving the needs of independent home improvement retailers across North America, helping retailers be better and more profitable.  NHPA publishes two respected monthly magazines that serve as trusted resources for independent retailers across the channel. Hardware Retailing is dedicated to the hardware …

The Consumer Confidence Index from The Conference Board rose by 0.6 points in June to 91.2, up from a downwardly revised 90.6 in May.  The Present Situation Index, based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions, fell by 3.0 points to 116.4. The Expectations Index, based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, …

Built around coming together to share ideas, struggles, wins and more, the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI Conference) will bring together the independent home improvement channel for collaboration, cultivation of ideas and fun under the Florida sun.  With the retail industry in a state of continual evolution and full of external challenges, retailers who …

Ahoy, it’s time to party! On Tuesday, July 28, the Independents Celebration will kick off the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference with food, fun and a little yacht rock funk. Don your best nautical wear because this party is getting the conference started with a little bit of Yacht Rock—think anything with navy, red and …

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Independents Awards Gala, taking place at the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference. On the second day of the conference, July 29, the Independents Awards Gala will recognize outstanding retailers in the industry for their innovation, leadership and excellence and bring together three of the industry’s biggest awards: …

Data from the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) shows a notable shift in the current housing market: while fewer Americans are taking on home improvement projects, those who do are spending significantly more. According to HIRI’s recent Q1 2026 Homeowner Project Activity Tracker, overall homeowner participation in home improvement projects dropped to 40% in Q1 …

The Sherwin-Williams Company celebrated its 160th anniversary with an event in Shanghai, China. Guests included government officials from Jing’an District and Jiading District of Shanghai and Nantong, Jiangsu Province, as well as delegates from the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai and Shanghai Shibei Hi-Tech Group. Representatives from the U.S.-China Business Council, the American Chamber of …