Painting

By Scott Jerousek First and foremost, I would like to congratulate this year’s class of Top Guns recipients. Take a moment and let it sink in—you’re being recognized by your industry as the best of the best. This is a tremendous accomplishment and a well‑deserved acknowledgment of hard work, dedication and the ongoing pursuit of …

By Mike Aylen In a recent post on social media, I recounted a question I am often asked by retailers: “What is the easiest way to improve margin?” My answer is always the same: “Start with the margin you are losing right now that you don’t know about.” I think it would be fair to …

By Jeremy Melnick What’s the shortest amount of time a new hire has lasted on the salesfloor before quitting or being fired? A month? A week? A day? An hour? For me, it was 10 minutes. “I don’t sweep or dust,” the new associate said. That sentence ended the shift and the job. As extreme …

According to the Q1 2026 Farnsworth Contractor Index conducted by The Farnsworth Group, finishing professionals are already showing confidence about business activity and revenue impact in 2026. Paint & Decorating Retailer broke down the data from the study, revealing pros’ expected growth in the next year, a key audience retailers should tap into this year. …

Staying in tune with the best options in the abrasives and sanding tool categories is an essential practice for retailers who offer a full range of painting supplies. By strategically organizing products, prioritizing quality and leveraging customer feedback in this category, your store can better serve both contractors and DIYers. Hear from three retailers who …

Celebrating its 20th year honoring trailblazing retailers in the channel, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has named its 2026 Top Guns Awards honorees. This year’s honorees include: David Enmark, CEO of The Helpful Hardware Co.; Ash Ebbo, CEO of Clement’s Paint; Jason Blair, CEO of TAL Building Centers; and Denise Brookhouse, CEO …

Earlier in this issue, we met this year’s first Top Guns Awards honoree, Ash Ebbo, who shared how important it is to empower the next generation in the independent home improvement channel to become its next leaders. Engaging with the next generation at the store level is crucial for the success and future growth of …

As the only event uniting the entire independent channel, the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI) promises to deliver practical takeaways, interaction with top industry vendors and chances to connect. Taking place July 29-30 at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes and hosted by the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) and The Hardware …

Celebrating its 20th year honoring trailblazing retailers in the channel, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has named its 2026 Top Guns Awards honorees, including Ash Ebbo, CEO of Clement’s Paint in the Austin, Texas, area. “Top Guns honorees are pillars of innovation and forward-thinking, and have helped grow their businesses through strategic …

PPG and Sherwin-Williams released financial results for the first quarter of 2026 with both reporting strong growth despite economic and global pressures impacting in the first three months of the year. Sherwin-Williams The Sherwin-Williams Company reported a 6.8% consolidated net sales increase in the quarter, reaching $5.67 billion. Net income for the quarter increased 6.1% …

AkzoNobel Powder Coatings recently introduced Eco+ Services, a suite of technical, digital and data-driven services designed to help manufacturers better understand, measure and improve the sustainability of their coating operations. Eco+ Services combines digital tools, technical expertise and verified environmental data to give customers a clearer understanding of their coating processes and environmental footprint, providing …

PPG announced its board of directors has elected Jamie A. Beggs to serve as senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective July 6, 2026. Beggs is replacing Vincent J. Morales as CFO, who announced earlier this year his planned retirement which will also be July 6, following a distinguished 41-year career with PPG. Beggs …

While not unique to the independent channel, wage challenges can cause extra stress on small business owners already juggling tight margins. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in February 2026, wages rose more than expected, increasing 0.4% for the month and 3.8% from a year ago.  When outside factors like rising wage costs, …

RONA inc. announced it has recently been named one of Canada’s greenest employers for the sixth consecutive year on Canada’s Greenest Employers list. The national competition is organized by Mediacorp to celebrate employers who stand out for their sustainable development initiatives and environmental awareness efforts in the workplace. Organizations that are named “Greenest Employer” are …

During the company’s annual meeting of shareholders, PPG chairman and CEO Tim Knavish shared highlights of the company’s 2025 performance. PPG achieved $15.9 billion in net sales, including a 2% increase in organic sales due to higher sales volumes and selling prices in all four quarters. “Our team of more than 40,000 employees live our purpose …

Peel and Stick Popcorn Ceiling Repair Patch (SPONSORED) Popcorn ceiling repair just got easier. The Peel and Stick Popcorn Ceiling Repair Patch from Hyde Tools has everything you need for minor repairs. The all-in-one kit features multiple patch sizes and a specialized compound to achieve professional popcorn-repair results without the prep, mess and The post …

Aboff’s Paints, with 32 locations throughout Long Island, New York, recently announced via social media it has acquired Virginia-based Vienna Paint. “After 95 years serving Long Island, Aboff’s is proud to expand beyond New York for the first time, welcoming Vienna Paint and their six DC Metro locations into our growing family,” says the company …

According to the American Ladder Institute’s 2024 Ladder Safety Training and Citations Report, the most common causes of injury involving ladders were incorrect ladder setup and using the incorrect ladder for a job. Ensuring customers have the correct ladder for their painting project and safety measures in place is essential for professionals and DIYers alike. On …

As summer approaches, customers are beginning outdoor projects like deck repair and re-staining. Paint & Decorating Retailer recommends these four basic deck staining products for the new deck stainer to the experienced homeowner looking to refresh their outdoor space. Stains Cabot’s Heat-Reducing Solid Color Stain + Sealer with Cool Feel Technology is a durable, UV-resistant exterior …

Retail sales rose in March as consumers received higher-than-usual tax refunds, making up for increased gasoline prices, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. “Retail sales grew for a sixth consecutive month in March as the first wave of tax refunds offset higher gas prices resulting from the conflict in the Middle …

RONA Inc. recently announced it is partnering with Canadian Industries Limited (CIL) to focus on its professional paint assortment, including SICO and RONAPRO by Dulux, a new Canadian paint brand tailored to the needs of Pros. “By partnering with CIL and leveraging the strength of Canadian brands SICO and Dulux, we are making it easier …

The U.S. Census Bureau recently announced the December 2025 Monthly State Retail Sales Report (MSRS), revealing a 2.7% year-over-year increase in total U.S. retail sales excluding nonstore retailers. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia saw positive and significant year-over-year percentage changes from December 2024 to December 2025. New York experienced the largest increase in …

Major paint companies have announced upcoming price hikes due to supply chain disruptions and oil price increases caused by the conflict in the Middle East, which are now impacting customers directly. In a letter to customers, Pittsburgh Paints Co. announced consumers can expect an 8% price increase on paints, stains and coatings, an increase of 4% …

Sherwin-Williams recently announced the launch of its new high-performance coating, Forte Urethanized Acrylic. Designed for both vertical and horizontal surfaces, the product can be used by both contractors and homeowners to coat a wide range of interior and exterior surfaces. “We are incredibly excited about the versatility that Forte™ Urethanized Acrylic offers; this product reflects …