February 24, 2026 - Cutting Edge Products

Ace Hardware Honors 2025 Vendors of the Year

Posted by Contributor
On February 24, 2026
Cutting Edge Products

Ace Hardware is proud to announce its 2025 Vendors of the Year, recognizing a select group of vendor partners whose leadership, innovation and collaboration played a critical role in helping Ace retailers succeed over the past year. "Our vendor partners are essential to the strength of the Ace brand and the success of our independent retailers,” said Chris Huot, Corporate Vice President of Merchandising.

US Consumer Confidence Inched Up in February

Posted by Contributor
On February 24, 2026
Cutting Edge Products

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® increased by 2.2 points in February to 91.2 (1985=100), from an upwardly revised 89.0 in January. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—decreased by 1.8 points to 120.0 in February. The Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—rose by 4.8 points to 72.0. The cutoff for preliminary results was February 17, 2026.