Retail Tech Insights has named Ken Widner, chief information officer of Do it Best Group, one of its Top 10 Retail CIOs for 2026, recognizing his leadership in advancing the technology, digital capabilities, and data intelligence that support independent home improvement retailers.

Arrow Tool Group today announced the appointment of Chee Min Hong as Vice President of Product Management, eCommerce & Brand Marketing. In this executive leadership role, Hong will lead the company's product management, e-commerce and brand marketing strategy while helping drive innovation, strengthen Arrow's portfolio of trusted tool brands and accelerate long-term growth.

Dawson Taylor, a pioneer in the hardware and home improvement industry and the patriarch of Taylor’s Do it Centers and Pleasants Hardware, passed away on July 4, 2026, at the age of 103. He was born on April 2, 1923.

Ace Hardware is strengthening its digital marketing capabilities through a new partnership with commerce technology company Pacvue, making it easier for manufacturers to manage and optimize advertising campaigns across Ace's retail media network, RedVest Media.

Mead Lumber Company, a 100% employee-owned building material supplier with 56 locations across nine states, announced that President and CEO Dave Anderson will retire at the close of the company’s fiscal year on November 30, 2026. Jon Cohen, a veteran building materials executive with more than 25 years of industry experience, has been named as his successor and joined Mead Lumber July 1, as President. Anderson will continue to serve as CEO through the transition, with Cohen assuming the role of President and CEO on December 1, 2026. Upon his retirement, Anderson will continue to serve as a member of the Mead Lumber Board of Directors.

Joined by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, Do it Best Group announced the company’s strategic decision to align the headquarters of Do it Best and True Value in Fort Wayne, Ind., creating a global center of gravity for the hardware and home improvement industry.

Despite ongoing economic challenges across the home improvement industry, Orgill is continuing to invest in its customers while reporting steady growth through the first half of 2026.

The home improvement industry is undergoing a significant transformation, and the competition is no longer centered on the weekend DIY shopper. Instead, professional contractors have become the primary focus for both Home Depot and Lowe's.

Do it Best Group’s largest Market of the year will connect independent home improvement business owners with the buying opportunities, insights, innovations, and vendor partnerships they need to grow stronger and more profitably

Construction is underway in downtown Fort Wayne on the first residential project in the United States built using AUAR's robotic MicroFactory system, marking a significant milestone for the adoption of on-site robotic manufacturing in the homebuilding industry. The framing process advanced at a pace consistent with a conventional production homebuilder, underscoring the technology's ability to deliver efficiency without disrupting standard construction timelines.