Ace Hardware, the world’s largest hardware cooperative, has been ranked No. 4 on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® list, moving up one spot in the annual ranking of the world’s top franchise systems. Ace Hardware was also named the No. 1 franchise in the ‘Miscellaneous Retail Businesses’ category for the fifth consecutive year, reinforcing the strength and consistency of its cooperative model.

R.P. Lumber opened its 91st and newest location in Carlyle, IL on Monday, January 12, 2026. The family-owned, full-service home center and building materials retailer recently completed an extensive remodel of the former Wiegman Ford property at 1351 William Rd., bringing new life to a familiar site in the community.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is applauding the House Judiciary Committee’s advancement of H.R. 2853, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, calling it an important step forward in addressing a growing and increasingly complex threat to retailers and consumers.

Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has officially opened its 2,400th store with a new location in Aiken, South Carolina. The milestone opening is one of four Tractor Supply stores celebrating grand openings within the first two weeks of 2026, setting the tone for the company’s ambitious plan to open 100 new stores by year’s end. The Aiken opening was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, community celebration and a $2,400 donation to a local equine rescue organization, underscoring Tractor Supply’s continued commitment to the communities it serves.

84 Lumber, the nation’s largest privately held building materials supplier, is announcing the opening of its newest door shop, strategically located near Austin, Texas. Operating since Nov. 5, 2025, the door shop, located at 610 Blue Springs Blvd., Georgetown, Texas, marks a significant expansion of 84 Lumber’s manufacturing and service capabilities in Central Texas.

ce Hardware, the world’s largest hardware cooperative and the company known as “the Helpful Place,” has been named one of the nation’s top brands for customer service, earning a ranking of No. 36 overall on the Forbes 2026 Best Customer Service list. The recognition places Ace in the top 2% of more than 3,500 companies evaluated and makes Ace the highest-ranked hardware and home improvement retailer among its direct competitors.

True Value returns to national advertising with the launch of its new brand awareness campaign, “Your Project, Your Way,” designed to reintroduce one of America’s most iconic hardware retailers to a younger generation of DIYers.

In 2025, Lowe’s didn’t just open doors—it opened opportunities. With eight new and reopened locations across four states, the company’s growth was measured not only in square footage, but in jobs created, community partnerships formed and neighborhoods strengthened.

More than 1,500 volunteers gathered at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 13, to honor the nation’s veterans during a Wreaths Across America ceremony and wreath placement event. Following a brief noon ceremony, volunteers placed wreaths on more than 11,400 veterans’ graves, ensuring every service member interred there was remembered this holiday season.

Arrow Tool Group is making the season brighter for DIYers, makers, and tool enthusiasts nationwide with its “100 Tools Gift-Away” Sweepstakes. Running November 10–28, 2025, the giveaway features 100 coveted tools bundled into 10 exclusive “Mystery Boxes.” Each lucky winner will receive one fully loaded box packed with 10 must-have tools from Arrow Tool Group’s trusted family of brands that includes Arrow®, Pony Jorgensen®, SK Professional Tools®, and Goldblatt®. Sister companies Shop-Vac® and WorkPro® are also contributing select tools to the Mystery Box prizes.