Ace Hardware, the world’s largest hardware cooperative, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of introducing its innovative ELEVATE3 Ace experiential store format. Unveiled at last year’s Ace Hardware Fall Convention, ELEVATE3 Ace reimagines the traditional hardware store by creating immersive brand experiences in four key areas: Paint, Power, Backyard & Barbeque, and Home Preservation, turning these sections into inviting destinations that make shopping easier and more inspiring.
A Convention at Scale
Spanning more than 1.5 million square feet of exhibit space, this year’s event brought together:
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6,200 vendor personnel across 1,500+ booths
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1,250 Ace stores registered, representing more than 3,600 locations nationwide
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224 Emery Jensen Distribution (EJD) stores, covering nearly 1,000 locations
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A sold-out General Session that energized attendees with vision and strategy for the year ahead
The convention floor buzzed with activity as retailers, employees, and vendors explored new opportunities, participated in training sessions, and took advantage of exclusive promotions.
Highlights from the Show
One of the standout events was the Windy City Savings program, offering Day 1 “At-Show Only” buying opportunities designed to deliver real value for retailers.
The floor also featured a full-size garden center, complete with tours, retailer panels, and vendor demonstrations, creating an interactive learning and buying environment.
Spotlight on the ELEVATE³ Flagship Store
At the heart of the show was the 10,000-square-foot ELEVATE³ Ace Flagship Store, a full-scale experiential retail environment designed to showcase Ace’s newest store concept.
The space highlighted:
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Premium product assortments tailored to customer needs
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Enhanced service experiences that bring Ace’s “Helpful” brand promise to life
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Immersive brand showcases from trusted partners, including Big Green Egg, Craftsman, DeWalt, EGO, Milwaukee, Stihl, Traeger, and Weber
Driving the Future of Hardware Retail
The Fall 2025 Convention was more than just a trade show—it was a celebration of Ace Hardware’s culture of innovation and collaboration. By uniting thousands of retailers, vendors, and employees, the event reinforced Ace’s mission to deliver unmatched value and service to customers across the country.
About Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware is the largest hardware cooperative in the world, serving more than 8,700 locally owned and operated stores around the globe, while providing the best products, services, and operating methods to almost 5,200 Ace retail stores in the United States. Ace Hardware’s family of brands includes Ace Hardware, Emery Jensen Distribution, and independent retailers worldwide. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace operates an expansive network of U.S. distribution centers, along with international capabilities in Ningbo, China, and Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico. Since 1924, Ace has been a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.
