Sarah Pepin

Lowe's Companies, Inc. announced it'll buy Artisan Design Group for $1.325bln. ADG designs, distributes and installs flooring, cabinets, countertops and other interior surface products. ADG's fiscal 2024 revenue: $1.8bln. Its customers include homebuilders and property managers. "ADG will expand Lowe's pro offering into a new distribution channel within a highly fragmented, approximately $50bln market," Lowe's said in a news release. https://lnkd.in/ehXyRv_E

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“We were pleased to deliver modest sales growth, particularly in our Wholesale segment where we also again delivered margin expansion," said Board Chair, President and CEO of La-Z-Boy Incorporated Melinda Whittington. "We are investing in the business for the long term, as highlighted by the opening of 15 new company-owned stores in the last 12 months and the advancement of our distribution and home delivery transformation project. Furthermore, in the beginning of our third quarter, we completed the previously announced acquisition of a 15-store network in the southeast U.S. region." Read the release: https://lnkd.in/gCFEdmsX #LZB #LZBInc #FY26 #Furniture #HomeFurnishings

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Target CEO Brian Cornell is finally stepping down. He will be replaced by his operations chief Michael Fiddelke in February. But another piece of news the industry is looking for—Target returning to sales growth—will have to wait. Target reported yet another quarter of weak financial results, with comparable sales down 1.9% and the cheap-chic retailer reaffirmed its expectation that sales will decline by a low single-digit percentage this year, projecting a third year in a row of decline. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ec_yvD9a

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This midyear retail update from Ivystone CEO Doug Cofiell highlights key industry trends, including tariff impacts, seasonal inventory shifts, and an optimistic outlook for the rest of 2025.

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👋 Welcome to Appliance Advisers!  In this episode of Appliance Advisers, Francesco and I discuss some of the best wall oven brands, highlighting key features, strengths, and considerations for each.    Wolf:  Known for long-term reliability and durability.  Offers multiple design options (professional, transitional, contemporary) with consistent features across models.  Includes Gourmet Mode for guided cooking and a unique dual convection system.  Less focused on advanced technology compared to some competitors but highly regarded for performance.    Miele:  Recognized for innovation and advanced features.  MasterChef mode provides precise guided cooking with countdown timing.  Steam assist function enhances baking and roasting.    Features include a wireless temperature probe, racks safe for self-clean cycles, and multi-item menu cooking.  Contemporary styling may feel modern at first glance but adapts well to different kitchen designs.    SKS (Signature Kitchen Suite):  Backed by LG, offering advanced technology with strong reliability.  Transitional double wall oven includes AI cooking assistance with a camera that recognizes foods automatically.  Steam assist available through a refillable reservoir.  Competitive pricing compared to premium brands, with a strong warranty.    LG Studio:  Considered a strong value option within a more accessible price range.  Includes guided cooking, steam assist, and a speed combi oven.  Intuitive touchscreen interface with clear visuals and easy navigation.  Transitional design suitable for a wide range of kitchen styles.    Leave any questions in the comments below, and we can feature them in our upcoming episodes. Don't miss out—like, subscribe, and share for expert insights: https://lnkd.in/eQJFJY_s  #YaleAppliance | #WallOvens | #KitchenDesign | #LG | #Wolf | #SKS | #Miele | @Yale Appliance  

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On Thrive Technologies recent roundtable with Alex Hendrie, VP of Government Relations at the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors and Mike Hockett of Modern Distribution Management (MDM), we asked Alex what upcoming trade policies (particularly in regards to tariffs) should wholesale distributors be paying attention to...

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🚨 New for Walmart Sellers: Inventory Aging Report Now Available! Struggling to track how long your Walmart inventory has been sitting in warehouses? Now you don’t have to. The new Walmart Inventory Aging Report from ConnectBooks gives you a clear view of your aged stock—by channel, fulfillment center, and aging tier. 📦 Identify slow-moving SKUs 🚫 Avoid excess storage fees 💸 Improve sell-through and cash flow It’s all about turning data into decisions so you can keep your inventory lean and your business profitable. Walmart sellers: This is a game-changer. 📊 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e2VFwmtW #WalmartMarketplace #InventoryManagement #eCommerceTools #ConnectBooks #WalmartSellers #FBAAlternative #EcommerceGrowth #SellSmarter

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IN EARNINGS NEWS... 💰 Ross Stores, Inc. exceeded Wall Street's expectations for Q4, but is forecasting softer business in Q1 due to macroeconomic pressures that have impacted consumer confidence and discretionary spending. CEO Jim Conroy attributed the slowdown to external factors, noting that while the challenges could be temporary, they could also lead to more opportunities for discounted closeout merchandise, benefiting future quarters. “We have seen softer business as we transitioned out of the fourth quarter and into the first quarter,” Jim Conroy, in his first conference call as CEO since December, told investors on Tuesday. “While there are always opportunities for us to improve our execution, we believe the softness we are currently seeing is primarily due to macro pressures impacting consumer confidence, resulting in a pull back in discretionary spending.” During the holiday season, categories like cosmetics and children's merchandise performed well, with strong results in regions such as the Pacific Northwest and Texas. “We believe that a combination of unseasonable weather and heightened volatility in the macro economic and geopolitical environment has negatively impacted customer traffic,” Adam Orvos, executive vice president and CFO said, adding that the lack of visibility on external factors has the company taking a cautious approach to its first quarter outlook. The company also continued to expand its footprint, adding 75 new Ross ROSS DRESS FOR LESS stores and 14 DDS DISCOUNTS, ending the year with 2,186 locations. Ross is taking a cautious stance for the year, citing uncertainty in the macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, including the impact of weather and immigration policy on consumer behavior. Despite these challenges, Ross is moving forward with plans to open 90 new stores, underscoring its confidence in long-term growth. For one of the biggest retail chains, will be interesting to see how they navigate the 2025 landscape going forward. *** #Business #Retail #Chain #Ross #Earnings #News #ConsumerTrends

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Tariffs are once again at the forefront of discussions within the distribution industry. While policies may change, the need for a clear, strategic response remains constant. Last week, I watched a briefing hosted by the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors’ Government Relations team and a panel of industry experts. It provided an in-depth analysis of the Trump Administration’s latest tariff policies and their impact on the distribution industry. Reflecting on the 2019 tariffs and the 2020 COVID crisis, distributors require strong internal alignment across sales, finance, and procurement during these times. The first step is to calculate the value of on-hand and in-transit inventory pre- and post-tariff to assess the financial impact. Once the impact is understood, various solutions can help mitigate risk, including but not limited to the following: 1) Supplier and geographic diversification, 2) Pricing and margin management 3) Inventory management and forward buying 4) Operational efficiency and cost reduction to offset tariff costs 5) Product and portfolio realignment How are you preparing your teams to navigate this evolving landscape—not just to react but to stand out and lead? This is your chance to demonstrate to customers what a true partnership looks like. Watch this important briefing: https://lnkd.in/eheYxvay

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