"Quebec is an important market and our continual growth in the province is due to the strength of our program for independent Dealers," said Paul Straus, President and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. "We are proudly Canadian with more than 1,080 Dealers from coast to coast and we take great pride in our success in Quebec. Our customers choose to shop at Home because they appreciate the unique offering of expert customer service, product selection and competitive pricing brought to them by independent Dealers who understand their local markets and that is certainly true in Quebec."
In 1965 Gabriel Rocheleau of Rocheleau Hardware in Rouyn-Noranda was the first Home Hardware store in Quebec. Since that time, the company has continued to grow its Dealer base in the province.
"Throughout the years, independent Dealers from Abitibi to the Gaspé peninsula and beyond have realized the benefits of Home Hardware and decided to join the company," said Mario Durocher, Director-Retail Operations, Québec, Home Hardware Stores Limited. "The most common phrase
I hear from new Dealers is "We should have done this years ago!''
"Our mission has remained the same for 47 years," continued Straus. "We are devoted to ensuring that our Dealers achieve long-term business success by providing them with the best program for independent Dealers. Some of our most successful Dealers call Quebec home and continue to serve as examples to the entire home improvement industry."
Tho-Val-Trem in Ste-Brigitte-de-Laval has been in business for 25 years under another banner, but chose to join the Home Hardware family last fall in order to take advantage of Home's product selection, industry leading distribution system and marketing program. The business was bought by Jean-Marie Begou who emigrated from France after owning and operating a 30,000 sq.ft. Building and Garden center there for 15 years.
"We are very excited to join the Home Hardware family and to be the 100th store in Quebec," said Jean-Marie Begou Dealer-Owner of Tho-Val-Trem in Ste-Brigitte-de-Laval. "Joining Home Hardware was an easy decision because we're able to deliver the best shopping experience for our customers."
About Home Hardware Stores Limited
100% Canadian owned and operated, Home Hardware Stores Limited has a presence in every Canadian province and territory and is the country's largest independent, Dealer-owned hardware, lumber, building materials and furniture cooperative. Founded on January 1, 1964 by 122 independent hardware Dealers, the cooperative now includes more than 1,080 stores, under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners, with annual collective retail sales of more than $5 billion. Home Hardware's independent Dealer-Owners, recognized by the North American Retail Hardware Association as Canada's best-trained Dealer group, have access to 100,000 quality brand name and private label products, a world-class distribution system and draw upon the power of Home Hardware's network to provide their local communities with top quality products and services at competitive prices.
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For more information, please contact:
Henda Touihri
514-843-2323
htouihri@national.ca
