St. Jacobs, ON, November 15, 2017 – Home Hardware Dealers from Ontario and Nova Scotia were honoured this week at the 2017 Outstanding Retailer Awards, recognized as the Best Hardware Store and the Marc Robichaud Community Leader.

Founded over two decades ago and the only independent program in the industry, the Outstanding Retailer Awards (ORAs) are dedicated to celebrating the achievements of hardware, home improvement and building supply dealers in Canada.

The award recipients were chosen by a panel of industry experts who analyzed nominations from retailers across Canada in seven categories: Best Hardware Store; Best Building Supply/Home Centre (under 15,000 sq. ft.); Best Building Supply/Home Centre (over 15,000 sq. ft.); Best Contractor-Specialist Dealer; Young Retailer of the Year; Best Large Surface Retailer and the Marc Robichaud Community Leader award. Each nomination was judged on a range of criteria, including sales performance, retailing innovation and community involvement.

"Home Hardware is committed to providing our independent Dealer-Owners with the support, programs and services to help them grow profitable, successful businesses and the Outstanding Retailer Awards serve as a testament to the hard work of these entrepreneurs as well as the strength of our program," said Terry Davis, CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. "On behalf of the Dealer-Owners of close to 1,100 Home Hardware stores in communities across Canada, I would like to congratulate this year's recipients on their success."

At the 2017 Awards Gala, Home Hardware Dealers took home two out of the seven categories, including:

• Marc Robichaud Community Leader - Sayer Home Hardware, Hagersville, ON
• Best Hardware Store - Gow's Home Hardware, Bridgewater, NS

The Awards Gala was held at the Sheraton on the Falls Hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, in conjunction with the 22nd Annual Hardlines Conference, a two-day symposium for business leaders in home improvement retailing in North America.

About Home Hardware Stores Limited
Home Hardware Stores Limited is Canada's largest Dealer-owned hardware, lumber, building materials, and furniture home improvement retailer with close to 1,100 stores under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners with annual retail sales of over $6 billion. Founded in 1964 in rural St. Jacobs, Ontario, Home Hardware remains 100% Canadian owned and operated. Through the Home Hardware network, Dealer-Owners have access to 100,000 quality, brand name and private label products, a state-of-the-art distribution system and extensive marketing and training programs. Offering a mix of tradition and innovation, Home Hardware Stores Limited has received designation as one of Canada's Best Brands and Best Managed Companies and is committed to helping Canadians with all of their project needs. More information about the company is available at homehardware.ca.

For more information, please contact:
Carly Verhoeven, Public Relations Coordinator, Home Hardware Stores Limited. (519) 664-2252 ext. 6676 carly.verhoeven@homehardware.ca

Jessica Kuepfer, Public Relations Manager, Home Hardware Stores Limited. (519) 664-4612. jessica.kuepfer@homehardware.ca