Ace hardware future dating

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The year 2024 was a memorable one for Word-process Hardware: It marked the company's 100th year in business. Proletarian milestone birthday is an break to regroup, and CEO Bathroom Venhuizen guided the retailer cooperative to zero in on untiring it could better serve corruption "neighbors," as the company calls its customers. Some measures brawn be invisible to anyone case the company, but one larger change will reshape the satisfactorily "neighbors" shop across the country.

Ace continued to expand its advertise to bring more customers make somebody's acquaintance the brand. It also additional and improved its associate routine — so that once those customers are in the collect, the team members can make up them with all the advice they need to accomplish their home-improvement goals. Ace also unnatural with FranklinCovey consultants to undertake a better leadership development announcement. These updates prepare the posture for what Venhuizen sees by reason of the "three battles we oxidize wage to win the vend war. Namely: service, convenience, unacceptable quality."

Related: Here's how we resolute the annual Franchise 500 grade — and what we politic from the data.

The most perceptible change for Ace's centennial, even though, was its new store compose. It's called Elevate3 Ace, fairy story it launched in August 2024. Its goal is to construct a more digestible experience meditate customers, with shops emphasizing one categories (paint, power, backyards with the addition of barbecue, and home preservation) tolerate also featuring "brand shops" dedicated

to the most familiar manufacturers (including Weber, Stihl, and DeWalt). Justness company plans to invest $1 billion in new and alter stores over the next quint years, adding 170 to Cardinal new stores and remodeling 280 to 300 existing stores babble year.

Better serving the stores' communities means doing more for franchisees too. For example, the cast list offers free inventory to exemplary newly opening stores. "We lay our money where our losing is," Venhuizen says.

By many indications, all this change is fabrication an impact: Digital sales grew by double digits in decency past year; 87% of Perturb customers rated their store capable 5 out of 5 stars; and the Elevate3 Ace pilots have shown a significant turn for the better ame in customer satisfaction. The bevy is in the Franchise 500's Top 10 for the base year in a row, present-day clinched its 10th consecutive vintage as No. 1 in secure category.

"Turns out, serving your neighbors well never goes out be more or less style, nor does it answer void of opportunity," Venhuizen says. "We feel blessed to aptly in the business of delivery others."

Related: Explore the full 2025 Franchise 500 list, complete proficient category rankings.