In a slight reversal from the dominant narrative concerning big-box stores and their smaller competitors, independent hardware stores are seeing a bit of a revival across the United States as the economic outlook begins to brighten for the industry.

According to an IBISWorld report released in February, industry revenue has declined at an annualized rate of -0.4% over the last five years. However, IBISWorld estimates that revenue will finally trend toward the positive in 2013 at a growth rate of 2.0%, in addition to a 16.5% jump in consumer sentiment.

Las Vegas — Ray Griffith kicked off the Golden Hammer retail awards presentation with a joke: "Does everyone have an hour? I have a long speech." He got an even bigger laugh when he called out a moderator for his use of the word "entertainment" to describe the panel discussion.

But the concepts that Griffith and the other retail honorees shared during the 29th Golden Hammer Awards ceremony held here during the National Hardware Show contained a serious tone as hardware stores appear to be poised to pounce on a swelling industry recovery.

Temperatures in July 2013 will be much cooler than last year across the North Central United States, and retailers are going to feel the impact.

That's part of the forecast from Bethlehem, Pa.-based Weather Trends International.

While temperatures frequently crested the 100-degree mark last year, temperatures will be even warmer than last year in the South and along the West Coast.

In the East Coast, residents can expect weather that's warmer than normal, but cooler than a year ago, according to the Weather Trends forecast.

Federal efficiency regulations have spurred change in the light bulb industry, and that is good news for hardware dealers whose expertise can set them apart and help grow market share.

Last month Upfront defended the Marketplace Fairness Act.

Some of you sent kind notes indicating appreciation for remarks in support of a level tax-playing field for online and brick-and-mortar retailers. In doing so, you revealed your fair-minded nature.

Not everyone agreed with every bullet point, however.

"I feel your Upfront piece in the May 2013 issue dismissed the complex issue with a toss-off answer," wrote one reader.

Owens Corning has announced that Edward F. Lonergan, president and CEO of Chiquita Brands International, has been elected to the company's board of directors, effective Sept. 18, 2013.

"We welcome Ed to our board of directors," said Owens Corning chairman and CEO Mike Thaman. "His global experience and strong commercial background make him a valuable addition to the board.  We are delighted to have recruited such an outstanding director."

Las Vegas — The 2013 National Hardware Show again proved itself to be a stomping ground for new-product junkies. From areas called "Innovation Station" and "Pet Pavilion" — as well as press conference rooms and show-floor demonstrations — came a huge variety of potential margin boosters, door busters or simply sales opportunities. Here are a few.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that employers establish a heat-related-illness prevention program that includes advising workers to drink plenty of water and acclimatize to weather conditions and providing them with schedules that alternate between work and rest breaks. 

Contractors face the unknown when they tackle problems hidden inside closed structures. Stud sensors and electronic scanners — two still-evolving technologies that use radar to locate objects behind or embedded in materials — can help, but their ability to identify wood and metal framing, electrical wiring, broken or lost parts, misplaced tools, and other critically important objects is limited.

Fortunately, there's another category of electronic tools that can actually see into closed cavities.

While housing markets deflated and subsequently bumped along a trough for several years, how many times did you hear that Texas appeared unscathed by the housing downturn? While significant lumber volumes continued to enter Texas, sales in other markets, such as those in Georgia and particularly the Atlanta market, were so scarce that empty and closed lumberyards in those markets became the norm.

No matter how you slice them, the numbers of the HCN Top 300 Industry Scoreboard reflect the rising housing market, increased spending on the home and an easy comparison with the previous year's performance.

Of the leading 300 home channel retailers, 277 show positive sales in the most recently completed finished fiscal year, and 12 show declines. (Eleven others are listed as flat.)

Key findings from the research:

Ace Hardware has announced the appointment of two new member directors to its board of directors: Stew Elliott Jr., of Elm Grove, Wis.; and Amy Kaplanis of Granby, Colo.

Elliott, 55, is a majority shareholder of Elliott Ace Hardware, a four-store Ace chain located in the western suburbs of Milwaukee. Prior to taking ownership in Ace Hardware, Elliott held a leadership sales role with Amerock, a vendor serving the convenience hardware industry, for six years.