Does the independent lumberyard compete with the big-box national retailer? The answer might surprise you.

It surprised Jim Robisch, senior partner at The Farnsworth Group. His recent presentation during the LMC convention was titled "The Future Threat of Big Box Home Centers in the Pro Market," and it spelled out the case that Lowe's, Home Depot and Menards are not to be underestimated as LBM competition.

The co-op structure presents to the hardware industry one of the most interesting financial instruments in all of accounting: the end-of-year rebate.

San Antonio-based Alamo Lumber is a small regional lumberyard company serving 14 south Texas markets with a mix of building supplies and hardware store merchandise.

In the fourth quarter, Home Depot had a field day in its quarterly sales comparisons with rival Lowe's — a 13.9% gain compared with a 5% decline. However, the field wasn't level.

Home Depot had an extra week in its 2012 quarter, while Lowe's was operating with one fewer week. The difference created a nearly $2 billion swing, as the extra week benefited Home Depot to the tune of $1.2 billion, and deflated Lowe's by about $766 million.

Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe’s is telling investors and analysts that changes are in the works, a message it has delivered steadily over the last several quarters.

The data for housing starts and existing-home sales are all running ahead of the previous month, and well ahead of the previous year. The Home Channel Stock Roundup shows Sherwin-Williams and Lowe's running ahead of the field.

Customers of the Lowe's Iris smart home solution will soon be able to use Verizon’s wireless network for remote monitoring and management of their homes.   

Available to U.S.-based Iris customers beginning Nov. 21, Verizon will be Lowe’s exclusive provider of wireless connectivity. 

An Oct.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac, Lowe’s stores are offering free recovery advice at three stores in Mississippi.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Mississippi residents who suffered damage from wind and flooding caused by Hurricane Isaac can get free advice on rebuilding stronger, more disaster-resistant structures from FEMA specialists at the three stores.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline hit $3.83, up from last week, last month and last year. On the Home Channel Stock Roundup, Sherwin-Williams, Home Depot and Lowe's lead the charge.