Content about Matter

Paint may be a very emotional decision for consumers, but in the retail world, it’s a simple business plan: If you want to sell a lot of paint, dedicate enough space to it, assign a full-time, well-trained sales associate to the paint desk, and carry more than two lines of paint. One of those brands should cater to the pros. Find a way to keep the contractors separated from the homeowners, which is not all that difficult; professional painters don’t like to sit on sofas surrounded by tasseled pillows.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed that companies be required to report to EPA all new uses, including in domestic or imported products, of five groups of potentially harmful chemicals. Over the years, these chemicals have been used in a range of consumer products and industrial applications, including paints, printing inks, pigments and dyes in textiles, and flame retardants in flexible foams, plasticizers and some building materials. 

Bradford, Pa.-based W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. launched its Tec X collection, described as a brand extension with an emphasis on modern design.

The 28 individual models in the collection include features such as one-handed opening and closing, pocket clips, anodized aluminum handles, AUS8 blades and titanium coatings.

The Lowe's brand Kobalt announced the addition of 18-volt and corded power tools to its line. 

The new line of cordless tools also ensure that power will never be a problem for users, as all Kobalt 18V tools are compatible with both Kobalt lithium-ion, as well as nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries.

The "Consumer watch" section of the Dashboard shows gas prices rose a nickel last week, the unemployment rate was unchanged, and consumer confidence is plummeting.

Dunn-Edwards has introduced two new lines of acrylic paints for both interior and exterior use. Spartawall interior and Spartashield exterior acrylic paints are both available in a full range of gloss levels and colors. They can be used on commercial and residential projects, such as schools, hotels, hospitals, and single family or multi-tenant housing.  Both are formulated to provide for a more durable, better hiding, and longer lasting paint, the company said. 

A man in Linden, N.J. was arrested July 9 for allegedly stealing copper pipes from a Home Depot sore by stuffing them in PVC piping, according to an article in the Verona-Cedar Grove Times.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. said it will phase out phosphorus from lawn fertilizers, including the market-leading Scotts Turf Builder brand, by the end of 2012.

Additionally, the Marysville, Ohio-based company said it will sharpen its focus on more efficient and optimized ways to use nitrogen in its lawn fertilizer products. 

Having lumber orders to fill and not enough inventory on the ground may sound like a dream to LBM dealers right now. But that day may arrive sometime in 2015, according to a forecast by Henry Spelter, an economist with Forest Economic Advisors. Reduced capacity, increased demand from China, the pine beetle infestation in Western Canada and other factors will combine to raise the prices of softwood lumber as supplies tighten.