Hardlines is calling for entries in the 33rd Outstanding Retailer Awards (ORAs), to be presented Oct. 21 during the 2025 Hardlines Conference in Banff, Alberta. Nominations may be submitted for any Canadian hardware, paint, or home improvement retailer or manager who has operated under the same ownership for at least two years.
Dealers are welcome to self-nominate, and group head offices are invited to identify promising dealers and support them in the nomination process. A chain or buying group may enter more than one store per category, and we encourage suppliers to recommend entries as well.The ORAs are the only national awards program in Canada recognizing hardware, LBM, and paint retailers across all banners. Awards are presented in at least seven categories, including Young Retailer of the Year and Marc Robichaud Community Leader.
Winners get to attend the Conference as guests of Hardlines, including the Outstanding Retailer Awards Gala, where they will be presented with a trophy of honour. They will also receive marketing materials, including a write-up in Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly magazine.
“It’s so rewarding to be recognized for doing a job that you love,” says Jillian Sexton, 2021 Young Retailer of the Year, in the latest edition of the Hardlines Weekly Report. “Winning an ORA gives you a unique platform to share your story with the entire industry. It’s been such a welcome surprise to be congratulated by people from every corner of the hardware world.”
Even for those who don’t win, nomination has its perks. ORA runners-up get to see their success stories featured across the Hardlines family of publications, raising their profile in the industry.
Nominations for the ORAs are due June 13.
Click here for more information and to download the nomination package.
