RONA Announcements

The RONA Foundation Donates over $730,000 to 175 Organizations Across Canada

The RONA Foundation, which oversees the philanthropic activities of RONA inc., one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers operating the Lowe’s, RONA+, RONA, and Réno-Dépôt banners, is proud to announce the results of its new Home Sweet Home campaign, which ran from September 1 to October 9. Thanks to the involvement of our employees and the generosity of our customers, more than $730,000 will go towards revitalizing living environments or making it easier to access housing for victims of domestic violence and their children, low-income families, and people with special needs or mental health issues. The 175 organizations were selected separately by each local team.

“Creating and launching a new campaign in a difficult economic climate and rallying teams is a challenge in itself. I’m extremely proud of the great mobilization of our network and the RONA Foundation team,” says Josée Lafitte, Director of the RONA Foundation. “Our motivation is quite simply to help the most vulnerable people, since every person should have a safe and comfortable place to live.”

The campaign took place in all our corporate stores in the RONA network, as well as in 4 distribution centres and nearly 30 participating affiliated stores across the country. Donations were collected at in-store checkouts and during online purchases on the lowes.ca, rona.ca and renodepot.com websites.

RONA+ WHITBY Honoured at Hardlines Outstanding Retailer Awards

RONA inc. is honoured to accept the Best Large Surface Retailer award (over 65,000 sq. ft.) for the RONA+ Whitby store as part of the Outstanding Retailer Awards (ORA) 2023. Organized by Hardlines, yesterday’s ORA Gala celebrates and recognizes the best in Canada’s home improvement and hardware industries.
Store Manager Paul Santos was present to accept the prestigious award: "Over the years we have focused on operational excellence to deliver world class results. Our dedication to the customer and employee experience goes hand in hand in delivering consistency in the service we provide", he explains. "Beyond customer satisfaction, what makes me most proud is our team. Their commitment to the business and each other is worth celebrating.”

“It’s all well and good to say that retail is all about customer service, but at RONA+ Whitby, the focus is also on the employees. That’s the aspect that really stood out to the judges. Store manager Paul Santos has shown tremendous leadership in guiding, growing, and inspiring his great team,” says Michael McLarney, president of Hardlines Inc.

Newly converted to the RONA+ banner, the store opened in October 2009 under the Lowe’s banner. Today, the store has over 140 employees, all of whom are committed to delivering the best possible customer experience. The retail and contractor sales floor is 110,000 sq. ft., including a 35,000 sq. ft. garden centre.

About the Outstanding Retailer Awards
Launched in 1992, Hardlines’ Outstanding Retailer Awards are the only awards in Canada recognizing the achievements of hardware and building materials retailers. In 31 years, over 150 retailers have been recognized.

About Hardlines
Celebrating its 28th anniversary this year, Hardlines Inc. is a retail authority in the home improvement market. Hardlines products and services include the weekly Hardlines e-newsletter, Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly magazine, a comprehensive information website, Hardlines Dealer News, a free daily news service for retailers and dealers, and annual Hardlines conferences. For more information, please contact Michael McLarney, President of Hardlines Inc. by phone at 416-489-3396 or by email at mike@hardlines.ca.

About the RONA Foundation
Since 1998, the RONA Foundation oversees RONA inc.’s philanthropic activities and supports non-profit organizations that make a significant impact in their communities. For its 25th anniversary, the RONA Foundation’s redefined its mission which is to improve the quality of life of Canadians in need by revitalizing their living environments and making it easier to access housing. In particular, it aims to help victims of domestic violence and their children, low-income families, and people living with special needs or mental health issues. Visit us at ronainc.ca/en/corporate-responsibility/communities to learn more about the RONA Foundation and its activities.

About RONA inc.
RONA inc. is one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers headquartered in Boucherville, Québec. The RONA inc. network operates or services some 425 corporate and affiliated dealer stores under the Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, and Dick’s Lumber banners. With a long and rich history, RONA inc. supports Canadians in their home improvement and construction projects since 1939. To achieve this, the company relies on a team of 22,000 employees, to whom it strives to provide an inclusive workplace where everyone is invited to contribute. RONA inc. has been one of the Montréal region’s Top Employers since 2021. As a result of its ongoing efforts in sustainable development, the company was also awarded the Stratégie de développement durable Mercure award in 2022 and is recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. To learn more about the company, visit the website www.ronainc.ca.

For more information:
Media Relations
RONA inc.514-599-5900, ext. 5271
1-866-566-3342
media@rona.ca