MISSISSAUGA, Ont., April 23, 2014--- Federal Express Canada Ltd. (FedEx Express Canada), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), has announced its most comprehensive Canadian retail expansion in the company’s history. An agreement has been reached with Home Hardware Stores Limited that allows individual Dealer-Owners the ability to house full-service FedEx Authorized ShipCentres® within their stores. This agreement represents the largest opportunity for FedEx Express and FedEx Ground retail growth within Canada to date.
“The rise in e-commerce has presented both Home Hardware and FedEx Express Canada an opportunity to enhance our respective business models,” said Lisa Lisson, president of FedEx Express Canada. “Our alliance with Home Hardware expands our retail footprint across Canada, giving online shoppers more points-of-access options to meet their shipping needs.”
E-commerce is the largest driving force in the global economy and is projected in the 2013 FedEx Annual Report to reach $1 trillion in sales by 2016. According to the UN News Center there were 2.3 billion global internet users at the end of 2011, of which (according to the Canadian Press and the CBC), 25.5 million are Canadians who use the internet every day. In November, FedEx Express Canada forecasted that 60% of Canadians would do some form of online shopping for the 2013 holiday season. In order to meet the needs of Canadian e-consumers, transportation companies are required to offer more proximate “points-of-access” options for drop-off and pick-up services. With close to 1,100 stores across Canada, Home Hardware Dealer-Owners will soon be able to offer FedEx’s full suite of domestic and international shipping solutions for their respective communities.
“As e-commerce continues to grow, we are excited to work with FedEx which is a leader in the global transportation industry. This alliance will bring more traffic into our stores as well as increase convenience for all customers,” said Paul Straus, president & chief executive officer for Home Hardware Stores Limited.
As the country’s largest independent, Dealer-owned hardware, lumber, building materials and furniture cooperative, Home Hardware is committed to offering customers superior service, expert advice and quality products at competitive prices. Home Hardware was recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2013.
“Home Hardware is a strong, renowned Canadian brand and the opportunity our alliance creates will result in a better e-commerce experience for more Canadians,” said Lisson. “Through Home Hardware, FedEx Express Canada and FedEx Ground will be more easily accessible to Canadian communities than ever before. Conversely, hosting a FedEx Authorized ShipCentre allows Home Hardware to connect their customers within their respective communities to the rest of Canada and the world with efficiency and effectiveness.”
The FedEx Authorized ShipCentres will be rolled out across Canada in a series of implementation waves throughout the year.
“As Home Hardware celebrates our 50th anniversary this year, we also look ahead towards the next 50 years. This exciting alliance with FedEx Express Canada is one of the many ways in which we continue to innovate to add more value to our customers’ shopping experience,” said Straus.
About Home Hardware Stores Limited
Proudly celebrating its 50thanniversary in 2014, Home Hardware Stores Limited is Canada’s largest Dealer-owned hardware, lumber, building materials and furniture cooperative. Founded in 1964 by 122 independent Dealers, the 100% Canadian owned and operated cooperative now includes close to 1,100 stores under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners, with annual retail sales of more than $5.4 billion. Through the Home Hardware network, Dealer-Owners have access to a world-class distribution system and 100,000 quality brand name and private label products at competitive prices. Home Hardware Stores Limited received designation as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. More information about the company is available at www.homehardware.ca.
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $45 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.
Contact:
Rob Wallace
Media Relations
Home Hardware Stores Limited
519-664-4710
rob.wallace@homehardware.ca
James Anderson
Media Relations
FedEx Express Canada
905-212-5372
jcanderson@fedex.com
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Canada (English)
FedEx to Expand Retail Presence Through Home Hardware
