Ace Hardware is # 1 - - - AGAIN!

When it comes to home improvement stores, like many things in life, bigger isn't always better. And while it can't be denied that the big box retailers typically offer more brightly lit stores and wider aisles, a new study by J. D. Power and Associates suggests that finding a knowledgeable sales associate when you're looking for that hard-to-find item, or receiving precious "how-to" advice for a project, can lead to greater satisfaction.

Among the major home improvement chains included in a recent survey by J. D. Power and Associates, Ace Hardware was rated highest by consumers for the third consecutive year, achieving an industry-best score of 792 (on a 1,000-point scale). According to consumers, Ace performs particularly well in the sales staff and store facility factors. Following Ace in the ranking are Lowe's (779) and Menards (774).  

To get a handle on which home improvement retailers offer the most satisfying customer experience, J. D. Power and Associates recently surveyed more than 8,000 consumers who purchased a home improvement product or service within the previous 12 months from a store that sells home improvement products. Consumers were asked to evaluate their primary home improvement retailer in five key areas:

• merchandise;
• price;
• sales staff;
• sales/promotions;
• store facilities.