ACE HARDWARE RANKED Highest IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION BY J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES' INAUGURAL HOME IMPROVEMENT SURVEY
FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- For a second consecutive year, Ace Hardware ranks highest in satisfying home improvement retail store customers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Home Improvement Retail Store Study.
The study, now in its second year, measures customer satisfaction with home improvement retail stores, based on performance in five factors: merchandise; price; sales staff; sales/promotions; and store facility.
Ace Hardware achieves a score of 791 on a 1,000-point scale and performs particularly well in the sales staff and store facility factors, which are the two most important factors driving overall customer satisfaction. Lowe's (784) and Menards (779) follow Ace Hardware in the rankings. Lowe's performs particularly well in merchandise, while Menards performs well in the sales/promotions and price factors.
"Ace Hardware is particularly successful in pleasing customers with their knowledgeable and helpful sales staff," said Dale Haines, senior director of the real estate and construction practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "While offering a wide selection of merchandise and low pricing are important, customers tell us that being able to get the assistance and advice they need to complete their projects correctly the first time is what keeps them satisfied with, and loyal to, their primary home improvement retailer."
About Ace Hardware
Throughout its 80-year history, Ace Hardware has been known as the helpful hardware store by both customers and communities. In 2007, Ace Hardware was ranked the “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Major Home Improvement Retail Stores” by J.D. Power and Associates in its inaugural study of the retail home improvement industry. With 4,600 hardware, home center and building materials stores that generate annual retail sales of more than $12 billion, Ace is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace currently operates 14 distribution centers in the U.S. and a warehouse in Shanghai, China, and its retailers’ stores are located in all 50 states and 60 countries. More information about Ace can be found at www.acehardware.com.