About Us

Founded in 1924 by a small group of Chicago hardware store owners, Ace changed the retail landscape by allowing individual stores to purchase merchandise in bulk to save money and buy at the lowest possible price.

Ace stores come in all sizes and shapes based on the needs of each individual neighborhood. We have small, urban stores, large rural stores and everything in between. Ace stores offer a wide variety of paint, lawn and garden, tools, local niche services and virtually anything you'll ever need to fix, repair and maintain your home. And of course, Ace is most certainly the place with the helpful hardware folks!

Why Ace?
ace values
The Brand
The Ace brand ranks among the top 100 most recognized brands in the world and is known as the place with the helpful hardware folks.

Our investment in our brand has lead to 92% brand awareness among consumers.
INTEGRITY
Our team practices the highest ethical standards and honor our promises and commitments.

EXCELLENCE
Our team members strive to identify opportunities and solve problems while increasing our value to our customers.

PEOPLE
We recognize that our strength and our competitive advantage comes from our people.

National Advertising
2019 Media Spend
The Results
Ace Rewards

ACE REWARDS
MEMBERS:
48 MILLION+

Wholesale

WHOLESALE
REVENUE: $5.7 MILLION
(UP 4.7%)

Pre-Tax Returns

PRE-TAX RETURN ON EQUITY: 25.6%

Certified Ace Helpful

2,229 STORES BECAME HELPFUL CERTIFIED

The Supply Place

BUSINESS TO BUSINESS SALES GROWTH: 5.2%

Best in Class
The Ace Hardware brand is a favorite amongst hardware shoppers, even amongst the big box national chains. This is a direct result of our investment in our brand and core values. When it comes to customer convenience and satisfaction, Ace truly stacks up against the competition.

While other stores have become large and impersonal, at Ace, we've remained small and very personal. That's why we say a visit to Ace, is like a visit to your neighbor.

source: Ace Brand Tracking Study: Q1'18 – Q2'18 ~ % of past 30 day Ace shoppers who associate each brand with each statement.

Our Support

Each day, we are committed to providing helpful and superior customer satisfaction in the communities we serve, revolutionize the independent segment of our industry, and be the #1 hardware distributor in the convenience hardware industry. We're dedicated to the best provider of products, services and operating methods to convenience hardware retailers.

The Accolades
franchise 500
Entrepreneur's Franchise 500
#1 in our category on Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 List
franchise direct
FRANCHISE DIRECT
#17 on Franchise Direct Top 100 Global Franchises
franchise times
FRANCHISE TIMES
#5 on Franchise Times Top 200+ List
jd power
J.D. POWER
Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Home Improvement Retail Stores, 12 out of 13 Years*
temkin experience ratings
TEMKIN EXPERIENCE RATINGS
Ace Hardware tied for the top position in the retail category, and No. 7 overall across all industries
NCB Co-op 100 List
NCB Co-op 100 List
#9 on the NCB Co-op 100 List

Ace is The Place for Veterans

Ace Hardware will waive its $5,000 application fee for prospective Ace retailers who are also qualified U.S. veterans.

The Power of Rewards

Ace Rewards is the single most effective means of generating increased customer transactions.

  • 48 Million+ total members
  • Spend 17% more than non-members
  • Members can take advantage of product rebates instantly at checkout
  • 80% of members who shopped last year made a purchase this year
  • Ace Rewards Members make an average of 9 purchase annually
  • Average transaction of $25.76
Ace Foundation
Ace has been a proud partner of Children's Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals and the American Red Cross since 1991. Together Ace Retailers, customers, vender partners and Corporate team members have raised over $100 million for CMN Hospitals.
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