Kroger said to eye Ace Hardware partnership

Kroger Co. and Ace Hardware have been in preliminary talks to open Ace Hardware locations inside Kroger stores, according to a report on TheStreet.com.

The report notes that Ace Hardware, whose retail outlets are independently owned and operated, has been seeking to expand its partnerships with other retailers. It debuted a 5,000-square-foot “Express” format in 2012 to operate in smaller markets and inside existing retail locations. Since that time, it has offered operators $150,000 to open store-within-a-store locations in retailers such a supermarkets and paint stores, TheStreet.com reported.

   ...more

RSK: Strange bedfellows in my book but hey some groceries and a little hardware...why not?

Ken Notes: I would be watching for Amazon to acquire a retailer like Ace or Kroger to help with creating a national delivery system which they need desperately...