Home Hardware Stores Ltd. announced the cancellation of its 2020 Spring Market, which was set to be held in Waterloo Region on April 5-7.

“The health and safety of the Home Hardware community, our dealer-owners, team members, suppliers, business partners and customers is, and will always be, our No. 1 priority,” said Kevin Macnab, president and CEO of Home Hardware Stores Ltd. “We understand that this is the first time in Home’s 56-year history that a market has been canceled. This event hosts over 7,500 attendees from across the country and we believe this precaution is necessary.”

“This was a difficult decision, but the safety of our Home Hardware community and those in the Waterloo Region is paramount,” he says.

Home Hardware is the latest wholesaler in the independent channel to cancel its market. Ace Hardware and Blish-Mize Co. also recently announced transitions from live events to virtual events.