From the CEO:

A Little Love for Local Hardware❤️

My wife works for Hallmark, so I am always thinking ahead to the next holiday. We know too well that February is known for Valentine’s Day, a time when we’re reminded to pause, reflect, and show appreciation for the people and relationships that matter most. While the holiday is often associated with cards, chocolates, and flowers (and managing my wife’s expectations around those), it also offers a timely reminder of something we don’t always say enough in business: THANK YOU.

At Midwest Hardware Association, our members are at the heart of everything we do. Independent hardware stores, home centers, and the people who power them are the backbone of local communities across the Midwest. You are employers, problem-solvers, trusted advisors, neighbors, and that’s something worth celebrating.

The hardware industry has always been built on relationships. I remember well my Dad’s social time in Verona WI when he would go to the hardware store on Saturday morning. Long before online shopping and big-box competitors, success in this business came down to trust, service, and knowing your customers by name. That hasn’t changed. In fact, in today’s fast-moving and often impersonal world, those relationships matter more than ever.



As I met with MHA employees one-on-one in December right after I started, I was so pleased to hear their excitement about each of you. Relationships with clients is the number one joy of our business.

This month, I encourage you to take a moment to show appreciation as well. Thank your employees for their hard work and dedication. Recognize a long-time customer. Support another local business. These small gestures build loyalty, trust, and culture—inside your store and beyond its walls.

And on behalf of our entire team at Midwest Hardware Association, please know how grateful we are for you. Your membership is not something we take lightly. We are honored to serve you and remain committed to delivering real value, real support, and real connection, beyond Valentine’s Day and into the future.

Happy Valentine’s Day and thank you for being part of the MHA family.

Warm regards,

Todd Kuckkahn

CEO, Midwest Hardware Association

January 12, 2026, | Justin Ladner (from SHRM.org)

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) jobs report on Jan. 9 showed modest employment growth in December 2025, concentrated in a handful of industrial sectors, while the unemployment rate ticked down slightly.

 

Collectively, this report depicted mixed labor market conditions. On the one hand, employment growth has clearly slowed significantly compared to recent years, including consistent declines in some sectors. Even so, this report offered tentative signs that the labor market might be stabilizing after a very uneven year. 

What Do These Findings Mean for You?

The latest BLS jobs report ends the year with a muddied view of labor market conditions. Employment growth might be stabilizing after a volatile year and falling unemployment and labor underutilization rates are encouraging. However, it is undeniable that employment growth and overall labor market conditions cooled dramatically in 2025. Despite a roaring stock market and strong economic growth, this weakness will continue to concern policymakers heading into 2026.

Even so, this latest jobs report seems unlikely to shift the Federal Reserve’s short-term approach to interest rates. After a series of interest rate cuts to end 2025, many observers have said they believe that 2026 will bring further cuts, though their timing and magnitude remain unclear. unclear.



Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official views of Midwest Hardware Association.