Ace has plans for 80 new stores

In 2003 Ace Hardware increased consolidated wholesale sales by 4.3 per cent to attain a volume of US $ 3.159 bn (€ 2.465 bn). In the fourth quarter the internationally active cooperative achieved an 11.6 per cent increase with sales of US $ 836.4 mio (€ 652.6 mio). Ace recorded a net income of US $ 100.7 mio (€ 78.6 mio), reaching a three-figure result for the first time ever. For this current year about 80 new openings with a combined retail space of approximately 150 000 m² are being planned. Included in the new openings and extensions in the year 2003 with a combined area in excess of 100 000 m² were stores in Indonesia, Fiji and Ireland. Ace also opened a buying office in Hong Kong.