RONA inc. is entering the final stage of a multi-year transformation that will see all of its corporate and affiliated stores aligned under a unified national brand. The Canadian home improvement retailer announced that 10 additional locations will be converted to the RONA+ banner during 2026, marking the conclusion of a sweeping rebranding effort that began following Lowe’s exit from the Canadian market.
The latest announcement includes one RONA L’entrepôt location and nine RONA Home & Garden stores, with conversions planned across British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Once completed, the move will bring RONA’s entire retail network into alignment under either the RONA+ or RONA banners, eliminating the remaining legacy formats that have persisted through several ownership and strategic transitions.
“These last conversions mark the end of an important phase, as all our stores will now be aligned with the RONA+ and RONA banners across the country. Our customers appreciate our RONA+ stores and our teams are very committed. I am so proud of the many milestones we’ve reached over the past 24 months. We are continuing our transformation to provide our customers with a unique experience by offering them the right product, at the right price, with great service,” said J.P. Towner, President and Chief Executive Officer of RONA inc.
Final Stores Slated for Conversion Across Canada
The stores scheduled for conversion reflect a mix of major urban centres, suburban markets, and regional hubs, underscoring RONA’s intention to deliver a consistent retail experience nationwide. Locations confirmed for conversion include Kelowna in British Columbia, Toronto’s Stockyards district, Barrie, Kingston, Scarborough, and Nepean in Ontario, as well as Calgary in Alberta and Saskatoon and Regina in Saskatchewan.
RONA confirmed that all 10 locations will be converted during 2026, although individual timelines have not yet been disclosed. The company noted that store teams will remain in place throughout the process, ensuring continuity for customers while the physical environments are refreshed and modernized.
What the RONA+ Format Brings to Stores
The RONA+ banner has been positioned as an upgraded retail concept designed to better serve both professional contractors and do-it-yourself customers. Converted stores are expected to feature expanded PRO departments, enhanced kitchen programs with additional demonstrations, refreshed seasonal sections, and broader modernization throughout the sales floor.
“At RONA+, PRO customers and DIYers can enjoy an enhanced shopping experience. In addition to great prices and flexible payment options, soon-to-be-converted stores will feature an expanded PRO department, a new program in the kitchen department with more demos, a revamped look in the seasonal section and a general modernization of the store. Our goal is to offer more to our customers, while keeping the same teams of experts they know and love,” said Sylvain Proulx, Senior Vice-President, Store Operations at RONA inc.
The emphasis on service, layout clarity, and professional-focused offerings reflects wider changes in the home improvement sector, where retailers are competing not just on price, but on experience, expertise, and convenience.
The Long Road Back to a Unified Canadian Brand
The completion of the RONA+ store conversions brings closure to a period of significant upheaval that began when Lowe’s Companies Inc. acquired RONA in 2016 and later struggled to integrate its Canadian operations. That experiment ended in late 2022 when Lowe’s sold its Canadian business to Sycamore Partners, effectively exiting the market after years of underperformance.
Following the sale, RONA re-established itself as an independent Canadian company, headquartered in Boucherville, Quebec, and quickly moved to simplify a complex network of banners that included Lowe’s, Réno-Dépôt, RONA, and Dick’s Lumber. The strategy focused on restoring a clear Canadian identity while improving operational efficiency and reducing customer confusion, as detailed in the background material provided.
Since 2023, RONA has rolled out successive waves of RONA+ store conversions across the country, gradually phasing out legacy formats. In late 2024, the company confirmed that RONA would become its sole retail brand in Canada, formally closing the chapter on the Lowe’s banner.
A National Network With Local Strength
Today, RONA inc. operates and services more than 425 corporate and affiliated stores under the RONA+, RONA, and Dick’s Lumber banners, supported by approximately 21,000 employees nationwide. A distinguishing feature of the business remains its hybrid model, which combines corporate-owned locations with a large network of independent dealer-owned stores supplied through RONA’s wholesale operations.
That structure allows RONA to maintain a strong presence in both major urban markets and smaller communities, while preserving long-standing local relationships that have defined the brand for decades. The company has emphasized that its dealer network continues to play a central role in its national footprint.
