Neighborhood store recognized with corporate award

Sunshine Ace Hardware has been recognized for its commitment to providing exemplary customer service by Ace Hardware Corporation. During its annual Pinnacle conference, the nation’s largest hardware cooperative bestowed the highest “Pinnacle Performance Retailing” recognition to its top-performing stores, including Sunshine Ace Hardware.

With more than 5,200 stores across the world, Ace Hardware selects only a few hundred of its retailers for this prestigious Pinnacle status. Sunshine Ace Hardware, which operates nine stores throughout Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Pinellas counties, received the recognition for eight of its locations.

To achieve the “Pinnacle Performance Retailing” designation, Ace Hardware stores must successfully perfect the overall shopping experience. There are 12 different performance drivers in all to determine the ranking, including performance, product, training programs, support of national events and mystery shoppers.

With a commitment to delivering sunshine, Sunshine Ace Hardware implements a number of programs that promote company-wide success through knowledgeable and friendly customer service, including “Helpful Certification,” the foundational element of Ace’s “Certified Ace Helpful” retail training curriculum. To become certified, Ace Hardware associates complete a variety of customer service courses, followed by a week-long team-based certification event held by the retailer.

“Achieving Pinnacle Performance Retailing is a tremendous accomplishment for an Ace store,” said John Tovar, Vice President, Retail Operations and New Business, Ace Hardware Corporation. “We’re pleased to recognize Sunshine Ace Hardware and its associates for their outstanding achievements, and proud to say they are a part of the Ace family.”

“Throughout our more than 60 years in business, our one-of-a-kind shopping experience, trusted advice and legendary service has positioned Sunshine Ace Hardware as the go-to destination in Southwest Florida for home repair, sporting goods, and maintenance solutions,” said Michael Wynn, Sunshine Ace Hardware president. “The satisfaction from our valued customers is what we aim for daily, but receiving this recognition certainly validates our team’s continuous dedication and efforts that Southwest Florida residents value.”

About Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with more than 5,200 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 65 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; Colon, Panama; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.

About Sunshine Ace Hardware

Family owned and operated since 1958, Sunshine Ace Hardware serves Southwest Florida with nine locations in Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Pinellas counties staffed by a long-term, friendly and knowledgeable team. In addition, the company operates two Sunshine Commercial Paint & More locations in Collier County. Focused on customer service, Sunshine Ace employees are best known for building relationships and going above and beyond to help solve a home repair or maintenance issue or to simply guide customers to the right tool for the job. For in-home support, Sunshine Ace provides a range of professional services such as rod-tip repair, screen, glass and equipment repairs. Free delivery and assembly is also provided on items such as grills, power tools, mulch, soil and more. Sunshine Ace offers a wide variety of products including plumbing, hardware and electrical supplies, houseware, fishing gear, power equipment, paint, painting supplies and more. Sunshine Ace proudly carries quality brands including Benjamin Moore paints, Scotts lawn and garden products, Craftsman tools, STIHL power tools, Weber and Big Green Egg grills, as well as Penn and Shimano fishing gear. In addition to serving residential clients, Sunshine Ace services commercial accounts, with flexible options to support contractors in managing and growing their business. For locations and hours, visit www.SunshineAce.com.