RONA re-discovers Canada's natural beauty

RONA launches new paint and primer in one; invoking the Group of Seven

TORONTO, April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Today, RONA, the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, home renovation and gardening products, launched its latest home improvement offering - the RONA Collection paint and primer in one. Inspired by Canada's natural beauty, the new shade selection brings together Canada's most iconic natural backdrops including greys from the Canadian Shield, greens from the pines of Quebec, tranquil blues from the Pacific ocean and hues of yellow from the wheat fields of Alberta.

To celebrate this launch, RONA has commissioned seven Canadian interior designers to showcase the RONA Collection paint and primer in one through their respective regional colour palettes. Drawing on talent from across the country, with the original Group of Seven as inspiration, RONA has gathered this elite group of interior designers to create and share colour palettes that capture the unique beauty in each of Canada's diverse regions.

"Canada's natural beauty was the ideal inspiration for our new RONA Collection paint and primer in one," said Marie-Soleil Tremblay, Merchandising Director. "Canadians can now bring the beauty of nature into their home, and be confident that they are using a product that offers high end finish to their décor."

RONA Collection paint and primer in one
The RONA Collection paint and primer in one provides great value, and a fast and easy way to put a fresh face on your home. The new line of paint can be applied to any surface, previously painted or not. The paint eliminates the need for a primer, reducing the number of coats. It is ready to use, with no thinning required. The 100% acrylic latex paint is easy to apply, has minimal odour, dries quickly, and like all RONA products is formulated with the environment in mind.

As a leader in sustainability, RONA has had a used-paint recovery program at its Quebec stores since 1996. The program has now been extended to stores in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia and this spring; the Atlantic regions.

RONA's Group of 7
To celebrate the launch of the new RONA Collection paint and primer in one, RONA has brought together seven of Canada's top interior designers to create the RONA's Group of 7; tapping their talent to create custom colour palettes representing the regions of Canada.

Teresa Ryback (Victoria, BC), LeAnne Bunnell (Calgary, AB), Rob Everitt (Winnipeg, MB), Roy Banse (Toronto, ON), Ulya Jensen (Ottawa, ON), Jean de Lessard (Montreal, QC), and Denise Hermanson (Halifax, NS) have selected a rich tapestry of colours from the 1345 RONA Collection shades that will allow do-it-yourselfers to reveal Canada's natural beauty in their home's décor. All shades are available in the RONA Collection paint and primer in one.

Much like the original Group of Seven, RONA's designers looked to Canada's natural areas and architecture to create their colour wheels. Denise Hermanson's brisk shades capture the classic crispness of the Maritimes, while Teresa Ryback's moody tones embody Western Canada's lush temperate forests. Canadians can choose from a variety of palettes, or compose their own colour wheels to capture their favorite region of our vast country. To help customers make their selection RONA has created a selection of 15 trendy shades, 50 neutrals and 10 whites on larger paint selectors. These colours are available in matte and velvet finishes, as well as a special non-toxic formula designed for use in children's rooms.

"Canadians love nature. Renewing your living space with a spring coat of paint is an easy way to capture nature's beauty in your own home", says Roy Banse, owner of Roy Banse Design and RONA's Group of 7 member. "From the dark green cedars of Vancouver Island, to the rusty red dirt of P.E.I., Canada's natural colours are available at RONA this spring."

The spring themed colour wheels created by RONA's Group of 7 will be featured on RONA's

Facebook page and Pinterest page, as well as in select RONA locations across the country. Canadians can view and share these colour palettes at http://www.facebook.com/ronainc.

RONA Collection paint and primer in one is available across Canada starting at $43.99 for 3.78 litres.

About RONA
RONA inc. (TSX: RON,RON.PR.A), is the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, home renovation and gardening products and operates a network of more than 800 corporate, franchise and affiliate stores of various sizes and formats. With close to 30,000 employees working under its family of banners in every region of Canada, the RONA store network generates more than $6 billion in annual retail sales. Visit rona.ca

SOURCE RONA inc.