RONA Launches the Latest rona.ca and New Mobile Application

BOUCHERVILLE, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Aug. 15, 2012) - RONA inc. (TSX:RON)(RON.PR.A), Canada's largest distributor and retailer of hardware, renovation and gardening products, is proud to unveil its brand new Web site and mobile application, allowing customers to discover the world of RONA brand through a completely transformed shopping experience.

The new rona.ca site offers consumers a more inspiring look and user-friendly interface while informing and guiding them in their renovation or decoration projects based on their personal interests. It also allows shoppers to evaluate and comment on some 30,000 products online, and even share their experiences with other users. They can now get information about the latest trends and products in renovation and decoration as well as current promotions in their area.

Delivery to the nearest store or to the customer's home

Customers are initially prompted to select their favourite RONA store for pricing and availability information on products of interest, drop them in their shopping cart, and then decide to have the product delivered to their home or to pick them up directly from the store to enjoy extra expert advice and suggestions on complementary products to improve their renovation projects and meet any of their needs. Through rona.ca, stores also benefit from up-to-date information on distribution centre inventories, ensuring that customers get the products they order.

"Given that seven Canadians in ten use the Internet to do their pre-shopping or online shopping, we can easily understand why rona.ca is the cornerstone of our new digital platform strategy," said Karim Salabi, Executive Vice President, Marketing, at RONA. Mr. Salabi also added that the website allows the customer to choose his/her favourite store within our network, offering a greater flexibility.

The portable rona.ca

RONA's new mobile application, available for the Apple iPhone, gives access to rona.ca, in addition to a variety of other useful information, including the following:

• All products available on rona.ca, as well as inventory available at the customer's chosen store
• RONA flyers
• Promotions and coupons
• Information about specific stores (address, business hours, etc.)
• Bar code reader for easier price comparison

"The new mobile application uses advanced technology that enables RONA to continue innovating with the aim of offering customers an efficient, engaging, modern and distinctive shopping experience," said Louise Levesque, RONA's Senior Director, e-Business.

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 www.rona.ca for more information.