The home improvement sector is proving to be fertile ground for AI-powered solutions: both The Home Depot and Lowe’s were quick to introduce customer-facing AI tools last spring, just as generative AI was beginning to take off. Now Ace Hardware has introduced “Hey ARMA,” providing real-time support via handheld devices for associates in 2,300 Ace Hardware locations, and with plans for additional expansion to other stores in the hardware cooperative.
The tool has intentionally been built for internal support, designed to stay in the background while Ace Hardware associates remain front and center. “Ace retailers have always set themselves apart through service, expertise and trust,” said Andy Enright, SVP, Retail Strategy and Operations at Ace Hardware in a statement. “Our goal with Hey ARMA is to reinforce those strengths at scale, giving local store teams access to powerful tools while keeping the experience personal.”
Ace Hardware operators already are using the Hey ARMA technology in their stores. “After 78 years in the hardware business, Hey ARMA is one of the most impactful changes we’ve ever made to elevate the customer service experience,” said Bill Wygal, Owner of the two-store Bill’s Ace Hardware chain in California. “With the push of a button, our associates can quickly locate products, understand what they do and confidently recommend the right solutions for our customers.”
The Home Depot deployed Magic Apron, a proprietary customer-facing AI tool, in March 2025, and Lowe’s introduced the Mylow customer-facing AI app in March 2025. By January 2026, Mylow app users were converting at 2X the rate of non-users. Both retailers are using the AI tools for associate support as well as customer-facing interactions.
