Major Hardware Companies
– Bunnings Warehouse, Mitre 10, and Danks (Home Timber & Hardware) in Australia
– Home Hardware, Rona, Canac, BMR Group, and Réno-Dépôt in Canada
– B&Q, Homebase, and Wickes in the UK
Hardware Stores in Different Countries
– Australia and New Zealand: Bunnings Warehouse, Mitre 10, and Danks in Australia; Bunnings, Mitre 10 New Zealand, and Hammer Hardware in New Zealand
– Canada: Home Hardware, Rona, Canac, BMR Group, Réno-Dépôt, Canadian Tire, Central, Kent Building Supplies, and Lowes
– China: Small, family-owned, non-franchise companies; specialty hardware stores exist in specific categories
– United Kingdom: B&Q, Homebase, Wickes; Bunnings entering the market in 2017
– United States: 14,300 hardware stores in 2005; Do It Best Corp, Ace Hardware, Orgill, Inc., and regional wholesalers as major suppliers
Unique Services in Hardware Stores
– American hardware stores offer services like repairing windows, power equipment, locks, and household items; making copies of keys; re-wiring lamps and vacuum cleaners; sharpening knives and cutting tools; making minor plumbing repairs; and operating rental businesses for construction tools and inflatable playhouses
Hardware Industry Trade Association
– The North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) provides training, resources, networking opportunities, and educational programs for hardware store owners in North America
Miscellaneous Information
– Indian hardware stores are mostly small businesses without major store chains
– Hardware industry associations and events: American Hardware Manufacturers Association, National Hardware Show, DIY Week, Entrepreneur, NRHA
– Notable publications: The New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider Australia, Los Angeles Times, APN News & Media
– Historical information: Elwood Adams Hardware claims to be the oldest operating hardware store in the US
– Statistics and data: US Census Bureau reported 14,300 hardware stores in the US in 2005Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardware_stores
