Originally Posted by skyactiv
The few that have survived where I live specialize in products lines not sold at big box retailers and also provide service work.
Example of a high end Ace hardware in the county I reside in.
It's true, there was a hardware store down the street from me that was also a small engine place and the closest STIHL dealership. However, even HD and Canadian Tire have Knipex on the shelves now.
I think the real problem is that box stores are more relevant to 2020: People don't want nuts and bolts to fix things, they want to replace it at the lowest price possible. That's why box stores sell appliances. I could see a business that is targeted at providing professionals with building supplies as well as being useful to DIYers (no or low minimum orders, open late(r) on weekends, actual cashiers instead of an order desk, tool rental etc) but most people call professionals to wrench on their stuff now-a-days, so serving them would be the bread and butter.
The few that have survived where I live specialize in products lines not sold at big box retailers and also provide service work.
Example of a high end Ace hardware in the county I reside in.
It's true, there was a hardware store down the street from me that was also a small engine place and the closest STIHL dealership. However, even HD and Canadian Tire have Knipex on the shelves now.
I think the real problem is that box stores are more relevant to 2020: People don't want nuts and bolts to fix things, they want to replace it at the lowest price possible. That's why box stores sell appliances. I could see a business that is targeted at providing professionals with building supplies as well as being useful to DIYers (no or low minimum orders, open late(r) on weekends, actual cashiers instead of an order desk, tool rental etc) but most people call professionals to wrench on their stuff now-a-days, so serving them would be the bread and butter.