Competition hits, independents respond

Which of the three is the biggest threat to the independent home improvement retailer -- Amazon.com, Home Depot or Walmart?

HBSDealer.com put that question to Orgill CEO Ron Beal during a recent interview. His answer: “All of the above,” he said. “These and others.” The good news, he said, is that independents are finding ways not only to survive, but thrive in the competitive landscape.

Beal, the 2014 Home Channel Hall of Fame inductee, explained that change is a constant, and that competition is a given.

“There are plenty of successful retail companies out there that compete with independents, and that’s always been true,” said Beal. “Thirty years ago, this list would have been different, but we still would have had a list.”

Ten years from now, there’s a good chance the list of key competitors will have new names, he said.

“There’s no lack of competition, and still the independent home improvement retailer has found a way for a long period of time to remain viable and stable,” he said. “And there are thousands of successful entrepreneurial, independent home improvement retailers out there, and they have found ways to creatively and effectively service their local markets.”

More from the Ron Beal interview will be included in the August issue of Hardware + Building Supply Dealer.