Readers Respond: In defense of the hardware store

A recent HBSDaily newsletter linked to an article about a store closing in Indianapolis. The article in the Indianapolis Star and its headline, “Hard times for small hardware stores,” gave an inaccurate picture of the hardware business, according to some. Here is one response:

“It’s more than a bit ironic that shortly after the Indy Star published its retread of the oft-told story predicting the imminent demise of the independent neighborhood hardware store, thousands of Do it Best member-owners, vendors and company staff returned to the Indiana Convention Center for another outstanding Do it Best market. There, where we’ve gathered for nearly 40 years, our members enthusiastically embraced new programs and technology to grow their businesses and achieve their dreams.

"The pursuit of our No. 1 goal of helping independent member-owners grow has only gotten stronger -- and our retailers are seeing tremendous opportunities to add exciting new products, attract new customers and sell through more channels (e-commerce and commercial sales, to name a few) than ever before. They are investing in store expansions and adding new locations and competing head-to-head with the big boxes.

"Simply put, the tired narrative about how the small business owner is knocking at death’s door is simply false. True, retailers who have not adapted to the changing economy or focused on appealing to the changing tastes of today’s shoppers are probably struggling -- and it’s easy to blame someone else for those challenges.

"But the reality is that progressive, strategic independent businesses are winning, and we couldn’t be prouder of their successes. All one needs as proof is to look at member-owner Pat Sullivan and his Sullivan’s Hardware & Garden, another Indianapolis neighborhood hardware store. Pat just announced a $1 million expansion of his anchor store, doubling its size to serve even more customers. Clearly, he’s not afraid to compete and win -- and neither should the thousands of other independent home improvement retailers across the country.”

— Rich Lynch, VP marketing, Do it Best Corp.