Now playing in Tianjin, an Orgill hardware store

Memphis, Tenn.-based distributor Orgill is hoping the concept of convenience hardware retailing will take off in China. And to push the idea forward it has opened a store in Tianjin, with help from some partners.

The store, called HomeBasix, is a retail joint venture that showcases the benefits of convenience hardware retailing in the world's most populous country.

Orgill president and CEO Ron Beal told Home Channel News that the idea behind the HomeBasix store is to solicit retail entrepreneurs to operate similar stores throughout the country through licensing arrangements. For Orgill, which has been working on the concept for about three years, the ultimate goal is to create in China the same kind of hardware distribution system that Orgill operates in the United States.