The hardware and farm-store industry has seen significant developments recently, with major players like Blain's Farm & Fleet, Tractor Supply, True Value, and Ace Hardware making strategic moves to enhance their service offerings and expand their reach.
Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has continued its expansion strategy with the acquisition of Orscheln Farm and Home.
This move is set to add approximately 167 stores to TSC's portfolio, significantly increasing its footprint in the Midwest and Southwest regions.
Additionally, TSC has been focusing on enhancing its e-commerce capabilities and introducing same-day delivery services to meet growing customer demand for convenience and speed.
True Value, a cooperative of independent hardware retailers, has launched a new initiative called "True Value On Demand," a same-day delivery service available in select markets.
This initiative aims to support local retailers in competing with larger chains by offering faster delivery times. True Value has also invested in digital transformation, improving its online platform.
Ace Hardware, known for its neighborhood-friendly stores, has been focusing on expanding its distribution network to enhance delivery speeds. The company has opened several new distribution centers across the United States, aiming to reduce delivery times and improve inventory management.
Ace has also partnered with various delivery service providers to offer same-day and next-day delivery options.
Lowe’s and Home Depot, two giants in the home improvement industry, have also made notable advancements in their delivery services.
Lowe’s recently expanded its same-day delivery capabilities through partnerships with Instacart and other third-party delivery services.
Home Depot, on the other hand, has been enhancing its "Buy Online, Deliver From Store" (BODFS) model, which leverages the extensive network of its physical stores to fulfill online orders quickly.
Additionally, Home Depot has invested in a new distribution network that includes several large distribution centers designed to handle increased online order volumes and expedite delivery times.
Blain’s Farm & Fleet has announced a new partnership with Roadie, a UPS company, to offer same-day delivery for over 60,000 products, including select oversized items.
The same-day delivery service was initially tested during the holiday season in December, resulting in a 738% surge in order volume and a 378% year-over-year increase in revenue compared to the same period in 2022.
Menards, a major Midwestern home improvement chain,has introduced a curbside pickup service and is testing same-day delivery options in select markets. Menards has focused on enhancing its e-commerce platform to provide a more user-friendly experience, allowing customers to easily browse and order.
