Frank Wiese/AP Images
- Today, Home Depot and Lowe’s reign supreme in the home-improvement business.
- Back in the day, there were far more national and regional chains in the market.
- Check out these chains that declined and went out of business.
- Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.
When we talk about home-improvement retail, we’re essentially talking about two different companies: Home Depot and Lowe’s.
These two behemoth companies dominate the whole market. But that wasn’t always the case.
Read more: 12 department stores that disappeared before the retail apocalypse even began to rage
Throughout the 20th century, plenty of home-improvement chains sprung up around the US. But the business proved increasingly competitive and unforgiving over time.
Here are a number of home-improvement chains that have disappeared:
Builders Square launched in 1970 and grew quickly from there. Kmart bought the home-improvement retailer in 1984. Builders Square became a major player in the do-it-yourself business, but its downfall began after Kmart arranged a merger with rival Hechinger. When Hechinger filed to liquidate in 1999, all Builders Square stores shut down.
Tim Boyle/Getty Images
Source: Chicago Tribune, New York Times
Two brothers from New Jersey launched Rickel in 1953. The company expanded quickly and was bought up by Supermarkets General Corporation in 1969. The struggles of Rickel’s parent company, as well as a controversial 1995 lawsuit against Home Depot, hurt the home-improvement retailer. All Rickel stores had closed by the end of 1997.
LM Otero/AP Images
Source: New York Times, New York Times
Scotty’s Builders Supply first cropped up as Home Builders Supply in 1924 and changed its name in 1968. Scotty’s ultimately shuttered forever in 2005.
Scottnj1966 / Wikimedia Commons
Source: Orlando Sentinel
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
See Also:
- Home Depot could have been called ‘Bad Bernie’s Buildall’ if an early investor hadn’t intervened
- You can now return Amazon orders for free at all Kohl’s stores — here’s how it works
- More than 6,100 stores are closing in 2019 as the retail apocalypse drags on — here’s the full list
SEE ALSO: Here’s what Home Depot looked like when it first opened in 1979
DON’T MISS: Here’s what Costco looked like when it first opened in 1983
SEE ALSO: 50 foods that Costco employees and members love
Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (Áine Cain)