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Hardware stores (in a number of countries, "shops"), sometimes known as DIY stores, sell household hardware for home improvement including: fasteners, hand tools, power tools, keys, locks, hinges, chains, plumbing supplies, electrical supplies, cleaning products, housewares, tools, utensils, paint, and lawn and garden products directly to consumers for use at home or for business. Many hardware stores have specialty departments unique to its region or its owner's interests. These departments include hunting and fishing supplies, plants and nursery products, marine and boating supplies, pet food and supplies, farm and ranch supplies including animal feed, swimming pool chemicals, homebrewing supplies and canning supplies.〔Hardware stores sell hardware for carbonation. ("A Do-It-Yourselfer Taps His Effervescent Spirit" ), Lawrence Downes, October 10, 2007, ''The New York Times''〕〔("Tools Small Hardware Stores Can Use. Independents are looking for ways to fight off their big-box counterparts. Their reputations for quality service may help" ), Douglas McMillan, September 15, 2006, Businesweek magazine〕〔() ''Entrepreneur'' 〕 The five largest hardware retailers in the world are The Home Depot, Lowe's (both of the United States), Kingfisher of the United Kingdom, Obi of Germany, and Leroy Merlin of France. ==United States== Larger hardware stores may sell small amounts of building supplies including lumber, flooring, roofing materials and fencing. Such stores are often referred to as home-improvement centers or home centers. There may be fewer hardware stores in the U.S. now than in years past, but according to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were still 14,300 hardware stores in the U.S. in 2005, employing on average 10 employees each.〔(The US Census )〕 Even in the face of competition from large chain stores (commonly referred to as big-box or destination hardware stores, e.g., The Home Depot, Lowe's and Menards) new hardware stores in the U.S. are still opening all the time.〔("Nailing its niche. Ace Hardware's focus on service and convenience has pushed up sales as it competes against big-box chains such as Home Depot" ) Dave Carpenter and The Associated Press, January 22, 2007, Los Angeles Times〕 In the U.S. there are four major nationwide wholesale suppliers to hardware stores. All four report more than $1 billion (US Dollars) in sales annually.〔(The U.S. Security and Exchange Commission Fillings )〕 Three of them operate as retailers' cooperatives: Do It Best Corp, from Fort Wayne Indiana, True Value Company from Chicago Illinois and Ace Hardware from Oakbrook Illinois.〔 Hardware store owners purchase stock in these suppliers and are "members" and "owners" as well as customers. A hardware store may choose to include the name of the cooperative in the advertised name of the store. The fourth nationwide supplier is Orgill, Inc., a traditional wholesale organization that does not operate as a cooperative. Hardware stores also purchase from a variety of regional wholesalers and specialty manufacturers. Regional wholesalers in the Distribution America cooperative are Blish-Mize, Emery-Waterhouse, Florida Hardware, Handy Hardware, HDW, Inc, Jensen Distribution Services, Monroe Hardware, and United Hardware.〔(Distribution America Distributor Members )〕 Other retailers' cooperatives are PRO Group and Val-Test Distributors. Manufacturers include Black & Decker, Ingersoll Rand, Masco, Rubbermaid and Weber. Some hardware stores operate rental businesses as part of the primary business, and rent for public use construction tools and/or party supplies. The major hardware cooperatives provide brand name rental advertising and support for hardware store owners including Just Ask Rental, Party Central, Grand Rental Station and Taylor Rental, all four of which are brands owned by the True Value Company. Elwood Adams Hardware of Worcester, Massachusetts claims to be the oldest operating hardware store in the United States, having begun business in 1782.〔(Elwood Adams Hardware ) History〕〔("In Ridgefield, Farewell to a Family Business" ) Jay Axelbank, May 31, 1998, ''The New York Times''〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「hardware store」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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