Home Improvement Stores Face Closures

0:00It's April 19th. You're listening to Durham News today, AI-powered local news. I'm Corey with the story. Home improvement stores had a rough 2025, hit hard by a slow housing market, and folks holding back on big buys amid economic jitters. Home Depot, the top dog with 28% of the market, saw fourth quarter sales drop 3.8% ending February 1st, 20, 26, even though yearly sales climbed 3.2%. Those grabs 17%, Amazon 11%, leaving independence scrapping for the rest. Smaller chains in family spots like Ace Hardware and do it best are feeling the squeeze from those giants, leading to widespread closures when they can't compete or sell out. Retailers are calling it quits to cut losses or retire, liquidating stock at deep discounts to clear inventory. Take Miller's Hardware in Winter Park, Florida, an 80-year-old family biz run by the third generation. They open in 1945, expanded once, but lost the air in 2019, killing growth plans.

1:03Now they're shutting the flagship store by Maison, selling off top brands like DeWalt and Milwaukee without a peep on financial woes. Meanwhile, another. Do it best member, Central Center Hardware and Chilacothe, Ohio, Lockdoors, April 10th after 49 years, blaming tough. Retail Times. Owners shared heavy hearts online, but the patterns clear Indies folding under pressure. As big boxes adapt, these closures signal deeper shifts in how we shop for home fixes, with more empty lots ahead, unless the economy turns.