COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 5251

Hardware Stores

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

22companies1883–1989founding years22still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedThe Boots Company PLCFoundedThe Boots Company PLC
1883
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedKingfisher plcFoundedKingfisher plc
1909
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedScotty's, Inc.
1925
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedLowe's Companies, Inc.FoundedLowe's Companies, Inc.
1952
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedHechinger CompanyFoundedHechinger Company
1959
FoundedPay 'N Pak Stores, Inc.
1961
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedGroupe Castorama-Dubois InvestissementsFoundedGroupe Castorama-Dubois Investissements
1969
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedGIB GroupFoundedGIB Group
1974
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedThe Home Depot, Inc.
1978
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedOrchard Supply Hardware Stores CorporationFoundedOrchard Supply Hardware Stores Corporation
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
FoundedEagle Hardware & Garden, Inc.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1994
TechnologyE-commerce begins to disrupt retail.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

The Boots Company PLC →
Active · founded 1883 · United Kingdom
The Boots Company PLC is one of the leading retailers in the United Kingdom, in addition to being a major manufacturer…
The Boots Company PLC →
Active · founded 1883 · United Kingdom
The Boots Company PLC is one of the leading retailers in the United Kingdom, in addition to being a major manufacturer…
Kingfisher plc →
Active · founded 1909 · United Kingdom
Based in London, Kingfisher plc is a major European retailing and property group.
Kingfisher plc →
Active · founded 1909 · United Kingdom
Based in London, Kingfisher plc is a major European retailing and property group.
Scotty's, Inc. →
Active · founded 1925
Scotty's, Inc.
Scotty's, Inc. →
Active · founded 1925
Scotty's, Inc.
Lowe's Companies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1952
Lowe's Companies, Inc., is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the United States (trailing Home Depot…
Lowe's Companies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1952
Lowe's Companies, Inc., is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the United States (trailing Home Depot…
Hechinger Company →
Active · founded 1959
One of the leading retailers in the do-it-yourself industry, Hechinger Company is also one of the industry pioneers.
Hechinger Company →
Active · founded 1959
One of the leading retailers in the do-it-yourself industry, Hechinger Company is also one of the industry pioneers.
Pay 'N Pak Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1961
Before its 1992 dissolution, do-it-yourself retailer Pay 'N Pak Stores, Inc.
Pay 'N Pak Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1961
Before its 1992 dissolution, do-it-yourself retailer Pay 'N Pak Stores, Inc.
Groupe Castorama-Dubois Investissements →
Active · founded 1969 · France
Groupe Castorama-Dubois Investissements operates the leading chain of DIY (do-it-yourself) and home improvement…
Groupe Castorama-Dubois Investissements →
Active · founded 1969 · France
Groupe Castorama-Dubois Investissements operates the leading chain of DIY (do-it-yourself) and home improvement…
GIB Group →
Active · founded 1974 · Belgium
GIB Group, Belgium's top retailer, is active in four sectors: supermarkets and hypermarkets; do-it-yourself (DIY) home…
GIB Group →
Active · founded 1974 · Belgium
GIB Group, Belgium's top retailer, is active in four sectors: supermarkets and hypermarkets; do-it-yourself (DIY) home…
The Home Depot, Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
The Home Depot, Inc.
The Home Depot, Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
The Home Depot, Inc.
Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corporation →
Active · founded 1986
A leading home improvement retailer in California, Orchard Supply Stores Corporation operates a chain of hardware…
Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corporation →
Active · founded 1986
A leading home improvement retailer in California, Orchard Supply Stores Corporation operates a chain of hardware…
Eagle Hardware & Garden, Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
A leading competitor in the home improvement industry, Eagle Hardware & Garden, Inc.
Eagle Hardware & Garden, Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
A leading competitor in the home improvement industry, Eagle Hardware & Garden, Inc.
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