An example of how to survive as a retailer in a world full of big box stores

Geography - I live in a densely populated part of Connecticut. Several local hardware stores seem to be thriving. There are Home Depot stores 10 miles in one direction and 15 miles in the other. but the hassle of traveling 10 or 15 miles on heavily traveled roads leads me and others to frequent these hardware stores.

Service & Price - Recently I shopped for a snowblower. I ended up purchasing one at my local garden store for the same price I would have paid at Home Depot yet the garden store assembled and tested the unit and delivered it! I hope the garden store is thriving. I have both the snowblower and my lawn tractor serviced there. In fact, its my understanding that if you purchase John Deere equipment at HD, it recommends you have it serviced at a local JD dealer.