Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
At the Do it Best and True Value 2026 Fall Market, members and retailers heard about the continued path of integration and innovation that Do it Best Group is following, with announcements about new technology rolling out for retailers and consumers and updates on the continued integration of the companies.
During the market, Hardware Retailing had the opportunity to sit down with Do it Best Group board of directors chair David Sturdivant, who provided insights on the board’s focus, how Do it Best Group helps retailers succeed and how the industry might evolve in the coming years. Sturdivant serves as the president of Russell Lands, which owns, manages and develops residential and commercial real estate, primarily along Lake Martin in Alabama. Russell Lands operates nine Russell Do it Centers and Russell Building Supply locations.
Hardware Retailing: What are the biggest issues the Do it Best Group board is thinking about today when it comes to the long-term health of independent home improvement businesses?
David Sturdivant: Our board is comprised solely of member-owners, and we are there to represent the membership. As such, every conversation we have comes back to the same question: Will this make independent retailers stronger? Naturally, our members want access to a wide range of products, at a good price, delivered on time. Of course, all independents are facing rising operational expenses and increased pressure on margins and therefore the need for distribution efficiency is more critical than ever.
Do it Best Group strives to be more than just a supplier, so as a board, we spend a fair amount of time discussing the need to continually improve the use of technology available for our members. As we all know, the speed at which new technology advances are happening is mind-boggling, so it is imperative that independents have the tools they need to compete and win.
Another issue we are facing is the increasing consolidation within our industry and the impact it has on independent retailers. It is really a question of how to best balance independence versus scale.
Hardware Retailing: From your unique point of view on the board and as a retailer, how is the Do it Best Group helping its members address those issues you mentioned and become more competitive for growth?
Sturdivant: From a Do it Best Group perspective, the board is very supportive and engaged in the accelerated optimization of our distribution network. The merger with United Hardware was a big move for Do it Best and then the acquisition of True Value soon thereafter was massive. The first order of business was to stabilize the operations for the retailers, but now there is an incredible amount of work being done by the Do it Best Group team to consolidate the network. Following the acquisition, we knew that there was significant redundancy within the distribution network, and the team is working hard to consolidate those centers, which will allow us to be one co-op with one distribution network, operated more efficiently by taking advantage of our size.
From a technology standpoint, Do it Best Group has some really exciting tools coming out to help our members grow, and it’s been amazing to me how fast these tools are being released to help our members. In addition to an outstanding e-commerce platform, there is an app being introduced to enhance the customer shopping experience by mobile phone.
There is also a new tool for store associates to use, Hardware IQ, which uses AI to help with projects and SKU-level questions at each location.
Do it Best Group is also continuing to improve the new Retail Pulse program, which puts real, tangible data into the hands of our members to help identify and solve underperforming areas of their stores. These new technologies are being developed and bundled by Do it Best Group for our members, and this is a great example of something that very few independents could do on their own.
Regarding the consolidation within the industry, I think it further strengthens the case for membership in a strong independent co-op. As suppliers, distributors and competitors become larger, an individual independent retailer can become increasingly disadvantaged. But, a network of thousands of independents operating with shared scale can be a powerful advantage. In our case, the Do it Best Group leadership team, and the board, is consistently pushing for the cooperative to become even more valuable to our members.
In the past, cooperatives were primarily centered on distribution and product assortment. Today, it goes so much further, and we want there to be a relationship, whereby Do it Best Group is a partner, and not just a vendor. Serving on the board for the past seven years has given me such a different perspective. We have been a part of the discussions and the strategic decisions that come from leading Do it Best through one of the most significant periods of change in its history, and I have never been more confident in the future of this company.
Hardware Retailing: What have you learned about the industry from sitting around a board table with owners and leaders whose businesses may look very different from yours?
Sturdivant: As you walk the market floor, it becomes obvious that we are not all made from the same mold and that there is tremendous diversity among our membership. The board is a reflection of that as well. It is so interesting to learn about the differences in terms of how we approach our markets. Our board, and our members in general, differ in size and scale, product mix, store formats and experience, and many of these are highly successful, proving that there is no single model for a successful member.
I believe that it helps Do it Best Group to be an even stronger business in that we have thousands of independent entrepreneurs solving problems, and they are usually happy to share success stories with others. Our members generally have a culture of sharing with fellow members and if they have found a better way to solve a problem, they want to tell another member about it. Retailers are developing lifelong friendships where they can pick up the phone and call each other to just bounce ideas off of people. Our diversity broadens that pipeline of great ideas; one of the strengths of Do it Best Group is that we don’t all have to look alike to learn from one another.
The cooperative also facilitates numerous roundtable groups whereby members meet once or twice a year to share information and discuss whatever topics and issues might be pertinent to those members, which is another great way to share solutions with one another. Our stores participate in one of those groups, and it has become an invaluable resource for us. Not only do we meet and discuss various issues, it also gives us a group of fellow members that we can reach out to at any time throughout the year to compare notes on anything that we need.
Hardware Retailing: You’ve had the unusual opportunity to operate businesses in several very different industries. What does the home improvement industry get right that other industries could learn from?
Sturdivant: I think that the independent home improvement dealers have a very distinct culture and identity that separate them from big-box retailers, and even retailers in other industries. They are passionate about helping customers accomplish something, and are problem-solvers, not just product sellers. I think there is also a special level of resourcefulness and adaptability, whereby independents often seem to have a “let’s figure out a way” sort of mentality. I also think that many independent home improvement businesses have been part of their community for many years, often several generations, and therefore are a trusted resource. There is just something special about this industry that simply gets stuff done.
Hardware Retailing: Five years from now, what will separate the independent home improvement retailers who are thriving from those who are struggling?
Sturdivant: I think that is an interesting question, particularly with all of the changes and advancements that have happened in just a few short years. For independents, the world around them will continue to be rapidly changing and it will be important to be willing to adapt to new technologies, new approaches and changing customer expectations. However, this industry has some very resilient entrepreneurs, and many have been taking care of their customers at a high level for a long time.
So I think the ones who will continue to thrive will be those who have successfully blended the best of the new with the best of the old. I think that once again shows the value of remaining independent and leveraging the resources that a cooperative like Do it Best Group can offer. Our members can embrace change and new technologies because they don’t have to go it alone, and they can lean on these improvements without having to abandon the strengths and core values that have sustained independent retailers for generations.
