Bunnings

Bunnings is Australia's major hardware retail group. It originated in Western Australia as part of the Bunnings family forestry empire. It was acquired by Wesfarmers in 1990s and merged with its own hardware business, Alco. Under the direction of Joe Boros, the business learned from the strategic success of Home Depot in the US and embarked on the rollout of the large format stores (warehouses) that are the retailers' core business today. Along the way, Wesfarmers purchased struggling rival big box retailer Hardwarehouse to establish a strong national position from which it has proved unassailable to date. The Bunnings Group is now based in Melbourne.