Trimmer retailing industry promises better fitness. (do-it-yourself products industry)(includes...

"NOT all independent d-i-y retailers are going to survive," says Hal Marsolais, managing director of the National Retail Hardware Association. "On the other hand, not everyone is going to fold up their tent and go home."

Marsolais adds, "We rely on a number of sources, and we are confident that the number of independent stores is currently stable." Despite foreseeing a slight drop in the number of hardware stores in the distant future, Marsolais says the industry remains healthy. He scoffs at some predictions that the independent d-i-y retailing community is on its dea