We use the Mitre 10 in Lowood. Smallish hardware, but with "most things" I'll ever need.
I was in Repco Gatton the other day and asked where the hardware store was and got told we didn't have one.
Getting to buy everything in one place these days is a huge benefit.
A few months ago, I was chasing some particular springs I needed to repair a Mini front seat.
Went to Bunnings, they had 4 of what I needed out of 16.
The young bloke said, go to XYZ bolts and fasteners, they'll have them and be cheaper.
Left Bunnings Gympie to the north part of town.
Didn't have any of them, but told to try ABC Bolts and Bits.
Had nothing, so back to the southern end of town to Mitre 10 and they had 2.
I ended up back at Bunnings, talking to the same guy and ended up buying much longer springs to bring home and shorten to do the job.
Pain in the arse, should've just stayed at Bunnings in the first place
The convenience of everything under one roof is a massive bonus.
As Rumpig was talking about loyalty, in Tin Can Bay, there is one servo and he holds everyone to ransom with fuel prices etc.
If Woolies ever open a servo as they've planned, the Tin Can outlet will piss and moan for ever and a day about no loyalty, I guarantee it.
If the dickhead realized, most people fuel up at Goomborian on the way to or from Gympie, he'd be a bit smarter, you would think.
Then again, maybe not.....