BUNNINGS GOES ON THE OFFENSIVE IN BATTLE OF HARDWARE STORES

THE BATTLE of the hardware stores has intensified. Bunnings plans to open at least 12 more warehouses and small outlets across NSW in the next three years as part of a $420 million expansion campaign.

Metcash pounces on Mitre 10 as rivals circle

METCASH has unveiled a proposal to take over the struggling hardware group Mitre 10 and could be matched by at least two other bidders over the weekend, as the nation's $36 billion hardware sector encounters a wave of consolidation triggered by Woolworths' march into the industry.