Independent home improvement chains face intense competition from major big-box retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s, which has resulted in the smaller competitors having financial distress and, in some cases, filing for bankruptcy.
Home Depot dominated the home improvement sector, capturing 28% of the market in 2025, with Lowe’s owning 17% of the market and Amazon generating 11% of the sector’s sales, according to the Numerator Home Improvement Tracker.
The big three retailers captured about 56% of sales last year, while smaller chains and retailers struggled to generate enough revenue to remain comfortably in business.
Home Value Store files for bankruptcy
Revenue issues have led home improvement supplies retail chain Home Value Store to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, facing legal claims from creditors.
The Hialeah, Fla.-based debtor Home Value Store II LLC filed its Subchapter V petition, No. 26-17280, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida on June 2, listing $1 million to $10 million in assets and $500,000 to $1 million in liabilities, according to PacerMonitor.
Home Value Store did not state a specific reason for filing for bankruptcy in its petition.
The debtor’s largest creditors include the U.S. Small Business Administration, owed $350,000; the Florida Department of Revenue, owed over $303,000; Porsche Financial, owed $40,000; Quality Millwork Solutions, owed over $33,000 from a civil lawsuit; Marisol Navarro, owed $30,000 from a civil lawsuit; and the Internal Revenue Service, owed over $24,000, according to court papers.
Home Value Store has 3 Florida locations
Home Value Store is a family-run home improvement chain, founded in 2015 and operating three locations: Home Value Store I in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Home Value Store II in Hialeah, Fla., and Home Value Store III in Bartow, Fla.
The retail chain specializes in providing functional hardware, laminate flooring, kitchen, bath, and furniture accessories, decorative finishes, moldings, high-tech surfaces, wood coatings and finishes, and acrylic panels.
The stores serve contractors, builders, remodelers, and homeowners in South Florida.
The building supplies retailer has a fleet of 15 trucks for the prompt delivery of products to its customers.
Weak housing market affects demand
A major reason for struggles in the home improvement sector has been a challenging housing market and consumers’ reluctance to spend on renovation projects.
Home Depot’s Chief Financial Officer Richard McPhail noted problems with the housing market during a February earnings call.
“The housing turnover has remained at historic lows since 2023, which has significantly reduced demand for projects and other purchases associated with buying and selling a home,” McPhail said in the company’s quarterly earnings call in February 2026, according to MarketBeat.
Home Depot reported a sales decline of 3.8% in its fourth quarter of 2025, ending Feb. 1, 2026, though its annual sales still rose by 3.2%.
Wren Kitchens files bankruptcy liquidation
Another major home improvement chain, Wren Kitchens, which had showrooms in Home Depot stores under a strategic partnership, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation on April 24, 2026, according to Bankruptcy Observer, and abruptly closed its 15 brick-and-mortar retail stores on the East Coast.
“Wren Kitchens has alerted us that they’ve ceased operations in the United States, which includes closing their showrooms in our stores,” Home Depot said in a statement to WFSB-TV in Rocky Hill, Conn.
“We had no previous notice of Wren’s intent to close, and we’re actively evaluating how this has affected Wren customers to help those who may have questions or issues. For questions about operations, please contact Wren directly,” the statement concluded.
The U.K.-based home improvement retailer’s parent, Wren US Holdings Inc., posted a message on its website announcing the closing.
“We regret to inform you that our showrooms and studios are now closed. If you require assistance, please click button and complete the form,” the message said. The message included a green “Click for form” button for customers to use.
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