Home Improvement Store
Japanese Name:
ホームセンター
Romaji Name:
hoomusentaa
Description
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A home center is a large retail store that sells tools, materials, and goods for home improvement.
It typically offers items like hardware, paint, lumber, gardening supplies, and appliances.
Some also include furniture, cleaning products, and pet supplies.
Customers range from DIY hobbyists to professional contractors.
Home centers are designed for one-stop shopping for home-related needs.
They are usually located in suburban areas with large parking lots.
Many stores have in-house services like key cutting, delivery, or repair.
In Japan, stores like Cainz, Komeri, and DCM are popular examples.
History
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The concept began in the United States in the mid-20th century.
Stores like Home Depot (1978) and Lowe’s grew rapidly during the DIY boom.
They combined hardware stores, lumberyards, and garden centers into one space.
In Japan, home centers appeared around the 1970s to meet suburban housing growth.
They evolved to serve both rural and urban customers with a wide product range.
Japanese home centers often adapt to local needs, such as disaster supplies.
In the 2000s, many expanded into online sales and logistics services.
Today, home centers are essential for everyday home maintenance and lifestyle products.