DeepPocketedE-tailersTarget Hardware

In trying to lower the hammer on their traditional brick and mortar counterparts, e-commerce visionaries, such as Amazon.com Inc., are opening up shop to get a chunk ofthe $145-billion home improvement market.

Amazon's Home Improvement store (www.amazon.com/homeimprovement) allows customers to browse through eight categories, including hardware, electrical and lighting, lawn and garden, plumbing, tools and painting supplies. Customer product reviews are also available.

To jump-start its new online offering, the firm acquired the mail-order operations of Tool Crib of the North, a tools and equipment catalog company.

"Tool Crib already has the largest selection of tools and equipment anywhere-online or off " said Joe Galli, Amazon.com president and chief operating officer. "Whether you're a contractor or a hobbyist, we've got the

C&E Lumber Company

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BVC brands you're looking for." He added that the acquisition did not include Tool Crib's five retail stores.

Shipping is $4.95 per shipment, regardless of whether customers buy a paint brush or a 500-lb. table saw.

HomeWarehouse.com, San Mateo, Ca., offers similar products, including Makita power tools and Moen faucets. Consumers can also choose from dozens of d-iy kits that reportedly supply everything needed to complete such basic projects as adding a homesecurity system and painting indoor and outdoor surfaces.

"HomeWarehouse.com empowers consumers by bringing home improvement solutions to the Internet," said Richard Shane, founder and president. "We provide an alternative to the long hours and frustration associated with the traditional home center experience,"

Not to be out done. Seattle-based Hardware.com's site (www.hardware.com) offers reportedly over 45,000 products, and is run by founder Tom Todaro, who, in June, purchased Superbuild.com, the first online home improvement store.

The site address was purchased from James Lumber, Poulsbo, Wa.

Orco Buys Junior's Tools

Orco Construction Supply, Livermore, Ca, has purchased Junior's Tools, Santa Ana, Ca.

Orco, which operates 22 branches throughout the western United States, expects the sale of Junior's 12 power tools specialty shops to close by the end of the year.

Mark Skolnick, Junior's founder and ceo. will remain with Orco.

A year ago, competitor White Cap Industries, Costa Mesa, Ca., backed out of a deal to purchase Junior's.