Home Depot tries mini-box format

Home Depot tries mini-box format Home improvement retail giant Home Depot, trying to succor favor with the anti-'big box' consumer base, opened the doors on a new 'mini-box' test store in Concord Wednesday.
   The store is one of five in the Bay Area that will operate as consumer laboratories for the new format, all wrapped in a d'cor reminiscent of an old-time local hardware store. Compared to the typical 100,000-square-foot 'big box' store, the new stores are miniature, from 26,000 to 45,000 square feet.
   The retailer managed to squeeze the 'big box' contents into the smaller spaces by focusing on 'urban' products and services. Four out of the five stores do not carry lumber or contractor building materials, though the materials, and any other Home Depot products, are available for order at kiosks in the stores. The new format also gives more space to higher-end appliances, bathroom fixtures, and paint and repair items.
   The other 'mini-box' stores are located in Alamo, Petaluma, San Rafael and San Pablo