The home improvement and hardware retail sector has been hit by a string of retailer closings this year that will continue through the end of 2025. Industry experts have predicted reduced growth in the home improvement market this year and lower sales projections, according to a Home Improvement Research Institute report in September. The institute in September slashed its annual consumer sales projection in half to a 1.3% increase. It had projected a 2.6% increase in June. It also adjusted its annual pr ...