Australia’s consumer watchdog has given the go-ahead for grocery conglomerate Metcash to buy the country’s largest hardware franchise network Total Tools, as competition in the hardware market heats up.
Metcash owns the IGA supermarket chain in Australia, while it’s home improvement division, the Independent Hardware Group owns specialist hardware brands Mitre 10, Home Timber & Hardware, Thrifty-Link Hardware, True Value Hardware, and Hardings.
