I am hoping to get in contact with someone who has experience in the tool distribution industry. Particularly power tools and machinery. I have a signed LOI with a 50-year-old business that has good cash flows. One of my worries about the business is the big box retailers taking over the space (Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.) My understanding is that most contractors will buy their tools from specialty stores like the one in question here.

Question for an industry expert:
Is it true that contractors buy from specialty stores?
If so, are the home depots of the world working to get into the space?

This particular business also repairs the tools they sell and has an online store that does 40% of the company's annual revenue.
As a novice to the industry, it seems to me that this industry is more likely than most to be pushed out in the near future by the big players.