The Australian Hardware Journal reports in its October issue that a small independent retailer has launched a campaign to get the government to legislate against what it considers to be unfair competition from big corporate rivals. 

Loganholme Mitre 10 shares a car park with a so-called ‘big box’ store but it also has two more big boxes within an 8km radius, says the magazine's editor, Christine Bannister.

The intense battle for sales has led store owner Ian Gill (pictured outside his store) to take his fight to the Federal Government. He is currently distributing two petitions – one pushing for government legislation that will prevent corporate stores moving into the immediate target market of small independent businesses. The second advocates action to prevent corporate businesses from obtaining brand exclusivity.

He says the petitions are all about securing more protection for small independents.