what about mitre 10, page-2

As you note, WOW kicked the tyres of MITRE 10, but in the end they couldn't make it work. Nor can anyone else overcome Mitre 10's fundamental issue: It doesn't own the huge number of stores it supplies, it only acts as buying coop. And the independent retailers who consitute the MITRE 10 brand have some rights and privileges that mean no business partner/owner can dictate totally to them.

Danks has some, but not all of the same problems. It is basically a wholesaler. As its website says 'Danks services around 600 independently owned and operated retailers who are members of Danks’ marketing groups Home Timber & Hardware, Thrifty-Link Hardware and Plants Plus Garden Centres and more than 1200 non affiliated stores nationally.' But, at least unlike Mitre 10, it is an ASX-listed business with shareholders for whom it tries to make a profit! There still will be some conflicting pressures being WOW-owned and servicing both WOW 'big box' hardware stores, and 'Mom & Pop' stores nationwide.

Danks' business model is much like Metcash's wholesale/'IGA brand owner' model in hardware instead of groceries. So Metcash could be a logical player, since they obviously know how to deal with customers who are independent retailers.