Sizing Up the Competition: 11 Major Retailers Vying for Tractor Supply‘s Rural & Farm Customers - History Tools (2024)

With over 2,000 stores spanning 49 states, Tractor Supply Company has dominated the rural lifestyle market, becoming the go-to retailer for homeowners, ranchers, and farmers. However, Tractor Supply competes with a range of players in the retail and online space.

In this article, we size up Tractor Supply against 11 major competitors across categories like farm equipment, home improvement, and pet supplies. Read on to see how these retailers stack up and where they pose the biggest threats to Tractor Supply‘s continued growth.

Rural/Farm Store Rivals: Battling for the Country Customer

Rural King – A Farm Store Showdown

Rural King provides Tractor Supply‘s closest competitor when it comes to catering to the rural customer. While significantly smaller with only around 120 stores in 13 states, Rural King mimics Tractor Supply‘s model. It stocks similar merchandise like livestock feed, tractor parts, tools, workwear, fencing, and agriculture equipment.

However, Rural King separates itself by selling tractors and providing a more robust selection of hardware and tractor tires. This greater product depth in key farm categories helps Rural King chip away at Tractor Supply‘s customer base. Rural King also tends to have lower prices on livestock feed and agriculture supplies.

Runnings – Growing in the North

Runnings presents another farm-focused outlet for the rural shopper. This regional chain has a decent footprint with 57 stores across 8 cold weather states like Minnesota and New York.

Runnings competes directly with Tractor Supply on products like agriculture supplies, tractors, mowers, livestock equipment, pet food, tools, and work boots. One advantage Runnings does have over Tractor Supply is its auto service centers for installation, repair, inspections, and more.

Blaine‘s Farm & Fleet – Midwest Charm

Operating 43 stores, Blaine‘s Farm & Fleet flourishes in America‘s heartland states – namely Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan. Blaine‘s has an extensive outdoors and agriculture inventory combined with other offerings like housewares, clothing, toys, and lawn & garden.

Its wide variety mirrors Tractor Supply while providing added convenience through onsite automotive service bays for oil changes, tire installations, battery replacement and more. Blaine‘s does lack Tractor Supply‘s southern presence but gives the company plenty of competition in the Midwest.

Atwoods Ranch & Home – An Oklahoma & Arkansas Favorite

This regional chain of 67 stores throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas brings a scaled-down version of the Tractor Supply shopping experience. Atwoods Ranches & Home carries similar products like animal feed, ranch supplies, tools, outdoor gear, and work apparel. It also provides specialty foods through on-site Country Market stores.

While Atwoods has a stronghold in its corner of the country, Tractor Supply‘s wider reach and brand awareness helps it maintain an edge over Atwoods in tackling the broader rural lifestyle market.

Home Improvement Chains – One-Stop Shopping Destinations

The Home Depot – Rural Appeal Meets Home Improvement

With over 2,300 locations, Home Depot has firmly established itself as America’s home improvement headquarters. While not tailored specifically to rural customers, Home Depot competes directly with Tractor Supply on categories like hardware, tools, lawn & garden supplies, and outdoor power equipment.

Home Depot wins on overall brand recognition and the scope of home-focused inventory ranging from appliances to flooring to paint. However, Tractor Supply fights back by providing specialty products for rural living not found on Home Depot’s shelves.

Harbor Freight Tools – Discount Shopping for Handymen

Known for rock-bottom prices on name brand tools and equipment, Harbor Freight Tools battles Tractor Supply for the home DIYer and professional contractor market. With 1,200+ stores and growing, Harbor Freight keeps costs low by offering imported, unbranded merchandise without any flashy frills.

While not competing across all categories, Harbor Freight does overlap with Tractor Supply on outdoor power equipment, hand tools, generators, welding supplies, jacks, tool storage and more. Its barebones shopping makes it popular for price-driven customers willing to sacrifice some quality and selection.

E-Commerce Empires – The Battle With Big Online Retail

Amazon.com – One-Day Delivery to Your Door

The e-commerce behemoth Amazon offers many of the same products carried both in-store and online by Tractor Supply ranging from pet food to generators to boots. However, Tractor Supply fights back by providing specialty agriculture products not readily available on Amazon.

Tractor Supply also scores points through knowledgeable staff and ability to see products hands on before buying – an experiential advantage no online shopping cart can replicate. Nonetheless, Amazon remains a major force, using speedy delivery to pick off customers impulse buying everyday items.

Walmart.com – Low Prices Just Clicks Away

Walmart.com combines the clout of the world’s largest retailer with the convenience of online shopping. Known for ‘everyday low prices,’ Walmart often beats Tractor Supply when it comes to better deals on common goods like basic tools, work gloves, pet food, and other farm living necessities.

However, Tractor Supply differentiates itself from Walmart.com through expertise in specialty agriculture merchandise not readily stocked by general big box retailers – whether online or brick-and-mortar. Nonetheless, Walmart continues making major investments in its e-commerce channel to keep price-driven shoppers coming back.

Category Specialists – Unique Niches Provide Stiff Competition

Cub Cadet – Outdoor Power Player

With Cub Cadet dealers and big box retail partners supplying its zero-turn mowers, snow blowers, chainsaws and other lawn and garden power equipment, this heritage brand squares off against Tractor Supply’s yard tools inventory.

Known for performance and reliability through specialization in outdoor power equipment, Cub Cadet often outduels Tractor Supply on factors like product depth, pricing incentives, and after-sale parts and service.

Local Feed & Livestock Stores – Specialization Wins Locally

Tractor Supply faces stiff regional competition from specialty livestock feed and agriculture supply stores. These local outposts beat Tractor Supply on tailored expertise and better prices within their niches. Local stores build loyal followings thanks to staff familiarity of area farms and ranches and the unique ability to readily order and stock whatever obscure products regular customers need.

Petco – Pet Care Pure Play

With over 1,500 locations, Petco provides unrivaled selection when it comes to pet products – from food to beds to veterinary services. However, Tractor Supply fights back by blending pet supplies with its broader rural lifestyle merchandising mix to provide a convenient one-stop shop. For specialty pet care, Petco rules, but Tractor Supply wins by bundling animal essentials into complete shopping trips.

Staying Steps Ahead of the Competition

While Tractor Supply faces varied competition across all fronts, the company leverages farm-specific expertise and rural-centric customer service to maintain its category dominance. Investments in its private label brands and exclusive products not readily available elsewhere provide a competitive buffer as well.

By continuing to expand its store count where key competitors have yet to gain ground, Tractor Supply can further cement itself as the leading lifestyle retailer for those living life out here.