Statistics collected at ’ardware stores (4)
I believe the answer is:
data
'statistics' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'collected at 'ardware stores' is the wordplay.
'stores' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'DATA' is hidden within 'collected at ardware'.
(Other definitions for data that I've seen before include "information from bank" , "Results of research" , "Facts given" , "Raw facts" , "Facts and figures as processed by computer" .)