A study was done in one big box DIY store a bit more than a decade ago (the orange one, I do believe) and it was found that about 51 percent of the people who shopped there were women. I bet you can guess why -- loads of fodder for updating, painting, building, carpet and flooring, etc. -- all stuff to add to their own to do list, or to someone else's (which my wife loves doing to me...lol)
I am truly surprised you didn't find the store manager and report that incident as it is certainly something they would act on right away. Coming from a customer carries a powerful message.