Home Depot Renovates Itself with New Systems and Ways of Working
When embarking on household improvement projects, you might very well start at Home Depot. This company is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, the fourth largest retailer in the U.S, and the fifth largest retailer in the world, operating more than 2200 stores in the United States, Canada, China, and Mexico as well as an online business. It also has been the fastest-growing retailer in U.S. history. Home Depot targets the do-it-yourself (DIY) and professional markets with its selection of some 40,000 items, including lumber, flooring, plumbing supplies, garden products, tools, paint, and appliances. Home Depot also offers installation services for carpeting, cabinetry, and other products.
Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank founded Home Depot in 1978 as a source of one-stop shopping for both do-it-yourself homeowners and contractors seeking hardware and home renovation materials. The first two Home Depot stores opened on June 22, 1979, in Atlanta, Georgia. At around 60,000 square feet each, these stores were cavernous warehouses stocking 25,000 products, much more than the average hardware store at that time.
Trained Home Depot store associates could offer the best customer service in the industry, guiding customers through projects such as laying tile, changing a fill valve, or handling a power tool. The Home Depot revolutionized the home improvement industry by bringing the expertise and the tools to the consumer while saving them money.