Home Depot (The)

The Home Depot, Inc. stands as the world's preeminent home improvement retail corporation, operating more than 2,350 retail stores and over 800 distribution branches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With approximately 475,000 associates and annual sales exceeding $159 billion, the company has fundamentally transformed the home improvement industry since its founding in 1978. The Home Depot serves two primary customer segments: do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowners seeking materials and expertise for their home projects, and professional contractors, builders, and tradespeople who require reliable access to quality products and specialized services. The company's retail footprint encompasses warehouse-style stores averaging 105,000 square feet, each stocked with approximately 30,000 to 40,000 different products ranging from lumber and building materials to appliances, tools, and garden supplies.

The Home Depot's business model revolutionized retail when it introduced the warehouse store format to the home improvement sector, offering customers unprecedented selection, competitive pricing, and knowledgeable staff assistance. This approach proved so successful that the company grew from two stores in Atlanta in 1979 to become the largest home improvement retailer in the United States by 1989, surpassing competitor Lowe's. Today, Home Depot captures approximately 17% of the U.S. home improvement market and holds a commanding 47% market share in head-to-head competition with Lowe's. The company's market capitalization exceeds $377 billion, reflecting investor confidence in its dominant market position and operational excellence. Over 90% of U.S. store leaders started as hourly associates, demonstrating the company's strong promote-from-within culture and commitment to employee development.

In recent years, Home Depot has strategically expanded its capabilities to serve professional contractors through major acquisitions and infrastructure investments. The 2024 acquisition of SRS Distribution for $18.25 billion—the largest in company history—added 760 branches specializing in roofing, landscaping, and pool supplies, increasing Home Depot's total addressable market by $50 billion to approximately $1 trillion. The company continues to invest heavily in its Pro ecosystem, opening specialized distribution centers in major markets to provide same-day and next-day delivery capabilities for professional customers. This dual focus on retail excellence and professional services positions Home Depot to maintain its leadership in an evolving home improvement landscape increasingly shaped by e-commerce capabilities, installation services, and specialized trade distribution.

Home Depot's commitment to operational excellence extends beyond its retail operations to encompass significant community impact and environmental stewardship. The Home Depot Foundation invested over $12 million in disaster relief in 2024 alone, with an additional $8.5 million committed for the 2025 disaster season, including support for California wildfire victims. The company has received recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its sustainability initiatives and was named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers. With fiscal 2025 revenues projected to reach $165 billion and continued expansion into new markets and service categories, The Home Depot maintains its position as the definitive destination for home improvement needs, combining the scale advantages of the world's largest retailer in its category with a customer service ethos rooted in its founding vision of expertise, selection, and value.