Home Depot Increases Its Efforts to Meet Pro Needs

Home Depot, already the retail leader in supplying the professional contractor, is stepping up its efforts to expand its business.

The nation’s largest home improvement retailer is also the biggest vendor for pro builders and with an expansion of its distribution center network this year it is poised to get bigger. The company announced recently that it plans to open four new distribution centers this year, in Detroit, Los Angeles, San Antonio and, north of the border in Canada, in Toronto. All are expected to open during the first half of the year. 

The centers will bring to 17 the number of markets in North America with similar facilities. Each specializes in stocking larger, bulkier merchandise like lumber, insulation, roofing shingles and other products that pro builders utilize. 

“Pros need a partner with the right product, depth of product, fulfillment capabilities, sales support and management tools to help them get their jobs done,” said Chip Devine, senior vice president of outside sales for Home Depot in announcing the new initiative. He said these centers allow builders and contractors to order job-lot quantities and have them delivered directly to building sites. 

Home Depot, he said, is “working to build depth of inventory in each of its top pro markets, with job lot quantities that are meaningfully larger than what it has historically offered through its stores alone.” These also allow retail stores to focus more on DIY customers. 

“Over the last several years, we have been investing to deliver a faster, more convenient, differentiated experience for our pros,” said Devine. “Our distribution network is one piece of the comprehensive pro ecosystem we’re building to better meet the needs of this important customer.”

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