News

Home Depot launches project-oriented store

December 19, 2007

RICHMOND HILL, ON. — The Home Depot Canada is changing the way customers shop for home improvement projects with the opening of its first project-orientated store on December 13 in Richmond Hill, Ontario. The new 115,000-square-foot store has been redesigned both functionally and aesthetically based on customer demand.

The project store features a new layout that creates a more project-oriented shopping flow; redesigned departments for greater access to project information and expertise; inspirational showrooms; project-oriented customer service; a new seminar area; online terminals for homedepot.ca product orders; more than 40,000 products; a Tool Rental Centre, Installation Services and an 18,000 square-foot Garden Centre.

"The Home Depot has long been Canada's home improvement store, offering the selection, expertise and value customers expect when completing their projects. As the market leader in the industry, we are always challenging ourselves to look for ways to improve our business for our customers," said Annette Verschuren, president, The Home Depot Canada and Asia. "By listening to those who shop our stores we developed an innovative project store concept that is the next evolution in the home improvement shopping experience."

The Home Depot Richmond Hill project store includes several new featuresto enhance and simplify the customer shopping experience, while encouragingcustomers to dream, design, build and complete their next home improvementproject. Specific additions include:

• A new layout that addresses the construction and décor needs of every project
• Redesigned departments featuring five dedicated Central service desks, including The Home Depot Central, Décor Central, Building Central, Garden Central and Contractor Central
• Project trained associates at each Central service desk who can assist customers through their entire project and with any installation services they require
• Six new showrooms that change with every season to inspire customers
• A new seminar area to enhance the learning experience
• Radio call boxes located throughout the store to address immediate customer service needs
• "We Can Help" stations to provide customers with access to a call box, tape measure, paper and pencils and promotional information
• New kiosks to provide customers and associates with the opportunity to access homedepot.ca, complete special order transactions, book installations, complete credit card applications and look up a price
• New signage to inspire customers and simplify their shopping experience

The new project store is located at 10885 Street in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

By the end of January 2008, The Home Depot Canada will have added more than 1 million square feet of retail space in Canada and created more than 1,300 new jobs with the addition of 10 new stores throughout the year.