The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement retailer, founded in 1978 by Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank with two stores in Atlanta. Today it operates more than 2,300 warehouse-format stores across North America, employing approximately 475,000 associates. The company serves three distinct customer segments: DIY homeowners, professional contractors, and Do-It-For-Me customers who rely on Home Depot's installation and service offerings.
The warehouse-format store model - a concept Home Depot helped pioneer - combines a broad product assortment with on-floor associates trained to guide customers through their projects. Beyond the physical retail footprint, the company is actively developing its capabilities in interconnected retail and technology to serve customers across channels.
Internally, the company operates according to an inverted pyramid philosophy that prioritises customers and front-line associates. It is guided by eight core values, including Respect for All People and Taking Care of Our People, which frame how it approaches both workforce management and community engagement.
