What Big-Box Home Improvement Chains Are Prioritizing

Big-box home improvement chains are taking unique approaches to gaining customers in the early days of the busy spring selling season. Explore how Home Depot, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply are launching new initiatives to boost sales.

Home Depot: Opening New Facilities, Expanding Webinars

Home Depot has announced plans to open three new distribution centers in Florida to boost delivery options to customers in southern Florida. The facilities will be located in West Palm Beach, Miami and Fort Myers. Additionally, Home Depot plans to open two other distribution centers in Miami in 2022.

The first facility in Miami is already open. Measuring 332,000 square feet, the company says it will delivery bulky construction materials and other oversize product to pro and DIY customers.

Home Depot is also continuing to invest in live streaming workshops to shoppers during COVID-19, a report from Digiday confirms. The company company now hosts roughly 40 live streaming events each month and plans to continue and advertise a mix of in-store and streaming events for the future.

In Case You Missed It: Home Depot Announces $132B in 2020 Sales

Lowe’s: Focusing on Growing Pro Sales

Lowe’s is positioning itself as the ‘New Home for Pros’ by launching new initiatives aimed directly at growing its share of pro customers.

Across the U.S., Lowe’s stores will now feature The Pro Zone, a dedicated area near the pro entrance with products available for grab-and-go convenience, including popular items for pros. Pros will also receive extended trailer parking spots and free phone charging stations located at the stores’ Pro Desks. These customers will also have access to a dedicated checkout lane with sales, cashier and loading associates.

Lowe’s will also merchandise several never-before-sold items like pain relievers and sunscreen.

“We want to make sure any time spent away from the job site is efficient and productive for the pro customer, especially small to midsize companies. We’ve enhanced our shopping experience, bringing in new products and services that help add value to each trip pros take and cut down on the number of stops they make throughout the day,” says Fred Stokes, senior vice president of pro sales and services.

In Case You Missed It: Lowe’s Reports $89B in 2020 Sales

Tractor Supply Co.: Strengthening Brand Partnerships

Tractor Supply Co. will expand its offering of Carhartt products to more than 100 brick-and-mortar stores via store-within-a-store floorspace. Currently, 10 Tractor Supply locations feature this dedicated Carhartt department, but the company plans to introduce it to more than 125 additional stores by 2022.

These Carhartt departments will feature workwear, as well as everyday clothing for men, women and children. Previously, the store-within-a-store concept was tested at Tractor Supply locations in California, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey and New York.

In Case You Missed It: Tractor Supply Co. Reports $10.6B in 2020 Sales