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Almost every homeowner in America has a Home Depot story, whether it’s a weekend paint run, a full kitchen renovation, or that one time an employee helped track down a single, oddly specific bolt. Nearly five decades after two fired executives decided to build something bigger, Home Depot remains the largest home improvement retailer in the world. Here’s a full breakdown of its history, what it offers today, and whether it’s still worth shopping.
What Is The Home Depot?
The Home Depot, Inc. is an American home improvement retailer incorporated in 1978 and founded by Bernard “Bernie” Marcus and Arthur Blank, along with Ron Brill, Pat Farrah, and Ken Langone. The origin story is a genuinely good one: Marcus and Blank had been president/CEO and CFO, respectively, of a Los Angeles home improvement chain called Handy Dan, and after being pushed out by the head of its parent company, they met over coffee and sketched out a plan for a home improvement company that would dwarf the competition, giant, warehouse-style stores stocked with virtually everything a do-it-yourselfer or contractor could need.
The first two Home Depot stores opened in the Atlanta suburbs of Doraville and Decatur, Georgia, in June 1979, each stocking around 25,000 products. Early days were rocky, vendors were initially hesitant to sell to the new company, and customers weren’t quite sure what to make of the massive format, until, as the story goes, a customer returned one day with fresh produce grown from seeds purchased at the store, tangible proof the concept actually worked for real homeowners. From there, growth was rapid: $1 billion in annual sales by 1986, $10 billion by 1995 while operating 350 stores, and by fiscal 2025 the company reported $164.7 billion in total sales.
The Home Depot Today
The Home Depot is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and is a Delaware corporation. As of August 2026, the company operated 2,364 retail stores plus more than 1,340 SRS Distribution locations across the United States (including Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Guam), Canada, and Mexico, employing roughly 470,000 people the company affectionately calls its “orange-blooded associates.” Home Depot stocks more than 35,000 products in its physical stores and offers access to over a million products through its website, making it the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer by net sales.
The Home Depot’s Push Into the Pro Market
One of the most significant recent developments for the company has been its aggressive expansion into serving professional contractors, not just DIY homeowners. In June 2024, Home Depot completed its acquisition of SRS Distribution Inc., a major building products distributor, adding more than 1,300 additional locations focused specifically on professional trade customers like roofers, landscapers, and pool contractors. This acquisition, along with the earlier addition of interior design and installation company International Designs Group (IDG), reflects a deliberate strategy to diversify revenue beyond traditional DIY shoppers and deepen the company’s relationships with professional contractors, a segment the company has identified as key to future growth.
What Makes Home Depot Different?
- Genuine scale advantage — with thousands of stores and a massive combined product catalog, Home Depot offers a breadth of selection that’s difficult for smaller regional retailers to match
- Strong Pro and DIY dual focus — through acquisitions like SRS Distribution, the company has built out serious infrastructure to serve professional contractors alongside its traditional homeowner customer base
- Deep product authority — decades of specialization in home improvement have given the company substantial buying power and vendor relationships across building materials, tools, and appliances
- Combined digital and in-store experience — Home Depot has continued investing in an interconnected shopping experience, letting customers move fluidly between online research, in-store pickup, and delivery
- Community and disaster relief programs — the company has a long-standing reputation for philanthropic work, including veteran support initiatives and disaster relief efforts following major storms and emergencies
What Does Home Depot Sell?
Tools & Hardware
A vast selection of hand tools, power tools, and hardware essentials from both major national brands and the company’s own private label lines.
Building Materials & Lumber
Core construction supplies including lumber, drywall, concrete, and other materials for both small repairs and full construction projects.
Appliances
Kitchen and home appliances spanning a wide range of price points and brands, often available with delivery and installation services.
Plumbing & Electrical
Supplies for both DIY repairs and larger renovation or new construction projects, serving contractors and homeowners alike.
Paint & Flooring
Paint, stains, and flooring options supporting everything from a weekend refresh to a full room renovation.
Outdoor & Garden
Lawn and garden supplies, plants, outdoor power equipment, and patio and outdoor living products.
Installation & Rental Services
Home improvement installation services and tool and equipment rental, giving customers options beyond simply buying materials and doing the work themselves.
Pro Services (via SRS Distribution)
Specialized distribution and supply services for professional contractors in roofing, landscaping, and pool construction, following the 2024 SRS acquisition.
Is Home Depot Good Quality?
Home Depot has built nearly five decades of credibility as the go-to destination for home improvement needs, backed by real financial scale, $164.7 billion in fiscal 2025 sales and a 25.7% return on invested capital, reflecting sustained operational strength rather than short-term hype. The company’s stated competitive advantages, including its brand reputation, customer service focus, product authority, and supply chain network, have been consistently reinforced through continued investment in new stores and acquisitions that deepen its Pro market relationships.
Because Home Depot sells across an enormous range of categories and price points, quality naturally varies by the specific product and brand rather than being uniform across the entire store. The company’s scale and long-standing vendor relationships generally support consistent availability and competitive pricing, and its continued investment in professional-grade distribution through SRS Distribution reflects growing credibility specifically among contractors and trade professionals, not just everyday homeowners.
How Does Home Depot Compare to Other Home Improvement Retailers?
| Feature | The Home Depot | Typical Regional Home Improvement Retailer |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1978, Atlanta, Georgia | Varies |
| Store count | 2,364+ retail stores, 1,340+ SRS locations | Varies, often far fewer |
| Revenue (FY2025) | $164.7 billion | Varies |
| Product catalog | 35,000+ in-store, 1 million+ online | Varies |
| Pro/contractor focus | Dedicated via SRS Distribution, IDG | Varies |
| Market position | World’s largest home improvement retailer | Varies |
Tips for Shopping Home Depot
- Check online inventory before visiting a store to confirm the specific item and quantity you need is in stock locally
- Ask about installation services for bigger purchases like appliances or flooring, since Home Depot offers these as add-on options
- Compare Pro-specific pricing if you’re a contractor, since programs and pricing through Pro accounts can differ from standard retail
- Take advantage of tool rental for one-off projects rather than buying equipment you’ll only use once
- Watch for seasonal promotions, since the company runs regular sales tied to home improvement seasons and major holidays
Final Verdict: Is Home Depot Still Worth Shopping?
Nearly five decades after two fired executives sketched out a plan over coffee, The Home Depot remains the largest and most comprehensive home improvement retailer in the world, having grown from two Atlanta stores into a nearly $165-billion-a-year business spanning DIY homeowners and professional contractors alike. With massive product selection, continued investment in its Pro business through acquisitions like SRS Distribution, and a combined digital and in-store shopping experience, Home Depot remains a strong, reliable choice for nearly any home improvement need in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded The Home Depot? The Home Depot was founded in 1978 by Bernard Marcus and Arthur Blank, along with Ron Brill, Pat Farrah, and Ken Langone, after Marcus and Blank were let go from a home improvement chain called Handy Dan.
When did the first Home Depot store open? The first two Home Depot stores opened in June 1979 in the Atlanta suburbs of Doraville and Decatur, Georgia.
How big is The Home Depot? As of August 2026, The Home Depot operated 2,364 retail stores plus more than 1,340 SRS Distribution locations across the US, Canada, and Mexico, with fiscal 2025 sales of $164.7 billion.
Is The Home Depot bigger than Lowe’s? Yes, The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement retailer, larger than its closest competitor, Lowe’s, both in store count and total revenue.
What is SRS Distribution and why did Home Depot acquire it? SRS Distribution is a building products distributor that Home Depot acquired in June 2024 to expand its reach with professional contractors in categories like roofing, landscaping, and pool construction.
Does Home Depot serve professional contractors? Yes, Home Depot serves both DIY homeowners and professional contractors, with dedicated Pro-focused services expanded significantly through its acquisitions of SRS Distribution and International Designs Group.
remains the largest and most comprehensive home improvement retailer in the world, having grown from two Atlanta stores into a nearly $165-billion-a-year business spanning DIY homeowners and professional contractors alike. With massive product selection, continued investment in its Pro business through acquisitions like SRS Distribution, and a combined digital and in-store shopping experience, Home Depot remains a strong, reliable choice for nearly any home improvement need in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded The Home Depot? The Home Depot was founded in 1978 by Bernard Marcus and Arthur Blank, along with Ron Brill, Pat Farrah, and Ken Langone, after Marcus and Blank were let go from a home improvement chain called Handy Dan.
When did the first Home Depot store open? The first two Home Depot stores opened in June 1979 in the Atlanta suburbs of Doraville and Decatur, Georgia.
How big is The Home Depot? As of August 2026, The Home Depot operated 2,364 retail stores plus more than 1,340 SRS Distribution locations across the US, Canada, and Mexico, with fiscal 2025 sales of $164.7 billion.
Is The Home Depot bigger than Lowe’s? Yes, The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement retailer, larger than its closest competitor, Lowe’s, both in store count and total revenue.
What is SRS Distribution and why did Home Depot acquire it? SRS Distribution is a building products distributor that Home Depot acquired in June 2024 to expand its reach with professional contractors in categories like roofing, landscaping, and pool construction.
Does Home Depot serve professional contractors? Yes, Home Depot serves both DIY homeowners and professional contractors, with dedicated Pro-focused services expanded significantly through its acquisitions of SRS Distribution and International Designs Group.
