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If Home Depot is a bellwether, the economy's not too bad

Nov 12, 2024
The home improvement retailer's third-quarter sales came in higher than expected, but the company is seeing caution among consumers.
Home Depot's 12-foot skeletons for Halloween were popular this year, but consumers have been less eager to make purchases of items over $1,000 than in 2023.
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Home Depot CEO cites "macroeconomic uncertainty" in earnings report

Aug 13, 2024
The company says customers are deferring big renovation projects because of high interest rates and economic worries.
When consumers spend less because they’re concerned the economy might not do so well, that can cause the economy to not do so well.
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Why home improvement retailers are going after pro contractors

May 21, 2024
Lowe’s reported that first quarter sales are down from the same period last year, but spending by professionals is up.
About 25% to 30% of Lowe’s sales are to professional contractors.
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Home Depot bets on big construction projects with new acquisition

Mar 28, 2024
The home improvement company is buying SRS Distribution, a roofing, landscaping and pool construction supplier, for $18 billion.
Spending on home renovations spiked in 2021 and 2022. "Now what we're going through is a correction and a stabilizing," says Carlos Martín at Harvard University.
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How a decline in home sales also trips up retail

May 16, 2023
When people buy new homes, they buy a lot of other things too, like furniture, appliances and electronics. When home buying slows, that can have a real ripple effect on other industries.
Today’s retail sales numbers showed people spent less on things like building materials and garden supplies in April than they did a year ago. Home Depot also reported today that sales dropped in the first quarter.
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On Presidents Day, many elect to shop, despite prices 

Feb 20, 2023
Retail sales were up 3% in January from the month before, but some categories — like building supplies — were mostly flat.
While overall retail sales were up 3% in January from the month before, business at building materials stores was mostly flat.
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What Walmart and Home Depot's rising sales say about consumer sentiment

Aug 16, 2022
Walmart customers are thinking about rising prices. Home Depot customers are thinking about rising interest rates.
A look at Home Depot's sales indicates that people are opting to improve their existing homes rather than buy a new place.
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For public good, not for profit.

Aging housing stock fuels home improvement boom

Feb 23, 2022
Among the beneficiaries: Lowe's and Home Depot.
Lowe's and Home Depot, chains that sell renovation products, reported strong financial results this week. The trend is tied to the undersupply of new homes.
Mandel Ngan/AFP Getty Images

"What supply chain crisis?" say Target, Walmart and Home Depot

Nov 17, 2021
Target, Walmart and Home Depot told investors they have more than adequate inventory to weather the holidays.
Large retailers including Home Depot, Target and Walmart have all reported well-stocked inventories ahead of the holiday shopping season.
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

Retailers may get squeezed by home improvement supply shortages

May 19, 2021
There's a limit on how much retailers can raise prices. At some point customers may just walk away.
Home improvement stores have a lot of demand but low supply.
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