The Home Depot to Sell Appliances Online

The Home Depot to Sell Appliances Online

Web Initiative Adds to the Company's Growing Share of Consumer Appliance Sales

ATLANTA, Dec. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Home Depot(R), the world's largest home improvement retailer, is expanding its store-based home appliance business through a new online initiative that allows consumers to purchase more than 1,800 products directly from its recently enhanced Web site at www.homedepot.com .

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030502/HOMEDEPOTLOGO )

"We are pleased that a growing number of consumers are shopping for appliances at The Home Depot as a result of the value, innovation and convenience we offer. Our enhanced Web site now makes it even easier for customers to investigate and buy appliances," said Bill Lennie, senior vice president of Merchandising, Decor for The Home Depot.

In September 2001, The Home Depot began to roll out new appliance showrooms in its stores. Since that time, the company has steadily increased its share of the market and today ranks third in sales. In the third quarter of 2004, the company reported that its core market share of appliances increased 40 percent over the same period a year ago.

The categories available include trash compactors, cooktops, dishwashers, washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, ranges and wall ovens. In addition to these categories, there is a significant increase in the number of microwaves and range hoods offered on the site. The new Web site offers such brands as GE(R), Maytag(R), GE Adora(SM), Hotpoint(R), Americana(SM), GE Profile(R), Jenn Air(R) and Admiral(R).

The Web site features enhanced search tools so customers can quickly and easily refine their search for appliances with the product attributes and features that are most important to them. Detailed product information and a new product comparison tool help customers narrow their choices and identify key product differences. Like all products on homedepot.com, appliances can be saved into an online wish list.

When customers place orders online, an associate from The Home Depot will telephone them to arrange delivery, as well as to confirm availability, required parts, installation charges, optional extended service plan coverage and local sales tax. If a customer chooses to return or cancel an appliance order, he or she can contact The Home Depot through a toll-free number that will be provided, and a customer service representative will be assigned.

In addition to the standard manufacturer's warranty, customers may choose an optional extended service plan for appliances purchased on homedepot.com. Appliance installation is available for most appliances sold on homedepot.com.

Appliances sold online are the same national price as those in The Home Depot stores. Prices will not vary by region, and customers will be charged the same amount as if they bought the products in a store. Online appliance sales are offered in the 48 contiguous states (which excludes Alaska and Hawaii).

Founded in 1978, The Home Depot(R) is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer and the second largest retailer in the United States, with fiscal 2003 sales of $64.8 billion. The company employs approximately 325,000 associates and has 1,853 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, nine Canadian provinces and Mexico. The company recently announced the creation of a business development operation for retail expansion into China. Its stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:HD) and is included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Standard & Poor's 500 Index.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030502/HOMEDEPOTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: The Home Depot

CONTACT: Karen Haggerty of The Home Depot, +1-770-384-3686, or
karen_haggerty@homedepot.com

Web site: http://www.homedepot.com/


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