Home Depot is planning to open new distribution centers
As pandemic flattens, the company is back on track for expansion.
Home Depot Inc (NYSE: HD) plans to open three more distribution centers over the next 18 months to meet growing demand for home delivery and pick-up points. The company's growing demand for delivery services has left customers with long waiting times and delivery delays. The hardware store company will expand its facilities in the Henry, Fulton and DeKalb counties. According to the company, the project will create around 1,000 additional full-time and part-time jobs. "We like to say that retail has changed more in the past four years than it has in our 40-year history," said Stephanie Smith, senior vice president of supply chain. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp commented on the proposed expansion, saying that the retailer has been instrumental in creating jobs for the people of Georgia and across the country. He applauded the company for its long-term investments in his home state and for its vibrant community support programs. The company has created over 5,000 jobs in Georgia over the past five years through various distribution centers it has opened across the state. The jobs are spread across different areas such as customer service, marketing, e-commerce and technology. According to Smith, the COVID-19 has made clear the need for a flexible and resilient supply chain. He noted that shoppers moved to shopping online during the pandemic. The main focus of the company is on speed and convenience for customers. The company has implemented various measures to meet customer expectations, such as the curb collection introduced at the end of March. The pickup is currently available in all stores. The pandemic appears to be boosting Home Depot's online sales. The company reported 80% annual online sales growth for Q1 2020. The company reported $ 4.2 billion, or about 15% of its net sales, from online sales. In 2017, Home Depot announced a $ 1.2 billion investment to expand its distribution network. The company aimed to open 150 additional delivery points across the country.