Home Depot Beefs Up Same-Day Delivery

Home Depot announced that it has launched express same-day and next-day local delivery for more than 20,000 of its most popular items to 35 major metros across the U.S.

The new service is part of the company’s five-year expansion of its delivery offerings for DIY and Pro customers.

“This is just the beginning of our expansion of improved delivery options, but it’s a significant milestone in the way we’re serving customers,” Mark Holifield, executive vice president of supply chain and product development, said in a press release.

To use the service, customers need to choose “Express Delivery from Store” through homedepot.com or the Home Depot app, where available.

The company is partnering with car and van providers including Roadie and Deliv for smaller items, while continuing to expand its supply chain network for large bulk deliveries. Home Depot will also add extra direct fulfillment centers, as well as more than 100 new distribution sites to further expand its delivery speed and reach.

This isn’t the only new delivery option the company has recently introduced. In June, the home improvement giant began installing lockers in many of its locations so customers who place online orders can easily pick up their merchandise at the store.

“Customers’ expectations with shopping are changing, and they want as many options as you can possibly give them,” Home Depot spokeswoman Lana Johnston said at the time.

The retailer hopes to have lockers in all its stores within three years. With 45 percent of its online orders picked up at stores, “the lockers allow us to simplify that process by providing customers with the convenience of self-service and time savings,” Johnston said.

“Installing lockers is another smart move by Home Depot and should help it maintain its lead over Amazon and others in the home improvement space,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData’s retail division. “As a sector, home improvement is not as digitally advanced as many others. However, online transactions are growing, and Home Depot is right to be investing in tools and infrastructure that will help it maintain an edge.”