DIY International - The online magazine for the home improvement industry

Focus

USA

Capital: Washington | Area: 9.8 mio km² |
Population (2021): 334.8 mio | GDP (2021): € 19 455 bn

Co-founder of Home Depot

Bernie Marcus has passed away

Bernie Marcus, one of the founders of Home Depot, has died. He was 95 years old. Together with Arthur Blank, he founded the DIY chain in 1978, which became the largest DIY store operator in the USA and worldwide.Born in…

Distribution6. November 2024

Hardware retailing in the USA

Controversies surrounding the takeover of True Value by Do it Best

The declaration of bankruptcy (known in the USA as ‘chapter 11 filing’ according to the corresponding section of …

Distribution18. October 2024

Hardware retailing in the USA

Do it Best wants to take over bankrupt competitor True Value

In the USA, there are currently major shifts in the co-operation and wholesaler sector serving independent hardware …

Distribution15. October 2024

Decline compared to the previous year

Stanley Black & Decker with sales of 15.8 billion dollars in 2023

The US company Stanley Black & Decker achieved a total global turnover of USD 15.8 bn (EUR 14.21 bn) in 2023. …

Suppliers9. September 2024

Sales increase in the second quarter

More than 5,000 Ace Hardware stores in the USA

Ace Hardware has now opened its 5,000th store belonging to the US-American co-operation in the USA. According to the latest quarterly…

Distribution27. August 2024

Sales narrowly maintained

Home Depot halts downward trend in the second quarter

US market leader Home Depot has just about maintained its sales in the second quarter. With a sales volume of USD 43.175 bn …

Distribution23. August 2024

Down 5.5 per cent

Quarterly sales at Lowe's continue to deteriorate

Sales losses at US DIY group Lowe's have worsened in the second quarter. In the three months from the beginning of June to 2 …

Distribution22. August 2024

Roll-out over five years

Ace Hardware launches “Elevate3 Ace” store concept

Ace Hardware will roll-out its new store concept “Elevate3 Ace” to new and existing stores over the next five years, backed by a …

Distribution21. August 2024

Deflation

DIY pricing expert emphasizes role of smart pricing in turbulent times

Most DIY retailers have had to contend with deflation in some core commodities, such as framing timber, since…

Distribution9. August 2024

Down 17 per cent in the fourth quarter

Lowe's sales slump by 11 per cent in 2023

The US DIY chain Lowe's recorded an 11.0 per cent decline in sales in the 2023/2024 financial year (ending 2 February 2024) compared to …

News28. February 2024

"Actually pretty good"

Industry expert Craig Webb expects a boom in demand in the second half of the year

US industry expert Craig Webb expects growth in the first half of 2024 to be weak at best, …

Distribution19. February 2024

Central sales -0.4 per cent

Number of Ace Hardware stores increased by 124 worldwide

The number of hardware stores affiliated to Ace Hardware worldwide rose to 5 870 locations in 2023; the addition of 222 …

Distribution16. February 2024

Webb Analytics report

22 per cent fewer M&A deals in the U.S. construction supply industry

Pro-oriented, residentially focused construction supply companies saw 22 per cent fewer deals in 2023, but the …

Distribution13. February 2024

Revionics

DIY retail pricing is extremely complex – five reasons why

With the help of AI, DIY retailers can offer better, fairer, more value-driven prices than their competitors that don’t …

Distribution13. February 2024

Fourth quarter and fiscal 2023

Tractor Supply Company sales up 2.5 per cent

Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, reported financial results for its fourth quarter …

Distribution9. February 2024

USA

Quarterly sales at Lowe's fall by almost 13 per cent

The US DIY giant Lowe's recorded a 12.8 per cent drop in sales in the third quarter (ending 3 November) of its 2023/2024 …

Distribution22. November 2023

Ann-Marie Campbell named senior executive vice president

Home Depot to align its pro business

U.S. American and world market leader Home Depot announces changes to align the organisation around its pro business which is seen as its l…

Distribution30. October 2023

USA

Heidi Petz becomes CEO of Sherwin-Williams

US paint manufacturer and distributor Sherwin-Williams has announced a change at the top. As of 1 January 2024, Heidi Petz (48) will …

Distribution13. October 2023

Second quarter

Lowe's sales down 9 per cent

Lowe's, the number two DIY retailer in the US and the world, reported 9.2 per cent lower sales in its second quarter (ending 4 August 2023) compared t…

Distribution25. August 2023

USA

Home Depot down 2 per cent year-on-year in second quarter

With sales of USD 42.916 bn (EUR 39.526 bn) in the second quarter (ending 30 July 2023), US DIY global market leader Home …

Distribution24. August 2023

Carbon emissions, training, veteran causes

Home Depot publishes ESG Report

US DIY retail market leader Home Depot has released its 2023 environmental, social and governance (ESG) Report. The report provides details of the …

Distribution2. August 2023

2022 Corporate Responsibility Report published

Lowe's reduces greenhouse gases and energy consumption

Lowe's has reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 49 per cent since 2016 and energy consumption by 6 per…

Distribution17. July 2023

Trade and online business solid

Lowe's sales down 5.5 per cent in first quarter

Lowe's, number two in the US home improvement sector, saw sales decline by 5.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2023 compared with t…

Distribution24. May 2023

February to April

Home Depot reports 4.2 per cent drop in sales

Global market leader Home Depot has reported a drop in sales in the first quarter of its 2023/2024 fiscal year, with the US home …

Distribution17. May 2023

174 stores and distribution centres

Lowe's invests in rooftop solar panels

Lowe's has announced details of rooftop solar panel installations at 174 stores and distribution centres nationwide, including 20 sites …

Distribution2. May 2023

Over 11 800 visitors

New record for Ace Hardware’s spring convention

Ace Hardware broke its own record for attendance at its recent in-person convention held mid-March in San Antonio, Texas (USA). The …

Distribution4. April 2023

Succession of Jeff Kinnaird

William Bastek now executive VP of merchandising at The Home Depot

The US-American world market leader The Home Depot named William "Billy" Bastek executive vice president of …

Distribution16. March 2023

Comparable sales down 1.5 per cent

Lowe’s sales up 5.2 per cent in Q4 2022

Lowe’s has reported an increase in sales for the fourth quarter of 2022 of 5.2 per cent. According to a press release by the second largest …

Distribution3. March 2023

Another record year

Home Depot announces USD 157 bn in sales for 2022

Home Depot has reported sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 as well as total numbers for fiscal 2022. Sales for fiscal …

Distribution24. February 2023

Revenues for fiscal 2022

Ace Hardware reports an increase of 6.7 per cent

The US cooperative Ace Hardware has reported consolidated revenues of USD 9.1698 bn (EUR 8.5834 bn) for fiscal 2022, an increase of…

Distribution22. February 2023

2023 ranking

Ace Hardware ranked as one of the top 10 franchises in the world

Ace Hardware has secured a spot in the top 10 franchise business opportunities in the world for 2023, according to …

Distribution16. January 2023

Prioritising tasks

Home Depot launches new in-store app for staff members

Home Depot is rolling out a new, homegrown app developed to help employees in the stores prioritise tasks more effectively. …

Distribution13. January 2023

2021 Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures report

Tractor Supply’s third annual report about climate-related risk

Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, released its 2021 Task Force on …

Distribution27. December 2022

Map

Number of Lowe's locations slightly down since 2017

Compared to the end of 2017, the number of locations counted as part of Lowe's at the end of 2021 decreased slightly from 2 233 …

Distribution26. December 2022

Hardware and building supply

US sales clearly up in the first eleven months of 2022

The US hardware and building supply industry generated sales of USD 40,943 bn (EUR 38.484 bn) in November. This was 3.7 per …

Distribution19. December 2022

Eliminating 90 per cent of emissions

Lowe’s is announcing net-zero emission target by 2050

Lowe’s is announcing a new goal to reach net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2050. To reach net-zero, Lowe’s will …

Distribution8. December 2022

8 per cent of usage

Home Depot purchases 100 MW of solar energy

Home Depot has announced that 100 MW of solar energy purchased from National Grid Renewables at its solar and storage project in Denton …

Distribution1. December 2022

“Better than expected”

Lowe’s total sales up by 2.2 per cent in Q3

Lowe’s total sales for the third quarter of 2022 amounted to USD 23.5 bn (EUR 22.65 bn), an increase of 2.2 per cent compared with USD 2…

Distribution17. November 2022

Third quarter 2022

Home Depot grows by 5.6 per cent

Home Depot has reported sales of USD 38.9 bn (EUR 37.36 bn) for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of USD 2.1 bn (EUR 2.02 bn), or 5.6 per cent…

Distribution16. November 2022

Map

Home Depot grew by 21 locations worldwide in 2021

Home Depot, the world's largest operator of home improvement stores in terms of sales, operated 2 317 DIY locations at the end of …

Distribution2. November 2022

Plus 137 per cent

Lowe's has grown enormously since 2010, but not as strongly as Home Depot

At around USD 96 bn by the end of 2021, Lowe's has more than doubled its sales between 2010 and 2021. …

Distribution21. October 2022

Clearance from the Federal

Tractor Supply acquires Orscheln Farm and Home

Tractor Supply, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, received clearance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)…

Distribution12. October 2022

Research

How DIY retailers can learn from and leverage customers’ DIY failures

This is according to Matthew Hall from Oregon State University, who is researching this topic together with …

Distribution28. September 2022

Statistics

Home Depot sales nearly triple since 2010

America's number one in the home improvement sector is also the world's number one. A look at the recent development of the DIY group's …

Distribution29. August 2022

Second quarter

Lowe's partially offsets weak DIY business with professionals

Lowe's reports total sales of USD 27.476 bn for the second quarter (ended 29 July 2002), a decrease of 0.3 per cent …

Distribution19. August 2022

Historical record

Home Depot 6.5 per cent up in 2Q 2022

Home Depot reported sales of USD 43.8 bn for the second quarter of fiscal year 2022, an increase of USD 2.7 bn, or 6.5 per cent from the …

Distribution18. August 2022

60 more new stores planed by the End of the year

Ace Hardware Opens Over 100 New Stores In 2022

Ace Hardware recently celebrated the opening of its 105th new store in 2022. The company expects to open at least an additional 60 …

Distribution16. August 2022

-4.0 per cent

Lowe's reports sales decline in first quarter

Lowe's, the number two DIY store in the U.S. and globally, has reported a decline in sales for the first quarter (ending 29 April) of …

Distribution20. May 2022

Sales 2021/2022

Lowe’s grows 7.4 per cent, only half as much as its main competitor

Lowe’s grew only half as much as market leader Home Depot in the 2021/2022 financial year (ending 28 January …

Distribution24. February 2022

Over USD 150 bn for the first time

Home Depot reports a plus of 14.4 per cent for 2021/2022

Home Depot has reported a 14.4 per cent increase in sales for the 2021/2022 financial year (ending 30 January 2022). The …

Distribution23. February 2022

15 per cent in the fourth quarter

Tractor Supply reports growth of 20 per cent in 2021

Tractor Supply, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, reports net sales for the fiscal year 2021 of USD 10…

Distribution1. February 2022

Craig Menear to become chair of the board

Ted Decker to become new head of Home Depot

Home Depot, the largest DIY store operator in the world, is getting a new boss. Edward "Ted" Decker has been named CEO and president, …

Distribution28. January 2022

Linked with loyalty programme

Home Depot introduces new credit options for pro customers

Home Depot is enhancing its commercial credit offerings for professional customers and their businesses. The retailer …

News14. January 2022

Christian Parra

Do it Best names new director of international sales

The US American cooperative Do it Best has named Christian Parra as new director of international sales. Parra, who most …

News12. January 2022

Homeowners in the USA

Unusually high number of home improvement projects planned

In the fourth quarter of 2021, 76 per cent of homeowners in the USA planned a home improvement project for this period. …

News4. January 2022

In the USA

Price increases delay home improvement projects

In the USA, price increases have had an impact on projects by home owners who carry out their own home improvement work. In November…

News21. December 2021

USA/Canada - Jim Inglis

Empathy with their stores, people and customers

Jim Inglis, who worked for decades on Home Depot’s senior management team and is now a sought-after consultant to home improvement …

Distribution19. November 2021

USA/Canada - Ace Hardware

Peace of mind at an hourly rate

The Ace Hardware cooperative is recording rapid rates of growth with its Handyman Services business in the USA. One of the franchisees is a former …

Distribution19. November 2021

USA/Canada - Home improvement market

Covid brought the next boost

The home improvement market in the USA experienced tremendous growth during the pandemic. Compared to 2019, hardware stores made an average of 20 per …

Distribution19. November 2021

Third quarter

Lowe’s total sales grow by 2.7 per cent

Lowe's achieved sales of USD 22.918 bn (EUR 20.184 mio) in the third quarter (ended 29 October) of its fiscal year 2021/2022, an increase of…

News17. November 2021

August to October

Home Depot increases sales by nearly 10 per cent

Home Depot reports sales of USD 36.820 bn (EUR 32.220 bn) for the third quarter (ended 31 October 2021) of fiscal 2021/2022, an …

News16. November 2021

Home improvement product spend

USA: 13 per cent growth in 2020 and 2021

Last year, Americans spent USD 456.364 bn (EUR 393.475 bn) on home improvement products, 13.3 per cent more than in 2019. For the current …

News29. October 2021

Same-store sales

Ace Hardware stores in the US grow by 1.2 per cent

The 3 400 or so hardware retailers affiliated to the Ace Hardware cooperative increased their same-store sales by 1.2 per cent in…

News1. September 2021

Plus 8.1 per cent

Home Depot’s second-quarter growth in single digits again

Home Depot, DIY market leader in the USA and globally, increased its sales in the second quarter (1 May to 1 August 2021) …

News19. August 2021

Second Quarter

Sherwin-Williams reports high double-digit plus

The US American group Sherwin-Williams increased sales in its retail division The Americas Group in the second quarter by 22.6 per …

News29. July 2021

U.S. Census Bureau

US sales increase by 18.3 per cent in the first six months

The retail sales of home centres, lumberyards and hardware stores in the USA increased by 18.3 per cent in the first half…

News21. July 2021

Second quarter

Tractor Supply's net sales increase by 13.4 per cent

The US chain Tractor Supply increased its sales in the second quarter by 13.4 per cent compared with the same period in the …

News20. July 2021

USA

Homeowners prefer do-it-yourself

To realise major home improvement projects, homeowners in the USA prefer do-it-yourself. Asked by HIRI (Home Improvement Research Institute), 68 …

News1. June 2021

First quarter

Lowe’s increases comparable sales by 26 per cent

US home improvement chain Lowe's reports total sales of USD 24.422 bn (EUR 20.00 bn) for the first quarter (ending 30 April) of its…

News20. May 2021

First quarter

Home Depot reports a 33 per cent increase of sales

The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer, reports sales of USD 37.500 bn (EUR 30.887 bn) for the first …

News19. May 2021

January to April

US home and garden centres grow by 25 per cent

Home and garden centres in the USA made sales of USD 106.566 bn (EUR 87.73 bn) in the first quarter of 2021. That was 20.9 per cent …

News18. May 2021

USA

Renewed interest in online sales

Hardware stores in the USA are usually focussed on the day-to-day business of providing personal service in the store. But they had to rethink …

Distribution12. March 2021

28 per cent in the fourth quarter

Lowe’s increases sales by 24 per cent in 2020/2021

In its fiscal year 2020/2021 (ended 29 January 2021), Lowe's increased its sales by 24.2 per cent to USD 89.507 bn (EUR 74.424 bn…

News5. March 2021

Plus 25 per cent in the fourth quarter

Home Depot increases sales by 20 per cent in 2020/2021

Plus 25 per cent in the fourth quarter, plus 20 per cent over the whole year - that is a summary of Home Depot's 2020 balance…

News24. February 2021

167 Stores

Tractor Supply to acquire Orscheln Farm and Home

US retailer Tractor Supply Company announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Orscheln Farm and Home for …

News19. February 2021

Third quarter

Sales at Lowe’s grow by 28.3 per cent, online by 106 per cent

Lowe's has reported net sales of USD 22.309 bn (EUR 18.800 bn) in the third quarter (ended 30 October). This equates …

News20. November 2020

COO, Canada and others

Home Depot picks new appointees for top five positions

Home Depot, the largest home improvement retailer in the world, has picked new appointees for five posts in the company …

News8. October 2020

Same-store sales up 35 per cent

Ace Hardware reports record growth in the second quarter

The U.S. cooperative Ace Hardware is the latest business to report record sales during the Covid-19 pandemic. Its …

News24. August 2020

Second Quarter

Covid-19 lets Lowe’s sales grow by a third

The Covid-19 pandemic had an effect on the sales curve at Lowe's which was significantly stronger than its competitors Home Depot. In the…

News21. August 2020

Second quarter

Home Depot: plus 23 per cent from May to July

The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer, reports sales of USD 38.053 bn (EUR 32.086 bn) for the second quarter …

News19. August 2020

Small Parcel As Well As Bulky

Home Depot Opening Three New Distribution Centers

Home Depot has announced that it will open three new distribution centres in Georgia over the next 18 months to support the …

News5. August 2020

USA - Hardware retailers

A sales bonanza

There has been a bright side to Covid-19 for smart, innovative hardware retailers, says our author Bob Vereen, who has been asking around the industry in the USA

Distribution26. June 2020

Covid-19 period

Half of Americans consider home improvement projects

Having now been sequestered at home for several weeks, about half of U.S. consumers (49 per cent) say they've considered …

News16. June 2020

Online sales up 80 per cent

Lowe’s grows by 11 per cent in the first quarter

Growth at the US home improvement chain Lowe's has significantly outstripped that of its long-term rival Home Depot during the …

News22. May 2020

Pandemic

Hardware stores in the US increase their sales

Many hardware stores in den USA are currently offering targeted product ranges which are required in connection with Covid-19 and …

News14. May 2020

Covid-19 pandemic

Home improvement retail grows in the USA

Sales by home improvement retailers in the USA are growing, in contrast to the general trend of declining retail sales. In March, sales at …

News28. April 2020

Essential?

America’s hardware industry and the virus

Covid-19 is, of course, also affecting hardware and home centre retailing and wholesaling in the USA. The industry is responding to the …

News20. March 2020

Global market leader

Home Depot increased sales by 1.9 per cent in 2019

The US chain Home Depot, global market leader in the DIY trade, finished fiscal 2019/2020 (ended 2 February 2020) with sales of …

News27. February 2020

NRHA estimation

Four per cent growth of the US home improvement sales

Home improvement sales in the USA amounted to USD 407.1 bn (EUR 363.7 bn) in 2019 according to an estimation and have …

News7. January 2020

Top 300 hardlines retailers

Number three is Walmart

The ranking of the top 300 hardlines retailers in the USA is headed by Home Depot. Amazon appears at tenth place

Distribution2. December 2019

Quarterly report

Lowe’s loses sales and closes 34 stores in Canada

Lowe's will close 34 underperforming stores in Canada. Based on the findings of a strategic review, in the fourth quarter, the …

News21. November 2019

0.5 per cent

Lowe’s growth is much weaker in second quarter

Lowe's, the second largest DIY chain in the USA and the world, recorded significantly lower growth rates in the second quarter (…

News27. August 2019

Pricing and planning

Lowe’s acquires retail analytics specialist

Lowe's acquired the Retail Analytics platform from Boomerang Commerce. The technology will be integrated into the company's core retail …

News27. May 2019

First quarter

Lowe’s reports comparable sales growth of 4.2 per cent in the US

Lowe's reports sales of USD 17.741 bn (EUR 15.897 bn) in the first quarter of fiscal 2019/2019 (ended: 3 May). This…

News23. May 2019

First quarter

Home Depot increases sales by 5.7 per cent

Home Depot reported sales of USD 26.381 bn (EUR 23.621 bn) for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 (ended: 5 May), a 5.7 per cent increase …

News22. May 2019

Survey in the US

30 per cent don’t know where to start their outdoor projects

About 30 per cent of Americans don't know where to start when it comes to outdoor projects and are seeking inspiration…

News12. April 2019

Like-for-like up 5.2 per cent

Home Depot increases sales by 7.2 per cent in 2018/2019

Global DIY market leader Home Depot has closed financial year 2018/2019 (ending 3 February 2019) with sales of USD 108.203 …

News28. February 2019

USA

Lowe’s aims to expand its professional business

Lowe's is aiming for a targeted expansion of its professional customer business. The sales penetration for DIY and DIFM …

News8. January 2019

Strategic reassessment

Lowe’s closes 20 stores in the USA and 27 in Canada

The US DIY store giant Lowe's is closing 20 stores in the USA as well as 27 stores and four other corporate subsidiaries in …

News7. November 2018

USA

Sears files for insolvency and closes more stores

American department store chain Sears has filed for insolvency (Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code) and is closing more stores. The…

News15. October 2018

Second quarter

Seven per cent growth for Lowe’s

Lowe's increased its sales for the second quarter (ended 3 August 2018) by 7.1 per cent to USD 20.888 bn over the second quarter of 2017. …

News27. August 2018

Scope 3

Putting the plan into action

As some of the world’s leading retailers confirm their commitment, Jamie Pitcairn, Corporate …

Distribution20. November 2024

Debate in Germany

The leaflet remains – for now

The printed brochure, still an important advertising medium for the DIY industry, is under pressure…

Distribution28. October 2024

Obi

The Myth of the Supplement

Christian von Hegel, a brand expert with a doctorate, sees himself as a scientist even as head of …

Distribution21. October 2024