Dive Brief:
- During a recent earnings call, Home Depot executives said a number of their big tech projects are starting to deliver returns, as reported in ZD Net.
- The projects include efforts to renovate the retailer's supply chain and improve the customer experience.
- Most notably, the customer order management (COM) system, deployed in all U.S. stores, has helped drive sales and balance inventories.
Dive Insight:
While other retailers are disrupted by Amazon, Home Depot seems to be unaffected when it comes to selling appliances, home improvement items and tools, according to ZD Net. Home Depot's U.S. sales were up 6.6% to $26.5 billion in the second quarter.
"Our interconnected retail initiatives continued to evolve to meet the changing demands of our customers," said Ted Decker, Home Depot's executive vice president of merchandising, during the call.
Decker added that mobile and tablet usage now comprise over 50% of the company’s online traffic.
Some of Home Depot's other major tech initiatives include a system that provides delivery data based on a customer's location, and supply chain investments to improve inventory turns, cut logistic costs, and provide better service.
