The Home Depot is now offering express delivery nationwide to customers to receive eligible orders in three hours or less, according to an Aug. 18 press release.
The service uses Home Depot’s supply chain network alongside more than 2,000 U.S. stores as fulfillment hubs, per the release. Pro and DIY customers can use the delivery service for a $7 flat fee in most major markets and a $10 flat fee in Los Angeles, a Home Depot spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive. No subscription or membership required, per the press release.
Express delivery eligibility for thousands of SKUs — including plumbing, hardware, paint and tools — will be available on product pages and in the cart at checkout, per the release.
“Now the majority of those deliveries are actually happening in less than one hour,” EVP of Interconnected Retail Jordan Broggi said during an Aug. 18 earnings call. “And so we'll continue to work that promise time down to customers in the months ahead, but super excited about that.” Prior to the nationwide rollout, Broggi noted that the service was operating in “some markets for several months.”
Home Depot has been focused on maximizing its supply chain capabilities, including speedier deliveries. EVP of Merchandising Billy Bastek said that Home Depot has cut its delivery lead times in the U.S. by 45% over the last 18 months.
“We are encouraged with the positive performance we are seeing in these markets, and we'll continue to expand population coverage and SKUs throughout the year,” Bastek told analysts.
In addition to the new express delivery option, Home Depot operates a delivery center network for thousands of items in categories such as lighting, vanities and building materials, according to the press release. Working alongside local stores, the network delivers more than 65% in-stock parcel products same day or next day. Fifty-five percent of in-stock big and bulky orders, meanwhile, are delivered within two days.
The home improvement retailer also offers free same-day delivery on orders of $25 or more that are placed by a specific time, as well as next-day appliance delivery that reaches 60% of the U.S. population, per the press release.
“In addition, we've evolved our appliance delivery model to better serve direct purchases,” Senior EVP Ann-Marie Campbell told analysts. “We now stock a select assortment of appliances that can reach our customers next day in certain markets.”
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