By Stephen Nolan, Mark MacKinnon and Rezarta Matoshi

The Home Depot

Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank Atlanta, Georgia on June 22, 1979Currently 355,000 associates 2,040 stores in: the U.S., Canada,  Mexico, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.

Strengths

$44 billion in total assets 179 net new stores opened this year,

including relocations-- total count of 2,042

40,000 to 50,000 products in each store Knowledgeable help Location Infastructure

Weaknesses

“Culture of Fear” CEO Compensation Job Security Fast Growth Problem Customer Satisfaction

Opportunities

Ongoing Housing Maintenance Superfund Site China Market-from China Market-from

20 estimated $50 billion home-decoration market by

Home improvement loans HD buys EnerBank USA

Threats

Overheated housing markets are cooling off CNN Money

FED keeps raising rates Wal-Mart Lowe’s

Store Layout and Design

Warehouse ClubStorage on shelvesLoopShrinkage

Larry The Cable Guy

Sources

"The Home Depot, Inc.." Our Company. 06 May 2006 <http://corporate.homedepot.com/wps/portal/!ut/p/.cmd/cs/.ce/7_0_A/.s/7_0_10D/_s.7_0_A/7_0_10D>.

"Hot home markets to cool down...how will your home fare?." CNN Money. (2006). CNN. 06 May 2006 <http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/03/real_estate/house_price_predictions_for_2006/index.htm>.

Renovating HOME DEPOT,  By: Grow, Brian, Brady, Diane, Arndt, Michael, Business Week, 00077135, 3/6/2006, Issue 3974

http://www.guzer.com/videos/larry_home_depot.php