Key Stats
Revenue (FY 2024): $159.51 billion
Market Cap: $355 billion (November 2025)
Employees: 470,000+ worldwide
Stores: 2,340+ locations across North America
CEO: Ted Decker (since 2022)
The Home Depot ranks as the largest home improvement retailer in the world. The company sells tools, building materials, appliances, and home improvement products through warehouse-style stores across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank founded The Home Depot in 1978 after losing their jobs at Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers. They opened the first two stores in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 22, 1979. The founders built their business around customer service, low prices, and a massive product selection.
Today, The Home Depot serves both do-it-yourself customers and professional contractors. The company operates more than 2,340 stores and employs over 470,000 associates. Its stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange and is included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
The Home Depot History
1978
Bernie Marcus, Arthur Blank, Ken Langone, and Pat Farrah founded The Home Depot after Marcus and Blank were fired from Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers.
1979
The first two Home Depot stores opened in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 22. The stores occupied former J.C. Penney locations and featured a warehouse-style format.
1981
The Home Depot went public on the NASDAQ, raising $4.093 million. This capital funded rapid expansion across the southeastern United States.
1994
The Home Depot entered Canada by acquiring Aikenhead’s stores. This marked the company’s first international expansion beyond the United States.
2001
The Home Depot expanded into Mexico through the acquisition of Total Home. The company also acquired Your Other Warehouse, a plumbing distributor.
2015
The Home Depot acquired Interline Brands for $1.625 billion, entering the maintenance, repair, and operations market. Interline was later rebranded as The Home Depot Pro.
2020
The Home Depot re-acquired HD Supply for $8 billion. This deal strengthened the company’s position in the professional maintenance and operations market.
2024
The Home Depot completed the acquisition of SRS Distribution for $18.25 billion. This deal represents the largest acquisition in company history.
The Home Depot Co-founders
Bernie Marcus
Served as The Home Depot’s first CEO and chairman until retiring in 2002. Marcus brought retail experience from his role as CEO of Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers before founding the company.
Arthur Blank
Served as CFO of Handy Dan before co-founding The Home Depot. Blank later became the owner of the Atlanta Falcons NFL team and Atlanta United FC soccer club.
Ken Langone
Investment banker who secured the initial financing for The Home Depot. Langone organized investors and helped take the company public in 1981.
Pat Farrah
Merchandising expert who developed The Home Depot’s product selection and store layout strategy. Farrah convinced vendors to supply products during the company’s early financial struggles.
The Home Depot Competitors
The Home Depot faces competition from national retailers, regional chains, and online platforms. Lowe’s Companies serves as the primary direct competitor with a similar warehouse format and product selection.
| Company | Headquarters | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Lowe’s | Mooresville, North Carolina | Home improvement retail |
| Menards | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Building materials, home improvement |
| Ace Hardware | Oak Brook, Illinois | Hardware cooperative |
| Amazon | Seattle, Washington | E-commerce, home goods |
| Walmart | Bentonville, Arkansas | General retail, home improvement |
| Costco | Issaquah, Washington | Warehouse club, bulk goods |
| True Value | Chicago, Illinois | Hardware cooperative |
| Sherwin-Williams | Cleveland, Ohio | Paint and coatings |
| Floor and Decor | Atlanta, Georgia | Hard surface flooring |
| Target | Minneapolis, Minnesota | General retail, home decor |
The Home Depot Revenue
The Home Depot generated $159.51 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2024. This represented a 4.48% increase from the previous year. The company has grown revenue consistently over the past decade through store expansion and strategic acquisitions.
The Home Depot Market Cap
The Home Depot holds a market capitalization of approximately $355 billion as of November 2025. This valuation makes it one of the 35 most valuable publicly traded companies in the world and the largest home improvement retailer by market value.
The Home Depot Acquisitions
The Home Depot has grown through strategic acquisitions that expanded its product offerings and customer base. The company focuses on acquiring businesses that strengthen its position with professional contractors and the maintenance, repair, and operations market.
The 1994 acquisition of Aikenhead’s stores marked The Home Depot’s entry into Canada. This deal created the company’s Canadian division and established its first international presence. The Home Depot later entered Mexico in 2001 through the acquisition of Total Home, building a network of more than 140 stores across all Mexican states.
Interline Brands joined The Home Depot in 2015 for $1.625 billion. This purchase brought a national distributor of maintenance, repair, and operations products into the company’s portfolio. Interline was rebranded as The Home Depot Pro in 2018 and now operates over 90 distribution centers throughout North America.
HD Supply returned to The Home Depot in 2020 through an $8 billion acquisition. The company had previously owned HD Supply before spinning it off in 2007. This re-acquisition strengthened The Home Depot’s position in the professional MRO market with an experienced sales force and extensive distribution network.
The 2024 acquisition of SRS Distribution for $18.25 billion represents the largest deal in company history. SRS operates more than 760 locations across 47 states and serves professional roofers, landscapers, and pool contractors. This purchase increases The Home Depot’s total addressable professional market by approximately $50 billion.
Other acquisitions include The Company Store in 2017, which added home textiles and decor products, and Hughes Supply in 2006 for $3.5 billion. The company sells products from leading brands including Whirlpool appliances through its store network.
FAQs
Who founded The Home Depot?
Bernie Marcus, Arthur Blank, Ken Langone, and Pat Farrah founded The Home Depot in 1978. Marcus and Blank had previously worked at Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers before starting the company.
How many stores does The Home Depot have?
The Home Depot operates more than 2,340 retail stores across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company also runs distribution centers through its Home Depot Pro subsidiary.
When did The Home Depot open its first store?
The Home Depot opened its first two stores on June 22, 1979, in Atlanta, Georgia. These locations occupied former J.C. Penney spaces and introduced the warehouse-style format.
What is The Home Depot’s largest acquisition?
The Home Depot acquired SRS Distribution for $18.25 billion in 2024. SRS operates over 760 locations serving professional roofers, landscapers, and pool contractors across 47 states.
Where is The Home Depot headquarters located?
The Home Depot is headquartered in Cobb County, Georgia, with an Atlanta mailing address. The company moved to this location after outgrowing its original Atlanta offices.
