HOME DEPOT

The Home Depot is one of the world's largest home improvement specialty retailers with stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, more than 10 Canadian provinces, Mexico and China. Founders Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank changed the home improvement industry when they opened the first store in Atlanta on June 22, 1979. The original stores stocked approximately 25,000 products. Today, on average, a Home Depot store offers more 40,000 products and is approximately 105,000 square feet. The company s stores provide a variety of services, including everyday shopping services, home services, contractor services, a credit center, delivery options, home improvement loans, tool and truck rentals, design services, free how-to clinics and children s workshops. The company specializes in flooring, lighting, interior d cor and landscape supply. As of 2007, the company has more than 2,200 stores located throughout the United States, Canada, China and Mexico. In addition, it operates nearly 35 EXPO Design Center stores and more than 10 The Home Depot Landscape Supply stores. The Home Depot is headquartered in Atlanta, with a store location in Poway, Calif.