In a strategic move to bolster its e-commerce presence, The Home Depot has expanded its same-day delivery options through a partnership with Instacart, leveraging the grocery tech company’s Big & Bulky service for expedited delivery of heavy items.
Expanding Delivery Capabilities
The Home Depot has announced an expansion of its same-day delivery services, in collaboration with Instacart. This development comes after a successful pilot program and will utilize Instacart’s Big & Bulky fulfillment solution, which is designed to handle items weighing up to 60 pounds. The enhanced partnership aims to provide customers with the convenience of receiving products like garden supplies, construction materials, and lighting fixtures within as little as an hour from nearly 2,000 store locations.
Strategic E-commerce Growth
This initiative is a key component of The Home Depot’s strategy to offer same-day delivery across the United States. Jordan Broggi, EVP of customer experience and president of online at The Home Depot, emphasized the importance of flexibility in customer service, stating that the collaboration with Instacart will complement the company’s existing delivery options available through its website.
In 2019, The Home Depot committed $1.2 billion to its supply chain infrastructure to achieve its goal of nationwide same-day delivery, aiming to cover 70% of the U.S. population. The company has been utilizing its distribution centers to streamline the delivery process, particularly for bulky building materials, thereby reducing in-store congestion and improving order fulfillment efficiency.
Competitive Landscape
The Home Depot’s move comes as part of a broader trend among hardware retailers to enhance same-day delivery services. Lowe’s, a key competitor, has also been advancing its delivery offerings by partnering with OneRail, an omnichannel fulfillment provider, to ensure same-day delivery for orders placed by 2 p.m. local time.
The Home Depot’s collaboration with Instacart for same-day delivery services signifies a strategic initiative to meet customer demands for fast and efficient online shopping experiences. By leveraging Instacart’s technology and expertise in handling bulky items, The Home Depot aims to enhance its e-commerce capabilities and stay competitive in the rapidly evolving retail landscape.
