"Retail has changed more in the past four years than in our company's 40-year history. Customers expect to shop whenever, wherever and however they want - whether they're buying a hammer or a pallet of pavers," says Stephanie Smith, senior vice president of supply chain development and delivery.
In 2017, the company announced a USD 1.2 bn (EUR 1.02 bn) investment to expand its distribution network with approximately 150 new supply chain facilities nationwide, with the goal of expanding the company's existing same-day and next-day delivery options to 90 per cent of the US population. These facilities include a variety of formats, from small parcel packages to big and bulky products.
The largest of the new Atlanta-area facilities is a 657 600 square-foot (approx. 61 000 square metre) distribution centre in Locust Grove that will focus on fast replenishment to stores in the Southeast.
A new "flatbed delivery centre", set to open in Stonecrest in 2021, will offer same-day and next-day delivery of bulk and oversized orders to both Pro and DIY customers.
The company also plans to open an order fulfilment operation in East Point in late 2021. This facility will offer same-day and next-day delivery of the most popular products primarily ordered by institutional business customers for their maintenance, repair and operations needs.