Home Depot Embarks on Tech Hiring Spree
Home Depot announced this week that it will hire more than 1,000 technology positions this year. Recode reported the home improvement retailer is using the hiring spree as a means to support an $11 billion multiyear investment plan to extend its lead in brick-and-mortar retail over competitors like Lowe’s as well as fend off increased competition from Amazon.com and other online players. Home Depot has approximately 2,800 employees in technology roles today. The new hires will span roles such as software engineering, user experience design, network engineering and product management, and be located predominately in the company’s Atlanta, Austin and Dallas technology offices, the company said.
Total Retail's Take: The aggressive hiring plan positions Home Depot above and beyond most brick-and-mortar retailers in the age of Amazon. The omnichannel investment in technology will not only help Home Depot to continue to create separation from competititors such as Lowe's, but also make it a leader in personalization as it battles Amazon and others for an increased share of online sales in its category. The plan, first announced in December, will focus primarily on bringing technology into Home Depot's brick-and-mortar storefronts, easing the shopping experience for today's digital-centric consumers and, subsequently, boosting customer loyalty. Home Depot is committed to the increased role that technology will play in the success of traditional brick-and-mortar retailers.
