US-based DIY retailer Home Depot is joining Google Express this autumn.
The move means that customers will be able to shop for wood screws, drills and other Home Depot products simply by using their voice – through voice assistant Google Assistant, on Google Home.
Despite being available in the States since 2013, Google Express – a competitor to the likes of Amazon Prime – is not yet available in the UK. In the US it works with heavy hitting retail brands like Walmart, Costco and Toys R Us. Home Depot market penetration is already deep in North America, with 2,282 stores. Staff numbers are close to 400,000.
“We’re focused on delivering convenience and value as we continue to invest in best-in-class interconnected experiences for our customers,” said Home Depot’s Online President and Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Hofmann. “Google has been a key strategic partner for us over many years and we’re excited to take our relationship to the next level with the Google Assistant and Google Express.”
Home Depot is the world’s largest hardware retailer and saw sales hit $94.6billion in fiscal year 2016, breaking its own record.
By teaming up with Google Express, Home Depot will largely be targeting consumer dollars, but as all industries have seen, consumer behaviour and expectation can soon convert to business behaviour and expectation, including with next day deliveries and delivery tracking.