Counter Culture

Today we report on Home Depot’s decision to abandon the opening of 50 new stores and close 15 stores. That might not seem like much considering that the chain has more than 2,200 stores, but we would image that few people would have predicted this a couple years ago.

It seems like every chain is pulling back from their ambitious expansion plans, from Starbucks to Kohl’s. We’re in an environment where store closures and bankruptcies are expected.
Continue reading ‘Is This Just the Beginning For Home Depot?’

Both Home Depot and Lowe’s this week have posted declining sales and earnings, and the two home-improvement leaders are also cutting back plans this year for new stores. Home Depot is cutting its new stores from earlier expectations of 100 to 35, while Lowe’s cut its units by 20, with 120 new locations in the works.
Continue reading ‘Can Home Improvement Catch a Break?’