Retail in Asia

In Sectors

Home Depot shifts China strategy to online, specialty stores

Home Depot is closing its remaining seven big box stores in China to focus on specialty stores and online offerings, which it said is more tailored to Chinese customers’ needs and shopping preferences.

The company gave assurances that the approximately 850 employees who will be affected by the store closures will receive severance packages and job placement assistance.

Despite the big box store closures, The Home Depot will continue to employ approximately 170 associates in China, working in the sourcing offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen and in its specialty stores.

The company has recently opened two of these specialty stores – a paint and flooring store and a Home Decorators Collection store – both located in Tianjin. Meanwhile, the new formats team will continue research and development activities.

The Home Depot is a global home improvement specialty retailer with 2,249 retail stores in all 50 US states, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico.