Home Depot Keeps Growing

ATLANTA-The Home Depot is not slowing down this year. The second-largest retailer in the US plans to keep opening stores in this country and abroad, while bolstering its earnings and sales.

The locally based company, which operates 1,866 stores in North America, is on track to open 175 new units this year. It will continue its expansion in Canada and Mexico, and is “strategically positioned to enter China,” according to Home Depot’s 2005 sales and earnings target report. In addition, the company is in the midst of a $3.7 billion capital spending plan that is investing in store modernization and technology.

“We are clearly on track with the transformation of the company and our strategy of building multiple business platforms for solid, sustainable growth well into the future,” said Bob Nardelli, Home Depot’s chairman, president & CEO.