1. By Stephen Nolan, Mark MacKinnon and Rezarta Matoshi

2. The Home Depot Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank Atlanta, Georgia on June 22, 1979 Currently 355,000 associates 2,040 stores in: the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.

3. Strengths  $44 billion in total assets  179 net new stores opened this year, including relocations-- total count of 2,042  40,000 to 50,000 products in each store  Knowledgeable help  Location  Infastructure Infastructure

4. Weaknesses  “Culture of Fear”  CEO Compensation  Job Security  Fast Growth Problem Fast Growth Problem  Customer Satisfaction

5. Opportunities  Ongoing Housing Maintenance  Superfund Site Superfund Site  China Market-from China Market- from 20  estimated $50 billion home-decoration market by  Home improvement loans Home improvement loans  HD buys EnerBank USA

6. Threats  Overheated housing markets are cooling off CNN MoneyCNN Money  FED keeps raising rates  Wal-Mart  Lowe’s

7. Store Layout and Design  Warehouse Club  Storage on shelves  Loop  Shrinkage

8. Larry The Cable Guy

9. Sources  "The Home Depot, Inc.." Our Company. 06 May 2006.  "Hot home markets to cool down...how will your home fare?." CNN Money. (2006). CNN. 06 May 2006.  Renovating HOME DEPOT, By: Grow, Brian, Brady, Diane, Arndt, Michael, Business Week, 00077135, 3/6/2006, Issue 3974  http://www.guzer.com/videos/larry_home_depot.php http://www.guzer.com/videos/larry_home_depot.php