Home Depot offers a holiday sneak peek

Highlights of the Home Depot fourth-quarter merchandise lineup include a remote-controlled, pre-lit Christmas tree that shines in 56 light and color options. The season will also bring stocking stuffers like carbide-tipped reciprocal saw blades from Diablo and 21 new Kohler SKUs.

"We look forward to driving excitement this holiday season," said Ted Decker, executive VP merchandising, during the Atlanta-based retailer's third-quarter earnings call.

Decker took over the chief merchant role at Home Depot when Craig Menear moved up to CEO. In addition to introducing new products, looked back at third quarter success stories, of which there were many, he said.

The company reported third-quarter comp-store sales of positive 5.8% in the U.S. 

All departments were positive, he said, with millwork, tools, kitchen, indoor garden, lumber, lighting, bath and plumbing above the company average. Flooring, hardware, building materials, décor, electrical, paint and outdoor garden were positive, but below the company average.

"The core of the store continued to perform, and we saw comps above the company average in maintenance and repair products like water heaters, light bulbs, power tool accessories, hand tools, cleaning, pipe and fittings, and wiring devices," Decker said.

Regarding the holiday selling season, Decker said a plan is in place for Black Friday and Cyber Week.

"With the holidays nearing, we’re once again offering an outstanding assortment of products in our gift centers," he said. "We will feature great deals on hand and power tools, including amazing values from Milwaukee, Makita and Dewalt."