Home Depot’s product parade
From innovations that use advanced lithium-ion technology to old standby push mowers, some of Home Depot’s top-selling products in the third and fourth quarters span the gamut of home improvement categories.
During Home Depot’s third-quarter conference call in November, executive VP merchandising Craig Menear identified several products that are selling briskly or are expected to perform well during the fourth quarter.
Ryobi 18V Lithium Battery
Innovation remains a major component of Home Depot’s leadership strategy, Menear said, and Ryobi’s 18-volt lithium battery underscores that effort. “We’re excited about our second-generation Ryobi lithium batteries with fade-free power,” Menear said. “Lithium-plus batteries offer better performance for existing tools, fuel gauges and extreme weather performance.”
The new lineup of Ryobi features 18V lithium-ion batteries, drills and combo kits. The advanced Li-on delivers up to 20% more runtime, weighs 45% less and holds a charge four times longer than a nickel cadmium.
Marazzi Tile
Porcelain tile, which is a durable, abrasion- and liquid-resistant surface, is often only available in stone or ceramic looks. But this fourth quarter, Home Depot will be selling an oak porcelain floor and wall tile from Marazzi. Called the Riflessi di Legno (left), this 23-7/16-in. x 3-13/16-in. tile can be installed on floors, walls and countertops. Menear said the product “will give customers the ease, maintenance and durability of a porcelain tile with a wood finish they desire.” It retails for $4.89/square foot; $45.57/case (covers 9.32 sq. ft.).
Moen Haysfield Motion-Sensing Faucet
You’ve seen them in airports and some upscale hotels. Now motion-sensing faucets are being offered through Home Depot for the home. MotionSense from Moen uses advanced sensors to detect movement in two sensing zones, setting water flow in motion. “MotionSense was created to respond directly to consumers’ behaviors and preferences in the kitchen,” said Jack Suvak, Moen senior director of research and insights. “With the wave of a hand or by placing a cup beneath the spout, you experience a faucet that intuitively understands exactly what you are trying to do, and responds immediately to your needs.”
The Haysfield pulldown kitchen faucet is the first faucet at Home Depot to offer MotionSense technology. It retails for $398.
Kidde Worry-Free Smoke Alarm
Those annoying low-battery chirps that seem to occur in the middle of the night could be a thing of the past, now that Kidde has introduced its Worry-Free line of smoke alarms (below) with lithium technology. Available at Home Depot, Kidde’s sealed, long-life lithium battery smoke alarm has a 10-year life expectancy.
The smoke detectors are location-based, meaning there are specific alarms for the hallway, bedroom, kitchen and living room. Menear estimates that customers will save on average $40 in battery replacement during the 10 years of battery life.
The retail price ranges from $25 to $50.
Walk-Behind Mowers
Through what it called “supply chain transformation,” Home Depot’s merchandise and execution team was able to extend its fall cleanup-selling season this year. That meant more sales of walk-behind mowers. Three models excelled. Honda’s 404997 (right) was Home Depot’s best selling mower, buoyed by a Consumer Reports “Best Buy” rating. The mower speed adjusts to how fast the user is walking, which is a benefit on hilly surfaces. The Honda mower retails for $399.
Other models are the Toro Personal Pace Recycler 944486 and the Toro High Wheel FWD 731533 (below). “The Recycler deck makes the grass clippings contact the blade several times before going to the ground for mulch or into the bag. That means this mower gets 16.8 lbs. of grass clippings in the same size bag that a John Deere mower only gets 7.7 lbs. into,” according to a Home Depot spokesman. “It may not sound like a lot, but it means you get to mow twice as long before you have to empty the bag. And if you are mulching, the smaller clippings fall easier to the dirt to decompose where several other mowers leave clumps of clippings on top of your grass.”
The Toro High Wheel FWD is a workhorse that runs quietly and is fuel-efficient.