Core Insights - The U.S. home improvement market is dominated by two major players: Home Depot and Lowe's, which together hold a market share of 76.7% [1][2] - Home Depot's revenue for 2024 is projected at $159.5 billion, while Lowe's is expected to reach $83.674 billion [2] - Home Depot has successfully cultivated the DIY market and established a warehouse-style retail model, which has allowed it to offer competitive pricing [5][10] Market Positioning - Home Depot and Lowe's have distinct customer bases; Home Depot targets DIY consumers and professional contractors, while Lowe's initially focused on contractors before shifting towards DIY [13][18] - Home Depot's market share in the DIY segment was 17% in 2022, while Lowe's derived 75% of its revenue from DIY customers [16][22] Competitive Strategies - Home Depot's strategy includes a focus on low pricing and a wide range of products, with a significant portion of its sales coming from "explosive products" [6][9] - Lowe's has made efforts to expand into the professional market, including acquisitions like Maintenance Supply Headquarters and Artisan Design Group [19][22][23] Financial Performance - Home Depot's Pros sales have surpassed DIY sales as of Q4 2024, indicating a successful shift in focus [20] - Lowe's has faced challenges with declining DIY customer spending due to inflation and rising interest rates [18][25] Supply Chain and Logistics - Both companies have established strong supply chain management practices, with Home Depot sourcing over 50% of its products from the U.S. and reducing reliance on Chinese suppliers [38][39] - Home Depot's logistics system is highly developed, with 98% of its goods transported through its own logistics network [42] Online Business Development - Home Depot has been more aggressive in its online sales strategy, achieving a higher online sales percentage compared to Lowe's [45]