With taglines like “You can do it, we can help” (Home Depot) and “Let’s build something together” (Lowes) it is obvious that customer focus is the main idea in these stores; the type of customer is where the difference begins.
Until recently Home Depot was typecast as dingy dark warehouse that people in paint covered overalls visited. They realized that they needed to have more of a stable customer base since home building booms would not always be in high demand. With the new Do it herself and Kid’s workshops they have started to market the whole family. Home Depot also offers products based on regional needs as well as offer 250,000 special order products, just in case you still can’t find what you’re looking for. They also have their own tool rental company and since it is self owned, they have more control over the price.
Lowes was more for the trendy couple that wanted to renovate, update or redecorate their home. With their detailed product signs, it gave everyone the confidence to find exactly what they needed with little help. The cleaner wider isles make the store visually more appealing. They have always offered how to workshops and project centers for those less knowledgeable. In addition to their regular weekly ads, they also give you the opportunity to sign up and receive their project catalog in the mail. This catalog gives several ideas of improvements and even calculates the total price based on their materials and prices. Their spring catalog had just come out and I saw a few individuals referencing this while I was in the store.
The difference between marketing strategies between Lowes and Home Depot are not as obvious to the everyday deal seeker as they are to their loyal customers. When I asked one customer why they shopped at Lowes, they came back with the simplest form or loyalty out there “Because I am a fan of their NASCAR driver.”
Until recently Home Depot was typecast as dingy dark warehouse that people in paint covered overalls visited. They realized that they needed to have more of a stable customer base since home building booms would not always be in high demand. With the new Do it herself and Kid’s workshops they have started to market the whole family. Home Depot also offers products based on regional needs as well as offer 250,000 special order products, just in case you still can’t find what you’re looking for. They also have their own tool rental company and since it is self owned, they have more control over the price.
Lowes was more for the trendy couple that wanted to renovate, update or redecorate their home. With their detailed product signs, it gave everyone the confidence to find exactly what they needed with little help. The cleaner wider isles make the store visually more appealing. They have always offered how to workshops and project centers for those less knowledgeable. In addition to their regular weekly ads, they also give you the opportunity to sign up and receive their project catalog in the mail. This catalog gives several ideas of improvements and even calculates the total price based on their materials and prices. Their spring catalog had just come out and I saw a few individuals referencing this while I was in the store.
The difference between marketing strategies between Lowes and Home Depot are not as obvious to the everyday deal seeker as they are to their loyal customers. When I asked one customer why they shopped at Lowes, they came back with the simplest form or loyalty out there “Because I am a fan of their NASCAR driver.”
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