Home Depot stays ahead of the appliance brand game
ATLANTA — Home Depot has added Samsung to its portfolio of leading appliance brands, which already includes Whirlpool, LG, GE, GE Profile, Maytag, Frigidaire, Electrolux and Adora.
The home improvement retailer will carry Samsung appliances at its more than 2,000 stores nationwide and online beginning Sunday, December 9.
"We always look to bring innovation and expanded assortment to our customers," said Bob Baird, merchandising VP, Home Depot. "Adding Samsung's line of home appliances to the roster really bolsters our offering to meet the growing needs of our consumers. Along with our quality products, price and selection, we are committed to delivering excellent customer service to all of our customers."
This year, Samsung received the highest customer satisfaction ranking in three major appliance categories in the annual J.D. Power and Associates Kitchen and Laundry Appliance Studies, including refrigeration for the seventh year out of the last eight, dryers for the fifth consecutive year and washers for the fourth consecutive year.
Home Depot announced its brands expansion just a few months after adding Whirlpool, Electrolux and Frigidaire in a limited number of stores and online, and just one day after rival home improvement retailer Lowe’s, which already carries Samsung, announced its addition of LG-brand appliances, beginning 2013.
Lowe’s saw improvement in its third-quarter results, with quarter profits up 76%. The home improvement retailer’s president and CEO Robert Niblock said the company is focused on improving execution, delivering value and increasing product differentiation. But sales at Lowe’s lacked the momentum evident at Home Depot, whose sales increased from 4.6% to $18.1 billion and same store sales increased 4.2% overall. Home Depot seems determined to edge out its competition, not only by growing its stable of brands, but also by having Samsung brand appliances in stock this month, before the busiest shopping day of the year.