It's an omnichannel spring at Home Depot

New for spring at the world's largest home improvement retailer: an integrated shopping experience.

“This year, we’ve created exciting new ways for customers to shop for all their essential spring products; with easy ways to access product information and shop both in-store and online," said Hal Lawton, senior VP, hardlines for The Home Depot.

"This year, we’ve created exciting new ways for customers to shop for all their essential spring products;”

As the retailer kicks off its sixth annual Spring Black Friday savings event, it says it's making it easier for customers to engage in seamless in-store and online shopping. For instance, inside the stores, The Home Depot mobile app identifies where products are located on the shelves through text or voice-enabled search. Smartphone-enabled catalogs extend the in-store aisles by connecting customers to a much wider variety of product options available online.

The company developed three new online tools and calculators: Mulch & Top Soil Calculator, Weed, Plant, & Pest Problem Solver and Grass Seed Calculator.

“Our new spring calculators, project planners and mobile functionality are exciting new tools and key features within an integrated in-store and online shopping experience,” said Lawton. “Customers can feel empowered to combine the merchandise expertise of our associates with interactive, easy-to-use online and mobile tools to save time and money when taking on their spring projects.”

In 2014, almost 40 percent of all orders on homedepot.com were picked up in a brick-and-mortar store, according to the company.

The merchandise emphasis of the spring selling event includes:

• Enhanced patio furniture and accessories with new collections from Hampton Bay and Brown Jordan, and expanded options of outdoor living accessories, pillows, rugs, lights and lanterns.

• Expanded grill selection with an exclusive brand launch with Nexgrill and the introduction of several exclusive models from Weber and KitchenAid.

• The launch of ECHO’s 58-volt line and the second year of EGO’s 56-volt family of tools, both of which include battery-powered trimmer, blower, edger, mower and chain saw.

• From Toro, the SmartStow, a breakthrough mow 'n' stow engine that allows the mower to be stored vertically, reducing storage space by 70 percent;

Home Depot's Spring Black Friday savings event runs through April 19.