The Home Depot to Close all Expo Design Centers

The company will shut the doors to its 34 Expo stores this quarter.

Laurel Petriello -- Interior Design, 1/26/2009

The Home Depot admitted design center defeat this morning as the company announced they will be closing all 34 Expo Design Centers across the country. Since its launch, the Expo division lagged financially and did not turn projected profit despite the decade’s recent housing boom. Facing a downturn economy, the home improvement retailer decided it would be best to divert attention and resources back to their core "orange box" stores.

"Exiting our EXPO business is a difficult decision, particularly given the hard work and dedication of our associates in that business and the support of our loyal customers," said Frank Blake, chairman and CEO of The Home Depot. "At the same time, it is a necessary decision that will strengthen our core Home Depot business."

Streamlining business for their foundation brand, The Home Depot will eliminate 34 EXPO Design Center stores, five YardBIRDS stores, two Design Center stores, and seven HD Bath locations. The process will occur throughout the remainder of 2009’s first quarter, and will impact approximately 5,000 employees.

Acknowledging Expo’s current customers, The Home Depot has vowed to honor outstanding construction projects already in progress. The company will offer an installation refund to customers whose projects have not yet begun construction, and a design retainer refund to customers whose product has not yet been ordered.