The growth of e-commerce has ceased to be a complementary strategy for major retail players and has become a constant source of pressure on their supply chains. In this context, The Home Depot Mexico has had to redesign a significant portion of its logistics operations to respond to customers who now demand not only product availability, but also faster deliveries, real-time tracking, and a seamless omnichannel experience .
Salvador Muñoz, the company’s Vice President of Supply Chain, acknowledges that Hot Sale, for example, has become one of the most complex periods for the retailer ‘s logistics operations , even with characteristics distinct from Buen Fin. While the latter maintains a mass-market and generalist profile, Hot Sale requires a focus on technological capabilities and digital responsiveness. “Where we really need to shine is with our online customers ,” he states in an interview.
Preparation begins long before the start of the sales campaigns. Muñoz explains that the company works up to a year in advance to define products, validate standards, packaging, and certifications, especially for imported goods. But the real challenge lies in forecasting and distribution capabilities . “We have to identify the right demand to determine where it will be available and in which stores it will be sold,” he points out.
The logic behind The Home Depot’s operating model is based on bringing inventory closer to the customer and leveraging the extensive network of its 143 stores nationwide as fulfillment points . This involves balancing inventory, avoiding premature stockouts, and responding accurately during peak demand seasons . In parallel, the company has strengthened its technology platforms to offer real-time order tracking and expand its delivery capabilities.
The company has added new parcel delivery partners and opened more dispatch points to avoid bottlenecks during peak demand. The goal is to maintain increasingly aggressive delivery promises, even on weekends. “We always aim for next-day delivery,” explains the executive, detailing that the strategy already includes Saturday and Sunday deliveries through more regionalized logistics networks .
Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @Enrique Duarte Rionda / @GrupoT21
