Home Depot Hooks Up with Google Home for Voice Ordering

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Home Depot Inc (NYSE:HD) is joining forces with Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG,NASDAQ:GOOGL) to add Google Home’s functionalities to its stores.

Home DepotThe hardware and home improvement retailer announced that it would be facilitating the shopping experience for consumers by joining Google Express, meaning that customers will be able to shop with help from the voice-activated capabilities of Google Home.

The move will make it considerably easier for consumers to get help on what they need from Home Depot as they shop. Such a partnership does take us closer to the automation of customer service, and away from the organic human element of a sales assistant.

Home Depot will implement Google Home into its stores later this fall. The company has about 2,282 stores around the world, and consumers will be able to either buy their product at the store through the voice-activated assistant, or on the Google Express website or app.

“We’re focused on delivering convenience and value as we continue to invest in best-in-class interconnected experiences for our customers,” said Home Depot Online President and Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Hofmann. “Google has been a key strategic partner for us over many years and we’re excited to take our relationship to the next level with the Google Assistant and Google Express.”

It is unclear if Home Depot will choose to cut jobs in exchange for automating orders sometime in the future.

HD shares surged 2.4% Wednesday, while GOOG stock fell 0.1% and GOOGL stock wafted 0.1% higher.


Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2017/09/home-depot-google-home-hd/.

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