Just under 90 were in attendance last Friday, May 3rd, at the Corporate Event Centre at CHSI in Mississauga, for the latest CHHMA Breakfast Presentation by Pam O’Rourke, Vice President, Merchandising, The Home Depot Canada. A number of Pam’s management team also joined her on the day. Members were treated to an excellent presentation as Pam shared how the Home Depot continues to evolve and highlighted the retailer’s plan for a “One Home Depot” experience for today’s ever-demanding consumers.
Pam touched upon the different demographic groups and how they differ in how they shop and buy but also what links them all. She discussed how the company continues to focus on the fundamentals too – right product, right pricing, right place and the need for the Home Depot to work closely with their vendors to fulfill their customers ’needs. They continue to make investments in their stores and fulfillment capabilities to create a seamless experience both in-store and online.
Following the Power Point presentation, Shelly Mlynarczyk, from Henkel Canada, conducted a fireside chat with Pam asking her some questions based upon input from CHHMA members prior to the event. This discussion addressed where Home Depot Canada sees their growth coming from over the next few years, their online/e-commerce plans, and how new vendors should approach doing business with the company. Pam also took additional questions from the audience regarding topics like the female consumer, product testing, bulk buying in-store, new store openings and their top priorities for the merchandising team this year.
We would like to thank Pam, and members of her team, for taking the time to come out and share their insights with our members and Shelly Mlynarczyk for her work in putting this event together.
