Home Depot is the leading home improvement retailer in North America, selling building materials, tools, appliances and garden products through big-box stores and a substantial online operation. Professional contractors account for roughly half of sales, a customer group the company courts with dedicated service, bulk pricing and jobsite delivery. Founded in 1978, Home Depot pioneered the warehouse format for home improvement. Its results track housing turnover and renovation spending, making it a bellwether for the US home economy.