What could Home Depot have done to avoid its mistake in China?
Home Depot misjudged the market in China. The world’s largest home improvement chain entered the Chinese market in 2006 and decided to leave it six years later. The company was unable to sell its do-it-yourself brand to Chinese consumers. Cheap labor in China means many people can hire someone else to do home improvement work for them. In addition, apartment-based living in China meant there was not much demand for products such as lumber.
Questions
- What could Home Depot have done to avoid its mistake in China?
- In what cultures might Home Depot find better success?