NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At the NRF 2026 conference, The Home Depot and Google Cloud announced an expansion of their strategic partnership, unveiling advanced AI tools designed to enhance the customer experience for both homeowners and professional customers, such as contractors and remodelers. This collaboration aims to provide real-time expert assistance, enabling customers to receive actionable project recommendations and manage complex material orders seamlessly.
By leveraging Google Cloud’s AI, The Home Depot is transforming its customer service model. The company is enhancing its Magic Apron assistant and introducing AI-powered product list builders tailored for professionals. The integration of Google Cloud’s Gemini models and Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience (CX) establishes an “AI-first” experience that is personalized and accessible across various settings, from customers’ homes to job sites and store aisles.
Jordan Broggi, EVP Customer Experience and President – Online at The Home Depot, stated, “By building on Google Cloud’s AI solutions, we’re putting ‘Orange Apron’ expertise in the pocket of every customer and creating an AI experience that is personalized, contextual, and available wherever the customer is—whether that’s the home, the jobsite, or in the aisles of our stores.” Jose Gomes, vice president of Retail & Consumer Packaged Goods at Google Cloud, remarked, “The Home Depot is leading in the agentic commerce era, and using AI to deliver real-world value.”
The expanded capabilities of the Magic Apron assistant have transformed it into a conversational digital companion for both DIY enthusiasts and professionals. Users can now describe their projects in everyday language, allowing the AI to provide tailored advice and recommendations. This enhancement will soon include advanced multimodal features, such as image uploads, enabling the digital concierge to assist customers with visually guided project planning.
Additionally, The Home Depot has created a new in-store experience with Magic Apron that integrates real-time local inventory data and product locations. This localized AI functionality directs customers to specific aisles for items, while also offering technical guidance. For example, if a customer inquires about the best grout for glass tiles, Magic Apron will provide product recommendations and detailed store navigation. Currently in testing at select locations, this feature is expected to roll out nationally in the coming months.
For professional customers, The Home Depot is launching an AI-powered materials list feature on its pro digital site. This new tool allows professionals to describe their projects via voice or text, or to upload existing product lists. The AI interprets their project needs and generates comprehensive materials lists, even identifying essential items that may have been overlooked. This initiative, which began beta testing in November 2025, aims to streamline the estimating and planning processes, allowing professionals to generate accurate quotes more quickly.
In addition to enhancing customer engagement, The Home Depot is deploying AI-powered route intelligence to facilitate more efficient deliveries. This feature, backed by Gemini and Google Maps Platform, predicts potential delivery challenges by synthesizing customer data with external factors such as weather and road conditions. The AI can identify access issues and alert drivers to potential obstacles, ensuring timely and complete deliveries. It will also recommend appropriate equipment and crew sizes for complex delivery sites.
To further improve customer service, The Home Depot is replacing traditional menu-driven automation with conversational AI across SMS, chat, and voice channels. This new platform allows customers to interact naturally, minimizing the friction often associated with conventional service experiences. The initiative, powered by Gemini Enterprise for CX, has reportedly led to improved engagement and resolution metrics. The company is also testing next-gen AI voice agents in select stores to assist associates in addressing complex customer needs.
At the Store Support Center, The Home Depot is among the first to implement Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise, equipping its associates with AI-driven tools that automate various business processes. This technology helps teams quickly identify project bottlenecks, draft marketing content, and audit digital designs, allowing them to concentrate on strategic initiatives and creative problem-solving.
The Home Depot, recognized as the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, operates 2,356 retail stores and over 1,200 SRS locations across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Employing more than 470,000 associates, the company remains a key player on the New York Stock Exchange, included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 index.
As The Home Depot continues to integrate innovative AI solutions, it is poised to redefine customer interactions and operational efficiency within the retail sector. This partnership with Google Cloud not only enhances the shopping experience but also positions The Home Depot at the forefront of technological advancements in the home improvement industry.
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