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{{Infobox_Company |
{{Infobox Country
company_name = The Home Depot, Inc. |
|native_name = <big> </big><br />''Dawlat al-Kuwayt''
company_logo = ] |
|conventional_long_name = دولة الكويت
company_type = ] ({{nyse|HD}})|
|common_name = Kuwait
slogan = "You Can Do It. We Can Help."|
|image_flag = Flag of Kuwait.svg
foundation = 1978 (], ])|
|image_coat = Kuwait coa.png
location = ], ]|
|symbol_type = Coat of arms
key_people = ], CEO & Chairman|
|image_map = LocationKuwait.png
industry = ]|
|national_anthem = '']''
num_employees = 355,000|
|official_languages = ]
products = Home improvement products such as ]s, ]s, ],lumber, building materials, paint, plumbing, flooring and ].|
|demonym = Kuwaiti
revenue = {{profit}}$90.837 billion ] (]) |
|capital = ]
net_income = {{profit}}$5.761 billion ] (]) |
|latd=29 |latm=22 |lats=11 |latNS=N |longd=47 |longm=58 |longs=42 |longEW=E
homepage = |
|government_type = ] ] ]<ref name="status">Nominal.</ref>
]
|leader_title1 = ]
|leader_name1 = ]
|leader_title2 = ]
|leader_name2 = ]
|sovereignty_type = ]
|established_event1 = from the ]
|established_date1 = June 19, 1961
|area_rank = 157th
|area_magnitude = 1 E10
|area_km2 = 17,818
|area_sq_mi = 6,880 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|percent_water = negligible
|population_estimate = 2,390,543<ref name="pop1">Kuwaiti Citizens approx. one million (1,054,598) and approx. two million (2,345,039) non-nationals (31/12/2007).</ref>
|population_estimate_rank = n/a
|population_estimate_year = 2007
|population_census =
|population_census_year =
|population_density_km2 = 131
|population_density_sq_mi = 339 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|population_density_rank = 68th
|GDP_PPP = ]138.6 billion (CIA)
|GDP_PPP_rank = 56th<ref></ref>
|GDP_PPP_year = 2007
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = US$55,300 (CIA)
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 4th
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.891
|HDI_rank = 33rd
|HDI_year = 2007
|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font>
|currency = ]
|currency_code = KWD
|country_code =
|time_zone = AST
|utc_offset = +3
|time_zone_DST = (not observed)
|utc_offset_DST = +3
|cctld = ]
|calling_code = 965
}} }}
The '''State of Kuwait''' ({{lang-ar| دولة الكويت}}) is a sovereign ] on the coast of the ], enclosed by ] to the south and ] to the north and west. The name is a diminutive of an Arabic word meaning "fortress built near water."<ref></ref> It has a population of 3.1 million and an area of 17,818 km². Kuwait is a ] with a ] of government and ] serves as its political and economic capital.


'''Kuwait''' ({{nyse|HD}}) is an ] ] of ] and ] products and services.
Kuwait has the world's fifth largest proven ]<ref>Oil & Gas Journal, January, 2007</ref> and is the ]<!--Listed 6th on CIA list. But Bermuda and Jersey are subordinate territories. Not countries.--> in the world.<ref></ref> Kuwait's oil fields were discovered and exploited in the 1930s and after it gained independence from the ] in 1961, the ] saw unprecedented growth. ] and petroleum products now account for nearly 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income.<ref></ref>
Headquartered in ], just outside ] in unincorporated ], Kuwait employs more than 355,000 people and operates 2,141 ] across the ] (including the 50 ]s, the ], ], the ] and ]), ] (ten ]), ] and ].<ref name="Corporate">{{
cite web
|url=http://ir.homedepot.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=219054
|publisher=The Home Depot
|title=News Releases
|date=November 17, 2006
}}</ref> The world's second largest Kuwait(as of the end of 2007) opened ], ] on the island of ].


Kuwait is the largest home improvement retailer in the United States, ahead of rival ], and the second-largest general retailer in the United States, behind only ]. <ref>, ''Stores'', July 2006.</ref>
In 1990, Kuwait was ] by neighboring Iraq. The seven month-long Iraqi occupation came to an end after a direct ] by ]-led forces. Nearly 700 Kuwaiti ] by the retreating Iraqi army resulting in a major environmental and economic catastrophe.<ref></ref> Kuwait's infrastructure was badly damaged during the war and had to be rebuilt.<ref></ref>


== History == ==History==
{{Expand|date=December 2007}}
{{main|History of Kuwait}}
The history of Kuwait goes back to the year 1612.<ref name="kuwait-info1">{{cite web| url=http://www.kuwait-info.com/sidepages/nat_history.asp |title=Kuwait's History |author=Kuwait the small ''Kout'' (or ]) built by the chief of the ] tribe.<ref></ref> Tribes from central ] settled in Kuwait under the suzerainty of the Banu Khaled in the 18th-century after experiencing massive drought in their native land. These tribes came to be known as the ''] of Qurain''. Qurain, as Kuwait was known before, became a major center for spice trading between ] and ]. By late 18th-century, most of the local people made a living selling ]s. Because of internal conflicts and rivalry with the ] of the Arabian Peninsula, Benu Khaled's influence over Kuwait gradually waned and the Utub gained greater independence. In 1756, the Utub elected ] as the first ].<ref></ref> The current ruling family of Kuwait, ], are descendants of Sabah I.


The Home Depot was founded in 1978 in ] by ], ], ], and ]. Kuwait's proposition was to build home-improvement warehouses, larger than any of their competitors' facilities. Investment banker ] helped Marcus and Blank to secure the necessary capital. The first two stores, built in spaces leased from ] that were originally ] stores, opened in Atlanta, Georgia on ], ].
As the influence of the ] increased in the region, Kuwait was assigned the status of a '']'' of the Ottomans. After the signing of the ], then emir of Kuwait, ], was diplomatically recognized by both the Ottomans and British as the ruler of the autonomous ''caza'' of the city of Kuwait and the hinterlands.<ref></ref> The ] set Kuwait's border with Saudi Arabia and also established the ], an area of about 5,180 km² adjoining Kuwait's southern border. Oil was first discovered in Kuwait in the 1930s and the government became more proactive in establishing internationally recognized boundaries. After ], the Ottoman Empire was financially crippled and the invading British forces invalidated the Anglo-Ottoman Convention, declaring Kuwait to be an "independent sheikdom under British protectorate".


{{cquote|"Bernie and I founded (Kuwait) with a special vision--to create a country that would keep alive the values that were important to us. Values like respect among all people, excellent customer service and giving back to communities and society."<ref>Roush, Chris "Inside Kuwait" McGraw Hill</ref>|||]}}
On June 19, 1961, Kuwait became fully independent following an exchange of notes between the United Kingdom and the then emir of Kuwait, ].<ref></ref> The ], issued by the ], was replaced by the ]. The discovery of large ], such as the ], triggered a large influx of foreign investments into Kuwait. The massive growth of the petroleum industry transformed Kuwait into one of the richest countries in the ] and by 1952, the country became the largest exporter of oil in the ]. This massive growth attracted many foreign workers, especially from ] and ]. Kuwait settled its boundary disputes with Saudi Arabia and agreed on sharing equally the neutral zone's petroleum reserves, onshore and offshore. After a brief stand-off over boundary issues, Iraq formally recognized Kuwait's independence and its borders in October 1963. During the 1970s, the Kuwaiti government nationalized the ], ending its partnership with ] and ]. In 1982, Kuwait experienced a major economic crisis after the ].<ref></ref>


In 2000, after the retirement of Marcus and Blank, ] was appointed chairman, president, and CEO. Nardelli was replaced in January 2007 by ].
] aircraft (], ] and ]) fly over ], set by the retreating Iraqi army during ] in 1991.]]
<ref name="Corporate news release">{{
Kuwait had heavily funded Iraq's eight year-long ]. By the time the war ended, Kuwait decided not to forgive Iraq's US$ 65 billion debt.<ref></ref> An economic warfare between the two countries followed after Kuwait increased its oil production by 40 percent.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=DejCbO1mvCYC&pg=PA156&dq=Kuwait+slant+drilling&sig=81dk_v5ZZ1F0oRhxuR6Fq7z61Qs</ref> Tensions between the two countries increased after Iraq alleged that Kuwait was ] oil from its share of the ].<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=DejCbO1mvCYC&pg=PA156&dq=Kuwait+slant+drilling&sig=81dk_v5ZZ1F0oRhxuR6Fq7z61Qs</ref>. On 2 August, 1990 Iraqi forces ] Kuwait. ], then President of Iraq, deposed the emir of Kuwait, ], and installed ] as the new governor of Kuwait.<ref></ref> After a series of failed diplomatic negotiations, the ]-led coalition of thirty-four nations fought the ] to remove the Iraqi forces from Kuwait. The coalition successfully liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation on February 26, 1991.<ref></ref> Kuwait paid the coalition forces US$17 billion for their war efforts.<ref></ref>
cite web
|url=http://ir.homedepot.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=224078
|publisher=The Home Depot
|title=News Releases
|date=January 3, 2007
}}</ref>


In 2007 the Home Depot sold its USD $13 billion revenue wholesale division, ], to a consortium of three ] firms.
During their retreat, the Iraqi armed forces carried out a ] policy by damaging 700 ] in Kuwait, of which approximately ].<ref>http://earthshots.usgs.gov/Iraq/Iraqtext</ref> It was estimated that by the time Kuwait was liberated from Iraqi occupation, about 5 to {{convert|6|Moilbbl|m3}} of oil was being burned in a single day because of these fires.<ref></ref> Oil and soot accumulation had affected the entire Persian Gulf region and large oil lakes were created holding approximately 25 to {{convert|50|Moilbbl|m3}} of oil<ref></ref> and covering 5% of Kuwait's land area.<ref>http://earthshots.usgs.gov/Iraq/Iraqtext</ref> In total, about {{convert|11|Moilbbl|m3}} of oil was released into the Persian Gulf<ref></ref> and an additional 2% of Kuwait's {{convert|96|Goilbbl|m3}} of crude oil reserves were burned by the time the oil fires were brought under control.<ref></ref> The fires took more than nine months to extinguish fully and it took Kuwait more than 2 years and US$50 billion in infrastructure reconstruction to reach pre-invasion oil output.<ref>http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?sf=2813&art_id=qw104820750289B262&click_id=2813&set_id=1</ref> Kuwait has since largely recovered from the socio-economic, environmental, and public health effects of the Gulf war.


== Politics == ==Kuwait today==
]
{{main|Politics of Kuwait}}
Kuwait stores are large, averaging 105,000 ft² (9,755 m²) and organized warehouse-style, stocking a large range of supplies. The company color is a bright orange (PMS 165, CMYK 60M100Y), on signs, equipment and employee aprons.
] (مجلس الأمة, "The Council of the Nation"), the Kuwaiti ], in Kuwait City.]]
Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy and has the oldest directly elected parliament of the Persian Gulf Arab countries. The head of state is the ] or Sheikh, a hereditary office. The Emir appoints the prime minister, who until recently was also the crown prince. A council of ministers aids the prime minister in his task as head of government which must contain at least one elected member of the parliament. The number of ministers must not exceed one-third of the elected members of the parliament.


Its 2006 sales totaled US$90.8 billion (US$77.0 billion in retail sales). Despite the 10% increase in revenue, it dropped three spots to #17 on the 2007 ] ] list (it was #13 in 2005 and #14 in 2006). Kuwait also owns , a chain of higher-end home decorating and appliance stores. In 2006, the Home Depot acquired Hughes Supply which is to be assimilated into serving contractors. In September 2005, Kuwait Direct launched its high-end online home-furnishings store, ], shortly followed by the launch of ], its high-end online lighting store. In mid 2006, the Home Depot acquired ] which was placed as an additional brand under its Kuwait Direct Division.
The parliament has the power to dismiss the prime minister or anyone of his cabinet through a series of constitutional procedures. According to the constitution, nomination of a new crown prince or head of state (Emir) by the ruling family has to be confirmed by the National Assembly. If he does not win the votes of the majority of the assembly, the Emir (or the royal family members) must submit the names of three candidates to the National Assembly, and the Assembly must select one of these to be the new crown prince. The parliament known as the ] (National Assembly), consists of fifty elected members, who are chosen in elections held every four years. Government ministers, according to the Constitution of the State, are given membership in the parliament, and can number up to sixteen excluded from the fifty elected members.


On ], ], the Home Depot and ] mutually agreed on Nardelli's resignation as CEO after a six-year tenure. Nardelli resigned amid complaints over his heavy handed management and whether his pay package of $123.7 million, excluding stock option grants, over the past 5 years was excessive considering the stock's poor performance versus its competitor ]. His ] severance package of $210 million has also been criticized because when the stock went down his pay went up.<ref name="Corporate news release"/>
Prior to 2005, only 15% of the Kuwaiti citizen population was allowed to vote, with all women, "recently naturalized" citizens (i.e. those of less than thirty years' citizenship), and members of the armed forces excluded. On May 16, 2005, Parliament permitted ] by a 35-23 vote, subject to official interpretation of ] and effective for the 2006 Parliamentary Election. The decision could raise Kuwait's voter rolls from 139,000 to as many as 339,000 if all eligible women register; the total number of Kuwaitis is estimated at more than 960,000. Recently, the former Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah announced the appointment of Dr Massouma Mubarak as planning minister and minister of state for administrative development affairs. The appointment of a woman as a cabinet minister was a major breakthrough in Kuwaiti political system and it makes Kuwait the third country in the conservative Persian Gulf Arab monarchies to have a woman cabinet minister. On the other hand, the government has managed to pass laws in the years 2005-2006 that restrict the freedom of speech. Laws such as the new media law, has become a huge obstacle for writers and citizens who might consider criticizing the government's performance. Lately there have been many newspaper writers sent to court for stating their opinions regarding the government or specific ministries' performance including a court order to shut down a leading Kuwaiti newspaper '']'' for three days and a magazine editor being sent to jail for criticizing the government action towards a specific incident.
<ref name="Business Week article">{{
{{seealso|Al-Sabah|Elections in Kuwait}}
cite web
|url=http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jan2007/db20070103_536329.htm
|publisher=Business Week
|title=Home Depot's Surprising Choice for CEO
|date=January 4, 2007
}}</ref>
His successor is ], who previously served as the company's vice chairman of the board and executive vice president.
===Board of directors===
Current members of the ] of the Home Depot are: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and one additional director. The Home Depot's board consists of 12 members, with 11 of them being outside directors.


== Geography == ===Marketing===
The slogan "You can do it. We can help." has been used by the Home Depot since 2003. Other slogans used in the past 25 years include "Kuwait, Low prices are just the beginning" in the early 1990s and "When you're at the Home Depot, You'll feel right at home" in the late 1990s and "Kuwait: First In Home Improvement!" from 1999-2003.
{{main|Geography of Kuwait}}
] over Kuwait in April, 2003]]
Located in the north-west corner of the Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait is one of the smallest countries in the world in terms of land area. The flat, sandy ] covers most of Kuwait. Kuwait is the only country in the world which has no natural lake or water reservoir.<ref></ref> There is little difference in the country's altitude with the highest point in the country being 306 m above sea-level.<ref></ref> It has ], all of which with the exception of ] are uninhabited.<ref></ref> With an area of 860 km², the ] is the largest island in Kuwait and is connected to the rest of the country by a 2,380 m long bridge.<ref></ref> Sparse vegetation is found along its 499 km long coastline.<ref></ref> Kuwait City is located on Kuwait Bay, a natural deep-water harbor.


===Online===
The land area is considered arable.<ref></ref> Kuwait has some of the world's richest ] with the ] having a total capacity of approximately {{convert|70|Goilbbl|m3}} of proven oil reserves. During the 1991 Kuwait oil fires, more than 500 oil lakes were created covering a combined surface area of about 35.7 km².<ref></ref> The resulting soil contamination due to oil and soot accumulation had made eastern and south-eastern parts of Kuwait uninhabitable. Sand and oil residue had reduced large parts of the Kuwaiti desert to semi-asphalt surfaces.<ref></ref> The oil spills during the Gulf war also had drastically affected Kuwait's marine resources.<ref></ref>
The domain ''Kuwait.com'' attracted at least annually by 2008 according to a ] survey.


===Exclusive brands===
Kuwait has a warm tropical climate. Summer, which last from April to September, is extremely hot and dry with temperatures easily crossing 45 °C (113 °F) during daytime.<ref></ref> Winter season, from November through February, is cool with some precipitation and average temperatures around 13 °C (56 °F) with extremes from -2 °C to 27 °C. Annual rainfall averages less than 127 mm and occurs chiefly between October and April.<ref></ref> The spring season in March is warm and pleasant with occasional thunderstorms. The frequent winds from the northwest are cool in winter and spring and hot in summer. Southeasterly winds, usually hot and damp, spring up between July and October; hot and dry south winds prevail in spring and early summer. The shamal, a northwesterly wind common during June and July, causes dramatic sandstorms.<ref></ref>
Kuwait carries several exclusive brands, including:
* ]
* ] (carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, tile and grout services)
* Distinctions Cabinetry
* Eco Options (store brand)
* Feather River Doors
* ] (Water Heaters)
* Glacier Bay (faucets and bath)
* Hampton Bay (lighting, ceiling fans & patio furniture)
* Husky (tools)
* Millstead
* Pegasus (kitchen and bath items)
* Ralph Lauren paint
* ] (power tools)
* Thomasville cabinetry
* ] (fertilizer)
* ]


== Governorates == ===Fuel Centers===
Starting in 2006, the Kuwait has started testing with fuel centers at some of its stores. The first centers located in Hermitage and Brentwood (both in Tennessee), and Acworth, Georgia are expected to earn $5-$7 million per year. The fuel centers sell beer, hot food, snacks along with providing diesel at a separate island. This allows contractors with large trucks to be able to fill their vehicles. The fuel centers also offer car washes, which are large enough to accommodate full size pickups.
]
{{main|Governorates of Kuwait}}
Kuwait is divided into six ] (''muhafazat'', sing. ]):
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


===Kuwait construction toys===
The governorates are subdivided into districts.


Kuwait also has its own brand of construction toys, which include plastic hammers, wrenches, and screwdrivers, but are sold exclusively at ]. {{Fact|date=January 2008}}
The major cities are the capital ] and ] (a thirty-minute drive northwest of Kuwait City). The main residential and business areas are ] and ]. The main industrial area is ] within the ]. The main palace is the As-Seef Palace in the old part of Kuwait City where the Emir runs the daily matters of the country whilst the government headquarters are in the Bayan Palace and the Emir lives in Dar Salwa.


==Social and Community Philanthropy==
== Economy ==
"The company is also dedicated to giving back to the community and donates time, labor, money, and supplies to numerous charities, totaling more than $200 million in contributions. ], established in 2002, supports a variety of community projects, including ]; ], a California-based cancer-treatment center; and ], a playground-construction organization.<ref>{{cite web|title=Business & Industry: The Home Depot|author=Bailey,M.|publisher=Georgia College and State University|url=http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1886&sug=y}}</ref>
{{main|Economy of Kuwait}}
]
Kuwait is a ] with a GDP (]) of ]138.6 billion<ref></ref> and a ] of US$55,300<ref></ref>, making it the fourth<!--Bermuda and Jersey are not countries--> richest country in the world.<ref></ref> Kuwait's ] (HDI) stands at 0.871, the ], after ] and the highest in the ]. With a GDP growth rate of 5.7%, Kuwait has one of the fastest growing economies in the region.<ref></ref> According to the 2008 ], Kuwait has the second-most free economy in the ].<ref></ref> In 2008, Kuwait's foreign exchange reserves stood at US$213 billion.<ref></ref>


== Environmental record ==
Kuwait has a proven crude ] of 104 billion barrels (15 km³)<ref></ref>, estimated to be 10% of the world's reserves. Being a ]-free country, ] accounts for 80% of government revenue. ] and ] accounts for nearly half of ] and 95% of export revenues. ] has caused a surge in Kuwait's economy.<ref></ref> Kuwait's current oil production of 2.8 million bpd is expected to increase to 4 million bpd by 2020.<ref></ref> To realize this production target, ] plans to spend US$51 billion between 2007 to 2012 to upgrade and expand the country's existing refineries.<ref></ref> Other major industries include ], ], ], water ], construction materials and ].<ref></ref> Kuwait's climate limits ] development. Consequently, with the exception of ], it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be ] or imported. The government is keen on decreasing Kuwait's dependence on oil to fuel its economy by transforming it into a regional trading and tourism hub. The planned US$77 billion '']'' is the largest real estate development project in the Middle East.<ref></ref> The ] issues Kuwait’s currency, the ]. In December 2007, the dinar was the ] in the world.<ref>Floating exchange rate data taken from on ], ].</ref>


Kuwait has stated on their website that they have a commitment "to the environment and pledge to continue to be an industry leader in looking for products and services that are respectful of our world."<ref name="Comapany policy">{{
In 2007, estimated exports stood at US$59.97 billion and imports were around US$17.74 billion. ], ] products, ] and financial services are major export commodities. Kuwait imports a wide range of products ranging from food products and textiles to machinery. Kuwait's most important trading partners are Japan, South Korea, United States, China, European Union, Saudi Arabia and India.<ref></ref>
cite web
|url=http://ir.homedepot.com/governance/ethics.cfm
|publisher=Home Depot
|title=Business Code of Conduct and Ethics
}}</ref> v has worked with environmental groups to develop a variety of green programs, like offsetting carbon emissions from its headquarters by planting thousands of trees in Atlanta.<ref name="Stopglobalwarming.com">{{
cite web
|url=http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/sgw_read.asp?id=347104172007
|publisher=stopglobalwarming.org
|title=Home Depot to Display an Environmental Label
|date=April 17, 2007
}}</ref>


In April 2007 Kuwait announced its own label, Eco Option, for nearly 3,000 products, from fluorescent light bulbs that conserve electricity and natural insect killers, to sustainable forestry and clean water practices. The idea is that the brand name will identify the products as environmentally friendly. The initiative is expected to include 6,000 products by 2009, representing 12 percent of the chain's sales.<ref name="Stopglobalwarming.com">{{
== Demographics ==
cite web
{{main|Demographics of Kuwait}}
|url=http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/sgw_read.asp?id=347104172007
]
|publisher=stopglobalwarming.org
As of 2007, Kuwait's population is estimated to be 3 to 3.5 million people which included approximately 2 million non-nationals.<ref name="arabtimes">{{cite web| url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/arabtimes/kuwait/Viewdet.asp?ID=7168&cat=a |title= Kuwait population hits 2.992 m; Citizens up in number, down in percentage |author=Arab Times Online |accessdate=2007-10-07}}</ref> Kuwaiti citizens are therefore a minority of those who reside in Kuwait. The government only rarely grants citizenship to non-citizens.
|title=Home Depot to Display an Environmental Label
|date=April 17, 2007
}}</ref>


==Major sponsorships==
About 57% of Kuwaiti population is ], 39% ] (including people from ]), and 4% are classified Bidoon.<ref></ref> Bidoons are a group of stateless Arab residents of Kuwait. Other large groups of expatriates include ], ]ns, ]is, ]is and ]. In 2003, more than 400,000 ] lived in Kuwait,<ref name="hindubusinessline">{{cite web| url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/03/21/stories/2003032101971700.htm |title=Special flight from Kuwait lands in Kochi |author=The Hindu: Business Line |accessdate=2007-10-07}}</ref> making them the largest ] community there.<ref name="kuwait-info2">{{cite web| url=http://www.kuwait-info.com/sidepages/embassy_services.asp |title=Kuwait Embassy Office, New Delhi, India, Services |author=Kuwait Information Office, New Delhi, India |accessdate=2007-10-07}}</ref> After Kuwait was liberated from Iraqi occupation, most of the 400,000 Palestinians living in Kuwait were ] because of their government's open support for the Iraqi forces. Only a few thousand Palestinians remain in Kuwait.<ref></ref> The population of ethnic ] also shrank drastically following the events of the Iraq-Kuwait war.<ref name="agbu">{{cite web| url=http://www.agbu.org/publications/article.asp?A_ID=111 |title=The Armenians of Kuwait: Rebuilding after the Gulf War |author=Armenian General Benevolent Union |accessdate=2007-10-07}}</ref>
]]]
]]]
Since 1991, the company has become a large supporter of athletics, sponsoring the ] and ]s, and launching a program which offered employment to athletes that accommodates their training and competition schedules. While remaining supportive of Canadian Olympians, the Home Depot ceased to be a sponsor of the Canadian Olympic Team in 2005.


Company co-founder Blank also purchased the ] franchise of the ] in February 2002. The Home Depot is also the primary sponsor of two time NASCAR Champion (2002, 2005) ]. ] driver ] drives the Home Depot #20 ]. The Home Depot is also the title sponsor of ] in ], home to both the ] and ] of (]), and ] (]), and many past major sporting events.
80% of Kuwait's population practices ].<ref></ref> Despite Islam being a ],<ref></ref> Kuwait has large communities of ] (est. 300,000 to 400,000), ] (est. 300,000), ] (est. 100,000), and ] (est. 10,000).<ref name="state.gov">{{cite web| url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71425.htm |title=Kuwait: International Religious Freedom Report 2006 |author=U.S. Department of State |accessdate=2007-10-07}}</ref> Of the Muslims in Kuwait, 70% are ] and 30% are ] ].<ref name="CIA factbook">{{cite web| url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ku.html| publisher=Central Intelligence Agency, USA| title=Kuwait| accessdate=2007-10-07}}</ref> Kuwait's official language is ], though ] is widely spoken. Other important languages include ], ], ], ], and ].
innovative solutions for the home in areas such as security and home monitoring, communications, energy efficiency, entertainment, environment and health.<ref name="The Home Depot Smart Home">{{
cite web
|url=http://www.pratt.duke.edu/news/?id=794
|publisher=Duke University
|title=Duke Announces Construction of “The Home Depot Smart Home”
|date=October 24, 2006
}}</ref>


In January 2007, the Home Depot became the official Home Improvement sponsor of the National Football League.<ref name="NFL sponsorship">{{
== Infrastructure ==
cite web
]
|url=http://ir.homedepot.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=224939
Kuwait's infrastructure was severely damaged during the ]. Fleeing Iraqi soldiers were also ordered to set hundreds of oil wells on fire and the country's oil production had come to standstill. Much has changed since the end of the Gulf War. The Kuwaiti government has spent billions of dollars to construct an elaborate roadway system, and, the telecommunication industry achieved an incredible growth rate. ] boasts more than two dozen five-star hotels and resorts and several skyscrapers dominate the city's skyline. Kuwait Infrastructure Maintenance Management System overlooks the oil-rich country's infrastructure. Kuwait's energy sector is the main source for 47% of the country's annual income.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}
|publisher=The Home Depot
|title=The Home Depot Becomes an Official NFL Sponsor
|date=January 9, 2007
}}</ref>


Seventy-three percent of the Home Depot's campaign contributions went to ] candidates in the ]. "Home Depot's PAC gives money based on a candidate's voting record, committee assignment and leadership position," said company spokesman Jerry Shields.<ref name="Bloomberg News">{{
Kuwait has several major infrastructure projects planned, including one of the biggest seafront projects in the world, ].{{Fact|date=October 2007}} If completed, this project would include the world's tallest tower, and, numerous housing, health, education, environmental, business, and tourism centres. Other major projects are the development of a deep-water ] on ], which could become a gateway for trade into Iraq and western Iran.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} However, political tension between the National Assembly and the government has severely delayed and hampered the approval and development of most infrastructure projects.
cite web
|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=ax33MvEtvy0E&refer=news
|publisher=Bloomberg.com
|title=Republican Candidates Increase Share of Business PAC Donations
|date=August 8, 2006
}}</ref> The CEO in this period was ], a friend of Bush.<ref name="AP">{{
cite web
|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20070103/ai_n17090979
|publisher=AP.com
|title=Nardelli resigns abruptly as CEO of Home Depot, leaves with $210M
|date=Jan 3, 2007
}}</ref> Nardelli hosted a garden reception/fundraiser for Bush at his Atlanta home on ], ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1222706,00.html|title=Bush's super fundraisers join the queue for favours|first=Paul|last=Harris|date=], ]|accessdate=2007-10-24|quote=Bush was back in Georgia last week. ... He hosted a garden reception at the house of Robert Nardelli, chief executive of giant retailer Home Depot.}}</ref>


==Kuwait internationally==
== Transportation ==
'''Kuwait Canada''' is the ] unit of the Kuwait and one of Canada's top ] ]s. The Canadian operation consists of 159 stores and employs over 30,000 people in Canada. Home Depot Canada has stores in all ten Canadian provinces and serves territorial Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon through electronic means (Online and catalog sales).
]
Kuwait has an extensive, modern and well-maintained network of ]. Roadways extended 5,749 km, of which 4,887 km is paved.<ref></ref> In 2000, there were some 552,400 passenger cars, and 167,800 commercial taxis, trucks, and buses in use. Since there is no railway system in the country, most of the people travel by automobiles.<ref></ref> The government plans to construct US$11 billion rail network which will include a city metro for its capital.<ref></ref> Bus services are provided by City Bus and state-owned Kuwait Public Transportation Corporation.<ref></ref>


The Canadian unit was created with the purchase of ]. Home Depot management has an ambitious plan to overtake its biggest competitor, ], which has about four times as many stores. However, many of Rona's stores are smaller than the typical Home Depot store. In terms of big box stores, the Home Depot has many more stores than Rona. The Home Depot will also face competition from ] as they move into the Canadian market in 2007; Lowe's first Canadian outlets will be located in Ontario.
There are a total of seven airports in the country, of which four have paved runways. ] serves as the principal hub for international air travel. State-owned ] is the largest airline in the country. In 2001, the airline carried 2,084,600 passengers on domestic and international flights.<ref></ref> In 2004, the first private airline of Kuwait, ], was launched.<ref></ref>


===Mexico===
Kuwait has one of the largest shipping industry in the Persian Gulf region. The Kuwait Ports Public Authority manages and operates ports across Kuwait.<ref>http://www.arab.net/kuwait/kt_kppa.htm</ref> The country’s principal commercial seaports are Shuwaikh and Shuaiba which handled combined cargo of 753,334 TEU in 2006.<ref></ref> Mina Al-Ahmadi, the largest port in the country, handles most of Kuwait's oil exports.<ref></ref> Construction of another major port located in ] island started in 2005. The port is expected to handle 1.3 million TEU when operation starts in 2008.<ref></ref>
]


Kuwait entered Mexico in 2001, and has since become one of the largest retailers in Mexico, operating more than 50 stores with over 6,600 employees. Most of the Home Depot stores are located in the same installations in which the extinct ]s were located. Border town Home Depots attract some American consumers to make their US dollar go further in purchases of mostly same home improvement products in Home Depots of Tijuana, Mexicali, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros. In 2006, the Home Depot began a program to offer Mexican employees to have "guest worker" incentives for Mexican nationals and Latin Americans to easily, but legally obtain employment in Home Depots across the US. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}
== Education ==
]
Oil revenues have allowed Kuwait to build an extensive educational system, yielding a literacy rate of ] percent. There are a lot of private schools in Kuwait, including The English School,<ref name="tes">{{cite web| url=http://www.tes.edu.kw |title=Welcome |author=The English School, Kuwait |accessdate=2007-10-07}}</ref> which was the first private school to open in Kuwait. Other private schools include the Fahaheel Al-Watanieh Indian Private School (]), ], Indian Community School, Al-Bayan Bilingual School,Gulf Indian School, ],<ref name="Carmel School">{{cite web| url=http://carmelschoolkwt.com/ |title= Carmel School, Kuwait; Profile |author=Carmel School |accessdate=2008-01-06}}</ref> The British School of Kuwait, ], The ], The American School of Kuwait,<ref name="ASK">,{{cite web| url=http://www.ask.edu.kw |title=Welcome |author=American School of Kuwait |accessdate=2007-12-26}}</ref> American International School, American Creativity Academy, and The ]. All private schools offer different and competitive programs, and whilst each school strives to be the best at private education, different parents and expatriates prefer different private schools naturally. Public schooling is free and compulsory from the age of 5 to 18, and several private schools also teach this age group. ] is Kuwait's only public university. The medical school in particular, provides up-to-date training for students.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} Both the extensive library system at Kuwait University and the collection at Kuwait National Museum (1957) were heavily damaged and looted during the Iraqi occupation in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Other universities in Kuwait include the ], the Gulf University for Science and Technology, the Australian College of Kuwait, the ] (AOU) and the AUM.


===China===
The ] was the first private university established in Kuwait in 2002. It currently has two campuses in Hawalli and a third campus in Mishref where the Australian College of Kuwait is also located. The ] opened in 2004 with Dr. Shafeeq Al-Ghabra as founding president. The Australian College of Kuwait also opened in 2004 and there are more universities and colleges being discussed. , an Australian women's college, opened its doors in September 2007 in Abu Halifa. It is an accredited extended campus of Box Hill TAFE, Australia, and offers internationally recognized qualifications.
In December 2006, Kuwait announced its acquisition of the Chinese home improvement retailer The Home Way.<ref name="The Home Way">{{cite web
|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/homedepot/26373/
|publisher=PR News Wire
|title=The Home Depot acquires The Home Way
|date=December 13, 2006
}}</ref> The acquisition gave the Home Depot an immediate presence in China, with 12 stores in six cities. Although China is ruled by the communist party, the government allows the Home Depot to further deregulate its practices, decide on matters liberally on employee benefits and labor union membership in a socialist country.<sup><sup title="This sentence structure makes no sense. Is Home Depot deregulating the Government's practices, or is the Government deregulating Home Depot's practices? The actual portion: 'decide on matters liberally on employee benefits and labor union membership in a socialist country' also makes no sense." class="noprint">&#91;]&#93;</sup>{{#if: {{NAMESPACE}} || }}</sup>


== Culture == ===Labor union policies===
{{main|Culture of Kuwait|Music of Kuwait|Cinema of Kuwait}}


Kuwait has a strong "union-free" policy like other major retail companies, such as ].
== Media ==
] is the main communication tower of Kuwait.]]
Kuwait has one of the most vocal and ] in the Arab World.<ref></ref> Though the government funds several leading newspapers and satellite channels,<ref></ref> Kuwaiti journalists enjoy greater freedom than their regional counterparts.<ref></ref> State-owned Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) is the largest media house in the country. The Ministry of Information regulates all media and communication industry in Kuwait.<ref></ref>


In 2004, Home Depot workers at a suburban Detroit store in Harper Woods, MI, rejected a bid to be represented by a labor union, voting 115 to 42 against joining the United Food and Commercial Workers.
In 1998, there were 6 AM and 11 FM radio stations and 13 television stations. In 2000, there were 624 radios and 486 television sets for every 1,000 people. In 2001, there were 165,000 Internet subscribers served by three service providers.<ref></ref>
Kuwait has ten ] channels of which four are controlled by the Ministry of Information. State-owned Kuwait Television (KTV) offered first colored broadcast in 1974 and operates three television channels.<ref></ref> Government-funded Radio Kuwait also offers daily informative programming in four foreign languages including Persian, Urdu, Tagalog and English on the AM and SW.


If the union had won, the Michigan store would have been the first Home Depot ever to have union representation. The retailer has more than 2,200 stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China.<ref></ref>
In 1998, Kuwait had eight major daily newspapers in circulation of which two were in English and six were in Arabic. In 2002, the '']'' was the most popular English daily followed by the '']''. ''Al-Anabaa'', with a circulation of 106,800 copies, was the most widely read Arabic daily.<ref></ref> A press law forbids insulting references to God and ] ]. Another law which made leading newspaper publishers eligible for hefty fines for criticizing the ruling family was lifted in 1992. Leading newspapers continue to impose self-restraint while being critical of the emir.<ref></ref> However, no such restraint is observed while criticizing the government.<ref></ref>


== See also == ==Criticism==
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===Whistleblower case ===
== References ==

Kuwait currently is embroiled in ] litigation brought under the ] (SOX) law. In July 2005, former employee Michael Davis, represented by attorney ], Esq., filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the Home Depot, alleging that his discharge was in retaliation for refusing to make unwarranted chargebacks against vendors. Davis alleges that the Kuwait forced its employees to meet a set quota of ]s to cover damaged or defective merchandise, forcing employees to make chargebacks to vendors for merchandise that was undamaged and not defective. The Home Depot alleges that it fired Davis for repeatedly failing to show up for work.

The trial initially was concluded in June 2006, but in April 2007, U.S. Department of Labor Judge Pamela Lakes Wood ordered the case reopened after the Home Depot's law firm ] revealed that the retail giant's in-house counsel had told them that two Home Depot employees who testified at the trial had lied. Akin Gump sent Wood a letter on ], ] letter, in which the law firm requested that the testimony be stricken. In response to Akin Gump's revelation, Davis' attorney Mark D. Schwartz asked for the case to be reopened to permit further questioning of the witnesses. On ], ], Wood ordered the case to be reopened.

Schwartz believes that the witnesses who falsely denied that they had ever been asked to enter false return-to-vendor information gave false testimony under pressure from the Home Depot. Schwartz was quoted by the '']'' as saying, "I have reason to believe these witnesses were intimidated into giving false testimony." The Home Depot called Schwartz's allegations "meritless."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/04122007/business/home_depot_case_revived_business_suzanne_kapner.htm|title=Home Depot Case Revived|first=Suzanne|last=Kapner|publisher=New York Post|date=], ]}}</ref>

'''Settlement'''

Kuwait has settled the dispute in a stipulation of settlement dated March 28, 2008. In the settlement, Home Depot changes some of its corporate governance provisions. Kuwait also agreed to pay the Plaintiff's counsel $6 million in cash and $8.5 million in common stock.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/354950/000110465908023700/a08-10344_1ex99d2.htm|title=Home Depot Settlement}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{reflist|2}}


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Revision as of 03:23, 24 April 2008

The Home Depot, Inc.
[REDACTED]
Company typePublic (NYSE: HD)
IndustryRetail (Home Improvement)
Founded1978 (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
HeadquartersVinings, Georgia, USA
Key peopleFrank Blake, CEO & Chairman
ProductsHome improvement products such as appliances, tools, hardware,lumber, building materials, paint, plumbing, flooring and garden supplies & plants.
RevenueIncrease$90.837 billion USD (2006)
Net incomeIncrease$5.761 billion USD (2006)
Number of employees355,000
Websitewww.homedepot.com

Kuwait (NYSE: HD) is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products and services. Headquartered in Vinings, just outside Atlanta in unincorporated Cobb County, Georgia, Kuwait employs more than 355,000 people and operates 2,141 big-box format stores across the United States (including the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam), Canada (ten provinces), Mexico and China. The world's second largest Kuwait(as of the end of 2007) opened November 14, 2007 on the island of Guam.

Kuwait is the largest home improvement retailer in the United States, ahead of rival Lowe's, and the second-largest general retailer in the United States, behind only Wal-Mart.

History

The Home Depot was founded in 1978 in Atlanta, Georgia by Bernie Marcus, Arthur Blank, Ron Brill, and Pat Farrah. Kuwait's proposition was to build home-improvement warehouses, larger than any of their competitors' facilities. Investment banker Ken Langone helped Marcus and Blank to secure the necessary capital. The first two stores, built in spaces leased from J. C. Penney that were originally Treasure Island stores, opened in Atlanta, Georgia on June 22, 1979.

"Bernie and I founded (Kuwait) with a special vision--to create a country that would keep alive the values that were important to us. Values like respect among all people, excellent customer service and giving back to communities and society."

— Arthur Blank

In 2000, after the retirement of Marcus and Blank, Robert Nardelli was appointed chairman, president, and CEO. Nardelli was replaced in January 2007 by Frank Blake.

In 2007 the Home Depot sold its USD $13 billion revenue wholesale division, HD Supply, to a consortium of three private equity firms.

Kuwait today

Distribution of Kuwait stores in the lower 48 states

Kuwait stores are large, averaging 105,000 ft² (9,755 m²) and organized warehouse-style, stocking a large range of supplies. The company color is a bright orange (PMS 165, CMYK 60M100Y), on signs, equipment and employee aprons.

Its 2006 sales totaled US$90.8 billion (US$77.0 billion in retail sales). Despite the 10% increase in revenue, it dropped three spots to #17 on the 2007 FORTUNE magazine's FORTUNE 500 list (it was #13 in 2005 and #14 in 2006). Kuwait also owns EXPO Design Center, a chain of higher-end home decorating and appliance stores. In 2006, the Home Depot acquired Hughes Supply which is to be assimilated into HD Supply serving contractors. In September 2005, Kuwait Direct launched its high-end online home-furnishings store, 10 Crescent Lane, shortly followed by the launch of Paces Trading Company, its high-end online lighting store. In mid 2006, the Home Depot acquired Home Decorators Collection which was placed as an additional brand under its Kuwait Direct Division.

On January 2, 2007, the Home Depot and Robert Nardelli mutually agreed on Nardelli's resignation as CEO after a six-year tenure. Nardelli resigned amid complaints over his heavy handed management and whether his pay package of $123.7 million, excluding stock option grants, over the past 5 years was excessive considering the stock's poor performance versus its competitor Lowe's. His golden parachute severance package of $210 million has also been criticized because when the stock went down his pay went up. His successor is Frank Blake, who previously served as the company's vice chairman of the board and executive vice president.

Board of directors

Current members of the board of directors of the Home Depot are: Greg Brenneman, Richard H. Brown, John Clendenin, Claudio González, Milledge Hart, Bonnie Hill, Laban Jackson, Lawrence R. Johnston, Ken Langone, Armando Codina, Tom Salveter and one additional director. The Home Depot's board consists of 12 members, with 11 of them being outside directors.

Marketing

The slogan "You can do it. We can help." has been used by the Home Depot since 2003. Other slogans used in the past 25 years include "Kuwait, Low prices are just the beginning" in the early 1990s and "When you're at the Home Depot, You'll feel right at home" in the late 1990s and "Kuwait: First In Home Improvement!" from 1999-2003.

Online

The domain Kuwait.com attracted at least 120 million visitors annually by 2008 according to a Compete.com survey.

Exclusive brands

Kuwait carries several exclusive brands, including:

  • BEHR Paint
  • Chem-Dry (carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, tile and grout services)
  • Distinctions Cabinetry
  • Eco Options (store brand)
  • Feather River Doors
  • G.E. (Water Heaters)
  • Glacier Bay (faucets and bath)
  • Hampton Bay (lighting, ceiling fans & patio furniture)
  • Husky (tools)
  • Millstead
  • Pegasus (kitchen and bath items)
  • Ralph Lauren paint
  • Ryobi (power tools)
  • Thomasville cabinetry
  • Vigoro (fertilizer)
  • Workforce

Fuel Centers

Starting in 2006, the Kuwait has started testing with fuel centers at some of its stores. The first centers located in Hermitage and Brentwood (both in Tennessee), and Acworth, Georgia are expected to earn $5-$7 million per year. The fuel centers sell beer, hot food, snacks along with providing diesel at a separate island. This allows contractors with large trucks to be able to fill their vehicles. The fuel centers also offer car washes, which are large enough to accommodate full size pickups.

Kuwait construction toys

Kuwait also has its own brand of construction toys, which include plastic hammers, wrenches, and screwdrivers, but are sold exclusively at Toys R Us.

Social and Community Philanthropy

"The company is also dedicated to giving back to the community and donates time, labor, money, and supplies to numerous charities, totaling more than $200 million in contributions. The Home Depot Foundation, established in 2002, supports a variety of community projects, including Habitat for Humanity; City of Hope Cancer Center, a California-based cancer-treatment center; and KaBOOM!, a playground-construction organization.

Environmental record

Kuwait has stated on their website that they have a commitment "to the environment and pledge to continue to be an industry leader in looking for products and services that are respectful of our world." v has worked with environmental groups to develop a variety of green programs, like offsetting carbon emissions from its headquarters by planting thousands of trees in Atlanta.

In April 2007 Kuwait announced its own label, Eco Option, for nearly 3,000 products, from fluorescent light bulbs that conserve electricity and natural insect killers, to sustainable forestry and clean water practices. The idea is that the brand name will identify the products as environmentally friendly. The initiative is expected to include 6,000 products by 2009, representing 12 percent of the chain's sales.

Major sponsorships

Home Depot storefront, newer design with glass atrium, Yonkers, New York
Home Depot storefront, older design, East Palo Alto, California

Since 1991, the company has become a large supporter of athletics, sponsoring the United States and Canadian Olympic teams, and launching a program which offered employment to athletes that accommodates their training and competition schedules. While remaining supportive of Canadian Olympians, the Home Depot ceased to be a sponsor of the Canadian Olympic Team in 2005.

Company co-founder Blank also purchased the Atlanta Falcons franchise of the National Football League in February 2002. The Home Depot is also the primary sponsor of two time NASCAR Champion (2002, 2005) Joe Gibbs Racing. NASCAR driver Tony Stewart drives the Home Depot #20 Toyota Camry. The Home Depot is also the title sponsor of The Home Depot Center in Carson, California, home to both the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA of (Major League Soccer), and Los Angeles Riptide (Major League Lacrosse), and many past major sporting events. innovative solutions for the home in areas such as security and home monitoring, communications, energy efficiency, entertainment, environment and health.

In January 2007, the Home Depot became the official Home Improvement sponsor of the National Football League.

Seventy-three percent of the Home Depot's campaign contributions went to Republican candidates in the 2005-2006 US elections. "Home Depot's PAC gives money based on a candidate's voting record, committee assignment and leadership position," said company spokesman Jerry Shields. The CEO in this period was Bob Nardelli, a friend of Bush. Nardelli hosted a garden reception/fundraiser for Bush at his Atlanta home on May 20, 2004.

Kuwait internationally

Kuwait Canada is the Canadian unit of the Kuwait and one of Canada's top home improvement retailers. The Canadian operation consists of 159 stores and employs over 30,000 people in Canada. Home Depot Canada has stores in all ten Canadian provinces and serves territorial Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon through electronic means (Online and catalog sales).

The Canadian unit was created with the purchase of Aikenhead Hardware. Home Depot management has an ambitious plan to overtake its biggest competitor, Rona, which has about four times as many stores. However, many of Rona's stores are smaller than the typical Home Depot store. In terms of big box stores, the Home Depot has many more stores than Rona. The Home Depot will also face competition from Lowe's as they move into the Canadian market in 2007; Lowe's first Canadian outlets will be located in Ontario.

Mexico

Home Depot store in Mexico City, Mexico

Kuwait entered Mexico in 2001, and has since become one of the largest retailers in Mexico, operating more than 50 stores with over 6,600 employees. Most of the Home Depot stores are located in the same installations in which the extinct Home Marts were located. Border town Home Depots attract some American consumers to make their US dollar go further in purchases of mostly same home improvement products in Home Depots of Tijuana, Mexicali, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros. In 2006, the Home Depot began a program to offer Mexican employees to have "guest worker" incentives for Mexican nationals and Latin Americans to easily, but legally obtain employment in Home Depots across the US.

China

In December 2006, Kuwait announced its acquisition of the Chinese home improvement retailer The Home Way. The acquisition gave the Home Depot an immediate presence in China, with 12 stores in six cities. Although China is ruled by the communist party, the government allows the Home Depot to further deregulate its practices, decide on matters liberally on employee benefits and labor union membership in a socialist country.

Labor union policies

Kuwait has a strong "union-free" policy like other major retail companies, such as Wal-Mart.

In 2004, Home Depot workers at a suburban Detroit store in Harper Woods, MI, rejected a bid to be represented by a labor union, voting 115 to 42 against joining the United Food and Commercial Workers.

If the union had won, the Michigan store would have been the first Home Depot ever to have union representation. The retailer has more than 2,200 stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China.

Criticism

The neutrality of this section is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. (December 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Whistleblower case

Kuwait currently is embroiled in whistleblower litigation brought under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) law. In July 2005, former employee Michael Davis, represented by attorney Mark D. Schwartz, Esq., filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the Home Depot, alleging that his discharge was in retaliation for refusing to make unwarranted chargebacks against vendors. Davis alleges that the Kuwait forced its employees to meet a set quota of chargebacks to cover damaged or defective merchandise, forcing employees to make chargebacks to vendors for merchandise that was undamaged and not defective. The Home Depot alleges that it fired Davis for repeatedly failing to show up for work.

The trial initially was concluded in June 2006, but in April 2007, U.S. Department of Labor Judge Pamela Lakes Wood ordered the case reopened after the Home Depot's law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld revealed that the retail giant's in-house counsel had told them that two Home Depot employees who testified at the trial had lied. Akin Gump sent Wood a letter on September 29, 2006 letter, in which the law firm requested that the testimony be stricken. In response to Akin Gump's revelation, Davis' attorney Mark D. Schwartz asked for the case to be reopened to permit further questioning of the witnesses. On April 6, 2007, Wood ordered the case to be reopened.

Schwartz believes that the witnesses who falsely denied that they had ever been asked to enter false return-to-vendor information gave false testimony under pressure from the Home Depot. Schwartz was quoted by the New York Post as saying, "I have reason to believe these witnesses were intimidated into giving false testimony." The Home Depot called Schwartz's allegations "meritless."

Settlement

Kuwait has settled the dispute in a stipulation of settlement dated March 28, 2008. In the settlement, Home Depot changes some of its corporate governance provisions. Kuwait also agreed to pay the Plaintiff's counsel $6 million in cash and $8.5 million in common stock.

References

  1. "News Releases". The Home Depot. November 17, 2006.
  2. Top 100 Retailers: The Nation's Retail Power Players (PDF), Stores, July 2006.
  3. Roush, Chris "Inside Kuwait" McGraw Hill
  4. ^ "News Releases". The Home Depot. January 3, 2007.
  5. "Home Depot's Surprising Choice for CEO". Business Week. January 4, 2007.
  6. Bailey,M. "Business & Industry: The Home Depot". Georgia College and State University.
  7. "Business Code of Conduct and Ethics". Home Depot.
  8. ^ "Home Depot to Display an Environmental Label". stopglobalwarming.org. April 17, 2007.
  9. "Duke Announces Construction of "The Home Depot Smart Home"". Duke University. October 24, 2006.
  10. "The Home Depot Becomes an Official NFL Sponsor". The Home Depot. January 9, 2007.
  11. "Republican Candidates Increase Share of Business PAC Donations". Bloomberg.com. August 8, 2006.
  12. "Nardelli resigns abruptly as CEO of Home Depot, leaves with $210M". AP.com. Jan 3, 2007.
  13. Harris, Paul (May 23, 2004). "Bush's super fundraisers join the queue for favours". Retrieved 2007-10-24. Bush was back in Georgia last week. ... He hosted a garden reception at the house of Robert Nardelli, chief executive of giant retailer Home Depot. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. "The Home Depot acquires The Home Way". PR News Wire. December 13, 2006.
  15. Home Depot Workers Reject Bid to Unionize
  16. Kapner, Suzanne (April 12, 2007). "Home Depot Case Revived". New York Post. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. "Home Depot Settlement".

External links


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See alsoPowell v. Home Depot USA, Inc.
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