The Home Depot and Google Cloud Launch Agentic AI Tools to Help Customers and Associates Bring Projects from 'How-to' to 'Done'

Rhea-AI Summary

The Home Depot (NYSE:HD) and Google Cloud expanded their strategic partnership on Jan 11, 2026 to deliver agentic AI tools that move customers from advice to action. Key launches include an upgraded Magic Apron assistant with conversational, multimodal and in‑store aisle‑level wayfinding

Positive

• Magic Apron expanded to conversational multimodal assistant
• AI pro materials lists beta Nov 2025, scaling nationally Jan 2026
• In‑store aisle‑level wayfinding with real‑time local inventory (testing)
• Route intelligence using Gemini and Google Maps to predict delivery issues
• Thousands of associates equipped with Gemini Enterprise at SSC

Negative

• In‑store agentic experience currently limited to select stores
• AI pro lists launched in beta, indicating limited early availability
• Nationwide rollout timing unspecified beyond "coming months"

Key Figures

Announcement date: Jan 11, 2026 Beta launch timing: November 2025

2 metrics

Announcement date Jan 11, 2026 NRF 2026 launch of expanded Google Cloud AI partnership

Beta launch timing November 2025 AI-powered materials list feature for pros launched in beta

Market Reality Check

Price: $375.95 Vol: Volume 6,964,921 is 1.57x...

high vol

$375.95 Last Close

Volume Volume 6,964,921 is 1.57x the 20-day average of 4,434,414, indicating elevated interest ahead of this AI announcement. high

Technical Price at $374.64 is trading slightly above the 200-day MA of $373.07, after a 4.19% gain over the prior close.

Peers on Argus

While HD gained 4.19%, key home-improvement peers like LOW (+2.79%) and FND (+5....

While HD gained 4.19%, key home-improvement peers like LOW (+2.79%) and FND (+5.47%) also advanced, and broader retail names such as AMZN (+1.15%) and TM (+1.54%) were positive, but the momentum scanner did not flag a coordinated sector move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 10 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 10	Creator portal launch	Positive	+1.7%	Launch of Home Depot Creator portal to connect influencers and drive sales.
Dec 09	Guidance & outlook	Positive	-1.3%	Reaffirmed FY2025 guidance and provided FY2026 outlook and recovery case.
Dec 02	Delivery partnership	Positive	-0.9%	Nationwide Instacart Canada partnership for same-day delivery from 175+ stores.
Nov 25	Conference notice	Neutral	+4.3%	Announcement of 2025 Investor and Analyst Conference webcast details.
Nov 20	Dividend declaration	Positive	+3.3%	Declared $2.30 quarterly dividend, 155th consecutive cash dividend payment.

Pattern Detected

Recent strategic and partnership news has produced a mix of aligned and divergent price reactions, with no consistent pattern in how HD trades around positive announcements.

Recent Company History

Over the last two months, The Home Depot has highlighted several strategic initiatives. On Nov 20, 2025, it declared a $2.30 quarterly dividend, marking the 155th consecutive payout. An Instacart Canada partnership on Dec 2, 2025 expanded same-day delivery from over 175 stores. The company then hosted its 2025 Investor and Analyst Conference and on Dec 9, 2025 reaffirmed FY2025 guidance and issued a preliminary FY2026 outlook. A creator-focused commerce portal followed on Dec 10, 2025. Today’s AI-focused Google Cloud expansion builds on this ongoing digital and omnichannel strategy.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement showcases The Home Depot’s push to embed AI across customer and associate touchpoi...

Analysis

This announcement showcases The Home Depot’s push to embed AI across customer and associate touchpoints, from the Magic Apron assistant to pro materials lists and last-mile route intelligence. It builds on earlier AI initiatives and broader digital investments, using Google Cloud’s Gemini platform to create more contextual, action-oriented experiences. Investors may track adoption by pros and DIY customers, measurable improvements in service metrics and delivery reliability, and any future disclosures on how these AI capabilities influence sales growth, operating efficiency, and customer retention over time.

Key Terms

agentic AI, Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience (CX), multimodal, Google Maps Platform, +2 more

6 terms

agentic AI technical

"Expanded partnership introduces AI agents that go beyond advice to take action"

Agentic AI refers to computer systems that can make their own decisions and take actions without needing someone to tell them what to do each time. It's like giving a robot a degree of independence to solve problems or achieve goals on its own, which matters because it could change how we work and interact with technology in everyday life.

Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience (CX) technical

"By deploying Google Cloud's Gemini models and Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience (CX)"

An enterprise AI platform for customer experience (CX) is a business-grade software tool that uses advanced machine intelligence to help companies handle customer questions, personalize interactions, and analyze feedback across channels like chat, email and phone. Investors care because these platforms can reduce service costs, increase sales and improve customer loyalty—similar to hiring a highly skilled, always-on support team that learns and scales—potentially boosting revenue and margins over time.

multimodal technical

"advanced multimodal capabilities, including image upload and visualization"

Multimodal describes an approach, product, or system that uses two or more different types of inputs, methods, or channels — for example combining text, images and audio in a technology product, or blending drugs, devices and therapy in medical care. For investors, multimodal solutions can broaden market reach and competitive differentiation but also add development cost, operational complexity and regulatory hurdles; think of it like a hybrid car that offers more capabilities but requires more parts and oversight.

Google Maps Platform technical

"route intelligence powered by Gemini and Google Maps Platform"

Google Maps Platform is a set of online mapping and location services that businesses use to display maps, get directions, locate devices, and analyze location-based data inside their apps and websites. For investors, it matters because it generates recurring revenue, strengthens customer stickiness and data advantages for the provider, and can be a bellwether for digital advertising, cloud usage, and partnerships—think of it as the plumbing that powers many location-aware services.

last mile technical

"built a smarter last mile with new route intelligence"

The 'last mile' is the final step in delivering a product, service or data from a company to the end customer — think the short but often tricky stretch from a local hub to your doorstep or the last connection that brings internet into your home. It matters to investors because this stage often drives the largest costs, determines customer satisfaction and retention, and can limit a business’s ability to scale profits or expand into new markets.

AI voice agents technical

"now testing next-generation AI voice agents in select stores"

AI voice agents are software systems that listen to spoken language, interpret intent, and respond or act using artificial intelligence — like an automated customer-service representative that can hold a conversation, answer questions, or carry out tasks. Investors care because these agents can cut labor costs, create new revenue streams through services and subscriptions, and change how companies interact with customers, while also bringing data, privacy and regulatory risks that can affect profits and valuations.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Expanded partnership introduces AI agents that go beyond advice to take action—giving customers project recommendations and managing complex material orders for pros

NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at NRF 2026, The Home Depot and Google Cloud announced an expansion of their strategic partnership, further advancing the interconnected retail experience with new agentic AI tools that provide real-time, expert assistance to homeowners and professional customers (pros) like contractors, renovators and remodelers.

Through the deployment of Google Cloud's AI, The Home Depot is extending its home improvement expertise from the store aisles to customers' fingertips, including new capabilities in its Magic Apron assistant, AI-powered product list builders for pros, and new tools to improve customer and store support. By deploying Google Cloud's Gemini models and Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience (CX), the company is creating a native "AI-first" experience that is personalized, contextual and available wherever the customer is—from the living room to the jobsite to the shelves.

Looking ahead, these capabilities will expand beyond The Home Depot's own platforms as the company participates in new, agentic shopping experiences across AI Mode in Google Search and the Gemini app in the coming months.

"The Home Depot has always been about providing excellent customer service," said Jordan Broggi, EVP Customer Experience and President – Online, The Home Depot. "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."

"We are entering a new chapter of retail where technology doesn't just suggest products—it solves problems," said Jose Gomes, vice president, Retail & Consumer Packaged Goods at Google Cloud. "The Home Depot is leading in the agentic commerce era, and using AI to deliver real-world value. By integrating Google Cloud's AI, The Home Depot is ensuring that customer interactions—whether from a pro on a jobsite or a shopper in an aisle—are powered by the most sophisticated intelligence available today."

Magic Apron Assistant provides conversational home improvement recommendations and project expertise

The Home Depot significantly expanded its Magic Apron suite of AI tools, transforming them from a simple AI assistant on homedepot.com product pages into conversational, expert digital companions for DIYers and pros across Home Depot digital platforms. Customers can now describe their projects in plain language, and Magic Apron moves beyond simple search results to provide expert conversational advice and personalized recommendations for everything from how to fix a leaky faucet to full kitchen remodels. By integrating the Shopping agent from Gemini Enterprise for CX, The Home Depot is enhancing its Magic Apron platform which will soon have advanced multimodal capabilities, including image upload and visualization that allows the digital concierge to intuitively guide customers through complex home improvement projects.

The Home Depot also built a new store experience in Magic Apron, which integrates the agentic AI experience with real-time local store inventory and product locations—combining its proprietary home improvement knowledge and store wayfinding guidance right in a customer's pocket. As one of the first localized AI agents of its kind in retail, this expanded functionality provides aisle-level precision, directing customers to the exact bay for any item and offering technical guidance in the aisles. If a customer asks "What grout works best with glass tiles?" Magic Apron will not only provide how-to guides and recommend unsanded or epoxy grout, but it will also show the customer exactly where to find that product in the store and what additional materials the shopper may want to buy. Currently testing at select stores, the company plans to roll out this in-store experience nationwide in the coming months.

Accelerating pro workflows with AI-powered materials lists

For pro customers like renovators, remodelers, and contractors, The Home Depot will offer a new AI-powered materials list feature on its pro digital site. The new feature allows pros to describe a project via voice or text, or even upload a list of products the pro already has. The agent then interprets the project intent to quickly generate a comprehensive, grouped list of materials, even suggesting essential missed items required for the job—significantly accelerating the estimating and planning process for pros. Launched in beta in November 2025 and scaling nationally this month, these lists can help pros generate accurate quotes in a fraction of the time it used to take, so they can focus on bringing in new business more quickly and seamlessly.

Precision at the pavement with AI-powered route intelligence

The Home Depot built a smarter last mile with new route intelligence powered by Gemini and Google Maps Platform. This system predicts and prevents delivery failures by layering customer-specific data—like operating hours and drop-off preferences—with external factors like weather and road quality. Leveraging multimodal AI, the platform interprets Google Maps to spot potential access blockers such as narrow or unpaved streets, gated entries or posts that would make delivery or entry difficult. The new feature unlocks predictive capabilities to anticipate and mitigate delivery risks, ensuring a reliable and consistent customer experience. And by alerting drivers where large trucks may struggle to turn or offload, the system will soon be able to recommend the right equipment and crew size to ensure even the most complex sites receive on-time, complete deliveries.

Bringing a new level of customer service with AI-powered chat, SMS, and voice

The Home Depot is redefining how customers get help by replacing rigid, menu-driven automation with conversational AI that understands intent and resolves issues in real-time. Live today across SMS, chat and phone, the platform allows customers to speak naturally, eliminating the friction and dead ends common in traditional service experiences.

Powered by Gemini Enterprise for CX, the approach is already delivering materially better engagement and resolution outcomes, proving that conversational AI can move beyond deflection of issues to drive real customer impact at enterprise scale. Building on this momentum, The Home Depot is now testing next-generation AI voice agents in select stores, enabling associates to focus on the most complex customer needs.

Gemini Enterprise empowers associates at the Store Support Center

The Home Depot is one of the first companies to equip thousands of associates with Google Cloud's Gemini Enterprise, a new agentic platform that automates end-to-end business processes. At the company's Store Support Center, Gemini Enterprise equips teams with specialized agents to automate workflows in seconds, from more easily predicting project bottlenecks, to drafting marketing copy and auditing digital designs. By offloading routine execution, associates can focus on creative problem solving, high-impact strategy, and long-term growth.

About The Home Depot

The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer.  At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2025, the company operated a total of 2,356 retail stores and over 1,200 SRS locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The Company employs over 470,000 associates. The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index.

About Google        

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-home-depot-and-google-cloud-launch-agentic-ai-tools-to-help-customers-and-associates-bring-projects-from-how-to-to-done-302657836.html

SOURCE Google Cloud

FAQ

What did The Home Depot (HD) announce with Google Cloud on Jan 11, 2026?

An expanded partnership delivering agentic AI tools: Magic Apron upgrades, pro materials lists, route intelligence, conversational CX, and Gemini Enterprise for associates.

When did The Home Depot launch AI pro materials lists and when is national scale for HD?

The AI pro materials lists launched in beta Nov 2025 and began scaling nationally in Jan 2026.

What is Magic Apron and how will it help Home Depot customers (HD)?

Magic Apron is a conversational, multimodal assistant providing project guidance, personalized recommendations, image uploads, and aisle‑level product wayfinding.

Which Home Depot (HD) stores have the in‑store AI experience and when will it expand?

The in‑store agentic experience is currently testing in select stores with a planned nationwide rollout in the coming months.

How does Home Depot's new route intelligence affect deliveries for HD customers?

Route intelligence uses Gemini and Google Maps to predict access issues, reduce delivery failures, and recommend equipment and crew for complex sites.

What does Gemini Enterprise do for Home Depot associates (HD)?

Gemini Enterprise equips thousands of Store Support Center associates with agents that automate workflows, draft content, and predict project bottlenecks.