A Competitive Edge in Retail Innovation

December 6, 2025 / 

Image of Home Depot logo on iPhone. Photo by Marques Thomas.

Home Depot Canada: A Case Study.

Redefining Home Improvement 

I’ve always loved the thrill of DIY, that satisfaction of turning an idea into something real. So, when I saw Home Depot Canada teaming up with Instacart, it stopped me in my tracks. It’s a game-changer for DIY fans like me because the tools, paint, and suppliers that fuel my creativity are now a click away and can arrive on my doorstep in under an hour, even during a mid-project. 

In December 2025, Home Depot Canada announced a groundbreaking partnership with Instacart, becoming the first nationwide home improvement retailer available on the platform. This move signals a major shift in how Canadians can access renovation supplies, décor, and tools with the speed and ease of same-day delivery.

Innovation in Retail and DIY Leadership

This partnership is meeting evolving customer expectations in a world where time is scarce and digital-first shopping dominates 

  • Over 175 Home Depot Canada stores are now connected to Instacart, offering coast-to-coast coverage.
  • Customers can receive essentials in as little as an hour, a convenience once reserved for groceries.
  • Items ordered through Instacart reflect the same prices as in-store.
  • Instacart’s specialized solution allows delivery of items up to 60 pounds, making it possible to order everything from tool sets to furniture without leaving home.

Home Depot Canada is positioning itself as a leader in retail innovation. Here’s how… 

  • Competitive Edge
    By embracing Instacart, Home Depot Canada sets itself apart from rivals who still rely heavily on traditional in-store models.
  • Customer Loyalty
    Offering delivery of renovation supplies alongside groceries and household goods strengthens Home Depot’s role in everyday life.
  • Strategic Timing
    With consumer spending tightening and housing markets cooling, convenience could be the differentiator that keeps customers engaged.

A Digital First Approach that Meets Expectations

Home Depot Canada’s Instacart launch reflects a broader retail trend: partnerships as a survival strategy. By embedding themselves into platforms customers already use daily, brands like Home Depot can stay relevant, accessible, and top-of-mind.

For consumers, this means the line between “essential” and “optional” shopping is blurring. If groceries can arrive in an hour, why not paint, tools, or patio furniture?  Home Depot Canada’s partnership with Instacart is  a logistical upgrade in the future of retail. Convenience is no longer a luxury, it’s the baseline expectation. And in meeting that expectation, Home Depot is proving that even in industries built on bricks and mortar, digital-first innovation is the way forward when it comes to customer experience.

Check out Last month’s case study on Starbucks.  

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About the Author

Deanna White is a Brand Management Consultant and Founder of the Elevate 2026 Brand Audit Project. Professor of Marketing at Algonquin and Lambton Colleges in Ottawa, Deanna is the first of 20 recipients in Canada to obtain Chartered Marketer designation, Executive Advanced Standing by the Canadian Marketing Association. She also was a member of the 2025 CMA Customer Experience (CX) Council. Deanna White, Brand Management Consultant – BrandMarketer

Working with national brands, she has been leading marketing departments at the executive level as Director of Marketing for over two decades. Deanna is best known for driving brand awareness, increasing audience engagement and creating deeper customer relationships.
DeannaWhite.ca – Brand Marketer