As one of the biggest home improvement retailers around, Home Depot carries just about everything you need for your next project or home upgrade. But anyone who shops there regularly knows how frustrating it can be to show up and find the specific patio set or power tool you wanted is out of stock.
The good news? Home Depot stores work hard to restock shelves overnight as shipments arrive. By learning key details about Home Depot‘s restocking processes for top categories like plants, lumber, and summer gear, you can beat the crowds and find the in-stock goods you need.
Consider this your insider‘s guide to aceing Home Depot restocks in 2022. I‘ll share the top insights I‘ve gathered from employees and fellow Home Depot fans on when shipments arrive and how to get first dibs once new inventory hits the sales floor.
Let‘s dive in!
When Do Home Depot Stores Receive New Stock Shipments?
Across over 2,000 U.S. stores, Home Depot locations get deliveries of new inventory throughout the week. Timing depends on distribution from suppliers and transit time.
According to Home Depot employees, new stock typically shows up at stores during regular business hours. You might notice pallets of merchandise being wheeled in during the late morning or afternoon.
However, employees don‘t actually unpack shipments and put items out for sale until overnight after the store has closed. This gives them time to fully restock aisles and displays without getting in customers‘ way during the busy daytime hours.
So even if you see the latest patio cushions or power tools arrive midday, you‘ll have to wait until the next morning for them to make it to the sales floor. Early morning when stores open is often the best time to shop for newly replenished goods.
How Home Depot‘s Restocking Compares to Other Retailers
Home Depot isn‘t the only big home improvement chain keeping shelves stocked. So how does their restocking process compare to key competitors?
Lowe‘s actually has a very similar overnight restocking model to Home Depot. Inventory arrives throughout the week, employees stock at night after closing, and mornings are best for newly replenished products.
Menards has a more variable restocking schedule, with some stocking happening during the day based on staffing. Still, overnight shifts allow for large-scale restocking without customers in the aisles.
One advantage Home Depot has is its network of online warehouses that ship orders and rapidly replenish popular online inventory. Lowe‘s and Menards rely more on in-store availability.
Bottom line? Home Depot keeps pace with rivals when it comes to prompt overnight restocks. Learning the unique schedules for key product categories can give you a leg up.
When Does Home Depot Restock Top Products?
While every department sees routine restocks daily, some bestselling categories like plants and patio items follow set seasonal schedules. Here‘s what employees and seasoned shoppers say about restocking cadences for Home Depot‘s hottest products:
Houseplants and Outdoor Plants
Gardening is booming, and houseplants are hotter than ever. To keep coveted varieties like monsteras, ferns, and succulents in stock, most Home Depot locations receive 2-3 major plant shipments per week.
For most stores, the biggest plant delivery lands on Wednesday. That means Thursday morning is the sweet spot for finding freshly unpacked and watered greenery.
However, some Home Depots get plant shipments on different days, especially with supply chain disruptions. Calling your local store is the best way to confirm plant restocking times in 2022. Weekend mornings after shipments are also great plant shopping times.
Here‘s a look at Houseplants and Outdoor Plants restocking at a glance:
| Product | Typical Shipment Day | Best Restocked Shopping Day |
|---|---|---|
| Houseplants | Wednesday | Thursday morning |
| Outdoor plants | Wednesday | Thursday or weekend mornings |
Lumber and Building Materials
As any DIYer knows, getting your hands on quality lumber and building supplies right now is tough thanks to shortages and backorders. Home Depot prioritizes keeping top materials like plywood, OSB, treated lumber, and more in stock.
Stores aim to restock lumber and building materials nightly as inventory arrives. Products may come in on pallets any day depending on the supplier. Specialty items can take a few days to arrive based on availability.
For first pick of newly restocked lumber and materials, take a lap through the aisles early in the morning once overnight stocking is complete. Pro tip from builders: stop by the contractor desk and ask when certain items are expected in for insider restocking knowledge.
Patio Furniture
Nothing says summer like cozying up on stylish new patio furniture for backyard hangs. To prep for the warm weather rush, Home Depot ramps up outdoor goods restocking starting in late spring.
Throughout summer months, patio furniture is refilled just about daily. Stores do their best to keep up with demand through June, July and August. Shoppers recommend stopping by on weekend mornings for new shipments.
Once fall hits, stores begin discounting any remaining patio furniture to make room for next season‘s inventory. The off-season winter months see the most limited patio furniture options in-stock.
Here‘s an overview of key patio furniture restocking at Home Depot:
| Season | Restocking Frequency |
|---|---|
| Spring | Moderate |
| Summer | High |
| Fall | Low |
| Winter | Very low |
Air Conditioners
Staying cool is a top priority once the temperature rises. To meet air conditioner demand, Home Depot stocks up in late spring and keeps AC units flowing through summer via swift restocks.
Look for the most models and availability May through August. New central air shipments tend to arrive mid-week. Window units may be restocked overnight.
Once cooler weather hits in fall, stores put any leftover inventory from summer on clearance. This is the best time to score discounted ACs. Come next spring, new models replace the marked-down units.
Here‘s an overview of air conditioner restocking at Home Depot by season:
| Season | Restocking Frequency |
|---|---|
| Spring | Moderate |
| Summer | High |
| Fall | Low, mostly clearanced models |
| Winter | Low, mostly clearanced models |
Grills and Outdoor Cooking
Firing up grills and smokers is a go-to pastime once evenings get warmer. Home Depot looks to meet the demand by restocking grills and accessories starting in late winter as customers gear up for patio cooking season.
March and April see ramped up shipments of charcoal, pellets, smokers and grills leading up to summer. New inventory arrives across the week and overnight stocking keeps popular models well-stocked once peak season arrives.
Fall and winter see more limited availability and discounts on floor models and last year‘s grills. Get your barbecue fix by shopping early spring through summer.
Outdoor Power Equipment
Mowers, trimmers, blowers and all sorts of outdoor power gear fly off the shelves once homeowners head outside to tame their lawns and landscapes. Early spring is when stores start receiving ample shipments to stock up for summer.
New mowers, riders, tillers and more roll in across the week and get restocked promptly overnight once in stock. April and May see plentiful availability before the rush hits. Shop early for best selection.
Helpful Tips for Scoring Goods During Restocks
Now that you know key restocking schedules for popular Home Depot categories, here are some pro tips for finding the products you want once new inventory hits shelves:
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Check online availability for in-stock items before visiting the store
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Get there early – shop opening hours for access to overnight restocks
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Ask associates for details on expected delivery days and times so you can plan your visit
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Don‘t wait if you see limited quantities of an item you want
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Be flexible on product details like color/style as some options sell out fast
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Shop midweek when big product shipments tend to arrive
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Check endcaps for newly stocked impulse purchase items
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Comparison shop if a particular item is hard to find in stock
With some planning around Home Depot‘s restocking cadence and helpfulhunting tips, youcan beat the crowds and find thein-demand products you want this year.
When Does Home Depot Restock? Key Takeaways:
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Home Depot stores receive shipments and restock throughout the week
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Overnight employees stock newly arrived inventory after close
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Early mornings following overnight restocking are best for shopping
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Popular categories like plants and summer essentials follow set restocking seasons
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Check with store employees for restocking details on specific items
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Use online inventory tools and comparison shopping to find hot products in stock
The next time you head out seeking a prized Home Depot find only to come up short, check the restocking guidance above to plan your next purchasing trip. With a little restocking know-how, you can surprise the sold out signs and bring home the stuff of your DIY dreams.
