New York, January 14, 2026, 12:33 EST — Regular session
- Home Depot shares slipped 0.3% by midday, while rival Lowe’s saw gains.
- AI company Rilla announced plans to deliver real-time coaching tools to frontline workers at Home Depot
- Home Depot will report its next earnings on Feb. 24
Shares of Home Depot slipped 0.3% to $378.53 by midday Wednesday, following AI provider Rilla’s announcement that it will introduce real-time coaching tools to the home improvement giant. Meanwhile, Lowe’s shares climbed roughly 1.1%.
The deal comes as major retailers look for ways to boost service and increase conversion without counting on a strong bounce back in discretionary spending. Much of that cash remains stuck in a “wait and see” mode, particularly when it comes to larger home projects.
This aligns with the current trend toward “agentic AI”—tools that do more than answer questions, like creating a materials list or guiding a shopper through a store. Home Depot has been emphasizing this approach at the NRF retail conference in New York.
Rilla said its software will enable Home Depot’s service and sales teams to coach more consistently by identifying patterns in staff communication and service delivery. “The Home Depot is a company known for its service excellence and operational scale,” said Rilla CEO Sebastian Jimenez. Financial details were not revealed. (PR Newswire)
Home Depot is also ramping up AI capabilities focused on project planning and fulfillment, particularly tools designed for pros like contractors. According to Digital Commerce 360, the retailer is expanding its use of Google Cloud’s AI to enhance materials lists on its Pro platform and pilot in-store guidance that ties into local inventory and product locations.
Home Depot is in “get out and try mode” with agentic AI, CIO Angie Brown said during an NRF panel, CX Dive reports, as the retailer monitors how shoppers engage with the new tools. (CX Dive)
The stock entered Wednesday riding a four-day winning streak, having gained 1.28% on Tuesday. (MarketWatch)
Home Depot’s slide mirrored the broader market slump. By 11:15 a.m. ET, the S&P 500 had fallen 0.93%, while the Nasdaq dropped 1.48%, pressured by mixed earnings from major banks and fresh economic data, Reuters noted. “It’s not unusual to see a little bit of a pullback,” said Jake Johnston, deputy CIO at Advisors Asset Management. (Reuters)
The risk is clear: AI rollouts don’t happen overnight and come with hefty price tags. If homeowners continue delaying major projects, improved digital tools and coaching might not boost sales and margins quickly enough.
All eyes turn to Feb. 24, when Home Depot reports fourth-quarter results for 2025. Investors will be watching closely for clues on demand from professional buyers, shifts in big-ticket sales, and any early signs of impact from the new AI tools. (Homedepot)
