The Home Depot Canada is offering a unique opportunity to Ontario and Quebec manufacturers that are committed to bringing innovative home improvement products to market. The world’s largest home improvement retailer is giving qualified manufacturers a chance to pitch their products and earn an in-store trial.
The Innovation for Sustainability (IFS) program is a partnership between The Home Depot, the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation (MEDI), the Quebec Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade and Summerhill.
PROGRAM MODEL
- Discovery and Qualification: Government, academia and third parties help to identify high potential commercially viable and retail-based products or technologies.
- Merchandising Review and Approval: The Home Depot merchandising department undertakes due diligence to assess viability.
- Incubation: The Home Depot assigns a cross-functional team (merchandising, marketing, operations) to create a retail environment that can incubate and support growth of high potential innovative products.
- Performance Evaluation: The Home Depot evaluates performance based on established metrics.
- Expansion: Manufacturers work with external partners and The Home Depot to expand distribution of product or technology to broader market.
What are the specific criteria for product submission?
- Currently, the qualify to attend these events, manufacturers’ products must be:
- Innovative
- Intended for the home improvement customer
- Designed, manufactured or assembled in either Ontario or Quebec
- Products that meet the above criteria are further assessed on a number of additional business criteria, including consideration of efforts that the companies have made to integrate environmental or social sustainability into their business or products.
Are selected manufacturers expected to invest money / is there a base amount?
- If selected for the project, manufacturers will be expected to meet The Home Depot Canada vendor requirements. There is no base or minimum monetary investment.