As part of its strategy to step up its marketing efforts targeting Hispanic consumers, The Home Depot has launched an improved Spanish-language Web site, that is e-commerce enabled for the first time.
“Hispanics are much more comfortable shopping in their own language,” said Jean Niemi, spokesperson for The Home Depot. In addition, she added, research shows that Hispanic consumers are more likely than non-Hispanic consumers to conduct research online before making a purchase in-store, and are underserved online. The demographic’s online spend is expected to reach $21.6 billion by 2011.
The site, at espanol.homedepot.com, will offer how-to information for home improvement projects and online specials in addition to the same selection of products found in Home Depot stores.
The launch is supported via radio with DJ endorsements in the top 21 Hispanic markets, and online via banner ads on AOL.Latino.com, ad.com and Univision.com. It also is being called out in The Home Depot’s Spanish-language circulars, and a direct mail piece, which dropped on November 16. The fold-out mailer includes home improvement and holiday tips.
Using direct mail to target Hispanic consumers is just one example of how The Home Depot stepped up its efforts to reach this audience this year. It also has begun using e-mail to target Hispanics and developed its first TV ad specifically for the Hispanic market. Home Depot launched a Hispanic color palette named Colores Orígenes in 2005.
