1

The Home Depot Lingo Updated: 02/21

A&C GRAPH – Associate and Customer Graph associate – lowercase – any employee of best-in-class – two hyphens whether used as a
The Home Depot. We use the term noun or adjective; always lowercase except as a
admin – administrative assistant “associates” rather than “employees.” This proper noun or in a title or heading
applies to all full-time, part-time, salaried
ad event – notification of special storewide events and hourly associates best practices – no hyphen, no capitals
to come
ASW – average sales per week BFS – Built f rom Scratch; our corporate newsroom
AIMS – Associate Inf ormation Management
System ASW(F) – average sales per week forecast BIC – best-in-class

AKR – Auto Key Rec A-velocity – products that sell the fastest Bid Room – Where Special Services orders are
submitted for pricing review (now called Volume
All-Store Meeting – monthly meeting of all of a AwareLine -- (also known as The Home Pricing Program)
store’s associates Depot Awareness Line) - a toll-free
number available to associates to report BIT – bay integrity tasking; a process that supports
AMEX – American Express possible illegal activity or violations of on-hand accuracy, proper bay sequencing and
Company policy correct product pricing
AP – Accounts Payable; Asset Protection
B2B – business to business bill of lading – label attached to product being
API – Asset Protection investigator delivered
baby SKU – f or a single product, e.g., a
APM – Asset Protection Manager single tile BOA – back office associate

APS – Asset Protection Specialist Back End – Receiving area of the store BOD – board of directors

AR – Automatic Replenishment program barcode – one word is preferred BODFS – Buy Online Deliver From Store

ARG – Associate Resource Group bay – selection of racking with product in it BOL – bill of lading

Ariba – Purchasing/expense reporting application BBH – Building Better Health BOLT – Bay Optimized Localized Tasking
used by store and MET associates
BDC – Bulk distribution center BOPIS – Buy Online Pick Up in Store
ARP – Access Request Portal; replaced SAFE
BEAR – Back End Automation and Re- BORIS – Buy Online Return in Store
ASDS – associate support department supervisor engineering program
BOSS – Buy Online Ship to Store
ASM – assistant store manager “Before the Apron” – a training video
BR – business review
ASN – advanced shipment notice
BRC – business reply card
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The Home Depot Lingo Updated: 02/21

B/S – Balance Sheet CCAO – cyclical computer assisted CNENG – Canadian English
ordering
BSR – Bay service record; document that is filled COB – close of business
out when servicing a bay CCEA – Corporate Communications and
External Affairs CO – Certif icate of Occupancy
Buyback – a process that returns product to the
supplier, usually as part of a merchandising project; CD – construction document COGS – cost of goods sold
one word when used as noun, two when used as a
verb CDS – central delivery service COM – customer order management

Buyer MD – Buyer Markdown CEO – chief executive officer Comp – comparative sales; comparative stores;
compensation
BYO – buying office C/F – cash f low statement
COO – chief operating officer
CAEL – Council f or Adult and Experiential learning CFL – compact fluorescent light (bulbs)
Co-Op – Advertising co-operative agreement
CAM – Cashier Appreciation Month CFO – chief f inancial officer
COS – customer order specialist
CAN – Canada, Canadian Dollars Chep – high-end pallet
CRA – computer room associate
CareerDepot – an internal, online job posting CIO – chief information officer
system accessible via Internet and myApron CRC – Commercial Revolving Charge (Credit
CITI – Citicorp Bank Card)
CAO – computer assisted ordering
clipstrip – long, metal strip with clips; used critical path – responsibility time frame and
CapEX – Capital Expenditures to cross-merchandise small items (project- tracking schedule
completers) to vertical beams in bay
CARE – caring, assisting and responding to crossbars
employees program Close Quote Follow-up – not “closed”
cross-merchandise or cross-merchandising –
CARE/Solutions for Life – lowercase “f” in “for” CMAP – Divisional and Cross strategically merchandising complementary items
Merchandising Action Planner; a booklet to gain incremental sales
CASHEND – Product displays in f ront of cash that is available in print and on myApron.
register The merchandising section contains the CRS – Computer Room supervisor; Centralized
quarter’s top 40 classes as well as Replenishment System
CBA – cost benefit analysis entrance, return f enceline and the cross
merchandising plans CRTV – Centralized return to vendor; the process
CBP – Competitor Battle Plan through which stores return product to vendors
CMO – chief marketing officer
CCA – cost center accounting CSM – client services manager
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The Home Depot Lingo Updated: 02/21

CSO – China sourcing office DMM – Divisional Merchandising Manager EBITDA – earnings before income & taxes
depreciation and amortization
cu. in. – cubic inch DO – district office
EBITR – earnings before income, taxes & returns
Do-It-Herself, Do-It-Herself Workshops –
Damage Waiver – additional fee that protects capital “I,” use hyphens eBuy – the online purchasing system accessed
customer if tool is damaged during normal tool through myApron for associates who want to
usage DOL – Department of Labor purchase for their department or stores. A wide
range of catalog and non-catalog items are hosted
DC – distribution center DPD – division Pro director on this site.

DDS – division services director (also DSD) DR – delivery receipt e-crates – reusable and collapsible metal-framed
crates used to ship John Deere lawn tractors to
DEAD PO – A cancelled purchase order Drive It Home sales incentive program stores

DEM – District Execution Manager (MET) DS – department supervisor EDI – electronic data interchange

DFC – Direct fulfillment center DSAP – Department Safety Awareness EDLP – Every Day Low Price
Plans
DHRM – district human resources manager EDW – enterprise data warehouse
DSD – division services director (also
DIDO – day-in, day-out (pricing) DDS) EEOC – Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission
DIFM – do-it-for-me DS LEAD – Department Supervisor
Leadership Education & Acumen e-Forms – online forms for customer satisfaction,
DIH – do-it-herself (not DiH) Development donations, asset transfers, and dispositions – they
replace paper forms and automate these
D&I – Diversity and Inclusion DSM – district services manager processes

DISCO – discontinued product DSOD – department supervisor on duty EHS – Environmental, Health and Safety

DIY – do-it-yourself DST – department supervisor training EI – ending inventory

DIYer – capital “DIY,” lowercase “er” – DWCC – delivery will call coordinator EJ – expense journal; electronic journal
do-it-yourselfer
EAP – Employee Assistance Program ELearning
DM – district manager
EAS – electronic article surveillance Element – Leasing company for Tool Rental
vehicles (previously PHH)
EBIT – earnings before income & taxes
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The Home Depot Lingo Updated: 02/21

ELT – Executive Leadership Team ESOP – employee stock ownership Fenceline – one word, initial capital – a
program merchandising location in front of The Home Depot
EM – emerging markets stores
ESPP – employee stock purchase plan
EMM – emerging markets manager FES – Front End supervisor
ESS – employee self service
Employee Self Service (ESS) – a Web-based
system available for all associates to process, store ESVS – Enhanced Special Services FIRST Phone – hand-held device used to
and update their personal information, including sequence bays, check inventory and perform other
name, address and emergency contact – ESS is EVP – executive vice president actions in bay
located on myApron’s myTHDHR tab
ET – Eastern time FMVP – f ield merchandising vice president
Employer of Choice (EOC) – when talking in a
f uture-oriented way, discuss our goal or E-velocity – products that sell the slowest FOB – f reight on board
commitment and use “the” (not “an”). “Our goal is
to become the Employer of Choice – not just an ext. – extension Front Apron – the area across the front of the
employer of choice.” store, usually the concrete pad, that extends from
FAQ – f requently asked questions the corner of the outside Garden fence to where
EMV – Chip and signature process for credit cards the building ends at Lumber (past the Contractor
F&I – Furnish and Install canopy). The Apron also includes anything sticking
endcap – large display of products at end of aisle out into the fire lane or corrals that may be set up
F1 – f ixture plan seasonally in the Lot.
E/O – Eco Options, an exclusive environmentally
f riendly brand by The Home Depot F/T – f ull-time Front End – no hyphen, capitalize – the part of the
store that consists of Front End supervisors, head
EOC – Employer of Choice FaST – f orecast and scheduling tool cashiers, cashiers and Lot associates. The Front
End includes the main line, Contractor, Tool Corral,
EOD – end of day FAST – Friendly, Accurate and Safe Garden, Returns and Self-Checkout registers.
Transactions (formerly Front End Accuracy
EOM – end of month and Service Transformation) FST – Field Support Team; merchandising project
issue resolution and management group
ePOP – The computer application on which FAK – f reight all kinds
associates, supervisors and managers order POP ft. – f oot
FBO – f urnished by owner
EPS – earnings per share Fun Fund Card – A credit card used to pay for
FC – f reight claims team expenses such as food or entertainment
ePVM – Enhanced Public View Monitor
FDMM – f ield divisional merchandising
ERISA – Employee Retirement Income Security manager
Act
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The Home Depot Lingo Updated: 02/21

FY – f iscal year – no space when used with year GS&A – General, Selling and homedepot.com – Company website
(The Home Depot fiscal year is Jan. 29, 2018 Administrative
through Feb. 3, 2019) Example: FY2018 The Homer Fund – Associate-supported fund to
GSG – General service guidelines (MET); assist The Home Depot associates in times of need
FYE – f iscal year end provides standard process to evaluate the
condition of a bay and plan service as well host buy, host order (used interchangeably) – an
G&A – general and administrative as procedures for packdown, overhead order placed on behalf of the store by divisional or
organization, and packout for clipstrips and national merchandising groups
GAAP – Generally Accepted Accounting Principles wingstacks
HOST PO – H/O merchant report
gal. – gallon Hardlines – lumber, hardware, millworks
HOURS REC – hours reconciliation report
GALV – galvanized footplate HC – head cashier
How-To – hyphen between “how” and “to”
GBPD – Global Brand & Product Development HCA – Hispanic Contractor Association
hp – horsepower (24hp)
GC – general contractor; gift card HDC – Home Decorators Collection
HPAPL – Home Depot Approved Project List
GET Involved – the Company’s customer HDPP – Home Depot Protection Plan
engagement model. G=Greet; E=Engage; HPE – House Plant Enclosure
T=Thank HDPS – Home Depot paint system
HR – Human Resources
gift card/GC/The Home Depot Gift Card – use HD SIC – Home Depot Standard Industry
initial capitals for “gift card” only when used with Code (f ield in Salesforce.com) HRS – Home Renovation Services
“The Home Depot“
HDTV – Home Depot Television HRSC – Human Resource Service Center
GL – general ledger
HDE – Home Depot Exteriors HRIS – Human Resources Inf ormation Systems
GM – gross margin
HDI – Home Depot Interiors HRR – HR Review
GMROI – gross margin return on investment
HDU – Home Depot University HRVP – Human Resources vice president
GN9000/GN9001 sign kit – preprinted signs and
banners, respectively, that ship to the stores to HDMS – Home Depot Measurement I2 of 5 – interleaved two of five (bar code)
coordinate with MAP execution Services IDC – Import distribution center

GO – grand opening HHM – Handling hazardous materials IFC – inbound freight consolidation

GOM – Global Operations Manager HDCC – Home Depot Consumer Credit IFY – Installed For You
Card
GPM – global product merchant

GSA – Government Services Administration

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The Home Depot Lingo Updated: 02/21

IM – Inventory Management
JPP – Job Preference Process LOA – leave of absence
IMS – Inventory Management Systems:
warehouse f or storing signs and forms KEEP - f our pillars to deliver the ultimate LOI – Letter of Intent
customer experience through Orange
IMU – initial markup Promise: Knowledgeable Help, Easy to LP – Loss Prevention
Shop, Ef ficient Service, Product
in. – inch Availability LTR – likelihood to recommend

InFocus – a saf ety program, newsletter and key-rec – the document process used to LTSA – likelihood to shop again
broadcast record the receipt or movement of goods to
authorize payment LTT – less than truckload
InFocus team
Kids Workshop – program name, no Lunch ‘n Learn
in-store – as an adjective, lowercase and apostrophe
hyphenate. Example: In-store vendor reps set the LVL – laminated veneer lumber
endcap. KRONOS – timekeeping system
MA – managed account
IP – intellectual property; Internet protocol KPI – Key Perf ormance Indicator (e.g. KPI
Report) Main Street – Atlanta SSC term for main
IPR – Inventory Planning & Replenishment thoroughfare that links the campus buildings
L&P GRAPH – scheduled graphs for labor
IR – Investor Relations and productivity mama SKU – f or a f ull case of a product, e.g., a
box of tiles
IRS – Incident Reporting System LAN – Local Area Network
Manager Self Service (MSS) – a Web-based
IS – Inf ormation Systems large-scale – hyphenated as adjective system that enables managers to process, store
and access HR information for their direct reports
ISES – In-Store Environment System--MET project lb. – pound
planning and execution system of record MAP – merchandising action planner
lbs. – pounds
ISID – International Society of Interior Design Markdowns—a decrease in the retail price of an
LDC – Lumber distribution center item
ISP – in-store processor
lin. ft. – linear f oot MASM – Merchandising assistant store manager
IT – Inf ormation Technology
Lithium-ion battery – a rechargeable MCC – Manhattan Consolidation Center; serves
IVR – Interactive Voice Response battery; lowercase ion the two New York City stores

JLQ – Job Lot Quantity LNG – Load N Go Truck Rental MDA – Mutual Non Disclosure Agreement
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The Home Depot Lingo Updated: 02/21

MEA – Merchandising execution associate MRO – maintenance repair operation Night team – MET district-level team that travels
through the district to complete projects in stores at
MEM – Merchandising execution manager (MET) MSL – Martha Stewart Living night

MERM – Merchandising execution regional MSS – Manager Self Service and/or NLP – New Lower Price
manager (MET) merchandising services specialists
NMF – no match found
MET – Merchandising Execution Team MST – Merchandise service ticket; also
known as f ield merchandising request; NOPASM – night ops assistant store manager
MICR – Magnetic Ink Character Recognition communication vehicle to send
(number) merchandising requests NRI – Non-Recovery Incident

miter – not “mitre” MT – Master Trainer OAM – Operations assistant store manager

MK – markup/markdown MTD – month to date OE – organizational effectiveness

MKDN – markdown MTS – master trade specialist OGSM – objectives-goals-strategy-measure

mkt. – market MU/MD – markup/markdown OMSID – Order Management System Identification

multi-use Number
MLL – Manager Leadership and Learning
MVP – Merchandising vice president on-hands – amount of product a store has in stock
MLP – merchandising leadership program (synonymous with “in-stock”)
myApron – a store-facing communication
MLS – Merchant Learning Sessions platf orm that hosts news, applications, online – one word and never hyphenated
standard operating procedures and shares
MMU – Monthly Merchant Update inf ormation across regions/divisions Online UPC – a system that enables cashiers to
look up a product by category to find its SKU
MP – Merchandising Planner myIdeas – THD’s ideas and suggestion
program on-site – as adjective or adverb
MPP – manual process & procedures
MX or MEX – Mexico OOS – out of stock
MOD – manager on duty
NewPOS – new point-of-sale OPEN TUB – Status of order before arrival at store
MOR – Monthly Operations Meeting
NDA – non disclosure agreement Orange Promise – our pledge: delivering the most
MPS – Merchandise Protection Standards convenient experience and best value
NiCad battery – nickel–cadmium battery
moulding – not “molding” Example: crown OSB – oriented strand board
moulding
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The Home Depot Lingo Updated: 02/21

OSS - Outside Sales and Service (Home Services, PI – physical inventory POSM – pre-opening store meeting
Interline and Pro)
PII – product information initiative PPE – Personal Protective Equipment
O/T – overtime
PIR – physical inventory reconciliation PR – Public Relations; Puerto Rico
OTJ – on the job
PJ – Purchase Journal Pro Desk – used to be called Contractor Services;
OTS – off the shelf designated area in store for contractor customers
pk. – pack
O/UPlan – Over/under plan PSI – pounds per square inch
PK – product knowledge
oz. – ounce PSM – Pro sales manager
Planogram (POG) – two-dimensional
P – president (division) diagram of a merchandising set pt. – part

PAA – Prof essional Administrative Assistant PLP – Product Landing Page PVM – Public View Monitor

PAR – Pro account rep PLR – product line review Q1 – f irst quarter (February–April)

PASA – Pro account sales associate PLU – price look up Q2 – second quarter (May–July)

PIP – Product Info Page PMO – product management office Q3 – third quarter (August–October)

P&L – a store’s income statement (profit and loss PO – purchase order Q4 – f ourth quarter (November–January)
statement) – it shows the store’s revenues and
expenses and compares these results to plan and PO ACTIVITY – purchase order report QA – quality assurance
last year
POD – proof of delivery QB – Quebec
P/T – part-time
POG – Plan-O-Gram QLM – quick learning module
part-time – hyphenated as adjective
POP – point-of-purchase QOM – quarterly officer meeting
pc. – piece
portal – online gateway to company QP – qualif ied pool; quarter pallet
PDM – Product Development Merchant policies, processes, transactions; provides
inf ormation, tools and services needed to QR Code – Quick Response Code
pg. – page manage an associate’s work life
qt. – quart
pgs. – pages POS – point-of-sale
QuoteCenter
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The Home Depot Lingo Updated: 02/21

rack captain – assistant manager assigned to give ROP – run of press, newspaper ad Seasonal Swing – area inside front of store
add-on sell orders to store planner containing rotating, seasonal stock and advertised
RPSM – regional pro sales manager promotions – most often includes items that
RAI – Risk Averted Incident currently do not have a permanent, year-round
RSG – Retail Staffing Group home in the run of store
RDC – Rapid deployment center
RSC – Retail Staffing Center SEC – Securities and Exchange Commission
RDO – regional director of Operations
RSM – regional services manager SEMM – senior emerging markets manager
Receiving – area in back of store where f reight is
received RTV – return to vendor SF&I – Sell, Furnish and Install (no spaces
between letters/characters)
Related merchandise - merchandise that RVP – regional vice president
can/should be used with a tool SFS – Saf ety Focus Store
SAP – Systems Applications Products
Remote store – (MET) a store too far away from a SG – Signage
group of stores in the district to have a travel team SASM – specialty assistant store manager
SHOE – Summer Home Organizational Event
Returns associate – not Returns cashier SBA – supplier buying agreement
Shop ’N Chek
Returns Receipt Look Up – always use “s” on SCHs – scheduled receipt
“Returns” Shrink – difference between book inventory and
SCK – store communication kit on-hand inventory – shortage
RFI – request f or information
SCO – self -checkout sidecap – product display at entrance to aisle in
RFP – request for proposal the f irst bay; designed to lead customer into aisle;
SD – Supplier Diversity runs adjacent to endcap; contains shallow shelves
RFQ – request f or quotation or peg hooks to accommodate merchandise and
SDC – Stocking Distribution Center signs
RGA – returned goods authorization
SDHR – Senior Director Human Resources SKU – stock keeping unit; used for product
RLC – Repair and Liquidation Center identification and inventory tracking
SDME – Senior Director Merchandising
RMM – regional merchandising manager Services (MET) SLA – Service Level Agreement

ROA – Return on Assets SDO – Senior Director Operations SLE – store level entry

ROI – Return on Investment SEAS ADJ – seasonal adjustment SLT – Senior Leadership Team

ROIC – Return on Invested Capital seasonal index – f orecast planning report SM – store manager
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The Home Depot Lingo Updated: 02/21

SME – subject matter expert SSE – statement of stockholders' equity TAB – tabloid advertising

SMM – Store Managers Meeting SSN – shipment status notice; social table saw – two words
security number
SO – special order TARM – territory associate relations manager
SPP – Strategic Planning Process
Softlines – décor, lighting TEAM – The Enterprise Alignment Meeting
Stackout – product displays in aisles of
SOP – standard operating procedures related merchandise Team Depot – The Home Depot’s associate-led
volunteer force
SPP – strategy planning process Stickers – Wood decking that sits on
shelves TEI – Turned Earned Index
SOQ – suggested order quantity
store-centric team – day team that TF – transit f acility
SOSI – Special Order Services Initiative f ocuses on store appearance and tasking
THD – The Home Depot
special buy – lower retail price on promotional Store Comm – Store communications
product for a specified period of time – most often THDGo – A voluntary text message service that
ref ers to a host buy of product outside the current Store MD – Store markdown provides important Company information to
mix associates
Success Sharing – program name, initial
special order – items not in stock or carried in the capitals – a program for providing a cash the Warehouse – our in-house social media site,
store’s inventory that associates can order for payout to associates based on stores designed as a business & networking collaboration
customers direct from our vendors – in some meeting and exceeding sales plans for a site f or associates. Always use a small ‘t’ when
cases, the order must be custom made six-month period ref erring to the Warehouse.

Special Services – not singular (include “s”) SVP – senior vice president TIMS – transfer invoice matching system

Specialty Sales swell – difference between book inventory Tool kit – lowercase when stands alone; capitalize
and on-hand inventory in excess as part of a proper name
sq. in. – square inch
T&A – Time and Attendance Sheet TOM – Territory Operations Manager
SRC – Store Readiness Checklist [3 per region]
T&E – Travel and Expense
SRG – Sign ref erence guide; provides information TR – Tool Rental
on signs and POP Take-Off – Forms for determining fixtures
needs TRC – Tool Rental Center
SS – Special Services
TAA –Technology Access Agreement TRE – Total Retail Equation
SSC – store support center
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The Home Depot Lingo Updated: 02/21

trend – analysis VP – vice president ZMA – Zero Markdown Authorization

TSP – The Same Page VPP – Volume Pricing Program (where

Special Services orders are submitted for
UCC – Unif orm Code Council pricing review; formerly Pro Bid Room)

UGC – User generated content VPMSS – vice president Merchandising

Sales and Service
UOI – Unit of issue
VPOS – virtual point-of-sale (register)
UPC – Universal Product Code
VP&S – Vendor Product & Services
up-sell Workbook

USENG – U.S. English W – Watt (75W)

USRL – U.S. Retail Leadership WAN – Wide Area Network

USSP – U.S. Spanish WBT – Web-based training

V – volt (6V) WIL – Women in Leadership

VAN – Value added network wingstack – promotional quarter pallet of

merchandise strategically placed in the
VASM – Vendor approved sign manual aisle to drive incremental and impulse
sales; typically has a 30–60 day
VC – velocity code promotional sell-through period

VCS – vendor control sheets WLM – Workload Management

VDO – Virtual district office Workload Management – a central

electronic database for all store projects;
Vendor Service aids in allocating resources

VM – visual merchandiser; voice mail WOS – weeks of stock

VOA – Voice of Associate; survey, previously WTD – week to date

Employer of Choice survey
YOW – Your “other” Warehouse; now
VOC – voice of the customer called Pro Support
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The Home Depot Lingo Updated: 02/21

Merchandising Departments Selected Operations Departments

21: Lumber 04: Pack Down

22: Building Materials 31: Special Services
23: Flooring 38: Pack Out / Night Crew
24: Paint 42: Pro Sales
25: Hardware (split into two) 78: Tool Rental
25H: Hardware 85: Kitchen & Bath aisle
25T: Tools 89: Cross-merchandiser
26: Plumbing (split into two) 90: Cashier / Ref und
26P: Plumbing 91: Of f ice / Vault / CRA
26B: Bath 92: Workshops
27E: Electrical 93 Receiving
27L: Lighting 94: Deliveries
28: Garden (split into two) 95: HR / ASDS
28I: Outdoor Living & Power 96: Lot
28O: Live Goods & Landscaping 97: Phone Sales
29: Kitchen & Appliances
30: Millwork
59: Décor (Blinds, Storage &
Organization)
70: Appliances