Nardelli cut people at HD who knew something about what they were selling. People with seniority or managers who had compensation plans set up by the people who built the company got the axe.
My information comes from a high school buddy who used to work at HD. I don’t have a dog in this fight except that at one time a homeowner like me could go into HD and get some meaningful help from employees. Now? They’re across the street at Lowe’s.
IIRC Nardelli came in from some consulting firm like McKinsey or someplace. Those guys CANNOT run a company (except into the ground).
At Lebanon Rd. and Andrew Jackson Highway here in the Nashville area there is a Lowes on one side and a Home Depot on the other.
Five years ago I bought a water heater at Lowes and went across the street to get two pipe nipples that Home Depot carried and Lowes couldn’t sell me.