Home Depot Launches “Magic Apron”: Generative AI Assistant to Transform Retail Customer Service and Inventory Management

By Thiruvenkatam | March 28, 2025 | Prowell Tech

The Home Depot has officially unveiled “Magic Apron”, a new generative AI-powered tool aimed at transforming both customer experience and employee productivity across its retail ecosystem. Launched at the start of the spring selling season, this proprietary suite of AI applications blends cutting-edge technology with Home Depot’s in-house expertise to provide instant project guidance, product recommendations, and real-time inventory access.

With the rollout beginning March 6, the tool is already available across millions of product pages on HomeDepot.com and through the Home Depot mobile app, with plans to expand to Pro B2B platforms in the coming months.

AI-Powered Expertise for Every Customer

“Magic Apron” acts as a virtual associate, providing customers with detailed answers to DIY questions, product usage advice, and project planning support — 24/7.

Whether it’s lawn care, kitchen remodeling, or choosing the right drill, users can:

• Ask natural language questions

• Get tailored product recommendations

• View summarized reviews

• Access how-to instructions and comparisons

Jordan Broggi, EVP of Customer Experience and President – Online at Home Depot, emphasized the tool’s mission: “to replicate the trusted expertise of our in-store associates in the digital world.”

With future features like design inspiration and side-by-side product comparisons, Magic Apron is expected to become a one-stop-shop for planning and executing home improvement projects online.

Seamless Integration Across Digital Platforms

The AI assistant is fully embedded across Home Depot’s digital ecosystem:

• Product pages on the main website

• Mobile app for iOS and Android

• Pro B2B portal (coming soon)

This ensures that both DIYers and professional contractors have on-demand access to personalized support and technical guidance. For contractors, features will focus on:

• Bulk ordering assistance

• Compatibility insights

• Specification lookups

This move reflects Home Depot’s strategy to better serve both consumers and business clients, ensuring tailored solutions for every segment.

Supercharging Store Operations with AI

Beyond helping customers, Magic Apron is also designed for employee use. Store associates can use the tool to:

• Check real-time stock levels

• Locate items quickly

• Reduce time spent searching through inventory systems

By connecting directly to Home Depot’s internal inventory systems, the AI assistant ensures faster, more accurate customer service. The result: improved shelf availability, fewer misplaced items, and faster customer assistance.

Goals and Impact: Efficiency, Empowerment, and Engagement

Magic Apron is more than a digital chatbot — it’s a retail transformation engine. Home Depot’s objectives for the tool include:

• Enhanced search accuracy

• Faster customer resolutions

• Greater employee productivity

• Reduced support costs

By empowering customers to confidently take on projects with expert-level guidance, the company hopes to reduce barriers to DIY, boost conversion rates, and ultimately grow its customer base.

Behind the Tech: Proprietary Data + Generative AI

Magic Apron runs on large language models (LLMs) trained on Home Depot’s internal data:

• Proprietary product catalogs

• DIY project knowledge bases

• Online reviews and public web data

This allows the tool to deliver responses that are accurate, brand-specific, and deeply contextual, unlike general-purpose AI.

The system is built for continuous learning, using customer and employee feedback to improve responses and increase reliability over time.

A Phased Rollout, with More to Come

Magic Apron’s deployment will continue in phases:

• Currently live on millions of product pages

• Mobile app support fully active

• Expansion to Pro site underway

• Upcoming features: project inspiration, design comparisons, enhanced contractor tools

This strategic rollout ensures high performance and allows real-time refinements based on customer behavior and usage feedback.

AI in Retail: The Broader Trend

Home Depot’s investment in Magic Apron reflects a growing trend across retail — using AI to:

• Personalize shopping experiences

• Streamline internal workflows

• Bridge the gap between physical and digital channels

The tool demonstrates how augmented intelligence (AI that supports rather than replaces workers) can unlock both operational efficiency and higher customer satisfaction.

Conclusion: Pioneering the Future of Retail with AI

With “Magic Apron,” Home Depot is positioning itself as an AI leader in the retail space. The tool brings expertise, speed, and confidence to both consumers and professionals. As new features roll out across platforms, Magic Apron is poised to become an essential part of the home improvement journey — online, in-store, and beyond.

About Home Depot

The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement retailer, operating more than 2,300 stores across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The company offers a wide range of tools, building materials, and services, with a strong focus on innovation and customer experience.