Home depot promises quicker checkout with technology initiative

ATLANTA - The Home Depot&#39;s do-it-yourself clientele can now do it themselves at the checkout counter. <br> <br> The Atlanta-based home-improvement retailer, the nation&#39;s largest, says new self-checkout terminals are being installed in about 800 big city locations. <br> <br> It is part of a $100 million technology upgrade the company promises will make for smaller lines and faster service. <br> <br> The company has partnered with NCR Corporation and Microsoft for the equipment. <br> <br> A spokesman says 70 percent of Home Depot&#39;s customers are do-it-your-selfers, so they should have no trouble using the new touch-screen checkout counters. <br> <br> Last month, Home Depot reported a 20 percent jump in profits. Its main rival, Lowe&#39;s, is much smaller, but has charmed Wall Street by making sizable gains on Home Depot in recent years.