Pool Corporation vs H&M (Hennes & Mauritz)

About

Pool Corporation is a Covington, Louisiana-based wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related outdoor living products — publicly traded on NASDAQ (NASDAQ: POOL) as an S&P 500 Consumer Discretionary component — operating as the world's largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool and related outdoor products through a network of 440+ service centers across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe, serving approximately 125,000 customers including pool builders, retailers, and service companies through approximately 6,400 employees. In fiscal year 2024, Pool Corporation reported annual net sales of $5.3 billion, a 4% decrease from 2023, with diluted EPS of $11.30, operating cash flow of $659.2 million, and an operating margin of 11.6% — reflecting softer discretionary spending in new pool construction while maintenance chemicals, equipment replacement, and repair parts sustained non-discretionary demand. Founded in 1993 through the consolidation of regional pool supply distributors, Pool Corporation (operating under the SCP Pool and Horizon Distributors brand names) built its distribution moat through a hub-and-spoke service center network that delivers products next-morning to pool builders and service companies in virtually every US market. CEO Peter Arvan has led the company's strategy of expanding into outdoor living products (patio furniture, landscaping equipment, irrigation) beyond the core pool supplies business.