Home Depot Inc. joins a small but growing number of big chain retailers launching a Spanish version of their websites. The updated Spanish website, Espanol.homedepot.com, gives shoppers access to more than 40,000 items, the same number as on the company's English homedepot.com.

"Espanol.homedepot.com is the first home improvement eCommerce site where Hispanics can access, browse, and purchase products in their language from start to finish," said a Home Depot spokeswoman. The Home Depot originally launched a pared down Spanish language site in 2003 that included tips and ideas for do it yourselfers.

Forrester Research projects there will be more than 17 million Hispanic consumers online by 2011. Many online Hispanic shoppers prefer to read and make a purchase in Spanish, even if they are bilingual, according to Forrester. "The Internet is a preferred venue for Hispanics to research and access information, as they are more likely than non Hispanics to research products online before shopping offline," said the Home Depot spokeswoman.

Other big chain retailers and consumer brand manufacturers that have introduced Spanish language websites recently include Avon Products Inc., and Best Buy Co. Shop.Avon.com features a Spanish/English toggle button that enables visitors to switch between English and Spanish pages. Best Buy also allows consumers to switch back and forth between the English and Spanish sites.