Final answer:
To determine if Home Depot has a competitive advantage, one must compare its performance to that of other firms in its industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking which comparison is necessary to determine if Home Depot has a competitive advantage. The correct answer is option 2) the performance of other firms in its industry. In order to assess Home Depot's competitive advantage, it is essential to compare its performance to that of other companies in the same industry. This will provide insight into Home Depot's relative position and whether it has a competitive edge.