Lowe's

Retailer / private label

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An American home-improvement retailer serving do-it-yourself customers, professional contractors, and property owners.

Last updated October 31, 2026

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Overview

Lowe's Companies, Inc., commonly known as Lowe's, is an American retailer focused on home improvement, maintenance, repair, remodeling, construction supplies, and related services. Its merchandise spans appliances, tools, hardware, lumber, building materials, electrical and plumbing supplies, paint, flooring, kitchen and bath products, outdoor living goods, and lawn and garden equipment. The company serves do-it-yourself shoppers as well as professional contractors, commercial customers, landlords, and other property owners through stores, digital commerce, installation services, delivery, and trade-oriented fulfillment. The business began in 1921, when Lucius Smith Lowe opened a hardware store in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. After Lowe's death, ownership passed within the family, and James Lowe later brought his brother-in-law H. Carl Buchan into the business. Buchan recognized the post-World War II construction opportunity and shifted the store toward hardware and building materials. The company increasingly purchased products directly from manufacturers, reducing reliance on wholesalers and helping it compete on price. That purchasing model, combined with a larger-format store concept, became an important foundation for the later national chain. Lowe's was incorporated in 1952 and became a public company in 1961 after Buchan's death. It expanded from its regional Southern base during the second half of the twentieth century, eventually building a national footprint. Its 1999 acquisition of Eagle Hardware & Garden accelerated expansion in the western United States. Lowe's subsequently became one of the two dominant American home-improvement chains, with The Home Depot as its principal rival. It has generally ranked second in the United States by scale, while competing with regional chains such as Menards and with international home-improvement retailers outside the country. The company has also experimented with international operations and adjacent formats. It opened stores in Canada, operated in Mexico before exiting that market in 2019, and participated in the Masters Home Improvement joint venture in Australia before leaving that business in 2016. In 2023, Lowe's sold its Canadian retail operations to Sycamore Partners; those operations were intended to be consolidated under the RONA brand. As a result, Lowe's current store-centered operating market is principally the United States, even though the company has maintained international sourcing, technology, service, and corporate activities. Lowe's brand positioning combines broad product availability, project guidance, installation support, omnichannel convenience, and competitive pricing. The company has historically been particularly associated with homeowners undertaking renovation projects, but it has also sought to deepen its relationship with professional contractors and builders. Its business includes private-label and exclusive merchandise, appliance and home-product installation, delivery, credit and project-support services, and digital tools for product discovery and project planning. Lowe's corporate presence is centered in Mooresville, North Carolina, with additional technology and service operations elsewhere. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LOW. It remains an active public retailer and a major participant in the North American home-improvement sector.

History

Lowe's traces its origins to 1921, when Lucius Smith Lowe opened Mr. L.S. Lowe's North Wilkesboro Hardware in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The original business sold a varied range of merchandise. After Lowe died in 1940, his daughter Ruth Buchan inherited the store and sold it to her brother James Lowe. In 1943, James Lowe brought in his brother-in-law H. Carl Buchan as a partner. Buchan anticipated strong postwar construction demand and redirected the business toward hardware and building materials. Lowe's and Buchan also developed a direct-purchasing approach, buying larger quantities from manufacturers rather than relying primarily on wholesalers. The company opened a second store in Sparta, North Carolina, in 1949. Buchan became the sole owner in 1952, when the business was incorporated as Lowe's North Wilkesboro Hardware. In 1954, James Lowe established the separate Lowes Foods grocery business. Buchan died in 1960. A five-person executive group, including Robert Strickland and Leonard Herring, led the company through its public offering in 1961 under the name Lowe's Companies, Inc. By 1962, Lowe's had 21 stores. The company expanded through the following decades and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in 1979. Its store base and sales grew as the home-improvement warehouse format became more important to American consumers. Under Robert L. Tillman, who served as chief executive from 1996 to 2005, Lowe's accelerated its geographic expansion beyond the traditional Southern market into the Northeast, Midwest, and West. The 1999 acquisition of Eagle Hardware & Garden, based in Renton, Washington, supported the company's western expansion and helped establish a more national footprint. Lowe's later operated in Canada, Mexico, and Australia through different formats and arrangements. It closed its Mexican stores in 2019, exited the Australian Masters Home Improvement venture in 2016, and sold its Canadian retail operations to Sycamore Partners in 2023. Lowe's developed a large corporate campus in Mooresville, North Carolina, after acquiring and later vacating its former Wilkesboro headquarters facilities. It also established a technology presence in Charlotte, North Carolina. The retailer expanded its digital capabilities, delivery services, installation offerings, and professional-customer programs alongside its physical-store network. The brand has invested in environmental education and energy efficiency, receiving repeated Energy Star recognition between 2003 and 2010. It has also faced regulatory and labor controversies, including a federal lead-renovation penalty, a California environmental fine, findings concerning employee discussions of pay, and allegations connected with a union-organizing effort. In marketing, Lowe's has used sports sponsorships, racing partnerships, project-oriented advertising, and community-focused initiatives to connect home improvement with major consumer audiences. Lowe's is currently an active, publicly traded American home-improvement retailer. Its principal market is the United States, where it competes most directly with The Home Depot and regional chains such as Menards. The company's strategic emphasis includes homeowners, do-it-yourself shoppers, professional contractors, and builders, with stores and digital channels supporting product sales, installation, fulfillment, and project services.

2023
Canadian retail business sold
[1]Lowe'sen.wikipedia.org
Lowe's sells its Canadian retail operations to Sycamore Partners.
2019
Exit from Mexico
[1]Lowe'sen.wikipedia.org
Lowe's closes its Mexican stores.
2016
Exit from Australian Masters venture
[1]Lowe'sen.wikipedia.org
Lowe's exits its Masters Home Improvement joint venture in Australia.
2011
Katrina Cottage line discontinued
[1]Lowe'sen.wikipedia.org
Lowe's ends its offering of affordable, storm-oriented house plans and building packages developed after Hurricane Katrina.
1999
Eagle Hardware & Garden acquisition
[1]Lowe'sen.wikipedia.org
Lowe's acquires Eagle Hardware & Garden to accelerate western United States expansion.
1998
Lowe's receives Charlotte Motor Speedway naming rights
[1]Lowe'sen.wikipedia.org
The company acquires naming rights to the North Carolina speedway, which becomes Lowe's Motor Speedway.
1979
New York Stock Exchange listing
[1]Lowe'sen.wikipedia.org
Lowe's begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
1961
Lowe's becomes a public company
[1]Lowe'sen.wikipedia.org
The company goes public under the name Lowe's Companies, Inc.
1952
Business is incorporated
[1]Lowe'sen.wikipedia.org
Buchan becomes sole owner and the company is incorporated as Lowe's North Wilkesboro Hardware.
1943
H. Carl Buchan joins the business
[1]Lowe'sen.wikipedia.org
James Lowe brings H. Carl Buchan into the family business as a partner.
1921
First Lowe's hardware store opens
[1]Lowe'sen.wikipedia.org
Lucius Smith Lowe opens a hardware store in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

Products and positioning

A large-format, omnichannel home-improvement retailer combining project breadth, installation support, contractor services, and competitive pricing.

Home appliances
Appliances
Lowe's sells major and small appliances for kitchens, laundry rooms, and household maintenance. The category is supported by delivery, installation, replacement, and project-oriented shopping services.
Tools and repair
Tools and hardware
The assortment includes hand tools, power tools, fasteners, storage, safety equipment, and general hardware used by do-it-yourself customers and professional tradespeople.
Construction supplies
Lumber and building materials
Lowe's provides lumber, sheet goods, structural materials, roofing-related products, insulation, doors, windows, and other supplies for construction, repair, and remodeling projects.
Outdoor and garden
Lawn and garden
This line covers plants, gardening tools, outdoor power equipment, irrigation products, landscaping materials, seasonal merchandise, and goods for maintaining residential outdoor spaces.
Interior renovation
Paint, flooring, kitchen, and bath
Lowe's offers paint and decorating products alongside flooring, cabinets, countertops, sinks, faucets, bathroom fixtures, and related materials for interior renovation projects.
Home-improvement services
Installation and project services
The company complements merchandise sales with installation, delivery, project assistance, and contractor-oriented services. Availability and scope vary by product, market, and location.

Controversies

2023
New Orleans union-organizing allegations
Workers organizing at a New Orleans store filed for a union election. After an organizing leader was fired, unfair-labor-practice charges alleged surveillance, interrogation, and retaliation connected with the organizing campaign.
Source
2021
Lowe’s agrees to settle 401(k) class-action lawsuit
Lowe’s agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit concerning alleged inappropriate investment of $1 billion in the Hewitt Growth Fund through its 401(k) plan. Settlement details were not available, and the agreement still required submission to the court for approval.
Source
2021
Oregon officials fine two Lowe's stores over mask rules
In April 2021, Oregon health and safety officials fined two Lowe's Home Improvement stores, located in Albany and Redmond, more than $35,000 in total. The fines were issued because the stores failed to ensure that customers wore masks, face coverings, or face shields, in violation of state rules. The action was reported as an enforcement measure by Oregon officials against the two Lowe's locations for noncompliance with mask requirements.
Source
2020
California air-quality violations
Lowe's paid a California fine involving alleged violations associated with nitrogen-oxide emissions and asbestos-related practices during demolition or renovation work.
Source
2019
Employee pay-discussion labor ruling
A National Labor Relations Board judge found that Lowe's had unlawfully prohibited workers from discussing their compensation.
Source
2014
Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule penalty
Lowe's paid a federal penalty concerning alleged failures by renovation-related contractors and installers to comply with requirements intended to control lead dust and protect occupants, especially children.
Source
2011
All-American Muslim advertising controversy
Lowe's withdrew advertising from the TLC reality program All-American Muslim after citing complaints and concerns identified through its review of media coverage. The decision generated criticism from Muslim-American and Arab-American organizations, public officials, celebrities, and other commentators, some of whom called for boycotts.
Source
2006
Dispute over rainforest-sourced flooring allegations
An Environmental Investigation Agency report questioned the sourcing of merbau flooring sold through Lowe's. The cited account also described an independent audit commissioned by the flooring supplier and Lowe's continuing position that its wood products came from known and legally sourced origins.
Source

2024Inter Miami CF and Copa América partnership
United States
Lowe's launched a partnership involving Inter Miami CF, Lionel Messi, and the 2024 Copa América, extending the brand's association with soccer and home-focused consumer engagement.
Source
2019NFL official home-improvement sponsorship
United States
Lowe's became the National Football League's official home-improvement sponsor, connecting the retailer with a major national sports audience.
Outcome. The partnership expanded Lowe's sports-marketing platform.
Source
2006Lowe's Katrina Cottage
United States Gulf Coast
Lowe's worked with designer Marianne Cusato to offer affordable house plans and building materials intended for communities affected by Hurricane Katrina. The compact designs were promoted as relatively easy to build, expandable, and compliant with applicable building and storm requirements.
Outcome. The product line was discontinued in 2011.
Source
2003Energy Star education and retail program
United States
Lowe's promoted Energy Star products and consumer education concerning household energy efficiency. The company received repeated Energy Star recognition during the 2000s, including sustained-excellence recognition in retail.
Outcome. The program contributed to the company's environmental and energy-efficiency positioning.
Source
1997NASCAR sponsorship program
United States
Lowe's developed a long-running motorsports sponsorship presence, including sponsorship of cars driven by Mike Skinner, Robby Gordon, and later Jimmie Johnson. It also held naming rights to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a limited period.
Outcome. Lowe's ended its sponsorship of the No. 48 car and its broader motorsports involvement after the 2018 season.
Source

Brand decisions

2025
Agree to acquire Foundation Building MaterialsM&A
Background
Lowe's sought to expand its reach among professional contractors, builders, and business customers.
Action taken
The company agreed to acquire Foundation Building Materials.
Aftermath
The proposed transaction was positioned as a way to strengthen Lowe's professional and contractor-oriented business.
Source
2023
Sell Canadian retail operationsM&A
Background
Lowe's reviewed its international retail portfolio and Canadian operations.
Action taken
The company sold its Canadian retail business to Sycamore Partners, with the operations intended to be consolidated under the RONA brand.
Aftermath
Lowe's became principally focused on its United States retail operations.
Source
2019
Close Mexican storesStrategy
Background
Lowe's had operated a small store network in Mexico.
Action taken
The company closed all of its Mexican stores.
Aftermath
Lowe's ended its direct retail presence in Mexico.
Source
2016
Exit Australian Masters Home Improvement ventureStrategy
Background
Lowe's had participated in an Australian home-improvement joint venture.
Action taken
The company exited the Masters Home Improvement business.
Aftermath
Lowe's withdrew from the Australian retail market.
Source
1999
Acquire Eagle Hardware & GardenM&A
Background
Lowe's sought to accelerate its expansion in the western United States and broaden its home-improvement store base.
Action taken
The company acquired the Renton, Washington-based Eagle Hardware & Garden business.
Aftermath
The acquisition supported Lowe's transition from a regional Southern retailer toward a national chain.
Source

Recent events

2026-09-24
Lowe's launches drone delivery service in partnership with DoorDash and Wing[5]劳氏与DoorDash和Wing合作推出无人机配送服务cnbc.com
Reported: 2026-09-24
Lowe's announced the launch of a drone delivery service, a first in home improvement retail, in partnership with DoorDash and Alphabet's Wing. A pilot program is live in Matthews, North Carolina, offering over 100 products with delivery windows as fast as 20 minutes; customers order through DoorDash, and Lowe's may expand the program if the pilot succeeds.
2022-01-27
Lowe's and Petco partner to bring Petco shops into Lowe's stores[6]Lowe's 与 Petco 合作在 Lowe's 门店引入 Petco 商店businessinsider.com
Reported: 2022-01-27
Lowe's announced a new partnership with Petco under which Petco shops are planned to appear in a select group of Lowe's stores starting the following month, initially in Texas, with other locations in Texas and North and South Carolina to follow.
2021-12-02
Woodgrain acquires North Carolina door shop[7]Woodgrain收购北卡罗来纳州门厂woodworkingnetwork.com
Woodgrain acquired Lowe’s Thomasville Millwork door shop in Lexington, North Carolina. The article says the acquisition expands Woodgrain’s position in the Southeast and strengthens its millwork and door-manufacturing capabilities.
2021-10-26
US retailers stop selling Lorex and Ezviz products[8]美国零售商停售 Lorex 与 Ezviz 产品setn.com
Reported: 2021-10-27
The article reports that Home Depot and Best Buy stopped selling Lorex and Ezviz products, while Lowe's stopped selling Lorex products, citing reports that the surveillance manufacturers' products were implicated in human rights violations. The allegations are reported, not established as a determination in this source.
2021-08-18
Lowe's raises fiscal 2021 outlook[9]劳氏上调2021财年展望prnewswire.com
Reported: 2021-08-18
Lowe's raised its fiscal 2021 financial outlook, including expected revenue of approximately $92 billion and operating margin of 12.2%.
2021-06-10
WWF launches Forests Forward platform[10]WWF推出Forests Forward平台wwf.panda.org
WWF launched Forests Forward, a multi-stakeholder platform for businesses and investors focused on forest landscapes. WWF said the platform aims to improve the management of 150 million hectares of forest by 2030; 19 companies and investors were its first participants.
2021-04-29
Lowe’s agrees to settle 401(k) class-action lawsuit[3]Lowe’s agrees to settle 401(k) class-action lawsuitinvestmentnews.com
Reported: 2021-04-30
Lowe’s agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit concerning alleged inappropriate investment of $1 billion in the Hewitt Growth Fund through its 401(k) plan. Settlement details were not available, and the agreement still required submission to the court for approval.
2021-04-22
Lowe’s acquires STAINMASTER brand[11]Lowe’s收购STAINMASTER品牌wccbcharlotte.com
Reported: 2021-04-22
Lowe’s announced that it had acquired the STAINMASTER brand, including all brand-related intellectual property, trademarks and sub-brands, from parent company Invista. STAINMASTER will join Lowe’s private brand portfolio.
Unconfirmed
Oregon officials fine two Lowe’s stores over mask rules[4]Oregon officials fine two Lowe's stores over mask rulesstatesmanjournal.com
Reported: 2021-04-20
Oregon health and safety officials fined Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Albany and Redmond more than $35,000 for failing to ensure that customers wore masks, face coverings, or face shields.
2021-04-06
Lowe’s Canada launches contactless pickup lockers[12]Lowe’s Canada推出无接触取货柜newswire.ca
Reported: 2021-04-06
Lowe’s Canada announced the launch of contactless pickup lockers at select Canadian Lowe’s stores, with 48 stores planned to offer the option by the end of April.

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