Lowe's

Type: Public (NYSE: LOW)
Founded: 1946 (North Wilkesboro, NC)
Headquarters: Mooresville, NC
Key people: Robert Niblock, CEO & Chairman Larry Stone, COO & President
Industry: Home Improvement
Products: Retail - Home Improvement
Website: www.lowes.com

General Information

Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse (NYSE: LOW) is a US-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves over 13 million customers a week in its over 1,400 stores in 49 states. Vermont is the only state without a Lowe's store and with the exception of Wyoming, each of the other 48 states is home to multiple stores. (Wyoming is also home to a Lowe's distribution center). Beginning in 2007 Lowe's will start to operate in Canada with up to 10 stores opening up in Ontario. In 2009 Lowe's will start to operate in Mexico opening between 3 and 5 stores in Monterrey. Lowe's Companies, Inc. is 45 on the Fortune 500 list. The chain is now based in Mooresville, North Carolina, about 30 minutes north of downtown Charlotte. It is currently the second-largest hardware chain in the United States of America.

History

Lowe's began as a single neighborhood hardware store in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina in 1946. Through growth and expansion, and later with the addition and rebranding of Eagle Hardware stores, Lowe's has grown to be the 2nd largest home improvement store behind Home Depot with B&Q 3rd.