Founded in 1921, Lowe's Companies Inc. is one of the largest chains of home improvement stores in the United States and the second-largest hardware chain in the world. Operating 1,971 stores in the U.S. and 210 in Canada and Mexico, Lowe's Companies Inc. offers a wide range of products for use in residential and commercial construction, repair, property maintenance, remodeling and decorating.
The company also provides a variety of in-house and third-party installation services, offered through partnerships with independent local contractors and extended protection plans purchased through Assurant Inc., an insurance company located in New York. Lowe's Companies Inc. also offers subcontracted in-warranty and out-of-warranty repair services under its privately labeled Lowe's Protection Plan.
Lowe's Companies Inc. is known for competitive pricing and customer service. It has made strategic acquisitions and investments to strengthen its position in the market, contributing to steady revenue growth over the past decade. Additionally, it has embraced new technologies, investing in online ordering, artificial intelligence-enabled customer service and virtual design services to stay ahead of competitors. Lowe's Companies Inc. has also implemented various sustainability initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including increasing energy efficiency at retail stores and using more renewable energy throughout its logistical systems.
Lowe's Companies Inc. has many competitive advantages, including a strong balance sheet and commitment to customer satisfaction, helping it remain a leader in the home improvement retail space. Its financials are strong, revenue has grown steadily over the past decade, and it provides shareholder returns that routinely outpace the industry average.
With over six million shareholders, its financially sound decisions have enabled it to grow its earnings by over 22% in the past decade while increasing shareholder earnings per share to 16% in the same period.
