Lowe's - Definition

for a similarly named firm, see Loews Theatres

Lowes Cos Inc

Type	Public
Slogan	Improving Home Improvement
Founded	1946
Location	Mooresville, NC
Key people	Robert Niblock, CEO & Chairman
Employees	46,372
Products	Retail - Home Improvement
Web site	www.lowes.com

Lowe's (NYSE: LOW (http://www.nyse.com/about/listed/lcddata.html?ticker=LOW)) is an American chain of home improvement and major appliance retail stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now operates (as of 2004) over 950 stores in 45 states and is number 50 on the Fortune 500 list.

Lowe's has attempted to position themselves as a more consumer-friendly alternative to their primary rival, The Home Depot. Some of their advertisements have attempted to portray The Home Depot as an intimidating warehouse that caters to contractors and not consumers.

Lowe's has purchased naming rights of Lowe's Motor Speedway (formerly Charlotte Motor Speedway) in Concord, North Carolina, which is home to several auto racing events annually. The corporation also sponsors NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson.

External link

• Lowe's (http://www.lowes.com/)