Tag Archives: Lowe’s

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Lowe’s launches Track to the Trades program to provide career alternatives and financial support for employees to pursue a skilled trade

Lowe’s launches Track to the Trades program to provide career alternatives and financial support for employees to pursue a skilled trade 

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2018-Feb-27 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (February 22, 2018), Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) announced Track to the Trades, a new workforce development initiative that aims to provide innovative career alternatives and financial support for employees to pursue a skilled trade. The program will be supported in partnership with Guild Education, an adult education company. The initiative comes at a time when the skilled trade industry is experiencing a rapidly declining workforce.

According to the Home Improvement Research Institute, more than 60 percent of skilled trade professionals agree that there is a shortage of labor in the construction industry. The same study reports ongoing hiring challenges for professional contractors, with 40 percent of pros looking to expand their job site workforce.

To begin addressing this critical trade skills gap while also providing employees with a variety of career paths and economic opportunity, Lowe’s is offering employees:

  • Upfront tuition funding for trade skill certification
  • Academic coaching and support
  • Placement opportunities for full-time pre-apprenticeships in Lowe’s nationwide contractor network or continued growth with Lowe’s

Beginning March 1, Lowe’s will debut Track to the Trades in four cities: Charlotte, Denver, Pittsburgh and Richmond. Following the four-city pilot, the program will be expanded to qualified Lowe’s part-time and full-time employee nationwide by the end of 2018.

Eligible employees will receive up to $2,500 to gain a certification and serve as a pre-apprentice in carpentry, HVAC, electrical, plumbing or appliance repair careers. Pre-apprenticeships take approximately six to 10 months, and participants will also receive enrollment guidance and a field mentor.

“The trade profession is a high-demand, high-opportunity field for the next generation workforce, and today, there is a massive unmet need,” said Jennifer L. Weber, Lowe’s chief human resources officer. “With Track to the Trades, we are providing unique career alternatives for our associates while also building a pipeline for the next generation ofLowe’s,Track to the Trades ,skilled trade, Guild Education CEO, Rachel Carlson, Home Improvement Research Institute,  Jennifer L. Weber, skilled trade workers, allowing us to better meet the demands of customers while creating long-term educational benefits and economic opportunity for our people.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the nation’s need for workers in the skilled trades is increasing much faster than the growth of employment overall, according to a recent forecast. In fact, Lowe’s analysis of BLS data projects we will experience a skilled trades gap of more than a half million jobs across construction-related fields by 2026. Lowe’s Track to the Trades program is a first step toward rebuilding the skilled trades workforce and infusing pride back into trade professions that are vital to society.

“Lowe’s is leading the way on pre-apprenticeship models that prepare employees for jobs of the future, both while working at Lowe’s and beyond in their careers,” said Guild Education CEO, Rachel Carlson. “The education pathways offered by Lowe’s eliminate the all-to-common false choice between trades programs and advancement in higher education. At Guild, we’re honored to be working with the Lowe’s team on this first-of-a-kind partnership.”

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,370 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

About Guild Education
Guild Education is transforming the way employers offer Education as a Benefit to their employees. Guild Education’s platform makes offering education benefits an easy choice for leading companies, with a platform to help innovative HR leaders turn their education programs into a long-term positive ROI for their company. The company’s diverse network of online, nonprofit universities offer a range of programs from GEDs and apprenticeship programs through bachelor’s and master’s degrees, along with advising and retention coaching to help each student navigate the worlds of work and post-secondary education. As of today, Guild Education has raised a total of $31.5 million in funding from Bessemer Ventures, Redpoint Ventures, Harrison Metal, and Cowboy Ventures. To learn more about Guild Education, visit www.GuildEducation.com.

SOURCE: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.co

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Lowe’s to fill more than 53,000 jobs on its first National Hiring Day, Feb. 21

Anyone interested in a full-time, part-time or seasonal role can visit any of Lowe’s 1,700-plus U.S. stores on Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. to participate in open interviews during the company’s first National Hiring Day. (PRNewsfoto/Lowe’s Companies, Inc.)

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2018-Feb-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s is looking for people with customer service experience who have a passion for helping people love where they live. With a goal of filling more than 53,000 jobs, Lowe’s stores nationwide will open their doors to candidates from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 during the company’s first National Hiring Day.

Candidates interested in a full-time, part-time or seasonal role can visit any of Lowe’s 1,700-plus U.S. stores to participate in open interviews and learn more about working at Lowe’s. The event is an opportunity to meet hiring managers, speak with associates and enjoy behind-the-scenes tours in an open house atmosphere.

“Our employees are the heart of our business and make a difference for the customers and communities we serve every day,” said Jennifer Weber, Lowe’s chief human resources officer. “Lowe’s is a great place to build a career, and we’re excited to host our largest-ever job fair to introduce people to our culture. We’re looking to hire customer-centric and service-minded people who are passionate about being a part of something bigger.”

Those who can’t make it to the open house can tune in to a Facebook Live event on the Lowe’s Careers channel at 2:15 p.m. EST on Feb. 21 to hear more from Weber about building a career at Lowe’s.

Recently named one of the top 10 most customer-engaged companies by Forbes, Lowe’s is hiring employees to serve customers and communities during the busy spring and summer seasons. Seasonal employees typically support stores between March and September. Available roles include cashiers, lawn and garden associates, loaders, stockers and assemblers of outdoor products. Lowe’s seasonal employees benefit from competitive pay, a 10 percent employee discount and flexible hours, including the opportunity to see their schedule 17 days in advance and swap shifts with others as needed.

Lowe’s employs nearly 250,000 people across its U.S. stores and provides career advancement opportunities at all levels. Last year, nearly 40 percent of Lowe’s seasonal employees transitioned into permanent part-time and full-time positions. Nearly 200 current store managers started as seasonal employees.

Jordan McGee was 19 when she took a seasonal job as a cashier in Gastonia, N.C. Just four years later, she was promoted to assistant store manager of sales in Clover, S.C.

“Lowe’s has supported me through my career journey by helping me develop into a stronger leader. When I started, I was only 19, with no management experience, so I’ve always had a mentor or someone helping me, just giving me that encouragement in my ear,” McGee said. “If there’s one word that describes Lowe’s, I would say ‘career,’ just because you can come in and be whoever you want to be. You have the potential to move all the way up through the ranks, and they’ll support you through that.”

Lowe’s also will hold open interviews and make conditional job offers on the spot for part-time and full-time positions, including service and support managers, cashiers, stockers and sales specialists. Eligible part-time and full-time employees can take advantage of Lowe’s health and wellness benefits, incentive programs, 401(k), a discounted stock purchase plan, tuition reimbursement and flexible work schedules.

Earlier this month, Lowe’s announced plans to enhance its benefits, including expanded maternity and parental leave as well as adoption assistance. Eligible full-time hourly and salaried U.S. employees will qualify to receive:

  • Ten weeks of paid maternity leave and two weeks of paid parental leave.
  • An adoption assistance benefit to cover up to $5,000 of expenses related to agency, legal and other fees.
  • Eligibility to enroll in health benefits sooner, as early as the first of the month following 30 days of service.

To learn more about available jobs in your area, Lowe’s benefits or to apply online, visit Lowes.com/SpringHire. Applying takes just 20 minutes on average. To learn more about career opportunities, and to hear directly from employees who transitioned from seasonal roles into store management positions, visit Lowe’s newsroom.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,370 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

SOURCE Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Media Inquiries

704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

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Lowe’s to hire more than 53,000 employees across its U.S. stores

Lowe’s to hire more than 53,000 employees across its U.S. stores

Mooresville, North Carolina, 2018-Jan-25 — /EPR Retail News/ — In preparation for home improvement’s busiest season, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is hiring more than 53,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees across its U.S. stores, adding to the company’s nearly 250,000 current U.S. store employees.

In-store seasonal positions, which typically support stores between March and September, include cashiers, lawn and garden associates, stockers, assemblers of outdoor products and loaders. Lowe’s seasonal employees benefit from competitive pay, a 10 percent employee discount and flexible hours, including the ability to see their schedule 17 days in advance and swap shifts with others as needed.

Available part-time and full-time positions include service and support managers, customer service associates, cashiers, stockers and sales specialists. Part-time and full-time employees can take advantage of Lowe’s health and wellness benefits, incentive programs, 401(k), a discounted stock purchase plan, tuition reimbursement and flexible work schedules.

Named one of the top 10 most customer-engaged companies by Forbes, Lowe’s provides leadership development and career advancement opportunities at all levels to support employees and customers. In fact, approximately 200 current store managers started as seasonal employees, and last year nearly 40 percent of the company’s seasonal employees transitioned into permanent part-time and full-time positions.

“When employees join Lowe’s, they are joining more than a Fortune 40 company,” said Jennifer Weber, chief human resources officer. “They are joining a supportive network of caring, inspiring team members who are here to serve customers, communities and each other.”

• In 2017, for the third consecutive year, 100 percent of Lowe’s 1,700-plus U.S. stores served their communities through a Lowe’s Heroes volunteer community project – from restoring parks to improving schools.
• In the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, in addition to the company’s $2.5 million donation to disaster relief, more than 3,000 store employees volunteered to provide necessary support to impacted stores and communities.
• Lowe’s full-time employees can take advantage of the company’s paid time off for community volunteering each year.

To learn more about available positions in your area and apply online, visit Lowes.com/SpringHire. You can also apply at your local Lowe’s store. Applying takes just 20 minutes on average.

For more information about seasonal hiring and Lowe’s investment in your community, click here.

 

Market Estimated Number of Seasonal Positions*
Atlanta 1,000
Baltimore 400
Boston-Providence-Hartford-Nashua 1,800
Charlotte, N.C. 1,250
Chicago 800
Cincinnati 300
Columbus, Ohio 250
Dallas-Fort Worth 900
Denver 650
Detroit 850
Indianapolis 1,000
Los Angeles/Long Beach/Orange County 1,500
Minneapolis-St. Paul 200
Nashville 500
New York 1,200
Phoenix 400
Pittsburgh 650
Portland, Ore. 400
Raleigh-Durham, N.C. 1,100
Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, Calif. 700
San Antonio 350
San Diego 250
Seattle-Tacoma 950
St. Louis 700
Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla. 550
Washington D.C. 550
*Not all jobs have been posted. For the estimated number of positions in other locations, email PublicRelations@Lowes.com.

SOURCE: Lowe’s

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704-758-2917
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Lowe’s welcomes David H. Batchelder, Brian C. Rogers and Lisa W. Wardell as new independent directors

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2018-Jan-22 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) announced today that it has appointed David H. Batchelder, co-founder of Relational Investors, and Lisa W. Wardell, CEO of Adtalem Global Education, to its board of directors effective March 22, 2018.  The company will nominate Batchelder, Wardell and new nominee Brian C. Rogers, chairman of T. Rowe Price Group and its former chief investment officer, for election at Lowe’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

“We are pleased to welcome David, Brian and Lisa as new independent directors to the Lowe’s board and especially value the constructive discussions we have had with the D. E. Shaw group,” said Robert A. Niblock, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO. “They join Lowe’s at an exciting time as we continue to drive our omni-channel strategy forward and build deeper relationships with pro customers to fulfill our purpose of helping people love where they live. The addition of these directors complements our board of directors’ skills and experiences, and we are confident they will provide valuable perspectives as we continue to execute our strategy, drive profitability and enhance value for all Lowe’s shareholders. We look forward to their contributions and are excited they chose Lowe’s.”

Lowe’s Board regularly evaluates its composition to ensure it includes the appropriate skills, experience and perspective necessary to drive growth for all Lowe’s shareholders, and with these director additions, eight directors will have joined Lowe’s actively engaged board in the past five years.

“We appreciate Lowe’s collaborative approach and are pleased to have worked together to enhance the company’s board of directors,” said Quentin Koffey, a portfolio manager at the D. E. Shaw group. “Lowe’s is an excellent company with tremendous value creation opportunities in front of it, and we believe the new directors will be significant assets to the board.  We believe the refreshed board and the management team are committed to achieving outstanding performance and maximizing shareholder value.”

Batchelder will serve for the duration of his time as a director on the board’s compensation committee, chaired by Eric C. Wiseman, former chairman and CEO of VF Corporation, and the nominating and governance committee, chaired by Lowe’s Lead Director Marshall O. Larsen, former chairman and CEO of Goodrich Corporation.

Wardell will serve on the board’s audit committee, chaired by Raul Alvarez, chairman of Skylark Co., and the public policy committee, chaired by Angela F. Braly, former chair and CEO of WellPoint, Inc.

Rogers’ committee appointments will be determined immediately following his election to the board at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Lowe’s other independent directors consist of Sandra B. Cochran, president and CEO of Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores; Laurie Z. Douglas, chief information officer and chief security officer of Publix Supermarkets; Richard W. Dreiling, retired chairman and CEO of Dollar General Corporation; Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of the RLJ Companies; James H. Morgan, retired chairman and CEO of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts; and Bertram L. Scott, senior vice president of Population Health and Value Based Care at Novant Health.

As previously planned under the board’s mandatory retirement policy, Robert L. Johnson will not stand for re-election at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Following Johnson’s retirement, the Lowe’s board will be composed of 13 directors, 12 of whom are independent.

About David H. Batchelder

Batchelder, 68, was a founder, principal and member of the investment committee at Relational Investors LLC from 1988 to 2015. Prior to that, he served in various executive positions at Mesa Petroleum Co., including as president and chief operating officer from 1986 to 1988. Batchelder served on several other public company boards, including The Home Depot from 2007 to 2011, ConAgra Foods from 2002 to 2007 and Mac Frugal’s Bargains Close-Outs Inc. from 1990 to 1997. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Oklahoma State University.

About Brian C. Rogers

Rogers, 62, serves as non-executive chair of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., having retired as chief investment officer of the company in March 2017. He was elected to the T. Rowe Price board of directors in 1997 and was named board chair in 2007. As a member of the board, he has served on the U.S. equity steering, fixed income steering, international equity steering, product strategy steering, and management compensation committees, as well as the proxy committee. He joined T. Rowe Price in 1982 and served in several roles including chief investment officer from 2004 to 2017 and president of two T. Rowe Price funds. Prior to joining T. Rowe Price, Rogers worked at Bankers Trust Company. Rogers earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Rogers is in the process of receiving the necessary consents from his other boards with respect to his joining Lowe’s as a board member.

About Lisa W. Wardell

Wardell, 48, currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Adtalem Global Education, a role she has held since 2016. Wardell has been a member of Adtalem’s board of directors since 2008 and has chaired its audit committee. Prior to her current position, she served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for The RLJ Companies for a total of 12 years, and as principal at the private equity firm Katalyst Venture Partners for four years. From 1998 to 2000, Wardell worked as a senior consultant for Accenture in the organization’s communications and technology strategic services practice. Wardell earned her bachelor’s degree from Vassar College, her law degree from Stanford Law School and her master’s degree in finance and entrepreneurial management from the Wharton School of Business. Wardell is a member of The Business Council and the Executive Leadership Council. Among numerous recognitions, she was recently named to Savoy Magazine’s Power 300: Most Influential Black Corporate Directors list (2017 and 2016) and has been recognized by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the “300 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America” (2017).

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,370 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements including words such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “desire”, “project”, “estimate”, “intend”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “may”, “strategy”, “potential”, “opportunity” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, Lowe’s plans, objectives, business outlook, priorities, expectations and intentions, expectations for sales growth, comparable sales, earnings and performance, shareholder value, capital expenditures, cash flows, the housing market, the home improvement industry, demand for services, share repurchases, Lowe’s strategic initiatives, including those relating to acquisitions by Lowe’s and the expected impact of such transactions on our strategic and operational plans and financial results, and any statement of an assumption underlying any of the foregoing and other statements that are not historical facts.  Although we believe that the expectations, opinions, projections and comments reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and we can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.

A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, such as the rate of unemployment, interest rate and currency fluctuations, fuel and other energy costs, slower growth in personal income, changes in consumer spending, changes in the rate of housing turnover, the availability of consumer credit and of mortgage financing, inflation or deflation of commodity prices, and other factors that can negatively affect our customers, as well as our ability to: (i) respond to adverse trends in the housing industry, a reduced rate of growth in household formation, and slower rates of growth in housing renovation and repair activity, as well as uneven recovery in commercial building activity; (ii) secure, develop, and otherwise implement new technologies and processes necessary to realize the benefits of our strategic initiatives focused on omni-channel sales and marketing presence and enhance our efficiency; (iii) attract, train, and retain highly-qualified associates; (iv) manage our business effectively as we adapt our operating model to meet the changing expectations of our customers; (v) maintain, improve, upgrade and protect our critical information systems from data security breaches, ransomware and other cyber threats; (vi) respond to fluctuations in the prices and availability of services, supplies, and products; (vii) respond to the growth and impact of competition; (viii) address changes in existing or new laws or regulations that affect consumer credit, employment/labor, trade, product safety, transportation/logistics, energy costs, health care, tax or environmental issues; (ix) positively and effectively manage our public image and reputation and respond appropriately to unanticipated failures to maintain a high level of product and service quality that could result in a negative impact on customer confidence and adversely affect sales; and (x) effectively manage our relationships with selected suppliers of brand name products and key vendors and service providers, including third party installers. In addition, we could experience impairment losses if either the actual results of our operating stores are not consistent with the assumptions and judgments we have made in estimating future cash flows and determining asset fair values, or we are required to reduce the carrying amount of our investment in certain unconsolidated entities. With respect to acquisitions, potential risks include the effect of such transactions on Lowe’s and the target company’s strategic relationships, operating results and businesses generally; our ability to integrate personnel, labor models, financial, IT and others systems successfully; disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management; hiring additional management and other critical personnel; increasing the scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our operations; significant integration costs or unknown liabilities; and failure to realize the expected benefits of the transaction. For more information about these and other risks and uncertainties that we are exposed to, you should read the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the description of material changes thereto, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or subsequent filings with the SEC.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. The foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. All such forward-looking statements are based upon data available as of the date of this release or other specified date and speak only as of such date. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf about any of the matters covered in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements and in the “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the description of material changes thereto, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or subsequent filings with the SEC. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, change in circumstances, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

SOURCE: Lowe’s

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Lowe’s announces the appointment of Sylvain Prud’homme as president, international

Prud’homme also retains role as President and CEO of Lowe’s Canada

Mooresville, N.C., 2017-Dec-07 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) today (12/06/2017) announced that Sylvain Prud’homme has been appointed president, international, effective Dec. 15. He will report to Chairman, President & CEO Robert A. Niblock and will remain based in Boucherville, Quebec. Prud’homme will continue to serve as president and CEO of Lowe’s Canada and add responsibilities for the Mexico business, with the president of Lowe’s Mexico now reporting to him. This appointment follows the announcement that Richard D. Maltsbarger will be transitioning to chief operating officer of the U.S. business in February.

“Sylvain’s outstanding operational leadership has been instrumental in growing the company into one of the leading home improvement retailers in Canada,” said Niblock. “We continue to be pleased with the integration of RONA and believe we are well positioned for continued success in Canada.”

Niblock added, “Sylvain has more than three decades of experience in the retail industry and we feel confident that he will continue to drive operational excellence for our operations in Canada and Mexico.”

Prud’homme joined as president of Lowe’s Canada in 2013 and, following the acquisition of RONA in 2016, was named president and CEO of Lowe’s Canada. He is responsible for driving the Canadian home improvement business for Lowe’s, including RONA’s network of stores and independent dealers operating under other banners.

“I’m honored to lead strong leadership teams in both Canada and Mexico and continue building on the positive momentum and growth in these operations over the past several years,” said Prud’homme.

Prior to Lowe’s Canada, Prud’homme served as executive vice president of operations and merchandising for Loblaw Companies Limited. He was also president of western operations for Sobeys Inc. and spent several years as senior vice president of operations and merchandising for Walmart Canada.

Prud’homme earned an MBA from the HEC Montreal business school. He is a member of the board of directors for the Retail Council of Canada.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,370 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Canada Media Inqueries:

Valérie Gonzalo
Media Relations
Lowe’s Canada – RONA
514.626.6976
media@rona.ca

Shareholders’/Analysts’ Inquiries:

Tiffany Mason
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
704-758-2033
tiffany.l.mason@lowes.com

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s: Richard D. Maltsbarger to succeed Rick D. Damron as chief operating officer

Lowe’s: Richard D. Maltsbarger to succeed Rick D. Damron as chief operating officer

 

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-Nov-22 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) announced today (November 21, 2017) that Richard D. Maltsbarger, Lowe’s chief development officer and president, international, has been appointed chief operating officer, effective Feb. 3, 2018, and will continue to report to Robert A. Niblock, chairman, president and CEO. Maltsbarger succeeds Rick D. Damron who plans to retire after 36 years with the company. Damron has served as chief operating officer since 2012.

In his new role, Maltsbarger, 42, will be responsible for delivering seamless omni-channel experiences to execute Lowe’s brand promise and build lasting customer loyalty. He will oversee areas including store operations, supply chain, pro and services, while also working closely with Michael P. McDermott, chief customer officer, to further enhance our omni-channel customer experience. A strong business leader, Maltsbarger has led Lowe’s international operations since 2015 and has a deep background in developing and executing strategy based on customer insights.

Niblock said, “Richard is a proven leader with a keen understanding of our business and industry. He brings vast consumer knowledge from various roles within Lowe’s and has been instrumental in the development and implementation of our strategy. We are confident that in this new role, Richard will continue to enhance our capabilities and processes as we execute our plans and meet customers’ rapidly evolving expectations.”

Niblock added, “On behalf of the board and management team, I want to thank Rick for his innumerable contributions to Lowe’s over his distinguished career during the past three decades. Rick has worked across every aspect of our operations, and his ideas and initiatives have positively impacted Lowe’s employees and customers. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Damron stated, “I have a great deal of admiration and respect for the Lowe’s organization and management team and look forward to working with Richard to ensure a smooth transition. Lowe’s is well positioned for continued success, and I have the utmost confidence in our employees and the company’s long-term growth opportunities.”

Maltsbarger Background

Maltsbarger was named chief development officer in 2014 and president, international in 2015. In his current role, Maltsbarger is responsible for corporate strategy, business development and international operations. Maltsbarger joined Lowe’s in 2004 as director of customer analytics and held various senior leadership roles including business development executive, senior vice president of strategy, vice president of strategic planning and vice president of research. Maltsbarger earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,370 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Media Inquiries:
704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

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CustCare@Lowes.com

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Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s expands “Smart Home powered by b8ta” connected-home shopping experience to 70 stores nationwide

Lowe’s expands “Smart Home powered by b8ta” connected-home shopping experience to 70 stores nationwide

 

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-Nov-09 — /EPR Retail News/ — Building on the success of a three-store pilot last fall, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW), in partnership with software-powered retailer b8ta, is expanding its “Smart Home powered by b8ta” connected-home shopping experience to 70 Lowe’s stores nationwide. The store-within-a-store offers an innovative shopping solution for customers interested in smart home devices. Each destination features a curated selection of top-rated smart home products and offers consumers onsite support from specially trained experts known as “b8ta testers.”

By enabling customers to easily discover, learn and try the latest smart home technology all in one place, Lowe’s and b8ta are providing a unique, service-oriented environment that elevates the retail experience.”>By enabling customers to easily discover, learn and try the latest smart home technology all in one place, Lowe’s and b8ta are providing a unique, service-oriented environment that elevates the retail experience. With b8ta’s dashboard and analytics, product displays and content are easily adjustable based on customer insights, delivering a more convenient and informative smart home shopping experience.

“Consumers aspire to live a connected life and crave solutions that make this possible,” said Ruth Crowley, vice president of customer experience design at Lowe’s. “Smart home products simplify life – but the technology can sometimes be confusing or intimidating. So, we developed Smart Home powered by b8ta to emulate a ‘lab-like’ atmosphere that empowers customers to make informed decisions.”

Customers will be immediately drawn to the wood-paneled aisles near the front of the store where more than 60 smart home products are exhibited. The fully immersive format includes a wide array of items ranging from security systems to thermostats, cameras to lighting, speakers and more from brands customers know and trust including Google, Sonos, GE, Nest, Iris, Samsung and Ring. Products are displayed out of the box to encourage hands-on play and enhance product knowledge. iPads with product-related content and pricing details can be found alongside each device. Smart phones are also available for customers to interact with products and supporting apps, the same as they would use them at home.

By partnering with Lowe’s, b8ta is furthering its mission to bring customers unbiased access to the most cutting-edge technology and allow them to try it firsthand. b8ta’s innovative retail-as-a-service solution – based on customer insights – simplifies the purchasing process for customers exploring connected devices.

“b8ta makes shopping for connected home products accessible and easy. Nationwide, consumers will have the opportunity to engage and demo a curated selection of connected products, with knowledgeable product experts on-hand to navigate consumers through their journey,” said Phillip Raub, co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of b8ta.

In addition to the store-within-a-store format, 1,000 Lowe’s stores rolled out specialized smart home displays featuring products primed for Black Friday and the Holiday gifting season. Lowe’s online shopping experience was also enhanced so that all customers – however they prefer to shop – can enjoy a curated smart home experience and learn more about the b8ta collaboration. The site provides product knowledge, including use cases to inspire ideas for creating a smarter home.

“Smart Home powered by b8ta” is available in select major U.S. markets, including New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C., Miami, Tampa, Raleigh and Charlotte. For more info about store locations and to view the enhanced digital experience, visit: www.lowes.com/smarthome.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,370 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

About b8ta
b8ta, a software-powered retailer designed to make physical retail accessible for all, was founded by Vibhu Norby (CEO), William Mintun(COO), and Phillip Raub (CBO). b8ta helps people discover new products while empowering makers with a simple retail-as-a-service model that puts them in control. b8ta has locations in Palo Alto, Santa Monica, Seattle, Austin, San Francisco, Corte Madera, Houston and New York with more opening soon. To learn more about b8ta, visit b8ta.com, or find a b8ta store near you at www.b8ta.com/locations.

Media Inquiries:

Tel: 704-758-2917
Email: PublicRelations@Lowes.com

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s Canada to fill up more than 130 permanent positions for its new store in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Job Fair slated for November 9th and 10th in anticipation of new Lowe’s store opening in early 2018

Boucherville, QC, 2017-Nov-02 — /EPR Retail News/ — As part of its ongoing growth in Canada, Lowe’s Canada has announced hiring plans for its new Lowe’s store in Winnipeg, Manitoba, slated to open in early 2018. Located at 1799 Kenaston Boulevard, at the intersection of Scurfield Boulevard, this new Lowe’s store will create more than 130 permanent positions including full time, part time and seasonal roles.

Lowe’s will be holding a Job Fair on Thursday November 9, from 10 am to 7 pm, and Friday November 10, from 10 am to 5 pm, at the Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garry located at 1824 Pembina Hwy, in Winnipeg. The store will employ a total of more than 130 permanent roles, with about 60 of those roles being full time. Most roles will start in late November and December of 2017. Available positions include Department Managers, Sales Specialists, Customer Service Associates, a Plumbing Pro, an Electrical Pro, Head Cashiers, Cashier/Returns Associates, Night Crew, a Receiving Clerk, and Janitorial/Maintenance.

In addition, 30 to 40 seasonal contract positions will be opened in the spring and summer seasons.

Interested candidates are invited to bring their resume and attend the Lowe’s Job Fair to learn more about available employment opportunities and apply in person. The store’s management team will be onsite ready to accept applications and conduct on-the-spot interviews. Those unable to apply in person can go to www.lowes.ca/careers at any time to submit their application.

“We are excited to be joining the Winnipeg community and have a lot of great employment opportunities available,” said Fred Pagotto, Market Director, Lowe’s Canada Big Box Retail. “The new Lowe’s will create many new jobs in Winnipeg and we are committed to filling as many positions as possible locally. We are looking for passionate people who are ready to help our customers love where they live, and achieve their project goals and dreams.”

“We are excited to be joining the Winnipeg community and have a lot of great employment opportunities available,” said Fred Pagotto, Market Director, Lowe’s Canada Big Box Retail. “The new Lowe’s will create many new jobs in Winnipeg and we are committed to filling as many positions as possible locally. We are looking for passionate people who are ready to help our customers love where they live, and achieve their project goals and dreams.”

Highlights of Reno-Depot’s Click-Buy-Renovate program

What: Lowe’s Job Fair to support hiring in anticipation of the opening of the new Lowe’s store in Winnipeg, creating more than 130 permanent positions. Interested candidates can apply in person and Lowe’s management team will be onsite to conduct on-the-spot interviews.

When: Thursday, November 9 – 10 am to 7 pm Friday, November 10 – 10 am to 5 pm

Where: Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garry 1824 Pembina Hwy Winnipeg

Interested candidates can visit www.lowes.ca/careers for more information and are encouraged to visit the site often for details on employment opportunities.

About Lowe’s Canada

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,370 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Based in Boucherville, Quebec, Lowe’s Canadian business, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, RONA inc., operates or services more than 600 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners. These include Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, Marcil, Dick’s Lumber and Ace. In Canada, the companies have more than 25,000 employees, in addition to nearly 5,000 employees in the stores of RONA’s independent affiliate dealers. For more information, visit Lowes.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Valérie Gonzalo
Media Relations
Lowe’s Canada – RONA
Tel 514.626.6976
media@rona.ca

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s supports Hurricane Irma disaster relief and recovery efforts with $1 million donation

Mooresville, NC, 2017-Sep-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s announced a commitment of at least $1 million to support disaster relief and recovery efforts through cash and product donations as Hurricane Irma struck communities in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The latest donation brings Lowe’s total contribution to disaster relief this year to more than $2 million following the major flooding and damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. Lowe’s is working with nonprofit partners and government agencies to determine immediate and long-term support needed by local communities.

Lowe’s has also expanded its American Red Cross customer donation program from stores in Texas to all stores nationwide to provide a convenient place for customers to support those affected by the storms. Customers can also contribute to the American Red Cross online through a link on Lowes.com.

“Lowe’s makes it a priority to be there for families in our communities before, during and after natural disasters strike,” said Robert A. Niblock, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO. “I’m thankful to our employees for their tireless efforts to help neighborhoods prepare for storms like Harvey and Irma and proud of their passion and commitment to helping communities rebuild after these historic storms.”

Lowe’s Emergency Command Center continues to expedite thousands of truckloads of needed clean-up and recovery supplies to Lowe’s stores impacted by the storms, including bottled water, gas cans, chainsaws, water removal equipment, insect repellent, shovels, rakes and other tools.

Lowe’s employs more than 23,000 people in Texas and more than 19,000 in Florida. Additional specially trained Lowe’s employees will travel to the hardest-hit locations to provide relief to impacted employees while ensuring stores are ready to serve customers. Lowe’s is also supporting affected employees through its Employee Relief Fund which provides financial assistance in times of crisis. Lowe’s has doubled its match of employee contributions to the fund following Hurricane Harvey. Since it was established in 1999, the fund has helped approximately 26,000 employees by providing more than $29 million in financial aid.

Thus far, Lowe’s has donated 25,000 buckets of clean up supplies to be distributed in Houston, and Lowe’s Heroes volunteers have helped with hands-on relief efforts in Texas communities affected by the hurricane. Volunteers will provide similar support to recovery efforts for communities impacted by Hurricane Irma in the coming weeks as the needs are identified.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s, a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company, has a 60-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. In the past decade, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed nearly $300 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe’s Heroes volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter.

SOURCE: Lowe’s

Media Inquiries
704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

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Lowe’s announces $500,000 contribution to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to help those impacted by Hurricane Harvey

Lowe’s announces $500,000 contribution to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to help those impacted by Hurricane Harvey

 

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-Aug-28 — /EPR Retail News/ — In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey in Texas, Lowe’s announced today (Aug. 26, 2017) a $500,000 contribution to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to help the Red Cross provide food, emergency shelter, relief supplies and comfort to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Harvey and countless other crises. Lowe’s is working with its national nonprofit partners to provide both immediate and long-term support to local communities.

Lowe’s has also activated its American Red Cross customer donation program at its Texas stores to provide a convenient place for customers to make a donation. People also can make a contribution online through the Lowe’s American Red Cross Online Donation Site.

Lowe’s Emergency Command Center continues to expedite truckloads of needed clean-up and recovery supplies including generators, bottled water, gas cans, chainsaws, water removal equipment, insect repellant, shovels, rakes and other tools to our Lowe’s stores impacted by the storm.

“Our thoughts and concerns are with those impacted by this storm, including our own Lowe’s employees,” said James Frison, Lowe’s community relations director. “As families begin the difficult recovery process, we want them to know Lowe’s will work closely with the Red Cross and our other partners to support their rebuilding efforts every step of the way.”

Lowe’s employs more than 23,000 people in Texas and in the coming weeks, Lowe’s Heroes volunteers will help with relief and recovery efforts in communities affected by the storm.

“Hurricane Harvey has caused widespread destruction and has impacted thousands of people,” said Don Herring, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. “We are so grateful for the generous support of Lowe’s to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which enables us to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.”

Lowe’s is also supporting employees affected by the storm through its Employee Relief Fund which provides financial assistance in times of crisis. Since it was established in 1999, the fund has helped approximately 26,000 employees by providing more than $29 million in financial aid.

As a member of the Red Cross’ Annual Disaster Giving Program, Lowe’s pledges donations on an ongoing basis in advance of disasters to help ensure the Red Cross can take immediate action. Since partnering with the Red Cross in 1999, Lowe’s and its customers have contributed more than $28 million for disaster relief.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s, a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company, has a 60-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. In the past decade, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed nearly $300 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe’s Heroes volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter.

Media Inquiries:
704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

SOURCE: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s Q2 2017 results: net earnings of $1.4 billion and diluted earnings per share of $1.68

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-Aug-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) today (Aug. 23, 2017) reported net earnings of $1.4 billion and diluted earnings per share of $1.68 for the quarter ended August 4, 2017, compared to net earnings of $1.2 billion and diluted earnings per share of $1.31 in the second quarter of 2016.

The second quarter results included a $96 million gain from the sale of the company’s interest in its Australian joint venture.  Excluding the gain, adjusted diluted earnings per share1 increased 14.6 percent to $1.57 from adjusted diluted earnings per share1 of $1.37 in the second quarter of 2016.

For the six months ended August 4, 2017, net earnings were $2.0 billion and diluted earnings per share were $2.37 compared to net earnings of $2.1 billion and diluted earnings per share of $2.29 in the same period a year ago.  Excluding the gain from the joint venture described above and the loss on extinguishment of debt in the first quarter of 2017, adjusted diluted earnings per share1 increased 15.6 percent to $2.59 from adjusted diluted earnings per share1 of $2.24 in the same period a year ago.

Sales for the second quarter increased 6.8 percent to $19.5 billion from $18.3 billion in the second quarter of 2016, and comparable sales increased 4.5 percent. For the six month period, sales increased 8.5 percent to $36.4 billion over the same period a year ago, and comparable sales increased 3.3 percent. Comparable sales for the U.S. home improvement business increased 4.6 percent for the second quarter and 3.4 percent for the six-month period.

“We are pleased with our improved comparable sales performance relative to last quarter, and the strong momentum we built throughout the second quarter culminating in a 7.9% comparable sales increase for the month of July,” commented Robert A. Niblock, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO.  “I would like to thank our employees for their passion and commitment to serving customers.

“While our results were below our expectations in the first half of this year, the team remains focused on making the necessary investments to improve the customer experience and drive sales.  This includes amplifying our consumer messaging and incremental customer-facing hours in our stores which will put pressure on our operating margin.  We believe this is the right strategy to more fully capitalize on strong traffic trends in what we believe is a supportive macroeconomic backdrop for home improvement,” Niblock added.

Delivering on its commitment to return excess cash to shareholders, the company repurchased $1.25 billion of stock under its share repurchase program and paid $299 million in dividends in the second quarter.

As of August 4, 2017, Lowe’s operated 2,141 home improvement and hardware stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico representing 214.1 million square feet of retail selling space.

A conference call to discuss second quarter 2017 operating results is scheduled for today (Wednesday, August 23) at 9:00 am ET.  The conference call will be available by webcast and can be accessed by visiting Lowe’s website at www.Lowes.com/investor and clicking on Lowe’s Second Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call Webcast.  Supplemental slides will be available 15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call. A replay of the call will be archived on Lowes.com/investor until November 20, 2017.

Lowe’s Business Outlook

Fiscal Year 2017 — a 52-week Year (comparisons to fiscal year 2016 — a 53-week year; based on U.S. GAAP)

  • Total sales are expected to increase approximately 5 percent
  • Comparable sales are expected to increase approximately 3.5 percent
  • The company expects to add approximately 25 home improvement and hardware stores.
  • Operating income as a percentage of sales (operating margin) is expected to increase 80 to 100 basis points.2
  • The effective income tax rate is expected to be 36.9%.
  • Diluted earnings per share of $4.20 to $4.30 are expected for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2018; reflective of the loss on extinguishment of debt and the gain from the sale of the company’s interest in its Australian joint venture.

1 Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation” section of this release for additional information as well as reconciliations between the Company’s GAAP and non-GAAP financial results.

2 Includes the 12 basis points benefit of the net gain on the settlement of the foreign currency hedge entered into in advance of the company’s acquisition of RONA (1Q 2016 and 2Q 2016), the 44 basis points impact of the non-cash charge associated with the joint venture with Woolworths in Australia (3Q 2016), the 15 basis points impact of project write-offs that were a part of the ongoing review of the company’s strategic initiatives (3Q 2016), the 12 basis points impact of goodwill and long-lived asset impairment charges associated with the company’s Orchard Supply Hardware operations (3Q 2016), as well as the 13 basis points impact of severance-related costs associated with the company’s productivity efforts (4Q 2016).

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements including words such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “desire”, “project”, “estimate”, “intend”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “may”, “strategy”, “potential”, “opportunity” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, Lowe’s plans, objectives, business outlook, priorities, expectations and intentions, expectations for sales growth, comparable sales, earnings and performance, shareholder value, capital expenditures, cash flows, the housing market, the home improvement industry, demand for services, share repurchases, Lowe’s strategic initiatives, including those relating to acquisitions by Lowe’s and the expected impact of such transactions on our strategic and operational plans and financial results, and any statement of an assumption underlying any of the foregoing and other statements that are not historical facts.  Although we believe that the expectations, opinions, projections and comments reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and we can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.

A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, such as the rate of unemployment, interest rate and currency fluctuations, fuel and other energy costs, slower growth in personal income, changes in consumer spending, changes in the rate of housing turnover, the availability of consumer credit and of mortgage financing, inflation or deflation of commodity prices, and other factors that can negatively affect our customers, as well as our ability to: (i) respond to adverse trends in the housing industry, a reduced rate of growth in household formation, and slower rates of growth in housing renovation and repair activity, as well as uneven recovery in commercial building activity; (ii) secure, develop, and otherwise implement new technologies and processes necessary to realize the benefits of our strategic initiatives focused on omni-channel sales and marketing presence and enhance our efficiency; (iii) attract, train, and retain highly-qualified associates; (iv) manage our business effectively as we adapt our operating model to meet the changing expectations of our customers; (v) maintain, improve, upgrade and protect our critical information systems from data security breaches, ransomware and other cyber threats; (vi) respond to fluctuations in the prices and availability of services, supplies, and products; (vii) respond to the growth and impact of competition; (viii) address changes in existing or new laws or regulations that affect consumer credit, employment/labor, trade, product safety, transportation/logistics, energy costs, health care, tax or environmental issues; (ix) positively and effectively manage our public image and reputation and respond appropriately to unanticipated failures to maintain a high level of product and service quality that could result in a negative impact on customer confidence and adversely affect sales; and (x) effectively manage our relationships with selected suppliers of brand name products and key vendors and service providers, including third party installers. In addition, we could experience impairment losses if either the actual results of our operating stores are not consistent with the assumptions and judgments we have made in estimating future cash flows and determining asset fair values, or we are required to reduce the carrying amount of our investment in certain unconsolidated entities. With respect to acquisitions, potential risks include the effect of such transactions on Lowe’s and the target company’s strategic relationships, operating results and businesses generally; our ability to integrate personnel, labor models, financial, IT and others systems successfully; disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management; hiring additional management and other critical personnel; increasing the scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our operations; significant integration costs or unknown liabilities; and failure to realize the expected benefits of the transaction. For more information about these and other risks and uncertainties that we are exposed to, you should read the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the description of material changes thereto, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or subsequent filings with the SEC.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. The foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. All such forward-looking statements are based upon data available as of the date of this release or other specified date and speak only as of such date. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf about any of the matters covered in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements and in the “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the description of material changes thereto, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or subsequent filings with the SEC. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, change in circumstances, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,370 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com

Media Inquiries:
Tel: 704-758-2917
mailto:PublicRelations@Lowes.com

SOURCE: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s Heroes program raised $279,917 to support local community improvement projects

Boucherville, QC, 2017-Aug-22 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Canada, a leading home improvement company operating more than 600 stores in Canada under different banners, is proud to announce that its Lowe’s Heroes program raised a total of $279,917. This past April and May, customers in all Lowe’s stores in Canada were invited to donate $2.00 or more toward the Lowe’s Heroes program to support local community improvement projects. Lowe’s Canada matched 50 percent of all funds raised through the in-store campaign up to a maximum of $2,000 per store. The Lowe’s Canada Heroes program took place in all 56 Lowe’s-branded stores in Canada.

Each year, Lowe’s employees team up to provide hundreds of hours of support to local communities as part of the Lowe’s Heroes program. The program encourages employees to work together and adopt a volunteer project with a local nonprofit organization or public school to help make a meaningful difference in the communities in which they operate. Lowe’s stores have partnered with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, local women and youth shelters, and local public schools.

“100 percent of all proceeds raised through the Lowe’s Canada Heroes program are used to support the local Lowe’s store’s community improvement project. Our employees are deeply committed to this program since its introduction in 2015 and we wish to thank them for their engagement and all the time and effort they invested in this program,” says Guy Beaumier, Interim Executive Vice President, Lowe’s Canada Big Box Retail. “We take great pride in working with organizations within the communities we serve and are excited to have our customers support the program again this year.”

Since its inception in Canada, Lowe’s has actively supported various national and local causes to help strengthen the communities in which it operates. The focus of these efforts is directed towards three key community pillars which also align with Lowe’s core business of home improvement: Safe and Accessible Housing, Skilled Trades Education and Community Renovation and Improvement Projects.

For more information about the Lowe’s Heroes program in Canada, please visit www.lowes.ca/heroes.

About Lowe’s Canada

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service 2,365 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Based in Boucherville, Quebec, Lowe’s Canadian business, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, RONA inc., operate or service over 600 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners. These include Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, Marcil, Dick’s Lumber and Ace. In Canada, the companies have more than 25,000 employees, in addition to nearly 5,000 employees in the stores of RONA’s independent affiliate dealers. For more information, visit Lowes.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations:
Lowe’s Canada – RONA
Tel 514.599.5900 ext 5271
media@rona.ca

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s and Boys & Girls Clubs of America launch new in-store donation program and Lowe’s Renovation Across the Nation

Lowe’s and Boys & Girls Clubs of America launch new in-store donation program and Lowe’s Renovation Across the Nation

 

ATLANTA, 2017-Aug-10 — /EPR Retail News/ — Hundreds of kids spending their afterschool time at the Preston Taylor Boys & Girls Club in Nashville, Tenn., on August 8 were surprised with a performance of hit songs from country music star Hunter Hayes. The surprise concert helped to launch Lowe’s and Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s new in-store donation program and Lowe’s Renovation Across the Nation, an annual $2.5 million initiative where Lowe’s gives a $50,000 grant and hands-on support from employee volunteers to one Boys & Girls Club in each of the 50 states to refurbish the facility. This year, customers can join the cause by donating at any Lowe’s store nationwide, now through Sept. 5.

Hayes took center stage at the Preston Taylor Boys & Girls Club’s music studio newly renovated by Lowe’s and designed for Club members to engage in musical expression and inspire a passion for the arts. Lowe’s is also granting Renovation Across the Nation funds and providing volunteers to help open a newly created music studio this fall at the Cleveland Park Club, also located in Nashville. Both music studios include a stage, recording booths, DJ platform and premium equipment, similar to popular recording studios nearby in Nashville and nationwide.

“I’m thrilled that the kids at Nashville area Boys & Girls Clubs will have access to these state-of-the-art recording studios, as I know firsthand the positive impact music plays on a young mind,” said Hayes. “From childhood to now, music, for me, has always been a platform for self-expression and inspiration to explore creative talents. Being a part of this partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Lowe’s is important to me, because I know creating a safe environment that allows kids and teens to discover their passions and grow will have a significant impact on their future success.”
Now in its second year, Renovation Across the Nation, the largest single initiative ever undertaken by Lowe’s and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, will bring renovations to 50 additional Clubs, one in each state. By the end of 2017, the initiative will have reached 100 Clubs with $5 million worth of renovations ranging from critical infrastructure upgrades to newly updated spaces for specific programming such as arts or sports, to lounge areas designed to help Clubs expand their teen membership.

“Lowe’s first teamed up with Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2009 to improve Clubs across the country, knowing that youth are critical to the long-term health of our communities,” said James Frison, Lowe’s director of community relations. “With Renovation Across the Nation and our new in-store customer donation program, we’re taking our partnership to a new level by engaging customers who shop our stores and more than 1,000 Lowe’s employee volunteers nationwide to ensure teens and kids have a safe and inspiring place to go after school.”

Nearly four million youth in America, ages 6-18, spend out-of-school time at Boys & Girls Clubs, where they receive support and encouragement to reach their full potential. With the renewal of this $2.5 million grant from Lowe’s, Boys & Girls Clubs of America can continue to further enhance Club offerings and provide additional support for at-risk teens and children nationwide.

“Within the walls of every Boys & Girls Club, our dedicated staff and volunteers drive academic success, build good character, and influence health and wellness for our Club members to stay on the path to a great future,” said Jim Clark, president and chief executive officer of BGCA. “Our partnership with Lowe’s holistically impacts Clubs by addressing areas needing improvements while combining the skills and dedication of Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers. Together we’re leaving a lasting mark on America’s youth, our Clubs, and our local communities.”

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,300 Clubs serve four million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.

About Lowe’s in the Community
Lowe’s, a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company, has a 60-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. In the past decade, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed nearly $300 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe’s Heroes volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter.

Media Inquiries:
704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.co

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s Canada opens new RONA store in Carignan, Quebec

Boucherville, Quebec, 2017-Aug-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Canada announced today (August 3, 2017) the official opening of a new RONA store in Carignan, Quebec. Located at 2395 Chambly Road, this is the 9th RONA store to open in Canada since the beginning of 2017, consolidating the expansion of the RONA brand in Canada. This new store, resulting from a total investment of close to $10 million, has enabled the creation of 50 new jobs in the Montérégie community.

“Lowe’s Canada’s network of stores is growing rapidly and the RONA brand is contributing significantly to this expansion. By investing in an enhanced offering, we want to make RONA the market leader in the proximity segment (small and medium-sized stores) in Quebec and Canada,” said Serge Éthier, Executive Vice President, RONA Proximity. “Led by Benoit Laganière, the seasoned team at RONA Carignan has the expertise to guide and advise consumers in all their renovation and construction projects. With a selection of high-quality products and unparalleled customer service, we are confident that this new store will quickly position itself as an essential destination for home improvement in the region.”

Strategically located in the heart of a new and growing commercial district, the new RONA Carignan store has a retail area of nearly 65,000 square feet, including a garden centre of more than 7,500 square feet. The store offers a shopping experience and a value proposition that are the hallmarks of this brand, which is greatly appreciated by consumers, as well as construction and renovation professionals.

In addition to the full range of RONA products available on rona.ca, customers of RONA Carignan have access to more than 20,000 in-store products, including home appliances. This new product category is growing fast at RONA stores in Quebec and includes major brands such as Samsung, LG, Bosch, KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Maytag, Frigidaire, Electrolux and GE. The store also offers the following main product categories: paint, lighting, hardware, electricity, tools and seasonal products. Furthermore, it includes specialty departments for building supplies, doors and windows, bathrooms and kitchens, plumbing and flooring. Services offered at the new location include installation, cutting and delivery, as well as sales to businesses and contractors. Finally, customers can benefit from the AIR MILES® rewards program and the very attractive RONAdvantages financing program.

Today, local dignitaries and RONA executives joined employees to celebrate the store’s official opening at an inauguration ceremony where a donation of $5,000 was made to the local organization J’ai faim à tous les jours. This donation will help the organization continue its mission of offering hot meals and snacks to underprivileged children at the nine elementary schools and one high school in the municipalities of Chambly and Carignan, as well as assisting many disadvantaged families in these municipalities.

To share this news on social networks, please use #RONAOpening and @RONAinc.

About Lowe’s Canada

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service 2,365 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Based in Boucherville, Quebec, Lowe’s Canadian business, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, RONA inc., operate or service over 600 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners. These include Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, Marcil, Dick’s Lumber and Ace. In Canada, the companies have more than 25,000 employees, in addition to nearly 5,000 employees in the stores of RONA’s independent affiliate dealers. For more information, visit Lowes.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Valérie Gonzalo
Media Relations
514 626-6976
media@rona.ca

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s introduces The UpSkill Project program to help customers become unstoppable project-doers

Lowe’s introduces The UpSkill Project program to help customers become unstoppable project-doers

 

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-Jul-19 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s introduces The UpSkill Project, a first-of-its-kind program committed to teaching do-it-yourself (DIY) skill-building and helping customers become confident, unstoppable project-doers. Through The UpSkill Project, more than 200 homeowners across 40 U.S. cities will learn skills from Lowe’s teachers and complete a DIY project, combining hands-on expertise, real-world experience and training.

“Lowe’s is committed to putting our purpose of helping people love where they live into practice,” said Ruth Crowley, vice president of customer experience design at Lowe’s. “While consumers may lack home improvement knowledge and confidence, we know they have a strong desire to learn – and we have a strong desire to help. What better way than to tap our knowledgeable Lowe’s associates to empower customers with the skills and confidence to transform their homes, and together, create a community of confident DIYers nationwide.”

Lowe’s research reveals that while home improvement spending increases, attitudes toward DIY are changing as new and existing generations cite a decline in confidence to complete home projects. With the introduction of The UpSkill Project, Lowe’s is addressing the home improvement skills gap by empowering a new generation of project-doers by providing participants with the knowledge and skills to improve their homes and communities.

The UpSkill Project focuses on the human side of home improvement – and that means getting ‘real’ and embracing the highs and lows of a project. The UpSkill Project enlists the help of both Lowe’s associates and specialized experts, including designers, general contractors, craftsmen and teachers, to help participants – known as UpSkillers – define their project, plan it, style it, purchase materials and tools, and master the skills necessary to realize it. The experts don’t do the project for them – they roll up their sleeves and teach and guide as needed. They help participants overcome obstacles by showing them failures are a normal part of the process and by instilling confidence to make the next time, the best time.

Once an UpSkiller has completed the project, Lowe’s will give the homeowner an opportunity to “pay their skills forward” to their friends, family and neighbors.

Aspiring DIYers in each market apply to become UpSkillers by submitting a video describing their project and skill goals. Winners are selected based on a number of criteria, including passion and excitement for learning home improvement skills.

“I never thought I would be able to complete my big DIY ideas without a crew. Being able to complete the project all by myself with my roommate inspired me to take that leap and go get the materials for my next project,” said Aaron Jura, a New Orleans-based UpSkiller, after he completed a landscaping project.

For more information, visit UpSkillProject.com or Open House.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,365 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Media Inquiries:
704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

SOURCE: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s Canada teams up with Canadian Red Cross to aid victims of the wildfires in British Columbia

Boucherville, Quebec, 2017-Jul-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Using its vast network of Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, Marcil, Dick’s Lumber and Ace stores across the country, Lowe’s Canada announces the launch of a national campaign, in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross, to aid victims of the wildfires currently raging in British Columbia. Beginning today, customers of the various Lowe’s Canada banners will be invited, at the moment of their purchase, to make a donation of their choice to the British Columbia Fires fund established by the Red Cross.

Funds raised will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross, which will use them to provide immediate relief such as camp beds and blankets, facilitate the reunification of families, and provide financial assistance to disaster victims to allow them to purchase food and clothing and look after their personal needs.

For online donation, please go to: www.redcross.ca/BCFires/lowes_canada

About Lowe’s Canada

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service 2,365 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Based in Boucherville, Quebec, Lowe’s Canadian business, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, RONA inc., operate or service over 600 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners. These include Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, Marcil, Dick’s Lumber and Ace. In Canada, the companies have more than 25,000 employees, in addition to nearly 5,000 employees in the stores of RONA’s independent affiliate dealers. For more information, visit Lowes.ca.

Media contact:

Valérie Gonzalo
Media Relations
514 626-6976
media@rona.ca

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s Canada takes part in Habitat for Humanity Canada’s biggest build project ever

Boucherville, Quebec, 2017-Jul-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Canada will be part of Habitat for Humanity Canada’s biggest build project ever. Habitat for Humanity’s 34th Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project will be taking place in every province and territory across Canada with a goal to collectively build 150 homes to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, will be visiting Canada from July 9-14, 2017, focusing their efforts in Edmonton, Alberta, and in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Volunteers from some 15 Lowe’s and RONA stores as well as from Lowe’s Canada head office will work alongside the Carters and contribute to both the Edmonton and Winnipeg builds.

Habitat Canada has a long history of creating affordable housing opportunities in the country. People living in Habitat homes not only help to build their own houses, they also pay affordable mortgages. Habitat for Humanity’s innovative approach helps working families on a new path to better, affordable living conditions that lead to improved health and stronger childhood development, as well as a decrease in reliance on food banks.

“At Lowe’s Canada, our shared purpose is to ‘help people love where they live.’ We are therefore extremely proud to support Habitat for Humanity Canada’s important work because we believe that everyone in Canada has the right to a safe, affordable and decent place to live in,” said Sylvain Prud’homme, president and CEO of Lowe’s Canada. “Being involved in the communities we serve is important to all our employees across our various banners. Through this project and the several others to which we contribute each year, including through our Lowe’s Heroes program, we strive to build stronger, more sustainable communities.”

Since 1984, President and Mrs. Carter have traveled around the world with Habitat, to build and improve homes. Their time and effort helps to raise awareness of the critical need for affordable home ownership around the world. Inspiring millions over the last three decades, President and Mrs. Carter have worked alongside nearly 100,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair more than 4,000 homes.

To donate or learn more about the 34th Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, please visit habitat.ca/cwp.

About Lowe’s Canada

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service 2,365 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Based in Boucherville, Quebec, Lowe’s Canadian business, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, RONA inc., operate or service over 600 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners. These include Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, Marcil, Dick’s Lumber and Ace. In Canada, the companies have more than 25,000 employees, in addition to nearly 5,000 employees in the stores of RONA’s independent affiliate dealers. For more information, visit Lowes.ca.

About Habitat for Humanity Canada

In Canada, Habitat for Humanity has been working since 1985 toward a world where everyone has a decent and safe place to live. With the help of over 70,000 volunteers every year and 56 local organizations from coast to coast to coast, we believe in bringing communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. Worldwide, more than 9.8 million people have partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. For more information, visit habitat.ca.

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org

For more information, please contact:

Sarah Austin
Habitat for Humanity Canada
800-667-5137 ext. 302
saustin@habitat.ca
habitat.ca/cwp

Valérie Gonzalo
Lowe’s Canada
514-626-6976
media@rona.ca
www.lowes.ca

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Maintenance Supply Headquarters now a Lowe’s family member

MOORESVILLE, N.C. 2017-Jun-27 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) today (June 26, 2017) announced it has completed its $512 million acquisition of Maintenance Supply Headquarters, a leading distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products serving the multifamily housing industry.

The acquisition is a significant step in Lowe’s strategy to deepen and broaden its relationship with pro customers and better serve their needs.

Based in Houston, Texas, Maintenance Supply Headquarters operates 13 distribution centers serving customers in 29 geographic areas, primarily in the western, southeastern and south central U.S., with a portfolio of more than 5,300 products and value-added services for maintaining and renovating multifamily properties. In November 2016, Lowe’s acquired Central Wholesalers, a prominent MRO distributor in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

“We are delighted to officially welcome Maintenance Supply Headquarters and their talented team into the Lowe’s family,” said Michael Tummillo, senior vice president of Lowe’s pro sales. “Together, Maintenance Supply Headquarters and Central Wholesalers expand Lowe’s ability to serve the highly attractive and growing multifamily housing industry while strengthening our foundation for future growth with enhanced product and service offerings. With this latest transaction, we look forward to delivering even more value for our pro customers.”

Richard “Rusty” Penick, co-founding partner and CEO of Maintenance Supply Headquarters, added, “Today marks the beginning of an exciting next chapter for Maintenance Supply Headquarters. We are thrilled to join Lowe’s and work together to continue to deliver exceptional service for our customers. We have had the honor of serving many of the nation’s top multifamily property management companies and their communities over the past 10 years, and we look forward to building on this legacy.”

Founded in 2006, Maintenance Supply Headquarters’ broad product offering includes appliances, plumbing, HVAC, lighting, hardware, electrical and other products for maintaining and renovating multifamily properties, as well as services such as renovation project support, custom fabrication and educational classes.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as financial advisor to Lowe’s and Hunton & Williams LLP served as legal advisor. Crutchfield Capital Corporation served as financial advisor to Maintenance Supply Headquarters and Porter Hedges LLP served as legal advisor.

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,370 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements including words such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “desire”, “project”, “estimate”, “intend”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “may”, “strategy”, “potential”, “opportunity” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, Lowe’s plans, objectives, business outlook, expectations and intentions, expectations for sales growth, comparable sales, earnings and performance, shareholder value, capital expenditures, cash flows, the housing market, the home improvement industry, demand for services, share repurchases, Lowe’s strategic initiatives, including those regarding the acquisition by Lowe’s Companies, Inc. of Maintenance Supply Headquarters and the expected impact of the transaction on Lowe’s strategic and operational plans and financial results, and any statement of an assumption underlying any of the foregoing and other statements that are not historical facts. Although we believe that the expectations, opinions, projections and comments reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and we can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.

A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, such as the rate of unemployment, interest rate and currency fluctuations, fuel and other energy costs, slower growth in personal income, changes in consumer spending, changes in the rate of housing turnover, the availability of consumer credit and of mortgage financing, inflation or deflation of commodity prices, and other factors that can negatively affect our customers, as well as our ability to: (i) respond to adverse trends in the housing industry, such as a demographic shift from single family to multifamily housing, a reduced rate of growth in household formation, and slower rates of growth in housing renovation and repair activity, as well as uneven recovery in commercial building activity; (ii) secure, develop, and otherwise implement new technologies and processes necessary to realize the benefits of our strategic initiatives focused on omni-channel sales and marketing presence and enhance our efficiency; (iii) attract, train, and retain highly-qualified associates; (iv) manage our business effectively as we adapt our traditional operating model to meet the changing expectations of our customers; (v) maintain, improve, upgrade and protect our critical information systems from data security breaches and other cyber threats; (vi) respond to fluctuations in the prices and availability of services, supplies, and products; (vii) respond to the growth and impact of competition; (viii) address changes in existing or new laws or regulations that affect consumer credit, employment/labor, trade, product safety, transportation/logistics, energy costs, health care, tax or environmental issues; (ix) positively and effectively manage our public image and reputation and respond appropriately to unanticipated failures to maintain a high level of product and service quality that could result in a negative impact on customer confidence and adversely affect sales; and (x) effectively manage our relationships with selected suppliers of brand name products and key vendors and service providers, including third party installers. With respect to the acquisition discussed herein specifically, potential risks include: the effect of the announcement of the acquisition on Lowe’s and Maintenance Supply Headquarters’ strategic relationships, operating results and businesses generally; significant transaction costs or unknown liabilities; the failure to successfully integrate personnel and financial, IT and other systems; retaining management and other critical personnel; conditions in the maintenance, repair and operations market; and failure to realize all or some of the expected benefits of the transaction. For more information about these and other risks and uncertainties that we are exposed to, you should read the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the description of material changes thereto, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or subsequent filings with the SEC.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. The foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. All such forward-looking statements are based upon data available as of the date of this release or other specified date and speak only as of such date. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf about any of the matters covered in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements and in the “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the description of material changes thereto, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or subsequent filings with the SEC. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, change in circumstances, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Media Inquiries:

704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s Canada announces the opening of new RONA Matériaux Pont-Masson store in Casselman

Boucherville, Quebec, 2017-Jun-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Canada is proud to announce the opening of the fifth store belonging to its affiliate dealer RONA Matériaux Pont-Masson, located at 8 Racine Street in Casselman, Ontario. With this store, the team at RONA Matériaux Pont-Masson wishes to better serve the region of Ottawa and Eastern Ontario, where demand from contractors is growing. Resulting from a $6 million investment, the new RONA Matériaux Pont-Masson store in Casselman has created 25 new jobs, bringing the total number of jobs across the company to 300. The store, which has a retail sales area of 12,000 square feet, also includes a lumber yard of 150,000 square feet, which will meet the specific needs of its customers.

“On behalf of myself and the entire division dedicated to RONA affiliate dealers at Lowe’s Canada, I am extremely proud to witness the success of RONA Matériaux Pont-Masson. With its robust and strategically planned growth – five stores and three divisions –, it is a perfect example of how opportunities are unlimited for ambitious entrepreneurs, thanks to the support of Lowe’s Canada, and we are pleased to contribute to the success of the team’s projects,” said Philippe Element, Divisional Vice-President, RONA Affiliate Dealer Sales and Services, at Lowe’s Canada.

“We are a dynamic and fast-growing team that thrives on challenges! RONA Matériaux Pont-Masson has a vision for growth, and in the past five years, we have more than doubled our sales. We know that Lowe’s Canada is proud of our development and believes in entrepreneurs like us. Their support is dear to us,” said Éric and Stéphane Bailey, co-owners of the five RONA Matériaux Pont-Masson stores.

In addition to serving retail customers, RONA Matériaux Pont-Masson specializes in serving general and specialized contractors, mainly in the residential and commercial sectors. Self-builders also make up an important segment of its customer base. To ensure the satisfaction of its customers, RONA Matériaux Pont-Masson relies on flexible, precise and fast service at each stage of their projects. The team understands the issues associated with construction sites, and therefore knows how to help contractors make their projects profitable.

Matériaux Pont-Masson was founded in 1979 by Richard Bailey, father of current co-owners Éric and Stéphane Bailey. The company joined the RONA family in 1996. Richard Bailey continues to work for the company as an advisor to the management. Like the other four RONA Matériaux Pont-Masson stores, the Casselman store will offer a complete engineering and estimation service, a financing service, a sales office exclusively for contractors and self-builders, along with a lumber yard with an extensive inventory. The usual services of the RONA banner (delivery, cutting, paint recovery, etc.) will also be available.

The four other RONA Matériaux Pont-Masson stores are located in Valleyfield, Rigaud and Mirabel, Quebec, and in Alfred, Ontario. In addition to its five stores, Matériaux Pont-Masson also consists of three divisions: Matériaux Design, a showroom for interior and exterior home finishes; Arctic Supplies, a division for exporting to the Far North; and Structure du Nord, a factory for manufacturing roof trusses.

About Lowe’s Canada

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service 2,365 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Based in Boucherville, Quebec, Lowe’s Canadian business, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, RONA inc., operate or service over 600 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners. These include Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, Marcil, Dick’s Lumber and Ace. In Canada, the companies have more than 25,000 employees, in addition to nearly 5,000 employees in the stores of RONA’s independent affiliate dealers. For more information, visit Lowes.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Valérie Gonzalo
Media Relations
Lowe’s Canada – RONA
Tel 514.626.6976
media@rona.ca

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s reports net earnings of $602 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.70 for 1Q 2017

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-May-27 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) today (May 24, 2017) reported net earnings of $602 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.70 for the quarter ended May 5, 2017, compared to net earnings of $884 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.98 in the first quarter of 2016.

The first quarter results included a $464 million pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt in connection with the company’s previously announced $1.6 billion cash tender offer.

Excluding the loss on extinguishment of debt, adjusted diluted earnings per share1 increased 18.4 percent to $1.03 from adjusted diluted earnings per share1 of $0.87 in the first quarter of 2016.

Sales for the first quarter increased 10.7 percent to $16.9 billion from $15.2 billion in the first quarter of 2016, and comparable sales increased 1.9 percent. Comparable sales for the U.S. business increased 2.0 percent.

“A solid macroeconomic backdrop, combined with our project expertise, drove above average performance in indoor projects. We also continued to advance our sales to Pro customers, delivering another quarter of comparable sales growth well above the company average,” commented Robert A. Niblock, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO.

“Our employees are the foundation of our business and I would like to thank them for their hard work and commitment to anticipating and serving customer needs,” Niblock added.

Delivering on its commitment to return excess cash to shareholders, the company repurchased $1.2 billion of stock under its share repurchase program and paid $304 million in dividends in the first quarter.

As of May 5, 2017, Lowe’s operated 2,137 home improvement and hardware stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico representing 213.8 million square feet of retail selling space.

1 Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation” section of this release for additional information as well as reconciliations between the Company’s GAAP and non-GAAP financial results.

A conference call to discuss first quarter 2017 operating results is scheduled for today (Wednesday, May 24) at 9:00 am ET.  The conference call will be available by webcast and can be accessed by visiting Lowe’s website at www.Lowes.com/investor and clicking on Lowe’s First Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call Webcast.  Supplemental slides will be available fifteen minutes prior to the start of the conference call. A replay of the call will be archived on Lowes.com/investor until August 22, 2017.

Lowe’s Business Outlook

The company reaffirms its operating outlook for Fiscal Year 2017; however, diluted earnings per share have been updated to reflect the loss on extinguishment of debt and resulting lower interest expense.

Fiscal Year 2017 — a 52-week Year (comparisons to fiscal year 2016 — a 53-week year; based on U.S. GAAP)

  • Total sales are expected to increase approximately 5 percent
  • Comparable sales are expected to increase approximately 3.5 percent
  • The company expects to add approximately 35 home improvement and hardware stores.
  • Operating income as a percentage of sales (operating margin) is expected to increase approximately 120 basis points. 2
  • The effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 37.8%.
  • Diluted earnings per share of approximately $4.30 are expected for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2018; reflective of the loss on extinguishment of debt and resulting lower interest expense.

2 Includes the 12 basis points benefit of the net gain on the settlement of the foreign currency hedge entered into in advance of the company’s acquisition of RONA (1Q 2016 and 2Q 2016), the 44 basis points impact of the non-cash charge associated with the joint venture with Woolworths in Australia (3Q 2016), the 15 basis points impact of project write-offs that were a part of the ongoing review of the company’s strategic initiatives (3Q 2016), the 12 basis points impact of goodwill and long-lived asset impairment charges associated with the company’s Orchard Supply Hardware operations (3Q 2016), as well as the 13 basis points impact of severance-related costs associated with the company’s productivity efforts (4Q 2016).

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements including words such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “desire”, “project”, “estimate”, “intend”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “may”, “strategy”, “potential”, “opportunity” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, Lowe’s plans, objectives, business outlook, priorities, expectations and intentions, expectations for sales growth, comparable sales, earnings and performance, shareholder value, capital expenditures, cash flows, the housing market, the home improvement industry, demand for services, share repurchases, Lowe’s strategic initiatives, including those relating to acquisitions by Lowe’s and the expected impact of such transactions on our strategic and operational plans and financial results, and any statement of an assumption underlying any of the foregoing and other statements that are not historical facts.  Although we believe that the expectations, opinions, projections and comments reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and we can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.

A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, such as the rate of unemployment, interest rate and currency fluctuations, fuel and other energy costs, slower growth in personal income, changes in consumer spending, changes in the rate of housing turnover, the availability of consumer credit and of mortgage financing, inflation or deflation of commodity prices, and other factors that can negatively affect our customers, as well as our ability to: (i) respond to adverse trends in the housing industry, a reduced rate of growth in household formation, and slower rates of growth in housing renovation and repair activity, as well as uneven recovery in commercial building activity; (ii) secure, develop, and otherwise implement new technologies and processes necessary to realize the benefits of our strategic initiatives focused on omni-channel sales and marketing presence and enhance our efficiency; (iii) attract, train, and retain highly-qualified associates; (iv) manage our business effectively as we adapt our traditional operating model to meet the changing expectations of our customers; (v) maintain, improve, upgrade and protect our critical information systems from data security breaches, ransomware and other cyber threats; (vi) respond to fluctuations in the prices and availability of services, supplies, and products; (vii) respond to the growth and impact of competition; (viii) address changes in existing or new laws or regulations that affect consumer credit, employment/labor, trade, product safety, transportation/logistics, energy costs, health care, tax or environmental issues; (ix) positively and effectively manage our public image and reputation and respond appropriately to unanticipated failures to maintain a high level of product and service quality that could result in a negative impact on customer confidence and adversely affect sales; and (x) effectively manage our relationships with selected suppliers of brand name products and key vendors and service providers, including third party installers. In addition, we could experience impairment losses if either the actual results of our operating stores are not consistent with the assumptions and judgments we have made in estimating future cash flows and determining asset fair values, or we are required to reduce the carrying amount of our investment in certain unconsolidated entities. With respect to acquisitions, potential risks include the effect of such transactions on Lowe’s and the target company’s strategic relationships, operating results and businesses generally; our ability to integrate personnel, labor models, financial, IT and others systems successfully; disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management; hiring additional management and other critical personnel; increasing the scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our operations; significant integration costs or unknown liabilities; and failure to realize the expected benefits of the transaction. For more information about these and other risks and uncertainties that we are exposed to, you should read the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the description of material changes thereto, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or subsequent filings with the SEC.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. The foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. All such forward-looking statements are based upon data available as of the date of this release or other specified date and speak only as of such date. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf about any of the matters covered in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements and in the “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the description of material changes thereto, if any, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or subsequent filings with the SEC. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, change in circumstances, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,370 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Media Inquiries:

704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.co

SOURCE: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s to host 1Q 2017 financial results conference call on May 24, 2017

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-May-18 — /EPR Retail News/ — In conjunction with the Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) first quarter 2017 earnings press release, you are invited to listen to its conference call to be broadcast live over the internet on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time with: Robert A. Niblock, chairman, president and chief executive officer; Michael P. McDermott, chief customer officer; and Marshall A. Croom, chief financial officer.  Supplemental slides will be available fifteen minutes prior to the start of the conference call.

What: First Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call Webcast

When: 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Visit Lowe’s Investor Relations website at http://www.Lowes.com/investor

Where: Click on Webcasts and then on Lowe’s First Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call

How: Listen live online and view the supplemental slides by following the directions above

A webcast replay of the call can be accessed from 12:00 p.m. ET on May 24, 2017 through August 22, 2017 by visiting http://www.Lowes.com/investor and clicking on Webcasts and then on Lowe’s First Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call.

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service 2,365 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Media Inquiries:
704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

SOURCE: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s Christiansburg, Va. store pilots lightweight wearable robotic suit to support employees

Lowe’s Christiansburg, Va. store pilots lightweight wearable robotic suit to support employees

 

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-May-16 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s and Virginia Tech have joined forces to develop an exosuit—a wearable robotic suit with lift-assist technology— for Lowe’s store employees. Currently in pilot at Lowe’s Christiansburg, Va. store, the lightweight exosuit is designed to support employees by helping them lift and move product through the store more efficiently, to aid against muscle fatigue that can result from repetitive motion.

“Our employees ensure our stores are always ready for customers,” said Kyle Nel, executive director of Lowe’s Innovation Labs, the company’s disruptive technology hub. “As a way to support them, we found a unique opportunity to collaborate with Virginia Tech to develop one of the first retail applications for assistive robotic exosuits.”

As part of Lowe’s Innovation Lab’s narrative-driven approach, the team works with science fiction writers to envision the future, using storytelling as inspiration for innovative initiatives. The Lab envisioned a future where the use of technology could provide special superpowers to employees and maximize performance. To bring this narrative to life, Lowe’s engaged Dr. Alan Asbeck, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and a team of eight graduate and undergraduate students from Virginia Tech’s Assistive Robotics Laboratory.

Together, Lowe’s and Virginia Tech designed and developed an exosuit prototype after months of lab testing. The outcome was a light-weight wearable exosuit that reinforces proper lifting form, and is intended to make lifting heavy objects easier. The exosuit is designed to accomplish this by absorbing energy and delivering it back to the user, enabling them to exert less force to complete certain movements. As they bend and stand, carbon fiber in the suit’s legs and back act like a taut bow ready to launch an arrow, helping them spring back up with greater ease. As a result, commonly lifted objects, like a bag of concrete or a five-gallon bucket of paint, feels significantly lighter to the user.

“Over the past couple years, human assistive devices have become an area of interest,” Asbeck said. “But, our technology is different, not only because of the suit’s soft, flexible elements, but because we’re putting the prototype in a real world environment for an extended period of time.”

The first four suits are currently in use by the stocking team at the Christiansburg store. During the coming months, Asbeck and his team will work with Lowe’s to assess the physical impact of the suit. Lowe’s will also lead employee engagement studies to better understand the impact of the exosuit on the work experience.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service 2,365 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.

Media Inquiries:
704-758-2917
mailto:PublicRelations@Lowes.com

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s Iris smart home security system expands with new professional monitoring service

Lowe’s Iris smart home security system expands with new professional monitoring service

 

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-May-10 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Companies, Inc. today (May 8, 2017) announced the release of a professional monitoring service for the all-inclusive, market-leading price of $14.95 per month for its Iris smart home security system. The new professional monitoring service gives residential customers the ability to have emergency responders dispatched to their homes in the event of a security, smoke, carbon monoxide or panic alarm with no long-term contract required.

The launch of professional monitoring is part of an expanded set of features, devices and services that Iris is introducing to address smart home customers’ interest in home security, including:

  • A new Alarm Tracker™ feature within the Iris user experience allows users to track security, smoke, carbon monoxide and panic alarm activity in their home quickly, and to easily see when help is on the way in an emergency situation.
  • Two new premium, pet-immune motion sensors from Bosch that can be manually configured to adjust the sensitivity of motion detection now integrate with Iris.
  • The professional monitoring service also includes Iris’ cellular backup service*, which means Iris users’ systems stay connected even if their internet service provider fails.

“Our goal is to help our customers feel safer and more secure in their homes by combining professional monitoring with all the benefits of a smart home. Smart home security doesn’t have to be a luxury—we believe in delivering the best value without the hassle and expense of a long-term contract and high monthly fees,” said Mick Koster, vice president and general manager of Iris. “Our easy-to-install, DIY system means customers choose exactly what they want, exactly how they want it, for the most affordable and complete smart home of their dreams.”

Iris Professional Monitoring Service
Lowe’s is partnering with United Central Control (UCC), a Five Diamond-rated central monitoring station, to offer the service.

To enroll, current Iris security users need only to login using the Iris web interface, www.irisbylowes.com, and update their service plan. Prospective Iris customers can get started for less than $100 for a limited time. They can purchase an Iris Security Starter Pack, available for $99, and they will receive the Smart Hub ($69.99 value) for free. Customers are guided through the simple setup process once they download the free Iris app, which provides the convenience of monitoring and controlling their smart home security system from their smartphone or computer.

Current devices that are able to be professionally monitored include: Iris contact sensors, Iris motion sensors, Iris keypads, Utilitech glass break sensors, Nyce Hinge & Tilt sensors, the Iris garage door controller, the new Bosch premium motion sensors, Halo and First Alert smoke/CO detectors and other security sensors that have the “works with Iris” brand icon and are listed on www.irisbylowes.com.

Customers should also contact their homeowners’ insurance carrier to check availability for additional discounts on their policy.

Iris professional monitoring is now available in certain zip codes in 44 states. Iris will continue to expand availability to new markets throughout the year. For updates on availability in a specific area, please visit: www.irisbylowes.com/monitoring.

Updated Iris Service Plans for Greater Value
Iris has updated its three service plans to provide even greater value for its customers with the addition of new features. Users have the flexibility to change their plan at any time as their needs change.

  • Basic Service, offered for free, is intended for the majority of Iris users and includes everything a user needs to monitor and control their home. This plan now includes the ability to create Rules and Scenes for greater smart home control and automation, and the Favorites bar, which is a popular feature among current users.
  • Premium Service, offered at $9.99 per month, includes all the features of Basic plus a few advanced features designed for the smart home fans who want even more control and knowledge of their home. This plan now includes a new History Visualization feature which enables customers to more quickly see activity in their home as well as other key features such as the Care service to enable monitoring of any disruptions to loved ones’ daily routines, camera recording and the new Alarm Tracker™ feature. Camera recording has been expanded to include an additional 1GB of storage, bringing the total allotment to 3GB per account.
  • Professional Monitoring Service, offered for $14.95 per month, is a new all-inclusive Iris service plan which includes all the features of Premium, plus cellular backup service* and 24/7 monitoring of your home for security, smoke, carbon monoxide and panic alarms. This plan is for the homeowner who wants to rely on the professionals to keep their home protected.

Because Iris also works with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, all Iris customers can use their voice to control their homes for greater convenience, at no additional cost.

For more information on products and services, please visit IrisbyLowes.com.

*An approved cellular modem purchase is required to enable the cellular backup service.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service 2,365 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Media Inquiries:
704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

SOURCE: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s And Habitat for Humanity Empower Women With Construction Skills

Lowe’s And Habitat for Humanity Empower Women With Construction Skills

 

ATLANTA, 2017-May-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — More than 17,000 women volunteers will come together starting Saturday in their local communities to help build or improve affordable homes alongside future homeowners as part of Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s 10th annual National Women Build Week. With the help of Lowe’s Heroes volunteers, they will build or improve 600 Habitat homes in nearly 50 states in just one week.

Lowe’s helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008 to empower women with construction skills and give them a platform to tackle affordable homeownership in their communities.

“It’s very inspiring to see 17,000 strong, empowered women join together to work with families who are building toward better futures,” said Lisa Marie Nickerson, associate director of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program. “With Lowe’s support, the event continues to grow, and I’m proud to say that female construction crews have helped build nearly 3,800 Habitat homes in the past nine years. It just goes to show that no task is too big when we tackle it together.”

One of those construction volunteers is future Habitat homeowner Marisol Santos of Randolph, New Jersey. Santos will join her local crew to help build a home alongside a future Habitat homeowner. She is also working toward building her own Habitat home, which will be handicap-accessible to help her son get around in his wheelchair.

“Finally, we will have a wheelchair-accessible home, which will help my son easily move around the house and make him feel more comfortable,” Santos said. “My son is overwhelmed with joy because he knows it will make our lives much easier.”

Each year, Lowe’s provides the support of its Lowe’s Heroes volunteers, who conduct how-to clinics in stores to teach community volunteers home improvement skills. Since first launching the annual event, Lowe’s has committed more than $15 million in support of Habitat’s National Women Build Week and helped more than 3,800 Habitat families improve their living conditions.

Brooke Reed of Stillwater, Oklahoma is one of those homeowners who now reflects back to how instrumental National Women Build Week was to establishing a strong foundation for her family. In 2012, she helped raise the walls on her Habitat home as part of the week. She moved out of a trailer park and into her home later that year. Reed said owning a Habitat home has given her the opportunity to build her credit, save money and create a better life for her and her children.

“As women, it’s important to support and empower each other in all facets of life including home ownership and maintenance,” said Jocelyn Wong, chief marketing officer at Lowe’s and National Women Build Week advocate. “National Women Build Week offers an opportunity for women to come together, learn construction skills, and make a positive impact in the lives of others in their communities. We hope that many more women will join Lowe’s and Habitat as we continue to help families realize their dream of home ownership.”

In celebration of the 10th annual event of National Women Build Week and reaching the milestone of engaging 100,000 volunteers, Lowe’s and Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte are hosting a kickoff event on May 5. Women leaders and executives in the Charlotte area will join together, put their building skills to the test and inspire other women to make a meaningful impact in their community.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program, and to learn about Women Build projects in communities across the U.S., visit www.habitat.org/wb.

About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in nearly 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org

About Lowe’s in the Community
Lowe’s, a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company, has a 60-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. In the past decade, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed nearly $300 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe’s Heroes volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter.

Media Inquiries:

704-758-2917
mail to: PublicRelations@Lowes.com

Source: Lowes

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Lowe’s offers 10% off personal purchases to members of the U.S. Armed Forces

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-May-02 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Companies, Inc. announced today (May 1, 2017) it will expand its military discount program by offering 10 percent off personal purchases every day to current and honorably discharged members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The new program uses a MyLowes card for quick identification, is available both in U.S. stores and on Lowes.com and offers easy online enrollment. The discount is effective immediately.

“Lowe’s was founded by Carl Buchan, an Army veteran who wanted to make home building and home improvement affordable for returning GIs and their families,” said Robert A. Niblock, chairman, president and CEO. “The values and leadership instilled through his military service formed the foundation of our company. Enhancing our discount program honors his memory and the commitment servicemen and women and their families make to our country.”

Lowe’s has offered discounts to veterans and military servicemen and women for more than a decade. Current and former servicemen and women can follow these easy steps to enroll in the discount program:

  • Visit Lowes.com/military and complete a short personal profile.
  • Check the box to receive a free MyLowes card.

After the one-time enrollment, U.S. military customers can present their MyLowes card at the store cash register, scan their card at self-checkout or sign in to their account at Lowes.com and receive the discount. In addition to simple checkout in stores and online shopping, the MyLowes card offers free parcel shipping for purchases ordered online with no required minimum purchase. For additional details about the discount, visit Lowes.com/military.

Lowe’s is proud of its long history honoring servicemen and women. In addition to the military discount program, Lowe’s provides differential pay for employees serving in the military and offers employment opportunities for military personnel after their service ends. Currently, more than 10,000 Lowe’s employees are U.S. military veterans or members of the Guard or Reserve and nearly 800 are deployed to active duty.

In 2016, Lowe’s received the U.S. Department of Defense Freedom Award, the highest recognition given employers for supporting the military, particularly employees serving in the Guard and Reserves.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service 2,365 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Media Inquiries:
704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

Customer Inquiries:
1-800-445-6937
CustCare@Lowes.com

Follow Us on Twitter
@LowesMedia

SOURCE: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s to sell $1.50 billion of 3.100% Notes due 2027 and $1.50 billion of 4.050% Notes due 2047

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-Apr-20 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) announced today it has agreed to sell $1.50 billion of 3.100% Notes due 2027 and $1.50 billion of 4.050% Notes due 2047 (collectively, the “Notes”). Estimated net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $2.96 billion, after deducting offering expenses and underwriters’ discounts. Lowe’s plans to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes (i) to fund its purchase for cash of up to $1.6 billion combined aggregate principal amount of certain outstanding notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase in the tender offer it commenced today, (ii) for the repayment of $250 million aggregate principal amount at maturity of its 6.100% Notes due September 15, 2017 and (iii) for other general corporate purposes. Closing is expected to occur on May 3, 2017, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers for the notes offering. This offering was made under an effective registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy or an offer to purchase any securities. Any offers to sell, or solicitations to buy, will be made solely by means of a prospectus and related prospectus supplement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A copy of the prospectus and related prospectus supplement for this offering may be obtained from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, 200 North College Street, NC1-004-03-43, Charlotte, NC  28255-0001, Attention: Prospectus Department, Telephone: 1-800-294-1322, Email: dg.prospectus_requests@baml.com; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179, Attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, 3rd Floor, Telephone: 1-212-834-4533; or SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., 303 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308, Attention: Prospectus Dept., Telephone: 1-800-685-4786, Facsimile: 404-926-5027, Email: STRHdocs@SunTrust.com.  The tender offer is being made only pursuant to an Offer to Purchase dated April 19, 2017 and a related Letter of Transmittal, which set forth the terms and conditions of the tender offer, and only in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to an anticipated financing. There are many factors that affect management’s views about future events and trends of the business and operations of the company, all as more thoroughly described in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information included in this release or any of its public filings.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service 2,365 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit www.Lowes.com.

SOURCE Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Media Inquiries
704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

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A. O. Smith Signature Series water heaters now available exclusively at Lowe’s stores and online

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-Apr-20 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s announced today the introduction of A. O. Smith Signature Series water heaters now available exclusively at Lowe’s stores nationwide and online at Lowes.com.

The Signature Series line of water heaters manufactured by A. O. Smith, the leading brand in the residential water heating market, will consist of the Signature™, Signature Select™, and Signature Premier™ options and includes a wide range of gas and electric tank-type models to suit all customer needs.

Several of the water heaters feature the Energy Star® designation, most notably the line of A. O. Smith Signature Premier high-efficiency electric heat pump water heaters.  The heat pump products are more than twice as energy efficient as a standard electric water heater.

“A. O. Smith has been serving residential water heater customers for nearly 80 years and has come to be recognized as the most trusted brand in the industry,” said Michael McDermott, Lowe’s chief customer officer. “We are pleased to add the highly respected A. O. Smith brand to our portfolio and provide the latest in water heater innovation and value to our customers.”

To make the shopping experience easier for customers, the A. O. Smith water heaters will be featured in a dedicated display designed to quickly educate shoppers on their selection options.  The display will also feature TextConnect, which delivers a Product Selector and customized product performance metrics directly to the customer.

For more information on the new product line visit www.Lowes.com/waterheaters or www.AOSmithatLowes.com.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service 2,365 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

About A. O. Smith
A. O. Smith Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of residential and commercial water heaters and water treatment products. A. O. Smith offers its customers an additional competitive advantage in that the company designs, builds, distributes and supports the world’s broadest and deepest line of residential and commercial water heaters, as well as commercial boilers. This single-source concept simplifies ordering, installation and service and is backed by more than 80 years of research and innovation. For the most up-to-date A. O. Smith news visit www.AOSmithatLowes.com.

SOURCE Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Media Inquiries
704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

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Lowe’s Canada introduces on-demand virtual reality skills clinic — Holoroom How To

Preliminary studies by Lowe’s Innovation Labs reveal multi-sensory virtual reality can increase engagement and retention in home improvement education

Boucherville (Québec), 2017-Apr-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s Canada is proud to introduce Holoroom How To, an on-demand virtual reality skills clinic and the latest iteration of Lowe’s Innovation Labs’ Holoroom experience, their immersive design and visualization tool. Debuting this month in a Lowe’s store in Burlington, Ontario, and in a few weeks in a RONA store in Beloeil, Québec, the simulated experience explores the relationship between virtual reality technology, engagement and retention in learning. The Holoroom How To proof-of-concept made its first appearance at a Lowe’s store in Framingham, Massachusetts (in the Boston area). Lowe’s is the first retailer to apply augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology beyond design assistance to address the evolution of home improvement learning and skills.

We are excited to be a partner of Lowe’s Innovation Labs and to make the Holoroom How To experience available to our Canadian customers, as it clearly illustrates how innovation can enable us to go one step further in supporting and inspiring our customers in their renovation projects,” mentioned Claire Bara, vice-president, Strategy and Business Insights for Lowe’s Canada. “The Canadian market represents a great platform for the Lowe’s Innovation Labs to test some exciting new projects. With its diverse portfolio of brands and store formats, Lowe’s Canada offers many varied opportunities for learning,” said Claire Bara.

“During the past three years, we have been exploring real-life applications of augmented and virtual reality experiences to directly help our customers solve everyday problems,” said Kyle Nel, executive director of Lowe’s Innovation Labs, the company’s disruptive innovation hub. “Our experience has shown that customers are embracing AR/VR as part of their home improvement journey, and now, we are using immersive VR to help our customers learn the required skills to complete challenging home improvement projects.”

The Holoroom How To experience provides a more effective training tool so customers can learn DIY on their own terms. When users put on the virtual reality headset and hold the controller in each hand, they will be immersed in a DIY project — such as tiling a shower — and given step-by-step instructions to complete the task. From mixing the mortar to laying the pattern, the simulation walks the user through each step of the process. Haptic feedback, such as feeling the vibration of a drill through the controller, adds to the life-like experience, without the waste or mess of testing a DIY project in the real world. Initial testing of the technology has not only proven an increase in recall, but also that training through VR using Holoroom How To boosts customer confidence and enhances motivation to take on DIY projects.

Over the course of several months, Lowe’s will evaluate customer response to this experience, gauging how this technology impacts customer learning and confidence. From this pilot, Lowe’s will learn how innovations like Holoroom How To will enable instantaneous learning moments and massively scalable training opportunities that empower both customers and employees around the world.Download photos and video here.

More About Lowe’s Innovation Labs

Lowe’s Innovation Labs (LIL) uses story as a strategic tool to map out the future, then builds technology to bring those stories to life in the real world. By leveraging stores as living labs, LIL rapidly tests the prototypes they build, continually learning while technology evolves. Holoroom, a VR home improvement design and visualization tool, was the first proof-of-concept LIL developed, available in Canada in 2014. Several years of testing customer response to this technology uncovered the power of AR/VR as a tool for teaching and learning, resulting in the creation of Holoroom How To.

Other recent LIL projects include LoweBot, a retail service robot that walks the aisles of Lowe’s stores to help customers find what they’re looking for and provides employees with real-time inventory monitoring, and a partnership with Made in Space to launch the first commercial 3D printer to space.

About Lowe’s Canada

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2015 sales of $59.1 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,355 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 285,000 employees. Based in Boucherville, Quebec, Lowe’s Canadian business, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, RONA, inc., operates over 535 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners. These include Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, Marcil, Dick’s Lumber and Ace. In Canada, the companies have more than 24,000 employees, as well as more than 5,000 employees in the stores of RONA’s independent affiliate dealers. For more information, visit Lowes.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Valérie Gonzalo
Media Relations
Lowe’s Canada – RONA
Tel 514.626.6976
media@rona.ca

Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Augmented Reality Used in Lowe’s In-Store Navigation App

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-Mar-27 — /EPR Retail News/ — Lowe’s announced today (March 23, 2017) the launch of its Lowe’s Vision: In-Store Navigation app, the first retail application of indoor mapping using augmented reality. Leveraging Google’s augmented reality technology Tango, the app is designed to simplify the home improvement shopping experience. Beginning in April, customers visiting stores in Sunnyvale, California and Lynwood, Washington can use Tango-enabled smartphones to easily search for products, add them to a shopping list and locate the product within the store using augmented reality.

The Lowe’s Vision: In-Store Navigation app is the latest advancement from Lowe’s Innovation Labs, the retailer’s disruptive innovation hub. The Labs are focused on creating new solutions to enhance the retail experience for customers and employees.

“Our research shows that helping make it easier for customers to find products in stores not only makes for a better shopping experience, it allows our associates to spend more time advising on home improvement projects,” said Kyle Nel, executive director of Lowe’s Innovation Labs. “With Lowe’s Vision: In-Store Navigation, we’ve created a more seamless experience using breakthrough technology so customers can save time shopping and focus more on their project.”

Lowe’s Vision: In-Store Navigation uses Tango-enabled motion tracking, area learning and depth perception to guide customers through the store using a mixed reality interface. When a customer comes to Lowe’s to get started on a project, they can use any Tango-enabled smartphone to create a list of their required items in the app and access product reviews and information to make an informed decision. From there, directional prompts overlaid onto the real-world setting guide the customer to each item using the most efficient route around the store.

Lowe’s first partnered with Tango to introduce Lowe’s Vision, one of the first apps to leverage the Tango platform. Bringing spatial perception to the smartphone, Lowe’s Vision acts as a “digital power tool” for customers embarking on a home improvement project. The technology enables the user to measure spaces and visualize how products like appliances and home décor will look in their home. Lowe’s Vision and Lowe’s Vision: In-Store Navigation technologies are significant developments in Lowe’s efforts to build a portfolio of augmented reality offerings that meet the needs of the evolving customer.

To learn more about Lowe’s Vision: In-Store Navigation, visit www.lowesinnovationlabs.com/instorenavigation.

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,375 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 people. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Media Inquiries:

704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

SOURCE: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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Lowe’s introduces Holoroom How To, an on-demand virtual reality skills clinic

Lowe’s introduces Holoroom How To, an on-demand virtual reality skills clinic

 

MOORESVILLE, N.C., 2017-Mar-09 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today (March 7, 2017), Lowe’s introduces Holoroom How To, an on-demand virtual reality skills clinic and the latest iteration of Lowe’s Innovation Labs’ Holoroom experience, their immersive design and visualization tool. Debuting at select store locations in Boston and Canada, the simulated experience explores the relationship between virtual reality technology and engagement and retention in learning. Lowe’s is the first retailer to apply AR and VR technology beyond design assistance to address the evolution of home improvement learning and skills.

In 2014, Lowe’s utilized its narrative-driven approach to introduce its first storytelling concept using augmented reality to solve customer challenges faced with design – today, the company is writing the next chapter.

“During the past three years, we have been exploring real-life applications of augmented and virtual reality experiences to directly help our customers solve everyday problems,” said Kyle Nel, executive director of Lowe’s Innovation Labs, the company’s disruptive innovation hub. “Our experience has shown that customers are embracing AR/VR as part of their home improvement journey, and now, we are using immersive VR to help our customers learn the required skills to complete challenging home improvement projects.”

Lowe’s research shows that not all customers have the confidence or skills needed to confidently embark on a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. The Holoroom How To experience provides a more effective training tool so customers can learn DIY on their own terms. When users put on the virtual reality headset and hold the controller in each hand, they will be immersed in a DIY project – such as tiling a shower – and given step-by-step instructions to complete the task. From mixing the mortar to laying the pattern, the simulation walks the user through each step of the process. Haptic feedback, such as feeling the vibration of a drill through the controller, adds to the life-like experience, without the waste or mess of testing a DIY project in the real world. Initial testing of the technology has not only proven an increase in recall, but also that training through VR using Holoroom How To boosts customer confidence and enhances motivation to take on DIY projects.

Over the course of several months, Lowe’s will evaluate customer response to this experience, gauging how this technology impacts customer learning and confidence. From this pilot, Lowe’s will learn how innovations like Holoroom How To will enable instantaneous learning moments and massively scalable training opportunities that empower both customers and employees around the world.

The Holoroom How To proof-of-concept is currently live at Lowe’s in Framingham, Massachusetts, and over the course of the next several weeks, launching in Lowe’s in Burlington, Canada and RONA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lowe’s Big Box, in Beloeil, Québec.

About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2016 sales of $65.0 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,375 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 290,000 employees. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Media Inquiries:

704-758-2917
PublicRelations@Lowes.com

SOURCE: Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

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