
Lowe's is the flagship retail brand of Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW), a publicly traded home improvement retailer headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina. Founded in 1946, the brand operates more than 1,750 home improvement stores as the second-largest US player in the category. Lowe's Companies reported FY2025 sales of $86.3 billion and net earnings of $6.65 billion.
Parent Company
Founded
1946
Status
Publicly Traded
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Lowe's | Lowe's Companies, Inc. | Wholly owned |
Lucius Smith Lowe opened the first Lowe's hardware store in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in 1946. The chain expanded regionally through the postwar decades and went public in 1979. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Lowe's shifted from small hardware stores to the large-format home improvement warehouse model, competing directly with the rising Home Depot.
Under Marvin Ellison (CEO since 2018), Lowe's invested heavily in the professional contractor segment, digital infrastructure, and store modernization. In 2025 the company acquired Foundation Building Materials for $8.8 billion and previously Artisan Design Group, expanding into pro distribution. The Mylow and Mylow Companion AI assistants, handling nearly one million questions monthly, anchor its digital strategy. FY2025 (ended January 30, 2026) delivered $86.3 billion in sales, $6.65 billion net earnings, and $11.85 diluted EPS.
Lowe's reported FY2025 sales of $86.3 billion for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2026, with positive comparable sales of 0.2%. Net earnings were $6.65 billion, or $11.85 per diluted share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share reached $12.28, up 2.4% year-over-year. Operating margin was 11.8%, and adjusted operating margin was 12.1%. The company generated $7.7 billion in free cash flow and returned $2.6 billion in dividends to shareholders.
In Q4 2025, Lowe's reported sales of $20.6 billion, up from $18.6 billion in the prior-year quarter, with comparable sales growth of 1.3%. Q4 net earnings were $1.0 billion, or $1.78 per diluted share. The quarter included $149 million in pre-tax expenses related to the Foundation Building Materials and Artisan Design Group acquisitions. Adjusted Q4 diluted EPS was $1.98, up 2.6% year-over-year.
For FY2026, Lowe's provided outlook for total sales of $92.0 to $94.0 billion, representing approximately 7% to 9% growth, with comparable sales expected to be flat to up 2%. The company guided adjusted diluted EPS of $12.25 to $12.75 and capital expenditures of approximately $2.5 billion.
Lowe's achieved its 2025 emissions reduction target early (42 percent Scope 1 and 2 reduction over five years), targets 50 percent renewable energy by 2025 and net-zero by 2050, and invested $10 million in its 100 Hometowns community program plus $24 million in skilled-trades grants.
Lowe's is a consistent Fortune 500 fixture, recognized for one of the most diverse leadership teams among large US companies, sustainability milestone achievement, and skilled-trades workforce development grants.
EEOC Settlements: Lowe's settled a $700,000 EEOC sexual harassment lawsuit in 2024 and faced separate disability and race discrimination suits.
DEI Program Changes: In 2025 Lowe's scaled back some DEI initiatives amid broader corporate pullbacks under political pressure.
Merger Fallout Exposure: The company's competitive position is periodically compared unfavorably to Home Depot's larger pro-market penetration.
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wesfarmers | Australia | 1886 | Mass market | Asia pacific | All Genders | |
| Home Depot | USA | 1978 | Market leader | United states | All-consumers | |
| Albertsons | USA | 1891 | Regional leader | United states | All-consumers | |
| Albertsons | USA | 1939 | Market leader | United states | All-consumers | |
| Amazon | USA | 1995 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Gildan Activewear | USA | 1989 | Mass market | United states | Unisex |
Retail EcommerceOwned by Wesfarmers Limited
Australian hardware and home improvement retailer founded in 1886. Owned by Wesfarmers Limited (ASX: WES). FY2025 revenue was A$19.6 billion. Operates 287 warehouses, 66 smaller format stores, 28 trade centres, 16 Tool Kit Depot stores, and 110 Beaumont Tiles stores across Australia and New Zealand.
Retail EcommerceOwned by The Home Depot Inc.
The flagship big-box home improvement retail brand of The Home Depot Inc., founded in 1978 and operating about 2,350 orange-box warehouse stores across North America.
Retail EcommerceOwned by Albertsons Companies, Inc.
Albertsons Companies' Philadelphia-region grocery banner, a Northeast supermarket chain since 1891.
Retail EcommerceOwned by Albertsons Companies, Inc.
The flagship grocery banner of Albertsons Companies, operating supermarkets across the Western and Southwestern United States.
Retail EcommerceOwned by Amazon.com Inc.
American e-commerce marketplace launched in 1995 by Jeff Bezos. The flagship retail brand of Amazon.com Inc. and the largest online retailer in the United States.
Fashion ApparelOwned by Gildan Activewear
Los Angeles clothing brand known for vertically integrated manufacturing and basics apparel, now owned by Gildan Activewear.
Market Positioning: Lowe's competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Lowe's Companies, Inc., giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Retail EcommerceOwned by The Home Depot Inc.
The flagship big-box home improvement retail brand of The Home Depot Inc., founded in 1978 and operating about 2,350 orange-box warehouse stores across North America.
The Home Depot operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Retail EcommerceOwned by Albertsons Companies, Inc.
The flagship grocery banner of Albertsons Companies, operating supermarkets across the Western and Southwestern United States.
Albertsons operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Retail EcommerceOwned by Joann Inc.
American fabric and craft supplies retailer offering sewing, quilting, and DIY materials and supplies.
Joann is privately owned, unlike Lowe's which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Retail EcommerceOwned by ALDI SÜD
American grocery retail brand known for specialty foods and private-label products owned by Aldi.
Trader Joe's is privately owned, unlike Lowe's which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Retail EcommerceOwned by Amazon.com Inc.
American e-commerce marketplace launched in 1995 by Jeff Bezos. The flagship retail brand of Amazon.com Inc. and the largest online retailer in the United States.
Amazon operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Retail EcommerceOwned by Best Buy Co., Inc.
American consumer electronics retail brand owned by Best Buy Co., Inc., the largest consumer electronics retailer in the United States with over 1,000 stores across North America.
Best Buy operates independently without a large parent corporation.
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