Lowe’s Companies, Inc.—2018 www.lowes.com, LOW Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, Lowe’s is among Fortune’s top 50 largest companies in the United States and is the second largest home improvement store in the world, trailing only Atlanta, Georgia’s based Home Depot. Lowe’s operates 2,365 stores with all Lowes stores being located in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The firm serves 17 million customers weekly in over 213 million square feet of retail space. Lowe’s has an agreement, as a one-third owner, with Australian Woolworths Limited to develop a Lowe’s-themed store in Australia. Lowe’s stores offer appliances, lawn and garden, lumber, plumbing, electrical, power tools, flooring, and much more for home repair and construction. Lowe’s principle goal is "to execute better than our competitors, and make the process of home improvement as seamless and simple as possible for customers." Lowe’s customers are primarily homeowners, renters, homebuilders, and commercial construction firms. Lowe’s employs over 290,000 people with 190,000 being full-time, all of whom are led by CEO Robert Niblock. After 25 years with Lowe’s CEO Robert Niblock has announced his retirement as soon a successor can be appointed. Niblock is also retiring as Chair of the Lowe’s board of directors. It is Fall 2018 and Marvin Ellison has just replaced Niblock as President and CEO. Copyright by Fred David Books LLC; written by Forest R. David
Question One
Part One: complete a SWOT analysis of Lowe’s – provide three examples in each area and be sure to include your rationale.