is a
United States -based chain of
Home Improvement and
Major Appliance Retail stores. Founded in
1946 in
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina , the chain now operates (as of February 28, 2006) over 1,225 stores in all 50 states and is number 42 on the
Fortune 500 list. The chain is based in
Mooresville, North Carolina , which is about 30 minutes north of downtown
Charlotte . It is now the second-largest hardware chain in the United States of America, after
The Home Depot .In June 2005, Lowe's announced its interest into the Canadian Market. In March 2006, the company decided to open 10 stores by 2007, in the Greater Toronto Area.
Lowe's has attempted to position themselves as a more consumer-friendly alternative to their primary rival, The Home Depot. Many of their advertisements portray Lowe's as an unintimidating warehouse catering to consumers and contractors equally. Lowe's corporate culture is very customer-service oriented and the company makes a point to be welcoming and inviting to consumers.
Lowe's has purchased
Naming Rights of
Lowe's Motor Speedway (formerly ''Charlotte Motor Speedway'') in
Concord, North Carolina , which is home to several
Auto Racing events annually. The corporation also sponsors
NASCAR drivers
Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch, both of whom drive for
Hendrick Motorsports , as well as drivers in other racing series.
