Content about Home Centers

May 21, 2013

Atlanta-based The Home Depot reported first-quarter sales of $19.1 billion, up 7.4% from last year's quarter, which had one less week. 

On a like-for-like basis, comparable-store sales for the first quarter were positive 4.3%. U.S. stores comps were positive 4.8%, also on a like-for-like basis.

May 22, 2013

The Home Depot's top merchant had a lot more good news than bad news to share with investors regarding the retailer's first quarter performance.

"We are pleased with our performance in the first quarter with strength in our business across the breadth of the store," said Craig Menear, executive VP merchandising. The only departments with negative comp-store sales were indoor and outdoor garden -- the result of unusually cold weather in parts of the country, he said.

May 22, 2013

Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe’s reported net earnings of $540 million for the quarter ended May 3, 2013, a 2.5% increase over the same period a year ago. 

Sales for the quarter decreased 0.5% to $13.1 billion from $13.2 billion in the year-ago quarter. Comparable-store sales for the quarter decreased 0.7%. 

May 6, 2013

An Earth Day announcement brings HomeSelect composite railing line to Lowe’s stores.

New London, N.C.-based Fiberon has announced the availability of its Fiberon HomeSelect railing brand at Lowe’s.

Fiberon chose to announce this agreement during Earth Day week, reflecting the company’s commitment to its sustainable manufacturing process.

For instance, Fiberon says that the product captures 98.5% of waste materials. In addition, 40,000 tons of wood and plastic are kept out of landfills through the process.

April 19, 2013

The retailer’s Corporate Social Responsibility Report Card covers education, environment and more.

Lowe's has just released its Corporate Social Responsibility Report Card, which covers education, environment and more. 

“To achieve greater progress for our communities and our company, we continue to build on our commitment to never stop improving,” said Robert Niblock, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO. “We’re focused on carrying out those responsibilities every day with the help of our 245,000 employees across North America.” 

April 8, 2013

The series will consist of three unique videos per week, released via e-newsletter, and hosted on the Martha Stewart Video Hub, Homedepot.com, Aol.com and Yahoo Screen.

Martha Stewart Living and The Home Depot have teamed up for a new video series launching April 25. 

The series will consist of three unique videos per week, released via e-newsletter, and hosted on the Martha Stewart Video Hub, Homedepot.com, Aol.com and Yahoo Screen. 

The videos will fall into three categories, highlighting Martha Stewart Living product sold at The Home Depot, and answering various DIY "how-to" questions: 

April 5, 2013

The effort brings a line of Valspar Pro and dedicated in-store service to more than 1,700 Lowe’s retail locations, according to the manufacturer's announcement.

Minneapolis-based The Valspar Corp. says it expanded its retail paint program with Lowe's, tailoring it to the needs of the professional painter.

The effort brings a line of Valspar Pro and dedicated in-store service to more than 1,700 Lowe’s retail locations, according to the manufacturer's announcement. 

April 4, 2013

Not far from St. Louis in St. Peter's, Mo., and O'Fallon, Ill., two new Menards stores will open Tuesday.

Two Menards stores are set to open April 9 near St. Louis -- one in St. Peter's, Mo., and the other in O'Fallen, Ill.

“We’re pleased that we were able to build a new Menards store at this location in St. Peters and will do our best to work hard each and every day to provide a great shopping experience for our customers," said Ryan Gawinski, St. Peters, Menards general manager in a press release. 'We want to make a real positive impression on everyone starting Tuesday.” 

April 3, 2013

The world’s largest home improvement retailer plans to boost spring traffic with “Black Friday” prices.

The Home Depot will implement its fourth annual Spring Black Friday event, which it describes as a weekend of regional savings on hundreds.

The sales begin April 4.           

April 2, 2013

The Home Depot said it reached a tentative agreement in March to settle California lawsuits related to the sale of paints and coatings.

The Home Depot said it reached a tentative agreement in March to settle California lawsuits related to the sale of paints and coatings.

The company's recent 10-k filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission report followed up on 2010 allegations that the retailer sold products in three California counties and Los Angeles that exceeded the level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) under the rules of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

March 15, 2013

In a wide-ranging interview on CNBC, Home Depot CEO Frank Blake said he expects 2013 sales growth to be about the same as 2012.

In a wide-ranging interview on CNBC, Home Depot CEO Frank Blake said he expects 2013 sales to come in at about 3% ahead of 2012 -- about the same growth pace of 2012.

“We were pleased with 2012, and we had some great growth in 2012,” Blake said.

March 14, 2013

One of the ways Lowe’s says its competing in the price wars -- especially with Internet retailers -- is a merchant mind-set of “dead net pricing.”

One of the ways Lowe’s says its competing in the price wars -- especially with Internet retailers -- is a merchant mind-set of “dead net pricing.” 

Speaking at the UBS Global Consumer Conference Wednesday, Lowe’s CEO Robert Niblock described his company’s improvements in the price wars.

March 13, 2013

An article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch examines the Midwest retail giant’s expansion around St. Louis.

An article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch examines the Midwest retail giant’s expansion in the St. Louis area.

As previously reported, the Eau Claire, Wis.-based home improvement chain is also building units in St. Peters, Mo., and nearby O’Fallon, Ill. 

March 12, 2013

According to an article in the New York Times, a family/female approach to TV spots gets a dose of testosterone.

An article in Tuesday's New York Times reveals Lowe's is making a shift in its approach to advertising by directly courting male DIYers.

The article, under the headline "Lowe's Campaign Keeps Eye on the Weather," describes a 60-second TV spot planned for the upcoming college basketball tournament. In the ad, men pretend to compete in sports using hand tools and other home improvement merchandise. The ad aired Sunday during a Nascar race. 

March 8, 2013

Lowe’s named José Luis Pier Castelló as president/general director of Lowe’s Mexico, effective March 15. He replaces Francisco Fernandez, who has left the company.

Lowe’s named José Luis Pier Castelló as president/general director of Lowe’s Mexico, effective March 15. He replaces Francisco Fernandez, who has left the company.

Pier Castelló will report to William D. (Doug) Robinson, head of international operations and development.

March 6, 2013

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Lowe’s winner of the Energy Star Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award for the fourth consecutive year.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Lowe’s winner of the Energy Star Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award for the fourth consecutive year. The 2013 award recognizes Lowe’s long-standing leadership as a retailer of energy-efficient appliances and products. Lowe’s will receive the EPA’s most prestigious honor at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 26. 

March 5, 2013

A Carson, Calif., soccer stadium, once called the Home Depot Center, is now the StubHub Center.

The stadium formerly known as The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., is now the StubHub Center.

The 125-acre stadium multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility is home of the Las Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA soccer teams of Major League Soccer. The Home Depot had naming rights for the facility since it opened 10 years ago, at a cost of $70 million for the 10-year period.

February 27, 2013

Craig Menear describes best sellers, including Hurricane-Sandy-related items in the Northeast.

Home Depot's Northern division, which bore the brunt of Superstorm Sandy late last year, saw comp-store generator sales up in the triple digits.

Storm-related sales were one of the reasons Home Depot's fourth-quarter sales exceeded internal company expectations. Across the country, the departments that outperformed the company’s average comp for the fourth quarter were tools, lumber, electrical, outdoor garden, lighting, indoor garden and decor.

February 26, 2013

The world’s largest home improvement retailer posted fourth-quarter earnings in excess of $1 billion.

Playing with an extra week in its calendar, Atlanta-based Home Depot’s fourth-quarter sales increased 13.9% to $18.2 billion, as the company’s comps increased 7.1%.

The company posted net earnings of $1.0 billion in the fourth quarter, up 31.9% compared with last year’s fourth quarter. 

February 26, 2013

On Tuesday, Lowe’s reported its fourth-quarter financial results. On Wednesday, it was Home Depot’s turn. How do the two home center giants compare?

On Tuesday, Lowe’s reported its fourth-quarter financial results. On Wednesday, it was Home Depot’s turn. How do the two home center giants compare?   

February 25, 2013

Comp-store sales were up at the No. 2 home center chain, but fourth-quarter sales and earnings declined.

Comp-store sales were up at Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe's, but fourth-quarter sales and earnings declined. 

Lowe's fourth-quarter sales declined 5.0% to $11.0 billion, the company reported Monday morning. Comp-store sales increased 1.9%. Net earnings declined 10.6% to $288 million.

February 21, 2013

Lowe’s announced that Lara Lee will join the company as SVP customer experience design, effective Feb 25.

Lowe’s announced that Lara Lee will join the company as SVP customer experience design, effective Feb 25. Lee will report to Robert J. (Bob) Gfeller, customer experience design executive.

Lee will be responsible for translating business strategies into integrated, multi-channel experiences that deliver value to home improvement consumers. Named a “Master of Innovation” by BusinessWeek in 2006, Lee has driven customer-centric business transformation for more than 20 years.

February 12, 2013

Rebuilding Together has teamed up with Lowe's through its Community Partners program to provide free home repairs to four low-income homeowners and to support the Friendly House in the Central City neighborhood of Phoenix on Feb. 20 and 21.

Rebuilding Together has teamed up with Lowe's through its Community Partners program to provide free home repairs to four low-income homeowners and to support the Friendly House in the Central City neighborhood of Phoenix on Feb. 20 and 21.

In its six years of partnering with Rebuilding Together, Lowe's has donated $7 million and completed 958 projects across the country.

More than 100 Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers from area Lowe's stores will team with Rebuilding Together Valley of the Sun.

February 11, 2013

Lowe’s has named Sylvain Prud’homme as president of Lowe’s Canada, effective March 25. He replaces Alan Huggins, who is returning to the United States as Lowe’s VP international operations.

Lowe’s has named Sylvain Prud’homme as president of Lowe’s Canada, effective March 25. He replaces Alan Huggins, who is returning to the United States as Lowe’s VP international operations.

Prud’homme will report to William D. (Doug) Robinson, head of international operations and development.

February 11, 2013

Facing a potential public relations battle, the retail chain promotes plans for the smallest Lowe’s in New England.

Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe’s formally announced its plans to build a home improvement store in Dennis, Mass., while at the same time unveiling a website promoting the store’s virtues. 

The proposed store is smaller than Lowe’s standard prototype, which, according to the retailer reflects its efforts to submit a design that best serves Dennis and Cape Cod customers and also fits within the community character of the area.