Lowe's

Robert S. Lowe and his son Lucius B. Lowe opened the first store in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, on March 25, 1921. They named it Lowes' Hardware and built a business that grew from a single location into a multinational corporation. The company went public in 1960 and has since expanded to operate more than 2,181 retail locations across North America.

Marvin Ellison took over as CEO in 2018 and steered the company toward digital transformation and stronger support for professional contractors. Under his leadership, the brand launched initiatives like the MyLowe's Rewards program and invested heavily in video content. Their YouTube channel now boasts nearly 500 million views, offering tutorials and project ideas to customers who want to tackle home improvement tasks themselves.

The Lowe's Foundation plays a significant role in community development by funding skilled trades education. In September 2026, the foundation partnered with over 75 organizations to expand training programs for the next generation of workers. This focus helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world construction skills while supporting local economies. [edit]