A look back at Lowe’s journey from small family hardware store to retail giant (LOW)

Ric Feld/AP Images

Lowe’s boasts a long history, tracing its roots back to a single general store in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
Business Insider took a look back at the company’s history to get a better sense of how it has changed over the years.
From a family hardware store to a modern-day big-box giant, here’s a look back at how Lowe’s has changed over time.
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The modern-day Lowe’s describes itself as the world’s second largest home-improvement retailer.

In the wider world of retail, it’s the big blue rival to Home Depot’s orange cohort. For its customers, it’s a local big-box store that offers the assortment of hardware options necessary for home projects.

But how did Lowe’s get its start?

Well, the home-improvement chain can trace its roots all the way back to 1921. Throughout its history, Lowe’s has undergone a number of important transitional phases, which have helped the company to morph into the home-improvement retailer we all know today.

Here’s a look at the history of Lowe’s:

The history of Lowe’s begins in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in 1921.

Chuck Burton, File/AP Images

Source: "Make It New: Essays in the History of American Business," "Principles of Supply Chain Management," Wilkes Journal Project, Business North Carolina

That’s when Lucius Lowe launched a general merchandise store called North Wilkesboro Hardware.

Paul Sakuma, File/AP Images

Source: "Make It New: Essays in the History of American Business," "Principles of Supply Chain Management," Wilkes Journal Patriot, Business North Carolina

After Lowe’s 1940 death, the store went to his daughter Ruth. She sold the business to her brother Jim.

Phil Sears/AP Images

Source: "Make It New: Essays in the History of American Business," "Principles of Supply Chain Management," Wilkes Journal Patriot

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (Áine Cain)