Walmart is well known for both its wide range of discount home improvement products and its ownership of several different brands in the US and beyond.
With that in mind, you might be asking yourself: “Does Walmart own Lowes?” I’ve done my research and uncovered all the details!
Does Walmart Own Lowe’s?
Walmart does not own Lowes. Lowes Inc. is a publicly-traded company without a majority shareholder, and Walmart owns no shares in the company. Walmart does, however, own several other discount chains and brands across the US and beyond.
In that case, who does own Lowes stores? Read on for more information on Lowes’ largest shareholders, their competition with Walmart and all the companies Walmart has majority ownership of.
Who Owns Lowes?
As a publicly-traded company, Lowes does not have a majority shareholder. Since 2020, Vanguard Group Inc. has owned the largest share of Lowes stock.
But, with ownership of just 8.5% of all the company’s stock, they still do not have a controlling stake.
Conversely, Walmart is still 50% owned by the Walton family that founded it. As such, the Walton family still retains majority ownership of the brand and its subsidiaries.
Is Lowes As Big As Walmart?
No, Lowes is not as big as Walmart. For one thing, it sells a far narrower selection of merchandise, focused as it is on home improvement products and hardware.
Meanwhile, Walmart sells a wide range of discount groceries and other items. Home improvement products are just one part of Walmart’s remit.
In terms of stores, Walmart operates more than 10,500 stores, clubs, and brands across 24 countries.
Lowes, however, has just 1,727 locations across the US, and around 60 in Canada.
Still, while it does not rival Walmart, Lowes is one of the two biggest hardware stores in the US.
What Similar Products Do Walmart And Lowes Sell?
Both Lowes and Walmart sell home improvement products for a good price.
But, as one of America’s leading hardware stores, Lowes can offer consumers a much wider range of items and equipment.
Items sold by Lowes that Walmart also sells include grills, patio furniture, tools, and appliances.
However, customers who want a greater choice in what they buy would do better shopping at Lowes.
What Services Does Lowes Offer That Walmart Doesn’t?
Lowes offers a number of services that Walmart does not. For example, customers looking to renovate their kitchen can use the Lowes Kitchen Design Tool.
They can also purchase their new cabinets, countertops, and fixtures, all of which Lowes is able to install.
Other services available from Lowes include flooring, window, and fencing installation.
What Companies Does Walmart Own?
Even though Walmart does not own Lowes, the company does own a large number of other brands in the US and beyond.
As a result, it is one of the five largest corporations in the world by sales.
In the United States, Walmart has the majority share of big American labels, including its own Walmart Supercenters, Discount Stores, and Neighborhood Markets. It also owns:
- Jet.com
- ShoeBuy
- Parcel
- Bonobos
- Moosejaw
- (see the full list of companies here)
Elsewhere in the world, Walmart owns additional large discount chains, including Asda in the United Kingdom, Makro warehouse clubs in South Africa, and Superama in Mexico.
If you are looking to learn more, you can see our related posts on whether or not Walmart owns Costco, if Walmart is owned by China, and if Walmart owns Walgreens.
Conclusion
Although Walmart does own an impressive number of brands both in the US and beyond, the company does not own Lowes. The hardware brand is a publicly-traded company that does not have a majority shareholder. Walmart owns no shares.
So, Lowes operates independently of Walmart. In fact, it can also be considered a competitor for Walmart in the area of homeware and home improvement, given the choice of products available in its stores and the number of services it offers.
