Home Centers

Lowe’s says its pro business generates about 30% of its business, that’s up from previous estimates of about 25%. 

Rick Damron, chief operating officer of Lowe’s, said the first quarter comp-store sales for the pro was about three times the comp number for the company.

The company’s first quarter comps were up 0.9%.

Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe’s announced plans for a new Customer Support Center in Albuquerque, N.M. 

The center is expected to be operational during the first quarter of 2012, complementing the company's existing center located in Wilkesboro, N.C.

Multichannel retailing has been a buzzword since long before Jeff Bezos first reported a profit at Amazon.com (that was back in January 2002). Today, the biggest home improvement retailers are still at it, walking shoulder-to-shoulder into the multichannel future. Well, at least, they sound a lot alike.

Consider the following clicks-and-bricks-related comments:

The makers of the MusselBound Adhesive Tile Mat announced the product is now at Lowe’s stores nationwide. 

The product, from Brewster, Massachusetts-based MusselBound, is for the contractor or DIY customer working on backsplash, countertop and shower wall projects. It’s described as an easily applied adhesive that can be affixed directly to drywall, cement board, plywood, old tile and existing laminate. 

Medford, Wis.-based Crestline Windows and Doors has considerably expanded its stocked product offering at Menards stores in recent weeks, the company announced.

Products now on the Midwest retailer’s shelves include several sizes and styles in the Select 200 Series, Select 250 Series and Select 300 Series.  Menards' customers can access all-vinyl patio doors and windows right from the retail floor, with special orders of other Crestline product lines, sizes and styles also available.

Ahead of the busy spring season, Lowe's is planning to hire approximately 25,000 seasonal employees to fill the ranks of cashiers, lawn and garden employees, loaders and stockers.

Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe's reported third-quarter net income of $396 million, up 76% from earnings of $225 million a year ago. Revenues increased 2% to $12.07 billion, ahead of consensus estimates of $11.93 billion.