Double-digit growth

Lowe’s, the second largest home improvement retailer in the USA and the world, recorded sales growth of 16.2 per cent to US $ 9.1 bn (€ 7.015 bn) in the recently completed third quarter. Comparable store sales for the third quarter increased by 5.2 per cent over the third quarter of 2003. Sales rose by 18.3 per cent in the first three quarters to US $ 27.9 bn (€ 21.502 bn), and comparable store sales by 6.6 per cent. The company also achieved double-digit growth of net earnings in the third quarter, which rose by 15.5 per cent to US $ 522 mio (€ 401.33 mio). The total number of stores increased to 1 031 with 35 new openings in the third quarter. Retail selling space grew by 13.4 per cent to 10.9 mio m².