If you’re the type who likes to stroll the aisles at Lowe’s or just rely on it for your next big DIY project, you might have caught some headlines lately that sound a little nerve-wracking. Maybe you heard about store closures or rumors making the rounds on social media that Lowe’s is folding up shop for good. Let’s get clear on what’s really happening with Lowe’s—and why closing a few locations doesn’t mean the whole company is shutting down.
What’s Actually Happening With Store Closures?
So yes, some Lowe’s stores are closing their doors soon. In April 2025, Lowe’s announced that it would be shutting down a handful of underperforming stores in the United States. This isn’t the first time Lowe’s has made a move like this—back in 2018, the company closed 51 locations, mostly those that were not performing up to scratch.
It’s natural to panic when you see the words “store closure,” especially if your go-to location is on the list. But a company as big as Lowe’s—think nearly 2,000 stores across North America—has been making decisions like this from time to time just to keep things running efficiently.
Why Is Lowe’s Closing Some Stores Now?
When a store isn’t bringing in enough business or just doesn’t fit into the company’s long-term plan, it doesn’t make much sense to keep pouring money into it. The closures are part of what Lowe’s calls its “Total Home Strategy.” The idea is to put more focus and resources on locations that really draw in customers and keep profits healthy, while trimming away stores that don’t.
It’s kind of like a gardener pruning a bush: you trim away the parts that aren’t thriving to make the rest even healthier. The company wants to spend its energy and investment on locations that work, rather than spreading itself too thin with some underperforming spots.
Store closures aren’t just about cost-cutting, though. Sometimes, it’s about opening new locations in better markets or evolving with the way people like to shop. In recent years, Lowe’s and its main rivals have realized people shop differently now, especially after the big push to online shopping during the pandemic.
Lowe’s Business Strategy: What’s This “Total Home” Thing?
Now, the “Total Home Strategy” might sound like marketing speak, but there’s actually a lot going on. Here’s the deal: Lowe’s isn’t shrinking back—it’s trying to pivot and grow smarter.
The big goal is to focus on being the place people think of for anything related to the home. That could mean a burst pipe, a kitchen renovation, or just needing a new lamp for the bedroom. Lowe’s aims to offer everything you’d need under one roof—or, more realistically, one website and one store brand.
Part of that strategy is about catering to people who shop a lot for work, not just weekend warriors. In other words, not just homeowners buying paint or shelving, but also “pro” customers—contractors, handymen, and remodelers who buy supplies in bulk. Lowe’s has put a lot of effort into expanding services and making sure these pro buyers pick them over competitors.
And here’s something that might surprise you: Lowe’s is actually looking to add new stores in the coming years, not just close old ones. They want to open 10 to 15 new locations each year, especially in promising markets and growing areas.
Is There Reason to Worry Financially?
Naturally, when you see stores shuttered, folks wonder: “Is this a sign the company is struggling?” Good question, but when you look at the numbers, there isn’t much to panic about.
Lowe’s is publicly traded and its financial health is reported every quarter. The most recent assessments put its probability of bankruptcy at just 1.66 percent. That’s pretty low for a retailer in an industry where, frankly, things can change fast.
Even though inflation and supply chain hiccups have made business complicated in the past few years, Lowe’s continues to post billions in sales and solid profits. They’re spending money to modernize and get leaner—not bailing water or scrambling to make payroll.
Their strategic move to close some stores is more about protecting their bottom line than imminent financial trouble. If you ask investors watching the sector, Lowe’s is often called one of the more financially stable big box retailers out there. It doesn’t mean they’re immune from economic storms, but they’re nowhere near folding.
What About All Those Reports Online About Temporary Store Closures?
Here’s something that throws some people off: every major retailer, Lowe’s included, has times when they close stores for holidays. People sometimes misread these announcements as permanent closures or signs of distress.
For years, Lowe’s has closed on certain holidays—Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas—largely to let its workers spend time with their families. This isn’t unusual or alarming, but sometimes a line in a news article or an out-of-context social post will blow it out of proportion. The stores reopen the next day, business as usual.
These temporary closures don’t have anything to do with money problems or layoffs. Instead, it’s usually a nod to the workforce and the reality that nobody buys a lot of plywood on Easter Sunday.
Why Do These Rumors Keep Coming Up?
Retail, especially home improvement, changes fast. A competitor bites the dust, sales slip for a quarter, or someone posts a blurry store-closing sign online—suddenly the “going out of business” rumors start flying.
You might remember other big chains that did shut down for good, like Toys “R” Us or Sears. Because of that, people get extra nervous when they hear about closures, even if the situation isn’t the same.
There are also plenty of older shoppers who still remember the chain’s huge growth push in the early 2000s, when Lowe’s and Home Depot were opening stores seemingly everywhere. Seeing a handful of closures now makes some folks worry the party’s over.
But in real terms, a few dozen closings in a chain of almost 2,000 isn’t an existential threat—it’s more like cleaning house.
So, Is Lowe’s Really Going Out of Business?
To sum up: no, Lowe’s is not going out of business. The company is still a major player in the home improvement world and is on stable financial ground.
What’s happening is a mix of routine housecleaning (closing a few unprofitable stores) and investing in new tech, better services, and new stores in promising areas. They’re focused on growth that makes sense, not just growth for growth’s sake.
If you hear chatter about bankruptcy or the “end” of Lowe’s, it’s probably just confusion over routine pruning, not a sign of collapse. Employees and shoppers alike can expect Lowe’s to be around for years to come—albeit with maybe a new look, a slicker online experience, and a sharper focus on the stores that matter most.
So, if your paint project can wait until Monday after a holiday, you’ll likely find your local Lowe’s right where it’s always been, ready for your next idea. That’s not the story of a company shutting down—it’s the story of one learning to work smarter in a fast-changing world.
If you’re curious about how big retail chains adapt, outlets like Business Republic do a good job tracking these changes in more detail.
Also Read:
