Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison says work-from-home and a robust housing market continue to give the home improvement retailer a boost

Key among the many methods during which the house has shifted throughout COVID-19 is that for a lot of it doubles as a workspace. He doesn’t see the nation’s staff heading again to the workplace in the identical method they did earlier than the pandemic.

“This drives a unique form of residence spend that didn’t happen pre-pandemic,” he stated.

“That bodes nicely for residence enchancment. The extra you’re residence, the extra put on and tear there’s and the extra funding you make,” whether or not that’s for residence organizing or different gadgets.

See: ‘Thousands and thousands of households wrestle to maintain roofs over their heads’: Biden administration has a plan to deal with America’s housing scarcity — however will it’s sufficient?

And: A listing crunch is making life unattainable for residence consumers. Our interactive map may also help you monitor the provision of homes on the market close to you.

There are a variety of different components that Ellison says proceed to bolster housing spend, amongst them excessive shopper financial savings, an getting old housing inventory, residence worth appreciation, and continued sturdy demand within the housing market.

“Customers really feel assured investing in a house,” he stated.

Ellison additionally famous the “getting old in place” development, whereby child boomers are hanging on to their houses and investing in modifications.

“They’re extra energetic and unbiased, and need to change their houses for his or her altering mobility,” he stated.

In November 2021, the corporate launched the Lowe’s Livable House program in partnership with AARP to serve the wants of getting old householders.

Lowe’s reported revenue that beat expectations, although gross sales declined and fell simply in need of the FactSet consensus.

A problem for the quarter was unseasonably chilly and really moist climate, which delayed purchases for outside dwelling, gadgets like garden mowers, grills and patio furnishings. Three-quarters of Lowe’s enterprise is the DIY (do it your self ) buyer, and for these customers, this merchandise is vital, Ellison stated.

This form of hardlines merchandise have been a problem for different retailers, like Goal Corp.
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-3.15%,
which reported a revenue miss on Wednesday.

And in contrast to Walmart Inc.
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+0.12%,
Ellison says he hasn’t seen any indications that prospects are buying and selling down.

Learn: Goal inventory plunges as revenue drops on shopper spending shifts and bounce in freight prices

Additionally: Walmart says shoppers are buying and selling down to non-public label for gadgets like dairy and bacon

“There are not any indicators that the buyer is buying and selling down at this level,” he stated. “The shopper remains to be spending cash on innovation.”

Gross sales are turning round in Could, and Ellison is optimistic that the corporate could make up for the gross sales that have been delayed by climate. And on the earnings name, Ellison was upbeat in regards to the outlook for the house enchancment section regardless of volatility within the macroeconomic setting.

Nonetheless, Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData, was cautious, saying fewer households are taking up initiatives and there was a downward development in DIY.

“This has come off a really elevated excessive from the previous two years and is now returning to regular,” Saunders wrote.

“As a lot as it’s unhelpful for all residence enchancment gamers, it’s particularly punishing for Lowe’s which disproportionally benefitted from beginner improvers and rare DIYers visiting its shops. It’s these teams the place the pullback on spending has been biggest.”

Ellison says that two-thirds of Lowe’s gross sales are for restore and upkeep exercise, which is important to function the house, somewhat than discretionary initiatives, offering some insulation.

Saunders additionally cites competitors with House Depot Inc.
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-1.85%
and inflation, which is able to make worth extra of a problem.

1 / 4 of Lowe’s enterprise is within the skilled class. Gross sales in that class grew 20% in the course of the quarter.

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House Depot reported a shock fiscal first-quarter earnings beat on Tuesday.

“Whereas House Depot seemingly gained share, we consider it additionally exhibits the inherent energy of the class even two years after the onset of the pandemic,” wrote UBS in a House Depot word.

UBS charges House Depot purchase with a $360 worth goal.

“Though constructive macro components persist for residence enchancment together with tight residence provide and fast residence worth appreciation, and undertaking backlogs amongst Execs stay wholesome, we anticipate slowing demand within the face of inflation, increased rates of interest and a gradual shift in spending in direction of companies,” wrote Wedbush in a House Depot word.

Wedbush charges House Depot inventory impartial with a $320 worth goal, down from $340.

D.A. Davidson sees positives for each residence enchancment retailers.

“Lowe’s is bettering its penetration of on-line furnishings, however House Depot is taking share and is the main House Heart supplier in on-line residence décor (though Lowe’s can also be rising),” analysts stated.

D.A. Davidson charges House Depot impartial and Lowe’s purchase.

Ellison acknowledged the inflation headwind on the decision, however remained upbeat.

“[W]e’re conscious that we now have inflation considerations. We’re conscious that there are rising rates of interest. However as we have a look at the house enchancment sector, we nonetheless stay very assured within the outlook and really assured within the sector,” he stated, based on FactSet.

Lowe’s inventory is down almost 27.3% for the yr up to now. House Depot shares have fallen 30.7% for the interval.