Lowe’s Companies Inc started in 1921 as North Wilkesboro Hardware. It was founded by Lucius Smith Lowe, who operated the business until he died in 1940. Lowe’s son took over the family business, and after World War II, the focus shifted to building materials and hardware.
In 1949 the company expanded for the first time, buying a second store in North Carolina. The following years were full of expansion with new stores in Charlotte, Durham, and Asheville. In 1961 Lowe’s went public before trading on the New York Stock Exchange in 1979.
Lowe’s resisted changing to a big-box store but adapted when Home Depot overturned the market. It’s continued to grow, with more than 2,355 locations across North America.
Lowe’s headquarters in Wilkesboro employs over 2,400 people. The Canadian office is located in Boucherville, Quebec.
Lowe’s operates contact centers in Wilkesboro, Mooresville, North Carolina and Albuquerque, Indianapolis, and overseas in India.
Lowe’s is one of the biggest hardware retailers in the US, beaten only by Home Depot. The company owns over 2,100 retail stores spread across the USA and Canada. Lowe’s experienced massive growth during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020; the increase was triggered by Americans seeking to improve their homes and add work-from-home improvements.
Famous Lowe’s trademarks
Lowe’s is one of the oldest chain stores in the USA, selling millions of products annually. It’s easy to see how they amassed many registered trademarks under the Lowe brand. Let’s look at all of the trademarks registered by LF, LLC.
Tactesse fiber
One of the first trademark applications submitted by Lowe’s was for their trademarked Tactesse fiber. Tactesse fiber is most often used in Lowe’s carpet ranges. The trademark filing was introduced in 1986 for use in:
- Yarn
- Flooring, including carpets
Task Force
Task Force is a Lowe’s brand specializing in DIY equipment and other essential home design tools. The name was trademarked in 1995 for use in:
- Metal toolboxes
- Power tools such as hacksaws
- Rulers for measuring
- Hand tools, hammers, pliers, wood chisels, cutting pliers, screwdrivers, utility knives, combination wrenches, etc.
Lowes
The Lowes name is the essential trademark on this list and was first registered in 1946. The trademark is registered for use in:
- Providing extended warranties on appliances and home improvement products
- Credit card services
- Charitable fundraising
- Installation, repair, and renovation services
- Home furnishings and home improvement
- Installation, repair, and remodeling services specializing in appliances, home furnishings, and home improvement items; rental of construction equipment and tools; paint mixing; and computer paint matching services
- Providing cutting and pipe threading services
- Educational services, including conducting clinics and workshops and providing written materials to promote home safety and regarding home protection procedures and products
- Retail outlet store services featuring a variety of appliances, building materials, plumbing supplies, roofing materials, home furnishings, and items used in home improvement; consultation and design services for building materials, plumbing supplies, roofing materials, home furnishings, and landscaping; retail floral services; landscape gardening design for others; and bridal registry services
Improving Home Improvement
Lowe’s trademarked the phrase ‘Improving Home Improvement’ in 2002, following its first use in 1999. The trademark was registered for use in:
- Retail store services related to building materials, plumbing, roofing materials, home furnishings, and more
- Providing extended warranties on appliances and home improvement packages
- Home furnishings and home improvement items
- Rental of construction equipment and tools
- Charitable fundraising
- Providing custom cutting and pipe threading services
- Educational services include conducting courses and workshops related to home safety and protection
- Consultation and design for home building, including roofing materials and home furnishings
Kobalt
Kobalt is a Lowe’s brand specializing in hand and mechanics tools. The Kobalt brand was first registered in 1997 for use in:
- Tool chests and metal toolboxes
- Installation services
- Fender covers, namely, protective covers for fenders of land vehicles
- String trimmers
- Portable utility lights
- Mechanics creepers
- Lubrication oil for air compressors
- Cordless power equipment batteries; cordless power equipment battery chargers; power tool charging stations; power outlet strips; welding helmet lenses; circuit testers; welding gloves, namely, protective work gloves; mechanics gloves, namely, protective work gloves; NPT plugs like pressure-indicating connectors for air powered tools and air compressors; tablet bags, namely, bags specially adapted for tablet computers
- Metal polish
- Aluminum truck boxes, namely, truck bed storage organizers; truck box mounting kits of metal, comprised of metal bolts, fasteners, hooks, washers, and spacers
- Drill bits
- Hand tools: sockets, wrenches, combinations wrenches, ratchets, torque wrenches, impact sockets, screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches, nut drivers, pliers, ratchets, box-end wrenches, locking wrenches, and tool aprons
- Flashlights
- Workbenches
- Safety equipment, including back support belts for workers
Garden Treasures
Lowe’s ‘Garden Treasures‘ range is one of the most popular garden and home decor brands offered by Lowe’s. The Garden Treasures brand name was first registered in 2002 and is noted for use in:
- Candles and patio torches
- Hanging metal planters and plant hooks
- Garden statues made of metal
- Garden stakes and plaques
- Lawn mowers
- Gardening hand tools, including trowels and weeding forks
- Outdoor thermometers and weather measurement instruments
- Protective knee pads for gardeners
- Umbrellas and patio umbrellas
- Decorative fencing
- Patio furniture
- Porch swings, garden seating, and seating covers
- Flower pots and holders
- Hammocks, hammock stands, swinging seats, and plant hangers that are suspended on a rope
- Sun hats
Style Selections
The ‘Style Selections‘ range is one of the more popular Lowe’s ranges and has been registered for use since at least 2004. It’s written for use in:
- Home heaters and other appliances
- Metal brackets for shelving
- Fireplace accessories, including screens, log racks, vanity tops, bar stools, bathroom furniture, vanities, mirrors, and cabinets
- Interior window shades and window blinds
- Cabinets with multiple drawers
- Magazine tables and other furniture
- Umbrella stands and dryers
- Folding and stacking chairs
- Ash buckets, dish drying racks, shower accessories, and bathroom accessories, including shower caddies and faucets
- Window treatments like curtains, sheers, draperies, fabric window panels, room darkening, and thermal fabric window panels; fabric curtain holdbacks, tiebacks, valances, and swags; shower curtains; shower curtain liners
Lowes logo (2018)
Following several logo and trademark innovations, the latest version of the Lowes logo was registered in 2018. The logo consists of the mark “LOWE’S” and Gable Mansard Design.
It’s registered for use in:
- Cups, mugs, and isolated drink holders
- Reusable shopping bags, backpacks; tote bags; duffel bags; umbrellas; luggage tags
- Printed materials: blank journals, scratch pads, note paper cubes; greeting cards; stickers; pens; pencils, markers, printed matter, and vinyl static cling sheets on which the trademark is printed for affixation to windows
- Retail store services
- Provision and administration of a loyalty, rewards, and recognition incentive program for customers, contractors, builders, electricians, HVAC technicians, appliance repair technicians, plumbers, and other tradespeople involved in the building, home improvement, construction, yard and garden, repair, and renovation industries
- Installation, maintenance, and renovation related to home appliances
Related: Trademarking a logo
Wrapping up
Registering your trademark can help you protect your unique branding and hard work; intellectual property is often worth more than physical property and Lowe’s has plenty to lose in a trademark dispute. Registering your trademark gives you legal recourse if a competitor infringes on your trademark rights.
Lowe’s is a mammoth corporation with a net worth of at least 53 billion USD. Lowe’s has registered or applied for more than 400 federal trademark registrations, with notable trademarks including unique Tactesse fibers and recognizable logos.
