-
Lowes grew (profits) faster than HD in Q4
Lowe’s grew same store sales 7.4% in the fourth quarter and surpassed the high bar Home Depot set the prior day in terms of profitability as well as store expansion.
Sales at Lowes during the period ended Jan. 30, increased 7.6% to $12.5 billion and U.S. same store sales grew 7.4%. Neither the top line or comp number were as large as the 8.3% sales increase and stunning 8.9% comp increase Home Depot generated from its U.S. stores, but Lowe’s managed to grow profits at a quicker pace.
-
Hudson’s Bay in joint ventures with Simon Property, RioCan
Toronto -- Canadian retail giant Hudson’s Bay Co. (HBC) has entered into two blockbuster deals, forming joint ventures with Simon Property Group and Canada’s RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust to target real estate growth opportunities in the United States and Canada. Both ventures are structured to facilitate an IPO at a later date.
The partnerships, which combined are valued at about $3.4 billion at the current exchange, are the latest example of retail companies moving to leverage their valuable real estate assets.

