Lowe’s has a long history of community involvement and engaging in issues of importance to our company, shareholders and industry. We believe it’s our responsibility as a good corporate citizen to work with public officials on issues and policies impacting our business environment. To this end, we engage in governmental outreach and lobbying activities. Lowe’s vice president of government affairs provides oversight and coordinates these efforts while ensuring compliance with the numerous rules and guidelines governing corporate involvement. Lowe’s does not make contributions to political campaigns, super PACs or political parties.

Trade organizations

Lowe’s maintains memberships in national and state trade associations specific to business and retail industry interests, such as the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and various state retail organizations. These groups provide significant benefits to Lowe’s and our shareholders by giving Lowe’s access to their business, technical and industry expertise, by providing a forum for their members and by lobbying on our behalf on various public issues and policies that impact our company and ability to conduct business as efficiently as possible. These organizations are often retail specific, and their primary focus is working with elected officials to advocate on behalf of retail companies and the issues that impact those companies. Members of senior management and our government affairs department serve in a leadership capacity in many of the trade organizations in which Lowe’s is a member to ensure Lowe’s core values remain consistent with the values of the trade organizations and to ensure our investments and interests are well represented.

Political action committee

Lowe’s sponsors an employee political action committee (LOWPAC) that contributes to candidates and other political committees supportive of our business interests. LOWPAC is funded by voluntary employee contributions. The determination to contribute to a candidate or political committee is made by LOWPAC’s board of directors, including Lowe’s vice president of government affairs, senior management and general counsel.

Factors the LOWPAC board considers when making contributions to candidates or political committees:
  • Does the company have significant economic interests (stores, distribution centers, etc.) in the candidate’s district?
  • What is their position or voting record on issues important to the retail industry and Lowe’s?
  • Do they sit on a committee with oversight of issues important to Lowe’s?
  • Do other national retail trade associations or business groups also support the candidate or political committee?

Compliance

Lowe’s is fully committed to complying with all applicable laws regarding political contributions and expenditures, including laws requiring public disclosure. All contributions are reviewed and approved in advance by Lowe’s vice president of government affairs and Lowe’s general counsel, when necessary. As required, these activities are reported quarterly on various public websites, including www.fec.gov, www.house.gov, www.senate.gov and www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations.