Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is a home improvement retailer, with specific emphasis on retail do-it-yourself (DIY) customers, do-it-for-me (DIFM) customers, who utilize its installation services, and commercial business customers. The Company offers a line of products and services for home decorating, maintenance, repair, remodeling and property maintenance. As of February 1, 2008, it operated 1,534 stores in 50 states and Canada, with 174 million square feet of retail selling space. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. serves homeowners, renters and commercial business customers. Homeowners and renters primarily consist of do-it-yourselfers, and others buying for personal and family use. Commercial business customers include repair and remodeling contractors, electricians, landscapers, painters, plumbers, and commercial and residential property maintenance professionals, among others.