Lowe's Holds Annual Shareholder Meeting

Charlotte, NC, May 29, 2007--Lowe's Chairman and CEO Robert A. Niblock told shareholders the company remains confident about the future in spite of challenges impacting the home improvement industry.

"Long-term demographic trends are favorable," Niblock said. "Plus, increasing real disposable income and a solid employment market provide near- term support. These are favorable signs that consumers can and will continue to spend on needed repairs and maintenance of their homes."

Following market share gains in 2006, Lowe's has continued to gain share during the first quarter of the year in 17 of its 20 product categories. President and Chief Operating Officer Larry D. Stone credited Lowe's 210,000 employees for their sharp focus on serving customers, in spite of challenges the home improvement industry faced throughout the year.

"In addition to our success gaining market share across most of the product groups in our store, we also continue to increase our relevance with the Commercial Business Customer (CBC); and in 2006, this part of our business had comparable store sales significantly higher than the company average," Stone said. "This is a clear indication that our CBC programs are connecting with customers."

During the meeting, shareholders elected David W. Bernauer, non-executive chairman of Walgreen Co., to the board and re-elected board members Leonard L. Berry, Dawn E. Hudson, and Niblock. Continuing directors include Peter C. Browning, Robert A. Ingram, Robert L. Johnson, Marshall O. Larsen, Richard K. Lochridge, Stephen F. Page and O. Temple Sloan, Jr. Paul Fulton, chairman of the board of Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. and a Lowe's director since 1996, retired from the board after reaching the mandatory age for directors under the company's Corporate Governance Guidelines.

"Paul served during a time of tremendous growth, and his leadership on key board committees has been invaluable," said Niblock. "On behalf of the entire board, I'd like to thank him for his outstanding service to Lowe's and our shareholders over the past ten years."

Shareholders approved an amendment to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase available shares by 25 million; ratified Deloitte & Touche as the company's independent public accountants for the 2007 fiscal year; and approved a shareholder proposal to elect all directors annually.

They rejected shareholder proposals to require minimum share ownership for director nominees; to require a separate annual report addressing progress toward implementation of the company's wood policy; to submit certain severance agreements to a shareholder vote; and to require bonuses and long- term compensation be awarded based on company performance compared to that of peers.

Earlier today, Lowe's announced that the board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program of up to $3 billion, effective immediately. This program is intended to be implemented through purchases made from time to time in either the open market or through private transactions, in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission requirements. As of May 4, 2007, Lowe's had 1.5 billion shares outstanding.

"This authorization to repurchase Lowe's stock is an indication of the financial strength of the company and the board's confidence in it. With ongoing dividend payments, the share repurchase program allows us to continue to enhance the overall return to shareholders," Niblock added.

The board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share, an increase of 60 percent, payable on August 3, 2007 to shareholders of record as of July 20, 2007. Lowe's has paid a cash dividend each quarter since going public in 1961.

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert F. Hull, Jr. commented, "Our strong cash flow has allowed us to dramatically increase our dividends. For the 13-year period from 1990 through 2002, our annual dividend increased an average of nine percent. From 2003 through 2006, our dividend increased 46 percent (on average) per year."