Lowe’s big product pitch event coming
Lowe’s announced, “Into the Blue: Lowe’s Product Pitch Event,” the home improvement retailer’s largest and most impactful product sourcing forum to date, said the company.
“Into the Blue: Lowe’s Product Pitch Event gives entrepreneurs the chance to take their business to the next level,” said Bill Boltz, executive vice president, merchandising.
Now through Aug. 14, interested businesses with ready-for-market products can apply at Lowes.com/Suppliers. Select businesses chosen for Into the Blue will have the opportunity to pitch directly to Lowe’s representatives and leadership executives on Nov. 2-3, 2022, at the new Lowe’s Tech Hub in Charlotte, N.C.
“We are inviting businesses of any size to apply for Into the Blue because the more innovative products we uncover, the more solutions we can provide to our customers to make their homes and lives better,” said Boltz. Prospective suppliers selected to attend will be notified by early September.
Entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes can apply for a chance to participate in this first-ever live event, during which Lowe’s plans to invest a target of $5 million in purchase orders – contingent on meeting Lowe’s supplier requirements – to new suppliers with opportunities for products to be carried within the company’s more than 1,700 retail stores and online.
“Lowe’s began as a small business more than 100 years ago, so we understand what it means to help a business succeed and the benefits it brings to their communities,” said Sarah Dodd, senior vice president, global merchandising.
In addition to product pitches, Into the Blue will include extensive networking; a supplier fair; and main stage and breakout sessions, said the firm.
The sessions will offer a variety of business tips and topics to help educate participating business owners as they work to scale their operations.
“We look forward to helping these businesses, especially often over-looked entrepreneurs, on their journey to be featured at a big box retailer,” said Dodd.
Also to come: A technology center in Charlotte, N.C.
Opening this fall, the state-of-the-art facility serves as the leading center of excellence in Lowe’s retail technology and primary office for up to approximately 2,000 Lowe’s technology professionals, said the retailer.
Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s Companies, Inc. serves approximately 19 million customer transactions a week in the U.S. and Canada. With fiscal year 2021 sales of over $96 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service nearly 2,200 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 300,000 associates.