If you‘re on the hunt for the perfect gift for the DIY enthusiast in your life, a Lowe‘s gift card might seem like the obvious choice. After all, Lowe‘s is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world, with over 2,200 stores across North America and annual revenue of over $90 billion. From power tools to paint to appliances, Lowe‘s has everything the aspiring handyman or woman could want.
But here‘s the catch: you might not be able to pick up that Lowe‘s gift card at your friendly neighborhood Walmart. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive into the reasons why, explore alternative gift card options, and even provide some outside-the-box gift ideas for the home improvement guru on your list.
The Home Improvement Landscape in the U.S.
Before we answer the burning question of whether Walmart sells Lowe‘s gift cards, let‘s take a step back and examine the home improvement retail landscape as a whole. In the United States, home improvement is big business. According to the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI), the total home improvement products market reached a whopping $457 billion in 2020, up from $394 billion in 2018.
The market is dominated by two major players: The Home Depot and Lowe‘s. In 2020, The Home Depot reported net sales of $132.1 billion, while Lowe‘s clocked in at $89.6 billion. Together, these two retail giants account for nearly half of all home improvement retail sales in the U.S.
However, they‘re far from the only players in the game. Menards, a regional chain based in the Midwest, is a distant third with annual revenue of around $10 billion. Then there are the countless local hardware stores, mom-and-pop shops, and online retailers all vying for a piece of the home improvement pie.
Walmart‘s Stake in Home Improvement
So where does Walmart fit into this crowded landscape? While the retail behemoth may be best known for its grocery, clothing, and electronics offerings, Walmart has actually been quietly ramping up its presence in the home improvement space for years.
In 2018, Walmart launched a partnership with Handy, an online platform that connects consumers with professional contractors for things like furniture assembly, TV mounting, and house cleaning. The move was seen as a direct challenge to The Home Depot and Lowe‘s, both of which offer similar installation and assembly services.
Walmart has also been steadily expanding its offerings in core home improvement categories like tools, paint, and hardware. In 2019, the company launched a new line of cordless power tools under its Hart brand, which includes everything from drills to leaf blowers to chainsaws. And in 2020, Walmart announced a new paint brand called Kilz Tribute, which offers a selection of 1,000 different colors at budget-friendly prices.
According to a report from market research firm Placer.ai, Walmart‘s share of the home improvement market has been growing steadily over the past few years. In 2019, Walmart captured 7.2% of all home improvement retail visits, up from 6.5% in 2018 and 5.9% in 2017. While that may seem like a small slice of the pie, it translates to millions of customers and billions of dollars in revenue.
Why Walmart Doesn‘t Sell Lowe‘s Gift Cards
Now that we‘ve set the stage, let‘s tackle the question at hand: does Walmart sell Lowe‘s gift cards? The short answer is no. You won‘t find Lowe‘s gift cards on the shelves at Walmart stores, nor will you find them on Walmart‘s website or app.
The reason for this is simple: Lowe‘s is a direct competitor to Walmart in the home improvement space. By selling Lowe‘s gift cards, Walmart would essentially be encouraging its customers to shop at a rival retailer. It‘s the same reason you won‘t find Home Depot, Menards, or Ace Hardware gift cards at Walmart either.
"Walmart views itself as a one-stop-shop for all of a consumer‘s needs, including home improvement," says retail analyst Michael Baker of D.A. Davidson & Co. "Selling gift cards for a direct competitor like Lowe‘s would undermine that positioning and potentially divert sales away from Walmart‘s own offerings in the category."
It‘s a classic case of retail rivalry, and it‘s not unique to the home improvement space. You won‘t find Target gift cards at Walmart, or vice versa. Same goes for Best Buy and Amazon, or Kroger and Albertsons. In the cutthroat world of retail, every sale counts, and companies will do whatever they can to keep customers within their own ecosystem.
Alternative Gift Card Options at Walmart
So if Lowe‘s gift cards are off the table at Walmart, what other options do shoppers have? Here are a few alternatives to consider:
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Walmart Gift Cards: Perhaps the most obvious choice is a classic Walmart gift card. With Walmart‘s expanding selection of tools, hardware, paint, and other home improvement essentials, DIYers can easily find what they need without ever leaving the store. Walmart gift cards can be purchased in denominations up to $1,000, and they never expire.
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Visa or Mastercard Gift Cards: For maximum flexibility, consider purchasing a Visa or Mastercard gift card. These all-purpose gift cards can be used anywhere that accepts credit cards, including Lowe‘s, The Home Depot, and countless other home improvement retailers both big and small. Walmart sells a wide variety of Visa and Mastercard gift cards both in-store and online, with denominations ranging from $10 to $500.
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Sam‘s Club Gift Cards: If your gift recipient happens to have a Sam‘s Club membership, a Sam‘s Club gift card can be a great option for home improvement shopping. Like Walmart, Sam‘s Club carries a wide selection of tools, appliances, flooring, and other renovation must-haves, often at even lower prices thanks to their bulk quantities. Sam‘s Club gift cards can be purchased in denominations up to $500.
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Amazon Gift Cards: For the home improvement enthusiast who prefers to shop online, an Amazon gift card is hard to beat. Amazon‘s home improvement selection is truly massive, with everything from drill bits to door knobs to drywall available for delivery right to your door. Plus, with Prime shipping, many items can arrive in just a day or two. Walmart sells Amazon gift cards in-store, with denominations ranging from $15 to $100.
Where to Buy Lowe‘s Gift Cards
If your heart is set on a Lowe‘s gift card and Walmart simply won‘t do, fear not. There are plenty of other retailers that stock them. Here are a few options:
- The Home Depot
- Kroger
- Walgreens
- CVS Pharmacy
- Dollar General
- 7-Eleven
- Safeway
- Target
- Meijer
- Publix
- Speedway
You can also purchase Lowe‘s gift cards directly from the source at Lowes.com. Lowe‘s offers both physical and digital gift cards, with denominations ranging from $5 to $2,000. Digital gift cards are delivered immediately via email, while physical gift cards can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. for free.
Creative Gift Ideas Beyond Gift Cards
Of course, gift cards aren‘t the only way to show the DIYer in your life that you care. If you really want to impress your favorite home improvement enthusiast, consider one of these creative gift ideas:
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Personalized Tool Set: For a truly one-of-a-kind gift, look for a company that offers customized tool sets. Many online retailers will allow you to engrave initials, a name, or a short message onto a set of high-quality tools, creating a functional and sentimental keepsake.
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Project Kits: Help your loved one bring their next DIY vision to life with a curated project kit. Many hobby shops and online retailers sell ready-made kits for everything from birdhouses to bookcases to garden beds. You can also create your own kit by picking up the necessary supplies and packaging them together in a festive gift basket or toolbox.
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Online Courses: For the DIYer who‘s always looking to learn new skills, consider gifting an online course or workshop. Websites like Craftsy, Skillshare, and Udemy offer a wide range of home improvement classes, from basic carpentry to advanced electrical work. Many courses are self-paced and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
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Magazine Subscriptions: Keep your favorite handyman or woman informed and inspired all year long with a subscription to a top home improvement magazine. Popular titles include This Old House, Family Handyman, and Fine Homebuilding. Most magazines offer both print and digital subscriptions, so your recipient can choose their preferred format.
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Experience Gifts: For the DIYer who seems to have every tool and gadget under the sun, consider gifting an experience instead of a physical item. Many home improvement stores offer in-store workshops and demonstrations on topics like painting, tiling, and woodworking. You could also plan a trip to a nearby trade show or convention, or even a tour of a famous historic home or architectural landmark.
The Future of Home Improvement Retail
As you can see, the world of home improvement retail is a complex and competitive one. With major players like Lowe‘s, The Home Depot, and Walmart all vying for market share, it‘s unlikely that we‘ll see any major shifts in gift card offerings anytime soon. However, that doesn‘t mean the industry is static.
One major trend to watch is the rise of online retailers like Amazon and Wayfair. While these companies may not have the same brick-and-mortar presence as their traditional counterparts, they are quickly gaining ground thanks to their vast selection, competitive prices, and convenient delivery options. In fact, a recent survey by the National Retail Federation found that 60% of consumers plan to do at least some of their home improvement shopping online in 2023.
Another trend to keep an eye on is the increasing focus on eco-friendly and sustainable home improvement products. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, retailers are responding with offerings like energy-efficient appliances, recycled building materials, and low-VOC paints. Some companies are even experimenting with new business models, such as tool rental programs and buy-back schemes for used items.
Source: Home Improvement Research Institute
Conclusion
At the end of the day, finding the perfect gift for the home improvement enthusiast in your life is all about knowing their unique interests, skills, and preferences. While a Lowe‘s gift card may be the go-to choice for many shoppers, it‘s far from the only option out there.
Whether you opt for a Walmart gift card, a personalized tool set, an online course, or something else entirely, the most important thing is that your gift comes from the heart. After all, home improvement is about so much more than nuts and bolts and two-by-fours. It‘s about creativity, ingenuity, and the satisfaction of a job well done. And those are things that money simply can‘t buy.