Lowe's Reduces 600 Corporate Jobs to Prioritize Store Staff

• The job cuts represent less than 1% of Lowe's total workforce, with the company stating the move will 'better align resources to support stores and associates who serve customers every day'
• Target recently eliminated around 1,800 corporate roles under new CEO Michael Fiddelke to fund more hours for frontline store employees, marking the company's first major layoff in about a decade
• Rival Home Depot cut 800 jobs at its Atlanta support center in late January and mandated corporate employees return to the office five days a week

Summary

Lowe's Corporate Restructuring

Lowe's is eliminating approximately 600 corporate and support positions, representing less than 1% of its total workforce, to reallocate resources toward frontline store employees. A company spokesperson confirmed the decision on February 13, stating the move aims to "better align resources to support stores and the associates who serve customers every day." Affected employees will receive financial assistance, temporary benefits continuation, and career transition support.

Industry Trend

This reduction is part of a broader retail sector trend of corporate workforce optimization. Target recently cut around 1,800 corporate roles in 2025—its first major layoff in approximately a decade—under new CEO Michael Fiddelke, redirecting funds to increase hours for frontline store workers. Lowe's direct competitor Home Depot eliminated 800 jobs at its Atlanta store support center in late January while simultaneously implementing a five-day office return mandate for corporate employees.

Market Implications

The coordinated corporate staff reductions across major U.S. retailers signal a strategic shift toward customer-facing operations and cost efficiency. These moves suggest retailers are prioritizing in-store experience and operational efficiency amid ongoing economic pressures and evolving consumer shopping patterns. The restructuring indicates that major retailers are reassessing their corporate overhead while attempting to maintain or enhance customer service capabilities at the store level. The trend reflects broader efforts to optimize labor costs while maintaining competitive positioning in a challenging retail environment.