Lowe�s Companies, Inc. (Lowe�s) is a home improvement retailer. As of February 3, 2012, Lowe�s operated 1,745 stores, consisted of 1,712 stores across 50 United States, 31 stores in Canada and two stores in Mexico. Its 1,745 stores represent approximately 197 million square feet of retail selling space. The Company serves homeowners, renters and commercial business customers. Individual homeowners and renters complete an array of projects and vary along the spectrum of do-it-yourself (DIY) and do-it-for-me (DIFM). Commercial business customers include those who work in construction, repair/remodel, commercial and residential property management, or business maintenance professions. During the fiscal year ended February 3, 2012 (fiscal 2011), it opened 25 stores, which included the relocation of two existing stores. Seven of the stores were opened in Canada. During 2011, it closed 27 underperforming stores across the United States.