U.S. – Lowe’s, the world’s second largest home improvement retailer, reported sales of USD 19.5 billion in the 2Q-2017, an increase of 6.8% from USD 18.3 billion in the 2Q-2016. Comparable sales – or same store sales (SSS)- increased 4.5 percent.

For the six month period, sales increased 8.5% to USD 36.4 billion over the same period a year ago, and comparable sales increased 3.3%. For the U.S. home improvement business, comparable sales increased 4.6% for the second quarter and 3.4% for the six-month period.

“We are pleased with our improved comparable sales performance relative to last quarter, and the strong momentum we built throughout the second quarter culminating in a 7.9% comparable sales increase for the month of July,” commented Robert A. Niblock, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO.  “I would like to thank our employees for their passion and commitment to serving customers.”

In the second quarter of 2017 net earnings reached USD 1.4 billion, up 21.5% compared to net earnings of USD 1.2 billion in the 2Q-2016. As of August 4, 2017, Lowe’s operated 2,141 home improvement and hardware stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico representing 214.1 million square feet of retail selling space.