Lowe's to Buy 72 Stores of Orchard Supply Hardware for $205M in Cash

Lowe's Companies, Inc. LOW, the world's second largest home improvement retailer, today announced further progress in its plans to acquire the majority of assets of Orchard Supply Hardware, including 72 stores, for approximately $205 million in cash, plus the assumption of payables owed to nearly all of Orchard's supplier partners, subject to Bankruptcy Court approval. Lowe's has been advised by Orchard that no additional bids were received by the deadline of August 9, 2013. The transaction will be presented to the Bankruptcy Court for approval on August 20, 2013, and Lowe's anticipates completing the acquisition by the end of August. Lowe's plans to have Orchard operate as a separate, standalone business, retaining its brand under the leadership of Orchard's current management team. Lowe's plans to acquire the locations most complementary to its current strategy and store footprint. Once completed, the acquisition will enable Lowe's to expand its presence in California and reach a new customer base through the addition of Orchard's smaller-format stores in densely populated areas. Orchard's neighborhood hardware and garden stores offer a product selection focused on paint, repair and backyard categories in approximately 36,000 square feet of selling space, compared to 113,000 square feet of selling space for an average Lowe's home improvement store. Lowe's currently operates 110 stores in California.