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<title>8-k Press Release</title>
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<font face="Times New Roman" size="5"><b>UNITED STATES </b></font></p>
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<font face="Times New Roman" size="5"><b>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </b>
</font></p>
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<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><b>Washington, D.C. 20549 </b></font></p>
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<font face="Times New Roman" size="5"><b>FORM 8-K </b></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: -6px"><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><b>Current Report </b></font></p>
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<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="center">
<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><b>Pursuant To Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
</b></font></p>
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<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><b>Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </b>
</font></p>
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      <td width="71%" style="border-style: none; border-width: medium">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><b><font size="2">Date of Report (Date of
      earliest event reported)</font></b></td>
      <td width="29%" style="border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top: medium none #111111; border-bottom: medium none #111111">
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<b><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">January 28</font></b><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><b>,
2005 </b></font></td>
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<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: -6px"><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<img border="0" src="lowesgraphic.gif" width="106" height="50"></p>
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<b>LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.</b><font face="Times New Roman" size="6"><b> </b></font></p>
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<font face="Times New Roman" size="1"><b>(Exact name of registrant as specified
in its charter) </b></font></p>
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      <p align="center" style="text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0"><b>North
      Carolina</b></td>
      <td width="30" valign="top" style="width:22.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
      <p align="center" style="text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0"><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></td>
      <td width="192" valign="top" style="width:2.0in;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
      <p align="center" style="text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0"><b>1-7898</b></td>
      <td width="30" valign="top" style="width:22.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
      <p align="center" style="text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0"><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></td>
      <td width="181" valign="top" style="width:135.9pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
      <p align="center" style="text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0"><b>
      56-0578072</b></td>
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      <p align="center" style="text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0">
      <font size="2">(State or
      other jurisdiction <br>
      of incorporation)</font></td>
      <td width="30" valign="top" style="width:22.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
      <p align="center" style="text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0">&nbsp;</td>
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      <p align="center" style="text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0">
      <font size="2">(Commission
      File <br>
      Number)</font></td>
      <td width="30" valign="top" style="width:22.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
      <p align="center" style="text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0">&nbsp;</td>
      <td width="181" valign="top" style="width:135.9pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">
      <p align="center" style="text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0">
      <font size="2">(IRS
      Employer<br>
      &nbsp;Identification No.)</font></td>
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      <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><b>1000
      Lowe's Blvd., Mooresville, NC</b></td>
      <td valign="top" style="width:101;padding-left:5.4pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-top:0in; padding-bottom:0in" align="center">
      <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0"><b>
      28117</b></td>
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      <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">
      <font size="2">(Address of principal executive offices)</font></td>
      <td valign="top" style="width:101;padding-left:5.4pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-top:0in; padding-bottom:0in" align="center">
      <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0">
      <font size="2">(Zip Code)</font></td>
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      &nbsp;</td>
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      &nbsp;</td>
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      &nbsp;</td>
      <td valign="top" style="width:101;padding-left:5.4pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-top:0in; padding-bottom:0in" align="center">
      &nbsp;</td>
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      <td valign="top" style="width:324;padding-left:5.4pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-top:0in; padding-bottom:0in" align="center">
      <font size="2">Registrant's telephone number, including area code</font></td>
      <td valign="top" style="width:101;padding-left:5.4pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-top:0in; padding-bottom:0in" align="center">
      <b>(704) 758-1000</b></td>
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<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: -6px">&nbsp;</p>
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<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: -6px"><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">
<font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of
the registrant under any of the following provisions (<i>see </i>General
Instruction A.2. below): </font></p>
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    <font face="Wingdings" size="2">o</font></td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Written
    communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
    230.425) </font></td>
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    <font face="Wingdings" size="2">o</font></td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">
    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
    240.14a-12) </font></td>
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    <font face="Wingdings" size="2">o</font></td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">
    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
    Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </font></td>
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    <font face="Wingdings" size="2">o</font></td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">
    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
    Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </font></td>
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<hr align="left" color="#000000" noShade SIZE="3">
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
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    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><b><font size="2">ITEM 5.02</font></b></td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="693" height="16">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><b>
    <font face="Times New Roman" size="2">DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL
    OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS</font></b></td>
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    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="66" height="16">
    </td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="693" height="16">
    </td>
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    </td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="693" height="16">
      <p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2">(b) Claudine B. Malone, who has served
      as a director of Lowe's Companies, Inc. (the &quot;Company&quot;) since 1995 and
      currently sits on both the Audit Committee and the Governance Committee of
      the Board of Directors, has informed the Company that she plans to retire
      when her current term as a director expires at this year's annual meeting
      of shareholders. As previously announced, the retirement of Robert L.
      Tillman from his position as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
      Company was effective on January 28, 2005. A copy of the press release
      announcing Mr. Tillman's retirement is attached as Exhibit 99.1. </font></p>
      <p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2">(c) On January 28, 2005, Robert A.
      Niblock assumed the additional roles of Chairman and Chief Executive
      Officer. Mr. Niblock, President for the past two years, succeeds Mr.
      Tillman under the succession plan adopted by the Board of Directors last
      April. A copy of the press release announcing Mr. Niblock's assumption of
      his position as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
      Company is attached as Exhibit 99.1. </font></p>
      <p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2">(d) On January 28, 2005, the Board of
      Directors elected Robert L. Johnson to fill the vacancy on the Board of
      Directors created by the retirement of Mr. Tillman. The Board of Directors
      also appointed Mr. Johnson to the Audit Committee and the Governance
      Committee of the Board of Directors. A copy of the press release
      announcing the election of Mr. Johnson is attached as Exhibit 99.1.</font></p>
      </td>
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    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="66" height="16">
    </td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="693" height="16">
    </td>
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    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="66" height="16">
    <b><font size="2">ITEM 5.03</font></b></td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="693" height="16">
    <b><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF
    INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR</font></b></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="66" height="16">
    </td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="693" height="16">
    </td>
  </tr>
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    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="66" height="16">
    </td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="693" height="16">
    <font size="2">(a) On January 28, 2005, the Board of Directors approved four
    amendments to the Company's bylaws. The amendments make the following
    changes to the bylaws: </font>
    <p><font size="2">(i) Effective immediately, Article II, Section 1 was
    amended to provide that the annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on
    a day in the month of May to be designated by the Board of Directors. Prior
    to this amendment, Article II, Section 1 provided that the annual meeting of
    shareholders would be held on the last Friday in the month of May. </font>
    </p>
    <p><font size="2">(ii) Effective immediately, Article II, Section 10 was
    amended to increase the time period for the Company to be notified of (A) a
    shareholder's proposal of business to be considered at an annual meeting of
    shareholders from 15 days prior to the annual meeting to between 90 and 120
    days prior the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting date
    and (B) a shareholder's nomination of persons for election to the Board of
    Directors from 15 days prior to the annual meeting to between 90 and 120
    days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting
    date. In addition, in regard to a shareholder's nomination of persons for
    election to the Board of Directors, such shareholder's notice to the Company
    is now required to include information relating to the proposed nominee
    similar to that required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for
    election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities
    Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and other information necessary to help the
    Company evaluate any such nominated party. </font></p>
    <p><font size="2">(iii) Article III, Section 2 was amended to provide that,
    effective May 27, 2005, the number of directors will be reduced from 12 to
    11. </font></p>
    <p><font size="2">(iv) Effective immediately, Article VIII was amended to
    permit the Company to have a 53-week fiscal year (as opposed to a 52-week
    fiscal year) &quot;periodically&quot; rather than &quot;every six to eight years.&quot; </font>
    </p>
    <p><font size="2">The amended and restated Bylaws are attached as Exhibit
    3.1.</font></td>
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    </td>
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    </td>
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    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="66" height="16">
    <b><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">ITEM 9.01</font></b></td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="693" height="16">
    <b><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS</font></b></td>
  </tr>
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    </td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="693" height="16">
    </td>
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    </td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="693" height="16">
    <font face="Times New Roman" size="2">(c) EXHIBITS.</font></td>
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    </td>
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    </td>
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    </td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="693" height="16">
    <font size="2">Exhibit 3.1 Bylaws of Lowe's Companies, Inc., as amended and
    restated </font>
    </td>
  </tr>
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    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="66" height="16">
    </td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="693" height="16">
    </td>
  </tr>
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    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="66" height="16">
    </td>
    <td vAlign="top" align="left" width="693" height="16">
    <font size="2">Exhibit 99.1 Press release issued by the Company on
    January 28, 2005</font></td>
  </tr>
  </table>

<hr>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center">
<font face="CG Times" size="2"><b>SIGNATURE</b></p>
                      </font>
<font face="CG Times" size="3">
    <p align="center">&nbsp;</p>
                      </font>
<font face="CG Times" size="2">
    <p align="justify">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange
    Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
    behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. </p>
                      </font>
<font face="CG Times" size="3">
    <table width="864" height="164">
      <tr>
        <td align="middle" width="265" height="1"></td>
        <td align="middle" width="437" height="1"></td>
        <td align="middle" width="512" height="1"></td>
        <tr>
          <td align="middle" width="265" height="17"></td>
          <td align="middle" width="437" height="17"></td>
          <td align="middle" width="512" height="17">
            <p align="center"><font face="CG Times" size="2"><u>LOWE'S
            COMPANIES, INC.</u></font></td>
          <tr>
            <td align="middle" width="265" height="1"></td>
            <td align="middle" width="437" height="1"></td>
            <td align="middle" width="512" height="1"></td>
            <tr>
              <td align="middle" width="265" height="1"></td>
              <td align="middle" width="437" height="1"></td>
              <td align="middle" width="512" height="1"></td>
              <tr>
                <td align="middle" width="265" height="1"></td>
                <td align="middle" width="437" height="1"></td>
                <td align="middle" width="512" height="1"></td>
                <tr>
                  <td align="middle" width="265" height="1"></td>
                  <td align="middle" width="437" height="1"></td>
                  <td align="middle" width="512" height="1"></td>
                  <tr>
                    <td align="middle" width="265" height="1"></td>
                    <td align="middle" width="437" height="1"></td>
                    <td align="middle" width="512" height="1"></td>
                    <tr>
                      <td align="middle" width="265" height="1"></td>
                      <td align="middle" width="437" height="1"></td>
                      <td align="middle" width="512" height="1"></td>
                      <tr>
                        <td align="middle" width="265" height="111">
                        <font face="CG Times" size="2">
                          <p style="word-spacing: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0" align="center">
                          February 2, 2005</font><font face="CG Times" size="3"><hr>
                          </font><font face="CG Times" size="2">
                          <p style="word-spacing: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0" align="center">Date</p>
                          </font><font face="CG Times" size="3">
                          <p style="word-spacing: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0" align="center">&nbsp;</p>
                          </font></td>
                        <td align="middle" width="437" height="111"></td>
                        <td align="middle" width="512" height="111">
                        <font size="2">&nbsp; </font>
                          <p style="word-spacing: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0" align="center">
                          <font face="CG Times" size="2">/s/Kenneth
                          W. Black, Jr.</font></p>
                          <hr>
                          <p style="word-spacing: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0" align="center">
                          <font face="CG Times" size="2">Kenneth
                          W. Black, Jr.</p>
                          <p align="center" style="word-spacing: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">
                          Senior Vice President and
                          <p align="center" style="word-spacing: 0; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">
                          Chief Accounting Officer</font></td>
                      </table>
                      </font>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><br>
<font size="2">EXHIBIT INDEX<br>
&nbsp;</font></b></p>
<div align="center">
  <center>
                              <table border="0" width="76%" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
                                <tr>
                                  <font face="CG Times" size="2">
                                  <td width="15%" align="center" bordercolorlight="#000000" bordercolordark="#000000" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">
                                  <b>Exhibit No.</b></td>
                                  </font>
                                  <font face="CG Times" size="3">
                                  <td width="5%" align="center">&nbsp;</td>
                                  </font>
                                  <font face="CG Times" size="2">
                                  <td width="305%" align="center" bordercolorlight="#000000" bordercolordark="#000000" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">
                                  <p align="left"><b>Description</b></td>
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                                  <font face="CG Times" size="2">
                                  <td width="15%" align="center">3.1</td>
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                                  <td width="5%">&nbsp;</td>
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    <font size="2">Bylaws of Lowe's Companies, Inc., as amended and restated</font></td>
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                                  <td width="15%" align="center">&nbsp;</td>
                                  <td width="5%">&nbsp;</td>
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    &nbsp;</td>
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                                  <td width="15%" align="center"><font size="2">
                                  99.1</font></td>
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    <font size="2">Press release issued by the Company on January 28, 2005</font></td>
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8-k Press Release
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant To Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of
      earliest event reported)
January 28
,
2005
LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified
in its charter)
North
      Carolina
1-7898
56-0578072
(State or
      other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
      File
Number)
(IRS
      Employer
Identification No.)
1000
      Lowe's Blvd., Mooresville, NC
28117
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
(704) 758-1000
Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of
the registrant under any of the following provisions (
see
General
Instruction A.2. below):
o
Written
    communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
    230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
    240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
    Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
    Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 5.02
DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL
    OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
(b) Claudine B. Malone, who has served
      as a director of Lowe's Companies, Inc. (the "Company") since 1995 and
      currently sits on both the Audit Committee and the Governance Committee of
      the Board of Directors, has informed the Company that she plans to retire
      when her current term as a director expires at this year's annual meeting
      of shareholders. As previously announced, the retirement of Robert L.
      Tillman from his position as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
      Company was effective on January 28, 2005. A copy of the press release
      announcing Mr. Tillman's retirement is attached as Exhibit 99.1.
(c) On January 28, 2005, Robert A.
      Niblock assumed the additional roles of Chairman and Chief Executive
      Officer. Mr. Niblock, President for the past two years, succeeds Mr.
      Tillman under the succession plan adopted by the Board of Directors last
      April. A copy of the press release announcing Mr. Niblock's assumption of
      his position as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
      Company is attached as Exhibit 99.1.
(d) On January 28, 2005, the Board of
      Directors elected Robert L. Johnson to fill the vacancy on the Board of
      Directors created by the retirement of Mr. Tillman. The Board of Directors
      also appointed Mr. Johnson to the Audit Committee and the Governance
      Committee of the Board of Directors. A copy of the press release
      announcing the election of Mr. Johnson is attached as Exhibit 99.1.
ITEM 5.03
AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF
    INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR
(a) On January 28, 2005, the Board of Directors approved four
    amendments to the Company's bylaws. The amendments make the following
    changes to the bylaws:
(i) Effective immediately, Article II, Section 1 was
    amended to provide that the annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on
    a day in the month of May to be designated by the Board of Directors. Prior
    to this amendment, Article II, Section 1 provided that the annual meeting of
    shareholders would be held on the last Friday in the month of May.
(ii) Effective immediately, Article II, Section 10 was
    amended to increase the time period for the Company to be notified of (A) a
    shareholder's proposal of business to be considered at an annual meeting of
    shareholders from 15 days prior to the annual meeting to between 90 and 120
    days prior the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting date
    and (B) a shareholder's nomination of persons for election to the Board of
    Directors from 15 days prior to the annual meeting to between 90 and 120
    days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting
    date. In addition, in regard to a shareholder's nomination of persons for
    election to the Board of Directors, such shareholder's notice to the Company
    is now required to include information relating to the proposed nominee
    similar to that required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for
    election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities
    Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and other information necessary to help the
    Company evaluate any such nominated party.
(iii) Article III, Section 2 was amended to provide that,
    effective May 27, 2005, the number of directors will be reduced from 12 to
    11.
(iv) Effective immediately, Article VIII was amended to
    permit the Company to have a 53-week fiscal year (as opposed to a 52-week
    fiscal year) "periodically" rather than "every six to eight years."
The amended and restated Bylaws are attached as Exhibit
    3.1.
ITEM 9.01
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(c) EXHIBITS.
Exhibit 3.1 Bylaws of Lowe's Companies, Inc., as amended and
    restated
Exhibit 99.1 Press release issued by the Company on
    January 28, 2005
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange
    Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
    behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
LOWE'S
            COMPANIES, INC.
February 2, 2005
Date
/s/Kenneth
                          W. Black, Jr.
Kenneth
                          W. Black, Jr.
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
Bylaws of Lowe's Companies, Inc., as amended and restated
99.1
Press release issued by the Company on January 28, 2005