Lowe’s, headquartered in Mooresville, also announced it has scaled back its number of planned new store openings from an annual rate of about 30 stores each year to somewhere between 10 and 15 new stores annually beginning in 2012. Company officials say they are on track to open about 25 stores this year, as planned.

“Closing stores is never easy, given the impact on hard-working employees and local communities,” says Robert Niblock, chairman, president and CEO. “However, we have an obligation to make tough decisions when necessary to improve profitability and strengthen our financial position.”

No stores in the Carolinas were targeted in the announcement, but the closings will hit nearly every corner of the country, from California to Louisiana to Maine. The nearly 2,000 employees affected will receive pay and benefits for 60-90 days. In addition, company officials say Lowe’s will work with local government agencies to help employees with outplacement assistance.

With fiscal year 2010 sales of $48.8 billion, the 65 year-old, Mooresville-based company is the second largest home improvement retailer in the world.