Growth Comparable store sales fell 6.9% and 7.5% for Home Depot and Lowe's, respectively, in the third quarter, and both expect full year 2009 sales declines. Lowe's is expanding its store base at a faster rate than Home Depot, which shrank square footage by 1.3% from last year. With nearly 550 fewer stores than Home Depot, Lowe's has more room to expand, and both face competition from niche competitors such as Lumber Liquidators (NYSE:LL) and Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO).