Lowe’s targets DIYers with livestream shopping and workshops

Home improvement giant Lowe’s is launching its first shoppable livestreams today as interest in home projects continues to grow.

Why it matters: The renewed QVC format has risen in popularity with retailers partly because it captures two big trends that exploded during the pandemic — younger generations’ love of social video and consumers shopping more online.

• For Lowe’s specifically, the shoppable livestreams are also tied to its in-store workshops to connect the store's online and offline experiences. 

Details: As part of its new "DIY-U by Lowe’s" brand of virtual and in-person workshops, the chain says it will broadcast two livestreams a month from one of its stores, as well as host three monthly in-person workshops (one for kids and two for adults) in all of its stores.

• The adult workshop projects (ranging from lawn care and painting, to flooring and holiday lighting) are the same as the projects in the livestreams.
• As an online workshop airs, viewers can shop what they see in real-time and ask questions of hosts, who are "Lowe’s Red Vest experts." 

What they’re saying: “We really want people to be participatory,” Marisa Thalberg, chief brand and marketing officer, tells Axios exclusively.

The big picture: DIY projects took off as lockdowns began and competitor Home Depot launched livestream workshops quickly in response.

• Lowe’s also projects people will continue to upgrade their homes as housing inventory remains constrained. 
• “Millennials are now driving homeownership rates [so] there's just a new generation of DIY-ers,” says Thalberg.

What to watch: Lowe's wants to become "the social community for DIYers" and plans to introduce more gaming-like features in the future, including badges for completion and virtual high fives.