As global retail giants race to digitize operations and optimize cost structures, Lowe’s India journey stands out as a textbook example of how a well-executed Global Capability Center (GCC) can drive transformation at scale. From a handful of engineers to a tech workforce exceeding 4,000, Lowe’s India GCC today supports more than 2,000 stores and 17 million weekly customers.
This case is especially relevant for companies looking to establish a GCC in India—particularly in the post-pandemic era when talent, technology, and time-to-market have become non-negotiable growth levers.
The Urgency: Talent and Tech to Fuel a Digital-First Retail Strategy
During the pandemic, Lowe’s saw a surge in online sales as consumers invested more in home improvements. However, keeping up with this demand required access to high-quality technical and operational talent—something difficult to scale quickly in the U.S. market alone.
They needed a model that could:
- Recruit top tech talent at speed,
- Deliver global solutions with local expertise,
- Ensure cost optimization without sacrificing quality.
The Approach: Building a GCC from Scratch
To solve this, Lowe’s partnered with ANSR to set up a Global Capability Center (GCC) in India, designed to function as a strategic extension of its U.S. operations. Instead of outsourcing, this approach gave them full control over talent, process, and culture.
Here’s how they pulled it off:
Talent Acquisition at Speed
- Used real-time talent intelligence to identify and hire the right skill sets faster than traditional sourcing methods.
- Tapped into India’s massive tech talent pool to build dedicated teams across engineering, data science, cybersecurity, and more.
- Leveraged tools like AI-powered fitment engines to match candidates not just by skill, but also by culture and vision alignment.
Full-Service Setup
- End-to-end infrastructure was established, including workspace leasing, IT provisioning, and regulatory compliance.
- Governance models were created to ensure productivity, IP protection, and seamless collaboration with U.S. teams.
While this was executed in collaboration with a solution provider (in this case, ANSR, a leading player in the GCC space), the approach and execution offer a replicable model for other global brands.
Key Aspects of Lowe’s GCC
The success of Lowe’s Global Capability Center in India can be attributed to a thoughtfully designed and precisely executed framework. The following pillars played a crucial role in building a high-impact GCC capable of supporting global operations at scale:
Optimized Sourcing
Lowe’s leveraged real-time market intelligence to identify and attract the right talent for both technical and non-technical roles. This data-driven approach enabled the team to reduce sourcing time by over 50%, accelerating hiring without compromising on quality or fit.
Global Talent Network
Access to a vast, curated network of over 1.5 million technology professionals gave Lowe’s the ability to build specialized teams tailored to their evolving business needs. This strategic advantage allowed them to respond swiftly to new challenges and opportunities across business functions.
AI Fitment Engine
Using TalentInsights, Lowe’s deployed an AI-powered fitment engine that achieved up to 80% accuracy in evaluating candidates. The system assessed hundreds of data points, including skill sets, relevant experience, and cultural alignment—ensuring each hire was well-matched and future-ready.
Diverse Expertise
The India GCC evolved into a multidimensional center of excellence, attracting talent across a broad spectrum of domains such as:
- Enterprise Architecture
- Data Science & Analytics
- Omnichannel Platform Development
- Financial Planning & Analytics
- Supply Chain Management
- Merchandising and Marketing
This cross-functional expertise positioned the center as a critical driver of innovation and global delivery.
Integrated Solutions
Rather than relying on fragmented services, Lowe’s adopted a fully integrated approach to GCC setup. This encompassed end-to-end talent acquisition, workspace leasing and setup, as well as IT infrastructure provisioning—streamlining execution and ensuring faster go-to-market readiness.
Compliance Assurance
Ensuring 100% compliance with all legal and regulatory standards was a top priority. From contract management and salary disbursement to employee benefits and statutory obligations, the GCC operated under a fully compliant and professionally managed framework.
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The Outcome: Operational Scale and Innovation at Lower Costs
The results of Lowe’s India GCC have been remarkable:
- $47 Billion Revenue in 2023: The GCC played a key role in powering digital infrastructure for this growth.
- 4,300+ Team Members: Scaling from just 50 in 2014 to thousands by 2023.
- Innovation Highlights: Teams contributed to high-tech initiatives like a 3D printer for the International Space Station.
- 20% Lower Operational Costs: Compared to traditional models, the India GCC delivered significant cost efficiencies.
- Tech-First Strategy: Supported a $1B annual enterprise spend on technology across functions.
Lowe wasn’t just looking for cheaper talent—they wanted to build a capability center that could ideate, execute, and innovate at a global scale.
Final Thoughts
Lowe’s GCC model shows that India isn’t just a destination for backend ops—it’s a hub for digital excellence. For companies evaluating expansion or seeking more value from their global teams, a purpose-built GCC in India offers:
- Control over quality and IP,
- Faster time to market with dedicated teams,
- Access to a world-class talent ecosystem, and
- Significant cost savings with long-term strategic gains.
While firms like ANSR have helped shape the GCC narrative, emerging GCC partners are now offering more agile, transparent, and tailored solutions—especially for brands looking to scale without the rigidity of legacy models.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a Global Capability Center (GCC)?
A Global Capability Center (GCC) is an offshore unit set up by a company to perform critical business functions, such as engineering, IT, operations, finance, or analytics. GCCs enable businesses to access specialized talent, reduce costs, and maintain full control over their processes—unlike traditional outsourcing models.
Why did Lowe’s choose India for its GCC?
India offers a deep talent pool, competitive operating costs, and a mature ecosystem for technology and innovation. For Lowe’s, setting up a GCC in India provided access to top-tier professionals across domains like data science, enterprise architecture, supply chain, and omnichannel platforms—helping the company scale both quickly and efficiently.
How did AI and data help Lowe’s optimize talent acquisition?
Lowe’s used AI-powered tools and real-time talent market intelligence to identify ideal candidates and reduce sourcing time by more than 50%. Their TalentInsights engine ensured an 80% accuracy rate in hiring by evaluating hundreds of parameters including skills, experience, and cultural fit.
What makes Lowe’s GCC model successful compared to traditional outsourcing?
Unlike traditional outsourcing, Lowe’s GCC gives the company direct control over operations, fosters long-term team loyalty, and aligns closely with its strategic goals. The integrated setup—including talent, infrastructure, and compliance—ensures consistent quality and innovation across the board.
Can Supersourcing help other brands build similar high-impact GCCs?
Absolutely. Supersourcing specializes in helping global companies set up end-to-end GCCs tailored to their business needs. From sourcing top talent to managing infrastructure and compliance, we offer flexible, transparent solutions that help brands scale with confidence—especially in emerging tech hubs across India.