With the home improvement sector continuing in the doldrums as the housing market remains dismal, give Lowe’s a big Hit for coming up with a new way to drive business. It’s introduced a flat rate annual subscription service called HomeCare + that allows homeowners a prescribed number of basic home repairs that its workforce will come out to your home and perform. These are pretty rudimentary services; filters, light bulbs, et al., and clearly Lowe’s is thinking once their guys get inside, they may be able to do a little upselling. Whatever the math, it’s a clever way to keep consumers engaged and thinking mor actively about improving their homes, all the while giving Lowe’s employees some additional work. It’s a Plus all around.