R3: REQUIRED RETAIL READING
May 24, 2011
RESEARCH ANECDOTES
- In one of the more successful examples of utilizing one’s own customer loyalty program, DSW highlighted that not only does the program consist of nearly 17 million members, but they also accounted for 88% of sales in Q1! Based on these metrics, it would appear that the company’s precision approach to marketing to its loyal customer base has been a major success – perhaps one that other retailers should take note of.
- Following Macy’s latest strategy of testing new concepts highlighted in yesterday’s R3 news, it appears the retailers’ latest test will be anchoring an outlet shopping center. The new hybrid shopping destination is being spearheaded by The Mills, a division of Simon Property Group in Illinois. We’ve heard many retail CEOs speak of offering compelling ‘value’ to drive traffic in recent months, what better proof of concept is there than being able to sell full-price merchandise alongside outlet product.
OUR TAKE ON OVERNIGHT NEWS
Nook Color Apps Hit One Million Downloads in One Week - Barnes & Noble Inc. has achieved a major milestone, and in very short order. Consumers have downloaded applications in its week-old Nook Apps mobile app store one million times. The top five paid apps are Angry Birds, Drawing Pad, Solitaire, Aces Jewel Hunt and Astraware Mahjong. The top five free apps are Fliq Calendar, Fliq Notes, Pulse, Nook Word of the Day and Fliq Tasks. “Our recent software update to Nook Color delivered the most-requested tablet features by our customers, including the ability to shop for and download high-quality apps. Reaching over a million app downloads in just a week since the launch of app shopping for all Nook Color customers exceeded expectations, and is an exciting milestone for our developers, publishing partners, and most importantly for our rapidly growing Nook Color user base,” says William Lynch, CEO. The bookseller did not respond to questions about the number of Nook Color devices and paid apps sold. <InternetRetailer>
Hedgeye Retail’s Take: Just in time. With a fresh offer on the table and Burkle’s Yucaipa circling, we expect to see additional offers forthcoming. The success of the Nook as the #2 player in the tablet space helps transform BKS from a shrinking legacy industry leader to a top player in one of the most coveted tech categories. Let the bidding begin!
Madden Acquires Topline - Steven Madden Ltd. has a new business in its stable. The Long Island City, N.Y.-based firm has acquired The Topline Corporation for $55 million in cash, it said today. Topline, a privately held producer and marketer of private-label and branded footwear founded in 1980, had net sales of about $189 million in 2010 and is expected to be add between 5 and 7 cents to Madden’s earnings for the full fiscal year. Topline runs a large private label business, and the firm’s owned brands, which include Report, Report Signature and R2 by Report, are distributed to specialty retailers and department stores. “Topline's private-label business is one of the best in our industry and is highly complementary to our existing private-label footwear business,” said Edward Rosenfeld, chairman and CEO of Steve Madden, in a statement. “Its brands are currently exhibiting outstanding growth and represent great additions to our brand portfolio.” Speaking to FN on the phone, Madden’s founder, Steve Madden, said Topline “has the best sourcing base in Northern China, and we’re excited about leveraging that. It will help value go up.” <WWD>
Hedgeye Retail’s Take: Consistent with the company’s strategy of adding new brands to the portfolio, this deal is on the larger side for Madden. On the heels of 26% growth in 2010, this deal alone will add nearly 30% growth to the top-line in 2011 in addition to the seven new brands added over the last two years that the company expects to contribute an incremental $100mm over the next 3-years. With the deal expected to be accretive we have to assume operating margins of at least 10% in which case, it appears the company picked up the brand at roughly 3x EBITDA. If its growth profile is as attractive as the release suggests and it improves sourcing prowess to boot – this was a good deal.
Charming Shoppes Exploring Sale of Fashion Bug - Charming Shoppes Inc. (CHRS), the operator of the plus-size Lane Bryant chain, is exploring a sale of its Fashion Bug stores, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Moelis & Co. is advising the retailer on a possible deal, said the person, who declined to be named because the process isn’t public. A sale of the unit may be a few weeks away, the person said. Fashion Bug, aimed at women aged 30 to 50, makes up about a third of the chain’s more than $2 billion in sales. Chief Executive Officer Tony Romano is devoting resources to the more profitable Lane Bryant label to revive earnings after almost $500 million in losses since 2007. While demand for plus-size apparel is growing, Fashion Bug’s challenge as a lower-priced retailer is to deliver stylish clothing without sacrificing margins, said McMillan Doolittle LLP’s Neil Stern. <Bloomberg>
Hedgeye Retail’s Take: Two years after completely overhauling its strategy, the company is still operating at a loss so something’s gotta give. Divesting the Bug would not only remove the most value oriented concept in the portfolio, but also the only one not to see a rebound in sales in 2010 following losses at all three in 2009. Underperformance during a turnaround is typically short-lived as appears to be the case here.
Bharti Wal-Mart to Expand - Bharti Wal-Mart Pvt. Ltd. Tuesday said it aims to open up to 20 more cash-and-carry stores in India by the end of 2012, as the company continues to expand its business in the country. "We plan to open eight to 10 stores this year [in 2011] and a similar number next year," Raj Jain, chief executive and managing director, told reporters on the sidelines of a company event. "We have done much more than what we had announced in 2007," he added. The joint venture between U.S. retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and India's Bharti Enterprises Ltd. currently has four stores in Punjab state and one each in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Earlier this month the company said it aimed to open 10-12 more cash-and-carry stores in India by the end of 2011. <WallstreetJournal>
Hedgeye Retail’s Take: Wal-Mart continues to chip away at penetrating one of the most attractive international markets, but process is more drip-like than opening up the floodgates given the country’s stance on foreign direct investment. Continued progress, but not even close to moving the needle.
Amazon is the Most-Trafficked Site in the U.K - Amazon Europe and housewares retailer Argos held onto their spots as the first and second highest trafficked sites in the United Kingdom, but online grocer and discount mass merchant Tesco Stores jumped two places this year to No. 3, according to a new report from e-retail trade organization Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) and web site traffic measurement firm Experian Hitwise. Tesco overtook electronics and books retailer Play.com for the third spot in the IMRG and Experian Hot 100 list, which ranks e-retailers based on traffic. Experian Hitwise and IMRG say the department store, apparel and accessories, and grocery and alcohol categories grew the most this year, with department stores now accounting for 18% of all U.K. visits to online retailers. <InternetRetailer>
Hedgeye Retail’s Take: Can’t imagine the company’s offer for free shipping to the UK from February until mid-May hurt its standing. The dilemma now may be reset in customer expectations.
April Outdoor Product Sales up 10.4 Percent - Sales of outdoor products grew a robust 10.4 percent to $710.8 million in the four week fiscal April period that ended April 30. According to retail point-of-sale data from the April 2011 OIA VantagePoint™ Trend Report, Outdoor Footwear led the pack, up 18.1 percent on broader distribution of — and new entrants to — the natural/minimalist categories. Outdoor Hardgoods increased 8.6 percent thanks to impressive sales in specialty channels, where technical backpacks, camping and paddlesports grew strongly. Despite unseasonably wet and cold weather across many parts of the United States, Outdoor Apparel sales, much of which is spring-related wear at this time of year, rose 6.5 percent. <SportsOneSource>
Hedgeye Retail’s Take: Positive in aggregate, but one can’t ignore the regional performance embedded in these results as we heard from DKS last week. Following February and March sales that were on track with plan, the company took a big hit in April suggesting other regions outside of New England and the Northern Midwest outperformed. Following record precipitation in April, May has yet to provide much of a break suggesting the pent up demand retailers expect may be muted.
