Did we change our view on JCP in the wake of the meeting? No. We wouldn't buy the stock today. But our thoughts definitely evolved.
The three biggest items are what we'll call 'Competitive' -- Bid, Landscape, and Pressure. The first one is good, the second...not so much, the third is a big tail risk.
Bid: one of the things we like best about where JCP is headed is that it is cutting its floor from 400+ brands down to 100 shop in shops. That number is fixed, and the number allocated to each consumer type men, women, kids, home, etc...) is even more limited. In effect, this will definitely get a better portfolio of product as brands compete for that space, not unlike how they do at Wal-Mart. This is the best equivalent of 'pricing power' that a retailer could have, and is the smartest thing that Johnson is bringing to the table. Keep in mind, however, that JCP will have construction crews in it's stores for the better part of five years (they say 3, I say 5 -- either way it's a long time).
Landscape: let's do some simple math here. JCP accounts for about 7% of the industry. Add on...
A. Tar-gey, who just sent a letter to vendors requiring exclusive product so they're not a showroom for AMZN.
B. SHLD who was temporarily shut off from vendor financing by CIT last week.
C. GPS who lost its head of Old Navy last week.
D. KSS, which is another 8%, certainly won't take any of this lying down.
Add 'em all up and we're looking at over half of the US apparel industry that is putting on their battle gear. Mark my words, my friends, this will not be fun for anyone.
BY FAR THE BIGGEST NEGATIVE is something that no one is focused on, and that is whether Johnson succeeds or fails, he's going to have a lot of something he's never had before...competition.
A final point on guidance...hats off to them for abandoning monthly comps and quarterly EPS guidance. But to then turn around and say [we will never miss our targets -- even if different that yours] is perhaps not the best way to kick things off. Also, they did not announce any special charge, which I very much thought they'd do. That would give them a cookie jar to get the job done that the Street would 'look through.'
Instead JCP took the high road and plans to transform the company via internally generated cash flow. Impressive move. But one of the risks to a short position from our perspective was having a pot of gold that they can dip into each quarter to pay for change. That's no longer, and it's not bullish.
Here are some of our stream of consciousness comments (@HedgeyeRetail) over the course of the 2-day event.
@HedgeyeRetail
The $JCP meeting is the biggest thing since that cold Nov day in 2004 when Lampert merged #SHLD and #KMart. See how that turned out?
If $FINL wins $PSS, it would be transformational. But would shock us based on what we know about FINL mgmt.
Am I imagining things, or did #Ackman just grunt at me? $JCP
The announcer just said "our show will begin in 5 min". This is the first analyst 'show' I've been to... $JCP
$JCP Johnson looks comfortable.
$JCP he's talking about how JCP today felt like $AAPL 10-yrs ago. That's what he told Steve in Jobs' living room.
He comparing Apple's growth to the opportunity at $JCP. WON'T WORK...
Thinks that the department store is the #1 oppty in retail. $JCP
Knows his numbers. An $AAPL store does $50mm. Thats in line w a $M Macy's. $JCP
Item that cost $10 in 2002 and $2011, was marked from $28 up to $48. But realized price is flattish. $JCP
72% of rev at 50% off at more. $JCP 75% of time within a 25% price band.
Discounts used to be 38%, now it's 60%. $JCP #price integrity
590 unique visits. And customer ignored them 99% of the time. $JCP
Next week we change our price, promotion, and personality. $JCP
Price: only 3 prices. 1 price change per month. Eliminating clearance from JCP. DISCOUNTS ON 1st and 3rd Friday of every month. $JCP
Avg price to a consumer is $10. But by the time it. Sells it is $2 out the door. $JCP
Ly shoe was 40 this year 32. Ultimately out the door at 15. $JCP
Only 12 promotions per year. 12. 1 per month. $JCP
Johnson's Word score. #Apple = 15. #Steve = 4. JC Penney = 5. $JCP
$JCP smart move w Ellen partnership. She has great mass appeal -- especial w Oprah out of daytime limelight.
But remember $GPS deal w Madonna, etc... These don't come cheap.
These $JCP adds are vy cool. But keep in mind that JCP has ALWAYS had great advertising.
Great product sells itself (RL, LULU, NKE). Same for great distribution ($AMZN $JWN). But sub average product ($JCP) needs great mktg.$$$
There's no way in my right mind that I can argue that $JCP is not exciting. BUT I want to know how much all these initiatives cost!
I can double the size and value of my house, but I have to spend the capital to make it happen. Capital comes first, which hits the P&L.
Revenue comes later -- if capital deployment is successful. That's awesome, and will turn $JCP into a big big idea. But not for 2-3 yrs out.
Remember, Ron gets paid POST 2016. He purposely missed targets in early days of Apple for the benefit of LT profitability. $JCP.
He'll do the same thing at $JCP. But there will be a lot of reinvestment along the way -- and all of it front-loaded. It's not in numbers.
Last yr 590 promos Spent 2mm /promo = $1.18Bn/yr Will spend $80mm/mo in 2012 = $960mm =$220mm in savings
Will transfer 2/3 shops by month over 2-3 years. Done in 2015. These will be smaller shops within shops. $JCP.
In Feb, eliminating non-performing brands. Boosting private brands. And reinvesting heavily in content. WORTHINGTON, ST JOHN'S BAY. $JCP
$JCP Stafford will be a focus. JFK Collection. Will be repositioned.
Sounds like $JCP is definitely making a focus on upper end.
$Very positive on $LIZ. 600 stores in Aug 2012.
#L'amour Nanette lepore will be new to $JCP.
#Arizona Jeans also will be repositioned.
#Izod big focus. Admits it is broadly distributed, but should be a focus. Likes working w $PVH.
Hyping up $MSO Martha Stewart living.
$JCP Martha just took the stage in her black leather pants and white cashmere sweater. Presents well tho better if she ditched index cards.
With the #Martha and #Ellen they're clearly targeting the female consumer -- and the two audiences are not identical.
Everyone can be all hyped up on this story for 22 hrs. There will be a press release tomorrow am outlining the cost. $JCP
Bumped into #Cindy Crawford at $JCP. She's so marketable. Olsen twins too. But not quite in the same ballpark.
$JCP #EDLP I guess that Every Day Low Price now means Every Day Low Pay
Day 2 of $JCP starting. Yesterday -- the dream. Today -- financial reality. No Martha, Cindy Crawford and Olsens today. Just accountants.
$JCP I know they said this yesterday, but the impact of going from 400 brands to 100 shops in a HUGE impact to the competitive landscape.
$JCP wants the simplification to lead to lower costs and no more 'false precision'
$CFO SG&A spread w $KSS is $1.5bn on an apples to apples basis.
By 2013, SGA down to 30% by 2013, and 27% by 2015. $JCP
$JCP 900mm in cost cuts at stores and corporate.
Going from 2 promo packets per week to 1 per month. That means fewer people to re-sticker product. Saves $50mm. $JCP.
$JCP has 9 cash registers that are in stores, but not used. They're out...more selling space is in. This labor saves $100mm.
Is it me, or are $JCP employees scared out of their wits watching this?
$JCP flat org...not fat. Other retailers have avg span of control is 8 direct reports. $JCP has 4.
If $JCP succeeds, it will be scary for the industry.
How does $JCP account for the fact there will be construction crews in its stores pretty much forever.
Costs are $800mm in 2012. $JCP
I like the fact that they're actually acknowledging that bringing in revs are part of the SGA ratio. $JCP
I'm tired of hearing about Sephora. I love the place, but sephora.com, $M, the new specialty shop in local outlet mall. Real estate matters.
$KSS is watching this now. And I'm SURE they're thinking 'Cool, let's roll over and let a company with bad real estate get more competitive'
No more quarterly guidance. $JCP
No more monthly sales on NRF day. $JCP
"In 2012 will have EPS of better than 2010." Go get 'em! $JCP
Ron just tripped up the stairs. $JCP
Bill Perez fell into the fountain on his first day as $NKE Nike's CEO. He was gone a year later. $JCP
No that's no cheap shot. It's simply stating a fact. I think RJ is in this for the long haul. At $JCP he's not afraid to trip. That's good.
Most of merchandise has been at new pricing strategy for 4 weeks. They'll know initial results on Feb 1.
@herbgreenberg plus a -15pt spread between sales/inv gr. That's about in line w 2q. But margins turned positive. +mgns and -inv is bearish
"Capital support from vendors to help with transformation. The vendors are excited to be a part of this." $JCP
That's because they vendors better be excited, or they get booted. $JCP
Only 100 shops, so will have each of them be on a competitive bid trading quality vs price -- both in favor of $JCP. Makes sense to me.
As you hear this management team, recall they they account for about 7-8% of industry. $KSS is another 8%. Competition heating up boys!
"Absolutely no way we will ever give guidance and miss it." RJ
[If ratings agencies want better balance sheet, then will need to consider that as it relates to self-funding plan.]
Q: who is current customer. A: {circular dance around not answering the question} $JCP
RJ gives sensible answer... The customer matches up the merchandise. But then adds a confusing one 'we can be a store for everybody'
It's impossible to be a store for 'everybody' unless you sell non-discretionary items.
Does not want to have to ask vendor for markdowns. RJ thinks current relationship w vendors/dept stores is dysfunctional. $JCP
$JCP analyst just tried to trip up RJ on questions about markdowns. He handled it like a pro -- unlike a typical retail CEO.
Hired Kristin Bloom, who they they honk is smartest in the world at retail technology. $JCP
Eliminating 'task work' employees. Hiring 'service work' employees. Smart, but expensive. $JCP
New categories are possible if not probable. Electronics, appliances, whatever. Not sure how I feel about that. $JCP
Q: Would consider allowing brands to rent space, own inventory, and own service EEs? A: [Prob not] $JCP
@herbgreenberg agreed that guidance is downright unhealthy. saying 'we'll never miss OUR targets even if different from yours' is dangerous!
$JCP Great job Ron. But prob should not have ended with 'cross your fingers, we'll see you in 3 months.' Crossing fingers is not a process.
