Takeaway: Nike using SNKRS app for exclusive shoe offerings. Holiday comps slow 250bps from 2014.

NKE - Nike's newest release, the Nike Air Pressure 'OG', will be available exclusively via the Nike SNKRS app at $300

Between Brand Jordan and Nike, NKE Inc. has 10 releases on the radar for this weekend. But, the most exclusive and highest priced item can only be found on the Nike SNKR app. This is relatively new for Nike, which sold its first shoe exclusively on the Nike SNKR app on 10/31/15. This marks number 2. It makes sense that Nike would slowly test and build the exclusive sneaker release on its own platform. Which is why we see the majority of releases in conjunction with partners. But over time, as Nike builds its ecomm business from $1.2bn to $10bn by 2020, expect to see more exclusive Nike only releases. We have already seen this in the running category where Nike holds its best merch/colorways for its own stores and website. The kicker here over the near term is that everything a consumer could buy at FL, FINL, DKS, HIBB etc. is also featured prominently on nike.com.

HedgeyeRetail (1/14)  |  NKE App Exclusives, Holiday Comps - 1 14 2016 chart1

(http://solecollector.com/news/release-roundup-the-sneakers-you-need-to-check-out-this-weekend-1-14-2016/)

Holiday Sales Comps Down 250bps From 2014

Of the 27 retailers/concepts that have reported Holiday sales comps to date 15 have reported a sequential deceleration in the 1yr trend at an average of 7.3%, with 11 posting accelerations at an average rate of 3.3%. On a 2yr basis its more mixed with 1 being flat, 12 posting sequential improvement, and 13 posting a sequential deceleration. In total the average comp for the group is 0.3% down from 2.8% in 2014.

As we look forward to 2016, the Street’s numbers are banking on a recovery in growth and margin starting in 1Q. In other words, it’s chalking up this ‘thing’ retailers are feeling now as exactly what management teams want us all to believe – while they cross their fingers, hope and pray that the economy is not really slowing.  YTD, the XRT has marginally underperformed the broader market by 100bps. But, it’s trading at 16x earnings, and has short interest that is disproportionately low for an economy that is #LateCycle. We’re net sellers of Retail.

HedgeyeRetail (1/14)  |  NKE App Exclusives, Holiday Comps - 1 14 2016 chart2E

HedgeyeRetail (1/14)  |  NKE App Exclusives, Holiday Comps - 1 14 2016 chart3

ETSY, AMZN - Amazon and Etsy Gain in Search Exposure, eBay Tumbles

(http://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y16/m01/i14/s01)

HedgeyeRetail (1/14)  |  NKE App Exclusives, Holiday Comps - 1 14 2016 chart5

NKE - Kevin Hart Reveals His Nike Signature Shoe on the Tonight Show, to be released in April

Note: Kevin Hart has 24.7mm twitter followers, Kanye West has 17.1mm

(http://footwearnews.com/2016/focus/athletic-outdoor/kevin-hart-nike-sneakers-jimmy-fallon-183853/)

W - Wayfair.com Launches One-Stop Flooring Shop

(http://investor.wayfair.com/investor-relations/press-releases/press-releases-details/2016/Wayfaircom-Launches-One-Stop-Flooring-Shop/default.aspx)

NKE - Group of Nike Factory Workers Caught Stealing Thousand of Shoes  in Vietnam

(http://solecollector.com/news/nike-factory-workers-steal-sneakers/)

DKS - Dick’s is partnering with predictive analytics solutions provider First Insight to get insight into merchandise

(http://www.retailingtoday.com/article/dicks-obtains-early-insight-merchandise)

GPRO - After a disappointing holiday season, GoPro announces that it will cut 7% of its workforce

(http://www.wsj.com/articles/gopro-plans-jobs-cuts-provides-weak-sales-outlook-1452720993)

AMZN - Amazon is opening an AWS region in Montreal, Québec, Canada in the coming year

(https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/in-the-works-aws-region-in-canada/)

NKE, AdiBok - After turning down a pay increase and extension from Adidas, John Wall could be joining Nike and Team LeBron 

(http://solecollector.com/news/john-wall-wearing-nike-lebron-sneakers/)

Following Ed Crenshaw's retirement announcement on Wednesday, Publix announces that current company President will become president and CEO

(http://www.retailingtoday.com/article/publix-super-markets-ceo-stepping-down)

VSI - David Edwab, the Vitamin Shoppe's lead director since April 2011, has stepped down

(http://www.retailingtoday.com/article/vitamin-shoppe-overhauls-board-directors)

Sheetz investing more than $15mm to raise employee wages between 5-10% without cutting hours

(http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/chain-increase-employee-wages--without-cutting-hours)