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New Fashion? There's Not Much New To Buy
2007-08-30 15:06:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanI have seen the future in next seasons' fashion at America's biggest retailers and to put it bluntly, there is no fashion. This is the new worry to add into the equation of whether (and how much) the consumer will slow his/her spending: there is nothing new to buy. The fashion cycle is stuck. The "style" is a return to classics which means that people already have the items in their closet.     Read More Topics:Advertising | Marketing | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:Personal and Household Goods | RetailCompanies:Crocs Inc | Perry Ellis Intl Inc | Warnaco Group Inc | Phillips Van Heusen Corp | Charlotte Russe Holding Inc | True Religion Apparel IncMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Fashion , Fash

Fed Policy Notes: Is The Consumer Tapped Out?
2007-08-28 16:44:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanTune into "Power Lunch" today. I'm filling in for the lovely Sue Herera who is on assignment today. Right ahead of the release of the latest minutes from the Fed's policy meeting, Bill Griffeth and I will be talking about just what to expect from Bernanke and the consumer. I'll also be asking the question: Is the consumer tapped out?     Read More Topics:Federal Reserve | Ben Bernanke | Interest Rates | Cons umer s | Retail SalesSectors:RetailMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Notes , Policy , Poli

Vogue Proving That Print Is Alive (With The Internet)
2007-08-27 16:10:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanWho said print was dead? September's issue of Vogue (owned by Conde Nast) boasts a record breaking 727 advertising pages: the most ad pages EVER published in a monthly consumer magazine. Sienna Miller graces the cover of the door-stop sized mag which is on shelves now. The oversize layout is a sign that fashion magazines are alive and kicking in a publication industry otherwise suffering from ever declining ad revenues.    Read More Topics:Internet | Media | Print Media | Advertising | Marketing | Retail SalesSectors:Personal and Household Goods | Media | RetailCompanies:Aeropostale IncMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: The Internet , Alive

Gap Makeover: New CEO Murphy Faces "Vision" Test
2007-08-24 15:09:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanThe one and a half billion dollar stock buyback and earnings of nineteen cents per share were the headlines of Gap's second quarter financial results. The numbers seemed totally secondary on the company conference call though. Not surprisingly, the intrigue was surrounding just what the CEO Glenn Murphy would say about his vision for the company.     Read More Topics:Media | Advertising | Marketing | Stock Market | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:Personal and Household Goods | Media | RetailCompanies:Gap IncMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Faces , Test , Makeover , Vision

Saks: Listening To The Company Conference Call
2007-08-21 18:50:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanSaks ' CEO Steve Sadove says that he is optimistic about the luxury market and that they're seeing a strong purchase performance from new customers. For the second quarter the high-end department store posted a net loss of $24.6 million, or 17 cents a share, versus a prior-year net loss of $51.9 million, or 38 cents a share.     Read More Topics:CEOs and CFOs | Corporate Governance | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:RetailCompanies:Saks IncorporatedMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Company , Call , Conference Call , Listening

Staples: Listening To The Company Conference Call
2007-08-21 14:52:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanMoments ago on the Staples conference call...the CEO says he that he was cautious about the consumer last quarter and now that's progressed to "worried" about the consumer. The retail business is particularly weak in Florida (Tampa, Orlando) and California.     Read More Topics:Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:Personal and Household Goods | RetailCompa nies:Staples IncMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Company , Call , Conference Call , Listening

U.K. V. Bentonville, Europe tries to One-up Wal-Mart at Its Own Game
2007-08-13 17:48:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanTesco's Fresh + Direct will be opening in the U.S. in November. The company, which is the U.K.'s answer to Wal-Mart , will be launching first on the West Coast and is remaining mum regarding its expansion in the rest of the country. Company spokesperson Greg Sage wouldn't elaborate on when or if they plan to come to the East Coast. Right now, the company is focused on Phoenix, L.A., Las Vegas and a few other West Coast markets.     Read More Topics:Media | Print Media | Marketing | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:Personal and Household Goods | Media | Food and Beverage | RetailCompanies:Wal-Mart Stores IncMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Europe , Game , Wal Mart

Kohl's Vera Wang Line: Why Don't They Talk About It?
2007-08-10 14:38:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanIt is the biggest launch in Kohl's history but the company does not want to discuss it. That was what Kohl's press person told me when I phoned to ask if there were any events planned around the September 9th launch of their first major guest designer clothing line. With the massive launch of the Vera Wang designed "Simply Vera" collection, you would expect that Kohl's would be backing up their bet on Vera with a media onslaught. But that's not the case.     Read More Topics:Media | Print Media | Advertising | Marketing | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:Personal and Household Goods | Media | RetailCompanies:Kohls Corp | House of Taylor Jewelry, Inc. | Wal-Mart Stores Inc | Jamba, Inc. | Target CorporationMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Talk , Line

Perry Ellis' Feldenkreis: Succession and Low Income Buyers
2007-08-09 20:05:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanTalk about the American dream. I went to the Perry Ellis showroom yesterday in midtown Manhattan for an exclusive conversation with company CEO George Feldenkreis. Normally, George and his son Oscar Feldenkreis (President & COO) work out of the Miami, FL corporate headquarters, but the two were in town to celebrate the company's 40th anniversary and to ring the closing bell at the Nasdaq.     Read More Topics:Advertising | Marketing | Stock Picks | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:Personal and Household Goods | Food and Beverage | RetailCompanies:Perry Ellis Intl Inc | Wal-Mart Stores IncMEDIA:PHOTO |   VIDEOPermalink
More About: Income , Buyers , Succession

Retail Sector: Will "Short" Players Get Squeezed On Thursday?
2007-08-06 18:41:00
Posted By:Margaret Brennan"Massive short squeeze run?" JP Morgan's Charles Grom raises the question of whether we'll see a short squeeze run of retail shares when same store sales are released this Thursday much like we saw last month. If you remember, June's same store sales were not strong by any means rather they were more or less on plan for what is traditionally a weak summer sales season (buyers are on the beach not the in the malls.)     Read More Topics:Mergers & Acquisitions | Stock Picks | Stock Market | Stocks on Sale | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:Personal and Household Goods | Media | RetailCompanies:Lowe's Companies Inc | JC Penney Company Inc | Kohls Corp | Best Buy Co Inc | Saks Incorporated | Dillards Inc | Circuit City Stores Inc | Jones Apparel Group Inc | Home Depot Inc | Wal-Mart Stores Inc | Target CorporationPermalink
More About: Players , Short , Tail

Marketing Charity: What Really Makes A Sale
2007-08-03 15:36:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanWith the market as up and down as it is these days, my schedule has been just as much of a rollercoaster ride! I'm behind on responding to some of the interesting notes that have made their way into my retail detail inbox. So this Friday I decided to catch up! Retail detail reader Mark Coleman raised a good question about cause-related marketing and the type of Super Saturday fundraiser events that I wrote about a few days ago.    Read More Topics:Taxes | Advertising | Marketing | Consumers | Retail Sale sSectors:RetailCompanies:Safeway IncPermalink
More About: Charity , Really , Ally

Retail: Investors "Betting" Things Will Get Worse? (update)
2007-08-02 15:13:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanI think that things are going to get worse before they get better in the retail. I took a look at short interest in a few big retail names today and was surprised to see just how many investors were betting AGAINST the stores that cater to the mass market consumer right now.     Read More Topics:Advertising | Marketing | Stock Picks | Stock Market | Stocks on Sale | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:Personal and Household Goods | RetailCompanies:Saks Incorporated | Lowe's Companies Inc | Kohls Corp | JC Penney Company Inc | Circuit City Stores Inc | Home Depot Inc | Wal-Mart Stores Inc | Target CorporationMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Update , Things , Investors , Tail

SuperSaturday: Cause Related Marketing The Design of Future?
2007-07-30 19:45:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanThis past weekend, I attended the annual SuperSaturday event in Water Mill, New York. Well-known in the fashion world and to vacationers in the Hamptons, this is essentially a high-end tag sale/sample sale of designer goods to raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.     Read More Topics:Media | Print Media | Advertising | Marketing | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:Personal and Household Goods | Media | RetailCompanies:Liberty Media Corporation | Bluefly, Inc. | Ann TaylorPermalink
More About: Design , Future , Related , The D

Polo A Mass Market Sport? An Avid Reader Responds
2007-07-24 20:22:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanAvid Retail Detail reader Davis Skinner weighed in on the viability of polo as a mass market sport and the appeal of Nacho Figueras as a model (a title that the athletically accomplished Figueras doesn't like.)     Read More Topics:Advertising | Market ing | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:RetailCompanies:Polo Ralph Lauren CorporationMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Sport , Reader , Mass , Spor

Polo A Mass Market Sport? An Avid Reader Responds
2007-07-24 20:22:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanAvid Retail Detail reader Davis Skinner weighed in on the viability of polo as a mass market sport and the appeal of Nacho Figueras as a model (a title that the athletically accomplished Figueras doesn't like.)    Read MoreTopics:Advertising | Market ing | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:RetailCompanies:Polo Ralph Lauren CorporationMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Sport , Reader , Mass , Spor

Ralph Lauren Rides Logo Onto Real Polo Team
2007-07-24 18:36:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanAfter years of using the polo player as its signature branding logo, Ralph Lauren (RL) is taking on a sponsorship role of an actual polo team. Ralph Lauren is now the official sponsor of the Black Watch polo team and its star player (and longtime Ralph Lauren model) Nacho Figueras. Taking the sponsorship a step further, the company is now selling match shirts for Black Watch fans that are embroidered with Nacho Figueras' number 2 on the shoulder.    Read MoreTopics:Advertising | Marketing | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:Personal and Household Goods | RetailCompanies:Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation | Tween Brands Inc | Children's Place Retail Stores IncPermalink
More About: Team , Real , Logo

Ralph Lauren Rides Logo Onto Real Polo Team
2007-07-24 18:36:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanAfter years of using the polo player as its signature branding logo, Ralph Lauren (RL) is taking on a sponsorship role of an actual polo team. Ralph Lauren is now the official sponsor of the Black Watch polo team and its star player (and longtime Ralph Lauren model) Nacho Figueras. Taking the sponsorship a step further, the company is now selling match shirts for Black Watch fans that are embroidered with Nacho Figueras' number 2 on the shoulder.     Read More Topics:Advertising | Marketing | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:Personal and Household Goods | RetailCompanies:Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation | Tween Brands Inc | Children's Place Retail Stores IncMEDIA:VIDEOPermalink
More About: Team , Real , Logo

Private Equity and Retail: Are Takeover Deals Done?
2007-07-20 22:20:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanIn my earlier post, I told you about the debate taking place on today's "Street Signs" about whether private equity deals in the retail industry are over. Here's the video of the discussion I had with retail analyst Lizz Dunn from Thomas Weisel Partners and Manny Weintraub, Integre Advisors president.     Read More Topics:Mergers & Acquisitions | Private Equity | Advertising | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:RetailCompanies:Abercrombie & Fitch Company | AnnTaylor Stores Corporation | Children's Place Retail Stores IncMEDIA:PHOTO |   VIDEOPermalink
More About: Takeover , Tail

Private Equity and Retail: Are Takeover Deals Done?
2007-07-20 22:20:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanIn my earlier post, I told you about the debate taking place on today's "Street Signs" about whether private equity deals in the retail industry are over. Here's the video of the discussion I had with retail analyst Lizz Dunn from Thomas Weisel Partners and Manny Weintraub, Integre Advisors president.    Read MoreTopics:Mergers & Acquisitions | Private Equity | Advertising | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:RetailCompanies:Abercrombie & Fitch Company | AnnTaylor Stores Corporation | Children's Place Retail Stores IncMEDIA:PHOTO |   VIDEOPermalink
More About: Takeover , Tail

Retail: Watch Today's "Street Signs" Debate on Buying Spree
2007-07-20 18:06:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanTune into "Street Signs " today at 2pm ET. I'll be filling in for the highly-talented Erin Burnett and bringing a bit of my retail world into the show. We'll be debating just whether private equity's buying spree in the retail sector has peaked--or whether it should be peaking.     Read More Topics:Mergers & Acquisitions | Private Equity | Stock Picks | Stock Market | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:RetailMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Watch , Buying , Debate

Retail: Watch Today's "Street Signs" Debate on Buying Spree
2007-07-20 18:06:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanTune into "Street Signs " today at 2pm ET. I'll be filling in for the highly-talented Erin Burnett and bringing a bit of my retail world into the show. We'll be debating just whether private equity's buying spree in the retail sector has peaked--or whether it should be peaking.    Read MoreTopics:Mergers & Acquisitions | Private Equity | Stock Picks | Stock Market | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:RetailMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Watch , Buying , Debate

Lampert: Is Safeway In Buyout Sights Instead of Macy's?
2007-07-18 18:08:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanEddie Lamp ert's name is thrown around a lot these days whenever speculation of a buyout in the retail sector comes to the front of the rumor mill. Today, his name is once again surfacing but this time his Sears Holdings is being linked to rumors of a buyout of grocer Safeway , not a Macy's LBO.    Read More Topics:Private Equity | Hedge Funds | Retail Sales | Mergers & AcquisitionsSectors:RetailCompanies:Sears Holdings Corp | Safeway IncMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Sights , Sigh , Sight

Lampert: Is Safeway In Buyout Sights Instead of Macy's?
2007-07-18 18:08:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanEddie Lamp ert's name is thrown around a lot these days whenever speculation of a buyout in the retail sector comes to the front of the rumor mill. Today, his name is once again surfacing but this time his Sears Holdings is being linked to rumors of a buyout of grocer Safeway , not a Macy's LBO.   Read MoreTopics:Private Equity | Hedge Funds | Retail Sales | Mergers & AcquisitionsSectors:RetailCompanies:Sears Holdings Corp | Safeway IncMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Sights , Sigh , Sight

Target: What Will Ackman Do With Increased Shares?
2007-07-18 16:37:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanAs we told you here on this blog last week, Pershing Square Capital Management upped its stake in Target beyond +5%. Per the SEC regulatory filing made Monday, Bill Ackman increased his stake in TGT to 9.6% of shares outstanding. .   Read MoreTopics:SEC | Private Equity | Hedge Funds | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:RetailCompanies:Target CorporationMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Shares , Ease , Ares

Target: What Will Ackman Do With Increased Shares?
2007-07-18 16:37:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanAs we told you here on this blog last week, Pershing Square Capital Management upped its stake in Target beyond +5%. Per the SEC regulatory filing made Monday, Bill Ackman increased his stake in TGT to 9.6% of shares outstanding. .    Read More Topics:SEC | Private Equity | Hedge Funds | Consumers | Retail SalesSectors:RetailCompanies:Target CorporationMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Shares , Ease , Ares

JMBA: Will Breakfast Menu Make Investors Hungry For Stock?
2007-07-13 19:46:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanChunky smoothie sounds like an oxymoron. Yet Jamba Juice will be turning out just this product in its effort to tap into the breakfast market. The company has found an original way to keep granola bits crunchy while putting them into its yogurt shakes. JMBA's also adding stuffed pockets with fillings and meals-in-a cup that can be eaten with a spoon. Why mess with the traditional smoothie business?   Read MoreTopics:Retail SalesSectors:Retail | Food and BeverageCompanies:McDonalds Corp | Jamba, Inc.MEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Breakfast , Stock , Make , Menu , Investors

JMBA: Will Breakfast Menu Make Investors Hungry For Stock?
2007-07-13 19:46:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanChunky smoothie sounds like an oxymoron. Yet Jamba Juice will be turning out just this product in its effort to tap into the breakfast market. The company has found an original way to keep granola bits crunchy while putting them into its yogurt shakes. JMBA's also adding stuffed pockets with fillings and meals-in-a cup that can be eaten with a spoon. Why mess with the traditional smoothie business?    Read More Topics:Retail SalesSectors:Retail | Food and BeverageCompanies:McDonalds Corp | Jamba, Inc.MEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Breakfast , Stock , Make , Menu , Investors

Target Stock: Pershing Square Capital's Ackman Buying In
2007-07-12 23:41:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanA source very close to the situation confirmed to me that Pershing Square Capital --a fund run by activist investor Bill Ackman--has been buying stock in discounter Target and has accumulated more than five percent of outstanding shares. The Securities and Exchange Commission filing of that purchase is expected to be made next week.     Read More Topics:Hedge Funds | Stock Market | Private Equity | Retail SalesSectors:RetailCompanies:Costco Wholesale Corporation | Wal-Mart Stores Inc | Target CorporationMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Buying , Shin

Target Stock: Pershing Square Capital's Ackman Buying In
2007-07-12 23:41:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanA source very close to the situation confirmed to me that Pershing Square Capital --a fund run by activist investor Bill Ackman--has been buying stock in discounter Target and has accumulated more than five percent of outstanding shares. The Securities and Exchange Commission filing of that purchase is expected to be made next week.    Read MoreTopics:Hedge Funds | Stock Market | Private Equity | Retail SalesSectors:RetailCompanies:Costco Wholesale Corporation | Wal-Mart Stores Inc | Target CorporationMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Buying , Shin

Home Depot, Sears: Setting Trend For Retail Stocks?
2007-07-10 19:16:00
Posted By:Margaret BrennanIt has been a tough time to be short retail stocks, even with same store sales likely to be even weaker than expected. Today though the short call is working and many of those short sellers may be willing to step back from the ledge given word from Home Depot and Sears that their earnings will disappoint. That word is countering the positive force of the rumor mill of retail buyouts that have buoyed stock prices despite slumping sales.    Read More Topics:Consumers | Stock Picks | Stock Market | Mergers & Acquisitions | Private Equity | Retail SalesSectors:RetailCompanies:Target Corporation | Jones Apparel Group Inc | Sears Holdings Corp | Home Depot IncMEDIA:PHOTO Permalink
More About: Stocks , Trend