The Retail Focus Podcast

Gap bucks the recent mall retail trend, revealing preliminary same store sales numbers that are positive for two of their brands. We discuss how Whole Foods’ recent earnings call reveals a change in strategy for the grocer, and how Aldi seeks to grab more U.S. market share. Finally, we talk bankruptcy news from Marbles: The Brain Store and rough sales numbers at The Container Store.

We detail slight earnings disappointments from Under Armour and 1-800-Flowers.com, as well as Vintage Stock’s announcement of new openings this week and their future brick-and-mortar growth plans. Our interview guest is Nicole Lasky, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Northeastern State University, who discusses at length how shoplifters use “body gloss” to appear like a normal customer inside a retail store.

Genesco, the company behind mall staples Journeys and Lids, releases sales updates for the holiday shopping season—some positive, some negative. Additionally, we discuss earnings for eBay and a potential brick-and-mortar expansion by Warby Parker.  Our interview guests are Kylee Leonetti and Christian Jensen, the producers of a documentary detailing the final ten days of an Alco store in South Dakota.

After hand-wringing about potential store closures, JC Penney surprises many by announcing a new in-store partnership with Nike.  Additionally, Target and Tuesday Morning announce executive shuffling, Limited enters Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, and a new study finds that e-commerce retailers experienced lower margins in 2016 compared with the prior year.

After growing through acquisition over the last five years, western wear retailer Boot Barn spies future areas for growth in their latest presentation.  We discuss changes Aeropostale is making as they re-open over 500 stores and prep for a new ad campaign.  Also, we talk disappointing earnings from grocer Supervalu, expansion at Sportsman’s Warehouse, and changes at Walmart.

Sears Holdings hits the news twice this week with more store closures and more money coming from ESL Investments.  Also, we discuss a study that potentially foreshadows a better-than-expected sales season for mall retailers, and look back at the retailers declaring bankruptcy in 2016 and what we can glean from their cautionary tales.

In the final Retail Focus Podcast of 2016, we take a quick glance at the latest from Bed Bath & Beyond and the dynamics of post-holiday returns in retail. We cap off the year by revealing our top five and bottom five retailers from an execution standpoint in 2016, and passing along our list of five retailers for whom 2017 may be an extremely pivotal year.

The Walgreens acquisition of Rite Aid inched closer to becoming a reality this week, as fred’s stepped in to purchase over 800 Rite Aid locations.  We discuss the challenges ahead for fred’s and the idiosyncrasies of the deal. Meanwhile, Finish Line sprints backwards, German grocer Lidl begins the hiring process for their U.S. locations, and GNC plans a makeover.

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet once again shows growth on all fronts—revenue, earnings, and same store stores—and we discuss their business model and expansion plans. Also, Pier 1 Imports releases earnings as well, CVS hosts their annual investor day, and Casey’s General Stores raises food prices in an effort to boost their overall margins.

Ulta once again astounds the retail community with their same store sales metrics, Five Below displays another quarter of growth, and Big Lots reveals a mixed Q3.  Meanwhile, we caution against the media exaggeration surrounding Amazon Go, and talk about why it is important to evaluate their pilot with some restraint.

After a thorough recap of the numbers we have so far from the holiday shopping weekend, we discuss the increasing strength of Cyber Monday and how brick-and-mortar retailers fared on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Additionally, we take on Shoe Carnival’s earnings report and news that 84 Lumber has secured financing in part to expand their reach.

In an abbreviated Retail Focus, we look at the different directions Foot Locker and Hibbett Sports are headed, and more bad news for the Abercrombie brand.  We also take a look ahead to Black Friday, and discuss why it is important to wait before passing judgement on Black Friday sales reports.

We take a trip through department store financials, talking about positive signs at JC Penney, some better news regarding Kohl’s, and split news from Nordstrom—their brick-and-mortar is driving growth, but their e-commerce acquisition Trunk Club is weighing financials down. Additionally, we discuss American Apparel’s re-entry into bankruptcy, and Kenneth Cole’s outlet shutdown.

Mixed earnings reports from Sprouts Farmers Market come out alongside reports of front office movement at competitor Whole Foods. Additionally, Lowe’s rolls out a limited cash back program to drum up pre-Black Friday sales (and compete with Menards), while Toys “R” Us makes only slight adjustments to their Black Friday approach. Sydney Anselmi joins us to discuss the AmEx-fueled “Small Business Saturday,” and what small retailers are doing to take part.

A bevy of earnings calls gives us an excuse to talk about where analyst expectations of Lumber Liquidators may be unrealistic, Tuesday Morning’s inventory growth after supply chain issues, and an international focus for Amazon and L Brands. Additionally, how much longer will Office Depot be profitable in their current state?

We talk mixed earnings from Sketchers and Sherwin Williams, and more on the proposed Walgreens buyout of Rite Aid that has now been postponed to 2017.  Additionally, the NRF releases positive projections regarding Halloween seasonal sales, and early data backs up the optimism.  Finally, will anyone follow REI’s lead and shun Black Friday this year?

Private equity firm Onex strikes a deal with Supervalu for Save-A-Lot, entering the U.S. off-price grocery market for the first time.  Additionally, eBay and Tractor Supply Company announce mixed quarterly earnings, and The Tile Shop continues to thrive. Our guests are Kay Hilgenkamp and Erin Swanson Russell of Goodwill (Eastern Nebraska and Southwest Iowa), who discuss the unique nature of thrift and consignment retail.

Cabela’s enters into a tentative agreement to be taken private by Bass Pro Shops…we’ll discuss the impacts of the deal on outdoors retail.  Also, Walmart shrinks their expectations for brick-and-mortar growth while investing heavily in e-commerce, the NRF releases expectations for the holiday shopping season, and more on grocery e-commerce from Amazon and Meijer.

After Costco released their latest quarterly earnings, the retail world gets more perspective on how the switch from AmEx to Visa may have been beneficial for the bulk goods retailer.  We also explore Whole Foods’ deepened partnership with Instacart, and more clarity on the Walgreens-Rite Aid proposal. Our interview guest is Drew Ann Long, creator of Caroline’s Cart, who discusses the process behind re-designing the modern shopping cart for the special needs population.

Finish Line releases more strong earnings, and we ponder where the company can improve on last year’s dismal third quarter. Additionally, Vineyard Vines continues to open additional retail stores (and outlets) in the U.S., Target ends their “kiddie cart” pilot, and the major brick-and-mortar office supply retailers make moves.