Bill Dreher
Bill Dreher
acquiring card companies continues cost credit department gross improved improving lowering margin problems retailers seeing stores strong struggle target turnaround
The companies that are seeing strong gross margin improvements are getting it not from improving their merchandising mix, but from improved buying. Retailers like Wal-Mart and Target are lowering their cost of acquiring products. Sears on the other hand, continues to struggle with the turnaround of its department stores and problems with its credit card unit.
bargains best consumers game held holiday last mad minute result retailers rush spirit unknown until waited week
Consumers were not in the holiday spirit up until the last week of the holiday season, when there was a mad rush for the store. And the big unknown is the result of that game of chicken, where shoppers waited until the last minute to get the best bargains and retailers held off.
catering customers income retailers tough
Retailers that are not catering that well to the middle- and upper-income customers are going to have a tough time.
absorb definitely others period position retailers though tough
Even though Wal-Mart is definitely in a better position than most retailers to absorb any shortfalls, others could be in for a very tough period ahead.
customer discount earnings expect generating increases people price rational retailers sales seeing solid strong traffic
People are being much more rational with their expenditures. That's why we're seeing these discount price retailers generating strong customer traffic and solid sales increases. And we expect strong earnings increases from them.
appear chicken consumer fourth game holding improve initial looking margins profit profits quarter retailers
In the game of chicken between retailers and consumers, with one looking to improve profit margins and the other holding out for discounts, it would appear that the consumer blinked. The initial read on the fourth quarter is that profits should come in better than anticipated.
anyone company earnings environment excuse improved lock month overall posting quarter rest retailers sales specific start stellar weak
There's very little excuse for anyone posting weak sales right now, ... If that is happening, it because of company specific excuses. The macro environment overall is very strong. The first month of the quarter got a stellar start and that usually put a lock on the rest of the quarter. Retailers should post improved earnings going forward.
appears factor greatest retailers soon unleashed until warm
It appears that the greatest factor for our retailers slowdown up until now had been the unseasonably warm weather, and as soon as we got more seasonally appropriate temperatures it unleashed pent up demand.
cents number pull telling
They're telling us to pull our number down by 4 cents (per share).
chasing losing money point sales
There's no point in chasing sales if you're losing money on those sales.
intent last learned lessons repeating year
They've learned the lessons from last year and are intent upon not repeating the same mistakes.
ballpark far sales shows
It shows they're in the ballpark as far as sales go.
alan bad confidence convinced dealing deceitful department feeling head hiding investor restore sounds tackling
He (Lacy) was dealing with a deceitful department head who sounds like he was hiding some bad news, ... Our feeling is Alan Lacy is being very forthcoming and straightforward with the problems, and is tackling them very aggressively. But we're not convinced that's going to be enough to immediately restore investor confidence in shares.
battery build clear company efforts itself management national sale step strengthen tire unit
It's clear that the company is redoubling efforts to strengthen itself and build a competitive advantage. Anything that distracts the management from doing just that will be de-emphasized. The sale of its National Tire and Battery unit is a step in that direction.