Howard Davidowitz
Howard Davidowitz
execution problem
The problem at Linens 'n Things is execution.
available billion companies equity private
The private equity companies have never had this much money. They have $125 billion available for acquisitions.
fickle game impress money numbers potential public rule stays
The rule of the game is go public for the money when you have the numbers to impress potential investors. Retail, and especially apparel, is so fickle that nothing stays the same forever.
downside stock
The stock has a lot of downside and very little upside.
associated costs gigantic given process share warehouse
There would have been gigantic costs associated with the unbundling process given that the different units share warehouse and distribution centers,
businesses buyers companies effect factories fewer gotten led less meetings products rolling sars stopped visits
SARS has not stopped factories from rolling out products in China, ... The only effect it's had on U.S. businesses is that it has led to fewer visits from buyers to the region. So there have been less face-to-face meetings between buyers and suppliers, but companies have gotten around that by teleconferencing.
halloween holidays less
Other holidays have become less important. Halloween is the exception. It has become more important.
hang increasing players profile risk taking weakest
Bon-Ton is one of the weakest players in a very weak sector. It is increasing its risk profile tremendously by taking on debt. How does this all hang together?
buying losing market share
Bon-Ton has been losing market share and now it's buying more losers, who have also been losing market share,
bottom clothing consumers items line next paying
At the end of the day, if the quotas stick, the bottom line is that consumers will be paying more for some clothing items by next year.
america growing hear obesity president publicity question states talking united
There's no question about it, ... There is so much publicity about obesity in America. You hear politicians talking about it daily. You even hear the president of the United States talking about it as a growing concern.
lost
There's no way to make up for the lost business. It's gone.
strike transit worse
The transit strike is devastating for retail. It couldn't have come at a worse time, and we don't know how long it's going to go on.
borrowing brains concerning growth income less level moderate percent personal savings
We had moderate growth in income but we're borrowing our brains out. The most concerning thing is that the level of savings is at less than one percent of personal income,