Howard Davidowitz
Howard Davidowitz
customers help lean lure retailers year
Lean inventories won't help retailers this year if they can't lure customers into their stores.
difference kept last promotions retailers tight year
One big difference was that last year retailers kept promotions under tight control. Things were more panicky this year.
bills business businesses close fruit guy next pay selling small street year
You see the guy out on the street selling coffee, donuts, fruit - his business is destroyed. There are a lot of small businesses that will close or that won't be able to pay their bills next year because of the strike.
again clothing consumer deals expect planned point retailers year
Retailers have planned their inventories very well again this year but there's no point in that if you get can't shoppers into your store. Expect substantial deals as we go along, especially in clothing and consumer electronics.
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.