Ken Perkins
Ken Perkins
consumer finding last resilient ways year
The American consumer has been particularly resilient over the last year plus, ... They're finding ways to spend.
below earnings expected further grow growth last plenty retail
Fourth-quarter retail earnings are expected to grow 13.5 percent. That's below last year's growth and could come down further if we see plenty of promotions.
both difficult facing form gain hurdle last limited percent retailers seen september year
We've already seen some big disappointments in both Limited and Ann Taylor. Up front, retailers are also facing their most difficult hurdle of the year in the form of a 6.1 percent gain racked up in September last year.
despite difficult february good last percent results sales today
We're getting some very good results today despite the very difficult 6.7 percent February same-store sales comparisons from last year.
arrival boost clearly consumer cooler falling gas gave last late october prices weather weeks
Clearly falling gas prices coupled with the late arrival of cooler weather in the last two weeks of October gave a boost to consumer spending.
among blamed expected gas good last missed nice numbers prices retailers seeing surprises trend upside
The numbers look pretty good so far. We are seeing more surprises to the upside and this is a nice reversal of the trend that we had expected last month. Even among those retailers who missed our forecast, not many of them blamed gas prices for it.
appear commerce conditions economic improved iraq last march month people run shopping year
Economic conditions have improved significantly from March last year when commerce was impeded for much of the month by the run up to the Iraq war. People do appear to be shopping more.
beating consumer couple environment greatest last psyche taken
It's not the greatest macro environment to be going into. The psyche of the consumer has taken a beating the last couple of months,
expect given last red seen september stellar weakness
After a stellar September for retailers, it was a given to expect some weakness last month. But this is pretty amazing. I don't think I've seen this much red on the board.
april december easter gain last low percent prior pushed sales time year
The last time Wal-Mart had a monthly same-store sales gain that low was back in December of 2000, with a 0.3 percent rise. Prior to that was in April of 1996, with a 0.2 percent gain. That was probably another year when Easter got pushed into April.
double earnings good increases last ok quarters third year
The first two quarters of last year were OK but not stellar. If we still have double digit increases in earnings during the third quarter, that would be good news.
aggressive best buy circuit city held holiday looks moving player players primary share taking tried
Best Buy traditionally has been the primary player here and taking share very aggressively from some of the other players in the space, but Circuit City looks to have held their own here this holiday season. The discounters have tried to get into the space. Wal-Mart's been very aggressive in moving in there.
aware best buy faces half investors looking obvious rose sales second tougher
One obvious explanation (for the weakness) is that investors are aware that Best Buy faces much tougher sales comparisons, particularly in the second half of the year. Looking at the numbers, second-quarter sales were up 7.8 percent, third-quarter sales rose 5.8 percent.
anniversary company marks month next positive sales time
Next month is the first time the company marks the anniversary of positive sales comparisons. From here on, the comparisons get increasingly difficult.