Ken Perkins
Ken Perkins
came carried marketing retailers sales strength
Sales really carried through at the end of the season, particularly for the mall-based stores. Some of the strength probably came from retailers really aggressively marketing and being really promotional.
bottom customers fewer fighting holiday line margins retailers watch
They're going to have to watch the bottom line and the margins very closely, ... This holiday season, retailers are going to be fighting for customers and fewer discretionary dollars.
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.
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.
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.
built carry despite everybody holiday momentum next tough waiting whether year
Everybody is waiting to see whether they can carry the momentum they've built this year into next year despite the tough holiday period.
analyst nightmare numbers october
These numbers are not good. As one analyst put it, October will be the nightmare before Christmas.
consumer continues fairly gas job market provided remain run
The consumer has not run out of gas yet, provided the job market continues to remain fairly decent.
baked cake expected good news numbers quarter rally results second
If numbers are better than expected and the news is good for second quarter outlooks, then we could rally on that. But I think the results are pretty much baked into the cake here.
complete egg laid
It was a complete egg that was laid there. By all accounts, they got killed in apparel.
concerned earnings hit investors sales unless
That's a pretty long stretch, and investors are concerned that earnings could take a hit unless sales improve.
earnings less order strong tech
Earnings are going to have to really go up in order for valuations to look attractive. Tech earnings are going to be strong but it's already more or less priced into the stocks,
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.
christmas concern deep goes hitting
There's a deep concern that if this thing goes on, a lot of Christmas merchandise hitting the docks can't be transferred.