What I most liked about Agenda this time was how refreshingly inviting it was. Lots of open space and perhaps wider aisles. Maybe lighter? Especially on Wednesday, there appeared to be a lot of traffic and people seemed upbeat. Apparently that might have had something to do with getting a few days of sun after […]
Agenda- Trade Shows, Brands I Saw and Possibly Random Thoughts Read More »
I imagine you are all aware that Incipio reached an agreement with Skullcandy on June 23rd to make a tender offer for the company’s common stock at a price of $5.75 representing a price of approximately $177 million. That agreement allowed Skullcandy some time (until July 23rd) to see if it could find a better
Another Tender Offer for Skullcandy- It Will Be Good to See the Brand Private Read More »
We’re all watching the continuing rationalization of our retail space. I suppose “rationalization” is a way too benign sounding word for a process that includes bankruptcies, store closings, job losses, margin hits, too much inventory, and struggles to increase sales and even to stay in business. As ugly as this continues to be, there are
The Impact of Market Consolidation Read More »
I’ve generally been a supporter of Zumiez’s strategy and believe they’ve done most things right. So when I see them suffering right along with everybody else in a difficult (not nearly a strong enough word) retail environment, it really brings home to me just what we’re dealing with. The numbers first, then the strategic issues.
Preparing for Long Term Market Ambiguity; Zumiez’s April 30th Quarter Read More »
The quarter and year ended March 31st weren’t great for Deckers. Mostly, you’ve probably noticed, they haven’t exactly been great for companies I’ve written about in general. What somehow got my focus as I read Deckers’ 10-K was the continued and, indeed, increasing sameness of what all the public companies are saying. Let’s start with
Is Everybody Pursuing the Same Strategies? Deckers’ Year and Quarter Read More »
Skullcandy filed a form 13D today with the Securities and Exchange Commission announcing that founder Rick Alden was going to explore a transaction to take the company private. To be clear, that doesn’t mean it will go private. Here’s the relevant section of the 13D.
Skullcandy Founder Rick Alden Considering Transaction to Take Skullcandy Private Read More »
VF filed its 10-Q for the quarter ended April 2nd on May 10th. The results, while in line with expectations, showed VF under the same kind of pressure other public companies are dealing with. Even their action sports segment, where most of their growth has been coming from, experienced very modest sales growth and reduced
VF’s Quarter: It’s Not Easy for Anybody Out There Read More »
The Amazon Effect is given a lot of blame for the lousy and, some say, deteriorating retail environment. I gather it was a topic of conversation at the recently completed Surf Industry Summit at Cabo.
Let’s Not Just Blame Amazon Read More »
Skull’s loss for the quarter ended March 31 rose 27.9% from $3.7 to $4.9 million. Sales rose just 1.4% to $46.3 million while the gross profit margin dropped from 40.9% in last year’s quarter to 37.5% in this year’s. The pretax loss rose 50% from $4.6 to $6.9 million. The balance sheet remains as strong
The News is Good, But the Loss is Higher? Skullcandy’s March 31 Quarter Read More »
So there I was sitting in the conference room of the Embassy Suites for day one of the IASC Skateboarding Summit waiting for the dreaded retailer panel to start. You all know the panel I mean. They have one at every industry trade show and conference I’ve ever been to. Three or four retailers sit
IASC Skateboarding Summit – Have We Found a More Valuable Way to Talk With Each Other? Read More »