GLG News(sm): Consumer Goods & Services

Liz Claiborne Adds Licensing To Updated Business Model

Martin Brill — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:21:54 EST

The immediate benefit of licensing the Liz Claiborne and Claiborne men's to J C Penny - and LCNY to QVC signal's a broader strategic play ahead for Liz Claiborne Inc.Celebrity designer Isaac Mizrahi's failed attempt to revitalize the fortunes of the brand at major department stores like Macy's, forced the company to make a decision that will have long term strategic implications for the company.

Is This Mr. Lampert's 8th or 9th Life?

Kenneth Leonard — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:54:12 EST

A flurry of articles have come out in recent days seemingly to diffuse the continuing failures of Mr. Lampert's prize holding. This article deals with the "surprise" caused by the losses being slightly less than expected. The others deal with the various new ventures Mr. Lampert has announced in his continuing efforts to slow SHLD's decline into oblivion.

Another Commodity Bubble?

David Maloni — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:07:37 EST

From a chartist perspective the appreciation in the last year appears to be healthy.

Charles & Colvard Still Searching For Direction

Nicholas White — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:38:31 EST

Charles & Colvard searches for direction by hiring its third CEO in two years. Here's more.

Supply Chain Optimization Key to Future Foodservice Industry Profits

GLG Expert Contributor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:59:10 EST

New economic realities in the foodservice industry are forcing greater attention on improvements in supply chain efficiencies between trading partners, driven by an emerging group of redistribution, logistics, technology, and transportation specialists that leverage supply chain information, optimize freight movement, and improve product visibility to drive cost savings for restaurant, distributor, and manufacturer partners in the system.

NRF Survey: Fewer Consumers Plan to Buy Jewelry This Holiday Sseason

Nicholas White — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:01:21 EST

Raw data from NRF 2009 retail Survey shows fewer consumers want jewelry this year and even fewer buyers intend to give jewelry as a gift. Here's more

The Koreans remain aggressive

GLG Expert Contributor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:17:45 EST

The 2010 year is shaping up to be a very interesting one for fleet purchasers. The Detroit Big 3 have all dramatically scaled back their fleet programs. Part of the void created by this has been filled by the Koreans.

Get into the Coach or you will be left driving the Chuck Wagon

GLG Expert Contributor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:01:16 EST

Lew Frankfort has proven that he is 68 years young in his management philosophy after 14 years leading handbag and accessory maker Coach. Sponsored by Mr. Frankfort, Coach is allocating marketing dollars away from TV and Print and into social media. Additionally, they are looking to capture the 18 - 24 market with their Poppy line of handbags - Brilliant!

Embracing the Fear of E-Tailing through More Brick and Mortar

GLG Expert Contributor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:05:36 EST

It seems counter intuitive to build bigger, swanky stores when online commerce continues to grow double digits annually. Apple doesn't think so. They treat stores as an arm of the Apple brand and a key support of the Apple halo. This is a truly great model to follow for all retailers. No wonder why Disney is taking an interactive approach to their store experience looking to make the brick and mortar a brand experience, not just a place to transact (Steve Jobs sits on the Disney Board).

Japanese Carmakers Had Better Watch Out; South Korea Is Charging Ahead

Jack Sayer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:48:12 EST

Anybody who dismisses Hyundai and Kia's recent success as a "Cash For Clunkers" aberration is in for a rude surprise in 2010.

Summarizing the 2009 WWD Apparel/Retail CEO Summit and a Road Map

GLG Expert Contributor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:41:02 EST

Themes from the summit are best summarized into six cylinders of success - Sustainability, Social Media, Democratization, Globalization, Exclusivity, and Sales & Operations Planning. Are the companies you analyze or may potentially acquire running on 6 cylinders? Here are some questions to ask management to pressure test each cylinder.

Talk Soup; Campbell's Meals

GLG Expert Contributor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:43:41 EST

Campbell Soup's has a new retail initiative to use the internet and periphery of the grocery store to answer the consumer question "what shall I make for dinner?" Are they on trend? Are they going about it the right way?

Does Anyone Really Expect G.M. And Chrysler To Repay Billions In Loans?

Jack Sayer — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:12:13 EST

Top executives at General Motors and Chrysler have gone out of their way in the past week to say their once-bankrupt companies are positioning themselves to pay back the billions of dollars loaned to them by the federal government. Experts, however, say that billions of dollars are likely to be lost on the automotive bailout.

The Symptoms of Red Tape

GLG Expert Contributor — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:34:05 EST

The organizational epiphany that red tape creates useless work aimed at pleasing management instead of consumers is one that usually gets discovered and corrected in times of crisis. GM is a great example. This is because most organizations only govern by the numbers. Until the number falls short - why bother being introspective? Here are 2 red flags for analysts when trying to determine the health of a company and whether or not they are putting the consumer or the bureaucracy first.

Target Needs a Bold Move

GLG Expert Contributor — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:46:33 EST

Target stated their "Expect More. Pay Less." promise is still relevant to their guest and will remain true to their resilient business model. While the average analyst rating for this stock is a buy, I have some concerns.

Does Escalating Gold Prices Mean Fine Jewelry is Underpriced?

Nicholas White — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:10:38 EST

Fine jewelry may represent some of the best luxury product values this Christmas season. Here's why.

EXPE and CHH Kiss and Make Up

GLG Expert Contributor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:57:52 EST

After a particularly ugly public battle, Expedia Inc and Choice Hotels International have hammered out a new deal

Democratize, Talk, Educate

GLG Expert Contributor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:17:02 EST

Despite most high end luxury department stores suffering 20-20% declines, the premium denim market is up 5% versus year ago to $8.2 Billion, why and how can premium denim companies continue to grow? Democratization will be the key to success.

Gap Advertises at Christmas for the First Time in 3 Years

GLG Expert Contributor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:33:18 EST

The company's cash position improved, and with apparel shoppers looking to head back to basics, The Gap is well poised for success.

Consumers are Rebooting - To Survive, Understand and Adapt to Your New Consumer

GLG Expert Contributor — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:00:16 EST

The "New Rules of Customer Engagement." These are critical to understand given the retailing and the apparel/accessories market will be different for many years as a result of this economic downturn. Why? The Millennial Generation experienced this recession first hand and with $733 Billion to spend annually, they are the road to recovery. In this analysis, clients will have 5 questions to ask that will test a company's readiness to capitalize on Millennials and get them to spend.