SAN FRANCISCO ��A new Qualcomm technology used to create a series of reliable, on-the-fly wireless networks at the South By Southwest Interactive conference earlier this month may soon provide high-end mobile-device users across the U.S. with a new type of digital experience ��one that combines their live presence and digital identity.
The quirkily named GIMBAL smartphone technology, which was just transferred from Qualcomm Labs to the chip maker's retail services unit, may also prove a watershed for cellular consumers willing to trade location privacy for shopping deals and convenience.
If it proliferates, GIMBAL-powered devices could spur more location-based digital content and advertising ��outside the need for Internet Wi-Fi service.
The mobile technology proved itself at the SXSW show in Austin by helping a Vancouver, British Columbia-based wireless events start-up automatically establish ��and later dismantle ��a series of secure, ad-hoc networks for 150 (truly) interactive sessions of the confab.
Lightinthebox Holding Co., Ltd., incorporated on March 2008, is a global online retail company that delivers products directly to consumers globally. The Company offers a selection of lifestyle products through www.lightinthebox.com, www.miniinthebox.com and other Websites, which are available in 17 languages. It targets lifestyle product categories. It offers products in the three core categories of apparel, small accessories and gadgets and home and garden. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had more than 205,000 product listings. It primarily conducts its operations through its Hong Kong subsidiary, Light In The Box Limited and its Peoples Republic of China subsidiary, Lanting Jishi. In January 2014, the Company acquired Seattle-based social e-commerce company, Ador, Inc.
It operates its business from mainland China and Hong Kong but has delivered its products to consumers in over 200 countries and territories. During the year ended December 31, 2012, it derived 50.7% of its net revenues from Europe and North America, respectively. The Company offers customized products, such as wedding dress and evening dress, at scale for optimal marketing, merchandising and fulfillment. As of December 31, 2012, it offered its Website was available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Japanese, Swedish, Korean, Hebrew and Finnish.
The Company�� product offerings include apparel, small accessories and gadgets, home and garden, electronics and communication devices, and others. Apparel includes customized, special occasion apparel, such as wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, groom wear, cocktail dresses, formal evening wear, graduation dresses and accessories. It also includes fast fashion, namely women's apparel that represents the latest fashion trends, under its Three Seasons / TS brand. Small accessories and gadgets category includes video game accessories, tablet computer and computer gadgets, electronics gadgets, electronic! s accessories such as electronic cables, headsets and chargers and home theater system accessories, car accessories, cell phone accessories, flashlights, lights, home and office gadgets, batteries, gifts and party supplies, toys and travel kits. Small accessories and gadgets are predominantly offered through its Website, www.miniinthebox.com.
Home and garden category includes faucets (including its own Sprinkle brand of faucets), lighting fixtures, paintings, portable home appliances, bathroom fixtures, door and window fixtures and certain types of furniture. Electronics and communication devices category includes tablet computers, car electronics, security systems, portable music and digital video disk (DVD) players, projectors, cell phones, short-wave radios, virtual display glasses and music player sunglasses. Other category includes beauty products, such as make-up supplies, wigs, footbaths, and ultrasonic cleaners. It also includes sports and outdoors products.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Rick Munarriz]
It was feast or famine for investors in Chinese Internet retailers this past week. Shares of online bookseller Dangdang (NYSE: DANG ) soared 37% after posting strong quarterly results, but LightInTheBox (NYSE: LITB ) went the other way after once again disappointing the market.
- [By Lisa Levin]
LightInTheBox Holding Co (NYSE: LITB) shares tumbled 1.95% to reach a new 52-week low of $9.05. LightInTheBox's trailing-twelve-month profit margin is 1.30%.
- [By Jim Jubak]
Paul Goodwin chose the Chinese company LightInTheBox Holdings (LITB) as his value play for this year. This company, based out of Bejing, actually sells most of its online merchandise to customers outside of mainland China.
- [By Jon C. Ogg]
LightInTheBox Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE: LITB) fell almost 40% to $11.58 after its earnings, making it a pariah for recent IPOs even if it is supposed to be a winner of online retail efforts in China. Investors caught by this one have named it “Sh@^InTheBox” now.
Best Retail Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Sears Holdings Corporation(SHLD)
Sears Holdings Corporation operates as a specialty retailer in the United States and Canada. The company?s Kmart segment operates stores that sell merchandise under Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer labels; and Sears brand products, such as Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard. This segment?s stores provide consumer electronics, seasonal merchandise, outdoor living, toys, lawn and garden equipment, food and consumables, and apparel, as well as operate in-store pharmacies. Its Sears Domestic segment operates stores that sell merchandise under the Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard, Lands? End, Covington, Apostrophe, and Canyon River Blues brand names. This segment?s stores provide appliances, consumer electronics, tools, sporting goods, outdoor living, lawn and garden equipment, home fashion products, automotive products, apparel, footwear, jewelry, accessories, health and beauty products, pantry goods, household products, and toys. The Sears Domestic segment also provides clothing, acces sories, footwear, and soft luggage; appliances and services to commercial customers in single-family residential construction/remodel, property management, multi-family new construction, and government/military sectors; premium appliance and plumbing fixtures to architects, designers, and new construction or remodeling customers; parts and repair services for appliances, lawn and garden equipment, consumer electronics, floor care products, and heating and cooling systems; and home improvement services. The company?s Sears Canada segment engages in the retail of apparel and other softlines. Sears Holdings Corporation operates approximately 2,172 full-line stores and 1,338 specialty retail stores in the United States; 500 full-line and specialty retail stores in Canada, as well as operates 17 floor covering stores, 1,734 catalog pick-up locations, and 108 travel offices; and kmart.com and sears.ca Websites. The company was founded in 1899 and is based in Hoffman Estates, Illi nois.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By John Maxfield]
If you have a macabre interest in watching a company struggle against an accelerating and almost certain demise, then you might find it satisfying to tune into the unraveling of Sears Holding Corporation� (NASDAQ: SHLD ) . While I get no pleasure from saying that, as I've long been a satisfied customer of the 120-year-old company, there's no sense in denying the inevitable.
- [By Alyce Lomax]
Take two struggling retailers that stand in Wal-Mart's gigantic shadow. J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP ) and Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD ) both said they have their own safety measures. Penney's is increasing its requirements, and wasn't a customer of the collapsed factory. Sears also rejected signing onto the accord, and wouldn't specify which factories it uses in Bangladesh. Their refusal to sign on may further soil their already-struggling brands, and therefore, their businesses. J.C. Penney and Sears both recently reported atrocious quarterly losses.
Best Retail Stocks To Invest In Right Now: GUESS? Inc (GES)
Guess?, Inc. (GUESS?) designs, markets, distributes and licenses apparel and accessories for men, women and children. The Company operates in five: Europe, North American Retail, Asia, North American Wholesale and Licensing. The Company�� products are sold through retail, wholesale, e-commerce and licensing distribution channels. The lines include full collections of clothing, including jeans, pants, skirts, dresses, shorts, blouses, shirts, jackets, knitwear and intimate apparel. It also grant licenses to manufactures and distributes a range of products, including eyewear, watches, handbags, footwear, kids' and infants' apparel, leather apparel, swimwear, fragrance, jewelry and other fashion accessories. In fiscal 2012, the Company, along with its distributors and licensees, opened 224 stores in all concepts combined outside of the United Sates and Canada, which consisted of 120 stores in Europe and the Middle East, 89 stores in Asia and 15 stores in the combined area of Central and South America.
As of January 28, 2012, the Company directly operated a total of 504 stores in the United Sates and Canada and 251 stores outside of the United Sates and Canada, and in addition, 230 smaller-sized concessions in Asia and Europe. As of January 28, 2012, its international licensees and distributors operated 804 stores located outside the United Sates and Canada, and 119 smaller-sized licensee operated concessions located in Asia. As of January 28, 2012, it operated retail Websites in the United Sates, Canada, Europe and South Korea. As of January 28, 2012, it had e-commerce available to 26 countries, and in 6 languages around the world. The Company and its network of licensee partners sell its products around the world primarily through six different store concepts, namely its flagship GUESS? retail stores, its GUESS? factory outlet stores, its GUESS by MARCIANO stores, its G by GUESS stores, its GUESS? Accessories stores and its GUESS? Kids stores. The Company also has a small number of footwe! ar, Gc watch and underwear concept stores.
Europe Segment
In the Company�� Europe segment, GUESS? sells its products in 63 countries throughout Europe and the Middle East through wholesale, retail and e-commerce channels. In fiscal 2012, its Europe segment accounted for approximately 37.6% of its revenues. The Company�� European wholesale business generally relies on a large number of smaller regional distributors and agents to distribute its products primarily to smaller independent multi-brand boutiques. The Company�� products are also sold directly to department stores like Galeries Lafayette, Printemps and El Corte Ingles. As of January 28, 2012, GUESS? had showrooms in Barcelona, Dusseldorf, Munich, London, Paris, Florence and Lugano. It sells both its apparel and certain accessories products under the Company�� GUESS? and GUESS by MARCIANO brand concepts through its wholesale channel, operating primarily through two seasons, Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter.
The Company�� European retail network consists of a mix of directly operated and licensee operated GUESS? and GUESS by MARCIANO retail and outlet stores, GUESS? Accessories stores, GUESS? Footwear stores and GUESS? Kids stores. As of January 28, 2012, it had 179 directly operated stores and 382 licensee stores, excluding 17 smaller-sized concessions in Europe. During fiscal 2012, the Company opened 45 new directly operated stores, 75 licensee stores and 5 concessions. The Company�� GUESS? Accessories stores average approximately 800 square feet, GUESS by MARCIANO stores average approximately 1,300 square feet and full-price GUESS? stores generally average 2,300 square feet.
North American Retail Segment
In the Company�� North American Retail segment, it sells its products through a network of directly operated retail and factory outlet stores in North America and through its on-line stores. In fiscal 2012, the Company�� North American Retail segment accounted for ap! proximate! ly 41.6% of its revenue. As of January 28, 2012, it also directly operated 25 GUESS? branded stores in Mexico through a majority-owned joint venture. The Company�� the United Sates and Canada GUESS? retail stores carry an assortment of men's and women's GUESS? merchandise, including most of its licensed product categories. As of January 28, 2012, these stores occupied approximately 1,025,000 square feet and ranged in size from approximately 2,500 to 13,500 square feet, with most stores between 4,000 and 6,000 square feet. In fiscal 2012, it opened nine new retail stores and GUESS? closed four stores.
The Company�� the United Sates and Canada factory outlet stores are located primarily in outlet malls generally operating outside the shopping radius of its wholesale customers and its retail stores. These stores sell selected styles of men's and women's GUESS? apparel and licensed products. As of January 28, 2012, its the United Sates and Canada factory outlet stores occupied approximately 717,000 square feet and ranged in size from approximately 2,000 to 11,000 square feet, with most stores between 4,500 and 6,500 square feet. In fiscal 2012, it opened 10 new factory stores. The Company�� G by GUESS store carries apparel for both men and women and a line of accessories and footwear. As of January 28, 2012, its G by GUESS stores occupied approximately 317,000 square feet and ranged in size from approximately 4,000 to 10,000 square feet, with most stores between 4,000 and 5,500 square feet. In fiscal 2012, the Company opened 12 new G by GUESS stores and it closed three stores.Its GUESS? Accessories store concept sells GUESS? and GUESS by MARCIANO labeled accessory products.
As of January 28, 2012, the Company�� GUESS? Accessories concept stores occupied approximately 122,000 square feet and ranged in size from approximately 1,000 to 4,000 square feet, with most stores between 1,500 and 2,500 square feet. In fiscal 2012, GUESS? opened four new GUESS? Accessories stores and i! t closed ! three stores. The Company�� GUESS by MARCIANO stores in the United Sates and Canada offer a women's collection designed for the stylish, trend-setting woman. As of January 28, 2012, its GUESS by MARCIANO stores occupied approximately 156,000 square feet and ranged in size from approximately 2,000 to 6,500 square feet, with most stores between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet. In fiscal 2012, it opened two new GUESS by MARCIANO stores and the Company closed four stores. The Company�� North American Retail segment also includes its the United Sates and Canada retail Websites, including www.guess.com, www.gbyguess.com, www.guessbymarciano.com, www.guesskids.com, www.guess.ca and www.guessbymarciano.ca. These Websites operates as virtual storefronts that both sell its products and promotes its brands.
Asia Segment
In the Company�� Asia segment, GUESS? sells its products through wholesale, retail and e-commerce channels throughout Asia. In fiscal 2012, its Asia segment accounted for approximately 9.3% of its revenue. Its Asia retail business includes both licensee and the Company operated stores, including GUESS?, G by GUESS, GUESS by MARCIANO, Gc, GUESS? Accessories and GUESS? Underwear stores. During fiscal 2012, it and its partners opened 89 new stores in Asia, as of January 28, 2012, it had 423 stores, 47 of which it operated directly and 376 of which were operated by licensees or distributors. The Company and its partners opened flagship stores in cities, such as Seoul, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei and Beijing and have partnered with licensees to develop its business in the second tier cities in this region.
North American Wholesale Segment
In the Company�� North American Wholesale segment, it sells its products through wholesale channels in North America and to third party distributors based in Central and South America. In fiscal 2012, its North American Wholesale segment accounted for approximately 7.0% of its revenue. As of January 28, 20! 12, its p! roducts were sold to consumers through 1,005 major doors in the United Sates and Canada. These locations include 345 shop-in-shops, a selling area within a department store that offers an array of its products and incorporates GUESS? signage and fixture designs. The Company has sales representatives in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. During fiscal 2012, Macy's, Inc. was its largest domestic wholesale customer, accounting for approximately 2.7% of its consolidated net revenue.
Licensing Segment
The Company�� licensing segment includes the worldwide licensing operations of the Company. In fiscal 2012, its licensing segment royalties accounted for approximately 4.5% of its revenue. As of January 28, 2012, GUESS? had 19 domestic and international licenses that included eyewear, watches, handbags, footwear, kids' and infants' apparel, leather outerwear, fragrance, jewelry and other fashion accessories; and included licenses for the manufacture of GUESS? branded products in markets, which include Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, Central America, North America and South America.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Andrew Marder]
Kate Spade isn't the only retailer fighting to fit into a crowded marketplace. Earlier this year, Guess? (NYSE: GES ) finally prevailed in an Italian court in a case brought by handbag designer Gucci. Gucci was fighting Guess?' use of a G logo, which Guess? used on a line of shoes. The fight had been raging for years, and Guess? had actually lost a similar case in New York court in 2012, being fined $4.7 million -- Gucci was seeking $300 million.
- [By Rich Smith]
This series, brought to you by Yahoo! Finance, looks at which upgrades and downgrades make sense, and which ones investors should act on. Today, headlines feature a pair of downgrades from Standpoint Research, which is ratcheting back ratings on both Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL ) and Guess? (NYSE: GES ) . But the news isn't all bad. So before we get to those two, let's take a look at why one other analyst sees...
- [By Ted Cooper]
Unfortunately, investors sometimes forget that not all dividend stocks are created equal. As tempting as it may be to zero in on the yields offered by Guess?, (NYSE: GES ) , Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI ) , and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, (NYSE: HOT ) , the business prospects of each company are uncertain enough to make them dangerous stocks to hold in conservative dividend portfolios.
Best Retail Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Nordstrom Inc.(JWN)
Nordstrom, Inc., a fashion specialty retailer, offers apparel, shoes, cosmetics, and accessories for women, men, and children in the United States. It offers a selection of brand name and private label merchandise. The company sells its products through various channels, including Nordstrom full-line stores, off-price Nordstrom Rack stores, Jeffrey? boutiques, treasure & bond, and Last Chance clearance stores; and its online store, nordstrom.com, as well as through catalog. Nordstrom also provides a private label card, two Nordstrom VISA credit cards, and a debit card for Nordstrom purchases. The company?s credit and debit cards feature a shopping-based loyalty program. As of September 30, 2011, it operated 222 stores, including 117 full-line stores, 101 Nordstrom Racks, 2 Jeffrey boutiques, 1 treasure & bond store, and 1 clearance store in 30 states. The company was founded in 1901 and is based in Seattle, Washington.
Advisors' Opinion: Best Retail Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Viad Corp(VVI)
Viad Corp, together with its subsidiaries, operates in exhibition and events, and travel and recreation industries primarily in North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates. The company?s Marketing & Events Group segment designs, plans, and produces face-to-face events for show organizers, corporate brand marketers, and retail shopping centers. It offers general event management, planning and consultation, concept design, exhibition layout and design, graphics and design, show traffic analysis, carpeting and flooring, decorating products and accessories, custom graphics, overhead rigging, and cleaning services, as well as temporary electrical, lighting, and plumbing services. This segment also provides custom exhibit design and construction; portable and modular exhibits and design; integrated marketing, including pre- and post-event communications and customer relationship management; multimedia services; event surveys; return on investment an alysis; attendee and exhibit booth traffic analysis; staff training; online management tools; logistics and freight-forwarding, storage, and refurbishment of exhibits; booth furnishings, carpeting, and signage; in-house installation and dismantling; and various other show services. In addition, the segment offers various entertaining attractions and brand-based experiences, sponsored events, mobile marketing and other branded entertainment, and face-to-face marketing solutions for clients and venues, including movie studios, leading consumer brand marketers, shopping malls, museums, and casinos. Its Travel & Recreation Group segment provides tourism products, including attractions, transportation services, inbound package tour operations, hotel operations, and corporate and event management; operates five lodges, three motor inns, and one resort hotel; and engages in food and beverages, and retail and concession businesses. Viad Corp was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.
Best Retail Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Caseys General Stores Inc.(CASY)
Casey?s General Stores, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates convenience stores under the Casey?s General Store, HandiMart, and Just Diesel names in 11 Midwestern states, primarily Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois. Its stores offer foods, beverages, dairy and bakery products, sandwiches, fountain drinks, donuts, cookies, brownies, Danish rolls, ham and cheese sandwiches, pork and chicken fritters, sausage sandwiches, chicken tenders, popcorn chicken, breakfast croissants and biscuits, breakfast pizza, hash browns, quarter-pound hamburgers and cheeseburgers, and potato cheese bites. The company?s stores also provide nonfood items, which include tobacco products, health and beauty aids, school supplies, house wares, pet supplies, photo supplies, and automotive products. In addition, it offers gasoline or gasohol for sale on a self-service basis. As of July 31, 2011, the company operated 1,665 stores. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Lawrence Meyers]
It�� been a mighty weird year for Casey�� General Stores (CASY). The company has had some tough quarters, but just when things are looking bleak, the team got some runners on base and drove a few home.
- [By Chad Fraser]
One chain that continues to match up well with the above criteria is Casey’s General Stores (NasdaqGS: CASY). We last highlighted the company’s strong prospects in a December 12 Investing Daily article. Since then, the stock has risen nearly 40%.
- [By Mike Deane]
After the closing bell on Monday, Casey’s General Stores (CASY) reported its third quarter earnings, posting slightly lower EPS than last year’s Q3 figure, due in part to extreme winter weather.
CASY’s Earnings in Brief
CASY reported third quarter revenues of $1.79 billion, up from last year’s Q3 figure of $1.66 billion. Net income for the quarter came in at $14.67 million, or 38 cents per share, which is lower than last year’s Q4 figure of $15.46 million, or 40 cents per share. Casey’s missed analysts’ estimates of 49 cents EPS on revenues of $1.84 billion. CEO Commentary
CASY”s chairman and CEO, Robert J. Myers, had the following comments: ��hird quarter sales were strong throughout all of our categories despite challenging weather during the quarter. Our same-store fuel sales are exceeding industry-wide trends and gross profit from inside the store was up over 11% for both the quarter and year.��/p>
CASY’s Dividend
Casey’s declared a dividend raise in June last year, pushing its quarterly payout to 18 cents from 17 cents. The company’s next dividend is payable on May 15 to all shareholders on record as of May 1.
Stock Performance
Casey’s stock ended the day up $1.52, or 2.29%, but it was heading lower in after hours earnings, due to the company’s large earnings miss. YTD, the company’s stock is down 3.7%.
Best Retail Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Zale Corp (ZLC)
Zale Corporation, incorporated on April 26, 1991, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is a retailer of fine jewelry in North America. The Company operates in three segments: fine jewelry, kiosk jewelry and all other. As of July 31, 2012, the Company operated 1,124 specialty retail jewelry stores and 654 kiosks located mainly in shopping malls throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The Company�� fine jewelry segment consists of five brands: Zales Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Zales Outlet, Mappins Jewellers, and Gordon's Jewelers The Company�� kiosk jewelry operates under the brand names Piercing Pagoda, Plumb Gold, and Silver and Gold Connection (collectively, Piercing Pagoda) through mall-based kiosks. The Company provides insurance and reinsurance services for various types of insurance coverage, which is marketed primarily to its private label credit card guests, through Zale Indemnity Company, Zale Life Insurance Company and Jewel Re-Insurance Ltd.
Fine Jewelry
Each brand specializes in fine jewelry and watches, with merchandise and marketing emphasis focused on diamond products. Zales Jewelers is the Company's national brand in the United States providing moderately priced jewelry to a range of guests. Zales Outlet operates in outlet malls and neighborhood power centers and capitalizes on Zales Jewelers' national advertising and brand recognition. Gordon's Jewelers is a value-oriented regional jeweler. Peoples Jewellers, Canada's fine jewelry retailer, provides guests with shopping experience. Mappins Jewellers offers Canadian guests a selection of merchandise from engagement rings to fashionable and contemporary fine jewelry.
The Company has extended its reach of certain brands through the use of its Webstores, mobile devices and social media to provide its guests access to its brands wherever and whenever they choose. In addition, the Company offers its guests the option to purchase warranty coverage on substantially all of its mercha! ndise in Fine Jewelry. The Company also offers repair services to guests who do not purchase warranty coverage. Zales Jewelers (Zales), the Company's United States based flagship, is a brand name in jewelry retailing in the United States, operating 639 stores in 50 states and Puerto Rico with an average store size of 1,681 square feet. Gordon's Jewelers (Gordon's) operates 147 stores in 27 states and Puerto Rico with an average store size of 1,534 square feet.
The Company�� Zales brand is positioned as the Diamond Store emphasizing on diamond jewelry, especially in the bridal and fashion segments. Zales and Gordon's combined revenues accounted for 60% of the Company's total revenues during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012 (fiscal 2012). Both brands operate as multi-channel retailers and serve Internet guests through the e-commerce sites www.zales.com and www.gordonsjewelers.com, which accounted for approximately 5% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal 2012.
In Canada, the Company operates 206stores in nine provinces. The Company's Canadian operations consist of two brands, Peoples Jewellers (Peoples) and Mappins Jewellers (Mappins), and accounted for 17% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal 2012. The average store size is 1,605 square feet with an average transaction value of $332 in fiscal year 2012. Peoples serves Internet guests through the e-commerce site, www.peoplesjewellers.com. The Company operates 132 Zales Outlet (Outlet) stores in 35 states and Puerto Rico, sales from which accounted for 10% of its total revenues in fiscal 2012. The average store size is 2,362 square feet in fiscal 2012.
Kiosk Jewelry
The Company�� kiosk jewelry segment is focused on the opening price point jewelry guest. The Company's presence in Kiosk Jewelry has been expanded through the e-commerce site, www.pagoda.com. The Company also offers its guests the option to purchase warranty coverage on certain products. As of July 31, 2012, Piercing Pagoda op! erated 65! 4 locations in 41 states and Puerto Rico, sales from which accounted for 13% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal. Piercing Pagoda offers collection of bracelets, earrings, charms, rings, non-precious metal products and 14 karat and 10 karat gold chains, as well as a selection of silver and diamond jewelry, all in basic styles at moderate prices. Kiosk locations average 188 square feet in size in fiscal 2012.
All Other
The Company insurance companies are the insurers (either through direct written or reinsurance contracts) of the Company's guests' credit insurance coverage. In addition to providing merchandise replacement coverage for certain perils, credit insurance coverage provides protection to the creditor and cardholder for losses associated with the disability, involuntary unemployment, leave of absence or death of the cardholder. Zale Life Insurance Company also provides group life insurance coverage for the Company's eligible employees. In fiscal year 2012, 36% of the Company's private label credit card purchasers purchased some form of credit insurance. In fiscal year 2012, all other accounted for approximately 1% of the Company's total revenues.
The Company competes with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., .C. Penney Company, Inc., Signet Jewelers Limited, and QVC, Inc.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Aaron Smith]
Shares surged 12% for Signet (SIG)in premarket trading, while Zale (ZLC) shares soared 40%.
Signet, which has 1,400 stores in the U.S. and 500 in the U.K., has agreed to buy the Dallas-based Zale, which has 1,680 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, in a cash deal for $21 per share.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Top Headline
Signet Jewelers (NYSE: SIG) announced its plans to buy Zale (NYSE: ZLC) for around $690 million. Signet will pay $21 per share to acquire Zale, representing a 41% premium to Zale's closing price of $14.91 on Tuesday.
- [By Paul Ausick]
Big earnings movers: Tivo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO) is up 5.6% at $11.58 following an earnings beat and improved guidance. Specialty retailer Express Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPR) is up 6.5% at $21.09 following results that met expectations (a rarity in retailing this quarter). Joy Global Inc. (NYSE: JOY) is down 4.7% at $48.89 after the mining equipment maker reported inline earnings and maintained a soft forecast. Zale Corp. (NYSE: ZLC) is up 29.8% at $11.63 after beating estimates and setting a new high of $11.69.
- [By John Kell]
Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Wednesday’s session are Zale Corp.(ZLC), Herbalife Ltd.(HLF) and Devon Energy Corp.(DVN)
