You would think that companies making standalone GPS devices would be making bank right now. The devices that never let you get lost when driving are important to many travelers, especially when you don't want to fumble with maps, let alone get lost and waste a bunch of expensive gas getting back on track. Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), one of the leading GPS makers, though, has seen tough times recently. Its shares have declined 56% recently. Why I'm not sure. I do know that it has nothing to do with Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)'s iPhone that's about to be released in a few weeks.
Apple's new 3G iPhone will have embedded GPS, which will make the gadget all the more useful. Regardless, though, will consumers be using their iPhones as replacements for full GPS devices in all those vehicles? Unless there is a decent vehicle mount kit available, it's hard to believe so. The iPhone does have the best chance at displacing more units from Garmin and other GPS makers like TomTom in the car navigation arena, but the entire GPS experience is what some folks probably forget about.
If you've ever used a GPS navigation program installed on a normal cellphone or smartphone, does it works seamlessly like a standalone product? Can you take and make calls while the GPS continues working in the background, giving you all those voice directions? What makes standalone GPS devices so valuable is that they work even when we're multitasking with phone calls. That's the kicker: the first time you miss a direction by voice because you're busy chatting on the phone, a GPS solution on top of a cellphone -- at least for driving purposes -- would become useless to the average consumer. I doubt Apple's upcoming solution will be this drab, but I continue to see a bright future for standalone GPS device manufacturers (although profits will continue to dwindle). Apple, as always, is not the only game in town. It will still be big for non-driving GPS uses, though.
This post is part of my series featuring established companies and the smaller, more aggressive or innovative rivals that may eventually succeed them.
San Francisco-based Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) has seen its fair share of hits or misses. The original Gap Stores was an overwhelming success in the 1980s and 1990s, but ran into the proverbial wall as the century was ending. The Gap missed the fashion changes and has re-tooled and re-engineered itself more than Joan Rivers! The concept has never been quite the same or attained its cache in the minds of discerning consumers. Other concepts within the Gap system have fared better, such as the Banana Republic, and Old Navy still remains popular in the deep discount segment.
Zara offers a fresh approach to fashion with a range of price points appealing to all levels of consumers. Zara is based in Spain and is part of the huge distribution company Inditex, which trades on the Spanish exchange. Zara is just beginning to make some serious inroads into the United States. With only 154 stores in the U.S., Zara has the room to five-fold its base within the next decade. The Zara concept has over 1,400 stores spread out over 50 countries, with plans to double that base. The U.S. is fertile ground for Zara as the international cache appeals to American consumers.
Zara is a vertically integrated concept. From designing men's, women's and children's fashions to manufacturing to distribution, Zara controls the entire process. The stores are all company-owned, to complete the vertical integration. Zara has captured the cache that the Gap Stores once had. Zara's appeal ranges from casual wear to business attire, while maintaining reasonable price points.
During summers and winters in the early 1990s, I used to work for Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM). In many ways, it was a dream job. I was paid to talk about cooking, learn about cooking and demonstrate cooking tools. One day, however, it occurred to me that, as much as I loved adopting a slightly condescending air when selling high-priced kitchen items, there really was a problem with the products that I was hawking. That afternoon, I talked an older woman into buying a "Tuscan grape drainer" as a gift for her niece's wedding. As the woman left the store, I realized that I had just convinced her to shell out $49.95 for what was, essentially, an earthenware bowl with holes in it and a couple of grape decals stuck on top.
As much as I like cooking, I have to acknowledge that nobody really needs a berry spoon, an asparagus peeler, a corn shucker, or most of the numerous other items that Williams-Sonoma hawks to its customers. The store is, in its own way, comparable to Sharper Image, Wilson's, or any number of the other specialty niche retailers that are finding it so difficult to weather the recession. Recently, in an attempt to lure shoppers into its premium stores, the retailer reduced prices massively, cutting into its profit margin and producing a 42% drop in fiscal first quarter profits.
As some analysts have noted, part of William-Sonoma's problem is that it is supporting an expensive catalog division that isn't really pulling its own weight. Moreover, as shipping prices continue to increase, it is likely that the company will see its catalog sales continue to decline. However, this is only half the issue: while most stores are feeling the recession pinch, it is hitting specialty retailers particularly hard. As Linens N' Things, Sharper Image, Wilson's Leather, and other companies could certainly attest, it's not a good time to specialize. Or, to put it another way, in this economic climate, people are using colanders to drain their grapes.
And who's next on the block? Well, have you taken a peek at the Gap (NYSE: GPS) recently?
When Gap Stores (NYSE: GPS) installed Glenn Murphy as its chairman and CEO, he was hailed as a savvy retailer whose marketing know-how would compensate for his lack of fashion industry experience. In its press release announcing the hiring, Gap declared that:
During his more than 20 years of experience in retail, Mr. Murphy successfully reinvigorated retail brands in the areas of food, health and beauty, and books. Most recently, at Shoppers Drug Mart, he differentiated the brand with new products and better service, and grew the company's market capitalization from about CAD $3 billion to over CAD $10 billion following its public offering . . .
Nearly 11 months into his tenure, the reinvigoration hasn't exactly happened: June comparable store sales fell 14% which, even allowing for the tough retail environment, isn't too impressive. But Murphy has made progress on other fronts and, so far, his main accomplishment has been cost-cutting.
I know, I know, with the economy sputtering, why would you ever want to be invested in an apparel company that produces expensive jeans? Let alone have it recommended by a typically short-selling trader like me! But before I tell you the name of this stock that despite the obvious economic problems -- strong oil, weak housing and the dollar, mounting foreclosure, etc -- is sitting right near all-time highs, looking to break out, let's do a quick rundown of its competitors in the apparel retail space.
In a move designed to make it easier and more appealing for consumers to shop at its websites, Gap (NYSE: GPS) is consolidating operations to allow for the purchase of clothing from Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Piperlime using one shopping cart, paying one shipping fee. The Wall Street Journalreports that "By integrating the sites, the San Francisco-based company hopes to encourage shoppers to purchase products from more than one of its brands. Gap says about a third of its online orders are placed by customers who shopped at more than one of its Web sites in the past year."
Since this seems like an obvious way to spur sales growth, you have to wonder what took so long. One concern may be that keeping the sites separate kept the brands more distinct in the eyes of the consumer. Will having pricey Banana Republic merchandise in the same shopping cart as the more budget-oriented Old Navy detract from the value of that brand? It's possible. It may be why a more successful retailer like Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) has chosen to keep Hollister and its namesake brand entirely separate.
But with recent cost cuts aimed at improving profitability, Gap's recently-anointed CEO Glenn Murphy appears focused on improving performance now rather than building brands. With its shares trading at about half of where they were a decade ago, shareholders are probably ready for that.
A bad day closed out a bad week as home sales drove off a cliff and concerns over oil prices pushed most airlines and General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM) to 52-week lows. Even General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) dropped to a one-year level of its own.
Most stocks moved on bad news and rumor. Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. (NYSE: BUD) jumped 7% on news that it might be bought by InBev. Resales of U.S. houses and condos dropped 1% to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 4.89 million from 4.94 million in March.
The only company of any size which posted any good news was The Gap, Inc. (NYSE: GPS). The retailer posted net income of $249 compared to $178 last year. Since most of the improvement was from cost cuts, it does not signal any improvement in retail.
Maybe next week will be better. Or not.
Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.
Stock futures were lower Friday morning as one again crude prices resumed their seemingly endless move upward. The market may also be agitated about further data upcoming about the housing market.
On Thursday, U.S. stocks ended higher two days of heavy losses as finally crude-oil futures retreated, giving some relief to the markets. The Dow industrials finished 24 points higher, or 0.19%, the Nasdaq Composite rose 16 points, or 0.67%, and the S&P 500 added 3 points, or 0.26%.
Only one economic report is due out today. April existing-home sales will be released at 10 a.m. EDT, and economists expect it to decline yet again.
Oil prices rose Friday, as supply concerns once again took center stage especially with growing global demand. After tumbling around $4 overnight from a record above $135 a barrel, light, sweet crude for June delivery was up $1.29 to $132.10 a barrel.
With the long weekend just around the corner, trading might be lighter than usual today. U.S. markets will be closed Monday for Memorial Day.
Ubiquitous mall retailers Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) and Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE: ARO) both reported Thursday that their profits increased in the first quarter despite the weak economy.
San Francisco-based Gap said it boosted its earnings by tightly managing costs and inventory. Profit for the quarter ended May 3 rose 40% to $249 million, or 34 cents per share, from $178 million, or 22 cents per share, in the same period last year. However, revenue fell 5% to $3.38 billion as same-store sales fell 11%.
Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had predicted a profit of 30 cents per share on revenue of $3.42 billion.
The Gap reaffirmed its 2008 guidance of earnings between $1.20 and $1.27 per share, while analysts expect $1.25 per share.
Shares rose 22 cents, or 1.2%, to close at $18.29 Thursday, and climbed an additional 31 cents in after-hours trading.
It seems that the BCE (NYSE: BCE) buyout plan, has hit yet another bump on the road, only this one could not be as easy to overcome. A Quebec appeals court reversed a lower court and rejected the $33 billion buyout plan accepting the claim of a group of bondholders that the deal is unfair to them. BCE shares are plunging nearly 15% in premarket trading.
Earnings today are due from Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS) -- just after the company said it was interested in buying Borders (NYSE: BGP) -- and Gap (NYSE: GPS) -- a day after the clothing retailer announced an expansion in Russia.
Suntech Power Holdings Co. (NYSE: STP) shares are jumping over 7.5% in premarket trading after the solar energy company reported that first-quarter earnings more than doubled on 76% higher revenue. Earnings reached $55.8 million, or 33 cents an American depositary share and revenue reached $434.5. Analysts estimated 28 cents for the quarter.
Gap Stores (NYSE: GPS), the parent company of Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy, has been threatening to revitalize its U.S. stores for years. But with the stock down more than 50% since the dawn of the new millennium, the company has failed to restore its brands to relevance.
Now the company has announced that it will partner with Fiba Holdings A.S. to pen Gap and Banana Republic stores in Russia. Fiba will act as the franchise partner, just as it does for the company's stores in Turkey. Stores will be begin opening in time for the holidays.
Its possible that Gap will be able to regain some strength by focusing on international opportunities. Domestically, it's hard to think of a more passé fashion brand. But just as American baseball players on the decline often head to Japan and find success, once-iconic American fashion brands sometimes find new life overseas. Apax Partners' success with the Tommy Hilfiger brand is a prime example.
For now, though, I think investors should stay away from shares of Gap.
General Motors (NYSE: GM) reached an agreement with workers at its Kansas City, Kan., assembly plant Tuesday that could help it end a string of labor problems. The deal could end the strike of 2,500 workers at the factory, which makes the hot-selling Chevrolet Malibu as well as the Saturn Aura, since May 5.
Barnes & Nobel (NYSE: BKS) is exploring a possible bid for rival Borders (NYSE: BGP), according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
Reporting today: Limited Brands Inc. (NYSE: LTD) which is forecast to post earnings of 8 cents a share in the first quarter and Salesforce.com Inc. (NYSE: CRM), which is forecast to post earnings of 7 cents a share in the first quarter among other companies.
Shares of companies like Coach (NYSE: COH) were flying high when more people than ever were flocking to waste their money on stuff they couldn't afford.
Right at the top of the market, predictably, all the lower-end retailers thought they'd get into the act. Gap (NYSE: GPS)'s Banana Republic introduced a high-end line, and so did Coldwater Creek (NASDAQ: CWTR), Cache (NASDAQ: CACH) and AnnTaylor (NYSE: ANN). According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), the economic downturn gave the companies a strong rebuke. Cache is closing some of its Cache Luxe stores and Coldwater Creek is giving up on its high-end aspirations.
But I don't think it's the economic downturn that doomed these product launches. Luxury clothing is in a tough spot, but it's certainly fared a lot better than upper-middle market companies like Liz Claiborne (NYSE: LIZ) and Coldwater Creek. Rather, I think companies are using a pretty familiar tactic: blame failed strategies on the economy and minimize the impact of tactical errors made by seven-figure executives.
Here's why the strategy failed: taking a brand and raising the quality/price-point is extremely difficult. The reverse is easy, but trying to convince people to pay Coach-like prices for Banana Republic clothing -- even if it's of similar quality -- is a strategy that's destined to fail. Banana Republic has established itself at a certain price point and while people would be thrilled to get the brand at a lower price, most people willing to pay more will want a bona fide luxury label.
Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) is scheduled to report Q1 on May 13. WMT June option implied volatility of 23 is below its 26-week average of 26 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price risk.
Gap (NYSE:GPS) is scheduled to report Q1 EPS on May 22. Buckingham Research says "We continue to rate the shares of GPS as Neutral due to valuation and lack of progress on a turnaround." GPS June option implied volatility of 41 is near its 26-week average, suggesting non-directional price risk.
Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
You would think that companies making standalone GPS devices would be making bank right now. The devices that never let you get lost when driving are important to many travelers, especially when you don't want to fumble with maps, let alone get lost and waste a bunch of expensive gas getting back on track. Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), one of the leading GPS makers, though, has seen tough times recently. Its shares have declined 56% recently. Why I'm not sure. I do know that it has nothing to do with Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)'s iPhone that's about to be released in a few weeks.
This post is part of 
During summers and winters in the early 1990s, I used to work for 
When 
I know, I know, with the economy sputtering, why would you ever want to be invested in an apparel company that produces expensive jeans? Let alone have it recommended by a typically 
In a move designed to make it easier and more appealing for consumers to shop at its websites, 
Stock futures were lower Friday morning as one again crude prices resumed their seemingly endless move upward. The market may also be agitated about further data upcoming about the housing market.
Ubiquitous mall retailers 
Wal-Mart
Alcoa's Q2 2008 earnings transcript
Anheuser-Busch (BUD) sues InBev, what's next?
Wal-Mart might help your portfolio during the recession
