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With the Internet, newspapers face their biggest hurdle, but not their first

Posted Feb 5th 2009 2:50PM by Joseph Lazzaro (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newspapers, Internet, Media World

The Internet, or its latest version known as Web 2.0, is still too young to make any sweeping statements (also known as informed conclusions) about its impact on print U.S. newspapers.

Still, we know that newspaper readership among adults - - and among young adults ages 18-25 in particular - - decreased after the Internet came into being.

But here's a little fact you rarely hear about: newspaper readership was declining even before the Internet started transforming businesses and lives in the 1990s.

That said, it is clear that some newspapers will not survive as the Internet progresses. Further, almost all will have to substantially modify their print business models to remain viable. Many, if not most, will have to specialize in some way, or otherwise develop some niche, to retain utility.

Continue reading With the Internet, newspapers face their biggest hurdle, but not their first

Urban Outfitters' shoppers know what they like

Posted Feb 11th 2008 5:46PM by Joseph Lazzaro (RSS feed)
Filed under: Urban Outfitters (URBN), Stocks to Buy

The choppy/consolidating (or perhaps worse) market conditions sometimes give the impression that growth plays do not exist, but that is not the case, and one growth company worth evaluating is Urban Outfitters.

Urban Outfitters, Inc. (Nasdaq: URBN) operates more than 120 specialty retail stores under the Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People brands, and also offers clothes via a wholesale division under the Free People label.

Analysts like the fact that URBN carries in-demand, self-expressive merchandise, with differentiated retail brands. Most analysts believe the company has achieved a retail gold star: a unique brand position in the ages 18-24 customer category. Moreover, a relatively high 50/50 private label/nation brand inventory lowers inventory risk.

Sales increased an impressive 23% in FY 2008, with analysts seeing a 20-25% rise in FY 2009. Operating costs are reasonable. The Reuters FY 2008/FY 2009 EPS consensus estimates for URBN are $0.90 to $1.15.

Continue reading Urban Outfitters' shoppers know what they like

Best & Worst of 2007: Company of the year

Posted Nov 29th 2007 6:10PM by Joseph Lazzaro (RSS feed)
Filed under: International Markets, Products and Services, Management, Consumer Experience, Competitive Strategy, Google (GOOG), Apple Inc (AAPL), Coca-Cola (KO), iPhone, Smartphones

This post was part of AOL Money & Finance's Best & Worst of 2007 feature. The voting has now closed and readers have chosen Google Inc. as the company of the year. Be sure and let us know in the comments if you are pleased with this result.

Company of the year Corporate America, the markets, and Wall Street are lumbering through a so-so year -- one likely to be characterized by mediocre U.S. GDP and earnings performance, along with ample portions of market volatility.

To be sure, no one will confuse 2007 with a peak year during the "Roaring '20s" or even the "Roaring '90s." Still, there were several standout performances, which we summarize in our "Company of the Year" award.

Facebook

Facebook deserves an honorable mention. The online directory shows considerable promise as an online community and networking device. Provided information is kept confidential and is not released or sold to unauthorized third parties, the business model can serve as another meeting room for groups that might not otherwise be able to meet for geographic or other reasons.

Continue reading Best & Worst of 2007: Company of the year