Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Cabela's revenue and earnings per share for 2013 grew at a double-digit rate for the fifth consecutive year, according to CEO Tommy Millner. However, despite an 18% increase in net income year-over-year to $80.1 million from $68 million, results for the fourth quarter did not meet the company’s expectations.

Millner explained that the two biggest short-term factors affecting results in the quarter were a much sharper-than-expected decline in ammunition sales as compared to last year’s surge and a softer-than-expected holiday season.

Hanoi, Vietnam – Vietnamese property developer and mall operator Vingroup JSC is reportedly preparing to launch an e-commerce venture. According to Bloomberg, Le Thi Thu Thuy vice chairwoman of Vingroup, has left that position to lead an online subsidiary called VinE-com.

VinE-com will reportedly sell a wide range of products to Vietnamese consumers and compete locally with global e-commerce retailers including Ebay and China’s Alibaba. Thuy told Bloomberg VinE-com is looking to acquire other Vietnamese e-commerce providers.

Eco Depot has signed a letter of intent with Water Technology Development to distribute a new portable water purification device called the WaterGizzi. Eco Depot plans to market the product as part of its eco-friendly product line, which also includes the Click and Pour and the recently acquired WaterGeeks filtration brand.

Atlanta — Flip Flop Shops has announced plans to develop 25 shops throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mauritius. The new shops stem from a master franchise agreement with Barefoot, regional retail group. The first new shop is expected to open by mid-year, with additional shops following over the next 10 years.

Flip Flop Shops has nearly 100 locations globally plus more than 150 shops in the development pipeline, not including those within this new franchise agreement.

 

Littleton, Mass. -- Dover Saddlery reported a preliminary unaudited decline of 6% in its year-over-year net income for 2013, from $1.7 million to $1.6 million. Preliminary unaudited revenues for 2013 increased $7.5 million, or 8.7%, to approximately $93.8 million from $86.3 million achieved in 2012.

Same-store sales rose 4% for the year. In addition, Dover Saddlery expects to open five to seven new stores in fiscal 2014 and also expand its e-commerce operation.

Urban Outfitters reported substantial gains in net sales for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2014, driven primarily by the company’s Anthropologie and Free People brands.

Total company sales in the quarter increased 6% to $906 million from $856.8 million in the year-ago period — less than Wall Street expected.

New York – Aeropostale Inc. is reportedly considering trying to raise private equity capital. According to Reuters, four anonymous sources said Aeropostale is working with the investment bank Barclays plc to consider options including private equity capital as well as a sale of the company.

Philadelphia – Urban Outfitters reported substantial gains in net sales for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2014. Total company sales in the quarter increased 6% to $906 million, less than Wall Street expected, from $856.8 million in the year-ago period.

Same-store retail segment net sales, which include the direct-to-consumer channel, increased 1%. Same-store retail segment net sales increased 20% at Free People and 10% at Anthropologie and decreased 9% at Urban Outfitters. Wholesale segment net sales rose 24%.