Distribution

Constraints due to inventory levels took a toll on Tuesday Morning’s first quarter earnings.    The off-price home decor retailer reported a net loss of $8.9 million for the first quarter ended Sept. 30, 2016. Net sales for the quarter were $211.9 million, which is an increase from $9.6 million from the prior year. Same-store store sales increased 5.1%, however the company’s operating loss for the first quarter was $9.2 million.   

Based on its third quarter earnings, Carter’s predicts that is on its way to its 28th consecutive year of sales growth.   The brand specializing in babies and young children’s apparel and accessories reported a net sales increase of 6.1%, totaling $901.4 million. The company credits this growth on its U.S. Carter’s and OshKosh retail businesses, Carter’s wholesale business, and international segment.  

Boot Barn’s second quarter performance rose slightly, meeting Wall Street estimates.    The western-influenced specialty retailer reported $134 million in revenue for the second quarter ending Sept. 24, 2016, a 3.3% increase from $129.7 million in the prior-year period. This jump also exceeded Wall Street’s estimate of $131.61 million. Boot Barn credited the increase to 13 new stores opened over the past 12 months, and a 1.8% increase in same-store sales. Two of those stores opened the chain during the second quarter.

The retail loss burden overall is expected to be $132 per person this year.   However, $50 of this loss — about twice as much as in other calendar quarters — is expected to be incurred in this holiday season, according to “The 2016 Retail Holiday Season Global Forecast” from Checkpoint Systems. The report provides an analytical view of business risks that major retailers face during this holiday season.   

Optimizing shipments between warehouses and customers homes is not an easy task.    For Ashley Furniture this process becomes even more complex as it continues to create more efficient means to manages more than 7,000 storekeeping units (SKUs) filtering through the company’s retail network, which is comprised of 660 Ashley HomeStore locations in 35 countries.  

Nordstrom may be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but a new team of associates will be ready to serve shoppers come Black Friday.    The chain will hire approximately 11,400 seasonal employees that will be trained to serve customers at its Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack stores, as well as in its fulfillment and distribution centers that support stores, Nordstrom.com, Nordstromrack.com, HauteLook and Trunk Club.   

Starbucks isn’t the only company that has big plans for China.   New Look, the British apparel retailer, is looking to expand to 500 stores over the next three years in China, Fortune reported. It currently operates a total of 850 stores globally, with 95 locations in China.  

Skechers’ third quarter results came in below estimates as the company said it would continue to focus internationally for growth.   The Manhattan Beach, Calif.-based brand’s net income fell 2.2% to $65.1 million, or 42 cents per diluted share, which was below forecasts for diluted EPS of 47 cents. Skechers said its diluted EPS were negatively impacted by foreign currency translation and exchange losses.