Raw Data Report: Apparel

Each day, Wall Street is flooded with stock research offering a multitude of conflicting investment opinions. As such, TickerMine is not in the business of providing more opinions. We believe that accurate raw data points can be used to gain insight into the stock selection and valuation process.

Quiksilver (ZQK) Sales Are Up As Summer Approaches, Retailers Unanimously Report

TickerMine surveyed stores selling Quiksilver apparel and learned that across the board, retailers are seeing an increase in sales as summer approaches. Stores surveyed included Macy's, Pacific Sunwear, Nordstrom, The Buckle, and other boutiques. The most popular boys' item is board shorts (47%) followed by t-shirts (19%). For girls, bikinis (19%) and jeans (16%) are the top sellers. The average sales receipt for Quiksilver products is between $50 and $75, according to 50% of stores. Twenty-eight percent said it was between $80 and $100; 22% said it's between $25 and $45.

49% of Retailers See Increased Sales for Kate Spade Clothing, Shoes (LIZ)

Forty-nine percent of department stores that carry Kate Spade clothing or shoes say sales are increasing, according to TickerMine's latest poll. Forty-five percent of retailers surveyed said sales have remained consistent, and only six percent said sales are decreasing. Stores polled included retail giants Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Seventy-seven percent of stores surveyed carry Kate Spade clothing; 83% carry the line's shoes. Retailers reported that Kate Spade items are "good quality" and "stylish and popular." Only 17% of respondents are planning a clearance sale for Kate Spade items.

Yoga Items Most Popular at Lululemon (LULU) Stores   

On average, customers are spending between $50-$70 at eleven (50%) Lululemon stores around the country. Four (18%) stores told Tickermine that their customers spend $145-$200. Eleven (50%) stores believed that 65%-80% of their customers were returning customers. Women's yoga tank tops are the most popular selling item at ten (45%) stores followed by yoga mats (18%) and Activa jackets at four (18%) stores. Employees of sixteen stores (73%) reported that they have no trouble keeping stock of the most popular items. Thirteen (59%) stores said that their customers paid full price for items compared to buying from the sales rack. Only four (18%) of the Lululemon stores surveyed had been open less than three months.

True Religion (TRLG) Draws Believers

High-end jeans are selling well according to Tickermine's latest survey of department stores and boutiques. 39% reported high-end jean sales are above average, while 16% called them very strong. 26% stated that True Religion is the hottest brand of women's jeans. Most of those surveyed had a positive image of the brand, calling it "stylish" and "good quality".

Comments

[doubleeagle:]

True Religion is the real deal. With such a high level of short interest...this stock will only be supported by the good fundementals and valuation combined with a unwinding of short positions.

2008 Jul 18 02:00 PM