Raw Data Report: Lululemon, Kirkland's, Coldwater Creek

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 in to the stock selection and valuation process.

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.

59% of Kirkland's (KKD) Respondents See Business as Down or the Same vs. Last Year

Kirkland's Inc., the home décor retailer, was profiled after the company announced a slight drop in Q2 earnings. We asked which items sell best, can we anticipate new items this fall, how does business compare with last year, do you anticipate a lot of sale merchandise this season and how much do people spend.

Twenty three stores were consulted. We found that six people or 26% cited that outdoor tables and chairs sell best. The same number cited painted collage frames and three people or 13% mentioned Tuscan vases. Seventeen people or 74% foresee more new items this fall over last year. Six people or 26% do not. Seven people or 30% reckon that business is down from a year earlier but then the same ratio said sales were up and nine people or 29% think sales are just the same.

Meanwhile 15 people or 65% think they will see more sale merchandise this season. Eight people or 35% think merchandise will be the same and shoppers are mostly repeat shoppers (61% say). Only six people or 26% say their shoppers are new customers. But customers spend well at Kirkland's overall. Eleven people or 48% say people spend $50-$100. Nine people or 39% say people spend $100-$300 and three people or 13% see bills for $450-$700.

Tops, Jackets and Jeans are All that Sell Well at Coldwater Creek (CWTR)

Coldwater Creek, the clothing retailer was profiled this week after the company announced its Q2 earnings were grim, thanks to decreased store traffic and shrunken direct channel sales. We asked respondents at 24 retail locations nation-wide about which summer item is the best-seller, is there more merchandise now vs. last year, are you offering seasonal merchandise, do you foresee a lot of sale merchandise this season and are your shoppers repeats or newbies.

The best selling items were tops, jeans and jackets, apparently. Tops were cited by six people or 25% of those polled. Jackets were mentioned by five people or 21% and the same number cited jeans. Seven people or 29% felt that the merchandise was the same vs. last summer. Sixteen or 67% said there was more from a year ago and one person or 4% felt there was less. Twenty people or 83% said they were offering mostly seasonal merchandise. Four people or 17% said this wasn't the case. Meanwhile 22 people or 92% said they foresee tons of sale merchandise, two people or 8% said they don't and while 16 people or 67% see their customers as repeats mostly, three people or 13% say it is a split between new and regulars and five people or 21% think their customers are mostly newcomers.

Comments

[10Q Detective:]

Is Spa Concept a mistake at Coldwater?

10qdetective.blogspot....

2008 Sep 19 10:48 AM