This Holiday Expect More - Analyst Blog
07 Dicembre 2012 - 11:00AM
Zacks
This holiday, customers can expect
more from retailers as they take their final lap before Christmas.
Shoppers are offered deep discounts to enliven their shopping
spirit. Apart from door-buster deals, early store opening,
e-shopping through smartphones and tablets as well as free shipping
are the added advantages.
In addition, for the first time
this year, retailers such as Target Corporation
(TGT) and Best Buy Co. Inc (BBY) announced they
would offer their wares at prices comparable to online retailers
like Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), Wal-Mart
Stores Inc.’s (WMT) Walmart.com and Toysrus.com.
According to Target’s
price-matching policy, the customer will not find any discrepancy
in pricing if an item is purchased between November 1 and December
24 from the company’s stores. However, if the item costs less at
Target.com or in a local competitor’s printed ad, this retailer
will provide items matching the price.
Macy’s Inc. (M) –
one of the leading department store retailers in the U.S – went a
step ahead and extended its annual shopping marathon in its stores
throughout the nation. The company stated that its stores will
remain open for 48 hours beginning 7 a.m. on Friday, December 21
through 7 a.m. on Sunday, December 23.
Macy’s started its shopping
marathon in 2006 with Macy’s Queens Center remaining open for 24
hours. Following the success, the company added more stores to this
marathon program. Last year, the company had 14 locations open for
24 hours at a stretch providing last minute deals to shoppers.
As Superstorm Sandy dented sales
last month, retailers now are going that extra mile this holiday
season with pricing and promotional activities. Generally most
retailers were hit by the devastating storm in November.
Comps results for retailers such as
Target, Nordstrom Inc. (JWN) and Kohl’s
Corporation (KSS) witnessed a decline of 1%, 1.1% and
5.6%, respectively. Last week, Macy’s announced that its key sales
metric (comparable-store sales) inched down 0.7% year over year for
the month of November.
Given the cut-throat competition
and pricing wars, those retailers who are able to meet the
expectations of discerning consumers will succeed in expanding
volumes and margins by ensuring steady foot falls.
At the end of this game, both
retailers and shoppers will stand to reap the gains.
AMAZON.COM INC (AMZN): Free Stock Analysis Report
BEST BUY (BBY): Free Stock Analysis Report
NORDSTROM INC (JWN): Free Stock Analysis Report
KOHLS CORP (KSS): Free Stock Analysis Report
MACYS INC (M): Free Stock Analysis Report
TARGET CORP (TGT): Free Stock Analysis Report
WAL-MART STORES (WMT): Free Stock Analysis Report
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