Economists are pointing to a ‘softer landing’ in key markets, with a dreaded recession looking less likely this year. At the same time, consumers remain cautious.
FINANCE
Bed Bath & Beyond (USA) is pulling together $1 billion in funding that included an equity offering of preferred stocks and warrants, along with a $100 million loan from lender Sixth Street Partners. The retailer has appointed bankruptcy expert Holly Etlin as interim CFO.
The Children’s Place (USA) has cut its Q4 guidance forecasting net sales of $454 million to $456 million, down about 10.7% year-on-year.
Sosandar (UK) plans to raise £4.5 million ($5.4 million) via a placing in efforts to accelerate the execution of its omni-channel strategy. The brand said it plans to carry out a separate offer of up to 2.27 million new ordinary shares to raise a further £500,000. In January, Sosandar said revenues had hit a new record high in its third quarter ended Dec. 31.
Under Armour (USA) beat analysts expectations with revenue of $1.58 billion from $1.53 billion a year ago. Net income for the three-month period that ended Dec. 31 was $121.62 million, compared with $109.66 million a year earlier.
Adidas (Germany) has warned that it could take a revenue hit of $1.5 billion and slump to a loss this year if it writes off Kanye West’s Yeezy stock, a move that it says will hit operating profits by €500 million in 2023. That loss could be reduced if Adidas finds a way to “repurpose” some of its Yeezy stock, the brand said.
Adidas said its operating profit for 2022 fell to €669 million, a two-thirds fall on the €2 billion it made in 2021.
OUTLOOK FROM RETAIL EXPERTS
Retail Prepares to Seize the Day
Retail faces many challenges, however the industry’s leading experts say that there are plenty of opportunities as consumers ‘rediscover’ stores.
Having survived the Holiday season, and with inflation seemingly easing a bit, the focus is shifting from mitigating the next potential crisis to seeking new growth opportunities.
A key strategy to pull a page from Amazon’s playbook and become more consumer-centric. Building that all-important connection with the consumer can not only drive sales, but also help retailers uncover new ways to serve their customers. For example, are there specific products they’d buy – if you carried them?
8 Leading experts weigh in on Biggest opportunities; Top market threats
PODCAST
What You Might Not Know about Airline Loyalty Programs
For anyone who travels, frequent flyer or loyalty programs as they are called play an outsized role in our airline choices.
While most of us are active participants in loyalty programs, few of us really understand why they say they are so beneficial – to the airlines.
In this podcast Mark Ross-Smith, Founder of industry news site “Travel Data Daily”, and CEO of Status Match shares an insider’s view of the hows and whys of loyalty programs.
You’ll Learn
- How loyalty programs are actually a revenue stream – and often profit centre – for airlines.
- New ways that airlines are using customer data find hidden revenue opportunities.
- How loyalty programs can work against a company – if they are not well executed.
RETAIL
Crew Clothing (UK) has unveiled plans to open up to 40 new stores over the next 2-3 years.
Canada Goose (Canada) plans to double its current portfolio of 51 stores over the next 5 years.
E-COMMERCE
Affirm (Australia) is slashing 19% of its staff, about 500 people, as the Buy Now, Pay Later sector struggles. CEO Max Levchin said that the company overestimated how fast e-commerce would grow by not realizing that the sector would cool off after the pandemic.
YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED THESE ARTICLES
Knitwear Leads the Way to Better Days
The Need to Automate. The Challenge in Doing It.
Key Trends that Will Define 2023
Delivery Technology that Could Solve Last Mile Delivery
A Fast Growing Sock Business that Combines Marketing and Automation
Why Nike Continues to Outperform the Market
How Cloud-based Tools Could Stabilize Supply Chains
Can Kohl’s Find a Place in Today’s Turbulent Market?
How Creating a Company Brand Can Help You Win the Talent War

