When Amazon reports its Q4 results next week we’ll have a better indication of the impact on e-commerce of the reopening of retail and of the ongoing supply chain challenges. We’ll be looking at profits – and guidance for 2022 from the online behemoth.
FINANCE
H&M (Sweden) reported that profits rose seven-fold to £1.1billion in the year to November 30.
- Sales rose 6 percent to $21.2 billion.
- The retailer has set out plans to double its sales by 2030, putting annual revenue in excess of $42 billion.
- 2022 will see H&M debut in Ecuador, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Cambodia, as well as expand its online footprint.
LVMH (France) has said it is confident it can continue its fast-paced growth after reporting fresh sales and profit records last year driven by booming demand in the US and China.
Signa Sports United (Germany) posted a 10% rise in revenue despite grappling with bike shortages.
- Sales rose to €247 million in the three months to December 31, but net losses doubled from €10 million to €21 million.
Skims (USA), the underwear brand founded by Kim Kardashian, reported 2021 sales rose 90% to $275 million. This year it projects sales to hit $400 million.
- The company said its market value has doubled to $3.2 billion during the last nine months.
- The brand has added loungewear and sleepwear items.
Dr Martens (UK) revealed that Q3 wholesale revenue had falled 14% as supply chain challenges forced it to divert stock away from department store concessions and towards its own online stores.
PODCAST
How to Turn Your Brand into a Cult Brand
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RETAIL
Retail returns in the U.S. jumped to an average of 16.6% in 2021 (an estimated $761 billion of merchandise) versus 10.6% a year ago, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Appriss Retail.
- The average rate of returns for online purchases was 20.8% — an increase from 18.1% last year, per the NRF.
- Returns rates are becoming a key metric for retailers as they grow their online sales.
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