Alan Rifkin
Alan Rifkin
Alan Rifkin is a former contributing editor of Details magazine. He has also written for the Los Angeles Times Magazine, Premiere, L.A. Weekly, Buzz and The Quarterly. His first book, Signal Hill, was a finalist for the 2004 Southern California Booksellers Award in Fiction. He was also a finalist for the 2003 PEN Center USA Award in Journalism . He lives with three children in Long Beach, California...
await believe continues drive expense greater heavy march promotions rely results sales seem signs
At expense of margins, we believe Pier 1 continues to rely on heavy promotions to drive sales. March results seem to have improved, but we await greater signs of improvement.
concern gas higher last peak prices saw
With gas prices already nearing the post-summer peak from last year, there is real concern that gas prices will be significantly higher than what we saw last year.
disposable fill good less oil paying pump spending touching
At the end of the day, with oil touching $70 a barrel, that is not good for the consumer. When we are all paying more at the pump to fill our cars, that's less disposable spending that we all have to spend at retailers.
cards full gift given importance increasing people percent represent season street surprised
I think people on the street were a little surprised that we weren't given full warning. Gift cards are increasing in importance and we think this season will represent 16 percent of sales.
believe comparable further gas given higher impact levels limit prices spending targeted
Given the demographics of the targeted Pier 1 consumer, we believe higher gas prices could limit spending levels and further impact comparable sales.
believe broader concern despite favorite home housing improvement indicative market remains results solid trends
Lowe's remains one of our favorite names. Despite concern of a softening housing market in 2006, we believe Lowe's solid results are indicative of trends in the broader home improvement industry.
boost change continued earnings expected operating
Net-net, the change is expected to boost earnings on a continued operating basis.
believe cautious continue finest given home housing names outlook potential
While we believe Home Depot is one of the finest names in retailing, we continue to reiterate our cautious outlook on the shares, given the company's vulnerability to a potential slowdown in the housing environment.
believe current holiday sales season selling trends
We believe that, with current sales trends still weak, the company's holiday selling season could very well be hampered,
based consensus current currently forward given historic home improvement line low positive remain sector shares trading
We remain very positive on the home improvement sector and Home Depot's prospects, particularly given current valuation levels. Home Depot shares are currently trading in line with the five-year historic low forward price-to-earnings ratio, based on consensus estimates.
admire continue environment execution home next positive six solid view
We admire Home Depot's solid execution and productivity. We continue to have a more positive view on the macroeconomic environment over the next six to 12 months.
admire continue environment execution home next positive six solid view
We admire Home Depot's solid execution and productivity, ... We continue to have a more positive view on the macroeconomic environment over the next six to 12 months.
accustomed best buy companies hitting letting people seeing staff troubled
We are accustomed to seeing troubled companies pruning their staff and letting people go, but Best Buy is really hitting on all cylinders.
aided believe console december despite enhanced excitement growth limited sales strong traffic trends tv xbox
Despite limited console availability, we believe that Xbox 360 boosted comp growth as traffic trends benefited from the excitement generated by the new product. Enhanced TV sales were also strong during December and January, which also aided same-store sales.