In an effort to expand its product assortments, United States'
leading fashion retailer,
Nordstrom Inc.
(
JWN
), recently announced that it has started selling the top two
British Brands - TOPSHOP and TOPMAN - at its stores. Currently,
these brands will feature as separate departments at 14 out of 117
of Nordstrom's full-line stores throughout the country as well as
on its ecommerce website starting in late 2012.
The brands' collection at Nordstrom stores will include the
exclusive designs available at any TOPSHOP and TOPMAN store as well
as some limited-edition pieces, specially designed for Nordstrom.
Additionally, the Nordstrom website will have an extended
merchandise selection featuring these two new brands.
Launched in 1964, TOPSHOP is a well known British brand for
women, offering glamorous footwear, accessories and an extensive
range of denim and jewelry. The brand has grown as a major British
style authority due to the development of young talent including
Christopher Kane, Meadham Kirchhoff, Hussein Chalayan, Richard
Nicoll and Mary Kantrantzou. Moreover, the brand's Boutique
collection, which focuses on style over seasonal trends, has led to
its growth.
On the other hand, TOPMAN, which is Arcadia Group's brand for
men, produces truly exciting high-street men's fashion. The brand,
launched in 1978, offers exclusive and affordable menswear in about
230 stores operating across UK. Additionally, its website -
TOPMAN.COM - ships to over 100 countries worldwide.
We believe Nordstrom's strategy of enhancing brand portfolio
along with expanding store network has always helped it to drive
its top-line growth. The company's sales for the second quarter of
fiscal 2012 grew 7.1% year over year to $2,535 million. Moreover,
earnings for the quarter came at 75 cents per share, which was
slightly above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents.
Buoyed by better-than-expected bottom-line performance, the
company raised its earnings guidance range for fiscal 2012 to $3.40
- $3.50 per share from $3.30 - $3.45 forecasted earlier. Currently,
the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fiscal stands at $3.44 per
share.
Further, Nordstrom is set to continue with its store expansion
strategy in fiscal 2012 with a target of opening 16 new stores
consisting of 1 full-line store and 15 Rack stores. In addition,
the company plans to add 24 new Rack stores in fiscal 2013 and
intends to operate 230 Rack stores by the end of 2016.
Based in Seattle, Washington, Nordstrom Inc. offers high-quality
apparel, shoes, cosmetics and accessories for men, women and kids.
The company offers both branded and private label merchandise, as
well as a private label card, two Nordstrom VISA credit cards and
debit cards for Nordstrom purchases. As of September 10, 2012,
Nordstrom operated 117 Nordstrom full-line stores, 110 Nordstrom
Rack, 2 Jeffrey boutiques, 1 treasure&bond store and 1
clearance store, thus bringing the total store count to 231.
Nordstrom competes with other upscale specialty retailers, such
as
Saks Inc.
(
SKS
) and
Macy's Inc.
(
M
). The company maintains a Zacks #2 Rank, which translates into a
short-term Buy rating.
NORDSTROM INC (JWN): Free Stock Analysis Report
MACYS INC (M): Free Stock Analysis Report
SAKS INC (SKS): Free Stock Analysis Report
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