This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: J.C. Penney’s total Q3 net sales fell 3.8% year over year to $1.36 billion. With credit card income down nearly 30% due to last year's one-time favorable accounting adjustment, total revenues fell 5.4% to just over $1.4 billion, according to financial filings Monday. Gross margin contracted from 38.7% a year ago to 38%, with increases in beauty, home and ...

Key Takeaways Macy's delivered 2% comparable sales growth in 3Q25, its strongest comps performance in 13 quarters.M saw higher engagement from app and website upgrades, personalization and Macy's Marketplace expansion.Macy's Reimagine 125 stores outperformed, while a new China Grove center cut costs and sped deliveries.Macy’s Inc. (M) continues to make meaningful progress on its omni-channel transformation as the company strengthens digital capabilities, elevates in-store experiences and modernizes its end- ...

Key Takeaways Indivior shares jumped 21.7% since a late-October upgrade, far outpacing the S&P 500's 2% rise.FIGS surged 56.8% after a Zacks recommendation upgrade, compared with a 3.5% gain for the S&P 500.Ulta Beauty climbed 21.3% in 12 weeks as a Focus List holding, beating the S&P 500's 6.2% advance.Last week, U.S. stock markets ended on a generally positive note, despite mid-week volatility. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the S&P 500 have secured healthy gains of ...

This story was originally published on Supply Chain Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Supply Chain Dive newsletter. Macy’s plans to close a fulfillment center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this spring, a company spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive in an email. “After careful consideration, we’ve made the decision to close our supply chain facility in Tulsa as part of our ongoing work to modernize our supply chain to better serve customers, while simplifying how we operate,” the ...

Fans of Macy's Inc. will be disappointed to learn that the iconic department store has announced its next round of store closures. Fourteen Macy's locations in 12 states will shutter as a result of this move. Here's why and when the closures will take place. What's happened? On Thursday, Macy's published a letter from CEO Tony Spring to its employees updating them on the company's "A Bold New Chapter†strategy, which the department store chain unveiled in February 2024. As part of that strategy, Macy's annou ...

This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: S&P Global Ratings Wednesday downgraded Saks Global because the luxury department store conglomerate defaulted on a debt payment due Dec. 30. Its issuer credit rating on Saks Global is now “selective default,” down from CCC. The analysts don’t believe the company will make the payment within its 30-day grace period because of its liquidity issues, acco ...

Core Viewpoint - American Express cardholders and other shoppers are rushing to use store credits and gift cards at Saks Fifth Avenue due to concerns over the retailer's potential bankruptcy restructuring, which may affect the validity of gift cards [1][2]. Group 1: Consumer Behavior - Customers, including those with American Express Platinum cards, are anxious about the future of Saks and are trying to spend their gift cards quickly [2]. - A travel content creator highlighted the urgency among consumers to cash out gift cards, reflecting widespread concern within her community [3]. Group 2: Retailer Situation - Saks Fifth Avenue is facing potential bankruptcy, which raises questions about whether it will honor gift cards after filing for Chapter 11 [1][4]. - The retailer has incentives to protect its brand and may attempt to favor customers in bankruptcy court, but the final decision lies with the courts [3]. Group 3: Expert Opinions - A bankruptcy expert noted that there is a high probability Saks will honor gift cards during bankruptcy proceedings, but the uncertainty leads consumers to use their cards now [4]. - Historical examples of retail bankruptcies show varied approaches to gift card policies, indicating that consumer caution is warranted [4].

Core Insights - Target Corporation is expanding its wellness assortment by 30% in 2026, introducing thousands of new items and more exclusive products to enhance its position as a destination for everyday wellbeing [1][5] Product Expansion - The wellness expansion is based on guest insights and cultural trends across various categories including food & beverage, baby, beauty, health, and apparel [3] - New products will be introduced in 2026 across owned brands and exclusive partnerships, as well as in categories like sporting goods and wearable tech [3] Accessibility and Affordability - Target aims to provide high-quality wellness products at great prices, with thousands of items priced under $10 [4][5] - Target Wellness Week, running until January 10, offers additional savings on wellness brands and personalized deals for Target Circle 360 members [4] Unique Wellness Experience - The wellness experience includes new ways for guests to discover products both in-store and online, with a focus on personalized shopping experiences [5][7] - The expanded assortment includes exclusive retail debuts and new options in protein snacks, supplements, functional beverages, family wellness products, skincare, and performance-ready apparel [6] Marketing and Engagement - Target is launching a new marketing campaign titled "Wellness, Perfectly Picked for You," which highlights new brands and exclusive products tailored to guests' lifestyles [8] - The company will host in-store wellness events featuring product sampling and giveaways on specific dates in January [8]

Core Viewpoint - Saks Global is facing a potential bankruptcy, which could have significant repercussions for many fashion brands that rely on it as a major customer, with some brands potentially facing their own bankruptcy if Saks fails to pay its debts [1][2][10]. Financial Situation - Saks Global has reportedly missed a more than $100 million interest payment and is in a precarious financial position, with industry experts suggesting that bankruptcy is likely imminent [4][11]. - The company is believed to be in a 30-day grace period after missing its interest payment, with predictions that a bankruptcy filing could occur around the first week of February [11][12]. Impact on Vendors and Brands - Many fashion brands, referred to as "bread and butter brands," are heavily dependent on Saks Global, and if it goes bankrupt, they may only receive 5 to 10 cents on the dollar for their claims [1][2]. - Lawsuits for nonpayment from various vendors indicate the growing financial strain on Saks Global, with brands expressing frustration over lack of communication and unfulfilled promises [3][13]. Operational Challenges - Saks Global's inventory levels are reported to be very low, which is exacerbating its operational challenges and affecting its ability to maintain stable sales [11][13]. - The company needs to address its capital structure and operational issues to survive, as it relies heavily on the brands it sells [13]. Industry Context - The potential bankruptcy of Saks Global is seen as a significant event in the retail industry, especially following the bankruptcies of Barneys New York in 2019 and Neiman Marcus Group in 2020, which have already impacted the luxury fashion sector [6][10]. - The situation raises questions about the viability of department stores in the current retail landscape, with competitors like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's potentially poised to capitalize on Saks Global's struggles [8].

Core Insights - Investing in stocks based on valuation metrics, particularly the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio, can identify opportunities with strong upside potential, especially for companies that are unprofitable or in early growth phases [1][2] Group 1: Price-to-Sales Ratio - The P/S ratio provides a clearer picture of value when earnings are minimal or volatile, as it compares a company's market capitalization to its revenues [2][5] - A stock with a P/S ratio below 1 is considered a good bargain, indicating that investors pay less than a dollar for each dollar of revenue generated [6] - The P/S ratio is preferred over the price-to-earnings ratio because sales are harder to manipulate, making it a more reliable metric [7] Group 2: Screening Parameters - Stocks with a P/S ratio less than the median for their industry are highlighted as better investment opportunities [9][10] - The screening process pairs low P/S ratios with solid balance sheets to avoid valuation traps associated with excessive debt [10] Group 3: Company-Specific Insights - Hamilton Insurance Group (HG) is benefiting from strong execution and a clear growth roadmap, with gross premiums written rising significantly, reflecting momentum in various insurance lines [12][13] - Macy's Inc. (M) is undergoing a transformation under its Bold New Chapter program, focusing on digital initiatives and omnichannel retailing, which has led to consistent outperformance [14][15] - GIII Apparel Group (GIII) is driving growth through product differentiation and strengthening direct-to-consumer channels, with owned brands generating higher margins [16][17] - Green Dot (GDOT) is well-positioned for growth with a strong balance sheet and significant cash reserves, expanding its addressable market through Banking-as-a-Service programs [18][20] - Gibraltar Industries (ROCK) is benefiting from operational improvements and a focus on its Three-Pillar Strategy, with high demand in its Residential segment and agricultural facilities [21][22]