Tag Archives: Kate Spade

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

3 Hot Retailers for the Best Spring Styles in 2013

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By Andrew Marder, The Motley Fool

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When your whole business depends on selling fashion to the masses, the last thing you can afford to do is be out of touch with what’s going to be hot. While winter seems to have dug in its heels, spring really is just around the corner, and that means a new season of trends. Here’s a look at three of the biggest consumer trends coming down the pike, and a few companies that are hoping to make the most of them.

Let us cultivate our garden
Almost every runway this season was awash in floral prints — dresses, skirts, shirts, pants, everything. While almost every brand will have some versions to sell this spring, there are especially interesting offerings from Aeropostale and Fifth and Pacific brand Kate Spade. Aeropostale is focusing on the lower-end crowd with less-expensive items such as $25 dresses. That’s the brand’s style, and hopefully it’s going to pay off. In its last conference call, the company said the first quarter was off to a slow start. Having trendy offerings should help boost performance, but only if the weather cooperates.

At the higher end, Kate Spade is doing what it does best — clean lines and fashionable designs. The brand had a stellar 2012, with a 57% increase in revenue in the last quarter. This spring, the brand is rolling out a new line of $400 dresses and $200 skirts that aim at the fashion-forward customer. The company is also going to increase its focus on the Kate Spade Saturday brand this year, so look for new prints from that lower-priced brand soon.

The new trend on the block 
If you’re not wearing a floral print, you’re probably going to be in a bold stripe or color-blocked outfit this spring — or maybe you’re a guy. Leading the solids pack is Michael Kors , with a selection of dresses and skirts at a wide range of price points. The lines on Kors’ clothing are slimmer than those of either Kate Spade or Aeropostale, both of which have color-blocked offerings of their own.

For the past few years, Kors has been on the bleeding edge of mass-produced style. The company had a 41% increase in comparable-store sales last quarter, as customers rushed in to be part of the “in” crowd. This spring should be no different, even though the company has said sales growth is going to slow over the coming quarter. But Kors has a strong relationship with its suppliers and feels confident that any change in style can quickly be reflected on the company’s sales floors.

Peek-a-boo
Finally, expect to see a whole bunch of people running around in sheer layers and dresses with cutout sections in them. This trend has already been gaining steam, and the spring is just going to see it expand. As usual, Abercrombie & Fitch is happy to swoop in when the recipe for success includes baring …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Juicy Couture and Lucky Brand Go On Sale?

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By Andrew Marder, The Motley Fool

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It looks like Juicy Couture and Lucky Brand have become too burdensome for Fifth and Pacific to handle. The company is reportedly looking to sell off the brands, leaving its portfolio centered around the fast-rising Kate Spade brand. Lucky has had some success in the past year, though Juicy has languished, stuck with the velour tracksuits of yesterday. While Fifth and Pacific hasn’t confirmed the rumors, the sale would make a lot of sense, and likely leave the company better off.

The Kate phenomenon
The biggest benefit to losing the brands would be the freedom it gives Fifth and Pacific to focus on its leading brand. Kate Spade had a 27% increase in direct-to-consumer comparable sales last quarter. The company has made the brand the focus of most of its recent presentations, going so far as to have an investors’ day in March that focused solely on Kate Spade. Conversely, Lucky saw only a 3% increase in comparable sales, and Juicy had a 2% decline.

Kate Spade has been the clear winner, competing well with both Coach and Michael Kors . While Kors saw a much larger jump in comparable sales — 41% last quarter — Kate’s increase is nothing to be overlooked. It far outpaced the 2% drop Coach’s North American stores experienced last quarter.

News of the potential sale sounded great to investors, and the stock jumped 7% during the day yesterday. That’s largely due to the fact that Fifth and Pacific would be free of the drag that Juicy has been exerting on the company. Management forecast negative sales growth for the brand in the coming year.

A good buy
Even though Juicy and Lucky have been lackluster recently, both brands still have a lot of recognition and would make a nice addition to many portfolios. While Fifth and Pacific hasn’t commented on the rumors yet, it would make sense to see both brands sold off to the same buyer, with Lucky sweetening the deal and covering for the weaknesses of Juicy. EBITDA increased at Lucky by 37% over the last year, helping to offset the 62% decline at Juicy.

As more details emerge, this will surely turn into better news for Fifth and Pacific shareholders. The company is reportedly sending out detailed information to sellers in the next week, and the sale could move quickly after that. While it’s still early, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a sale before the end of May. Keep your eyes on this one.

Michael Kors is one of today’s hottest high-end fashion brands, and that’s translated into one of the best-performing stocks in retail — since its debut on the market in late 2011, the share price has more than doubled. But with all that growth, has the stock finally become too expensive, or is there still room left to run? The Motley Fool’s new premium report on Michael Kors gives investors all the information they …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Great Reasons to Buy Fifth and Pacific

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By Andrew Marder, The Motley Fool

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In a moment of public reflection last month, Fifth and Pacific highlighted what it called its “dark days” in a presentation to investors. Those days were back in the mid-2000s, when the Kate Spade brand “fell asleep.” But the company insisted that the brand has been reawakened, and that it now constitutes one of the most powerful growth drivers of Fifth’s portfolio of brands. With strong growth last year and a clear plan for 2013, that’s an argument that’s hard to ignore. Here are a few reasons to consider adding Fifth to your portfolio, and one danger to watch out for.

Making the most of trends
Kate Spade is the company’s largest branded segment. The brand accounted for 25% of revenue last quarter, with Lucky Brand jeans making up 15%, and Juicy Couture adding 8%. The other 31% came from Adelington Design Group. Unless you’re an investor in Fifth, it’s unlikely that you’ve come across that name. The division makes all the accessories that Fifth sells through JCPenney, Kohl’s, and other outlets. It also makes the company’s previously eponymous Liz Claiborne-branded merchandise.

Kate Spade is sitting at the top of the trend heap right now, next to Michael Kors . The brands are like co-captains in the handbag brigade. Kors is leading the high-end, serious side, with comparable sales up 41% last quarter and its name on everyone’s lips. But Kors doesn’t have a hold on the lighter, brighter side like Kate Spade does. The 27% growth from the line shows just how much people like these bags, and Kors’ strength isn’t going to hurt that growth at Kate Spade.

All of the company’s brands have one thing in common — they’re able to chase and create trends. Kate Spade is the current leader in that category, as evidenced by the brand’s 27% increase in comparable direct-to-customer sales last quarter. The laggard is Juicy, which had its day in the sun a few years ago and is currently struggling to stay relevant.

The Juicy problem
Juicy is the one dark spot on an otherwise bright company. Last quarter Juicy’s EBITDA shrank like Honey‘s kids, down to 7.8% from 19% a year ago. Management knows that there’s a problem, and on the last earnings call said that the solution is to refocus the brand. The hope is that Juicy can get a boost from its e-commerce distribution channel, which has shown some strength. Then, over time, Fifth will rebound just like the company’s other brands have.

With good reason to believe management has a handle on the issue — given the track record with Kate Spade and Lucky — I see no reason not to like Fifth and Pacific. The company has a strong mix of brands and a great plan for growth in place. It’s a clear winner in my book.

More on Kors
Michael Kors is one of today’s hottest high-end fashion brands, and that’s translated into one of …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

News, Politics, Government

Kate Spade — A Brand That Will Grow Globally

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By Walter Loeb, Contributor Twenty years ago Kate Spade launched her company, Kate Spade New York, with a collection of nylon bags. The design of that boxy nylon handbag was the beginning of a successful company. Kate, her husband Andy and partners, Pamela Bell and Elyce Arona, sold the brand to Neiman Marcus in 1999. In 2006 Liz Claiborne Inc. (now called Fifth & Pacific Inc.) bought the company. In 2007, the founders cashed out, and a new management was installed. Craig Leavitt, CEO, and Deborah Lloyd as president and creative director took the helm in 2008. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest

Science & Technology

10 Valentine's Gifts for That Special Techie/Gamer

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Struggling with gift ideas for your one true love this Valentine’s Day? Forever alone and just want to spoil yourself with some seriously cool accessories because you’re a strong, independent geek who don’t need no man/woman/cylon? IGN Tech can help with that.

In the immortal words of Beyoncé, if you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it. Don’t miss your chance with this USB ring from Kate Spade, which is both adorable and functional. While it comes with only a modest 4GB, what it lacks in storage space, it makes up for in style.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at IGN Tech

Styles & Fashion

Kate Spade's in a New York State of Mind For Fall '13

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By Hannah Weil

With nods to Andy Warhol and Studio 54’s brand of glamour, Kate Spade crafted a retro-inspired mix of leopard prints, metallics, and short suits for Fall ’13. All done with the designer’s signature sweetness, the lineup is a bright, girlier take on sophisticated, city dressing that pays homage to New York on the designer’s 20th anniversary. Click on for a glimpse of the full collection – and look for Spade’s whimsy in playful “Big Apple” prints and cheery knit sweaters.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

Styles & Fashion

Brad Goreski on Kate Spade's Fall '13 Girl – and Styling Like a Pro

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By Marisa Tom

Kate Spade‘s Fall ’13 collection – and 20th anniversary – celebrates New York City in spirit (just look to the yellow-checkered cabs) and in its cool party-girl execution. And who better to give us the rundown than the brand’s stylist, Brad Goreski? Our fashion reporter Allison McNamara caught up with Brad at the Fall ’13 presentation to chat about the key to print-mixing, how to wear kitschier statement pieces, which Kate Spade bag is a must-have staple (and a personal favorite of his), and, of course, his answer to the age-old question: studs or sequins? See what Brad had to say about it all in today’s Fashion Flash!

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

Styles & Fashion

The Best Instagram Snaps (So Far) From NYFW Fall 2013

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By Robert Khederian

It’s only day two of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and our Instagram feed is already filled to the brim with our in-the-moment snaps from every show, presentation, and party we’ve been to. We’ve captured Kate Spade‘s retro-inspired brights, the perfect lace-up oxfords at Lauren Moffatt, and the epic Prabal Gurung for Target carnival – all while a blizzard named Nemo was brewing outside. Of course, this is just the beginning. Be sure to check back for our latest NYFW social media coverage! And while you’re at it, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, too!

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie