Phalguni Soni
Phalguni is a retail analyst at Market Realist. Phalguni has had 9 years’ experience in Canada, Dubai, and India, and has worked in Analyst roles at Great Canadian Gaming Corp., Dubai World, Lusight Research, TradeBriefs, and Global Education Management Systems. Phalguni has completed the CFA program. She received a degree in Commerce from the University of Calcutta and was placed at the top of her class.
Disclosure: I am in full compliance with all ethics and other policies for Market Realist research analysts. I am not invested in securities that I cover on Market Realist.
More From Phalguni Soni
How Warehouse Clubs Have Transformed the Retail Sector
A National Bureau of Economic Research study has found that the evolution and growth of warehouse clubs have been the most significant influences on the retail sector over the last 15-20 years.
Analyzing Walmart – The World’s Largest Retailer
Walmart (WMT) is a mass merchandiser. It’s the world’s largest retailer. It has over 11,100 stores in ~27 countries. It has a market cap of over $275 billion.
Reasons for NIKE’s Rising Profitability
NIKE is working to improve its profitability, as its margins trail industry peers such as Lululemon Athletica (LULU) and VF Corporation (VFC).
Why Same-Store Sales Surged for Home Depot and Lowe’s
Home Depot’s same-store sales grew 5.1% overall, marking the 18th straight quarter of positive comps for the retailer.
Future Sales Drivers for Nike’s Integrated Marketplace Model
Nike is expecting sales through wholesalers to grow at a mid- to high-single compounded annual growth rate over the next five years through fiscal 2020.
Why Nike Is Upbeat on Its Geographic Segments
Western Europe is Nike’s (NKE) second-largest segment. The segment’s revenues grew at a mid- to high-teens rate to $5.7 billion in fiscal 2015.
China Drove 3Q15 Sales Growth for Under Armour, Nike, and Adidas
This was a record quarter for Under Armour, with sales breaching the $1 billion mark for the first time.
Why Nike Is Projecting Explosive Growth in Retail and Web Sales
Nike’s rival Adidas (ADDYY) is targeting over 2 billion euros from web sales by 2020, as detailed in its latest five-year plan unveiled in March 2015.
Nike’s Free Cash Flow Outlook and Projected Growth Investments
Nike expects to grow its Free Cash Flow, or FCF, at a faster pace compared to net income over the next five years through fiscal 2020. In fiscal 2015, FCF grew by ~74%.
Inherent Risks and Rewards in Walmart’s E-Commerce Business
Walmart’s (WMT) e-commerce business is slated to grow the fastest of all its channels, at 20%–30% per annum from fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2019. E-commerce sales were $12.2 billion in fiscal 2015, a growth rate of 22%.
Can Nike Grow North American Sales to $20 Billion by 2020?
Performance for Nike and peers has been strong in North America over the past few years. The sports gear category has benefited from the improving US economy.
Why Under Armour Unveiled a Blueprint for International Expansion
Under Armour’s (UA) international operations are among its fastest-growing businesses.
Projected Synergies from an Anheuser-Busch InBev–SABMiller Deal
ABI is a leading company in the consumer staples sector. It has had a strong record of integrating acquisitions and delivering synergies ahead of target.
Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Acquisition of SABMiller: Divestitures at a Glance
ABI has been one of the most active companies in the acquisition of other beer firms. The Belgium-based company itself came from a prior $52 billion deal.
Analyzing Under Armour’s Latest Growth Updates
Under Armour is a growth company. In this series, we’ll discuss how the company plans to double its business in the next four years.
Overseas Markets and Nike: Obstacles on the Leading Footwear Company’s Revenue Racetrack?
In fiscal 2015, Nike derived ~55% of its sales from overseas markets—18.7% from Western Europe, 12.7% from Emerging Markets, and 10% from Greater China.
Can Lululemon Keep Seeing Traction in Same-Store Sales?
Lululemon’s same-store sales performance was healthy in 2Q16. There’s been a reversal in the negative trend that dogged the retailer for much of last year, particularly in its brick-and-mortar channel.
The Challenges Affecting Lululemon Athletica’s Cost Structure
Lululemon Athletica (LULU) reported a 5.2% rise in gross profit to $205.9 million in 1Q16. The increase in profits was driven by higher sales.
Analyzing Lululemon Athletica’s Revenue Performance this Year
Lululemon Athletica (LULU) reported revenue of $423.5 million in 1Q16, up 10% year-over-year.
Home Depot’s E-Commerce Business Grows 25% in 2Q16
Web sales for The Home Depot (HD) rose 25% year-over-year in 2Q16. E-commerce sales made up 5% of total sales, or $1.2 billion.
Coca-Cola Bottler Merger: Analyzing the Deal’s Economics
The new company, Coca-Cola European Partners PLC (or CCEP), would be based in the United Kindgom with CCE, CCIP, and The Coca-Cola Company (KO) holding 48%, 34%, and 18% of shares, respectively.
CVS’ Retail Pharmacy Market Share Rises in 2Q15 on Scripts Growth
CVS Health’s Retail Pharmacy segment reported sales of $17.2 billion in 2Q15, an increase of 2.2% over 2Q14. CVS boosted its share of the retail pharmacy market to 21.6% in 1Q15, from 21% in 2Q14.
Under Armour Increases Presence in International Markets in 2Q15
Under Armour (UA) derived ~11% of its sales from outside the United States in 2Q15, or ~$89 million. Its international sales more than doubled in 2Q15.
Major Factors Driving CVS’s Retail Pharmacy Segment Growth
CVS Health (CVS) expects Retail Pharmacy sales growth between 0.5% and 2% year-over-year in 2Q15. Total same-store sales are expected to be in the range of -1.25% to 0.25%.
Why Nike Is Expanding Its Direct Retail Store Presence
Nike sales growth was fueled by new store openings, higher store comps, and growth in the e-commerce channel.
How Was Nike’s 4Q15 and 2014 Sales Performance in North America?
Nike’s sales performance was the strongest in the key markets of North America, Western Europe, and Greater China.
Multichannel Retailing Drives Growth for Restoration Hardware
Restoration Hardware, the luxury furniture retailer, is one of the most successful adapters of omnichannel retailing in the industry. It uses its stores as brand showrooms.
Why Store Expansion is a Critical Driver for Lululemon Athletica
Despite having negative comps in 1H15, Lululemon’s revenue growth for its physical stores was positive at 9.7% year-over-year in fiscal 2015.
Analyzing Lululemon’s Omni-Channel and E-Commerce Differentiators
Lululemon is testing RFID (radio frequency identification) technology and plans to implement the technology, which is currently used in ~13 stores.
Inventory and Supply Chain Management Boosts Lululemon’s Sales
Lululemon’s third distribution center in Columbus, Ohio, came online last year. It is expected to cut shipping times for East Coast customers by half.
Procter & Gamble’s Downy: World’s Fastest-Growing Brand
According to Kantar World Panel’s Brand Footprint 2015 report, Procter & Gamble’s (PG) fabric softener Downy was the fastest-growing brand in 2014.
The Wal-Mart Impact on Food Price Deflation
What starts as a competitive strategy for Wal-Mart may also affect the general level of grocery price inflation in the United States.
E-Commerce Should Spark Walmart’s Fiscal 1Q16 Performance
Walmart announced it was testing unlimited shipping for $50 per year, presenting significant competition to Amazon’s Prime service.
Home Depot Sales Likely to Be Influenced by Macroeconomic Factors
The US Federal Reserve dialed down its outlook for economic growth in 2015. Slower growth may affect sales performance at Home Depot (HD) this fiscal.
Home Depot Stock Outperforms Peer Group
Home Depot’s (HD) stock has performed well over the past five years. In fact, it’s been the best-performing stock in its peer group.
Home Depot’s Strong International Business Opportunities
Home Depot expects to grow its international store count, particularly in Mexico. It plans to add five new stores in Mexico and one in Canada in 2016.
Home Depot Profits from Sound Supply Chain Management
Home Depot’s (HD) supply chain is getting more productive, resulting in better gross margins. Each store stocks about 30,000 to 40,000 different products.
Marketing at Home Depot Designed for Customer Base
Marketing initiatives at Home Depot include Pro Xtra. This program exclusively targets professional customers.
Home Depot’s Target Market and Customer Base
Home Depot invests considerable sums in providing a superior customer experience. Its co-founders say “the customer has a bill of rights at The Home Depot.”
Home Depot’s Product Portfolio and Supplier Relationships
Kitchen and garden products are the best-grossing product categories. These accounted for nearly 27% of revenues in fiscal 2014.
Home Improvement Retail: A Two-Horse Race for Supremacy
The home improvement industry is highly concentrated, particularly in the consumer market. The degree of concentration is growing.
Home Depot (HD): Built of Strong Stuff
Fiscal 2015 was a record year for Home Depot. The stock has returned over 47% over the past year and over 10% year-to-date.
How Nike Benefits from Its Wholesale Partnerships
Nike (NKE) has a number of stores-within-stores, or exclusive standalone stores, partnering with retailers.
Analyzing Walmart’s Profitability And Margins Versus Peers
Despite its sales growth, the gross profit rate declined for Walmart’s US operations, consisting of the Walmart US and Sam’s Club segments.
VF Corporation’s Big 3 And Other Brands In The Making
The company’s three major brands—The North Face, Vans, and Timberland—all reported double-digit growth rates in the quarter.
Walmart’s Stock Performance Has Been Below Par
Stock price movement affected Walmart’s stock performance. Walmart’s stock is only up by 8.8% since the start of 2014.
Walmart’s Capital Structure – A Mix Of Debt And Equity
Walmart (WMT) has a mix of debt and equity in its capital structure. The retailer’s (XRT) total debt, both short and long-term, is ~$56.6 billion.
Walmart’s Capital Strategy – Smaller Stores And Supercenters
Walmart embarked to aggressively minimize the capital cost per square foot of retail space with the aim of faster payback on investment.
Why Walmart Isn’t A Heavyweight In China
In 2013, Walmart closed 29 underperforming stores in China. It also announced a revamp. It planned to open 110 new stores in focused geographies.
Walmart Is Looking For Growth In International Markets
Walmart (WMT) is the world’s largest retailer. The company reported 6,189 stores in its International segment—compared to 4,987 in the US in 3Q15.
