Consumer Discret Sel Sect SPDR® ETF

Six Flags’ per capita guest spending increased $2.79, or 7%, to $42.97 in 2014, primarily due to improved admissions pricing and new offerings in the parks.

Six Flags’ (SIX) admissions revenue per capita increased by 9% in 2014, primarily driven by pricing improvements on multi- and single-use ticket offerings.

The restaurant industry is part of the consumer discretionary sector. This sector does well when the economy is expanding.

Labor expenses increased by 1.15% to 31.11% as a percentage of related sales from last year. The increase affected the company’s bakery operating margins.

This article discusses Nordstrom’s inventory management in comparison to that of its industry peers.

Traffic is the increase in the number of customers that visit the stores and make a transaction or purchase. Panera Bread’s traffic grew 1.3%.

In fiscal 2013, the company’s Retail segment contributed 97% of Nordstrom’s revenues of $12.5 billion, while the Credit segment accounted for only 3%.

Nordstrom’s multichannel strategy and best-in-class customer service have made the company famous.

Low inflation means low interest rates. This makes it affordable for restaurants to borrow and expand units.

VFC’s total annualized returns to shareholders appear among the most consistent within its peer group for one-year, three-year, and five-year time periods.

Job creation and GDP growth go hand-in-hand. The job markets and the economy tend to move in a similar pattern.

Macy’s is taking measures to improve inventory management, including its My Macy’s program that customizes merchandise according to local preferences.

Raw materials contribute about 47% to the cost of a vehicle. On average, an automobile is 47% steel, 8% iron, 8% plastic, 7% aluminum, and 3% glass.

The unemployment rate for December 2014 was 5.6%, showing a month-over-month decrease from 5.8% in November.

Macy’s target consumers include Millennials. The company launched collections aimed at Millennials, including QMack, Maison Jules, and Bar III Carnaby.

Calvin Klein’s North American operations had a 2% increase in same-store sales growth. However, the international operations decreased by 4%.

The Starbucks China and Asia-Pacific segment grew 85% to $495 million, up from $266 million year-over-year.

Tommy Hilfiger was founded in 1985. Along with Calvin Klein, it’s one of PVH’s two flagship brands. For 2013, Tommy Hilfiger’s global retail sales were $6.4 billion.

Domestic means all of the restaurants in Shake Shack’s domestic market—the US. Revenue from this segment was $78.5 million in 2013.

Shake Shack (SHAK) calculates its AUV (average unit volume) by dividing the total company-operated sales by the total company-operated units.

We’ve looked at Shake Shack’s (SHAK) revenues and drivers. It’s also important to understand how the company has been managing its key costs.

We’ll look at Shake Shack’s profitability in terms of its operating and net profit margins. In 2013, it had an operating profit of $5.9 million.

By opening Teavana Fine Teas and Tea Bars, Starbucks has shown how it’s focused on generating revenues from relevant products.

VFC manufactures ~27% of its products in facilities operated by the company. The company owns 28 manufacturing facilities.

Among the three major competitors in the cruise industry, Royal Caribbean (RCL) had the highest operating margin in 2013.

Starbucks’s EBITDA is lowest in second quarters, which shows the seasonality of the business. Adverse weather conditions can also affect EBITDA.

The following are Starbucks’s geographic segments: Americas; China and Asia Pacific; and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Costs directly related to operating a cruise ship comprise ~74% of Royal Caribbean’s (RCL) total operating costs.

Apart from operating the largest contemporary global brand, Royal Caribbean offers five additional brands targeting specific markets.

Royal Caribbean (RCL) derives revenue from two sources: passenger ticket revenue and onboard and other revenue.

Royal Caribbean Cruises, founded in 1968 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, is the world’s second largest cruise company.

Gauging a company’s debt levels is crucial to understanding its financial health. Maintaining high debt levels in uncertain times can be damaging.

Consumer confidence in the United States is at an all-time high in seven years, and people are spending more on food prepared outside the home.

Best Buy’s growth rate in same-store sales had been negative since fiscal 2011. Efforts to optimize the shopping experience have changed that.

As part of its turnaround strategy, Best Buy is also revamping its stores and trying to encourage more robust store traffic.

Competition is fierce in all of the affordable luxury industry. And, there are many players, including KORS and KATE.

Best Buy is the leading consumer electronics retailer in the US. Today, Best Buy has more than 1,900 stores and locations.

Carnival has a stronger financial position than its peers. It maintained a very low debt-to-capital ratio of 28% in 2013 and just 27% in 2014.

Coach is a well-known premium fashion brand. In recent years, Coach has faced increasing competition from newer entrants in the affordable luxury market.

Carnival’s operating profit increased to $1,792 million in 2014, from $1,352 million in 2013. Its operating margin increased to 11.3%, from 8.7% in 2013.

The growth of demand was the key driver of Carnival Corporation’s revenue growth in 2014. The number of passengers increased by 5% in 2014.

Cruise categories Cruise liners have been successfully providing a wide range of products and services at various price points to suit preferences of passengers from different age groups. Service levels and pricing differ by brand, category of the ship, cabins, season, duration, and itinerary. We can categorize cruise brands into these three categories: contemporary, premium, […]

Two of Carnival Corporation’s (CCL) operating segments comprise almost 98% of the company’s revenue. Carnival also reports a Cruise Support segment and a Tour segment.

Carnival Corporation (CCL) derives revenue from the following three sources: passenger tickets, onboard or other activities, and tours.

The number of Carnival’s cruise passengers has increased at a six-year CAGR of 4.6%. It has the largest market share of cruise passengers at ~47%.

Carnival Corporation (CCL), the largest cruise company in the world, operates 101 cruise ships and has a global market share of ~47%.

In addition to the factors we’ve discussed, regulations can also affect the company’s profits. Let’s look at some of the regulations that apply to TXRH.

A company can increase its marketing and promotional activities to bring in more customers and obtain operating leverage.

The company increased its menu prices by 1.5% in early December of 2013, and in 2012, it increased menu prices by 2.2%.

NIKE holds the #1 position for both apparel and footwear in China among sportswear rivals. It plans to leverage the value of its brand among consumers.