Here are the big stories everyone was talking about.
Hot Topics
Retail Earnings - What apocalypse? Many retailers have announced positive comps, but not all are getting rewarded by The Street
Container Store flying high after comp sales crush expectations - https://www.marketwatch.com/story/container-store-stock-rallies-40-after-same-store-sales-crush-estimates-2018-08-01
WalMart crushes expectation due to online growth – https://seekingalpha.com/news/3383426-u-s-sales-impress-walmart
Despite beating analyst expectation, Macy’s stock declines due to comp rate slowdown - https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/15/macys-earnings-q2-2018.html
Target surges due to growth in foot traffic - https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/22/target-earnings-q2-2018.html
Shares up as TJX lures millennials to see 16th consecutive quarter of positive comps - https://www.pymnts.com/earnings/2018/tjx-stocks-sales-marshalls-off-price-retail/
Best Buy beats expectations, but shares tumble due to Q3 guidance - https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/28/best-buy-earnings-q2-2018.html?__source=sharebar|twitter&par=sharebar
Not all off-price retailers are the same. Even though Burlington sees positive comps, shares fall - https://www.retaildive.com/news/burlington-falls-despite-strong-q2-top-line/531301/
Ulta shares reach 52-week high, due to Kylie Cosmetics in-store program - https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/31/ulta-shares-rebound-on-news-that-kylie-cosmetics-is-coming-to-stores-ahead-of-the-holidays.html
Comings and Goings
Some interesting new concepts and digital brands making forays into brick & morter
J. Crew opens new men’s shop, complete with in-house barber - https://www.retaildive.com/news/j-crew-opens-nyc-mens-shop/529092/
Wayfair opens 1st brick-and-mortar location. Is it a one-off or first of many? - https://www.retailwire.com/discussion/wayfair-to-open-its-first-brick-mortar-store/
Miele opens first “mall” store; uses digital integration and experience centers to highlight premium appliances- https://www.chainstoreage.com/daybreaker/high-end-brand-puts-innovative-spin-on-appliance-shopping-at-new-flagship/
Google has reportedly entered into a lease for 14K square foot flagship store in Chicago - https://www.retailwire.com/discussion/is-the-time-ripe-for-google-stores/
·Someone’s waking up on the wrong side of the bed, while someone else is having a great nights’ sleep. Mattress Firm to consider filing Chapter 11, while digital native Casper announces plans to open 200 stores. - https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/08/casper-to-open-200-stores-across-the-us-as-mattress-firm-struggles.html
Lululemon announces 40 more stores after strong quarterly earnings report - https://www.retaildive.com/news/lululemon-plans-40-more-stores-by-years-end/531380/
More retail real estate will be available soon…
Brookstone files bankruptcy; announces closing of all mall locations - https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/02/brookstone-files-for-bankruptcy-to-shutter-100-stores-in-malls.html?__source=sharebar|twitter&par=sharebar
Drip, drip, drip – Sears to close another 46 locations - https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/23/sears-is-closing-46-more-stores-heres-where-they-are.html
Lowe’s to close all 99 Orchard Supply Hardware stores - https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2018/08/22/lowes-orchard-supply-hardware-stores-close/1060236002/
What story was most impactful this month? What did I miss?