Macy’s, Nordstrom and Kohl’s might have left the economic crisis behind them. Conversely, Sears, JC Penney and Hudson’s Bay are still facing tough times. US retail brands ended their first six-month period by achieving different accomplishments, which were rewarding for the ones who successfully implemented some renovation and reorganization strategies. For example, Macy’s, Nordstrom and Kohl’s, who have already taken some advantages of such policies, therefore boosting remarkably both their sales and profits; on the other hand, the profitability of some competitors, such as Sears, JC Penney and Hudson’s Bay, kept declining, in contrast. Among the winning strategies the former carried out, they reshaped their product supply, focusing on those commodities that may ensure higher margins of profit and investing in the online channel. Macy’s, the trade biggest player in the world as to turnover, could rely their good performance, in the first six months of the year, also on “a close management of our stocktaking, which enables us to provide our customers with more fashion and new products, therefore increasing sales and improving the gross profit margin”. As regards Kohl’s, the footwear business has been considerably driving the brand’s expansion, with special regard to the excellent accomplishments achieved in the fashion segment. In contrast, bad news for Sears (they run over 850 stores), whose revenues dropped by 28% and earnings decreased outstandingly (-800 million euros). JC Penney managed to soften their losses, whereas Hudson’s Bay sales went down slightly, though declines have augmented. 2018 second six-month period is going to be crucial for them.
