Industry Trends, Size, Product Innovation, Finances, Regulation, Etc

In a department store analysis, it is obvious to business owners they are in competition with other stores in many sizes. When it comes to the retail industry it is anyone's game, especially during black Friday and the holiday seasons. Not only are department stores competing against one another they are also competing with Department and Specialty Retail Stores. JC Penney's competing against other department stores such as Kohl's Corporation or Macy's Inc., each company is in competition with stores such as Burlington, Big Lots, and Walmart Stores. There are still other department stores that may not be thought of that carry cheaper prices. Without considering the size of a store, department, discount, specialty retail or even big box stores, if a person who uses a product or service) is looking for a good deal at the best price, they are going to go where they can buy more and spend less.

Market Competition Overview

Product invention of new things and distribution are endless needed things. Serving to all information about people combinations of different kinds of people from all areas of the globe means the industry is in a constant marketing mode. Department stores may have a lot to offer which will keep current customers coming back but it is the exciting newness and the times of moving ahead or up that need to attract new faces to the world for one stop shopping. Convenience is important to people and the easier to get to, use, or understand an item is for a shopper to buy, look at or handle, the more likely that individual will be to buy it. Now a days, convenience means a store has a format or a channel made available by means of, 24/7 customer service, on-line shopping, in store shopping or decorated with a personal touch) buyers. Shipping can be made available from standard shipping to next day air. The convenience on not having to leave home may be the exact thing someone who is unable to drive is looking for or for that individual who would rather shop from their couch in between commercials.

The Role of Convenience in Shopping

Department stores are still a "brick and mortar" format in itself, even though people who use a product or service can complete many different shopping functions on-line. Department stores will continue to outsell on-line shopping for some time, but on-line people (who use a product or service) are learning how to interact with stores differently and stores are reacting to their customers.

Revitalizing In-Store Shopping Experiences

Most stores are rediscovering the idea of in store buying, to keep it attractive to people. Redistribute the shopping approach to help stores to sell their products, in return to help customers to buy those products, is another form of product invention of new things. A lot of shoppers want the experience and the atmosphere when they walk into a department store. With different mixed groups of things and selections it gives them the chance to look first hand at the products, inspect them and comparison shop for markdowns and other special deals they may not find on-line. Shopping is a physical activity making it social so the store should be able to develop a relationship between the customer and the sales business partner. Buyers look for well-organized merchandise and easy how easy something is to get to, use, or understand. Clean stores, with prices marked properly on products.

Financial Tools for Retail Analysis

Financial analysts have developed several systematic tools, ideas and techniques to associate the Money experts have developed more than two, but not a lot of well-thought-out tools, ideas and ways of doing things to connect the relative strengths and weaknesses of a company. These tools are to help guide business owners with important related to managing money analysis when comparing oneself with another company or within the whole industry. Ratio analysis is a method used in comparing the related to managing money strengths of almost the same companies within the same industry. Figures pulled from the related to managing money statements are carefully studied and measured, creating a figure which can be almost the same as other like companies. Ratio analysis was used in the following chart below to show or prove the related to managing money strength of the Department and Discount Retail Industry by company.

Assessing Financial Strength by Company

The debt to equity ratio is a financial strength ratio which measures a company’s overall financial risk structure. The ending result signifies the total debt owed by a company for every one dollar of stockholders equity. Kohls Corporation is rated below average in current ratio category among related companies and in debt to equity category among related companies fabricating about 42.27 of Debt to Equity per Current Ratio.

The quick ratio is a financial strength ratio which measures a company’s overall financial ability to pay its current liabilities. The quick ratio is a liquidity which is more rigorous than the current ratio; measuring only short-term liquidities and eliminating inventories. The quick ratio compares cash, short term marketable securities and accounts receivable to current liabilities. A company is looking for a high number, as this indicates an overall strong balance sheet. The current ratio for Dollar General. (0.09), GAP. (0.64) and JC Penney Co. Inc. (0.12) all reported what could seem like high numbers, but with further review; these figures could also be a result of a decrease due to an increase in Current Liabilities or an increase due to a decrease in Current Liabilities.

Understanding Leverage Ratios

The leverage ratio is a financial strength ratio which measures the total liabilities of a company in relation to their stockholders’ equity. The ending result signifies the total liabilities owed by a company for everyone dollar of stockholders’ equity. Lower the figure, the better the balance sheet will look for the company. J C Penny CO leverage ratio was 8.32.