CEO Comments: September

Barnes & Noble on in-store music sales, online sales growth, and offering e-commerce exclusive items (weren't we supposed to have the exact same experience across all channels?).

PetSmart profit was down --- and there was a comment about the customer database, at least twice. Notice the comment about using the database to focus on profitable promotions, ugh.

Kenneth Cole takes a bath, will shift focus from fashion items to basics. Isn't this a classic trend that repeats (upswing = fashion, downturn = basics).

Zales drives a 6% comp store increase, but with a margin reduction, sees a huge drop in profitability. Clearance represented 20% of sales. Wow. Direct marketing and catalogs reflect the "brand position", with less density (always an interesting strategy --- less density). E-commerce is +30% for the year.