Hot Retail Companies For 2014

The U.S. Senate recently passed a bill that would allow states to collect sales tax on online purchases, potentially leveling the playing field between brick-and-mortar and online retailers. This may shift some purchases back to brick-and-mortar retailers, but it won't entirely change the trend of sales moving online. Fool editor Lauren Kuczala sat down with contributor Travis Hoium to see who the winners would be and why Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) may benefit despite having to pay more in taxes on its purchases.�

Everyone knows Amazon is the king of the retail world right now, but at its sky-high valuation, most investors are worried it's the company's share price that will get knocked down instead of competitors'. The Motley Fool's premium report will tell you what's driving the company's growth, and fill you in on reasons to buy and reasons to sell Amazon. The report also has you covered with a full year of free analyst updates to keep you informed as the company's story changes, so click here now to read more.

Top 10 Net Payout Yield Stocks To Buy For 2015: Kate Spade & Co (KATE)

Kate Spade & Co, formerly Fifth & Pacific Companies Inc, incorporated in January 1976, designs and markets a portfolio of retail-based, premium brands, including JUICY COUTURE, KATE SPADE and LUCKY BRAND. The Company also has a private brand jewelry design and development division, which markets brands through department stores and serves J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc. (JCPenney), through exclusive supplier agreements for the LIZ CLAIBORNE and MONET jewelry lines and Kohl's Corporation (Kohl's) through an exclusive supplier agreement for DANA BUCHMAN jewelry. It also has licenses for the LIZ CLAIBORNE NEW YORK brand, available at QVC and LIZWEAR, which is distributed through the club store channel. It maintains an 18.75% stake in MEXX, a European and Canadian apparel and accessories retail-based brand. As of December 31, 2011, the Company operated a total of 307 specialty retail stores under various Company trademarks, consisting of 285 retail stores within the United States and 22 retail stores outside of the United States (primarily in Europe and Canada). The Company operates in four segments: JUICY COUTURE segment, KATE SPADE segment, LUCKY BRAND segment, and Adelington Design Group & Other segment. In August 2013, Granite Real Estate Investment Trust closed its acquisition of a 600,000 square foot logistics-distribution facility in West Chester (Cincinnati), Ohio from the Company. In February 2014, the Company completed the sale of Lucky Brand Dungarees Inc.

JUICY COUTURE segment consists of the specialty retail, outlet, concession, wholesale apparel, wholesale non-apparel (including accessories, jewelry and handbags), e-commerce and licensing operations of its JUICY COUTURE brand. KATE SPADE segment consists of the specialty retail, outlet, wholesale apparel, wholesale non-apparel, e-commerce and licensing operations of its KATE SPADE and JACK SPADE brands. LUCKY BRAND segment consists of the specialty retail, outlet, wholesale apparel, wholesale non-apparel, e-commerce and licensing ! operations of its LUCKY BRAND. Adelington Design Group & Other segment consists of exclusive arrangements to supply jewelry for the DANA BUCHMAN, LIZ CLAIBORNE and MONET brands; the wholesale non-apparel operations of the TRIFARI brand and licensed KENSIE brand; the wholesale apparel and wholesale non-apparel operations of the licensed LIZWEAR brand and other brands, and the licensed LIZ CLAIBORNE NEW YORK brand.

JUICY COUTURE

The Company�� JUICY COUTURE brand offers luxurious, casual and fun women's and girl's apparel, as well as accessories and jewelry under various JUICY COUTURE trademarks. JUICY COUTURE products are sold through wholly owned specialty retail and outlet stores, select upscale specialty retail stores and department stores throughout the United States, through a network of distributors and owned and licensed retail stores in Asia, Canada, Europe, South America and the Middle East, as well as through its JUICY COUTURE e-commerce Website. In addition, JUICY COUTURE has existing licensing agreements for fragrances, footwear, optics, watches, swimwear, electronics cases and baby products.

KATE SPADE

The Company�� KATE SPADE brand offers fashion products (accessories, apparel and jewelry) for women and men under the KATE SPADE and JACK SPADE respectively. These products are sold primarily in the United States through wholly owned specialty retail and outlet stores, select specialty retail and upscale department stores, its operations in Brazil and the United Kingdom and through its KATE SPADE e-commerce Website, as well as through joint ventures in Japan and China and through a network of distributors in Asia. KATE SPADE's product line includes handbags, small leather goods, fashion accessories, jewelry and apparel. In addition, KATE SPADE has licensing agreements for footwear, optics, fragrances, tabletop products, legwear, electronics cases, bedding and stationery. JACK SPADE products include briefcases, travel bags, small leather go! ods and a! pparel.

LUCKY BRAND

The Company�� LUCKY BRAND offers an expanded assortment of men's and women's denim, woven and knit tops, dresses and sweaters, graphic tees, as well as accessories and jewelry, under various LUCKY BRAND. LUCKY BRAND products are available for sale at wholly owned specialty retail and outlet stores in the United States and Canada, select department and specialty stores and through the LUCKY BRAND e-commerce Website. LUCKY BRAND also has licensing agreements for fragrances, footwear, swimwear, eyewear and electronic cases.

Adelington Design Group & Other

The operations within the Company Adelington Design Group & Other segment consist of exclusive supplier arrangements to provide JCPenney with LIZ CLAIBORNE and MONET branded jewelry and Kohl's with DANA BUCHMAN-branded jewelry for two years; a license to produce and sell jewelry under the KENSIE brand name; a royalty free license for the LIZ CLAIBORNE NEW YORK brand; LIZWEAR, women's apparel available through the club store channel, and TRIFARI, a signature jewelry brand for women sold in mid-tier department stores.

The Company competes with Marc by Marc Jacobs, JCrew, Michael Kors, Pink, Coach, Diane von Furstenberg, Diesel, Guess, True Religion, 7 for all Mankind, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Tory Burch.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By U.S. News]

  Linda Davidson/The Washington Post via Getty ImagesShoppers at the Tanger Outlet Mall in Oxon Hill, Md. There are few forms of shopping I enjoy more than outlet shopping. There is something about all of those discount stores packed so closely together that makes me super excited! But I am not going to tell you that all outlet stores are a good deal, because some of them are not. Also, brands sometimes create cheaper items to sell specifically in their outlet locations, and those are not always a smart buy. But for the most part, outlet malls are still an excellent way to save some money while picking up items for the entire family. Here are five ways to make the most of your trip to an outlet: 1. Figure out the outlet 'brand.' There are a couple of management companies that own quite a few outlet malls in the United States, including Premium Outlets (SPG) and Tanger Factory Outlet Centers (SKT). Before heading out, be sure to check the website for the entire outlet mall for any possible deals or coupons. Premium and Tanger Outlets also have Facebook (FB) pages where they will occasionally post coupons that you can print from home. 2. Look for an outlet discount card or VIP program. Many outlet malls have VIP savings programs that can save you big bucks throughout the year and also give you special access to new promotions and sales. The Fashion Outlets of Chicago opened last year and offer a Green Savings Card that costs $5 for a yearly membership. Those with a Green Savings Card receive extra discounts at a huge number of stores and restaurants in the mall, which is on top of the already low prices. 3. 'Like' the outlet store on Facebook. If there is an outlet store that you frequent, go ahead and like its Facebook page so that you will be one of the first to know about sales and promotions. The Kate Spade Outlet (KATE) will frequently post promotions to Facebook before emailing subscribers. The J. Crew Factory Store has offered special promotions th

• [By Ted Cooper]

  There's a bargain in the premium aisle
  In investing, it rarely pays to buy what's already in fashion. While Michael Kors (NYSE: KORS  ) and Kate Spade (NYSE: KATE  ) trade at 24 times earnings, Coach is on sale for just 11 times earnings. Although Coach's stock is out of style, it represents a compelling bargain for long-term investors. Michael Kors and Kate Spade together generate the same amount of revenue as Coach, yet their combined enterprise value is twice the latter's enterprise value.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  That's a subtle but important difference especially when it�doesn't have a marquee name on the masthead to bring people into the "lifestyle." Where Michael Kors (NYSE: KORS  ) and Kate Spade (NYSE: KATE  ) can turn to their company founders to attract consumers to their brand extensions of�stationery, personal organizers, pajamas, and eyewear, Coach has had to rely upon the hired help to generate the same cachet.

• [By Heather Long]

  It also didn't help that competition increased from Michael Kors (KORS), Kate Spade (KATE)and Tory Burch, among others.

  Coach's turnaround plan: Enter Vevers. The company is aiming for the higher-end consumer again now that Vevers is Executive Creative Director.

Hot Retail Companies For 2014: Gamestop Corporation (GME)

GameStop Corp. operates as a retailer of video game products and personal computer (PC) entertainment software. It sells new and used video game hardware; video game software; used video game products; and video game accessories, which primarily consist of controllers, memory cards, and other add-ons, as well as strategy guides and trading cards. The company also offers PC entertainment and other software across various genres, including sports, action, strategy, adventure/role playing, and simulation, as well as products that relate to the digital category comprising network point cards, prepaid digital and online timecards, and digitally downloadable software. GameStop Corp. sells its products through stores, as well as through its electronic commerce Web sites, including gamestop.com, ebgames.com.au, gamestop.ca, gamestop.it, gamestop.es, gamestop.ie, gamestop.de, and micromania.fr. As of July 12, 2011, its retail network and family of brands included 6,573 company-oper ated stores in 17 countries worldwide. The company also publishes Game Informer, a video game magazine in the United States; and operates the online video gaming Web sites kongregate.com and joltonline.com. GameStop Corp. was founded in 1994 and is based in Grapevine, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rick Munarriz]

  GameStop (NYSE: GME  ) shares rallied -- sending the shares 8% higher on Tuesday -- before giving back nearly half of those gains on Wednesday. GameStop is the biggest beneficiary of a vibrant used-game market, and Sony's news was sweet.

• [By Rick Munarriz]

  GameStop (NYSE: GME  ) appears initially to have caught a break with Sony (NYSE: SNE  ) .

  Unlike Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) restrictive Xbox One, where publishers will have more say in the way that their games are or are not able to be transferred between players, Sony made it a point on Monday night to emphasize that PS4 buyers will be able to trade in, sell, or lend their disc-based games.

• [By Jeremy Bowman]

  Earlier in the day, GameStop (NYSE: GME  ) shares sold off 6.9% after investors were dismayed by the video game retailer's guidance. GameStop actually had a great quarter, with same-store sales increasing 20.5% on the strength of Grand Theft Auto V sales, and it beat estimates on both top and bottom lines. However, in the all-important holiday quarter, which is especially big this year because�Sony and Microsoft have new consoles coming out, GameStop's forecast was light. The company sees EPS in the fourth quarter of $1.97-$2.14, below the analyst consensus at $2.15.

• [By Matt Thalman]

  Another company which made a big announcement, but couldn't save its own shares from tanking, was Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) , which changed its policies on its new Xbox One gaming console. One of the biggest changes was that Microsoft reversed its policy on used games. Previously, the company wasn't going to allow the sale or trading of games, but Microsoft has now said that it will not have any restrictions on games. This change of heart may not have helped big softy, but it did help shares of Game Stop (NYSE: GME  ) today. The retailer, which sells new and used video games, saw its shares jump 6.25% today on news about the Xbox One. Microsoft fell 3.18%.�

Hot Retail Companies For 2014: CDC Point SpA (CDC)

CDC Point SpA is an Italy-based company engaged in the information technology (IT) sector. The Company structures its business into two main sectors: Production and Distribution of IT, and Business Value-Added. Through the Production and Distribution of IT sector, it is active in the manufacture of consumer desktop personal computers, as well as in the distribution and retail of computer hardware; peripheral equipment and accessories, such as keyboards, monitors, webcams, card readers, audio systems, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) accessories and routers, and software products. Through the Business Value-Added sector, it provides value added services and solutions, including voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services; video surveillance and home automation technologies; software management and e-commerce solutions, and Web services, such as domain registering, hosting, server, email, positioning on search engines and Web marketing services. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Canadian Value]

  (Mostly) Psychological��/p> The battle against ISIS in the Middle East. Ebola and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): It appears that the Center is not prepared for disease control.

  All of this together resulted in stock market declines of 7-12% in a month, depending on which index you measure. The size of this ��orrection��was not unexpected, but the short time frame was unusual. On some days the forced selling appeared to feed on itself and bordered on panic liquidation. As I write this letter on 10/17, this selling has abated, at least for the time being. The good news is that we raised some cash coming into this period, and

• [By abirk]

  The people of America are becoming more and more health conscious as obesity is growing at a great pace. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one third of US adults (35.7%) is obese. This point out the finger towards the fast-food industry as they are using trans fats (responsible for clogging arteries) in their products to make it more mouth watering.

Hot Retail Companies For 2014: Macy’s Inc (M)

Macy�s, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates stores and Internet Websites in the United States. Its retail stores and Internet Web sites sell a range of merchandise, including apparel and accessories for men, women, and children; cosmetics; home furnishings; and other consumer goods. The company also operates Bloomingdale�s Outlet stores that offer a range of apparel and accessories, including ready-to-wear, shoes, fashion accessories, jewelry, handbags, and intimate apparel products. As of January 28, 2012, it operated approximately 840 stores under the names of Macy�s and Bloomingdale�s; and 7 Bloomingdale�s Outlet stores, as well as macys.com and bloomingdales.com. The company was formerly known as Federated Department Stores, Inc. and changed its name to Macy�s, Inc. in June 2007. Macy�s, Inc. was founded in 1820 and is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  We are maintaining our Underperform rating on the shares and raising our one-year price target slightly to $3.00 (from $2.50), which considers further anticipated improvement in FY16 EBITDA (year ending 1/29/17) to $895mn, from our upward revised EBITDA estimate of $728.5mn (up from $699.6mn) for FY15 and applying an EBITDA valuation multiple of 6.5x, above Dillard�� (DDS) 6.1x and nearly comparable to Macy�� (M) 6.6x. JC Penney�� shares traded at an average EBITDA valuation multiple of 6.5x for the 10-year period ended 1/29/11 (prior to ��on Johnson�� brief tenure��, the basis for our midrange valuation multiple. Our valuation multiple appears high; we think�JC Penney shares should trade at a discount to Macy�� and Dillard�� because: 1) JC Penney is significantly more leveraged (5x in FY16 vs. 1.5x for Macy�� and 0.7x for Dillard��); 2) its anticipated EBITDA margin is much lower (7.2% vs. nearly 14% and 12% for Macy�� and Dillard��); and 3) it owns significantly less real estate (26% of its stores are owned in fee compared to 55% and 83% for Macy�� and Dillard�� respectively), which may partially explain its lower margin. Furthermore, our FY16 EBITDA estimate assumes JC Penney�� financial performance improves markedly, which may not transpire to the extent we estimate; thus, the significant optionality in the stock price, in our view.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  JC Penney’s weakness is all its own. Macy�� (M) has gained 0.4% to $44.64, Sears�(SHLD) has risen 3.7% to $56.50 and Kohl���(KSS) has ticked down 0.1% to $53.90.

• [By DAILYFINANCE]

  Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images NEW YORK -- J.C. Penney is opening its doors on Thanksgiving evening to kick off the holiday shopping season, as the beleaguered retailer hopes to get back in the game for the crucial selling period. The Plano, Texas-based chain will be opening most of its 1,100 stores at 8 p.m., the same as rival Macy's (M). The Thanksgiving evening opening is much earlier than last year, when Penney didn't open until 6 a.m. Friday. That made the retailer one of the laggards for the unofficial kickoff to the season. J.C. Penney (JCP) is also bringing back a tradition it ditched last year: it will give away nearly 2 million holiday snow globes starting at 4 a.m. on the Friday after the turkey feast. "Obviously, we were one of the last to open [last year]," said Tony Bartlett, Penney's executive vice president of stores. But he noted this year, "We're all in." He promised that Penney's deals will be at least as good as two years ago and will be much better than last year, when Penney gave away buttons tied to a prize giveaway. Penney is also hiring at least 35,000 seasonal workers for the holidays, nearly 50 percent more than a year ago. The holiday plan is yet another example of how Penney is unraveling the strategies of its former CEO Ron Johnson, who was ousted in April after 17 months on the job amid a botched up plan to reinvent the retailer. Johnson was fired two months after the company announced horrific fourth-quarter results that covered the holiday shopping season. That ended a fiscal year, which finished Feb. 2, in which the Penney amassed almost a billion dollars in losses and a 25 percent drop in sales. Penney brought back Johnson's predecessor, Mike Ullman, as CEO. He is restoring frequent sales and basic merchandise that were eliminated by Johnson who was aiming to attract a more affluent, younger shopper. Shares were down 12 cents to close at $7.35 Thursday and have lost 63 percent of their value since the

• [By Suravi Thacker]

  Therefore, Macy�� (M) is not an exception. The retailer too faced the unfavorable effects which resulted in lower sales during the most important holiday season. Not only did its revenue declined, in its latest quarter, but also same store sales fell 1.6%. However, there is more than what meets the eye. The company is making efforts which paid off in terms of earnings growth to $0.60 per share from $0.55 per share last year. Further, it witnessed growing sales in the month of April and margins also expanded.