Stronger survivors in the apparel category should also benefit in the medium term from accelerated competitive retrenchment and limited new store openings, Fitch Ratings said in its non-rating action commentary.
US retail earnings for the first quarter (ending April) are proving to be a perfect storm of strength, as ongoing tailwinds from government stimulus and discretionary budget savings from reduced services spend mixed with budding enthusiasm over vaccines, re-openings, and some return to normalcy.
Industry behemoths like Walmart, Target, and Home Depot reported Q1 2021 revenue up 15 per cent to 40 per cent above Q1 2019 levels. Many categories are maintaining the strong trajectories experienced in 2020 with weaker segments like department stores 'joining the party' due to easing comparisons and a budding desire to refresh wardrobes in anticipation of more time spent outside the home.
Beyond the apparel/department store sector rebound, Fitch continues to believe the majority of retailers, which saw good topline growth through 2020, will experience moderating trends in 2021, with some potential for revenue declines, against strong numbers and as budgets are crowded out by accelerating spend on travel, entertainment, and other services.
Fitch expects some leading retailers like Walmart and Target to sustain some level of recent market share gains given strong omnichannel models. These retailers could see revenue grow at a 3-4 per cent CAGR from 2019 levels through 2022, modestly higher than Fitch's expectations pre-pandemic. Target could see a sustainable lift in some discretionary categories like apparel and home, where consumers trialled Target's private brand assortment in 2020 as a means of trip-consolidation.
On the beleaguered department store front, Fitch expects the multi-year investments by Kohl's, Nordstrom and Macy's could result in market share stabilisation or acceleration. Areas of focus include omnichannel capabilities (with digital penetration expected to be in the mid-30 per cent range going forward), store remodels, and investments in various channels (like off-price for Nordstrom and Macy's) and categories like increased activewear and beauty. These retailers should benefit from store closing and restructuring activity from cash-constrained specialty apparel players and department stores, which accelerated in 2020.
However, these positives are tempered by increased execution risk related to pivoting business models, as evidenced by flat to modest revenue growth for a number of years pre-pandemic and significant EBITDA margin compression in 2019. The ability to return to 2019 revenue and EBITDA levels will depend on recovery from the pandemic and execution of strategic priorities.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)