J. Jill, Inc. (JILL)

[JohnSamuel]

GOOD POINTS tdeck ! Retail is suffering and will continue to IMHO. Macy and others are suffering big time. Several years back, I sat across from a Macy's buyer that had the testicularity to tell me that if we wanted our product in her stores we had to put $2 million in advertising, to be at their descretion how it would be used, on the table. At the time, we would allow our customers, at most, 5% of total purchases in advertising dollars, per year. We would also agree on how it would be spent in print, radio or T.V. or magazines. We just looked at her and said, "well, we guess there is nothing else to talk about, because that is out of the question and not going to happen". This was at a merchandising show where we were exhibiting, so she left. Needless to say, this game has changed and there are less fools to take their bait.

Closing poor performing stores and not throwing anymore good money after them is certainly the best way to go. Knowing when the jump off point occurs makes the difference between good and bad management. At least in Jill's case, I think they pulled the trigger soon enough to cut any larger losses down the line ... of course, we will find out much more in the net quarter or two.

Hope you are well and the market is continuing to treat you well ... knowing you, I am sure it is ! ... ;)