Evolveus Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Another user who prefers to keep a low profile just sent me this... Cuhaci Peterson Architects awarded contract on redevelopment project in Hialeah http://www.international.to/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27180:cuhaci-peterson-architects-awarded-contract-on-redevelopment-project-in-hialeah&catid=309:pitchengine&Itemid=446 ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Orlandos Baldwin Park started work on a redevelopment project with Sears Holding Co. on a former K-Mart facility in Hialeah. Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson, said the facility, originally 100,000 square feet and now under construction, will be home to an 18,000 square foot Aldi grocery store and an 80,000 Sears store. Cuhaci & Peterson Architects is one of the nations leading designers of retail space with projects that total more than two million square feet annually. So they eliminate a KMart, install a relatively smaller Sears store, and presumably lease 18,000 sqft of space to a grocery store. I guess somewhere else nearby they will close down a Sears store and sell the underlying real estate. Taken together, they 1) monetize the Sears real estate 2) push the Sears inventory into a smaller 80,000 sqft footprint (presumably an attractive, renovated store) 3) Make better use of the very cheap long term lease rates of their KMart property I think they will also be trying to sneak some of that inventory out the back door via SHOS (which has gotten decimated as of late). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAllen Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Evidently the other blog is probably real: http://blog.searsholdings.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abitofvalue Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Since when did Sears start selling Vacations that too on Layaway? https://www.searsvacations.com/ I think this is about 2 or 3 years ago. I remember seeing this and being surprised myself at the time. The deals really arent that good (guess its like the rest of Sears in that way) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fareastwarriors Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Since when did Sears start selling Vacations that too on Layaway? https://www.searsvacations.com/ I think this is about 2 or 3 years ago. I remember seeing this and being surprised myself at the time. The deals really arent that good (guess its like the rest of Sears in that way) ;D ;D ;D ;D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merkhet Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Evidently the other blog is probably real: http://blog.searsholdings.com/ Anyone else catch this? (http://blog.searsholdings.com/leena-munjal/our-members-and-our-stores/) Our stores remain very important to us as they are a key part of our Integrated Retail strategy. People ask about our investment in our stores, so let me share a bit on how we are investing in the future and in the transformation of our company. Store investment is important however, on its own, it is not sufficient to transform a traditional retailer into a retailer that’s more competitive in the 21st century. That’s why we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars enabling over half of our stores with technology and tools such as tablets and handheld devices. Not all of these investments show up on the capital expenditure line of our financial statements. More than half of Sears’ stores are equipped with WiFi, which allows our associates and our Shop Your Way members to get information not available in stores such as product reviews, product comparisons and digital content. This helps our associates provide our members with all the information they need to make an informed purchase decision without having to leave the store. We've all been wondering what's causing the SG&A difference, I'm thinking this might be part of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 532 Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Anyone else catch this? (http://blog.searsholdings.com/leena-munjal/our-members-and-our-stores/) Our stores remain very important to us as they are a key part of our Integrated Retail strategy. People ask about our investment in our stores, so let me share a bit on how we are investing in the future and in the transformation of our company. Store investment is important however, on its own, it is not sufficient to transform a traditional retailer into a retailer that’s more competitive in the 21st century. That’s why we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars enabling over half of our stores with technology and tools such as tablets and handheld devices. Not all of these investments show up on the capital expenditure line of our financial statements. More than half of Sears’ stores are equipped with WiFi, which allows our associates and our Shop Your Way members to get information not available in stores such as product reviews, product comparisons and digital content. This helps our associates provide our members with all the information they need to make an informed purchase decision without having to leave the store. We've all been wondering what's causing the SG&A difference, I'm thinking this might be part of it. "...enabling over half of our stores..." - that would lead me to believe they plan on keeping at least half of their locations. Eddie wouldn't invest in them if he planned otherwise. Of course, plans can change. "Eddie doesn't waste money -- ever." http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2004-11-21/the-next-warren-buffett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alertmeipp Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 wow.. is that the right investment to make? Many of us just want good price, no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffmori7 Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Anyone else catch this? (http://blog.searsholdings.com/leena-munjal/our-members-and-our-stores/) Our stores remain very important to us as they are a key part of our Integrated Retail strategy. People ask about our investment in our stores, so let me share a bit on how we are investing in the future and in the transformation of our company. Store investment is important however, on its own, it is not sufficient to transform a traditional retailer into a retailer that’s more competitive in the 21st century. That’s why we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars enabling over half of our stores with technology and tools such as tablets and handheld devices. Not all of these investments show up on the capital expenditure line of our financial statements. More than half of Sears’ stores are equipped with WiFi, which allows our associates and our Shop Your Way members to get information not available in stores such as product reviews, product comparisons and digital content. This helps our associates provide our members with all the information they need to make an informed purchase decision without having to leave the store. We've all been wondering what's causing the SG&A difference, I'm thinking this might be part of it. "...enabling over half of our stores..." - that would lead me to believe they plan on keeping at least half of their locations. Eddie wouldn't invest in them if he planned otherwise. Of course, plans can change. "Eddie doesn't waste money -- ever." http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2004-11-21/the-next-warren-buffett So we have to visit every store to identify those where staff is working with phones and tablets. We will know by then all the stores they will close :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoCitiesCapital Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 July 2013: Well it really should have always been a REIT, but they were too slow in that shift. I think they are finally moving the chains alot quicker. If they do it fast enough and well enough, there is great value in monetizing the real estate assets...but they have to execute and fast! Cheers! September 2013: Sanjeev, What caused you to change your mind on Sears? Faster monetization of the real estate and faster closing of stores? Yup, especially when details of Seritage Realty Trust started to come out, and they announced the redevelopment plan of the store and property here in Burnaby. I realized Eddie was getting serious about liquidating or monetizing the real estate when you started to see these core properties in the news. I've also been realizing this and started a position recently. The question is obviously whether or not the monetization will make up for the cash burn. Am liking the idea of higher interest rates cutting pension obligations and recent liquidations and proposed spin-offs. Am thinking this was the evidence that I needed that Eddie was getting serious with seriously slimming down their physical foot print. Yes, I bought a shitload of the $45 strike price January 15 call options in our U.S. fund...4% of the fund...I paid $6. That's why I haven't talked about Sears on the board for the last two months. Cheers! Sorry, that should have said $8. We had an order in to buy more when SHLD dropped to $39 a couple of weeks ago, but it didn't get filled. Cheers! Those 45-strike 2015's are going for just a tad more than $8 again. I think there's a reason Parsad hasn't addressed this comment ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 532 Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 wow.. is that the right investment to make? Many of us just want good price, no? Given that Lampert is a data-driven type of guy, I would think his numbers are telling him it is a good investment and that the "more than half of stores" outfitted with wifi and tablets were likely very carefully selected. This is assuming that the stores with tablets/handheld are the same stores that are wifi enabled. That’s why we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars enabling over half of our stores with technology and tools such as tablets and handheld devices. Not all of these investments show up on the capital expenditure line of our financial statements. More than half of Sears’ stores are equipped with WiFi, which allows our associates and our Shop Your Way members to get information not available in stores such as product reviews, product comparisons and digital content. This helps our associates provide our members with all the information they need to make an informed purchase decision without having to leave the store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 532 Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Gotta love Howard Davidowitz's consistency... from 2012 to 2013 to this week ??? Davidowitz, April 2012: "I don't think Sears is viable. I don't think they can survive in their current state." http://money.msn.com/investment-advice/why-sears-is-on-its-last-legs-brush.aspx Davidowitz, May 2013: "Eddie Lampert, as the major shareholder of Sears, sitting on a ton of real estate assets, is not going to let the company go bankrupt because that will destroy Eddie Lampert," Howard Davidowitz, the chairman of Davidowitz & Associates Inc., a retail consulting and investment banking firm based in New York, said in a telephone interview. "There is no risk of default anywhere." http://articles.courant.com/2013-05-28/business/hc-sears-corporate-finance-0528-20130528_1_sears-canada-kmart-holding-corp-cash Davidowitz, January 2014: "…I think it’s going straight down the tank, along with Sears. These are two cadavers, dead man walking." http://media.bloomberg.com/bb/avfile/v9yJFQ0VSwYQ.mp3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FCharlie Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Gotta love Howard Davidowitz's consistency... from 2012 to 2013 to this week ??? Davidowitz, April 2012: "I don't think Sears is viable. I don't think they can survive in their current state." http://money.msn.com/investment-advice/why-sears-is-on-its-last-legs-brush.aspx Davidowitz, May 2013: "Eddie Lampert, as the major shareholder of Sears, sitting on a ton of real estate assets, is not going to let the company go bankrupt because that will destroy Eddie Lampert," Howard Davidowitz, the chairman of Davidowitz & Associates Inc., a retail consulting and investment banking firm based in New York, said in a telephone interview. "There is no risk of default anywhere." http://articles.courant.com/2013-05-28/business/hc-sears-corporate-finance-0528-20130528_1_sears-canada-kmart-holding-corp-cash Davidowitz, January 2014: "…I think it’s going straight down the tank, along with Sears. These are two cadavers, dead man walking." http://media.bloomberg.com/bb/avfile/v9yJFQ0VSwYQ.mp3 Davidowitz in 2008: "In eight years Sears will be half the size if it exists and Kmart will not have survived," Davidowitz says. http://nreionline.com/retail/sizing-sears-new-strategy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 532 Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Davidowitz in 2008: "In eight years Sears will be half the size if it exists and Kmart will not have survived," Davidowitz says. http://nreionline.com/retail/sizing-sears-new-strategy I would very much welcome a 2016 SHLD that includes Sears at half it's current footprint, and all Kmart's closed/re-purposed. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirkomi Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Hello, I have a lot of cash, like 65% of my portfolio. I am invested in Altius (10%), ArcelorMittal (9%), Lamprell (5%), Fairfax (5%) and Tesco (5%). I am looking for additional ideas, because even if I like holding cash, 60% is too much. I like owner operator businesses and Sears is one of them. I am wondering if the current price i.e., $43 offers a good opportunity ? I ask this because this thread is 300+ pages and will take substantial investment in terms of time. I have so far read the first 21 pages and it seems that a lot of value has been realized already, like Sears Canada. Any help will be appreciated. I want to thank each one of you for contributing to the thread. Great discussion here and good lessons. Especially, the converstaion between Luke and Ericopoly about put options was illuminating. Regards -K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 532 Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 I am wondering if the current price i.e., $43 offers a good opportunity ? Only you can answer that as only you know your goals, volatility tolerance, etc. I ask this because this thread is 300+ pages and will take substantial investment in terms of time. I have so far read the first 21 pages and it seems that a lot of value has been realized already, like Sears Canada. It's my opinion that any investment potentially worth my money is first worth my time to thoroughly research. I'd suggest reading the entire thread a few times and take notes of interesting points. Just think of it as reading a book. Additional SHLD threads: http://www.cornerofberkshireandfairfax.ca/forum/general-discussion/shld-anyone/ http://www.cornerofberkshireandfairfax.ca/forum/general-discussion/for-all-of-you-sears-holdings-longs!/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirkomi Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Thanks for the links Luke. I will get back to reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abitofvalue Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 I like owner operator businesses and Sears is one of them. I don't know that I would put Sears in the Owner - Operator camp. In a sense yes a large owner is the CEO but he didn't really build the company. Most of this thread is about divestitures / ESL turning the company into his personal investment vehicle. Don't know how many investors actually think of this as an investment in a retail operation / turnaround. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorpRaider Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Apparently, ESL needs to hire someone from Macy's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirkomi Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 It seems I will have to hurry up with the reading. For some reason the stock is down 5% or so today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke 532 Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 It seems I will have to hurry up with the reading. For some reason the stock is down 5% or so today. 5% swings are the norm with SHLD. Having strong control over your emotions is just as important with a stock like SHLD as is the valuation analysis (think Chapter 8 of Intelligent Investor or The Little Book of Behavioral Investing). I don't even bother to look at the market value of my SHLD shares anymore, I just focus on the share count that I own. Sort of like how one would view their retirement account with 30+ years remaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
value-is-what-you-get Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 It seems I will have to hurry up with the reading. For some reason the stock is down 5% or so today. That was me - initiated a long position via options yesterday so the underlying promptly tanked! Even had some nice confirmation bias when I saw the daily volume on the same options I bought went up to 5 times open interest shortly after my trades. Sold some puts today to take the edge off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoCitiesCapital Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 How do people here analyze the options for SHLD. I have lost money every time I've tried to use options except in selling them. I know a ton of members did well with options in M BIA, but there was a finite time frame and hints that a catalyst would occur soon. With SHLD, they've accelerated land repurposing but there doesn't appear to be a definitive near term catalyst to put your finger in. How are you guys thinking about the time frame, strike price of the options and what are your general rules for buying them this time around or the last time it was at these levels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirkomi Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 How do people here analyze the options for SHLD. I have lost money every time I've tried to use options except in selling them. I know a ton of members did well with options in M BIA, but there was a finite time frame and hints that a catalyst would occur soon. I agree. It does not seem like a good stock for buying call options, even LEAPs. It would be better to just buy the underlying. You might make good money selling puts though. Seems like a volatile stock and the puts sell dear. But probably better to buy underlying. I don't like giving up the upside while risking the downside. Probably better to sell puts for stocks like JNJ, which you want to acquire at a certain price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazeenyc Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Just x2 my position at $36. Still reading through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OracleofCarolina Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 ouch, down 15% in aftermarket! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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