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Aaron's (AAN) Opens Store in Arkansas Under Its GenNext Plan
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The Aaron's Company, Inc. (AAN - Free Report) has opened its latest GenNext store in Fort Smith, AK. This move will help expand the company's GenNext store initiative and offer better in-store customer experience. Store timings are from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
The GenNext initiative was originally launched in 2018 and has received positive customer feedback since then. The initiative includes new and remodeled stores. To date, Aaron's has converted or opened 32 GenNext stores, bringing the total to 243.
These stores come with re-engineered store layouts, updated signage, expanded product assortment, enhanced technology-enabled checkout and an innovative operating model.
What’s More?
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has been gaining from cost-reduction initiatives and a solid online show. It continued to witness strength in its e-commerce platform. In second-quarter 2023, e-commerce lease revenues rose 5.5%, accounting for 17.9% of the total lease revenues. The uptick can be attributable to increased website traffic and a higher conversion rate.
Some other notable efforts include increased investments in digital marketing, improved shopping experience, same-day and next-day delivery services, the personalization of products, and a broader assortment, including the latest product categories. Its express delivery program also bodes well.
The company’s latest acquisition of appliance and electronics retailer, BrandsMart, enabled AAN to offer high-quality furniture, appliances, electronics, and other home goods on affordable lease and retail purchase options to its customers. In second-quarter 2022, Aaron’s included BrandsMart revenues for the first time since its buyout.
For the BrandsMart segment, revenues were $143.8 million in the second quarter of 2023, driven by strength in small appliances and housewares, and e-commerce. The company is optimistic about the segment’s performance in the near term. The buyout is likely to strengthen Aaron’s market position and help expand the customer base.
However, weak lease revenues and fees, and drab retail sales at both Aaron's and BrandsMart businesses are headwinds. This led to a consolidated revenue decline of 13.1% in the second quarter.
Also, continued inflationary and other economic pressures affecting customers' payment activity act as deterrents. Both segments are expected to continue experiencing softness in customer demand in its core product categories, including appliances, furniture and electronics, in the second half of the year.
Consequently, management anticipates 2023 revenues of $2.12-$2.22 billion compared with the earlier stated $2.15-$2.25 billion. The lowered revenue outlook is mainly due to lower early purchased options and drab retail sales at the Aaron's business in the second quarter, which is likely to continue throughout the year.
For 2023, adjusted EBITDA (excluding stock-based compensation) is likely to be $140-$160 million. The company expects earnings per share of 55-80 cents compared with the earlier stated 70-95 cents. For the BrandsMart business, revenues are anticipated to be $615-$645 million, lower than the $645-$675 million stated previously.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
As a result, AAN shares fell 25.9% in the past three months against the industry’s growth of 9%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MGM’s 2024 sales and EPS indicates year-over-year increases of 2.2% and 31%, respectively.
Royal Caribbean sports a Zacks Rank #1 at present. RCL has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 26.4%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RCL’s 2023 sales and EPS indicates increases of 47.9% and 158.3%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s reported levels.
Crocs, which offers casual lifestyle footwear and accessories, presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The expected EPS growth rate for three to five years is 15%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Crocs’ current financial-year sales and earnings suggests growth of 13.1% and 2.8% from the year-ago period’s reported figure. CROX has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.8%, on average.
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Aaron's (AAN) Opens Store in Arkansas Under Its GenNext Plan
The Aaron's Company, Inc. (AAN - Free Report) has opened its latest GenNext store in Fort Smith, AK. This move will help expand the company's GenNext store initiative and offer better in-store customer experience. Store timings are from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
The GenNext initiative was originally launched in 2018 and has received positive customer feedback since then. The initiative includes new and remodeled stores. To date, Aaron's has converted or opened 32 GenNext stores, bringing the total to 243.
These stores come with re-engineered store layouts, updated signage, expanded product assortment, enhanced technology-enabled checkout and an innovative operating model.
What’s More?
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has been gaining from cost-reduction initiatives and a solid online show. It continued to witness strength in its e-commerce platform. In second-quarter 2023, e-commerce lease revenues rose 5.5%, accounting for 17.9% of the total lease revenues. The uptick can be attributable to increased website traffic and a higher conversion rate.
Some other notable efforts include increased investments in digital marketing, improved shopping experience, same-day and next-day delivery services, the personalization of products, and a broader assortment, including the latest product categories. Its express delivery program also bodes well.
The company’s latest acquisition of appliance and electronics retailer, BrandsMart, enabled AAN to offer high-quality furniture, appliances, electronics, and other home goods on affordable lease and retail purchase options to its customers. In second-quarter 2022, Aaron’s included BrandsMart revenues for the first time since its buyout.
For the BrandsMart segment, revenues were $143.8 million in the second quarter of 2023, driven by strength in small appliances and housewares, and e-commerce. The company is optimistic about the segment’s performance in the near term. The buyout is likely to strengthen Aaron’s market position and help expand the customer base.
However, weak lease revenues and fees, and drab retail sales at both Aaron's and BrandsMart businesses are headwinds. This led to a consolidated revenue decline of 13.1% in the second quarter.
Also, continued inflationary and other economic pressures affecting customers' payment activity act as deterrents. Both segments are expected to continue experiencing softness in customer demand in its core product categories, including appliances, furniture and electronics, in the second half of the year.
Consequently, management anticipates 2023 revenues of $2.12-$2.22 billion compared with the earlier stated $2.15-$2.25 billion. The lowered revenue outlook is mainly due to lower early purchased options and drab retail sales at the Aaron's business in the second quarter, which is likely to continue throughout the year.
For 2023, adjusted EBITDA (excluding stock-based compensation) is likely to be $140-$160 million. The company expects earnings per share of 55-80 cents compared with the earlier stated 70-95 cents. For the BrandsMart business, revenues are anticipated to be $615-$645 million, lower than the $645-$675 million stated previously.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
As a result, AAN shares fell 25.9% in the past three months against the industry’s growth of 9%.
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked companies are Crocs (CROX - Free Report) , Royal Caribbean (RCL - Free Report) and MGM Resorts (MGM - Free Report) .
MGM Resorts currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 81%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MGM’s 2024 sales and EPS indicates year-over-year increases of 2.2% and 31%, respectively.
Royal Caribbean sports a Zacks Rank #1 at present. RCL has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 26.4%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RCL’s 2023 sales and EPS indicates increases of 47.9% and 158.3%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s reported levels.
Crocs, which offers casual lifestyle footwear and accessories, presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The expected EPS growth rate for three to five years is 15%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Crocs’ current financial-year sales and earnings suggests growth of 13.1% and 2.8% from the year-ago period’s reported figure. CROX has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.8%, on average.