Q Talk

[Mindy D]

The Curious Case Of Qurate Retail 

This is an article I just finished which examines the financials, business and future of QRate. It's the best article I've read on the subject. The comments are also very thought provoking. If you want to read it, put the title into your google search bar. 

[deeva]

The outlook for QVC/ HSN is worse than I imagined. 

[millieshops]

@Mindy D   Thanks for that tip.  I will read in hope some of their conjectures are based on numbers, not emotions. 

[Franklinbell]

Thanks. For sharing! Very interesting!

[On It]

@Mindy D That is a compelling article. I had no idea the impact of the warehouse fire rippled through the entire operation to such a huge extent. I hope the unhappy customers complaining about product diversity, efficiency of shipping, and supply issues will read the article. It was enlightening. 

I truly believe the worst thing for our quality of life is publicly owned companies having to please stockholders. I miss the day when most companies were privately held by an individual interest and could focus on their business instead of shareholders's interests.

[Bookplate]

Thank you; most interesting.  The author gives more weight to the importance of the warehouse fire/loss than I would have thought but I understand the significance better now.  I had to laugh at one of the commenter's claim that an increase in SS benefits this year will boost sales - as if seniors have nothing better to spend their dwindling incomes on than shopping channels. Good luck with that. What I found lacking in the article is criticism of management decisions other than the poor balance sheet performance, but perhaps one needs to be a consistent customer/viewer to see how programming and merchandisiing decisons have led to the deterioration of the businesses.

[Mindy D]

@Bookplate @I laughed at the SS increase comment too. 

[PickyPicky3]

The comments were more interesting than the article. 

In real estate, it's location location location.

In shopping it's business model, business model, business model. 

[Mindy D]

@PickyPicky3 @The corporate plan QVC and QRate has addresses the model. They are targeting other media besides Chanel TV. They've hired experts to help them do this. 

[PickyPicky3]

@Mindy D    They're going to have to make some decisions fast. It's sink or swim time.