Among the retailers and brands that could be most impacted from the proposed 10% tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods are Best Buy Co. Inc., Michael Kors Holdings Ltd., and Coach parent Tapestry Inc., say analysts.
Raymond James analysts led by Dan Wewer think every company in its research universe will be hurt by the proposed tariffs, but say consumer electronics giant Best Buy BBY, +0.55% and arts-and-crafts shop Michael Cos. Inc. MIK, -1.21% are “the most vulnerable.”
“A negative development from [Tuesday’s] U.S. Trade Representative’s new list of products is that television parts along with monitors are now included,” analysts wrote in a note . “This could become a headwind, given Lenovo, a Beijing-based technology manufacturer, is Best Buy’s fifth largest vendor.”
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In addition, Michael’s sources a lot of its merchandise from Asia.
“Items included on the new list range from drawing paper, to diaries, to dyed woven fabrics, reflecting categories that may prove to be less price inelastic,” the note said.
Raymond James thinks value retailers like Dollar General Corp. DG, -0.47% and Dollar Tree Inc.’s DLTR, +0.63% Family Dollar are the least exposed since about 80% of their sales are in food, personal care and home cleaning supplies, which are largely sourced domestically.
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“Within the value retail sector, Dollar General is the least exposed with only ~5% of their products being directly sourced, this compares to ~16% for Family Dollar and ~41% for Dollar Tree,” the note said. “Nonetheless, minimal categories from these retailers are impacted and we do not believe the cigarettes sold at these stores are imported from China.”
At Wells Fargo, three companies are “under the microscope”: Fossil Group Inc. FOSL, -4.65% , Michael Kors KORS, -0.09% and Tapestry TPR, +0.29% , whose portfolio of brands includes Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman as well as Coach.
Fossil has the biggest risk among the businesses in its coverage, with about 40% of its sales impacted. About 90% of the cost of goods sold (COGS) associated with those sales is sourced from China.
Michael Kors will be impacted “less than most investors perceive” because the company has moved “a substantial amount of its sourcing out of China and into Vietnam.” About 40% of sales would be affected, though Jimmy Choo is not included because its products are sourced in Europe. About 5% of COGS associated with those sales are sourced from China.
Tapestry will also have minimal exposure.
“[W]e believe the Coach brand has completed its plan (announced in early 2011) to diversify its sourcing base by shifting the vast majority of its handbag production out of China (Vietnam has become by far the largest producer of product today) and Kate Spade is currently undergoing a similar process,” Wells Fargo analysts led by Ike Boruchow wrote.
Instinet analysts led by Simeon Siegel think the impact is “likely overblown,” largely because of that sourcing shift to Vietnam.
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“In our universe, inclusion of handbags, luggage and leather accessories were the topic du jour, with particular questions surrounding Tapestry and Michael Kors,” analysts said. “The reality is, most of our companies (particularly handbag companies), have been working to reduce China exposure over the past several years in the face of increasing labor.”
Instinet notes that Tapestry’s Stuart Weitzman’s sourcing is based out of Spain.
Moreover, analysts think clean inventory measures have increased average unit retail, which will provide a buffer.
“Therefore in that scenario, even if tariffs were to be extended, we believe the reality is strong brands could likely offset pressures via price increases,” the note said.
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Analysts think off-price retailers like Burlington Stores Inc. BURL, -0.54% and TJX Cos. TJX, -1.16% are “likely most insulated.”
“The flexible merchandising strategy allows buyers to quickly act on inventory that needs to be cleared, while at the same time enabling off-pricers to maintain their targeted pricing umbrella,” they wrote.
Best Buy shares have rallied 9% for the year to date, Michael Kors shares are up 5.5% for the period, and Tapestry shares have gained 3.2%. The SPDR S&P Retail ETF XRT, -0.41% is up 8.3% for 2018 so far and the S&P 500 index SPX, +0.87% is up 4.7% for the period.
