Analysts: RadioShack bankruptcy could hurt Best Buy

RadioShack bankruptcy could hurt Best Buy

The demise of RadioShack, which filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year, could end up hurting Best Buy more than it helps.

Trefis analysts published a report Thursday speculating that Amazon could capitalize on the RadioShack bankruptcy by picking up some of RadioShack's 4,000 stores to boost its offline presence.

Creating a bigger offline presence could help Amazon showcase some of its products and use stores as potential pickup centers for customers, they said.

The order online, but pick up at the store option is part of Best Buy's Renew Blue strategy.

Trefis analysts wrote: "One might wonder why Amazon hasn't already set up its own stores if the omnichannel route is doing wonders for Best Buy. Maybe they were waiting for the right opportunity, like this one."

Patrick Kennedy

Analysts note in their reports what companies say in their quarterly earnings reports and sometimes what they omit.

"Imation's Q1 earnings report steered clear of addressing the elephant in the room — the looming May 20 shareholder vote on contested director seats," wrote Lake Street Capital Markets analyst Eric Martinuzzi. "Whatever the outcome, we hope the successful party takes swift action to clarify a path to profitability."

Patrick Kennedy

Short call for Donaldson?

Brian Bolan, a growth stock strategist at Zacks, on Thursday named Bloomington-based Donaldson Co. its "Bear of the Day," and the stock has a Zacks rank of No. 5 (Strong Sell). Bolan writes that Donaldson's valuation numbers don't look good, especially its forward price earnings ratio which is at a premium to its industry peers.

Patrick Kennedy

Lilly Pulitzer run at Target deemed success

Trefis analysts called the Lilly Pulitzer collaboration with Target a success, despite criticism the limited products sold too fast in stores and clogged Target's online site. They viewed the collaboration as a successful step for Target to return to its "cheap chic" formula. "More than financial gains, the collection was about the reassurance that Target can in fact relive its golden days, provided that the right aspects are leveraged," they said.