Here’s our Pick of the Month – REITMANS (CANADA) LTD.

Article Excerpt

REITMANS (CANADA) LTD. $17.85 (Toronto symbol RET.A; SI Rating: Extra Risk) (514-384-1140; www.reitmans.com; Shares outstanding: 70.8 million; Market cap: $1.3 billion) sells women’s apparel and accessories in stores across Canada. The company now has 958 stores in operation, consisting of 369 Reitmans, 162 Smart Set, 162 Penningtons, 53 RW & Co., 125 Addition Elle, 73 Thyme Maternity and 14 Cassis stores. Reitmans continues to aggressively open and close stores depending on local market conditions. In 2007, the company opened 65 stores and closed 27 stores. In the three months ended February 2, 2008, Reitmans’ revenues fell 4.4%, to $269.6 million from $282.1 million. Same store sales fell 2.5%. Earnings excluding one-time items rose 21.6%, to $28.5 million or $0.40 a share from $23.4 million or $0.33 a share. In the latest quarter, sales suffered because Canadian consumers took advantage of the strong dollar to shop in the U.S. As well, competition was stronger in Canada, and unusually snowy weather kept shoppers at home…