Value Vision has been struggling from inception. According to a story by Leslie Brooks Suzukamo for Pioneer Press,
Under Lansing, sales grew from $591 million in fiscal 2004 to $767 million in 2006 but lost money every year. Nearly all the company's revenue comes from its television and associated Web site shopping business, with jewelry the biggest category.Back in May of this year, the company reduced its workforce about 14 percent after posting an operating loss of $7.4 million in its first quarter. The company also closed two outlet stores and consolidated its distribution operations into a single warehouse facility. The cuts failed to stop the decline. In August, the company reported its second quarter loss increased to $5.5 million. Shortly thereafter,
Lansing promised Wall Street he could drive up yearly sales to 6 toIt was not to be. Two months later the company's board felt compelled to act forcing Lansing to leave. Lansing, outside of institutional holders such as GE Asset Management (17.34%) and others is one of the largest individual holders of the company's shares (377,000 according to Reuters). Before Lansing was ousted, the company hired turnaround consultants Alvarez & Marsal to help the board develop ways to improve corporate performance. At the time, the board specifically went out of its way to emphasize the hiring of Alvarez and Marsal was not a turnaround situation. The company supposedly had a healthy balance sheet with $100 million in cash and no debt.8 percent.
Keep a close eye on the moves the company makes over the next few months. If they manage to hire a very strong candidate with turnaround abilities and a thorough understanding of their specific business model there may be some real potential upside. As things stand, that might be a tall order.
Stay tuned.
For more:
Reuters
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