Deutsche Bank Offers 13 Retail Predictions For 2015 - Advance Auto Parts (NYSE:AAP)

Mike Baker of Deutsche Bank released a list of 13 predictions concerning the Retail sector. The predictions are:

Retail will outperform the market in 2015 after underperforming in 2014.
Retail sales growth will accelerate, helped by lower energy costs.
Gross margins have peaked, but better sales will enable sufficient leverage such that operating margins can improve.
Auto parts sellers, such as Advance Auto Parts AAP will benefit from lower gas prices.
Best Buy BBY will see its comps improve and the company will begin to buy back its stock.
Lowe's LOW will “come close” to achieving its margin goal of 9.7 percent.
Bed Bath and Beyond's BBBY will see its margins continue to fall while Williams-Sonoma's WSM margin's will stay “relatively stable.”
Pier 1 Imports PIR will improve its operating margins while Restoration Hardware RH will “buck the trend” of lower home goods margins.
Some of the office products retailers will show a positive comp.
Tractor Supply Company TSCO will benefit from an easier deflation and expense comparisons.
Dick's Sporting Goods DKS will see its operating margins bottom while Hibbert Sporting Goods HIBB will see its margins fall.
Ross Stores ROST along with TJX Companies TJX will both beat consensus comps and show the best comp increases since 2012.
The Michaels Companies MIK will see its comps rise by at least 100 basis points.