Williams-Sonoma Expands Sutter Street Unit, Starts Hiring - Analyst Blog

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM) recently announced the expansion of its upholstered furniture manufacturing at Sutter Street Manufacturing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Williams-Sonoma.

Williams-Sonoma intends to add over 500 positions at the three facilities at North Carolina, Texas and California by early 2015. Applications are presently being accepted at Sutter Street Manufacturing for production positions in Upholstery, Sewing and Frame Assembly categories.

Williams-Sonoma is gaining market share due to its multi-brand, multi-channel format. In fact, the company is consistently increasing its store count in order to reach out to more customers. With improving demand for Williams-Sonoma's home furnishing goods, there is a requirement for more production facilities. The recent increase in facilities is in line with the company's growth strategy.

Williams-Sonoma offers premium quality products and has some of the most popular brands in home furnishing, namely Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, West Elm, PBteen Rejuvenation and Mark and Graham. These products are exclusively designed to meet the changing preference of customers.

Sutter Street Manufacturing performed well in the third quarter of 2014. In fact, Williams-Sonoma recently reported better-than-expected results in the quarter. Earnings per share, revenues and comparable brand revenues exceeded the company's guidance. On the back of the better-than- expected results, the company raised its earnings guidance for fiscal 2014.

Williams-Sonoma currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Investors interested in the retail sector can consider stocks like Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (ETH), Restoration Hardware Holdings, Inc. (RH) and Safeway Inc. (SWY). While Ethan Allen Interiors and Safeway sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Restoration Hardware holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).