Piper Jaffray's Tamminga On 'Why Mall-Based Retail Still Matters'

Ahead of Piper Jaffray’s 36th annual consumer conference, analysts Neely J.N. Tamminga and Kayla R. Wesser shared their “high-level insights into why mall-based retailing still matters.”

Nine companies in the firm’s coverage universe are participating in the event: Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN), Wayfair Inc (NYSE: W), J C Penney Company Inc (NYSE: JCP), Ascena Retail Group Inc (NASDAQ: ASNA), Christopher & Banks Corporation (NYSE: CBK), Gordmans Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMAN), Kirkland's, Inc. (NASDAQ: KIRK), Zumiez Inc. (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) and HSN, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSNI).

However, the analysts “shine a spotlight on three of the top four in-demand companies at the conference when looking across all 60+ companies in attendance,” as these three are among those covered by Piper Jaffray. The firms in question are Nordstrom, Wayfair and J C Penney.

While almost countless elements, ranging from channel issues to the impact of a potentially soft consumer base, are at play within the retail space, the analysts look to the third quarter as a moment of potential breakout for consumer cyclical and discretionary stocks, “based on both historical trading patterns and the potential for fundamental improvement.” This would suggest investors could be well off considering a few down-and-out stocks for a possible recovery in the second half of the year.