Watch on earnings:Comparable store sales growth (company-operated stores)Gross margin rate and drivers (product mix, freight, FX, promotions)Square footage growth and new store productivity (sales per square foot)Digital penetration rate and e-commerce growthInventory dollars per square foot and aging composition
Key metrics:US consumer confidence index (Conference Board) - tracks affluent spending propensity · Cotton futures pricing (CTUSX) - primary fabric input cost affecting gross margins with 6-9 month lag · Retail sales excluding autos and gas - proxy for discretionary spending environment · Personal savings rate - inverse indicator of discretionary purchase willingness