Not Sold on Kenneth Cole

In this week's small-cap spotlight, Frank Curzio and Larsen Kusick take a close look at Kenneth Cole Productions(KCP Quote). Shares were recently trading at $18.68, just above the 52-week low, but is this diversified retailer looking at more losses or has it finally bottomed?

Curzio: Few Reasons to Buy This Stock

In mid-2004, Kenneth Cole implemented a three-year strategy that included raising prices on its New York label and repositioning products into high-end retail outlets such as Saks(SKS Quote), Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom(JWN Quote). Also, the plan was to make Reaction into a lifestyle brand.

But after three years and counting, it seems the company is still struggling to implement its business model and, with the current climate for retailers becoming dire, it's hard to find a short-term catalyst that would move shares higher.

Kenneth Cole: Fashion Do or Don't?

Looking at the company's latest conference call, management tried to explain the evolution of its brand strategy. First, the Kenneth Cole brand becomes dominant with the sub-brands underneath, and stores over time become just Kenneth Cole and New York goes away. ...