VF Corp (VFC): 1 Retailer’s Most Ambitious Growth Plan

Last year, Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM)’s revenue actually dipped slightly, and 2013’s revenue is forecast to be flat on 2012. That doesn’t mean that it’s a gimme for VF Corp (NYSE:VFC), though. The company has had a slow start to 2013 and while first-quarter EPS grew by 25% year over year, revenue only rose 2%. Some of that slowness is due to other brands like Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM) taking sales that VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) needs if it’s going to hit its 2017 goals.

Overall, it’s going to be a tough five years. In the end, I think VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) has the brand strength to make it through, and I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t hit $17 billion, but it’s no cakewalk. Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA) is a very fast company, and if it decided to branch out into more casual wear to bring in more female customers or more casual shoppers, it could turn that on quickly. The brazenness of VF Corp (NYSE:VFC)’s announcement makes me want it to succeed, but I’ll be watching closely for any sustained slowdowns on this long trek.

The article 1 Retailer’s Most Ambitious Growth Plan originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Andrew Marder owns shares of Barclays PLC (ADR). The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA).

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