Overstock.com saw its share price jump 25 percent this week after an impressive Q2 earnings report.
While Wall Street analysts predicted a negative quarter for the online home goods retailer, Overstock stunned investors on Thursday when it revealed that it brought in a record-high $782.5 million in net revenue.
"It was really gratifying to see new customers finding us, experiencing our website, and coming back and purchasing more," Jonathan Johnson, CEO of Overstock.com, told Cheddar Friday.
Johnson credits stay-at-home mandates during the second quarter for his company's success, as workers filled out home offices and residents decided to transform their backyards into private outdoor oases.
"There were a lot of people that were eager to get to the outside of their home in their yards and make them lovely with Overstock purchases," Johnson said. "We did see an early tick up in patio furniture — things for the outdoors like swing sets, above-ground pools."
While Johnson thinks predicting what the pandemic will bring next is a near-impossible task, he still believes a high level of demand can be sustained for the foreseeable future.
"I'm not sure consumers are ready to storm the stores again. I think online's going to be particularly strong," Johnson said, adding that Overstock intended to live up to its name. "Our partners are bringing in product as we speak."
Much like all the upheaval shaking the world, the huge swings rocking Wall Street may feel far from normal. But, for investing at least, this is normal.
Joe Cecela, Dream Exchange CEO, explains how they are aiming to form the first minority-controlled company to operate an exchange in U.S. history. Watch!
A Michigan judge is putting sponges in the hands of shoplifters and ordering them to wash cars in a Walmart parking lot when spring weather arrives. Genesee County Judge Jeffrey Clothier hopes the unusual form of community service discourages people from stealing from Walmart. The judge also wants to reward shoppers with free car washes. Clothier says he began ordering “Walmart wash” sentences this week for shoplifting at the store in Grand Blanc Township. He believes 75 to 100 people eventually will be ordered to wash cars this spring. Clothier says he will be washing cars alongside them when the time comes.
