Some updates/additional info on TRS

I've been doing some more digging on TRS which may be of interest, summarised as follows:

- The new GM merchandising started with TRS about 6 weeks ago - Craig Tomlinson. According to Linkedin, he has a long career in merchandising, most recently with Countdown (woolworths) in NZ. Also Sigma and Dairy Farm. The impact of his initiatives should be evident during FY2018, mostly in second half
- The merchandise shift back to everyday products is already on shelf, so the full year results should show whether this is flowing through to improved foot traffic late in the second half, or whether the problems are more significant;
- The ramp up of the new DC is apparently tracking to plan, so should help the 2018 FY result;
- TRS's store strategy is increasingly focused on regional areas and neighborhood/strip shopping centres due to lower rents. The store revenue split is currently 40% metro, 60% regional/rural. This is another key point when considering the 'Amazon effect'. The supply chain economics of online don't stack up well against discount variety retailers generally, but more so in regional/rural areas;
- Given the company's blackout period for CEO/CFO share trading, they are in a blackout period now until the FY results. Nonetheless, if the shares stay at this level, and the CEO doesn't buy any shares in the 30 day 'window' following the results, then he needs to answer this question at the AGM.