Mark Lin

It is possible for retailers to provide customers with less choice and yet earn more money.

A truck driver's needs are quite different from that of the average C-store customer. TravelCenters tailors its products and services to the requirements of truckers, making it the best play on the trucking industry recovery.

An in-house credit program is a huge competitive advantage for hard-goods retailers, as this increases customers' propensity to spend and keeps them loyal to the lender/retailer.

As the health and wellness trend gains momentum, consumers are switching from classic sodas to healthier options. SodaStream should benefit as soda drinkers make their own low-calorie sodas at home.

If you try to be everything to everyone, you will be nothing to no one. This is the ultimate retail mantra that speciality retailers have at the back of their minds

Great minds think alike, and specialty retailer Francesca's has more in common with its successful peers than you will expect.

Most Davids can’t beat Goliaths because they choose to go down the same path as as everybody else while thinking that they can achieve better results. Norwegian Cruise has become a strong No. 3 in the cruise ship industry by competing on non-price factors, having clear positioning, and building scale in a different way.

In today’s world, investment safe havens have been disappearing as technological change disrupts an increasing number of products and industries. Tissue paper is one of the few consumer-staple businesses that will remain relevant for years to come.

Textbook publishers face less competition and are less reliant on blockbuster hits than their trade publisher peers.

As consumers continue to stretch their budgets in an uncertain economic environment, off-price retailing should be increasingly popular. TJX is my top pick among off-price retailers for its consistent financial track record.

Fashion risk is the single thing that keeps top executives of retailers awake at night. Successful teenage-focused retailers have worked hard on their merchandising and store strategies to keep their customers loyal.

Most companies fail when their customers desert them. However, there are companies that have found ways to reduce their customer risk exposure, making them safer investments.

Chinese labor cost inflation won’t hurt all apparel and footwear companies equally. Investors should place their bets on those who diversify their supply sources geographically, move upstream, and invest in technology.

Take a look at how these three companies have revenue streams that are protected by attractive contractual terms and supported by favorable demand drivers.

Consumers are demanding fuel economy, active safety and connectivity. Delphi is one of the few automotive suppliers with exposure to these multiple secular trends.

Investors should invest in convenience store operators that own most of their stores, as these companies have the least exposure to risks such as increased rent and loss of prime locations.

Making branding mistakes can be costly, resulting in market share erosion and stagnant revenue growth. But once the mistakes are reversed, the company can get back on the road to profitability.

Obamacare will add significantly to the population of new tax filers and increase the complexity of tax filing. Tax preparation services providers, such as H&R Block and JTH Holding, are expected to be key beneficiaries. Will Intuit also benefit?

Local niche newspaper publishers, such as McClatchy and Gannett, have an edge over their national peers because they offer specialized content tailored to the needs of their readers. Here's a closer look at these local publishers.

A network of well-located clubs is a key competitive advantage for an operator, especially one that owns more of its locations.