Levi Strauss's direct-to-consumer business is booming and now accounts for nearly 50% of all revenue. The shift comes as department stores face an uncertain future in the U.S. and Levi's looks to grow its stores and website.to drive its business, is now doing nearly half of its sales through its own website and stores, the company said Wednesday when reporting fiscal first quarter earnings. In the three months ended Feb.
25, direct-to-consumer sales made up a record 48% of overall sales at Levi's, up from 42% in the year-ago period and 25% higher on a two-year basis, the retailer said. The shift is a boon for Levi's profits. But it raises questions about the company's relationships with its wholesale partners and whether it will hurt those retailers as they grapple with their ownLevi's also beat Wall Street's earnings and revenue estimates and raised its full-year guidance. Shares rose as much as 10% in extended tradin