Genesco Inc. Reports Fiscal 2022 Second Quarter Results

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --  

Second Quarter Fiscal 2022 Financial Summary

• Net sales increased 42% from last year to $555 million
• Net sales increased 14% over the second quarter two years ago with stores open about 97% of days
• GAAP operating income increased 336% over second quarter two years ago
• Non-GAAP operating income increased 346% over second quarter two years ago
• E-commerce sales increased 97% from second quarter two years ago
• GAAP EPS from continuing operations increased to $0.74 vs. ($1.33) last year and $0.05 two years ago
• Non-GAAP EPS from continuing operations increased to $1.05¹ vs. ($1.23) last year and $0.15 two years ago

Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported GAAP earnings from continuing operations per diluted share of $0.74 for the three months ended July 31, 2021, compared to a loss from continuing operations per diluted share of ($1.33) in the second quarter last year and earnings from continuing operations of $0.05 per diluted share two years ago.  Adjusted for the Excluded Items in all periods, the Company reported second quarter earnings from continuing operations per diluted share of $1.05, compared to a loss from continuing operations per diluted share of ($1.23) last year and earnings from continuing operations of $0.15 per diluted share two years ago.

Mimi E. Vaughn, Genesco board chair, president and chief executive officer, said, "We delivered outstanding second quarter results highlighted by record second quarter profitability for our footwear businesses that far exceeded our expectations. Following a very strong start to Fiscal 2022, our top-line accelerated even further ahead of pre-pandemic levels fueled by robust full-priced selling, as our merchandise offerings, exceptional service and differentiated shopping experiences continue to resonate strongly with consumers. Our outperformance was driven by better than anticipated results across the board with all businesses exceeding pre-pandemic profits. The levels at which the Company performed during the first half of the year following a challenging Fiscal 2021 reflect the strong competitive positions of our retail and branded concepts and the positive transformation we are driving through our footwear focused strategy. Turning to the current quarter, we have been pleased with our results to date as sales tracked ahead of pre-pandemic levels in August, and we are several weeks into the all-important back-to-school selling season.

"Our exceptional year-to-date performance reinforces our confidence in the strategic course we have set for the Company.  Our footwear focused strategy is working and is delivering results. Our opportunity to unlock value in Genesco is to further accelerate the digital and omnichannel potential in our retail business and to meaningfully grow our branded side.  In addition, the pandemic has provided us the real opportunity to transform our business at a faster pace, as we deliver improved growth and operating margins. With a strong balance sheet, we believe we are well positioned to further invest in this growth while also returning capital to our shareholders going forward."

Thomas A. George, Genesco interim chief financial officer, commented, "We were very pleased that the second quarter marked an acceleration in the sequential improvement of our operating results since the onset of the pandemic. With much stronger revenue, higher gross margins, and well managed expenses, operating income far surpassed last year's levels and the second quarter Fiscal 2020 two years ago, delivering record second quarter adjusted EPS of $1.05 compared to $0.15 in Fiscal 2020."

Store Re-Opening Update
As of August 31, 2021, the Company is operating substantially all locations. 

Second Quarter Review
Net sales for the second quarter of Fiscal 2022 increased 42% to $555 million from $391 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2021 and increased 14% from $487 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2020. The sales increase from Fiscal 2020 was driven by a 97% increase in e-commerce sales and increased wholesale sales, with store sales just under Fiscal 2020 levels. As a result of store closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Company's policy of removing any store closed for seven consecutive days from comparable sales, the Company has not included second quarter comparable sales for this year or last year, except for comparable direct sales, as it feels that overall sales is a more meaningful metric for these periods. Comparable direct sales for the second quarter of Fiscal 2022 were down 23% compared to up 144% for the second quarter of Fiscal 2021, and up 20% compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2020.

Overall sales for the second quarter this year compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2021 were up 25% at Journeys, up 48% at Schuh, up 154% at Johnston & Murphy and up 122% at Licensed Brands. Overall sales compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2020 were up 10% at Journeys, up 15% at Schuh and up 260% at Licensed Brands, partially offset by a 9% decrease in Johnston & Murphy sales.

Second quarter gross margin this year was 49.1%, up 640 basis points, compared with 42.7% last year and up 50 basis points compared with 48.6% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2020. The increase as a percentage of sales as compared to Fiscal 2020 is due primarily to higher full price selling at Journeys, partially offset by a mix shift towards Licensed Brands and higher shipping and warehouse expense in our retail businesses driven by the increase in penetration of e-commerce as compared to Fiscal 2020.

Adjusted selling and administrative expense for the second quarter this year decreased 270 basis points as a percentage of sales compared with last year and decreased 230 basis points compared with the second quarter of Fiscal 2020.  The decrease from Fiscal 2020 is due primarily to reduced occupancy expense as well as reduced selling salaries, partially offset by increased performance-based compensation expense driven by improved profitability and increased marketing expenses. The reduction in occupancy expense is driven by the U.K. government property tax relief program and benefits from our ongoing lease cost initiative.

Genesco's GAAP operating income for the second quarter was $12.9 million, or 2.3% of sales this year, compared with an operating loss of $(22.0) million, or (5.6)% of sales last year, and an operating income of $3.0 million, or 0.6% of sales in the second quarter of Fiscal 2020.  Adjusted for the Excluded Items in all periods, operating income for the second quarter was $21.1 million this year compared to an operating loss of $(20.9) million last year and an operating income of $4.7 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2020. Adjusted operating margin was 3.8% of sales in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022, (5.3)% last year and 1.0% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2020.    

The effective tax rate for the quarter was 11.1% in Fiscal 2022 compared to 20.3% last year and 70.7% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2020.  The adjusted effective tax rate, reflecting Excluded Items, was 25.1% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022 compared to 23.0% last year and 45.2% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2020.  The higher adjusted effective tax rate for this year as compared to last year reflects the inability to recognize a tax benefit for certain foreign losses and a higher mix of earnings in jurisdictions where the Company generates taxable income.

GAAP earnings from continuing operations were $10.9 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $(18.9) million in the second quarter last year and earnings from continuing operations of $0.8 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2020.  Adjusted for the Excluded Items in all periods, second quarter earnings from continuing operations were $15.3 million, or $1.05 per share, in Fiscal 2022, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $(17.4) million, or ($1.23) loss per share, last year and earnings from continuing operations of $2.5 million, or $0.15 per share, in the second quarter of Fiscal 2020.

Cash, Borrowings and Inventory
Cash and cash equivalents at July 31, 2021, were $304.0 million, compared with $299.1 million at August 1, 2020.  Total debt at the end of the second quarter of Fiscal 2022 was $20.0 million compared with $210.9 million at the end of last year's second quarter reflecting increased borrowings in the second quarter last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Inventories decreased 11% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022 on a year-over-year basis and decreased 27% versus the second quarter of Fiscal 2020.   

Capital Expenditures and Store Activity
For the second quarter, capital expenditures were $8 million, related primarily to digital and omnichannel initiatives.  Depreciation and amortization was $11 million.  During the quarter, the Company opened three stores and closed eight stores.  The Company ended the quarter with 1,439 stores compared with 1,476 stores at the end of the second quarter last year, or a decrease of 3%.  Square footage was down 2% on a year-over-year basis.

Share Repurchases
The Company did not repurchase any shares during the second quarter of Fiscal 2022.  The Company currently has $90 million remaining on the $100 million board authorization from September 2019.

Fiscal 2022 Outlook
Due to the continued uncertainty in the overall economy driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically the spread of the Delta variant, the Company is not providing guidance at this time, but will provide commentary on its outlook for the coming quarter in its prepared remarks on today's earnings call.

Conference Call, Management Commentary and Investor Presentation
The Company has posted detailed financial commentary and a supplemental financial presentation of second quarter results on its website, www.genesco.com, in the investor relations section.  The Company's live conference call on September 2, 2021, at 7:30 a.m. (Central time), may be accessed through the Company's website, www.genesco.com. To listen live, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary software.

Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding the performance outlook for the Company, expectations with respect to returning capital to shareholders and all other statements not addressing solely historical facts or present conditions.  Forward-looking statements are usually identified by or are associated with such words as "intend," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "should," "optimistic" and similar terminology.  Actual results could vary materially from the expectations reflected in these statements.  A number of factors could cause differences.  These include adjustments to projections reflected in forward-looking statements, including those resulting from the effects of COVID-19 on the Company's business, including COVID-19 case spikes in locations in which the Company operates, additional store closures due to COVID-19 and expected timing for store reopenings, weakness in store and shopping mall traffic, timing of in person back-to-work and back-to-school and sales with respect thereto, expectations regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and acceptance, restrictions on operations imposed by government entities and/or landlords, changes in public safety and health requirements, and limitations on the Company's ability to adequately staff and operate stores.  Differences from expectations could also result from store closures and effects on the business as a result of civil disturbances; the level and timing of promotional activity necessary to maintain inventories at appropriate levels; the imposition of tariffs on product imported by the Company or its vendors as well as the ability and costs to move production of products in response to tariffs; the Company's ability to obtain from suppliers products that are in-demand on a timely basis and effectively manage disruptions in product supply or distribution, including disruptions as a result of COVID-19; unfavorable trends in fuel costs, foreign exchange rates, foreign labor and material costs, and other factors affecting the cost of products; the effects of the British decision to exit the European Union and other sources of market weakness in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland; the effectiveness of the Company's omnichannel initiatives; costs associated with changes in minimum wage and overtime requirements; wage pressure in the U.S. and the U.K.; weakness in the consumer economy and retail industry; competition and fashion trends in the Company's markets; risks related to the potential for terrorist events; risks related to public health and safety events; changes in buying patterns by significant wholesale customers; retained liabilities associated with divestitures of businesses including potential liabilities under leases as the prior tenant or as a guarantor; and changes in the timing of holidays or in the onset of seasonal weather affecting period-to-period sales comparisons.  Additional factors that could cause differences from expectations include the ability to renew leases in existing stores and control or lower occupancy costs, and to conduct required remodeling or refurbishment on schedule and at expected expense levels; the Company's ability to realize anticipated cost savings, including rent savings; the Company's ability to achieve expected digital gains and gain market share; deterioration in the performance of individual businesses or of the Company's market value relative to its book value, resulting in impairments of fixed assets, operating lease right of use assets or intangible assets or other adverse financial consequences and the timing and amount of such impairments or other consequences; unexpected changes to the market for the Company's shares or for the retail sector in general; costs and reputational harm as a result of disruptions in the Company's business or information technology systems either by security breaches and incidents or by potential problems associated with the implementation of new or upgraded systems; the Company's ability to realize any anticipated tax benefits; and the cost and outcome of litigation, investigations and environmental matters involving the Company.  Additional factors are cited in the "Risk Factors," "Legal Proceedings" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of, and elsewhere in, the Company's SEC filings, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC website, www.sec.gov, or by contacting the investor relations department of Genesco via the Company's website, www.genesco.com.  Many of the factors that will determine the outcome of the subject matter of this release are beyond Genesco's ability to control or predict.  Genesco undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  Forward-looking statements reflect the expectations of the Company at the time they are made.  The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements.

About Genesco Inc.
Genesco Inc., a Nashville-based specialty retail and branded company, sells footwear and accessories in more than 1,435 retail stores throughout the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Little Burgundy, Schuh, Schuh Kids, Johnston & Murphy, and on internet websites www.journeys.com, www.journeyskidz.com, www.journeys.ca, www.littleburgundyshoes.com, www.schuh.co.uk, www.johnstonmurphy.com, www.johnstonmurphy.ca, www.nashvilleshoewarehouse.com, and www.dockersshoes.com. In addition, Genesco sells footwear at wholesale under its Johnston & Murphy brand, the licensed Levi's brand, the licensed Dockers brand, the licensed Bass brand, and other brands. Genesco is committed to progress in its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and the Company's environmental, social and governance stewardship. For more information on Genesco and its operating divisions, please visit www.genesco.com.