Genesco Inc. Reports Fiscal 2024 First Quarter Results

Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported first quarter results for the three months ended April 29, 2023.

First Quarter Fiscal 2024 Financial Summary

• Net sales of $483 million decreased 7% compared to Q1FY23
• Excluding the impact of lower exchange rates, net sales decreased 6% compared to Q1FY23
• Comps down 5%, with stores down 8% and direct up 7%
• E-commerce sales represented 21% of retail sales compared to 19% last year
• GAAP EPS from continuing operations was ($1.60) vs. $0.37 last year
• Non-GAAP EPS from continuing operations was ($1.59)¹ vs. $0.44 last year
• Repurchased $9.2 million of stock during Q1FY24, with $25.0 million remaining on the current authorization

Mimi E. Vaughn, Genesco’s Board Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Following a positive end to the holiday season, the first quarter proved considerably more challenging than we anticipated. Consumer demand at Journeys dropped off significantly early in the quarter and did not improve as we changed seasons in the latter part of March and into April, offsetting another quarter of record sales at Schuh and Johnston & Murphy. In response, we are taking swift actions to mitigate the consumer shift in the marketplace, including closing more underperforming Journeys stores, reducing our cost base further, and working to quickly refine our product assortment. However, given the ongoing uncertainty around near-term consumer behavior, we are taking a much more conservative view and revising our outlook for the remainder of Fiscal 2024.”

She continued, “Despite the difficulties in the current environment, we remain excited about our future prospects and the strength of our competitive positioning. Having navigated multiple adverse retail cycles, our team has demonstrated a track record of success, the resilience of our business, and the ability to rebound and come out ahead. As the leading destination for teen fashion footwear, and key partner to our brands, I feel confident that our footwear focused strategy and the strategic initiatives we are implementing will position Journeys to emerge from this period in an even stronger competitive position.”

First Quarter Review

Net sales for the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 of $483 million decreased 7% compared to $521 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023. The sales decrease compared to last year was driven by decreased store sales in Journeys Group, decreased wholesale sales and foreign exchange pressure, partially offset by a 5% increase in e-commerce sales and strong store performance at Schuh and Johnston & Murphy. Excluding the impact of lower exchange rates, net sales decreased 6% for the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 compared to the first quarter of Fiscal 2023. As a result of store closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic during the first quarter of Fiscal 2022, the Company did not include comparable sales for the first quarter of Fiscal 2023, except for comparable direct sales, as it felt that overall sales was a more meaningful metric last year.

The overall sales decrease of 7% for the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 compared to the first quarter of Fiscal 2023 was driven by a decrease of 13% at Journeys and a 25% or $12 million decrease at Genesco Brands, partially offset by an increase of 6% at Schuh and an increase of 16% at Johnston & Murphy. On a constant currency basis, Schuh sales were up 13% for the first quarter this year.

First quarter gross margin this year was 47.3%, down 100 basis points compared with 48.3% last year. The decrease as a percentage of sales compared to Fiscal 2023 is due primarily to a more normalized promotional environment and increased markdowns at Journeys, which offset improved margins in the remaining businesses.

Selling and administrative expense for the first quarter this year increased 520 basis points as a percentage of sales compared with last year. Adjusted selling and administrative expense for the first quarter this year increased 550 basis points as a percentage of sales compared with last year. The increase as a percentage of sales compared to Fiscal 2023 reflects the deleverage of expenses, especially compensation expense, selling salaries and occupancy expense as a result of decreased revenue in the first quarter of Fiscal 2024.

Genesco’s GAAP operating loss for the first quarter was ($23.0) million, or (4.8)% of sales this year, compared with operating income of $8.2 million, or 1.6% of sales in the first quarter last year. Adjusted for the Excluded Items in all periods, the operating loss for the first quarter was ($22.7) million this year compared to operating income of $9.5 million last year. Adjusted operating margin was (4.7)% of sales in the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 and 1.8% in the first quarter last year.

The effective tax rate for the quarter was 23.7% in Fiscal 2024 compared to 36.7% in the first quarter last year. The adjusted tax rate, reflecting Excluded Items, was 23.3% in Fiscal 2024 compared to 34.7% in the first quarter last year. The lower adjusted tax rate for the first quarter this year compared to the first quarter last year reflects a reduction in the amount of foreign losses for which we are unable to recognize a tax benefit.

GAAP loss from continuing operations was ($18.9) million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 compared to earnings from continuing operations of $5.0 million in the first quarter last year. Adjusted for the Excluded Items in all periods, the first quarter loss from continuing operations was ($18.7) million, or ($1.59) per share, in Fiscal 2024, compared to earnings from continuing operations of $5.9 million, or $0.44 per share, in the first quarter last year.

Cash, Borrowings and Inventory

Cash as of April 29, 2023 was $31.8 million, compared with $200.6 million as of April 30, 2022. Total debt at the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 was $118.2 million compared with $14.7 million at the end of last year’s first quarter. The past twelve months the Company utilized cash and borrowing to replenish low inventory levels by $172.2 million and return capital to shareholders with share repurchases totaling $75.4 million. Inventories increased 17% on a year over year basis, primarily for the Johnston & Murphy and Schuh businesses to fuel growth, while Journeys inventories were flat.

Capital Expenditures and Store Activity

For the first quarter this year, capital expenditures were $17 million, related primarily to retail stores and digital and omnichannel initiatives. Depreciation and amortization was $11 million. During the quarter, the Company opened 12 stores and closed 26 stores. The Company ended the quarter with 1,396 stores compared with 1,414 stores at the end of the first quarter last year, or a decrease of 1%. Square footage was essentially flat on a year-over-year basis.

Share Repurchases

The Company repurchased 255,000 shares during the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 at a cost of $9.2 million or an average of $35.96 per share. The Company currently has $25.0 million remaining on its expanded share repurchase authorization announced in February 2022.

Store Closing and Cost Savings Update

• The Company now expects to close more than 100 Journeys stores in Fiscal 2024, versus prior expectations to close 60 stores
• The Company now anticipates up to $40 million in cost reductions, versus $20 million to $25 million prior, with $20 million realized in Fiscal 2024

Revised Fiscal 2024 Outlook

For Fiscal 2024, the Company now expects:

• Sales to be down 4% to 5%, or down 5% to 6% excluding the 53^rd week this year, compared to Fiscal 23
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in the range of $2.00 to $2.50 ²
• Guidance assumes no further share repurchases and a tax rate of 25%

Conference Call, Management Commentary and Investor Presentation

The Company has posted detailed financial commentary and a supplemental financial presentation of first quarter results on its website, www.genesco.com, in the investor relations section. The Company's live conference call on May 25, 2023, 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 future sales, earnings, cost reductions, operating income, gross margins, expenses, capital expenditures, depreciation and amortization, tax rates, stores openings and closures, share repurchases, ESG progress 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,” “feel,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “optimistic,” “should” 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 weakness in store and shopping mall traffic, 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; our ability to pass on price increases to our customers; 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 pandemics or geopolitical events; 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, impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war, 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 secure allocations to refine product assortments to address consumer demand; the ability to renew leases in existing stores and control or lower occupancy costs, to open or close stores in the number and on the planned schedule, 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 amount and timing of share repurchases; 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; our ability to meet our sustainability, stewardship, emission and diversity, equity and inclusion related ESG projections, goals and commitments; 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 in both the amount and timeframe anticipated; 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 retailer and branded company, sells footwear and accessories in more than 1,390 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.schuh.ie, www.schuh.eu, 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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230524005869/en/