Buckle Inc (BKE) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

Good morning. Thank you for being here, and welcome to Buckle's Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2023 Earnings Release Webcast. On the call today from Buckle's management are Dennis Nelson, President and CEO; Tom Heacock, Senior Vice President of Finance, Treasurer and CFO; Adam Akerson, Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller; and Brady Fritz, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. As they discuss operating results, they would like to remind everyone of their policy not to provide future sales or earnings guidance and share the following safe harbor statement. Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, all forward-looking statements made by the company are subject to material risks and uncertainties and may change due to factors beyond the company's control. Consequently, the company's future performance and financial results could differ significantly from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, those outlined in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company does not commit to publicly updating or revising any forward-looking statements, even if experiences or future developments indicate that any projected results will not be achieved. Furthermore, the company does not permit the reproduction or distribution of transcripts or audio recordings of its quarterly conference calls without explicit written consent. Any unauthorized reproductions or recordings should not be relied upon as the information may not be accurate. Please note that today's webcast is being recorded. Now, I would like to hand the conference over to your host, Tom Heacock.

Good morning, and thanks for joining us this morning. Our March 15, 2024, press release reported that net income for the 14-week fourth quarter ended February 3, 2024, was $79.6 million or $1.59 per share on a diluted basis compared to net income of $87.8 million or $1.76 per share on a diluted basis for the prior year 13-week fourth quarter ended January 28, 2023. Net income for the 53-week fiscal year ended February 3, 2024, was $219.9 million or $4.40 per share on a diluted basis compared to net income of $254.6 million or $5.13 per share on a diluted basis for the prior year 52-week fiscal year ended January 28, 2023. Net sales for the 14-week fourth quarter decreased 4.8% to $382.4 million compared to net sales of $401.8 million for the prior year 13-week fourth quarter. Comparable store sales for the 14-week fiscal quarter decreased 9.6% in comparison to the same 14-week period in the prior year, and online sales decreased 12.4% to $65.5 million for the 14-week fiscal period, which compares to $74.8 million for the prior year 13-week fiscal period. Compared to the same 14-week period a year ago, online sales were down 16.6%. Net sales for the 53-week fiscal year decreased 6.3% to $1.261 billion compared to net sales of $1.345 billion for the prior year 52-week fiscal year. Comparable store sales for the 53-week fiscal year ended February 3, 2024, decreased 8% from the prior year 53-week period ended February 4, 2023. Our online sales were down 10.3% to $206.5 million for the 53-week fiscal year compared to $230.4 million for the prior year 52-week fiscal year, and compared to the same 53-week period a year ago, online sales were down 11.8%. For the quarter, UPTs increased approximately 0.5%, the average unit retail increased approximately 1.5% and the average transaction value increased about 2%. For the full year, UPTs were flat, the average unit retail increased approximately 1% and the average transaction value increased approximately 1%. Gross margin for the quarter was 52.3%, down 70 basis points from 53% in the fourth quarter of 2022. The current quarter decline is the result of deleverage buying, distribution, and occupancy expenses, partially offset by a 20 basis point improvement in merchandise margins. For the full year, gross margin was 49.1% which was down 120 basis points from 50.3% in the prior year, with the current quarter decline being due to deleverage buying, distribution, and occupancy expense along with a 20 basis point reduction in merchandise margins. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter were 27.1% of net sales compared to 25.6% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The fourth quarter increase was due to a 150 basis point increase in store labor-related expenses, a 35 basis point increase in marketing spend, a 30 basis point increase in G&A salaries, a 10 basis point increase in equity compensation expense and a 25 basis point increase in other SG&A expense categories. And these increases were partially offset by a 60 basis point reduction in incentive compensation accruals and a 40 basis point decrease in e-commerce shipping expenses. For the full year, SG&A was 27.6% of sales compared to 25.9% for the same period last year. The full year increase was due to a 135 basis point increase in store labor-related expenses, a 30 basis point increase in G&A salaries, a 25 basis point increase in marketing spend, a 20 basis point increase in equity compensation expense and a 20 basis point increase in other SG&A expense categories. And these increases were again partially offset by a 60 basis point reduction in incentive compensation accruals. Our operating margin for the quarter was 25.2% compared to 27.4% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, and for the full year, our operating margin was 21.5% compared to 24.4% for the same period last year. Income tax expense as a percentage of pretax net income for both the current and prior year fiscal quarter was 23%, bringing fourth quarter net income to $79.6 million for fiscal 2023 compared to $87.8 million for fiscal 2022. Income tax expense as a percentage of pretax net income for both the current and prior year full year periods was 24%, bringing net income to $219.9 million for fiscal 2023 compared to $254.6 million for fiscal 2022. Our press release also included a balance sheet as of February 3, 2024, which included the following: Inventory of $126.3 million, which was up about 1% from the same time a year ago, and total cash and investments of $315.4 million, which was after payment of $196.7 million in dividends during the year. We ended the quarter with $128.8 million in fixed assets net of accumulated depreciation. Our capital expenditures for the quarter were $9.3 million and depreciation expense was $5.9 million. For the full year, capital expenditures were $37.3 million and depreciation expense was $20.8 million. Fiscal 2023 capital spending was broken down as follows: $35.9 million for new store construction, store remodels and technology upgrades and $1.4 million for capital spending at the corporate headquarters and distribution center. During the quarter, we opened 4 new stores and completed 4 full store remodels, 2 of which were relocations in the new outdoor shopping centers. We also closed 3 stores, bringing our full year accounts to 9 new stores, 18 full remodels and 6 store closures. Of our 18 full remodels during the year, 11 were relocations to new outdoor shopping centers, reflecting our ongoing strategy of ensuring that we are located in the best shopping environment in each of our markets. Cumulatively, over the last 3 years, 42 of our 56 full remodels have been relocations to new outdoor centers. Besides making better locations, these remodels also frequently enable us to take on more space with our new stores. For 2 of our recent projects, the extra square footage allowed us to close our standalone use store and move everything back under one roof. Current plans for fiscal 2024 include opening 8 new stores and completing 15 to 19 full remodel projects, with at least half of the planned remodels being relocations to new outdoor centers. We also have closed 2 stores year-to-date with 2 additional planned store closures in early April. Buckle ended the year with 444 retail stores in 42 states compared with 441 stores in 42 states at the end of fiscal 2022.

Thanks, Tom. Women's merchandise sales for the quarter were down about 8% against the prior year fiscal quarter and represented approximately 41% of sales compared to 42.5% in the prior year. On a 14-week comparable basis, women's merchandise sales were down approximately 12.5%. Average denim price points increased from $79.75 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 to $81.25 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. While the overall average women's price point increased about 1.5% from $50.30 to $51. On the men's side, merchandise sales for the quarter were down about 2% against the prior year fiscal quarter, representing approximately 59% of total sales compared to 57.5% in the prior year. On a 14-week comparable basis, men's merchandise sales were down approximately 5.5%. Average denim price points increased from $86.25 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 to $87.15 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. For the quarter, overall average men's price points increased approximately 3% from $54.50 to $56.05. On a combined basis, accessory sales for the 14-week quarter were down approximately 7.5% against the prior year 14-week comparable period, while footwear sales were down about 41%. These 2 categories accounted for approximately 11% and 6%, respectively, of fourth quarter net sales, which compares to 10.5% and 9% for each in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. For the quarter, average accessory price points were up approximately 1.5%, and average footwear price points were up 10.5%. Denim accounted for approximately 44% of sales and tops accounted for approximately 29.5%, which compares to 41.5% and 30% for each in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. Our women's denim business for the quarter was down about 6.5% compared to the same 14-week period a year ago. While the overall women's denim business was down, we were excited about the continued growth in the performance of our premium fits and fabrics in our Buckle Black label, which grew about 18.5% during the quarter. Our core BKE line also performed better than the average. For tops, our fashion tops continued to be challenging with many of our women's guests focusing on essential styles and easy-to-wear pieces. Also compared to the same 14-week period ago, our men's denim business was down about 1%, which was primarily the result of reducing our inventory of street fashion brands. In our core denim brands, we saw positive trends for the quarter with the business in BKE and Buckle Black both improving year-over-year. The men's business had a nice performance in short-sleeve tees, soft shells vests and several of our accessory categories. We also saw strong sell-throughs in our private branded wovens, knits and sweaters for the quarter. Our Q4 comparisons also continue to be challenged with declines in our Hey Dude volume, particularly on the men's side. Fourth quarter net sales for our men's business without Hey Dude compared to the same 14-week period a year ago were down about 1.5%. During the quarter, we continued to see nice growth in our youth business with combined youth business growing approximately 4% over the prior year 14-week period. Our overall private brand penetration continued to grow as our buying teams continue to develop and deliver a strong assortment across all categories. Private label represented approximately 50% of Q4 sales compared with 48% a year ago, and 46% for fiscal 2023 compared with 44.5% in fiscal 2022. And with that, we welcome your questions. Thank you.

Our first question is from Mauricio Serna.

Great. Could you discuss what happened in February with the 11.5% console decline? What were the main drivers behind that, and what are your thoughts for the rest of the quarter? Also, regarding the merchandise margin, it's encouraging to see a slight expansion in Q4. Can you explain what drove that and how you're approaching it for 2024? Lastly, I wanted to confirm the details you mentioned about store openings. You noted 18 new stores and the closure of 4, resulting in a net increase of 14. This seems like a significant acceleration compared to last year. What is driving this growth?

Okay. Thank you, Mauricio, for the questions. If I could take a quick moment before answering to just thank our Buckle teammates for a very successful 2023. I appreciate our team's great work in creating an enjoyable shopping experience for our guests, and I'm very much looking forward to working with our Buckle talent in 2024. Now in regards to the questions, February business, I think we saw less excitement on the new spring product, and shorts selling, which was very strong a year ago, was down. We brought probably some of our girls' top selection for spring. We brought that in a little bit later. So we had an effect there, still saw pretty good denim selling and a good reaction. But just I think the traffic patterns were down some as well. On the increase of new store locations, a few years ago, we did not do outlet situations. And a year or 2 ago, we did a store in an outlet with Tanger that is our regular store even though it's in an outlet, and that worked pretty well. And so we have a good relationship with Tanger and Simon on reviewing what was used to be strictly outlet to do our stores as a typical store, and that's worked well. So it's given us more options as well as we've seen some changes in some smaller markets in the past couple of years that have given us opportunities as we looked outside to locations and power centers and such, which we did not before. So like a Poplar Bluff last year that we opened in Missouri was an example of that. And that has worked well. So that's given us new opportunities there. And did I miss a question?

Mauricio, this is Tom. To clarify, you were inquiring about our new store and remodel plans for 2024. We plan to open 8 new stores in 2024 and conduct 15 to 19 full remodels, with half of those being relocations to new outdoor centers. As of now, we have already closed 2 stores this year, one of which is a used store moving back into the full-line store, consolidating under one roof. We also have 2 more closures planned for early April. The last question was about merchandise margin drivers for the fourth quarter. Merchandise margins for all of 2023 remained strong and improved over the year. The team did an excellent job managing inventory and markdowns. Part of that success is due to a shift in mix, with private label reaching an all-time high of 50%, contributing positively to margins. We also experienced a slight benefit from decreasing freight costs, although this was partially offset by a small increase in shrink during the year. These are the main drivers for the Q4 margins, which align closely with Q3.

There are no further questions in queue. It looks like we have another question from Mauricio.

Just a couple of follow-ups. Maybe if you could elaborate a little bit more on what you're seeing in footwear. It seems in the category continues to be challenged despite lapping maybe like already that some impact last year from Hey Dude being soft. Maybe you could elaborate on that. And then you talked about how you have been doing a lot of remodelings and repositioning of the stores. A lot of these to off-mall locations. Maybe could you remind us at this point like roughly what is your off-mall versus mall exposure?

Yes, off-mall exposure.

I think we've had a significant number of remodels, and we've also accounted for how many stores we've moved away from malls. We are still primarily located in malls and a lot of lifestyle centers, with about 70% of our locations in malls. Brad and Dennis do an excellent job of reviewing each situation to ensure we are in the best shopping centers. There are likely still more opportunities to pursue this trend.

Yes. Last year, $40 million of our business was down in Hey Dude footwear, which accounted for nearly half of our total loss for the year. The team managed inventories well, keeping them at the right levels. We have some good sell-through rates, but at much different inventory levels. Moving forward with new footwear, we are starting to see some excitement in the girls' products, but nothing is currently set to replace the volume lost from Hey Dude.

Our next question is from Nancy Frohna.

This is Nancy Frohna with 1492 Capital Management. Just a quick question. Have you seen any meaningful change in the way your customers are paying for their purchases, whether it's sort of the buy now, pay later mode or any meaningful differences over time?

Nancy, thanks for the question. I don't think we've seen real meaningful shifts. I think it's been pretty consistent. We do offer buy now, pay later services, which we have for several years, and it's really small in store and obviously much bigger online, but I don't think that we've seen meaningful shifts in payment methods this year.

Our next question is from Alan Glenn.

Congratulations on another excellent quarter. My question relates to the store refreshes that are ongoing. And can you share with us the kind of success that the refreshed store generates in terms of maybe average sales increase?

Thank you, Alan, for your question. It’s a bit challenging to provide a clear answer since we are coming off several record years. However, we’ve noticed that the outdoor centers we are visiting are about 30% larger, and guests are spending more time in the stores, enjoying more presentations. In cases where we’ve relocated stores from older malls that have fallen behind, we are seeing substantial improvements at those locations. Other stores may be strong but are being enhanced through our adjustments, resulting in more modest gains. As I mentioned, given our recent record performance and these changes, we are optimistic about this approach, but I cannot provide a specific growth figure at this time.

It looks like there are no further questions at this time. I will now turn the call back over to Buckle for any closing remarks.

Thank you, everybody, for your participation and joining us today. We hope you have a wonderful day, and enjoy your weekend. Thank you.