Company has implemented $25 million of expense
savings in 2023 and previously disclosed annualized savings of $40
million.
Fashion apparel retailer Express, Inc. (NYSE: EXPR), announced
its financial results for the first quarter of 2023. These results,
which cover the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2023, are compared
to the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2022.
“In January, we entered into a transformative strategic
partnership with WHP Global and began a bold new chapter for our
Company that will be guided by a new corporate strategy. We are
transforming EXPR to create shareholder value by focusing on
achieving profitable growth in our core Express business,
optimizing our omnichannel platform, and accelerating growth and
profitability through our partnership with WHP Global," said Tim
Baxter, Chief Executive Officer.
"Our first quarter comparable sales were negative 14% due to a
combination of external factors and challenges in our product
assortments. The reduced consumer spending, increased price
sensitivity in discretionary categories and aggressive promotional
activity across the industry that began in 2022 continued into the
first quarter of this year and negatively impacted our performance.
We continued to take corrective actions to address the imbalances
in our women's assortment architecture and delivered sequential
improvement in women’s sales as the quarter progressed. However, we
experienced a deceleration in our men's and outlet stores
businesses due to softness in traffic and against the backdrop of
record volume in the first quarter of 2022," continued Baxter.
"We are taking aggressive action to reduce expenses and improve
the operating efficiency of our business. In January, we disclosed
$40 million in annualized expense savings versus 2022, excluding
the impact of inflation, and since that time, we have implemented
an additional $25 million which we expect to realize in 2023 and
which is reflected in our outlook. We are committed to identifying
and implementing significant additional expense savings which we
expect to be realized in the back half of 2023 and full year 2024.
To do this most expeditiously, we have engaged external advisors,"
continued Baxter.
"We also announced today that we have completed the joint
acquisition of Bonobos with our strategic partner WHP Global. This
is an important step in the transformation of our Company and a
compelling addition to our brand portfolio. We expect the
transaction will be accretive to operating income and free cash
flow positive in fiscal 2023," Baxter concluded.
First Quarter 2023 Operating
Results
- Consolidated net sales decreased 15% to $383.3 million from
$450.8 million in the first quarter of 2022, with consolidated
comparable sales down 14%
- Comparable retail sales, which includes both Express stores and
eCommerce, were down 13% compared to the first quarter of 2022.
Retail stores comparable sales decreased 18% while eCommerce
comparable sales declined 7%
- Comparable outlet sales decreased 17% compared to the first
quarter of 2022
- Gross margin was 16.6% of net sales compared to 29.2% of net
sales in last year's first quarter, a decrease of approximately
1,260 basis points
- Merchandise margin contracted by 900 basis points primarily
driven by the challenging macroeconomic and highly promotional
retail environment and 320 basis points of royalty expense related
to the joint venture with WHP
- Buying and occupancy expenses as a percent of net sales
deleveraged approximately 360 basis points due to the decline in
comparable sales
- Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses were
$139.3 million, 36.4% of net sales, versus $141.1 million, 31.3% of
net sales, in last year's first quarter. The deleverage in the
SG&A expense rate was driven by the decline in comparable
sales
- Operating loss was $70.1 million compared to an operating loss
of $9.1 million in the first quarter of 2022
- Income tax expense was $0.4 million at an effective tax rate of
(0.5)%, versus an income tax benefit of $0.5 million at an
effective tax rate of 3.9% during the first quarter of 2022. The
Company's effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2023 was
impacted primarily by the recording of an additional valuation
allowance against the Company's deferred tax assets
- Net loss was $73.4 million, or $0.99 per diluted share,
compared to a net loss of $11.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted
share, in the first quarter of 2022
- Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization
(EBITDA) was negative $55.9 million, compared to $5.8 million in
the first quarter of 2022
EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see Schedule
4 – Supplemental Information and the reconciliation contained
therein for additional information concerning this non-GAAP
financial measure.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Highlights
- Cash and cash equivalents totaled $34.1 million at the end of
the first quarter of 2023 versus $37.1 million at the end of the
first quarter of 2022 and $65.6 million at the end of the fourth
quarter of 2022
- Inventory was $347.0 million at the end of the first quarter of
2023, down 7% compared to $371.2 million at the end of the first
quarter of 2022 and down 5% compared to the end of the fourth
quarter of 2022
- Total debt was $179.8 million at the end of the first quarter
of 2023 compared to short-term debt of $4.5 million and long-term
debt of $203.5 million at the end of the first quarter of 2022 and
$122.0 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2022
- At the end of the first quarter of 2023, $90.4 million remained
available for borrowing under the Company's amended revolving
credit facility
- Net cash used in operations was $80.6 million for the thirteen
weeks ended April 29, 2023, compared to net cash used in operations
of $75.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2022
- Capital expenditures totaled $8.2 million for the thirteen
weeks ended April 29, 2023, compared to $5.1 million for the
thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2022
Expense Reduction Initiative
The Company is taking aggressive action to reduce expenses and
improve the operating efficiency of its business. In January, the
Company disclosed $40 million in annualized expense reductions
versus 2022 prior to the impact of inflation and since that time,
it has already identified and implemented an additional $25 million
to be realized in 2023.
The Company is committed to finding significant additional
expense savings which are expected to benefit the back half of 2023
and full year 2024, and has engaged external advisors to assist in
analyzing and identifying both potential margin expansion and
further expense reduction opportunities.
EXPR and WHP Global Complete Bonobos
Acquisition
On May 23, 2023, EXPR and WHP Global completed their joint
acquisition of Bonobos from Walmart Inc. for a combined purchase
price of $75 million. WHP Global acquired the Bonobos brand for a
purchase price of $50 million. EXPR acquired the operating assets
and assumed related liabilities of the Bonobos business for a
purchase price of $25 million.
Concurrent with the closing of the transaction, EXPR and WHP
Global entered into an exclusive long-term license agreement with
multiple renewal options granting EXPR the right to use the
intellectual property acquired by WHP Global for the operation of
the Bonobos business in the U.S. in exchange for the payment of a
royalty fee to WHP Global.
This transaction is expected to provide the following strategic
and financial benefits:
- EXPR plans to unlock additional growth for the Bonobos brand by
leveraging its strength in men’s to address underpenetrated
categories, and its strength in marketing to drive greater
awareness and customer acquisition
- Bonobos expands the EXPR brand portfolio, accelerating the
Company's sales growth and profitability, and is expected to be
accretive to operating income and free cash flow positive in fiscal
2023
- EXPR expects to leverage its fully integrated omnichannel
operating platform to drive financial efficiencies, operational
synergies and additional economies of scale across Production &
Sourcing, Logistics, Real Estate, Technology, and other areas of
its existing and new businesses
For additional background on the acquisition, please read the
announcement press release at www.express.com/investor.
2023 Outlook
This outlook is based on our first quarter of 2023 performance
and the advancements we have made in each of the four foundational
pillars of our EXPRESSway Forward strategy (Product, Brand,
Customer, Execution), balanced against the persistently challenging
macroeconomic and retail apparel environments.
Second Quarter 2023
The Company expects the following for the second quarter of 2023
compared to the second quarter of 2022:
- Net sales of approximately $400 million to $450 million,
including approximately $30 million in Bonobos sales
- Gross margin rate to decrease approximately 800 basis points,
including approximately 300 basis points of royalty expense related
to the joint venture with WHP, and a positive 200 basis point
impact from Bonobos
- SG&A expenses as a percent of net sales to deleverage
approximately 300 basis points, including an approximate 100 basis
point impact from Bonobos
- Net interest expense of $3 million
- Effective tax rate of essentially zero percent
- Diluted loss per share of $0.50 to $0.60
- Consolidated inventory to increase by approximately 10% to 15%
with the addition of Bonobos
Full Year 2023
The Company expects the following for the full year of 2023
compared to the full year of 2022:
- Net sales of approximately $1.9 billion to $2.0 billion,
including approximately $125 million to $150 million in Bonobos
sales
- Net interest expense of $15 million
- Effective tax rate of essentially zero percent
- Diluted loss per share of $1.50 to $1.70
- Capital expenditures of approximately $30 million, a $25
million reduction compared to our previous outlook of $55 million
as we prioritized capital deployment for the Bonobos
transaction
See Schedule 5 for a discussion of projected real estate
activity.
Conference Call Information
A conference call to discuss first quarter 2023 results is
scheduled for May 24, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).
Investors and analysts interested in participating in the earnings
call are invited to dial (888) 550-5723 approximately ten minutes
prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be
webcast live at www.express.com/investor. A telephone replay of
this call will be available beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET on May 24,
2023 until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 31, 2023, and can be accessed by
dialing (800) 770-2030 and entering the replay pin number 1790468.
In addition, an investor presentation of first quarter 2023 results
will be available at www.express.com/investor at approximately 7:00
a.m. ET on May 24, 2023.
About EXPR
EXPR is a multi-brand fashion retailer whose portfolio includes
Express, Bonobos and UpWest. The Company operates an omnichannel
platform as well as physical and online stores. Grounded in a
belief that style, quality and value should all be found in one
place, Express is a brand with a purpose - We Create Confidence. We
Inspire Self-Expression. - powered by a styling community. Bonobos
is a menswear brand known for exceptional fit and an innovative
retail model. UpWest is an apparel, accessories and home goods
brand with a purpose to Provide Comfort for People &
Planet.
The Company has over 530 Express retail and Express Factory
Outlet stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, the Express.com
online store and the Express mobile app; over 60 Bonobos Guideshop
locations and the Bonobos.com online store; and 13 UpWest retail
stores and the UpWest.com online store. EXPR is traded on the NYSE
under the symbol EXPR. For more information about our Company,
please visit www.express.com/investor and for more information
about our brands, please visit www.express.com, www.bonobos.com or
www.upwest.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements are “forward-looking statements” made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include
any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or
current fact and include, but are not limited to (1) guidance and
expectations, including statements regarding expected operating
margins, comparable sales, effective tax rates, interest income,
net income, diluted earnings per share, cash tax refunds,
liquidity, EBITDA, free cash flow, eCommerce demand, and capital
expenditures, (2) statements regarding expected store openings,
store closures, store conversions, and gross square footage, (3)
statements regarding the Company's strategy, plans, and
initiatives, including, but not limited to, results expected from
such strategy, plans, and initiatives, and (4) the anticipated
benefits or effects of the Bonobos acquisition, including
statements regarding operating results, financial efficiencies,
operational synergies, and our plans, objectives, expectations and
intentions related to the acquired assets. You can identify these
forward-looking statements by the use of words in the future tense
and statements accompanied by words such as “outlook,” “indicator,”
“believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,”
“should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,”
“scheduled,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “opportunity,” “leads” or
the negative version of these words or other comparable words.
Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations
and assumptions, which may not prove to be accurate. These
statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks,
uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to
predict, and significant contingencies, many of which are beyond
the Company's control. Many factors could cause actual results to
differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking
statements. Among these factors are (1) changes in consumer
spending and general economic conditions; (2) the COVID-19 pandemic
and any future impact on our business operations, financial
condition, liquidity and cash flow; (3) geopolitical risks,
including impacts from the ongoing conflict between Russia and
Ukraine and increased tensions between China and Taiwan; (4) our
ability to operate our business efficiently, manage capital
expenditures and costs, and obtain financing when required; (5) our
ability to identify and respond to new and changing fashion trends,
customer preferences, and other related factors including selling
through inventory at an appropriate price; (6) fluctuations in our
sales, results of operations, and cash levels on a seasonal basis
and due to a variety of other factors, including our product
offerings relative to customer demand, the mix of merchandise we
sell, promotions, inventory levels, and sales mix between stores
and eCommerce; (7) customer traffic at malls, shopping centers, and
at our stores; (8) competition from other retailers; (9) our
dependence on a strong brand image; (10) our ability to adapt to
changing consumer behavior and develop and maintain a relevant and
reliable omni-channel experience for our customers, including our
efforts to optimize our omni-channel platform through our
partnership with WHP Global; (11) the failure or breach of
information systems upon which we rely; (12) our ability to protect
customer data from fraud and theft; (13) our dependence upon third
parties to manufacture all of our merchandise; (14) changes in the
cost of raw materials, labor, and freight; (15) labor shortages and
supply chain disruption; (16) our dependence upon key executive
management; (17) our ability to execute our growth strategy,
EXPRESSway Forward, including, but not limited to, engaging our
customers and acquiring new ones, executing with precision to
accelerate sales and profitability, creating great product and
reinvigorating our brand; (18) our substantial lease obligations;
(19) our reliance on third parties to provide us with certain key
services for our business; (20) impairment charges on long-lived
assets; (21) claims made against us resulting in litigation or
changes in laws and regulations applicable to our business; (22)
our inability to protect our trademarks or other intellectual
property rights which may preclude the use of our trademarks or
other intellectual property around the world; (23) restrictions
imposed on us under the terms of our current credit facility,
including asset based requirements related to inventory levels,
ability to make additional borrowings, and restrictions on the
ability to effect share repurchases; (24) changes in tax
requirements, results of tax audits, and other factors including
timing of tax refund receipts, that may cause fluctuations in our
effective tax rate; (25) changes in tariff rates; (26) natural
disasters, extreme weather, public health issues, including
pandemics, fire, acts of terrorism or war and other events that
cause business interruption, (27) risks related to our strategic
partnership with WHP Global; (28) our ability to realize the
expected strategic and financial benefits of the Bonobos
acquisition; and (29) our failure to regain compliance with the
continued listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, or
any future failure to meet those requirements. These factors should
not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction
with the additional information concerning these and other factors
in Express, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise
any forward-looking statement as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Schedule 1
Express, Inc.
Consolidated Balance
Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
April 29, 2023
January 28, 2023
April 30, 2022
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
34,092
$
65,612
$
37,140
Receivables, net
17,106
12,374
9,331
Income tax receivable
1,140
1,462
1,850
Inventories
346,963
365,649
371,249
Prepaid royalty
47,146
59,565
—
Prepaid rent
5,762
7,744
5,701
Other
25,628
21,998
23,383
Total current assets
477,837
534,404
448,654
Right of Use Asset, Net
522,922
505,350
586,596
Property and Equipment
1,022,132
1,019,577
979,377
Less: accumulated depreciation
(894,020
)
(886,193
)
(841,137
)
Property and equipment, net
128,112
133,384
138,240
Non-Current Income Tax Receivable
52,278
52,278
52,278
Equity Method Investment
166,210
166,106
—
Other Assets
6,342
6,803
4,816
TOTAL ASSETS
$
1,353,701
$
1,398,325
$
1,230,584
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’
EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term lease liability
$
197,944
$
189,006
$
195,343
Accounts payable
162,369
191,386
181,318
Deferred royalty income
15,412
19,852
—
Deferred revenue
33,243
35,543
32,833
Short-term debt
—
—
4,500
Accrued expenses
101,243
105,803
111,248
Total current liabilities
510,211
541,590
525,242
Long-Term Lease Liability
408,006
406,448
500,855
Long-Term Debt
179,750
122,000
203,483
Other Long-Term Liabilities
20,075
20,718
11,107
Total Liabilities
1,118,042
1,090,756
1,240,687
Commitments and Contingencies
Total Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
235,659
307,569
(10,103
)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’
EQUITY
$
1,353,701
$
1,398,325
$
1,230,584
Schedule 2
Express, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of
Income
(In thousands, except per share
amounts)
(Unaudited)
Thirteen Weeks Ended
April 29, 2023
April 30, 2022
Net Sales
$
383,257
$
450,785
Cost of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy
Costs
319,464
319,285
GROSS PROFIT
63,793
131,500
Operating Expenses (Income):
Selling, general, and administrative
expenses
139,348
141,093
Royalty income
(4,440
)
—
Other operating income, net
(1,000
)
(490
)
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
133,908
140,603
OPERATING LOSS
(70,115
)
(9,103
)
Interest Expense, Net
2,943
3,494
Other Income, Net
—
(200
)
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
(73,058
)
(12,397
)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
369
(483
)
NET LOSS
$
(73,427
)
$
(11,914
)
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic
$
(0.99
)
$
(0.18
)
Diluted
$
(0.99
)
$
(0.18
)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic
73,878
67,211
Diluted
73,878
67,211
Schedule 3
Express, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Thirteen Weeks Ended
April 29, 2023
April 30, 2022
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
Net loss
$
(73,427
)
$
(11,914
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
14,405
15,172
Loss on disposal of property and
equipment
—
10
Share-based compensation
1,871
2,393
Landlord allowance amortization
(58
)
(157
)
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Receivables, net
(4,732
)
2,413
Income tax receivable
322
(463
)
Prepaid royalty
12,419
—
Inventories
18,686
(12,454
)
Deferred royalty income
(4,440
)
—
Accounts payable, deferred revenue, and
accrued expenses
(37,370
)
(53,989
)
Other assets and liabilities
(8,288
)
(16,890
)
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING
ACTIVITIES
(80,612
)
(75,879
)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures
(8,200
)
(5,142
)
Costs from WHP transaction
(104
)
—
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING
ACTIVITIES
(8,304
)
(5,142
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from borrowings under the
revolving credit facility
142,250
117,000
Repayment of borrowings under the
revolving credit facility
(84,500
)
(37,000
)
Repayment of borrowings under the term
loan facility
—
(1,125
)
Repurchase of common stock for tax
withholding obligations
(354
)
(1,890
)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING
ACTIVITIES
57,396
76,985
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS
(31,520
)
(4,036
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF
PERIOD
65,612
41,176
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF
PERIOD
$
34,092
$
37,140
Schedule 4
Express, Inc.
Supplemental Information -
Consolidated Statements of Income
Reconciliation of GAAP to
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)
The Company supplements the reporting of its financial
information determined under United States generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) with certain non-GAAP financial
measures such as EBITDA. Management strongly encourages investors
and stockholders to review the Company's financial statements and
publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any
single financial measure.
EBITDA
EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense
(net of interest income), income tax expense (benefit) and
depreciation and amortization expense.
How This Measure is Useful
When used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, EBITDA is
a supplemental measure of operating performance that the Company
believes is a useful measure to facilitate comparisons to
historical performance. EBITDA is used as a performance measure in
the Company's long-term executive compensation program for purposes
of determining the number of equity awards that are ultimately
earned and is also a metric used in our short-term cash incentive
compensation plan.
Limitations of the Usefulness of This Measure
Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, EBITDA
may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies
due to different methods of calculation. Presentation of EBITDA is
not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with
GAAP. Therefore, this measure may not provide a complete
understanding of the Company's performance and should be reviewed
in conjunction with the GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation
of EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, is set
forth below:
Thirteen Weeks Ended
(in thousands)
April 29, 2023
April 30, 2022
Net loss
$
(73,427
)
$
(11,914
)
Interest expense, net
2,943
3,494
Income tax expense (benefit)
369
(483
)
Depreciation and amortization
14,246
14,736
EBITDA (Non-GAAP Measure)
$
(55,869
)
$
5,833
Schedule 5
Express, Inc.
Real Estate Activity
(Unaudited)
First Quarter 2023 -
Actual
April 29, 2023 -
Actual
Company-Operated
Stores
Opened
Closed
Store Count
Gross Square Footage
Retail Stores
—
(5)
327
Outlet Stores
—
(3)
195
Express Edit Stores
—
—
10
UpWest Stores
—
—
13
TOTAL
—
(8)
545
4.5 million
Second Quarter 2023 -
Projected
July 29, 2023 -
Projected
Company-Operated
Stores
Opened
Closed
Store Count
Gross Square Footage
Retail Stores
—
—
327
Outlet Stores
—
(1)
194
Express Edit Stores
1
—
11
UpWest Stores
1
(2)
12
TOTAL
2
(3)
544
4.5 million
Full Year 2023 -
Projected
February 3, 2024 -
Projected
Company-Operated
Stores
Opened
Closed
Store Count
Gross Square Footage
Retail Stores
—
(9)
323
Outlet Stores
1
(5)
194
Express Edit Stores
1
—
11
UpWest Stores
3
(4)
12
TOTAL
5
(18)
540
4.4 million
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230523006034/en/
Greg Johnson VP, Investor Relations gjohnson@express.com (614)
474-4890
Express (NYSE:EXPR)
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