lululemon athletica inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year Fiscal 2023 Results

Fourth quarter revenue increased 16% to $3.2 billion. Diluted EPS of $5.29

Full year revenue increased 19% to $9.6 billion. Diluted EPS of $12.20, adjusted EPS of $12.77

lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 28, 2024.

Calvin McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We are pleased with the strong finish to our 2023 fiscal year and continue to be ahead of our Power of Three ×2 strategy. During the fourth quarter, we saw continued momentum across our channels, geographies, and merchandise categories, driven by our teams around the world. As we step into 2024, we are focused on the significant opportunities ahead for lululemon as we navigate the dynamic retail environment and deliver for guests through innovative new products and brand activations."

The adjusted non-GAAP financial measures below exclude certain inventory provisions, goodwill and other asset impairments, and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio, the gain on the sale of an administrative office building, and the related tax effects of these items.

For the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to the fourth quarter of 2022:

• Net revenue increased 16% to $3.2 billion.
  • Americas net revenue increased 9%.
  • International net revenue increased 54%, or 56% on a constant dollar basis.
• Comparable sales increased 12%.
  • Americas comparable sales increased 7%.
  • International comparable sales increased 43%, or 44% on a constant dollar basis.
• Gross profit increased 25% to $1.9 billion. Adjusted gross profit increased 20% to $1.9 billion.
• Gross margin increased 430 basis points to 59.4%. Adjusted gross margin increased 200 basis points to 59.4%.
• Income from operations increased 191% to $913.9 million. Adjusted income from operations increased 16%.
• Operating margin increased to 28.5% from 11.3% in the fourth quarter of 2022. Adjusted operating margin increased 20 basis points to 28.5%.
• The effective income tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 28.1% compared to 62.3% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The adjusted effective tax rate was 28.7% for the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Diluted earnings per share were $5.29 compared to $0.94 in the fourth quarter of 2022. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $4.40 for the fourth quarter of 2022.
• The Company repurchased 0.1 million of its shares for a cost of $54.0 million.
• The Company opened 25 net new company-operated stores during the quarter, ending with 711 stores.

For 2023 compared to 2022:

• Net revenue increased 19% to $9.6 billion, or increased 20% on a constant dollar basis.
  • Americas net revenue increased 12%.
  • International net revenue increased 54%, or 58% on a constant dollar basis.
• Comparable sales increased 13%, or 14% on a constant dollar basis.
  • Americas comparable sales increased 8%, or 9% on a constant dollar basis.
  • International comparable sales increased 35%, or 39% on a constant dollar basis.
• Gross margin increased 290 basis points to 58.3%. Adjusted gross margin increased 240 basis points to 58.6%.
• Operating margin increased 580 basis points to 22.2%. Adjusted operating margin increased 110 basis points to 23.2%.
• The effective income tax rate was 28.8% for 2023 compared to 35.9% for 2022. The adjusted effective tax rate was 28.7% for 2023 compared to 28.1% for 2022.
• Diluted earnings per share were $12.20 compared to $6.68 in 2022. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $12.77 in 2023 compared to $10.07 in 2022.
• The Company repurchased 1.5 million shares for a cost of $554.6 million.
• The Company opened 56 net new company-operated stores during the year, ending with 711 stores.

Meghan Frank, Chief Financial Officer, stated: "Our solid fourth quarter and full year 2023 results demonstrate the strength and resilience of our omni operating model and our differentiated position in the marketplace. Looking ahead, we will stay focused on driving the business forward for the near-and long-term, while operating with agility and discipline. We are still early in our growth journey, and excited for what the future holds."

Balance Sheet Highlights

The Company ended 2023 with $2.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents compared to $1.2 billion at the end of 2022. It had $393.7 million of capacity under its committed revolving credit facility at the end of 2023.

Inventories at the end of 2023 decreased by 9% to $1.3 billion compared to $1.4 billion at the end of 2022.

Fiscal 2024 Outlook

For the first quarter of 2024, the Company expects net revenue to be in the range of $2.175 billion to $2.200 billion, representing growth of 9% to 10%. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $2.35 to $2.40 for the quarter. This assumes a tax rate of 29.0% to 29.5%.

For 2024, the Company expects net revenue to be in the range of $10.700 billion to $10.800 billion, representing growth of 11% to 12%, or 10% to 11% excluding the 53rd week of 2024. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $14.00 to $14.20 for the year. This assumes a tax rate of approximately 30%.

The guidance does not reflect potential future repurchases of the Company's shares.

The guidance and outlook forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on management's expectations as of the date of this press release and do not incorporate future unknown impacts, including macroeconomic trends. The Company undertakes no duty to update or to continue to provide information with respect to any forward-looking statements or risk factors, whether as a result of new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including those stated below.

Power of Three ×2

The Company's Power of Three ×2 growth plan calls for a doubling of the business from 2021 net revenue of $6.25 billion to $12.5 billion by 2026. The key pillars of the plan are product innovation, guest experience, and market expansion and the growth strategy includes a plan to double men's, double e-commerce, and quadruple international net revenue relative to 2021.

Conference Call Information

A conference call to discuss 2023 results is scheduled for today, March 21, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Those interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 1-800-319-4610 or 1-604-638-5340, if calling internationally, approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A live webcast of the conference call will be available online at: https://corporate.lululemon.com/investors/news-and-events/events-and-presentations. A replay will be made available online approximately two hours following the live call for a period of 30 days.

About lululemon athletica inc.

lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) is a technical athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories company for yoga, running, training, and most other activities, creating transformational products and experiences that build meaningful connections, unlocking greater possibility and wellbeing for all. Setting the bar in innovation of fabrics and functional designs, lululemon works with yogis and athletes in local communities around the world for continuous research and product feedback. For more information, visit lululemon.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Constant dollar changes and adjusted financial results are non-GAAP financial measures.

A constant dollar basis assumes the average foreign currency exchange rates for the period remained constant with the average foreign currency exchange rates for the same period of the prior year. The Company provides constant dollar changes in its results to help investors understand the underlying growth rate of net revenue excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Adjusted gross profit, gross margin, income from operations, operating margin, income tax expense, effective tax rates, net income, and diluted earnings per share exclude certain inventory provisions, goodwill and other asset impairments, and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio, the gain on disposal of assets for the sale of an administrative office building, and the related income tax effects of these items.

The Company believes these adjusted financial measures are useful to investors as they provide supplemental information that enable evaluation of the underlying trend in its operating performance, and enable a comparison to its historical financial information. Further, due to the finite and discrete nature of these items, it does not consider them to be normal operating expenses that are necessary to run the business, or impairments or disposal gains that are expected to arise in the normal course of its operations. Management uses these adjusted financial measures and constant currency metrics internally when reviewing and assessing financial performance.

The Company's fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to January 31st of the following year, typically resulting in a 52-week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2023 and 2022 were each 52-week years while 2024 will be a 53-week year. The expected net revenue increase excluding the 53rd week excludes the expected net revenue for the 53rd week of 2024. This enables an evaluation of the expected year-over-year increase in net revenue based on 52 weeks in each year.

The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or with greater prominence to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section captioned "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" included in the accompanying financial tables, which includes more detail on the GAAP financial measure that is most directly comparable to each non-GAAP financial measure, and the related reconciliations between these financial measures. The Company's non-GAAP financial measures may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release includes estimates, projections, statements relating to the Company's business plans, objectives, and expected operating results that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In many cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "outlook," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements also include the Company's guidance and outlook statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations but they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: the Company's ability to maintain the value and reputation of its brand; changes in consumer shopping preferences and shifts in distribution channels; the acceptability of its products to guests; its highly competitive market and increasing competition; increasing costs and decreasing selling prices; its ability to anticipate consumer preferences and successfully develop and introduce new, innovative and updated products; its ability to accurately forecast guest demand for its products; its ability to expand in light of its limited operating experience and limited brand recognition in new international markets and new product categories; its ability to manage its growth and the increased complexity of its business effectively; its ability to successfully open new store locations in a timely manner; seasonality; disruptions of its supply chain; its reliance on a relatively small number of vendors to supply and manufacture a significant portion of its products; suppliers or manufacturers not complying with its Vendor Code of Ethics or applicable laws; its ability to deliver its products to the market and to meet guest expectations if it has problems with its distribution system; increasing labor costs and other factors associated with the production of its products in South Asia and South East Asia; its ability to safeguard against security breaches with respect to its technology systems; its compliance with privacy and data protection laws; any material disruption of its information systems; its ability to have technology-based systems function effectively and grow its e-commerce business globally; climate change, and related legislative and regulatory responses; increased scrutiny regarding its environmental, social, and governance, or sustainability responsibilities; an economic recession, depression, or downturn or economic uncertainty in its key markets; global or regional health events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and related government, private sector, and individual consumer responsive actions; global economic and political conditions; its ability to source and sell its merchandise profitably or at all if new trade restrictions are imposed or existing trade restrictions become more burdensome; changes in tax laws or unanticipated tax liabilities; its ability to comply with trade and other regulations; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; imitation by its competitors; its ability to protect its intellectual property rights; conflicting trademarks and patents and the prevention of sale of certain products; its exposure to various types of litigation; and other risks and uncertainties set out in filings made from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov, including, without limitation, its most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

lululemon athletica inc.

The fiscal year ended January 28, 2024 is referred to as "2023" and the fiscal year ended January 29, 2023 is referred to as "2022". The Company's next fiscal year ends on February 2, 2025 and is referred to as "2024."

Adjusted financial measures

The following tables reconcile the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP with the adjusted financial measures. The 2023 and 2022 adjustments relate to certain inventory provisions, goodwill and other asset impairments, and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio, and their related tax effects. The 2022 adjustments also relate to the gain on sale of an administrative office building, and their related tax effects. Please refer to Note 5. Property and Equipment and Note 8. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, Restructuring Costs included in Item 8 of Part II of the Company's Report on Form 10-K to be filed with the SEC on or about March 21, 2024 for further information on the nature of these amounts.

Expected net revenue increase excluding the 53rd week

The Company's fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to January 31st of the following year, typically resulting in a 52-week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2023 was a 52-week year while 2024 will be a 53-week year.

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