Q4 2025 Earnings Summary
- Build-A-Bear is experiencing positive quarter-to-date results with store traffic up 3%, significantly outpacing the U.S. national traffic decline of almost 1%. This resilient performance during key periods like Valentine's Day and Easter suggests strength even amidst broader consumer slowdowns.
- The company is investing in its omni-channel integration and digital transformation, including enhancements to its e-commerce platform and the appointment of a new Chief Revenue Officer to lead these efforts. Initiatives like the Record Your Voice online feature have already driven online sales up double digits.
- Build-A-Bear plans to open at least 50 net new experience locations in fiscal 2025, with the majority being international partner-operated stores. This expansion demonstrates confidence in global growth opportunities, expecting Commercial segment revenue to grow at least 20%, significantly back-half weighted.
- Inflationary pressures, particularly due to tariffs, are expected to negatively impact Build-A-Bear's pretax income by up to $10 million in expenses for fiscal 2025. This could result in pretax income ranging from a low single-digit decline to low single-digit growth, lagging behind revenue growth.
- The company's e-commerce sales have been soft, with a slowdown in demand and acknowledged need for significant improvements. While management is working on optimizing their omni-channel strategy, this ongoing effort may hinder short-term growth in the e-commerce channel.
- Build-A-Bear faces increasing costs due to medical costs, minimum wage increases, and investments for future growth, alongside tariffs. These pressures may compress margins and negatively impact profitability in fiscal 2025.
Metric | YoY Change | Reason |
---|---|---|
Total Revenue | +0.8% | In Q4 2025, total revenue rose modestly from $149.277M to $150.446M. This slight increase reflects the overall balance of performance: a 0.5% decline in net retail sales was more than offset by a 23% jump in commercial revenue and a 4.4% increase in international franchising revenue—a dynamic similar to the mix of strengths and weaknesses seen in earlier Q3 periods. |
Net Retail Sales | -0.5% | Net retail sales declined from $140.191M to $139.499M. After the strong consumer engagement and transaction growth observed in Q3, the Q4 downturn likely indicates a seasonal slowdown, potential market saturation, or softer consumer spending that reversed earlier gains noted in transaction volumes and digital channels. |
Commercial Revenue | +23% | Commercial revenue increased significantly from $7.728M to $9.529M. This robust growth is driven by continued expansion in partner-operated and wholesale channels—an initiative that built on the previous Q3 performance where commercial revenue surged by over 36% in one period and 38.8% in another—thanks to additional wholesale customers and new partner-operated stores. |
International Franchising Revenue | +4.4% | International franchising revenue grew modestly from $1.358M to $1.418M. This increase is attributed to improved timing of product shipments and an incremental rise in location count, reinforcing the stability seen in previous periods where these factors helped maintain revenue levels despite offsetting pressures. |
Net Income | -2.7% | Net income declined from $22.273M to $21.678M despite overall revenue gains. This drop suggests that rising SG&A expenses, along with ongoing macroeconomic headwinds and possible post-seasonal adjustments, have squeezed profit margins—counterbalancing the revenue growth seen through other channels, a contrast to earlier periods where margin expansion helped boost earnings. |
Metric | Period | Previous Guidance | Current Guidance | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
Revenue Growth | FY 2025 | no prior guidance | mid-single-digit basis | no prior guidance |
Commercial Segment Revenue | FY 2025 | no prior guidance | at least 20% | no prior guidance |
Pretax Income | FY 2025 | $65 million to $67 million | low single-digit decline to low single-digit growth | lowered |
Tariff Impact | FY 2025 | no prior guidance | upwards of $10 million in expenses | no prior guidance |
New Locations | FY 2025 | at least 65 net new experience locations | at least 50 net new experience locations | lowered |
Commercial Revenue Timing | FY 2025 | no prior guidance | back-half weighted revenue recognition | no prior guidance |
Metric | Period | Guidance | Actual | Performance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Total Revenues | FY 2025 | Expected to be between $489 million to $495 million | $496.4 million (sum of Q1 2025 $114.73M, Q2 2025 $111.80M, Q3 2025 $119.43M, Q4 2025 $150.446M) | Beat |
Pre-Tax Income | FY 2025 | Expected to be between $65 million to $67 million | $67.141 million (sum of Q1 2025 $15.029M, Q2 2025 $11.545M, Q3 2025 $13.081M, Q4 2025 $27.486M) | Beat |
Commercial Revenue | Q4 2025 | Expected to show solid full-year growth but remain below Q3 2025 levels on a sequential basis | $9.529 million in Q4 2025(compared to $8.580 million in Q3 2025, i.e. higher than the prior quarter, thus exceeding the “below Q3” sequential guidance) | Beat |
Topic | Previous Mentions | Current Period | Trend |
---|---|---|---|
E-commerce Performance | Q1 saw an 11.3% decline and a challenging web traffic environment. In Q2, web demand dropped 28.2% but later rebounded in Q3 with double‐digit growth driven by product timing and adjustments. | Q4 acknowledged a continued slowdown in e-commerce demand that was anticipated, with a focus on long‐term improvements through a complete omni‐channel integration. | Persistent online challenges remain despite tactical recoveries; the company continues to rely on strong in‐store performance as a counterbalance. |
Digital Transformation | Q1 detailed a broad digital transformation with partnerships (Microsoft, Salesforce, Deloitte Digital). Q2 and Q3 underscored the acceleration of digital and omni‐channel initiatives, including early-stage AI integration. | Q4 reported significant progress with integrated digital initiatives, notably partnering with Salesforce, implementing a new POS, and launching enhanced features like Record Your Voice. | Consistent emphasis with incremental progress in leveraging technology to merge digital and physical experiences. |
International Expansion | Q1 highlighted growth in new markets (Italy, China, South Africa) and partner-operated openings. Q2 and Q3 focused on the asset–light, partner–operated model with rapid global expansion in over 20 countries. | Q4 outlined plans to open at least 50 net new locations in 2025 internationally and announced a strategic new retail experience in ICON Park, Orlando, for early 2026. | Steady and positive global expansion efforts continue with a strong partner–operated model driving growth. |
In-store Performance | Q1 provided limited detail, though Q2 noted increasing store traffic and strong seasonal product performance (e.g. Halloween). Q3 reported significant sales growth, with record metrics in traffic, conversion, and AUR. | Q4 emphasized robust in–store performance with a 3% year–over–year traffic improvement, successful seasonal marketing (Valentine’s Day, early Easter), and overall strength that offsets online softening. | Continued strong performance in physical stores, which is increasingly relied upon amid weaker online sales. |
Cost Pressures | Q1 discussed rising wages and an increase in SG&A expenses. Q2 and Q3 elaborated on inflation, higher medical costs, and tariff concerns impacting costs. | Q4 reiterated significant cost pressures—tariffs expected to add around $10 million in expenses, along with rising wages and medical costs—forcing strategic inventory and pricing adjustments. | Persistent and mounting cost pressures reflect a challenging operating environment year–over–year. |
Strategic Collaborations | Q1 mentioned movie tie–ins and international partner expansions. Q2 emphasized high–profile partnerships with Sanrio and Varsity Spirit. Q3 highlighted the success of the Sanrio collaboration and further international partnerships. | Q4 focused on leveraging strategic collaborations to expand globally through partner–operated and franchise models, as well as diversifying the supply chain. | Steady and positive focus on collaborations remains a key growth lever, sustaining momentum over multiple periods. |
Supply Chain Challenges | Q1 provided basic inventory level commentary. Q2 discussed the challenges of managing seasonal items and the need to stagger inventory for optimal flow, while beginning efforts to counter tariff impacts. Q3 highlighted proactive inventory management, accelerated core product purchases, and geographic diversification. | Q4 continued to detail supply chain actions—diversifying away from high–tariff regions, accelerating inventory purchases, and managing timing challenges due to new store openings—to mitigate cost risks. | Ongoing challenge that the company is addressing through strategic adjustments and diversification, remaining a critical focus area. |
Strategic Acquisitions | Q2 noted that while the company is open to additive or synergistic acquisitions, it referenced a past large acquisition in the U.K. that still underpins current operations. Q1 and Q3 did not emphasize acquisitions. | Q4 did not mention acquisitions at all. | Diminished focus on acquisitions as part of the growth strategy, suggesting a shift toward organic and partnership–driven expansion. |
Consumer Behavior – Lower-priced Products | Q1 featured comments about a shift toward entry–price points and lower-priced products, with DPT declines noted. Q2 introduced Mini Beans successfully, highlighting strong add–on purchase dynamics. | Q4 contained only limited mention via Mini Beans sales figures (over 1.25 million units sold) without further elaboration on consumer behavior trends. | Earlier emphasis on lower-priced product trends has become less pronounced, implying a potential normalization in consumer preferences. |
External Macroeconomic & Political Uncertainties | Q1 and Q2 referenced economic uncertainty impacting web traffic and noted election–year challenges with choppiness in comparisons. Q3 indirectly mentioned wage and inflation pressures. | Q4 explicitly acknowledged macroeconomic and political uncertainties—including tariff impacts, inflation, and broader external risks—but maintained confidence in navigating them. | Consistent external uncertainties persist with more explicit acknowledgment in Q4, though management remains cautiously optimistic. |
-
Tariffs and China Dependence
Q: How are tariffs affecting costs and China dependence?
A: Management has proactively mitigated tariff impacts by pulling forward inventory purchases and diversifying their supply chain away from China. Less than 50% of North American receipts now come from China, down from nearly all in 2017–18. They work with partners to become more efficient and view raising prices as a last resort, though they have been prudent about implementing targeted price increases when necessary. -
Revenue Guidance and Macroeconomic Factors
Q: Why is revenue guidance mid-single-digit despite strong trends?
A: While expecting at least 20% growth from the commercial segment driven by international expansion , management acknowledges macroeconomic uncertainties like tariffs and inflation that could impact results. They feel confident about the business trajectory but remain cautious due to factors outside their control. -
Consumer Slowdown Resilience
Q: How will business perform in a consumer slowdown?
A: Management notes the toy industry is typically recession-resistant. With a third of the business from birthdays and 40% of sales to collectors, they believe they are well-positioned. Diversification across consumer segments and global markets helps them navigate micro impacts. -
Store Expansion Plans
Q: What's the cadence for new unit growth this year?
A: They plan to add at least net 50 new locations in 2025, with much of the expansion being international and back-half weighted. This growth is expected to drive at least a 20% increase in commercial revenue. -
Inventory Levels Amid Expansion
Q: Will inventories rise due to expansion and tariffs?
A: While supporting new store growth, they don't expect significant increases in unit inventory levels. Timing of inventory receipts may cause spikes, and higher tariffs could raise inventory costs if they remain enacted or increase. -
E-commerce Progress
Q: What's the plan to improve e-commerce amid declines?
A: Management acknowledges opportunities to enhance e-commerce. They aim to build an integrated omni-channel organization, optimize existing applications, and have hired new team members, including Dave Henderson, to elevate this space. -
Mini Beans Expansion
Q: Plans for expanding Mini Beans wholesale reach?
A: Mini Beans have sold over 1 million units since launching. They are exploring expansion opportunities, including international partnerships where Mini Beans are already successful, such as in Italy with Giochi Preziosi. -
Same-Day Delivery with Uber
Q: Future plans for same-day delivery services?
A: Partnering with Uber extends shipping windows for occasions like Valentine's Day and birthdays, catering to last-minute shoppers. This service enhances convenience and aligns with consumer trends toward personalization and immediate gratification.