The Buckle - Q1 2025
May 24, 2024
Transcript
Operator (participant)
Good morning, and thank you for standing by, and welcome to Buckle's first quarter earnings release webcast. As a reminder, all participants are currently in a listen-only mode. A question and answer session will be conducted following the company's prepared remarks, with instructions given at that time. Members of Buckle's management on the call today 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; Brady Fritz, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary. As they review operating results, they would like to reiterate their policy of not giving future sales or earnings guidance and have the following safe harbor statement. Safe harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
All forward-looking statements made by the company involve material risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on factors which may be beyond the company's control. Accordingly, the company's future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized. Additionally, the company does not authorize the reproduction or dissemination of transcripts or audio recordings of the company's quarterly conference calls without its express written consent.
Any unauthorized reproductions or recordings of the calls should not be relied upon, as the information may be inaccurate. As a reminder, today's webcast is being recorded, and I'd now like to turn the conference over to your host, Tom Heacock.
Thomas Heacock (SVP of Finance, Treasurer and CFO)
Good morning, and thanks for joining us this morning. Our May 24th, 2024 press release reported that net income for the 13-week first quarter ended May 4th, 2024, was $34.8 million, or $0.69 per share on a diluted basis, compared to net income of $42.9 million, or $0.86 per share on a diluted basis for the prior year 13-week first quarter, which ended April 29th, 2023. Net sales for the 13-week first quarter decreased 7.2% to $262.5 million, compared to net sales of $282.8 million for the prior year 13-week first quarter.
Comparable store sales for the 13-week fiscal quarter decreased 9% in comparison to the same 13-week period in the prior year, and our online sales decreased 13.4% to $44.4 million for the 13-week fiscal quarter this year, compared to $51.3 million for the prior year 13-week fiscal quarter. Compared to the same 13-week period a year ago, online sales were down 13.2%. For the quarter, UPTs decreased approximately 5.5%, the average unit retail increased approximately 6.5%, and the average transaction value increased about 1%. Gross margin for the quarter was 46%, down 110 basis points from 47.1% for the first quarter of 2023.
The current quarter decline was the result of deleveraged buying, distribution, and occupancy expenses, partially offset by a 50 basis points improvement in merchandise margins. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter were 29.8% of net sales, compared to 28.1% for the first quarter last year. The first quarter increase was due to a 105 basis points increase in store labor-related expenses, a 35 basis points increase in expense for accrued PTO, a 30 basis points increase in G&A salaries, a 30 basis points increase in marketing spend, and a 30 basis points increase in other SG&A expense categories. These increases were partially offset by a 40 basis points reduction in incentive compensation accruals and a 20 basis points decrease in e-commerce shipping expenses.
Our operating margin for the quarter was 16.2%, compared to 19% for the first quarter of fiscal 2023. Income tax expense as a percentage of pre-tax net income for both the current and prior year fiscal quarter was 24.5%, bringing first quarter net income to $34.8 million for fiscal 2024, compared to $42.9 million for fiscal 2023. Our press release also included a balance sheet as of May 4th, 2024, which included the following: inventory of $130.7 million, which was down 5.1% from the same time a year ago, and $ 317.2 million of total cash and investments. We ended the quarter with $132.1 million in fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation.
Our capital expenditures for the quarter were $10.8 million, and depreciation expense was $5.4 million. First quarter capital spending is broken down as follows: $10.5 million for new store construction, store remodels, and technology upgrades, and $0.3 million for capital spending at the corporate headquarters and distribution center. During the quarter, we completed five full store remodels, four of which were relocations into new outdoor shopping centers, and closed four stores, one of which was a youth store, which was combined back with the full-line store upon remodel. For the remainder of the year, we anticipate opening seven new stores and completing 14 additional full remodeling projects. Buckle ended the quarter with 440 retail stores in 42 states, which is consistent with the store count at the end of the first quarter last year.
Now I'll turn it over to Adam Akerson, Vice President of Finance.
Adam Akerson (VP of Finance and Corporate Controller)
Thanks, Tom. Women's merchandise sales for the quarter were down about 8.5% against the prior year fiscal quarter, and represented approximately 47% of sales, compared to 47.5% in the prior year. On a 13-week comparable basis, women's merchandise sales were down approximately 9.5%. Average denim price points increased from $79.80 in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, to $80.85 in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, while overall average women's price points increased about 1.5%, from $47.40 to $48. On the men's side, merchandise sales for the quarter were down about 5.5% against the prior year fiscal quarter, representing approximately 53% of total sales compared to 52.5% in the prior year.
On a 13-week comparable basis, men's merchandise sales were down approximately 7.5%. Average denim price points decreased from $88.80 in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, to $88.65 in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. For the quarter, overall average men's price points increased approximately 2%, from $52.60 to $53.60. On a combined basis, accessory sales for the 13-week quarter were down approximately 8.5% against the prior year's 13-week comparable period, while footwear sales were down about 34%. These two categories accounted for approximately 11% and 6%, respectively, of first quarter net sales, which compares to 11% and 8% for each in the first quarter of fiscal 2023.
For the quarter, average accessory price points were up approximately 2%, and average footwear price points were up about 6.5%. Denim accounted for approximately 43% of sales, and tops accounted for approximately 27.5%, which compares to 41.5% and 27% for each in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. Compared to the same 13 weeks a year ago, our combined denim categories outperformed the total business and were down about 3.5%, with strength in our private brands, including Buckle Black and Salvage. Our shorts categories were challenged during the quarter due to lack of newness in the market, but we were able to sell through the category and ended the quarter with inventory down 17.5% from elevated levels a year ago.
On a combined basis, our tops categories were down about 8%. Despite tougher first quarter top line results, we were pleased that our teams were able to grow merchandise margins in both our private label and branded business, and effectively manage inventory levels. As part of our merchandising strategy, our buying teams continued to invest in the development of our private brands, and have kept introducing new labels to our assortment. For the quarter, private label represented 46% of sales, versus 44% in the first quarter of 2023. With that, we welcome your questions.
Operator (participant)
Thank you. As a reminder for participants, if you would like to ask a question, please raise your hand in the Zoom app. Prior to asking your questions, please state your name and firm affiliation.
Thomas Heacock (SVP of Finance, Treasurer and CFO)
There's no questions. We can end the call today. We'll be quick, and we can get everyone started on their holiday weekend. So thank you very much, and enjoy the rest of the day.
Operator (participant)
It looks like we have a question from Mauricio Serna. Mauricio, I'm gonna go ahead and unmute you and prompt you to speak at this time.
Mauricio Serna (Executive Director)
Hello. Hi, sorry, can you hear me?
Dennis Nelson (CEO)
Yes.
Mauricio Serna (Executive Director)
Sorry, yeah. Can you hear me?
Dennis Nelson (CEO)
Yes, Mauricio, we can.
Mauricio Serna (Executive Director)
Thank you. Thank you so much. Sorry, sorry about the delay. Yeah, I just wanted maybe a couple of questions. If you could talk about, you know, maybe more about what you're seeing in the denim category. I know you called it out, like, as a relative standout, and we've heard from other companies that we kind of seems like we're going through, like, a positive denim cycle. So it'll be interesting to hear more of your views on that. And then, you also mentioned the merchandise margins were up in both, you know, in both the private and the national brands. Just here, like, we'd like to hear more, like, you know, what is driving that expansion?
'Cause, you know, we've seen, like, you know, over time, there's a natural lift to total merch margins just because of the private labels, but it's interesting to see what you're seeing in merchandise. And then just very lastly, if I could squeeze this in on the operating expenses. I think, like, the general and administrative expenses were up year-over-year, so I was wondering what was driving that increase, considering that, you know, sales have been down. Thank you.
Dennis Nelson (CEO)
Okay, on the denim, on the ladies' side, we're still seeing a variety of styles. The new trend styles that we refer to, the crop straights and just the wide-bottom styles and such, is creating some interest and nice response. But on our private brands, we're still getting a very good sell-through with the traditional fits with a lot of details, new washes, and, you know, people are continuing to learn more about our Buckle Black and BKE, and getting a very good response there. We're still selling a few flares. So overall, just the variety of the selection and the inventory has been looking very good. The team's doing a nice job with that.
On the men's side, our BKE brand is very strong, and we continue to develop the Buckle Black for men's with Salvage. And our Rock Revival customer is liking the newness. So here again, just newness with the key brands on the men's side is working, and a good response to that. Margins in general, I think the team's doing a good job on the selection. You know, overall, our markdowns are up just slightly, but our margins are up, and we're very comfortable and good sell-through on the new product, and we're managing the inventory, where we continue to bring in newness, and that's working well on both sides. And then, Tom, do you want to comment on the operating expenses?
Thomas Heacock (SVP of Finance, Treasurer and CFO)
Yeah. I think your last question was on, primarily on SG&A. I mean, the selling expense is down, not quite in line with sales, and the biggest drivers there are, you know, as with the sales trend, reducing in-store hours. So we've seen a reduction in hourly store teammate pay and compensation there, partially offset by increases in management pay and management's management salary expense. So on the whole, payroll expenses is about flat, offset by reductions in incentive compensation accruals, and then also reductions in online shipping expenses. Those are the biggest drivers of selling expense. On the G&A side, really one thing stands out that we called out was accruals for additional PTO.
And a lot of that is a timing thing, so we made a couple changes as we looked at our total benefits package for our teammates at the start of the year. We bumped up paid time off for a couple buckets. Not really meaningful changes, but made some small changes there for our teammates, but then really changed how that is earned. So we accelerated the accrual and the earning of paid time off. So more of it's in the front part of the year to give our teammates the ability to use it earlier in the year, and it really make it easier from an administrative perspective. So that is kind of a timing thing, more so than an increase in expense that will continue through the totality of the rest of the year.
Operator (participant)
Okay, our next question is from Alan Glenn. Alan, I'm gonna go ahead and prompt you to unmute at this time.
Speaker 5
Yes, good morning, everyone.
Dennis Nelson (CEO)
Good morning.
Speaker 5
At the year-end call, I think you updated us on your approach to the stores and relocating some as leases expired and refreshing some. Is there any new news on your store plans for the rest of the year?
Dennis Nelson (CEO)
Well, as Tom mentioned, I think we still have 19 remodels for the year, and probably eight new stores, I believe, is what we're looking at now. Or no, seven. We had one move back. Oh, 25. So, no real change there. We're continuing to work with our real estate landlords on still moving a lot of stores out of mid-market malls into power centers or better improved locations. So we look at every site still on an individual basis. You know, the mall stores, we still have great mall stores and some of our biggest stores, but we continue to review and improve our store locations in all our markets.
This first quarter, we actually had two stores that we were relocating, and they actually, I think, it was the first time we've had to close stores during their remodel due to the sites not being ready soon enough. So we had two stores closed for over 60 days in the first quarter. And then we also had two stores that were in very troubled malls that we were able to keep open, but now at the end of the quarter, have just moved into the new locations, which we're pleased about. So in general, the same strategy of looking at everything, and we're pleased with how the real estate selection is going.
Operator (participant)
There are no further questions in queue. As a reminder, if you would like to ask a question, please raise your hand in the Zoom app. Okay, looks like there's no further questions at this time.
Thomas Heacock (SVP of Finance, Treasurer and CFO)
Thank you. I apologize for trying to end the call early. We appreciate the questions and appreciate everyone participating today, and hope you all enjoy the rest of the day. Thank you very much.