Pedestrians pass by a Lululemon store.
Scott Mlyn | CNBC
Lululemon Athletica Inc. on Thursday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts’ expectations, as shoppers stocked up on workout gear even as surging prices have hurt other retailers’ apparel sales.
Shares of the company were up around 8% in after hours trading.
Here’s what the company reported compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by Refinitiv:
- Earnings per share: $2.20, adjusted, vs. $1.87 cents expected
- Revenue: $1.87 billion vs. $1.774 billion expected
Same store sales grew 23%, which beat StreetAccount’s estimate of 17.6%. Net sales rose 29% to $1.87 billion. The company said that traffic remains strong both in stores and online, even as surging inflation cramps consumers’ spending.
“Despite the challenges around us in the macro-environment, guest traffic in our stores and on our e-commerce sites remains robust, which speaks to the strength of our multi-dimensional operating model,” Chief Financial Officer Meghan Frank said in a news release.
Inventories were up 85% to $1.5 billion compared to the same period last year. Retailers in general have had to contend with swelling inventory levels as shoppers adjust their spending habits. Lululemon said Thursday it is confident the inventory level will help it boost sales during the holiday shopping season.
The company also raised its full-year guidance. It said it now expects 2022 revenue of between $7.865 billion and $7.940 billion, up from the range of $7.610 billion to $7.710 billion it stated last quarter. The company also raised its adjusted earnings per share outlook to a range of $9.75 to $9.90, from last quarter’s guidance of $9.35 to $9.50 adjusted.
The release also maintained the company’s long-term outlook of doubling net revenue to $12.5 billion from from 2021 to 2026. The plan includes an expansion of its menswear business, footwear, and membership-based fitness classes. Upon the plan’s announcement in the spring, some analysts were skeptical about Lululemon’s ability to achieve the lofty longer-term target.
Read the earnings release here.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
