Williams-Sonoma, Inc. announces second quarter 2015 results
Net revenues grow 8.5%, with comparable brand revenue growth of 6.3%
and diluted EPS of $0.58

SAN FRANCISCO--()--Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) today announced operating results for the second fiscal quarter ended August 2, 2015 (“Q2 15”) versus the second fiscal quarter ended August 3, 2014 (“Q2 14”).

2nd QUARTER 2015 RESULTS

         

–

  Q2 15 net revenues grew 8.5% to $1.127 billion versus $1.039 billion in Q2 14, with comparable brand revenue growth of 6.3%.
 

–

Q2 15 operating margin was 7.4% versus 8.2% in Q2 14.
 

–

Q2 15 diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) was $0.58 versus $0.53 in Q2 14.
 

–

Cash returned to stockholders totaled $104.5 million, comprising $72.4 million in stock repurchases and $32.1 million in dividends.

 

Laura Alber, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are pleased to have delivered another quarter of solid performance, once again demonstrating the competitive advantage from our multi-brand, multi-channel, business model. As anticipated, during the quarter, we incurred incremental supply chain costs primarily associated with the west coast port disruption to restore our in-stock inventory levels, allowing us to provide superior long-term customer service. We are focused on disciplined execution against our strategic growth initiatives.”

Net revenues increased to $1.127 billion in Q2 15 from $1.039 billion in Q2 14.

Comparable brand revenue growth in Q2 15 increased 6.3% on top of 5.7% in Q2 14 as shown in the table below:

 

2nd Quarter Comparable Brand Revenue Growth by Concept*

         
    Q2 15   Q2 14

Pottery Barn

 

6.4%

 

4.4%

Williams-Sonoma (0.3%) 3.4%
West Elm 15.7% 16.7%
Pottery Barn Kids 3.3% 5.6%
PBteen   3.9%   (1.0%)
Total   6.3%   5.7%
* See the Company’s 10-K and 10-Q filings for the definition of comparable brand revenue growth.
 

E-commerce net revenues in Q2 15 increased 9.1% to $570 million from $523 million in Q2 14. E-commerce net revenues generated 51% of total company net revenues in Q2 15, compared to 50% in Q2 14.

Retail net revenues in Q2 15 increased 7.9% to $557 million from $517 million in Q2 14.

Operating margin in Q2 15 was 7.4% compared to 8.2% in Q2 14:

         

–

  Gross margin was 36.1% in Q2 15 versus 36.8% in Q2 14.
 

–

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $323 million, or 28.7% of net revenues in Q2 15, versus $297 million, or 28.6% of net revenues, in Q2 14.
 

EPS in Q2 15 was $0.58 versus $0.53 in Q2 14.

Merchandise inventories at the end of Q2 15 increased 15.3% to $1.031 billion from $895 million at the end of Q2 14.

The effective income tax rate in Q2 15 was 35.4% versus 40.5% in Q2 14, reflecting the favorable resolution of certain income tax matters.

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

During Q2 15, we repurchased 899,301 shares of common stock at an average cost of $80.55 per share and a total cost of approximately $72 million. As of August 2, 2015, there was approximately $162 million remaining under the three-year, $750 million stock repurchase program announced in March 2013.

FISCAL YEAR 2015 FINANCIAL GUIDANCE

 

3rd Quarter 2015 Guidance Financial Highlights

 

Total Net Revenues (millions)

   

$1,190 – $1,220

Comparable Brand Revenue Growth

4% – 6%

Diluted EPS

$0.68 – $0.73

 
       
 

Fiscal Year 2015 Guidance Financial Highlights

(Includes impact of the west coast port slowdown)*

 
Total Net Revenues (millions) $4,950 – $5,020
Comparable Brand Revenue Growth 4% – 6%
Operating Margin 10.2% – 10.5%
Diluted EPS $3.35 – $3.45
Income Tax Rate 38.3% – 38.8%
Capital Spending (millions) $200 – $220
Depreciation and Amortization (millions) $170 – $180
 

* We have estimated the impact of the west coast port slowdown to be an
  approximate $30 million to $40 million reduction in net revenues and a $0.10 to
  $0.12 reduction in EPS in fiscal year 2015.

 

Store Opening and Closing Guidance by Retail Concept*

 
FY 2014 ACT   FY 2015 GUID
    Total New   Close   End
Williams-Sonoma   243 5   (10)   238
Pottery Barn 199 4 (6) 197
Pottery Barn Kids 85 6 (4) 87
West Elm 69 18 - 87
Rejuvenation   5 1   -   6
Total   601 34   (20)   615

* Included in the FY 14 store count are 13 stores in Australia and one
  store in the UK. FY 15 guidance includes six additional Australian stores.        

 

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will host a live conference call today, August 26, 2015, at 2:00 P.M. (PT). The call, hosted by Laura Alber, President and Chief Executive Officer, will be open to the general public via live webcast and can be accessed at www.williams-sonomainc.com/webcast. A replay of the webcast will be available at www.williams-sonomainc.com/webcast.

SEC REGULATION G — NON-GAAP INFORMATION

We have reconciled non-GAAP diluted EPS with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure in Exhibit 1. This non-GAAP financial measure excludes the impact of unusual business events which occurred in FY 14. We believe that this non-GAAP financial measure provides meaningful supplemental information for investors regarding the performance of our business and facilitates a meaningful evaluation of our FY 15 guidance on a comparable basis with prior periods. Our management uses this non-GAAP financial measure in order to have comparable financial results to analyze changes in our underlying business from quarter to quarter. This non-GAAP measure should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or are proven incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to: our growth initiatives; our future financial guidance, including Q3 15 and FY 2015 guidance; our three-year stock repurchase program; the impact of the west coast port slowdown; and our proposed store openings and closures.

The risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include: accounting adjustments as we close our books for Q2 15; continuing changes in general economic conditions, and the impact on consumer confidence and consumer spending; new interpretations of or changes to current accounting rules; our ability to anticipate consumer preferences and buying trends; dependence on timely introduction and customer acceptance of our merchandise; changes in consumer spending based on weather, political, competitive and other conditions beyond our control; delays in store openings; competition from companies with concepts or products similar to ours; timely and effective sourcing of merchandise from our foreign and domestic vendors and delivery of merchandise through our supply chain to our stores and customers; effective inventory management; our ability to manage customer returns; successful catalog management, including timing, sizing and merchandising; uncertainties in e-marketing, infrastructure and regulation; multi-channel and multi-brand complexities; our ability to introduce new brands and brand extensions; challenges associated with our increasing global presence; dependence on external funding sources for operating capital; disruptions in the financial markets; our ability to control employment, occupancy and other operating costs; our ability to improve our systems and processes; changes to our information technology infrastructure; general political, economic and market conditions and events, including war, conflict or acts of terrorism; and other risks and uncertainties described more fully in our public announcements, reports to stockholders and other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2015 and all subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

ABOUT WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is a specialty retailer of high-quality products for the home. These products, representing eight distinct merchandise strategies – Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, West Elm, PBteen, Williams-Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, and Mark and Graham – are marketed through e-commerce websites, direct mail catalogs and 612 stores. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. currently operates in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, offers international shipping to customers worldwide, and has unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East and the Philippines.

 

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (unaudited)

Thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

       

2nd Quarter

2015         2014
$  

% of
Revenues

  $  

% of
Revenues

E-commerce net revenues

$

569,913

 

50.6

% $ 522,589   50.3 %
Retail net revenues   557,115   49.4     516,513   49.7  
Net revenues 1,127,028 100.0 1,039,102 100.0
 
Cost of goods sold   720,403   63.9     657,004   63.2  
Gross profit 406,625 36.1 382,098 36.8
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   323,282   28.7     296,762   28.6  
Operating income 83,343 7.4 85,336 8.2
 
Interest (income) expense, net   275   -     40   -  
Earnings before income taxes 83,068 7.4 85,296 8.2
 
Income taxes   29,400   2.6     34,549   3.3  
Net earnings $ 53,668   4.8 % $ 50,747   4.9 %
 
Earnings per share (EPS):
Basic $0.59 $0.54
Diluted $0.58 $0.53
 
Shares used in calculation of EPS:
Basic 91,243 93,979
Diluted 92,564 95,839
 

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (unaudited)

Twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

       

Year-to-Date

2015         2014
$  

% of
Revenues

$  

% of
Revenues

E-commerce net revenues $

1,102,486

  51.1 % $ 1,013,878   50.4 %
Retail net revenues   1,055,218   48.9     999,554     49.6  
Net revenues 2,157,704 100.0 2,013,432 100.0
 
Cost of goods sold   1,372,238   63.6     1,262,926     62.7  
Gross profit 785,466 36.4 750,506 37.3
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   630,195   29.2     590,844     29.3  
Operating income 155,271 7.2 159,662 7.9
 
Interest (income) expense, net   283   -     (29 )   -  
Earnings before income taxes 154,988 7.2 159,691 7.9
 
Income taxes   56,530   2.6     62,782     3.1  
Net earnings $ 98,458   4.6 % $ 96,909     4.8 %
 
Earnings per share (EPS):
Basic $1.08 $1.03
Diluted $1.06 $1.01
 
Shares used in calculation of EPS:
Basic 91,475 94,010
Diluted 92,969 95,714
 

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

               
Aug. 2, 2015 Feb. 1, 2015 Aug. 3, 2014
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $

119,776

$ 222,927 $ 70,574
Accounts receivable, net 81,753 67,465 69,653
Merchandise inventories, net 1,031,472 887,701 894,860
Prepaid catalog expenses 38,088 33,942 39,072
Prepaid expenses 56,119 36,265 55,892
Deferred income taxes, net 130,687 130,618 121,527
Other assets   12,808     13,005     9,772  
Total current assets   1,470,703     1,391,923     1,261,350  
 
Property and equipment, net 875,002 883,012 849,255
Non-current deferred income taxes, net - 4,265 856
Other assets, net   50,266     51,077     52,087  
Total assets $ 2,395,971   $ 2,330,277   $ 2,163,548  
 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Current liabilities
Accounts payable $ 416,276 $ 397,037 $ 336,470
Accrued salaries, benefits and other 103,695 136,012 101,818
Customer deposits 288,654 261,679 251,146
Borrowings under revolving line of credit 150,000 - -
Income taxes payable 14,678 32,488 14,604
Current portion of long-term debt - 1,968 1,968
Other liabilities   50,237     46,764     44,713  
Total current liabilities   1,023,540     875,948     750,719  
 
Deferred rent and lease incentives 179,103 166,925 171,193

Non-current deferred income taxes, net

1,213 - -
Other long-term obligations   50,739     62,698     63,227  
Total liabilities   1,254,595     1,105,571     985,139  
 
 

Stockholders’ equity

Preferred stock: $.01 par value; 7,500 shares authorized;
 none issued

- - -

Common stock: $.01 par value; 253,125 shares authorized;
 90,860, 91,891 and 93,414 shares issued and outstanding
 at August 2, 2015, February 1, 2015 and August 3, 2014,
 respectively

909 919 934
Additional paid-in capital 532,835 527,261 514,464
Retained earnings 615,193 701,214 657,721
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (5,625 ) (2,548 ) 7,741
Treasury stock, at cost   (1,936 )   (2,140 )   (2,451 )
Total stockholders’ equity   1,141,376     1,224,706     1,178,409  
     

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 2,395,971   $ 2,330,277   $ 2,163,548  
 
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

Twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014

(Dollars in thousands)

 
  Year-to-Date
                   
  2015     2014  
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings $ 98,458 $ 96,909
 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 83,233 79,332
Loss on disposal/impairment of assets 2,074 952
Amortization of deferred lease incentives (12,075 ) (12,483 )
Deferred income taxes (8,533 ) (8,326 )
Tax benefit related to stock-based awards 25,917 46,174
Excess tax benefit related to stock-based awards (11,807 ) (22,911 )
Stock-based compensation expense 24,913 22,191
Other 69 305
 
Changes in:
Accounts receivable (14,854 ) (4,227 )
Merchandise inventories (144,934 ) (80,158 )
Prepaid catalog expenses (4,146 ) (5,516 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets (19,708 ) (18,043 )
Accounts payable 15,625 (60,527 )
Accrued salaries, benefits and other current and long-term liabilities (30,835 ) (28,981 )
Customer deposits 27,243 22,767
Deferred rent and lease incentives 24,034 17,516
Income taxes payable   (17,869 )   (34,757 )
Net cash provided by operating activities   36,805     10,217  
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (86,849 ) (83,519 )
Restricted cash receipts - 14,289
Other   278     282  
Net cash used in investing activities   (86,571 )   (68,948 )
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving line of credit 150,000 -
Repurchase of common stock (125,000 ) (112,054 )
Payment of dividends (64,044 ) (63,996 )
Tax withholdings related to stock-based awards (27,175 ) (49,434 )
Excess tax benefit related to stock-based awards 11,807 22,911
Net proceeds related to stock-based awards 2,647 3,471
Repayments of long-term obligations (1,968 ) (1,785 )
Other   -     (6 )
Net cash used in financing activities   (53,733 )   (200,893 )
 
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents 348 77
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (103,151 ) (259,547 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   222,927     330,121  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 119,776   $ 70,574  
 

Exhibit 1

2nd Quarter Operating Margin By Segment*

($ in thousands)

       
    E-commerce Retail Unallocated Total
    Q2 15   Q2 14 Q2 15   Q2 14 Q2 15   Q2 14 Q2 15   Q2 14
Net Revenues

$569,913

  $522,589 $557,115   $516,513

$           -

 

$           -

$1,127,028   $1,039,102
Operating Income/(Expense)   122,461   120,612 40,503   37,058 (79,621)   (72,334) 83,343   85,336
Operating Margin   21.5%   23.1% 7.3%   7.2% (7.1%)   (7.0%) 7.4%   8.2%

* See the Company’s 10-K and 10-Q filings for additional information on segment reporting and the definition of Operating   
   Income/(Expense) and Operating Margin.

 
 

Reconciliation of Quarterly and Fiscal Year Actual GAAP to Non-GAAP

Diluted Earnings Per Share**

(Totals rounded to the nearest cent per diluted share)

                 
   

Q1 15

ACT

  Q2 15

ACT

  Q3 15

GUID

  FY 15

GUID

2015 GAAP Diluted EPS

 

   $0.48   

 

   $0.58   

 

$0.68 - $0.73

 

$3.35 - $3.45

       
                 
    Q1 14

ACT

  Q2 14

ACT

  Q3 14

ACT

  FY 14

ACT

2014 GAAP Diluted EPS $0.48 $0.53 $0.68 $3.24
Impact of Unusual Business Events (1)   -   -   -   (0.04)

2014 Non-GAAP Diluted EPS Excluding Unusual
Business Events (2)

  $0.48   $0.53   $0.68   $3.20

** Due to the differences between the quarterly and year-to-date weighted average share count calculations and rounding to
    the nearest cent per diluted share, totals may not equal the sum of the line items and fiscal year diluted EPS may not
    equal the sum of the quarters.

 

 

Store Statistics

 

  Store Count      

Avg. Leased Square Footage
Per Store

 

  May 3, 2015   Openings   Closings   Aug. 2, 2015   Aug. 3, 2014 Aug. 2, 2015   Aug. 3, 2014
Williams-Sonoma   241   -   -   241   247 6,600   6,600
Pottery Barn 198 2 (1) 199 195 13,700 13,700
Pottery Barn Kids 87 3 (1) 89 84 7,500 7,700
West Elm 72 6 - 78 59 13,400 14,000
Rejuvenation   5   -   -   5   4 10,000   13,200
Total   603   11   (2)   612   589 9,900   9,900
         
May 3, 2015 Aug. 2, 2015 Aug. 3, 2014
Total store selling square footage 3,709,000 3,771,000 3,598,000
Total store leased square footage 5,998,000 6,088,000 5,843,000
             

Notes:

(1)   Impact of Unusual Business Events – During FY 14, we received our share of the VISA/MasterCard antitrust litigation settlement. This settlement (a benefit) totaled approximately $0.04 per diluted share in FY 14, and is recorded in SG&A expenses within the unallocated segment.
(2) SEC Regulation G – Non-GAAP Information – This table includes non-GAAP diluted EPS. We believe that this non-GAAP financial measure provides meaningful supplemental information for investors regarding the performance of our business and facilitates a meaningful evaluation of our FY 15 guidance on a comparable basis with prior periods. Our management uses this non-GAAP financial measure in order to have comparable financial results to analyze changes in our underlying business from quarter to quarter. This non-GAAP financial measure should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Contacts

WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC.
Julie P. Whalen, 415-616-8524
EVP, Chief Financial Officer
-or-
Gabrielle L. Rabinovitch, 415-616-7727
Vice President, Investor Relations

Contacts

WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC.
Julie P. Whalen, 415-616-8524
EVP, Chief Financial Officer
-or-
Gabrielle L. Rabinovitch, 415-616-7727
Vice President, Investor Relations