Driven by strong growth across Men's, Women's, and Youth, apparel net revenues rose 29.5% in the fourth quarter of 2007. Apparel revenues benefited from continuing gains in the Compression and Training categories, while new offerings in the Mountain product category also drove healthy contributions to top line growth.
Income from operations for the quarter totaled $28.3 million, an increase of 59.2% from the $17.7 million reported in the comparable year ago period. Operating margins for the quarter rose 310 basis points to 16.2% compared to 13.1% in the prior year period.
Gross margins for the quarter increased 140 basis points to 52.0% compared to 50.6% in the prior year. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased 170 basis points to 35.8% in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to 37.5% in the same period of the prior year. Marketing expense for the fourth quarter was 11.2% of net revenues compared to 12.6% in the prior year.