Oxford: Owner of Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer and Johnny Was Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2023 Results; Posts 11% Annual Sales Growth; Announces 3% Increase in Quarterly Dividend

ATLANTA, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2023 ended February 3, 2024.

Consolidated net sales for the full 53-week fiscal 2023 year increased 11% to $1.57 billion compared to $1.41 billion in the 52-week fiscal 2022 year. Earnings per share (EPS) on a GAAP basis decreased 63% to $3.82 compared to $10.19 in fiscal 2022. Fiscal 2023 results include noncash impairment charges totaling $114 million, or $5.32 per share, which are primarily associated with the Johnny Was reporting unit. On an adjusted basis, EPS decreased 7% to $10.15 compared to $10.88 in fiscal 2022.

Consolidated net sales in the 14-week fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 increased 6% to $404 million compared to $382 million in the 13-week fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. Inclusive of the aforementioned noncash impairment charges which were recognized in the fourth quarter of 2023, loss per share on a GAAP basis was $3.85 compared to earnings per share of $2.00 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. On an adjusted basis, EPS decreased to $1.90 compared to $2.28 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.

Tom Chubb, Chairman and CEO, commented, “Fiscal 2023 was highlighted by the second strongest earnings year in our 82-year history and concluded a five-year period during which we delivered compound annual adjusted EPS growth exceeding 18 percent. This strong performance included generating $244 million in cash flow from operations in fiscal 2023, allowing us to invest in both organic growth and acquisitions, return capital to our shareholders via our quarterly dividend and opportunistic share repurchases, and pay down almost all our outstanding debt.

Looking forward to 2024, our strong balance sheet and cash flows have us well positioned to invest further in future growth, which includes expansion of our bricks-and-mortar footprint, including 5 Marlin Bars, and enhancing the efficiency and capacity of our east coast distribution capabilities. While these investments combined with the persistence of a cautious consumer environment will put pressure on near-term EPS, we are excited to continue executing the initiatives that we have in place to bring more consumers into the beautiful universes our brands represent. We are equally as excited to be in a position to announce a 3% increase in our quarterly dividend for 2024.”

Mr. Chubb concluded, “We are very proud of the portfolio of brands we have built and the strong connections we have forged with our customers. Most of all, we are incredibly proud of the amazing team of people that bring our brands to life every day. As always, we are committed to delivering on our near-term targets while staying focused on the initiatives that will strengthen our brands and business fundamentals over the long-term.”

Fiscal 2023 versus Fiscal 2022

(1) Johnny Was was acquired on September 19, 2022, and results presented reflect Johnny Was operations subsequent to the acquisition date.

• For the full 2023 fiscal year, consolidated net sales increased 11% to $1.57 billion from $1.41 billion in the prior year, which included an increase in net sales of $130 million for Johnny Was which we owned for 19 weeks in fiscal 2022. Fourth quarter consolidated net sales increased 6% over the prior year to $404 million. These net sales increases include the following growth in each of our distribution channels.
  • For the full 2023 fiscal year, full-price DTC sales increased $112 million, or 12%, to $1.0 billion versus fiscal 2022, which included an increase of $100 million of DTC sales for Johnny Was. For the fourth quarter, full-price DTC sales were $265 million in fiscal 2023 compared to $258 million in the prior year fourth quarter.
    • Full-price retail sales of $533 million increased $46 million, or 9% for the year, including a $47 million increase for Johnny Was. For the fourth quarter, full-price retail sales of $138 million increased $4 million, or 3%.
    • Full-price e-commerce sales of $478 million increased $66 million, or 16% for the year, including a $53 million increase for Johnny Was. For the fourth quarter, full-price e-commerce sales of $127 million increased $3 million, or 3%.
       
  • Sales from Lilly Pulitzer flash sales were $61 million for the year and $20 million for the fourth quarter versus $54 million and $18 million in the same periods of fiscal 2022.
     
  • Outlet sales of $73 million increased $7 million, or 10% for the year, including a $3 million increase for Johnny Was. For the fourth quarter, outlet sales of $18 million increased $2 million, or 10%.
     
  • Restaurant sales grew 6% to $116 million for the year and 14% to $32 million for the fourth quarter versus fiscal 2022.
     
  • Wholesale sales of $312 million increased $30 million, or 11% for the year, including a $26 million increase for Johnny Was. For the fourth quarter, wholesale sales of $70 million increased $9 million, or 14%.
     
• Gross margin increased to 63.4% on a GAAP basis and 64.0% on an adjusted basis for the full 2023 fiscal year compared to 63.0% on a GAAP basis and 63.5% on an adjusted basis in the prior year. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, gross margin increased to 60.9% on a GAAP basis and 61.7% on an adjusted basis compared to 60.8% on a GAAP basis and 61.5% on an adjusted basis in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.
   
• SG&A was $821 million in fiscal 2023 compared to SG&A of $692 million in fiscal 2022 with approximately $85 million, or 66%, of the increase due to the SG&A of Johnny Was. The 19% increase was primarily due to increases in employment costs, advertising costs, variable expenses and other expenses to support sales growth and occupancy, among other items. On an adjusted basis, SG&A was $807 million for the full 2023 fiscal year compared to $684 million in fiscal 2022. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, SG&A was $218 million on a GAAP basis and $214 million on an adjusted basis compared to SG&A of $196 million on a GAAP basis and $193 million on an adjusted basis in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.
   
• As a result of the annual impairment assessments performed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company recognized noncash impairment charges totaling $114 million, primarily related to goodwill and intangible assets in the Johnny Was reporting unit. The impairment charges for Johnny Was reflect the current challenging macroeconomic environment that has resulted in a more cautious consumer and elevated interest rates for prolonged periods. Following these impairment charges, there is no goodwill remaining within the Johnny Was reporting unit.
   
• Royalties and other operating income decreased by $2 million to $20 million for the full year. This decrease was primarily driven by lower royalties in Tommy Bahama as well as the Company’s share of the start-up losses related to a minority investment in the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort.
   
• Full-year operating income was $81 million in fiscal 2023, compared to $219 million in fiscal 2022. On an adjusted basis, full-year operating income was $216 million compared to $234 million in fiscal 2022. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, operating loss on a GAAP basis was $81 million compared to $40 million of operating income in the prior year, while adjusted operating income was $39 million in fiscal 2023 and $46 million in fiscal 2022.
   
• Interest expense was $6 million for the year and $1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. In fiscal 2022, interest expense for the full year was $3 million and $2 million for the fourth quarter. The reduced interest expense for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 reflects substantial repayment in fiscal 2023 of debt incurred in connection with the Johnny Was acquisition.
   
• The effective tax rate for fiscal 2023 was 19% compared to 23% for fiscal 2022, both of which are lower than a typical effective tax rate. The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was 27% compared to 16% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. The effective tax rates for each period included certain favorable discrete items that are not expected to occur in future periods.
   

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

Inventory decreased $61 million on a LIFO basis and $51 million, or 18%, on a FIFO basis compared to the end of fiscal 2022. Inventories decreased in our Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer and Emerging Brands operating groups primarily due to continuing initiatives to focus on closely managing inventory purchases and reducing on-hand inventory levels. The Company believes that inventory levels in all operating groups are appropriate to support anticipated sales plans and anticipated higher inventory turns.

As of February 3, 2024, the Company had $29 million of borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit agreement, compared to $119 million of borrowings outstanding at the end of the prior year. Also, the Company had $8 million of cash and cash equivalents versus $9 million of cash and cash equivalents at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.

Dividend

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.67 per share, a 3% increase above the previous dividend payment. The dividend is payable on May 3, 2024 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 19, 2024. The Company has paid dividends every quarter since it became publicly owned in 1960.

Outlook

For fiscal 2024 the Company initiated sales and EPS guidance. The Company expects net sales in a range of $1.630 billion to $1.670 billion as compared to net sales of $1.57 billion in fiscal 2023. In fiscal 2024, GAAP EPS is expected to be between $8.80 and $9.20 compared to fiscal 2023 GAAP EPS of $3.82. Adjusted EPS is expected to be between $9.30 and $9.70, compared to fiscal 2023 adjusted EPS of $10.15. Fiscal 2024 EPS figures include a return to a normalized effective tax rate in 2024 after certain favorable discrete items lowered the tax rate in fiscal 2023. The decrease in both GAAP and adjusted EPS reflects a decline in wholesale sales of approximately $10 million for fiscal 2024 with a decline between $15 and $20 million in the first quarter partially offset by modest growth in the remainder of the year.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company expects net sales to be between $395 million and $415 million compared to net sales of $420 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. GAAP EPS is expected to be in a range of $2.47 to $2.67 in the first quarter compared to GAAP EPS of $3.64 in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. Adjusted EPS is expected to be between $2.60 and $2.80 compared to adjusted EPS of $3.78 in the first quarter of fiscal 2023.

The Company anticipates interest expense of approximately $3 million in fiscal 2024. This compares to $6 million in the full year of 2023. The Company’s effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 25%. In addition to the decline in wholesale sales referenced above, guidance for the first quarter reflects a shift in certain promotional activities at Lilly Pulitzer from events that occurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 to the second quarter of fiscal 2024.

Capital expenditures in fiscal 2024 are expected to be approximately $200 million compared to $74 million in fiscal 2023. The increase is primarily related to a multi-year Southeastern United States distribution center enhancement project to build a new facility to ensure best-in-class direct-to-consumer throughput capabilities for Oxford’s brands. The new facility will provide direct-to-consumer support for all of the Company’s brands, including the East Coast operations of Tommy Bahama. The Company anticipates total capital expenditures of $130 million over the life of the project, with the majority of the spend occurring in fiscal 2024 and expect completion of the new facility in fiscal 2025.

About Oxford

Oxford Industries, Inc., a leader in the apparel industry, owns and markets the distinctive Tommy Bahama®, Lilly Pulitzer®, Johnny Was®, Southern Tide®, The Beaufort Bonnet Company® and Duck Head® lifestyle brands. Oxford's stock has traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1964 under the symbol OXM. 

Basis of Presentation

All per share information is presented on a diluted basis.