SKECHERS U.S.A., Inc. (“Skechers” or the “Company”) (NYSE:SKX), The Comfort Technology Company™ and a global footwear leader, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.

Second Quarter Highlights

• Record quarterly sales of $1.87 billion, a year-over-year increase of 12.4%
• Wholesale sales grew 18.3%
• Direct-to-Consumer sales grew 4.3%
• Diluted earnings per share of $0.58
• Repurchased $24.2 million of common stock

“Skechers achieved a new quarterly sales record of $1.87 billion, a significant accomplishment especially given the macroeconomic headwinds, supply chain issues and COVID-related restrictions in China during the period,” said David Weinberg, Chief Operating Officer of Skechers. “The growth was the result of increases in sales of 15% in our domestic and 10% in our international businesses. Growth was driven by sales increases of 21% in the Americas and 8% in EMEA. In APAC, where sales were flat due to COVID-related restrictions in China, we saw strong growth in most other markets, particularly in India, South Korea and Malaysia. During the quarter, we focused on delivering our in-demand footwear direct to consumers and through our wholesale partners globally. While we remain cautious given the challenges across the globe, we believe our comfort technology footwear, impactful marketing and the strength of our brand will drive continued sales growth in the back half of the year.”

“2022 is shaping up to be another remarkable year for Skechers with two consecutive record sales quarters, the result of our talented team’s passion, determination and execution to evolve our product offering, inform the world of our exceptional comfort technologies, and effectively navigate the supply chain constraints,” began Robert Greenberg, Chief Executive Officer of Skechers. “In the second quarter, we delivered hands-free comfort footwear to a world now desiring more ease in their lives, expanded our Skechers Arch Fit offering, and designed more fashion-focused styles as comfort at work and play is the new norm. Further, we elevated our performance game with the launch of Skechers Viper Court, a collection designed specifically for the fastest growing sport in America, pickleball, and saw major championship wins on the golf course with Brooke Henderson at this past weekend’s Amundi Evian Championship in France and Matt Fitzpatrick at the U.S. Open at Brookline last month. We also signed several new ambassadors—specific to Europe and Asia, as well as a rising Latin music artist and a global pop sensation, all to further strengthen brand awareness in key markets. This, our 30^th year in business, is our strongest year yet from a sales, marketing and product perspective. We are in a unique position as a brand that delivers on comfort technology, style, innovation and quality with a global reach that includes 4,355 Skechers stores. As a company, we are determined to outdo ourselves and reach further heights as we strive to meet our customers’ needs.”

Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Second quarter sales increased 12.4% as a result of a 15.4% increase in domestic sales and a 10.0% increase in international sales, primarily driven by strength in wholesale sales. All segments experienced growth, with Wholesale increasing 18.3% and Direct-to-Consumer increasing 4.3%. On a constant currency basis, sales increased 16.4%.

Wholesale sales growth of $176.1 million, or 18.3%, was led by increases in AMER of 34.9%. Wholesale volume increased 14.8% and average selling price increased 3.1%.

Direct-to-Consumer sales growth of $29.8 million, or 4.3%, was led by increases in AMER of 3.7%, EMEA of 13.5%, and APAC of 2.7%. Direct-to-Consumer average selling price increased 5.3% and volume was essentially flat.

Gross margin was 48.1%, a decrease of 330 basis points, primarily driven by higher per unit freight costs partially offset by average selling price increases.

Operating expenses increased $91.0 million, or 14.0%, and as a percentage of sales, increased 50 basis points to 39.8% from 39.3% in the prior year. Selling expenses increased $25.1 million, or 17.8%, due to higher global demand creation expenditures. General and administrative expenses increased $65.9 million, or 12.9%, primarily due to volume-driven increases in labor and warehouse and distribution expenses, as well as higher rent.

Earnings from operations decreased $47.0 million, or 23.4%, to $154.2 million.

Net earnings were $90.4 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.58, a decrease of 34.1% over the prior year. Diluted earnings per share include an unfavorable impact of $0.11 due to declines in foreign exchange rates, primarily in EMEA.

In the second quarter, the Company’s effective income tax rate was 21.3%.

“Skechers continued the diligent execution of our long-term global growth strategy, achieving record quarterly sales primarily from continued strength in our Wholesale segment,” stated John Vandemore, Chief Financial Officer of Skechers. “Despite pandemic-related lockdowns, disruptions in our global supply chain and macroeconomic volatility, we remain focused on our direct-to-consumer capabilities, distribution infrastructure and deepening connections with our consumers in order to drive long-term growth and shareholder value.”

Six Months 2022 Financial Results

Year-to-date sales increased 19.1% reflecting a 21.4% increase in domestic sales and a 17.3% increase in international sales with the largest contribution derived from wholesale sales. Both segments experienced increases, with Wholesale increasing 25.4% and Direct-to-Consumer increasing 9.0%. On a constant currency basis, the Company’s total sales increased 22.1%.

Wholesale sales growth of $484.3 million, or 25.4%, was led by increases in AMER of 38.2% and EMEA of 24.0%. Wholesale volume increased 18.8% and average selling price increased 5.9%.

Direct-to-Consumer sales growth of $106.8 million, or 9.0%, was led by increases in AMER of 6.8%, EMEA of 44.2%, which experienced COVID restrictions in the prior year, and APAC of 5.3%. Direct-to-Consumer average selling price increased 9.4% resulting from reduced promotions and higher prices.

Gross margin was 46.7%, a decrease of 300 basis points, primarily driven by higher per unit freight costs partially offset by average selling price increases.

Operating expenses increased $211.3 million or 17.9%. As a percentage of sales, operating expenses improved 40 basis points to 37.7%. Selling expenses increased $42.0 million or 18.1%, primarily due to higher global demand creation expenditures. General and administrative expenses increased $169.3 million or 17.9%, primarily due to higher compensation costs, rent, and volume-driven global warehouse and distribution expenses.

Earnings from operations decreased $28.8 million to $330.1 million.

Net earnings were $211.6 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.35, a decrease of 10.6% over the prior year. Diluted earnings per share include an unfavorable impact of $0.14 due to declines in foreign exchange rates, primarily in EMEA.

The Company’s effective income tax rate was essentially flat year-over-year at 20.6%.

Balance Sheet

Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $946.4 million, a decrease of $94.0 million, or 9.0% from December 31, 2021, primarily as a result of changes in working capital and completing $49.2 million of share repurchases year-to-date.

Inventory was $1.56 billion, an increase of $92.9 million or 6.3% from December 31, 2021. Increased inventory levels primarily reflect growth in AMER.

Share Repurchase

During the second quarter, the Company repurchased nearly 636,000 shares of its Class A common stock for $24.2 million. Year-to-date 2022, the Company has repurchased almost 1.3 million shares of its Class A common stock at a cost of $49.2 million. At June 30, 2022, approximately $450.8 million remained available under the Company’s share repurchase program.

Outlook

For the third quarter of 2022, the Company believes it will achieve sales between $1.80 billion and $1.85 billion and diluted earnings per share of between $0.70 and $0.75. Further, the Company believes that for the fiscal year 2022, it will achieve sales between $7.2 billion and $7.4 billion and diluted earnings per share of between $2.60 and $2.70.

Store Count

Second Quarter 2022 Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT to discuss its second quarter 2022 financial results. The call can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at investors.skechers.com. For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a replay will be available beginning July 26, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. ET, through August 9, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. ET. To access the replay, dial 844-512-2921 (U.S.) or 412-317-6671 (International) and use passcode: 13731127.

About SKECHERS U.S.A., Inc.

Skechers U.S.A., Inc., The Comfort Technology Company™, based in Southern California, designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. The Company’s collections are available in over 180 countries and territories through department and specialty stores, and direct to consumers through digital stores and 4,355 Company- and third-party-owned physical retail stores. The Company manages its international business through a network of wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and distributors. For more information, please visit about.skechers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Reference in this press release to “Sales” refers to Skechers’ net sales reported under GAAP. This announcement contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, Skechers’ future domestic and international growth, financial results and operations including expected net sales and earnings, its development of new products, future demand for its products, its planned domestic and international expansion, opening of new stores and additional expenditures, and advertising and marketing initiatives. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “could,” “may,” “might,” or any variations of such words with similar meanings. Any such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include the disruption of business and operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic; delays or disruptions in our supply chain; international economic, political and market conditions including the effects of inflation around the world, the challenging consumer retail markets in the United States and the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; sustaining, managing and forecasting costs and proper inventory levels; losing any significant customers; decreased demand by industry retailers and cancellation of order commitments due to the lack of popularity of particular designs and/or categories of products; maintaining brand image and intense competition among sellers of footwear for consumers, especially in the highly competitive performance footwear market; anticipating, identifying, interpreting or forecasting changes in fashion trends, consumer demand for the products and the various market factors described above; sales levels during the spring, back-to-school and holiday selling seasons; and other factors referenced or incorporated by reference in Skechers’ annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q in 2022. Taking these and other risk factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic into consideration, the dynamic nature of these circumstances means that what is stated in this press release could change at any time, and as a result, actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. The risks included here are not exhaustive. Skechers operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time and we cannot predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Moreover, reported results should not be considered an indication of future performance.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220726005339/en/