FOOT LOCKER, INC. REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS; UPDATES 2024 OUTLOOK

Rhea-AI Summary

Foot Locker reported Q3 2024 financial results with mixed performance. Total sales decreased 1.4% to $1,958 million, while comparable sales increased 2.4%. The company reported a loss of $0.34 per share, though Non-GAAP earnings were $0.33 per share.

Key highlights include a 230 basis points gross margin expansion and a 6.3% reduction in inventory. However, due to softened consumer spending post Back-to-School period and a more promotional environment, Foot Locker has lowered its full-year outlook. The updated guidance projects sales change of -1.5% to -1.0% and Non-GAAP EPS of $1.20 to $1.30.

Positive

• Comparable sales increased 2.4% across stores
• Gross margin expanded by 230 basis points
• Inventory decreased 6.3% year-over-year
• Strong performance during Thanksgiving week period

Negative

• Total sales declined 1.4% to $1,958 million
• Reported net loss of $33 million compared to $28 million profit last year
• Lowered full-year sales and earnings guidance
• More promotional environment impacting margins
• Softer consumer demand outside key selling periods

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 results and updated guidance paint a challenging picture for Foot Locker. While comparable sales grew 2.4%, total sales declined 1.4% to $1.958 billion. The gross margin improvement of 230 basis points is positive, but was offset by increased SG&A costs and promotional pressures.

The company's reduced full-year guidance is concerning, with sales now expected to decline 1.5% to 1.0% versus previous guidance of -1.0% to +1.0%. Non-GAAP EPS forecast has been significantly lowered to $1.20-$1.30 from $1.50-$1.70.

The 6.3% reduction in inventory levels shows good operational management, but softer consumer spending and increased promotional activity suggest continued pressure on margins. The Q3 loss of $0.34 per share (or $0.33 Non-GAAP earnings) indicates ongoing challenges in maintaining profitability despite strategic initiatives.

Market Research Analyst

Consumer behavior patterns revealed in this report are significant. The softening of spending after the Back-to-School period and hesitation before the holiday season highlight shifting purchase timing. The strong performance during Thanksgiving week, particularly in physical stores, suggests consumers are increasingly concentrating spending during key promotional periods.

The company's strategic initiatives, including the 'Home Court' experience with Nike and Jordan Brand, new mobile app launch and enhanced FLX Rewards Program, demonstrate efforts to adapt to changing consumer preferences. However, the need for increased promotional activity indicates pressure on pricing power and challenges in maintaining full-price sales.

The projected EBIT margin target of 8.5-9% by 2028 appears ambitious given current market conditions and the competitive landscape in athletic footwear retail.

• Total Sales Down 1.4% Year-over-Year and Comparable Sales Up 2.4%
• Gross Margin Expansion of 230 Basis Points Year-over-Year
• Loss of $0.34 per Share and Non-GAAP Earnings of $0.33 per Share
• Inventory Decreased 6.3% Year-over-Year
• Updating Full-Year Sales and Non-GAAP EPS Outlook

NEW YORK, Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL) today reported financial results for its third quarter ended November 2, 2024.

Mary Dillon, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our team's continued focus on execution drove positive comparable sales trends and meaningful gross margin expansion in the quarter.  However, our third quarter top- and bottom-line performance fell short of our expectations.  Consumer spending trends softened following the peak Back-to-School period in August, and the promotional environment was more elevated than anticipated.  At the same time, we continued to demonstrate progress with our Lace Up Plan, including further cementing our leadership position at the heart of basketball and sneaker culture. In the quarter, we continued the rollout of our Foot Locker 'Home Court' experience in collaboration with Nike and Jordan Brand, and we also announced a multi-year partnership with the legendary Chicago Bulls franchise."

Ms. Dillon continued, "While our trends in early November landed below our expectations as consumers held back their spending ahead of the holiday season, we saw a meaningful and positive acceleration over the key Thanksgiving week period, especially in stores.  Despite that strong performance, we are taking a more cautious view and are lowering our full-year sales and earnings outlook due to a more promotional environment and softer consumer demand outside of key selling periods.  We remain focused on unlocking opportunities through our new Reimagined stores and refresh program, revamped digital experience, including the recent launch of our new mobile app, and stronger customer engagement through our enhanced FLX Rewards Program. We are confident that our strategies will drive sustainable shareholder value creation as we progress towards our 8.5-9% EBIT margin target by 2028."

Third Quarter Results

• Total sales were down 1.4%, to $1,958 million, as compared with sales of $1,986 million in the third quarter of 2023. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, total sales for the third quarter decreased by 2.2%.
  
  
• Comparable sales increased by 2.4%, including global Foot Locker and Kids Foot Locker comparable sales growth of 2.8%. Notably, the Champs Sports and WSS banners saw positive comparable sales growth of 2.8% and 1.8%, respectively.
  
  Please refer to the Sales by Banner table below for detailed sales performance by banner and region.

• Gross margin increased by 230 basis points as compared with the prior-year period, which was led by reduced markdown levels. Gross margin trends accelerated from the second quarter of 2024, but performance was below expectations given an elevated promotional environment.
  
  
• SG&A as a percentage of sales increased by 210 basis points as compared with the prior-year period, driven by technology and brand-building investments, partially offset by savings from the cost optimization program and ongoing expense discipline.
  
  
• Third quarter net loss was $33 million, as compared with net income of $28 million in the corresponding prior-year period. On a Non-GAAP basis, net income was $31 million for the third quarter, as compared with net income of $28 million in the corresponding prior-year period.
  
  
• Third quarter loss per share was $0.34, as compared with earnings of $0.30 per share in the third quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP earnings were $0.33 per share in the third quarter, as compared with Non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.30 in the corresponding prior-year period.
  
  
• Non-GAAP results exclude, among other items, non-cash impairment charges of $25 million related to the atmos tradename following a strategic review of the atmos business and a charge of $35 million related to impairment to the carrying value of a minority investment, which is regularly assessed whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
  
  See the tables below for the reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures.

Balance Sheet

At quarter-end, the Company's cash and cash equivalents totaled $211 million, while total debt was $445 million.

As of November 2, 2024, the Company's merchandise inventories were $1.7 billion, 6.3% lower than at the end of the third quarter last year. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, merchandise inventories decreased by 6.9% as compared with the third quarter of last year.

Store Base Update

During the third quarter, the Company opened 10 new stores and closed 24 stores. Also during the quarter, the Company remodeled or relocated 20 stores and refreshed 167 stores to our updated design standards, which incorporate key elements of our current brand design specifications.

As of November 2, 2024, the Company operated 2,450 stores in 26 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, 214 licensed stores were operating in the Middle East and Asia.

Lowering 2024 Sales and Non-GAAP EPS Outlook

The Company's full year 2024 outlook, representing the 52 weeks ending February 1, 2025, is summarized in the table below. 

Metric	Prior Full Year Guidance	Updated Full Year Guidance	Fourth Quarter Guidance	Commentary
Sales Change	-1.0% to +1.0%	-1.5% to -1.0%	-3.5% to -1.5%	~$100 million headwind from 53rd week in 2023
Comparable Sales Change	+1.0% to +3.0%	+1.0% to +1.5%	+1.5% to +3.5%
Store Count Change	Down ~4%	Down ~4%
Square Footage Change	Down ~2%	Down ~2%
Licensing Revenue	~$17 million	~$16 million	~$4 million
Gross Margin	29.5% to 29.7%	28.7% to 28.8%	29.0% to 29.2%	Promotional pressure
SG&A Rate	24.1% to 24.3%	24.0% to 24.1%	22.3% to 22.5%	Investment spending
D&A	$210 to $215 million	~$203 million	~$50 million
EBIT Margin	2.8% to 3.2%	2.3% to 2.5%	4.5% to 5.0%
Net Interest	~$10 million	~$8 million	~$2 million
Non-GAAP Tax Rate	33.0% to 34.0%	~34.0%	33.0% to 34.0%
Non-GAAP EPS	$1.50 to $1.70	$1.20 to $1.30	$0.70 to $0.80	Includes $0.09 drag from non-recurring FLX charge in 2Q
Capital Expenditures	$275 million	$270 million
Adj. Capital Expenditures*	$330 million	$320 million		Includes ~$50 million in technology investment reflected in operating cash flows
* Adjusted Capital Expenditures includes Software-as-a-Service contracts that are amortized through operating expenses over their contract terms.

The Company provides earnings guidance only on a non-GAAP basis and does not provide a reconciliation of the Company's forward-looking EBIT, non-GAAP tax rate, and diluted earnings per share guidance to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures because of the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliations.

Conference Call and Webcast
The Company will host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. ET today, December 4, 2024, to review its third quarter 2024 results and provide an update on the business. An investor presentation will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's corporate website before the start of the conference call. The call may be accessed live by calling toll-free 1-844-701-1163 or international toll 1-412-317-5490, or via footlocker-inc.com. Please log on to the website 15 minutes prior to the call to register. An archived replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately one hour following the end of the call through December 18, 2024, by calling 1-877-344-7529 in the U.S., 1-855-669-9658 in Canada, and 1-412-317-0088 internationally with passcode 6919734. A webcast replay will also be available at footlocker-inc.com.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Other than statements of historical facts, all statements which address activities, events, or developments that the Company anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, but not limited to, such things as future capital expenditures, expansion, strategic plans, financial objectives, dividend payments, stock repurchases, financial outlook, and other such matters, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on many assumptions and factors, which are detailed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

These forward-looking statements are based largely on our expectations and judgments and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control. For additional discussion regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2024, filed on March 28, 2024, and subsequent filings. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.  

Foot Locker, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations  (unaudited)   Periods ended November 2, 2024 and October 28, 2023 (In millions, except per share amounts)
		Third Quarter								Year-to-Date
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Sales		$	1,958			$	1,986			$	5,728			$	5,774
Licensing revenue			3				3				12				10
Total revenue			1,961				1,989				5,740				5,784
Cost of sales			1,378				1,443				4,086				4,149
Selling, general and administrative expenses			482				446				1,419				1,319
Depreciation and amortization			51				47				153				148
Impairment and other			38				6				61				59
Income from operations			12				47				21				109
Interest expense, net			(2)				(2)				(6)				(7)
Other (expense) income, net			(35)				2				(41)				(1)
(Loss) income before income taxes			(25)				47				(26)				101
Income tax expense			8				19				11				42
Net (loss) income		$	(33)			$	28			$	(37)			$	59
Diluted (loss) earnings per share		$	(0.34)			$	0.30			$	(0.38)			$	0.63
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding			95.0				94.7				94.9				94.9

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to reporting the Company's financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company reports certain financial results that differ from what is reported under GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures that will be presented will exclude (i) gains or losses related to our minority investments, (ii) impairments and other, and (iii) certain tax matters that we believe are nonrecurring or unusual in nature.

Certain financial measures are identified as non-GAAP, such as sales changes excluding foreign currency fluctuations, adjusted income before income taxes, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per share. We present certain amounts as excluding the effects of foreign currency fluctuations, which are also considered non-GAAP measures. Where amounts are expressed as excluding the effects of foreign currency fluctuations, such changes are determined by translating all amounts in both years using the prior-year average foreign exchange rates. Presenting amounts on a constant currency basis is useful to investors because it enables them to better understand the changes in our business that are not related to currency movements.

These non-GAAP measures are presented because we believe they assist investors in allowing a more direct comparison of our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core business or affect comparability. In addition, these non-GAAP measures are useful in assessing our progress in achieving our long-term financial objectives and are consistent with how executive compensation is determined.

We estimate the tax effect of all non-GAAP adjustments by applying a marginal tax rate to each item. The income tax items represent the discrete amount that affected the period. The non-GAAP financial information is provided in addition, and not as an alternative, to our reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The various non-GAAP adjustments are summarized in the tables below.

Foot Locker, Inc. Non-GAAP Reconciliation  (unaudited)   Periods ended November 2, 2024 and October 28, 2023 (In millions, except per share amounts)
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results:
		Third Quarter								Year-to-Date
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Pre-tax (loss) income:
(Loss) income before income taxes		$	(25)			$	47			$	(26)			$	101
Pre-tax adjustments excluded from GAAP:
Impairment and other (1)			38				6				61				59
Other income / expense (2)			35				(5)				37				(6)
Adjusted income before income taxes (non-GAAP)		$	48			$	48			$	72			$	154
After-tax (loss) income:
Net (loss) income		$	(33)			$	28			$	(37)			$	59
After-tax adjustments excluded from GAAP:
Impairment and other, net of income tax benefit of $9, $2, $13, and $11 million, respectively  (1)			29				4				48				48
Other income / expense, net of income tax expense of $-, $1, $-, and $1 million, respectively (2)			35				(4)				37				(5)
Tax reserves benefit  (3)			—				—				—				(4)
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)		$	31			$	28			$	48			$	98
		Third Quarter								Year-to-Date
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Earnings per share:
Diluted (loss) earnings per share		$	(0.34)			$	0.30			$	(0.38)			$	0.63
Diluted per share amounts excluded from GAAP:
Impairment and other (1)			0.31				0.04				0.51				0.51
Other income / expense (2)			0.36				(0.04)				0.38				(0.06)
Tax reserves benefit (3)			—				—				—				(0.04)
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)		$	0.33			$	0.30			$	0.51			$	1.04

Notes on Non-GAAP Adjustments:
(1)	Included in the third quarter of 2024 impairment and other were (i) $25 million of impairment related to the atmos tradename following a strategic review of the atmos business, (ii) $7 million of reorganization costs primarily related to the announced closure and relocation of the Company's global headquarters and (iii) $6 million of impairment of long-lived assets and right-of-use assets accelerated tenancy charges related to the shutdown of our business operating in South Korea, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The Company will close all stores operating in those regions as it focuses on improving the overall results of its international operations. For the year-to-date period of 2024, the Company recorded an additional $16 million of impairment of long-lived assets and right-of-use assets related to its decision to exit the underperforming operations and the closure and sublease of an unprofitable store in Europe, as well as a $7 million loss accrual for legal claims.      For the third quarter of 2023, impairment and other included $7 million of reorganization costs, primarily related to severance and transformation consulting expense of $1 million. Additionally in the third quarter of 2023, the Company recorded a $3 million net benefit from the settlement of lease obligations associated with Sidestep stores, partially offset by impairment on atmos U.S. assets of $1 million. For the year-to-date period of 2023, impairment and other included transformation consulting expense of $27 million, impairment charges of $19 million, primarily accelerated tenancy charges on right-of-use assets for the closures of the Sidestep banner and certain Foot Locker Asia stores, and $12 million of reorganization costs, related to severance and the closure of the Sidestep banner, certain Foot Locker Asia stores, and a North American distribution center.
(2)	Included in the third quarter of 2024 other income / expense was a $35 million impairment charge related to a minority investment. The Company evaluates the minority investment for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the investment may not be recoverable and that impairment is other than temporary. If an indication of impairment occurs, the Company evaluates recoverability of the carrying value based on the fair value of the minority investment. If an impairment is indicated, the Company adjusts the carrying values of the investment downward, if necessary, to their estimated fair values. For the year-to-date period of 2024, the adjustments to other income / expense included$2 million of the Company's share of losses related to equity method investments.   For the third quarter of 2023, other income / expense consisted of a $3 million gain from the sale of a North American corporate office property and an additional $2 million gain from the 2023 second quarter sale of the Singapore and Malaysian Foot Locker businesses to a license partner. The 2023 year-to-date period also included $1 million of the Company's share of losses related to equity method investments.
(3)	In the first quarter of 2023, the Company recorded a $4 million benefit related to income tax reserves due to a statute of limitations release.

 

Foot Locker, Inc. Sales by Banner (unaudited)   Periods ended November 2, 2024 and October 28, 2023 (In millions)
		Third Quarter																Year-to-Date
		2024				2023				Constant Currencies				Comparable Sales				2024				2023				Constant Currencies				Comparable Sales
Foot Locker		$	769			$	796				(3.3)	%			1.6	%		$	2,282			$	2,244				1.8	%			2.6	%
Champs Sports			286				311				(8.0)				2.8				821				932				(11.8)				(5.1)
Kids Foot Locker			183				189				(3.2)				3.2				520				502				3.6				3.2
WSS			167				163				2.5				1.8				482				458				5.2				(3.4)
Other			—				1				n.m.				n.m.				1				1				—				n.m.
North America			1,405				1,460				(3.7)				2.1				4,106				4,137				(0.7)				0.3
Foot Locker			445				407				6.1				6.4				1,284				1,202				6.0				5.3
Sidestep			—				—				n.m.				n.m.				—				26				(100.0)				n.m.
EMEA			445				407				6.1				6.4				1,284				1,228				3.7				5.3
Foot Locker			77				81				(8.6)				(5.6)				236				281				(15.7)				(5.5)
atmos			31				38				(18.4)				(11.2)				102				128				(13.3)				(6.2)
Asia Pacific			108				119				(11.8)				(7.3)				338				409				(14.9)				(5.7)
Total		$	1,958			$	1,986				(2.2)	%			2.4	%		$	5,728			$	5,774				(0.7)	%			1.0	%

 

Foot Locker, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (In millions)
		November 2,				October 28,
		2024				2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	211			$	187
Merchandise inventories			1,744				1,862
Assets held for sale			10				—
Other current assets			421				325
			2,386				2,374
Property and equipment, net			906				884
Operating lease right-of-use assets			2,102				2,182
Deferred taxes			135				91
Goodwill			761				763
Other intangible assets, net			365				407
Minority investments			115				630
Other assets			92				89
		$	6,862			$	7,420
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	501			$	593
Accrued and other liabilities			428				369
Current portion of long-term debt and obligations under finance leases			5				6
Current portion of lease obligations			492				491
Liabilities held for sale			6				—
			1,432				1,459
Long-term debt and obligations under finance leases			440				443
Long-term lease obligations			1,898				1,994
Other liabilities			224				319
Total liabilities			3,994				4,215
Total shareholders' equity			2,868				3,205
		$	6,862			$	7,420

   

Foot Locker, Inc.  Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited) (In millions)
		Thirty-nine weeks ended
		November 2,				October 28,
($ in millions)		2024				2023
From operating activities:
Net (loss) income		$	(37)			$	59
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash from operating activities:
Non-cash impairment and other			47				20
Fair value adjustment to minority investment			35				—
Depreciation and amortization			153				148
Deferred income taxes			(35)				(5)
Share-based compensation expense			19				9
Gain on sales of businesses			—				(4)
Gain on sale of property			—				(3)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventories			(243)				(249)
Accounts payable			137				110
Accrued and other liabilities			29				(131)
Other, net			(7)				(52)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			98				(98)
From investing activities:
Capital expenditures			(185)				(165)
Minority investments			(1)				(2)
Proceeds from minority investments			1				—
Proceeds from sales of businesses			—				16
Proceeds from sale of property			—				6
Net cash used in investing activities			(185)				(145)
From financing activities:
Payment of debt issuance costs			(4)				—
Dividends paid on common stock			—				(113)
Shares of common stock repurchased to satisfy tax withholding obligations			(5)				(10)
Payment of obligations under finance leases			(4)				(5)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			5				5
Treasury stock reissued under employee stock plan			2				3
Net cash used in financing activities			(6)				(120)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash			1				4
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash			(92)				(359)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year			334				582
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period		$	242			$	223

 

Foot Locker, Inc. Store Count and Square Footage  (unaudited)
Store activity is as follows:
		February 3,												November 2,				Relocations/
		2024				Opened				Closed				2024				Remodels
Foot Locker U.S.			723				1				33				691				123
Foot Locker Canada			85				—				1				84				22
Champs Sports			404				—				14				390				2
Kids Foot Locker			390				2				16				376				77
WSS			141				7				—				148				3
Footaction			1				—				—				1				—
North America			1,744				10				64				1,690				227
Foot Locker Europe (1)			637				8				25				620				55
EMEA			637				8				25				620				55
Foot Locker Pacific			98				1				2				97				13
Foot Locker Asia			13				—				—				13				—
atmos			31				—				1				30				2
Asia Pacific			142				1				3				140				15
Total			2,523				19				92				2,450				297

 

Selling and gross square footage are as follows:
		October 28, 2023								November 2, 2024
(in thousands)		Selling				Gross				Selling				Gross
Foot Locker U.S.			2,383				4,063				2,366				3,999
Foot Locker Canada			250				412				257				423
Champs Sports			1,778				2,792				1,491				2,345
Kids Foot Locker			760				1,271				767				1,282
WSS			1,332				1,600				1,531				1,844
Footaction			3				6				3				6
North America			6,506				10,144				6,415				9,899
Foot Locker Europe (1)			1,190				2,433				1,192				2,422
EMEA			1,190				2,433				1,192				2,422
Foot Locker Pacific			235				356				250				377
Foot Locker Asia			52				98				52				98
atmos			35				61				28				47
Asia Pacific			322				515				330				522
Total			8,018				13,092				7,937				12,843

(1)     Includes 13 and 8 Kids Foot Locker stores, and the related square footage, operating in Europe for February 3, 2024 and November 2, 2024, respectively.

 

Contacts:

Kate Fitzsimons Investor Relations ir@footlocker.com   Dana Yacyk Corporate Communications mediarelations@footlocker.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/foot-locker-inc-reports-third-quarter-2024-financial-results-updates-2024-outlook-302321635.html

SOURCE Foot Locker IR

FAQ

What was Foot Locker's (FL) comparable sales growth in Q3 2024?

Foot Locker reported a 2.4% increase in comparable sales during Q3 2024.

How much did Foot Locker (FL) lower its 2024 earnings guidance?

Foot Locker lowered its Non-GAAP EPS guidance for 2024 to $1.20-$1.30 from the previous guidance of $1.50-$1.70.

What was Foot Locker's (FL) inventory position in Q3 2024?

Foot Locker's merchandise inventories were $1.7 billion, down 6.3% compared to Q3 2023.

What was Foot Locker's (FL) Q3 2024 net income?

Foot Locker reported a net loss of $33 million in Q3 2024, compared to net income of $28 million in Q3 2023.