lululemon athletica inc. Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) reported a 30% increase in revenue, reaching $1.5 billion for Q3 2021. Diluted EPS rose to $1.44 from $1.10 year-over-year. Notably, gross profit increased 32% to $829.4 million.

International revenue grew 40%, and comparable sales jumped 27%. Direct-to-consumer sales contributed 40.4% of total revenue. The company anticipates Q4 revenue between $2.125 billion and $2.165 billion, with projected diluted EPS ranging from $3.24 to $3.31.

Positive

• Revenue increased 30% to $1.5 billion.
• Diluted EPS rose to $1.44 from $1.10 year-over-year.
• Gross profit increased 32% to $829.4 million.
• International revenue surged 40%.
• Total comparable sales increased 27%.
• Direct-to-consumer sales were 40.4% of total revenue.

Negative

• Operating margin decreased by 50 basis points to 17.8%.
• Direct-to-consumer net revenue share fell from 42.8%.

Revenue increased 30% to $1.5 billion

Diluted EPS of $1.44, Adjusted EPS of $1.62

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) today announced financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2021.

Calvin McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Our third quarter results demonstrate the ongoing strength of lululemon and the tremendous growth potential of the business in both the near- and long-term. We are pleased with our early holiday season performance and how the lululemon brand continues to resonate in markets around the world. We are energized by the exciting opportunities ahead, and I'm proud of our teams across the globe for their passion and agility – I want to thank everyone for delivering a strong quarter."

The fiscal year ending January 30, 2022 is referred to as "2021" and the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021 is referred to as "2020". The adjusted non-GAAP financial measures below exclude certain costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of MIRROR, and the related tax effects.

For the third quarter of 2021, compared to the third quarter of 2020:

• Net revenue increased 30% to $1.5 billion. On a constant dollar basis, net revenue increased 28%.
  • Net revenue increased 28% in North America, and increased 40% internationally.
• Total comparable sales increased 27%, or increased 26% on a constant dollar basis.
  • Comparable store sales increased 32%, or increased 31% on a constant dollar basis.
  • Direct to consumer net revenue increased 23% to $586.5 million. On a constant dollar basis, direct to consumer net revenue increased 21%.
• Direct to consumer net revenue represented 40.4% of total net revenue compared to 42.8% for the third quarter of 2020.
• Gross profit increased 32% to $829.4 million and gross margin increased 110 basis points to 57.2%.
• Income from operations increased 26% to $257.9 million. Adjusted income from operations increased 32% to $282.1 million.
• Operating margin decreased 50 basis points to 17.8%. Adjusted operating margin increased 30 basis points to 19.4%.
• Income tax expense increased 16% to $70.2 million. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2021 was 27.2% compared to 29.7% for the third quarter of 2020. The adjusted effective tax rate was 25.1% for the third quarter of 2021 compared to 28.9% for the third quarter of 2020.
• Diluted earnings per share were $1.44 compared to $1.10 in the third quarter of 2020. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.62 compared to $1.16 in the third quarter of 2020.
• The Company repurchased 0.6 million shares of its own common stock at an average price of $405.87 per share for a total cost of $236.4 million.
• The Company opened 18 net new company-operated stores during the third quarter, ending with 552 stores.

The consolidated statement of operations for the third quarter of 2019 is included in the tables at the end of this release for reference. For the third quarter of 2021, compared to the third quarter of 2019:

• Net revenue increased by $534.3 million, or 58%, representing a two-year compound annual growth rate of 26%.
• Gross margin increased 210 basis points.
• Operating margin decreased 140 basis points. Adjusted operating margin increased 20 basis points.
• Diluted earnings per share were $1.44 compared to $0.96 in the third quarter of 2019. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.62 in the third quarter of 2021.

Meghan Frank, Chief Financial Officer, stated: "Our teams continue to execute at a high level, which has enabled our strong Q3 performance and the upward revision to our guidance. We are pleased with these results given the ongoing, industry-wide supply chain issues we continue to navigate. While there are several large volume weeks ahead of us, we feel well positioned for a strong end to 2021."

Balance sheet highlights

The Company ended the third quarter of 2021 with $1.0 billion in cash and cash equivalents and the capacity under its committed revolving credit facility was $396.9 million. Inventories at the end of the third quarter of 2021 increased 22% to $943.9 million compared to $771.0 million at the end of the third quarter of 2020.

2021 Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2021, we expect net revenue to be in the range of $2.125 billion to $2.165 billion. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $3.24 to $3.31 for the quarter and adjusted diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $3.25 to $3.32.

For 2021, we expect net revenue to be in the range of $6.250 billion to $6.290 billion. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $7.38 to $7.45 for the year and adjusted diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $7.69 to $7.76.

The guidance does not reflect potential future repurchases of the Company's shares.

The guidance and outlook forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on management's expectations as of the date of this press release and does not incorporate future unknown impacts from the spread of COVID-19. While most of the Company's retail locations are currently open, the Company continues to operate with precautionary measures in place, as appropriate. Further resurgences in COVID-19, including from variants could cause additional restrictions, including temporarily closing all or some of our retail locations again, result in lower consumer demand, and cause further disruption in our supply chain. The Company undertakes no duty to update or to continue to provide information with respect to any forward-looking statements or risk factors, whether as a result of new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including those stated below.

Conference Call Information

A conference call to discuss third quarter results is scheduled for today, December 9, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Those interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 1-800-319-4610 or 1-604-638-5340, if calling internationally, approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A live webcast of the conference call will be available online at: http://investor.lululemon.com/events.cfm. A replay will be made available online approximately two hours following the live call for a period of 30 days.

About lululemon athletica inc.

lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) is a healthy lifestyle inspired athletic apparel company for yoga, running, training, and most other sweaty pursuits, creating transformational products and experiences which enable people to live a life they love. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional designs, lululemon works with yogis and athletes in local communities for continuous research and product feedback. For more information, visit www.lululemon.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Constant dollar changes and adjusted financial results are non-GAAP financial measures. A constant dollar basis assumes the average foreign currency exchange rates for the period remained constant with the average foreign currency exchange rates for the same period of the prior year. The Company provides constant dollar changes in its results to help investors understand the underlying growth rate of net revenue excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Adjusted income from operations, operating margin, income tax expense, effective tax rates, net income, and diluted earnings per share exclude items related to the MIRROR acquisition. We exclude transaction, integration costs, the gain on lululemon's previous investment in MIRROR, certain acquisition-related compensation costs, and the related income tax effects of these items. The acquisition-related compensation costs include accelerated expenses related to the transition of the former MIRROR Chief Executive Officer to an advisory role. We believe these adjusted financial measures are useful to investors as they provide supplemental information that enable evaluation of the underlying trend in our operating performance, and enable a more consistent comparison to our historical financial information. Further, due to the finite and discrete nature of these costs, we do not consider them to be normal operating expenses that are necessary to operate the MIRROR business and we do not expect them to recur beyond the expiry of the related vesting periods. Management uses these adjusted financial measures and constant currency metrics internally when reviewing and assessing financial performance.

The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or with greater prominence to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section captioned "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" included in the accompanying financial tables, which includes more detail on the GAAP financial measure that is most directly comparable to each non-GAAP financial measure, and the related reconciliations between these financial measures.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release includes estimates, projections, statements relating to the Company's business plans, objectives, and expected operating results that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In many cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "outlook," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements also include the Company's guidance and outlook statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations but they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: the Company's ability to maintain the value and reputation of its brand; the current COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and related government, private sector, and individual consumer responsive actions; its highly competitive market and increasing competition; increasing costs and decreasing selling prices; its ability to anticipate consumer preferences and successfully develop and introduce new, innovative and updated products; the acceptability of its products to guests; its ability to accurately forecast guest demand for its products; changes in consumer shopping preferences and shifts in distribution channels; its ability to expand in light of its limited operating experience and limited brand recognition in new international markets and new product categories; its ability to realize the potential benefits and synergies sought with the acquisition of MIRROR; its ability to manage its growth and the increased complexity of its business effectively; its ability to successfully open new store locations in a timely manner; seasonality; disruptions of its supply chain; its reliance on and limited control over third-party suppliers to provide fabrics for and to produce its products; suppliers or manufacturers not complying with its Vendor Code of Ethics or applicable laws; its ability to deliver its products to the market and to meet guest expectations if it has problems with its distribution system; increasing labor costs and other factors associated with the production of its products in South Asia and South East Asia; its ability to safeguard against security breaches with respect to its information technology systems; its compliance with privacy and data protection laws; any material disruption of its information systems; its ability to have technology-based systems function effectively and grow its e-commerce business globally; climate change, and related legislative and regulatory responses; increased scrutiny regarding its environmental, social, and governance, or sustainability responsibilities; an economic recession, depression, or downturn or economic uncertainty in its key markets; global economic and political conditions and global events such as health pandemics; its ability to source and sell its merchandise profitably or at all if new trade restrictions are imposed or existing trade restrictions become more burdensome; changes in tax laws or unanticipated tax liabilities; its ability to comply with trade and other regulations; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; imitation by its competitors; its ability to protect its intellectual property rights; conflicting trademarks and the prevention of sale of certain products; its exposure to various types of litigation; and other risks and uncertainties set out in filings made from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov, including, without limitation, its most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

lululemon athletica inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Unaudited; Expressed in thousands, except per share amounts
		Third Quarter												First Three Quarters
		2021				2020				2019				2021				2020				2019
Net revenue		$	1,450,421			$	1,117,426			$	916,138			$	4,127,504			$	2,672,330			$	2,581,805
Costs of goods sold		621,028				490,072				411,094				1,755,111				1,221,073				1,169,245
Gross profit		829,393				627,354				505,044				2,372,393				1,451,257				1,412,560
As a percent of net revenue		57.2		%		56.1		%		55.1		%		57.5		%		54.3		%		54.7		%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		545,124				411,708				329,208				1,583,075				1,064,172				939,930
As a percent of net revenue		37.6		%		36.8		%		35.9		%		38.4		%		39.8		%		36.4		%
Amortization of intangible assets		2,195				2,195				7				6,585				2,965				7
Acquisition-related expenses		24,127				8,531				—				39,934				22,040				—
Income from operations		257,947				204,920				175,829				742,799				362,080				472,623
As a percent of net revenue		17.8		%		18.3		%		19.2		%		18.0		%		13.5		%		18.3		%
Other income (expense), net		15				(580		)		1,925				338				250				6,154
Income before income tax expense		257,962				204,340				177,754				743,137				362,330				478,777
Income tax expense		70,174				60,697				51,772				202,319				103,254				131,202
Net income		$	187,788			$	143,643			$	125,982			$	540,818			$	259,076			$	347,575
Basic earnings per share		$	1.45			$	1.10			$	0.97			$	4.16			$	1.99			$	2.67
Diluted earnings per share		$	1.44			$	1.10			$	0.96			$	4.14			$	1.98			$	2.65
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		129,684				130,318				130,282				130,019				130,271				130,420
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		130,189				130,924				130,805				130,557				130,842				130,975

lululemon athletica inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited; Expressed in thousands
		October 31, 2021				January 31, 2021				November 1, 2020
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	993,591			$	1,150,517			$	481,581
Inventories		943,900				647,230				770,990
Prepaid and receivable income taxes		140,582				139,126				168,272
Other current assets		233,221				187,506				179,970
Total current assets		2,311,294				2,124,379				1,600,813
Property and equipment, net		876,489				745,687				719,880
Right-of-use lease assets		789,381				734,835				714,086
Goodwill and intangible assets, net		460,559				466,957				468,908
Deferred income taxes and other non-current assets		134,284				113,357				124,233
Total assets		$	4,572,007			$	4,185,215			$	3,627,920
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	227,067			$	172,246			$	160,779
Accrued inventory liabilities		10,038				14,956				10,654
Other accrued liabilities		314,394				211,911				190,366
Accrued compensation and related expenses		181,863				130,171				96,527
Current lease liabilities		175,445				166,091				138,082
Current income taxes payable		43,199				8,357				5,818
Unredeemed gift card liability		137,656				155,848				104,760
Other current liabilities		28,358				23,598				23,892
Total current liabilities		1,118,020				883,178				730,878
Non-current lease liabilities		684,460				632,590				635,386
Non-current income taxes payable		38,073				43,150				43,150
Deferred income tax liability		60,374				58,755				47,199
Other non-current liabilities		12,625				8,976				8,354
Stockholders' equity		2,658,455				2,558,566				2,162,953
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	4,572,007			$	4,185,215			$	3,627,920

lululemon athletica inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Unaudited; Expressed in thousands
		First Three Quarters
		2021				2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income		$	540,818			$	259,076
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities		117,306				(173,672		)
Net cash provided by operating activities		658,124				85,404
Net cash used in investing activities		(313,438		)		(616,544		)
Net cash used in financing activities		(523,197		)		(81,404		)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash		21,585				620
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(156,926		)		(611,924		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		1,150,517				1,093,505
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	993,591			$	481,581

lululemon athletica inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Unaudited; Expressed in thousands, except per share amounts
Constant dollar changes in net revenue, total comparable sales, comparable store sales, and direct to consumer net revenue
The below changes show the change for the third quarter of 2021 compared to the third quarter of 2020.
		Net Revenue			Total Comparable Sales1,2			Comparable Store Sales2			Direct to Consumer Net Revenue
Change		30	%		27	%		32	%		23	%
Adjustments due to foreign currency exchange rate changes		(2	)		(1	)		(1	)		(2	)
Change in constant dollars		28	%		26	%		31	%		21	%

__________
(1)	Total comparable sales includes comparable store sales and direct to consumer net revenue.
(2)	Comparable store sales reflects net revenue from company-operated stores that have been open for at least 12 full fiscal months, or open for at least 12 full fiscal months after being significantly expanded. Comparable store sales exclude sales from stores which have been temporarily relocated for renovations or have been temporarily closed.

Adjusted financial measures

The following tables reconcile adjusted financial measures with the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The adjustments relate to the acquisition of MIRROR, including accelerated expenses related to the transition of the former MIRROR Chief Executive Officer to an advisory role, and its related tax effects. Please refer to Note 3. Acquisition included in Item 1 of Part I of our Report on Form 10-Q to be filed with the SEC on or about December 9, 2021 for further information on these adjustments.

		Third Quarter 2021
		Income from Operations				Operating Margin			Income Tax Expense				Effective Tax Rate			Net Income				Diluted Earnings Per Share
GAAP results		$	257,947			17.8	%		$	70,174			27.2	%		$	187,788			$	1.44
Transaction and integration costs		328				—										328				—
Acquisition-related compensation		23,799				1.6										23,799				0.18
Tax effect of the above									611				(2.1	)		(611		)		—
Adjusted results (non-GAAP)		$	282,074			19.4	%		$	70,785			25.1	%		$	211,304			$	1.62

		First Three Quarters 2021
		Income from Operations				Operating Margin			Income Tax Expense				Effective Tax Rate			Net Income				Diluted Earnings Per Share
GAAP results		$	742,799			18.0	%		$	202,319			27.2	%		$	540,818			$	4.14
Transaction and integration costs		1,859				—										1,859				0.02
Acquisition-related compensation		38,075				1.0										38,075				0.29
Tax effect of the above									1,417				(1.2	)		(1,417		)		(0.01		)
Adjusted results (non-GAAP)		$	782,733			19.0	%		$	203,736			26.0	%		$	579,335			$	4.44

		Third Quarter 2020
		Income from Operations				Operating Margin			Income Tax Expense				Effective Tax Rate			Net Income				Diluted Earnings Per Share
GAAP results		$	204,920			18.3	%		$	60,697			29.7	%		$	143,643			$	1.10
Transaction and integration costs		1,017				0.1										1,017				0.01
Acquisition-related compensation		7,514				0.7										7,514				0.06
Tax effect of the above									896				(0.8	)		(896		)		(0.01		)
Adjusted results (non-GAAP)		$	213,451			19.1	%		$	61,593			28.9	%		$	151,278			$	1.16

		First Three Quarters 2020
		Income from Operations				Operating Margin			Income Tax Expense				Effective Tax Rate			Net Income				Diluted Earnings Per Share
GAAP results		$	362,080			13.5	%		$	103,254			28.5	%		$	259,076			$	1.98
Transaction and integration costs		10,263				0.4										10,263				0.08
Gain on existing investment		(782		)		—										(782		)		(0.01		)
Acquisition-related compensation		12,559				0.5										12,559				0.10
Tax effect of the above									2,862				(0.9	)		(2,862		)		(0.02		)
Adjusted results (non-GAAP)		$	384,120			14.4	%		$	106,117			27.6	%		$	278,254			$	2.13

Expected adjusted earnings per share
		Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021		Fiscal 2021
Expected diluted earnings per share range		$3.24 to $3.31		$7.38 to $7.45
MIRROR integration and acquisition-related costs, net of tax		$0.01		$0.31
Expected adjusted earnings per share range (non-GAAP)		$3.25 to $3.32		$7.69 to $7.76

lululemon athletica inc.

Company-operated Store Count and Square Footage1

Square Footage Expressed in Thousands

		Number of Stores Open at the Beginning of the Quarter			Number of Stores Opened During the Quarter			Number of Stores Closed During the Quarter			Number of Stores Open at the End of the Quarter
4th Quarter 2020		515			8			2			521
1st Quarter 2021		521			3			1			523
2nd Quarter 2021		523			11			—			534
3rd Quarter 2021		534			19			1			552

		Total Gross Square Feet at the Beginning of the Quarter			Gross Square Feet Added During the Quarter2			Gross Square Feet Lost During the Quarter2			Total Gross Square Feet at the End of the Quarter
4th Quarter 2020		1,808			55			5			1,858
1st Quarter 2021		1,858			12			8			1,862
2nd Quarter 2021		1,862			43			—			1,905
3rd Quarter 2021		1,905			97			—			2,002

__________
1	Company-operated store count and square footage summary excludes retail locations operated by third parties under license and supply arrangements.
2	Gross square feet added/lost during the quarter includes net square foot additions for company-operated stores which have been renovated or relocated in the quarter.

 

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Investor Contact:

lululemon athletica inc.

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1-604-732-6124

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ICR, Inc.

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Media Contact:

lululemon athletica inc.

Erin Hankinson

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FAQ

What were lululemon's Q3 2021 earnings results?

Lululemon reported Q3 2021 revenue of $1.5 billion, a 30% increase, with diluted EPS of $1.44.

What is lululemon's guidance for Q4 2021?

Lululemon expects Q4 2021 revenue to be between $2.125 billion and $2.165 billion, with diluted EPS projected between $3.24 and $3.31.

How did lululemon's international sales perform in Q3 2021?

International sales increased by 40% in Q3 2021 compared to the previous year.

What percentage of lululemon's revenue came from direct-to-consumer sales in Q3 2021?

Direct-to-consumer revenue represented 40.4% of lululemon's total net revenue in Q3 2021.