Vera Bradley Announces First Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Results
Vera Bradley, Inc. reported Q1 financial results with consolidated net revenues of $98.5 million, down from $109.1 million year-over-year. The company experienced a net loss of $7.0 million, or $0.21 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net loss was $6.1 million, or $0.19 per diluted share. Direct segment revenues fell by 7.6%, while Indirect revenues increased by 11.2%. The company plans to reduce costs by $15-25 million and continues share repurchases. The CEO noted ongoing macroeconomic challenges impacting customer spending.
- Strong balance sheet with $64.0 million in cash and no debt
- Completed $10.5 million in share repurchases
- Indirect segment revenues increased by 11.2%
- Plans to reduce costs by $15-25 million
- Consolidated net revenues down 10.6% year-over-year
- Consolidated net loss increased from $2.1 million to $7.0 million
- Direct segment revenues decreased by 7.6%
- Pura Vida revenues fell 26.8%
- Lowering outlook for the fiscal year due to macroeconomic challenges
Consolidated net revenues totaled
Net loss totaled (
Balance sheet remains strong, with cash and cash equivalents of
FORT WAYNE, Ind., June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vera Bradley, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRA) today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended April 30, 2022.
In this release, Vera Bradley, Inc. or “the Company” refers to the entire enterprise and includes both the Vera Bradley and Pura Vida brands. Vera Bradley on a stand-alone basis refers to the Vera Bradley brand.
First Quarter Comments
Rob Wallstrom, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, noted, “While total Company first quarter revenues of
“We are clearly seeing a bifurcation in the spending of our customer base. At Vera Bradley, Direct Channel full-line revenues were above last year as customers with higher household incomes remained engaged and spent more than last year. We also saw a healthy year-over-year rebound in Indirect Channel revenues. However, inflationary pressures, including rising gas prices, particularly impacted the spending of Vera Bradley full-line customers with household incomes below
“For the balance of the year, we are taking decisive actions to strengthen the enterprise and remain highly focused on our two core brands.
- On a Company-wide basis, we are:
- Meaningfully reducing our cost structure, targeting annual savings of
$15 t o$25 million . - Continuing to evaluate and execute strategic price increases for both brands to offset rising raw material and freight costs, as appropriate.
- Meaningfully reducing our cost structure, targeting annual savings of
- At the Vera Bradley brand, we remain confident in our core strategy, by continuing to:
- Innovate and build on our lifestyle merchandising strategy, with a laser focus on protecting the core, amplified by targeted marketing, by:
- Maximizing the travel category, which is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels.
- Optimizing back-to-campus opportunities, with strategic assortment enhancements.
- Continuing with successful product collaborations like Disney and adding new iconic partnerships including Star Wars, Coleman, and Tupperware.
- Expanding our footwear and home assortments this fall and holiday season.
- Innovate and build on our lifestyle merchandising strategy, with a laser focus on protecting the core, amplified by targeted marketing, by:
- At Pura Vida, we are focused on returning the brand to long-term growth.
- Our newly-hired Chief Growth Officer and Pura Vida leadership team will work to build a more diverse, innovative, effective, and performance-based marketing program by bolstering our internal marketing and data analytics talent and platform.
- We will open three additional retail store locations, building on the success of the first store opening in San Diego in 2021. Since opening, we continue to experience a double-digit differential in our San Diego ecommerce business relative to the rest of the country, demonstrating the power a retail presence has in driving digital sales, omni-channel loyalty, and spending. Stores will play a key role in driving new customer acquisition as we continue to diversify our marketing platforms.
- We will build customer excitement and engagement through collaborations like Disney and Hello Kitty, partnering with key influencers, and offering themed-collections centered around key events.”
Wallstrom continued. “We are preparing for the macro environment to remain challenging through the remainder of this year and into next year. And, despite the strength in Pura Vida’s store business and opportunity for new store growth, we know that it will take time to return the ecommerce business to growth as rebuilding the marketing platform and remixing the marketing program is underway. We are taking decisive actions that will further strengthen both core brands and our enterprise as a whole, not only to successfully manage through this period but position us for the future. Our teams are focused, and our cash position and balance sheet remain strong. We have successfully managed through challenging business cycles before, and I am confident we will manage through this period as well. We look forward to returning both brands to steady growth.”
Summary of Financial Performance for the First Quarter
Consolidated net revenues totaled
For the current year first quarter, Vera Bradley, Inc.’s consolidated net loss totaled (
For the prior year first quarter, the Company’s consolidated net loss totaled (
Non-GAAP Numbers
The current year non-GAAP first quarter income statement numbers referenced below exclude the previously outlined intangible asset amortization and impairment charges. The prior year non-GAAP first quarter income statement numbers referenced below exclude the previously outlined intangible asset amortization.
First Quarter Details
Current year first quarter Vera Bradley Direct segment revenues totaled
Vera Bradley Indirect segment revenues totaled
Pura Vida segment revenues totaled
First quarter consolidated gross profit totaled
Consolidated SG&A expense totaled
The Company’s first quarter consolidated operating loss totaled (
By segment:
- Vera Bradley Direct’s first quarter operating income was
$5.5 million , or8.9% of Direct net revenues, compared to operating income of$10.9 million , or16.3% of Direct net revenues, in the prior year. - Vera Bradley Indirect’s first quarter operating income was
$5.5 million , or32.3% of Indirect net revenues, compared to$4.5 million , or29.2% of Indirect net revenues, in the prior year. - Pura Vida’s first quarter operating income was
$1.1 million , or5.3% of Pura Vida net revenues, compared to$2.5 million , or9.3% of Pura Vida net revenues, in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, Pura Vida’s current year first quarter operating income was$1.8 million , or9.2% of Pura Vida net revenues, compared to$3.3 million , or12.1% of Pura Vida net revenues, in the prior year.
Balance Sheet
Net capital spending for the first quarter totaled
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments as of April 30, 2022 totaled
Total quarter-end inventory was
During the first quarter, the Company repurchased approximately
Forward Outlook
Wallstrom also commented, "As we expect the challenging macroeconomic environment to continue for the balance of the year and that it will take time to return the Pura Vida ecommerce business to growth, we believe it is appropriate to lower our outlook for the fiscal year.”
Excluding net revenues, all forward-looking guidance numbers referenced below are non-GAAP. The prior year SG&A and earnings per diluted share numbers exclude the previously disclosed net charges related to intangible asset amortization. Current year guidance excludes previously disclosed intangible asset amortization, impairment, and any similar charges.
For Fiscal 2023, the Company’s updated expectations are as follows:
- Consolidated net revenues of
$490 t o$505 million . Net revenues totaled$540.5 million in Fiscal 2022. Year-over-year Vera Bradley revenues are expected to decline between5% and7% , and Pura Vida revenues are expected to decline between12% and16% . - A consolidated gross profit percentage of
54.5% to55.0% compared to53.3% in Fiscal 2022. The potential year-over-year increase is primarily related to price increases, partially offset by incremental inbound and outbound freight expense. - Consolidated SG&A expense of
$248 t o$253 million compared to$258.8 million in Fiscal 2022. The reduction in SG&A expense is being driven by cost reduction initiatives and a reduction in compensation expense, marketing, and other variable-related expenses due to the expected sales decline from the prior year. - Consolidated operating income of
$18.8 t o$25.0 million compared to$30.1 million in Fiscal 2022. - Consolidated diluted EPS of
$0.35 t o$0.50 b ased on diluted weighted-average shares outstanding of 32.1 million and an effective tax rate of between 23.0 and24.0% . Diluted EPS totaled$0.57 last year. - Net capital spending of approximately
$10 t o$12 million compared to$5.5 million in the prior year, reflecting investments associated with new Vera Bradley factory and Pura Vida store locations and technology and logistics enhancements.
Disclosure Regarding Non-GAAP Measures
The Company's management does not, nor does it suggest that investors should, consider the supplemental non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Further, the non-GAAP measures utilized by the Company may be unique to the Company, as they may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies.
The Company believes that the non-GAAP measures presented in this earnings release, including free cash flow; selling, general, and administrative expenses; operating loss; net loss; net loss attributable and available to Vera Bradley, Inc.; and diluted net loss per share available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders, along with the associated percentages of net revenues, are helpful to investors because they allow for a more direct comparison of the Company’s year-over-year performance and are consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures can be found in the Company’s supplemental schedules included in this earnings release.
Call Information
A conference call to discuss results for the first quarter is scheduled for today, Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. A broadcast of the call will be available via Vera Bradley’s Investor Relations section of its website, www.verabradley.com. Alternatively, interested parties may dial into the call at (800) 437-2398, and enter the access code 1664068. A replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and remain available through June 22, 2022. To access the recording, listeners should dial (844) 512-2921, and enter the access code 1664068.
About Vera Bradley, Inc.
Vera Bradley, Inc. operates two unique lifestyle brands – Vera Bradley and Pura Vida. Vera Bradley and Pura Vida are complementary businesses, both with devoted, emotionally-connected, and multi-generational female customer bases; alignment as casual, comfortable, affordable, and fun brands; positioning as “gifting” and socially-connected brands; strong, entrepreneurial cultures; a keen focus on community, charity, and social consciousness; multi-channel distribution strategies; and talented leadership teams aligned and committed to the long-term success of their brands.
Vera Bradley, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a leading designer of women’s handbags, luggage and other travel items, fashion and home accessories, and unique gifts. Founded in 1982 by friends Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, the brand is known for its innovative designs, iconic patterns, and brilliant colors that inspire and connect women unlike any other brand in the global marketplace.
In July 2019, Vera Bradley, Inc. acquired a
The Company has three reportable segments: Vera Bradley Direct (“VB Direct”), Vera Bradley Indirect (“VB Indirect”), and Pura Vida. The VB Direct business consists of sales of Vera Bradley products through Vera Bradley full-line and factory outlet stores in the United States, verabradley.com, verabradley.ca, Vera Bradley’s online outlet site, and the Vera Bradley annual outlet sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The VB Indirect business consists of sales of Vera Bradley products to approximately 1,800 specialty retail locations throughout the United States, as well as select department stores, national accounts, third party e-commerce sites, and third-party inventory liquidators, and royalties recognized through licensing agreements related to the Vera Bradley brand. The Pura Vida segment consists of sales of Pura Vida products through the Pura Vida websites, www.puravidabracelets.com, www.puravidabracelets.eu, and www.puravidabracelets.ca, and through the distribution of its products to wholesale retailers and department stores.
Website Information
We routinely post important information for investors on our website www.verabradley.com in the "Investor Relations" section. We intend to use this webpage as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our webpage is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.
Investors and other interested parties may also access the Company’s most recent Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report outlining its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives at https://verabradley.com/pages/corporate-responsibility.
Vera Bradley Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations or beliefs concerning future events and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected, including: possible adverse changes in general economic conditions and their impact on consumer confidence and spending; possible inability to predict and respond in a timely manner to changes in consumer demand; possible loss of key management or design associates or inability to attract and retain the talent required for our business; possible inability to maintain and enhance our brands; possible inability to successfully implement the Company’s long-term strategic plan; possible inability to successfully open new stores, close targeted stores, and/or operate current stores as planned; incremental tariffs or adverse changes in the cost of raw materials and labor used to manufacture our products; possible adverse effects resulting from a significant disruption in our distribution facilities; or business disruption caused by COVID-19 or other pandemics. Risks, uncertainties, and assumptions also include the possibility that Pura Vida acquisition benefits may not materialize as expected and that Pura Vida’s business may not perform as expected. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company’s financial results is included from time to time in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the Company’s public reports filed with the SEC, including the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2022. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement. Financial schedules are attached to this release.
CONTACTS:
Investors:
Julia Bentley, VP of Investor Relations and Communications
jbentley@verabradley.com
(260) 207-5116
Media:
mediacontact@verabradley.com
877-708-VERA (8372)
Vera Bradley, Inc. | |||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||||||
April 30, 2022 | January 29, 2022 | May 1, 2021 | |||||||||
Assets | |||||||||||
Current assets: | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 63,987 | $ | 88,436 | $ | 51,371 | |||||
Short-term investments | - | - | 1,293 | ||||||||
Accounts receivable, net | 20,115 | 20,681 | 21,945 | ||||||||
Inventories | 161,787 | 144,881 | 150,335 | ||||||||
Income taxes receivable | 3,466 | 9,391 | 8,782 | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 17,458 | 15,928 | 18,478 | ||||||||
Total current assets | 266,813 | 279,317 | 252,204 | ||||||||
Operating right-of-use assets | 79,827 | 79,873 | 86,181 | ||||||||
Property, plant, and equipment, net | 60,032 | 59,941 | 62,391 | ||||||||
Intangible assets, net | 43,454 | 44,223 | 46,527 | ||||||||
Goodwill | 44,254 | 44,254 | 44,254 | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes | 3,980 | 3,857 | 3,161 | ||||||||
Other assets | 5,337 | 6,081 | 6,525 | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | 503,697 | $ | 517,546 | $ | 501,243 | |||||
Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, and Shareholders' Equity | |||||||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 39,327 | $ | 30,492 | $ | 23,160 | |||||
Accrued employment costs | 7,897 | 12,463 | 11,122 | ||||||||
Short-term operating lease liabilities | 17,288 | 18,699 | 21,210 | ||||||||
Other accrued liabilities | 17,298 | 16,422 | 14,736 | ||||||||
Total current liabilities | 81,810 | 78,076 | 70,228 | ||||||||
Long-term operating lease liabilities | 81,513 | 80,861 | 88,228 | ||||||||
Other long-term liabilities | 168 | 195 | 83 | ||||||||
Total liabilities | 163,491 | 159,132 | 158,539 | ||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest | 31,092 | 30,974 | 30,307 | ||||||||
Shareholders' equity: | |||||||||||
Additional paid-in-capital | 107,040 | 107,907 | 105,076 | ||||||||
Retained earnings | 327,390 | 334,364 | 314,381 | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (60 | ) | (29 | ) | - | ||||||
Treasury stock | (125,256 | ) | (114,802 | ) | (107,060 | ) | |||||
Total shareholders' equity of Vera Bradley, Inc. | 309,114 | 327,440 | 312,397 | ||||||||
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest, and shareholders' equity | $ | 503,697 | $ | 517,546 | $ | 501,243 |
Vera Bradley, Inc. | |||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | |||||||
(in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||
Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||||||
April 30, 2022 | May 1, 2021 | ||||||
Net revenues | $ | 98,459 | $ | 109,094 | |||
Cost of sales | 45,945 | 49,930 | |||||
Gross profit | 52,514 | 59,164 | |||||
Selling, general, and administrative expenses | 60,914 | 60,896 | |||||
Other income (loss), net | 167 | (227 | ) | ||||
Operating loss | (8,233 | ) | (1,959 | ) | |||
Interest expense, net | 40 | 90 | |||||
Loss before income taxes | (8,273 | ) | (2,049 | ) | |||
Income tax benefit | (1,563 | ) | (531 | ) | |||
Net loss | (6,710 | ) | (1,518 | ) | |||
Less: Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest | 264 | 627 | |||||
Net loss attributable to Vera Bradley, Inc. | $ | (6,974 | ) | $ | (2,145 | ) | |
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding | 32,672 | 33,590 | |||||
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 32,672 | 33,590 | |||||
Basic net loss per share available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders | $ | (0.21 | ) | $ | (0.06 | ) | |
Diluted net loss per share available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders | $ | (0.21 | ) | $ | (0.06 | ) |
Vera Bradley, Inc. | |||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | |||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||
Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||||||
April 30, 2022 | May 1, 2021 | ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | |||||||
Net loss | $ | (6,710 | ) | $ | (1,518 | ) | |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||||
Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment | 2,192 | 2,286 | |||||
Amortization of operating right-of-use assets | 5,260 | 4,930 | |||||
Impairment charges | 592 | - | |||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 769 | 769 | |||||
Provision for doubtful accounts | (143 | ) | (66 | ) | |||
Stock-based compensation | 543 | 1,814 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | (123 | ) | 369 | ||||
Other non-cash gain, net | - | (45 | ) | ||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts receivable | 709 | 5,664 | |||||
Inventories | (16,906 | ) | (8,919 | ) | |||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | (786 | ) | (779 | ) | |||
Accounts payable | 8,165 | (4,234 | ) | ||||
Income taxes | 5,925 | (1,731 | ) | ||||
Operating lease liabilities, net | (6,565 | ) | (6,800 | ) | |||
Accrued and other liabilities | (4,004 | ) | (1,780 | ) | |||
Net cash used in operating activities | (11,082 | ) | (10,040 | ) | |||
Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment | (1,745 | ) | (503 | ) | |||
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant, and equipment | - | 45 | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (1,745 | ) | (458 | ) | |||
Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||
Tax withholdings for equity compensation | (1,410 | ) | (2,171 | ) | |||
Repurchase of common stock | (10,035 | ) | - | ||||
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest | (146 | ) | (129 | ) | |||
Net cash used in financing activities | (11,591 | ) | (2,300 | ) | |||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (31 | ) | (6 | ) | |||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (24,449 | ) | $ | (12,804 | ) | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 88,436 | 64,175 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 63,987 | $ | 51,371 |
Vera Bradley, Inc. | |||||||||||
First Quarter Fiscal 2023 | |||||||||||
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Thirteen Weeks Ended April 30, 2022 | |||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||||||
Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||||||||||
As Reported | Other Items | Non-GAAP (Excluding Items) | |||||||||
Gross profit | $ | 52,514 | $ | - | $ | 52,514 | |||||
Selling, general, and administrative expenses | 60,914 | 1,361 | 1 | 59,553 | |||||||
Operating loss | (8,233 | ) | (1,361 | ) | (6,872 | ) | |||||
Loss before income taxes | (8,273 | ) | (1,361 | ) | (6,912 | ) | |||||
Income tax benefit | (1,563 | ) | (338 | ) | 2 | (1,225 | ) | ||||
Net loss | (6,710 | ) | (1,023 | ) | (5,687 | ) | |||||
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest | 264 | (192 | ) | 456 | |||||||
Net loss attributable to Vera Bradley, Inc. | (6,974 | ) | (831 | ) | (6,143 | ) | |||||
Diluted net loss per share available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders | $ | (0.21 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.19 | ) | ||
Vera Bradley Direct segment operating income | $ | 5,503 | $ | - | $ | 5,503 | |||||
Vera Bradley Indirect segment operating income | $ | 5,479 | $ | - | $ | 5,479 | |||||
Pura Vida segment operating income (loss) | $ | 1,056 | $ | (769 | ) | 3 | $ | 1,825 | |||
Unallocated corporate expenses | $ | (20,271 | ) | $ | (592 | ) | 4 | $ | (19,679 | ) | |
1Items include | |||||||||||
2Related to the tax impact of the charges mentioned above | |||||||||||
3Related to the amortization of definite-lived intangible assets | |||||||||||
4Related to a right-of-use asset impairment charge |
Vera Bradley, Inc. | |||||||||||
First Quarter Fiscal 2022 | |||||||||||
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Thirteen Weeks Ended May 1, 2021 | |||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||||||
Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||||||||||
As Reported | Other Items | Non-GAAP (Excluding Items) | |||||||||
Gross profit | $ | 59,164 | $ | - | $ | 59,164 | |||||
Selling, general, and administrative expenses | 60,896 | 769 | 1 | 60,127 | |||||||
Operating loss | (1,959 | ) | (769 | ) | (1,190 | ) | |||||
Loss before income taxes | (2,049 | ) | (769 | ) | (1,280 | ) | |||||
Income tax benefit | (531 | ) | (163 | ) | 2 | (368 | ) | ||||
Net loss | (1,518 | ) | (606 | ) | (912 | ) | |||||
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest | 627 | (192 | ) | 819 | |||||||
Net loss attributable to Vera Bradley, Inc. | (2,145 | ) | (414 | ) | (1,731 | ) | |||||
Diluted net loss per share available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | ||
Vera Bradley Direct segment operating income | $ | 10,860 | $ | - | $ | 10,860 | |||||
Vera Bradley Indirect segment operating income | $ | 4,461 | $ | - | $ | 4,461 | |||||
Pura Vida segment operating income (loss) | $ | 2,508 | $ | (769 | ) | 1 | $ | 3,277 | |||
Unallocated corporate expenses | $ | (19,788 | ) | $ | - | $ | (19,788 | ) | |||
1Includes the amortization of definite-lived intangible assets | |||||||||||
2Related to the tax impact of the charge mentioned above |
FAQ
What are Vera Bradley's Q1 2022 financial results for VRA?
How has Vera Bradley’s revenue changed compared to last year?
What is the outlook for Vera Bradley's fiscal year 2022?
What initiatives is Vera Bradley undertaking to improve performance?