Williams-Sonoma, Inc. announces second quarter 2024 results

Rhea-AI Summary

Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM) reported Q2 2024 results with comparable brand revenue down 3.3% but operating margin improving to 16.2%. Diluted EPS grew 11.5% to $1.74. The company revised its 2024 outlook, now expecting annual net revenue growth between -4.0% and -1.5%, with comps ranging from -5.5% to -3.0%. However, WSM raised its operating margin guidance to 17.4% to 17.8% for fiscal 2024. The company maintained a strong liquidity position of $1.3 billion in cash and returned $203 million to stockholders through repurchases and dividends. A 2-for-1 stock split was effected in July 2024.

Positive

• Operating margin improved to 16.2%, up 160 basis points year-over-year
• Diluted EPS grew 11.5% to $1.74
• Gross margin increased by 550 basis points to 46.2%
• Merchandise margins improved by 380 basis points
• Supply chain efficiencies contributed 180 basis points to gross margin
• Raised operating margin guidance for fiscal 2024 to 17.4% to 17.8%
• Maintained strong liquidity position of $1.3 billion in cash
• Returned $203 million to stockholders through repurchases and dividends

Negative

• Comparable brand revenue declined by 3.3%
• Revised annual net revenue growth outlook to -4.0% to -1.5% for fiscal 2024
• Lowered comparable sales guidance to -5.5% to -3.0% for fiscal 2024
• SG&A expenses increased by 10.4% year-over-year
• SG&A rate increased by 390 basis points to 30.0%

Insights

Financial Analyst

Williams-Sonoma's Q2 results present a mixed picture. The -3.3% comparable brand revenue decline indicates challenging market conditions, but the company's ability to grow diluted EPS by 11.5% to $1.74 showcases strong profitability management. The operating margin of 16.2%, up 160 basis points year-over-year, is particularly impressive.

The revised outlook, with expected revenue decline of -4.0% to -1.5% for the full year, signals caution. However, the increased operating margin guidance of 17.4% to 17.8% (excluding the one-time adjustment) demonstrates confidence in cost control and efficiency measures. The company's strong liquidity position of $1.3 billion in cash provides a solid financial foundation.

Investors should note the 550 basis point improvement in gross margin, driven by higher merchandise margins and supply chain efficiencies. This suggests effective inventory management and pricing strategies in a tough retail environment.

Retail Market Analyst

Williams-Sonoma's performance reflects broader trends in the home goods sector. The -3.3% comp decline suggests ongoing consumer caution, but the company's market share gains indicate it's outperforming peers. The raised operating margin guidance, despite lower revenue expectations, points to successful adaptation to market conditions.

The -4.1% reduction in merchandise inventories is crucial, showing the company's agility in managing stock levels amid fluctuating demand. This lean inventory strategy could protect margins if sales soften further. The increased SG&A spend on advertising might be a strategic move to capture market share as competitors pull back.

Long-term, Williams-Sonoma's projection of mid-to-high single-digit annual revenue growth with mid-to-high teens operating margins appears optimistic given current headwinds. Investors should monitor the company's ability to balance growth initiatives with cost management in this challenging retail landscape.

Q2 comparable brand revenue -3.3%

Q2 operating margin of 16.2%; diluted EPS growth of 11.5% to $1.74

Revises 2024 outlook with lower revenues offset by higher operating margin

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) today announced operating results for the second quarter ended July 28, 2024 versus the second quarter ended July 30, 2023.

“Today we are reporting strong results for the second quarter of 2024, which were driven by our Q2 improved top-line trend, market-share gains, and continued delivery on our commitment to profitability. In Q2, our comp came in at -3.3%, and we exceeded profitability estimates with an operating margin of 16.2% and earnings per share of $1.74, reflecting the 2-for-1 stock split we completed in July,” said Laura Alber, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Alber concluded, “We are pleased with our operating results. Our revised outlook today reflects our prudent view of the top-line, and the confidence we have in our profitability profile. We now expect full year revenues to come in at a range of down 4.0% to down 1.5%, but we are raising our guidance on operating margin to be in the range of 17.4% to 17.8%. The reduction in our revenue outlook is offset by our raised operating margin guidance."

SECOND QUARTER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

• Comparable brand revenue -3.3%.
• Gross margin of 46.2% +550bps to LY driven by (i) higher merchandise margins of +380bps, (ii) supply chain efficiencies of +180bps, partially offset by (iii) occupancy deleverage of -10bps. Occupancy costs of $197 million, -3.0% to LY.
• SG&A rate of 30.0% +390bps to LY driven by higher performance-based incentive compensation and advertising spend. SG&A of $536 million, +10.4% to LY.
• Operating income of $290 million with an operating margin of 16.2%. +160bps to LY.
• Diluted EPS of $1.74. +11.5% to LY.
• Merchandise inventories -4.1% to the second quarter LY to $1.2 billion.
• Maintained strong liquidity position of $1.3 billion in cash and operating cash flow of $246 million, enabling the company to deliver returns to stockholders of $203 million through $130 million in stock repurchases and $73 million in dividends.
• On July 9, 2024, the Company effected a 2-for-1 stock split of its common stock through a stock dividend. All historical share and per share amounts in this release have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split.

FIRST QUARTER 2024 OUT-OF-PERIOD ADJUSTMENT

Subsequent to the filing of our Form 10-K, in April 2024, the Company determined that it over-recognized freight expense in fiscal years 2021, 2022 and 2023 for a cumulative amount of $49 million. The Company evaluated the error, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and determined that no prior interim or annual periods were materially misstated. The Company then evaluated whether the cumulative amount of the over-accrual was material to its projected fiscal 2024 results, and determined the cumulative amount was not material. Therefore, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the twenty-six weeks ended July 28, 2024 include an out-of-period adjustment of $49 million, recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, to reduce cost of goods sold and accounts payable, which corrected the cumulative error on the balance sheet as of January 28, 2024.

OUTLOOK

• We are revising our fiscal 2024 guidance to reflect lower net revenue trends and higher operating margin expectations. The net effect of these changes holds earnings materially in line with our prior implied EPS guidance.
• In fiscal 2024, we now expect annual net revenue growth in the range of -4.0% to -1.5% with comps in the range of -5.5% to -3.0% in fiscal 2024.
• We are raising our guidance on our operating margin for fiscal 2024. We now expect an operating margin between 18.0% to 18.4%, including the impact of the first quarter out-of-period adjustment of 60bps. Without this adjustment, we expect an operating margin between 17.4% to 17.8% in fiscal 2024.
• For fiscal 2024, we expect annual interest income to be approximately $45 million and our annual effective tax rate to be approximately 25.5%.
• Fiscal 2024 is a 53-week year. Our financial statements will be prepared on a 53-week basis in fiscal 2024 and a 52-week basis in fiscal 2023. However, we will report comps on a 53-week versus 53-week comparable basis. All other year-over-year comparisons will be 53-weeks in fiscal 2024 versus 52-weeks in fiscal 2023. We expect the additional week in fiscal 2024 to contribute 150bps to net revenue growth and 10bps to operating margin, both of which are reflected in our guidance.
• Over the long-term, we continue to expect mid-to-high single-digit annual net revenue growth with an operating margin in the mid-to-high teens.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will host a live conference call today, August 22, 2024, at 7:00 A.M. (PT). The call will be open to the general public via live webcast and can be accessed at http://ir.williams-sonomainc.com/events. A replay of the webcast will be available at http://ir.williams-sonomainc.com/events.

SEC REGULATION G — NON-GAAP INFORMATION

This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures. Exhibit 1 provides reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). We have not provided a reconciliation of non-GAAP guidance measures to the corresponding GAAP measures on a forward-looking basis as we cannot do so without unreasonable efforts due to the potential variability and limited visibility of excluded items, and for the same reasons, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. These excluded items include exit costs associated with the closure of our West Coast manufacturing facility and the exiting of Aperture, a division of our Outward, Inc. subsidiary, as well as costs related to reduction-in-force initiatives. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when reviewed in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, can provide meaningful supplemental information for investors regarding the performance of our business and facilitate a meaningful evaluation of current period performance on a comparable basis with prior periods. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in order to have comparable financial results to analyze changes in our underlying business from quarter to quarter. In addition, certain other items may be excluded from non-GAAP financial measures when the company believes this provides greater clarity to management and investors. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for or superior to the GAAP financial measures presented in this press release and our financial statements and other publicly filed reports. Non-GAAP measures as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or are proven incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements in the quotes of our President and Chief Executive Officer, our updated fiscal year 2024 outlook and long-term financial targets, and statements regarding our industry trends and business strategies.

The risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include: continuing changes in general economic conditions, and the impact on consumer confidence and consumer spending; the continuing impact of inflation and measures to control inflation, including changing interest rates, on consumer spending; the continuing impact of global conflicts, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and shortages of various raw materials on our global supply chain, retail store operations and customer demand; labor and material shortages; the outcome of our growth initiatives; new interpretations of or changes to current accounting rules; our ability to anticipate consumer preferences and buying trends; dependence on timely introduction and customer acceptance of our merchandise; changes in consumer spending based on weather, political, competitive and other conditions beyond our control; delays in store openings; competition from companies with concepts or products similar to ours; timely and effective sourcing of merchandise from our foreign and domestic vendors and delivery of merchandise through our supply chain to our stores and customers; effective inventory management; our ability to manage customer returns; uncertainties in e-marketing, infrastructure and regulation; multi-channel and multi-brand complexities; our ability to introduce and grow new brands and brand extensions; challenges associated with our increasing global presence; dependence on external funding sources for operating capital; disruptions in the financial markets; our ability to control employment, occupancy, supply chain, product, transportation and other operating costs; our ability to improve our systems and processes; changes to our information technology infrastructure; general political, economic and market conditions and events, including war, conflict or acts of terrorism; the impact of current and potential future tariffs and our ability to mitigate impacts; the potential for increased corporate income taxes; and other risks and uncertainties described more fully in our public announcements, reports to stockholders and other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2024 and all subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. We have not filed our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 28, 2024. As a result, all financial results described here should be considered preliminary, and are subject to change to reflect any necessary adjustments or changes in accounting estimates that are identified prior to the time we file the Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

ABOUT WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the world’s largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company’s products, representing distinct merchandise strategies — Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and GreenRow — are marketed through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores. These brands are also part of The Key Rewards, our loyalty and credit card program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma family of brands. We operate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, offer international shipping to customers worldwide, and have unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea and India, as well as e-commerce websites in certain locations. We are also proud to be a leader in our industry with our values-based culture and commitment to achieving our sustainability goals. Our company is Good By Design — we’ve deeply ingrained sustainability into our business. From our factories to your home, we’re united in a shared purpose to care for our people and our planet.

For more information on our sustainability efforts, please visit: https://sustainability.williams-sonomainc.com/

WSM-IR

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (unaudited)
	For the Thirteen Weeks Ended												For the Twenty-six Weeks Ended
	July 28, 2024						July 30, 2023						July 28, 2024						July 30, 2023
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	$			% of Revenues			$			% of Revenues			$			% of Revenues			$			% of Revenues
Net revenues	$	1,788,307		100.0	%		$	1,862,614		100.0	%		$	3,448,655		100.0	%		$	3,618,065		100.0	%
Cost of goods sold		961,981		53.8				1,105,047		59.3				1,819,814		52.8				2,185,439		60.4
Gross profit		826,326		46.2				757,567		40.7				1,628,841		47.2				1,432,626		39.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses		536,410		30.0				486,019		26.1				1,015,097		29.4				961,601		26.6
Operating income		289,916		16.2				271,548		14.6				613,744		17.8				471,025		13.0
Interest income, net		15,208		0.9				3,335		0.2				31,261		0.9				8,833		0.3
Earnings before income taxes		305,124		17.1				274,883		14.8				645,005		18.7				479,858		13.3
Income taxes		79,379		4.4				73,376		3.9				153,594		4.5				121,820		3.4
Net earnings	$	225,745		12.6	%		$	201,507		10.8	%		$	491,411		14.2	%		$	358,038		9.9	%
Earnings per share (EPS):
Basic	$	1.76					$	1.57					$	3.83					$	2.75
Diluted	$	1.74					$	1.56					$	3.78					$	2.73
Shares used in calculation of EPS:
Basic		128,256						128,326						128,334						130,012
Diluted		129,810						129,051						130,103						131,173

	2nd Quarter Net Revenues and Comparable Brand Revenue Growth (Decline)1
		Net Revenues						Comparable Brand Revenue Growth (Decline)
	(In millions, except percentages)	Q2 24			Q2 23			Q2 24			Q2 23
	Pottery Barn	$	726		$	786		(7.1	)%		(10.6	)%
	West Elm		459			484		(4.8	)		(20.8	)
	Williams Sonoma		240			245		(0.8	)		(0.7	)
	Pottery Barn Kids and Teen		259			256		1.5			(9.0	)
	Other2		104			92		N/A			N/A
	Total	$	1,788		$	1,863		(3.3	)%		(11.9	)%
	1 See the Company’s 10-K and 10-Q for the definition of comparable brand revenue, which is calculated on a 13-week basis, and includes business-to-business revenues.
	2 Primarily consists of net revenues from Rejuvenation, our international franchise operations, Mark and Graham, and GreenRow.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
	As of
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	July 28, 2024				January 28, 2024				July 30, 2023
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,265,259			$	1,262,007			$	514,435
Accounts receivable, net		112,492				122,914				117,045
Merchandise inventories, net		1,247,426				1,246,369				1,300,838
Prepaid expenses		99,409				59,466				73,521
Other current assets		19,711				29,041				26,293
Total current assets		2,744,297				2,719,797				2,032,132
Property and equipment, net		975,137				1,013,189				1,036,407
Operating lease right-of-use assets		1,150,180				1,229,650				1,232,925
Deferred income taxes, net		106,080				110,656				73,610
Goodwill		77,307				77,306				77,322
Other long-term assets, net		158,671				122,950				119,415
Total assets	$	5,211,672			$	5,273,548			$	4,571,811
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	595,601			$	607,877			$	597,104
Accrued expenses		207,633				264,306				184,996
Gift card and other deferred revenue		576,458				573,904				435,369
Income taxes payable		53,373				96,554				127,581
Operating lease liabilities		233,361				234,517				222,155
Other current liabilities		92,369				103,157				96,645
Total current liabilities		1,758,795				1,880,315				1,663,850
Long-term operating lease liabilities		1,081,108				1,156,104				1,168,221
Other long-term liabilities		121,539				109,268				118,785
Total liabilities		2,961,442				3,145,687				2,950,856
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock: $0.01 par value; 7,500 shares authorized, none issued		—				—				—
Common stock: $0.01 par value; 253,125 shares authorized; 127,788, 128,301, and 128,289 shares issued and outstanding at July 28, 2024, January 28, 2024 and July 30, 2023, respectively		1,278				1,284				1,283
Additional paid-in capital		538,172				587,960				550,866
Retained earnings		1,728,063				1,555,595				1,084,772
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(16,848	)			(15,552	)			(14,540	)
Treasury stock, at cost		(435	)			(1,426	)			(1,426	)
Total stockholders' equity		2,250,230				2,127,861				1,620,955
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	5,211,672			$	5,273,548			$	4,571,811

	Retail Store Data (unaudited)
		Beginning of quarter							End of quarter		As of
		April 28, 2024		Openings		Closings			July 28, 2024		July 30, 2023
	Pottery Barn	184		3		(2	)		185		190
	Williams Sonoma	156		2		—			158		164
	West Elm	121		1		—			122		123
	Pottery Barn Kids	45		—		—			45		46
	Rejuvenation	11		—		—			11		9
	Total	517		6		(2	)		521		532

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
	For the Twenty-six Weeks Ended
(In thousands)	July 28, 2024				July 30, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	491,411			$	358,038
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		113,264				110,843
Loss on disposal/impairment of assets		2,963				14,185
Non-cash lease expense		129,608				126,981
Deferred income taxes		(5,931	)			(3,841	)
Tax benefit related to stock-based awards		10,139				12,334
Stock-based compensation expense		44,846				44,159
Other		(1,578	)			(1,647	)
Changes in:
Accounts receivable		10,393				(1,502	)
Merchandise inventories		(1,415	)			154,712
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(66,647	)			(6,615	)
Accounts payable		(26,617	)			87,840
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		(54,924	)			(67,955	)
Gift card and other deferred revenue		2,800				(43,699	)
Operating lease liabilities		(131,848	)			(135,206	)
Income taxes payable		(43,181	)			66,358
Net cash provided by operating activities		473,283				714,985
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(70,946	)			(92,880	)
Other		(13	)			211
Net cash used in investing activities		(70,959	)			(92,669	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchases of common stock		(173,603	)			(310,000	)
Payment of dividends		(135,768	)			(116,643	)
Tax withholdings related to stock-based awards		(88,851	)			(49,950	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(398,222	)			(476,593	)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		(850	)			1,368
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		3,252				147,091
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		1,262,007				367,344
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	1,265,259			$	514,435

	Exhibit 1
	2nd Quarter GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (unaudited)
		For the Thirteen Weeks Ended										For the Twenty-six Weeks Ended
		July 28, 2024					July 30, 2023					July 28, 2024					July 30, 2023
	(In thousands, except per share data)	$		% of revenues			$		% of revenues			$		% of revenues			$			% of revenues
	Occupancy costs	$	197,243	11.0	%		$	203,259	10.9	%		$	393,398	11.4	%		$	405,871		11.2	%
	Exit Costs1		—					—					—					(239	)
	Non-GAAP occupancy costs	$	197,243	11.0	%		$	203,259	10.9	%		$	393,398	11.4	%		$	405,632		11.2	%
	Gross profit	$	826,326	46.2	%		$	757,567	40.7	%		$	1,628,841	47.2	%		$	1,432,626		39.6	%
	Exit Costs1		—					—					—					2,141
	Non-GAAP gross profit	$	826,326	46.2	%		$	757,567	40.7	%		$	1,628,841	47.2	%		$	1,434,767		39.7	%
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	536,410	30.0	%		$	486,019	26.1	%		$	1,015,097	29.4	%		$	961,601		26.6	%
	Exit Costs1		—					—					—					(15,790	)
	Reduction-in-force Initiatives2		—					—					—					(8,316	)
	Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses	$	536,410	30.0	%		$	486,019	26.1	%		$	1,015,097	29.4	%		$	937,495		25.9	%
	Operating income	$	289,916	16.2	%		$	271,548	14.6	%		$	613,744	17.8	%		$	471,025		13.0	%
	Exit Costs1		—					—					—					17,931
	Reduction-in-force Initiatives2		—					—					—					8,316
	Non-GAAP operating income	$	289,916	16.2	%		$	271,548	14.6	%		$	613,744	17.8	%		$	497,272		13.7	%
		$		Tax rate			$		Tax rate			$		Tax rate			$			Tax rate
	Income taxes	$	79,379	26.0	%		$	73,376	26.7	%		$	153,594	23.8	%		$	121,820		25.4	%
	Exit Costs1		—					—					—					4,690
	Reduction-in-force Initiatives2		—					—					—					2,174
	Non-GAAP income taxes	$	79,379	26.0	%		$	73,376	26.7	%		$	153,594	23.8	%		$	128,684		25.4	%
	Diluted EPS	$	1.74				$	1.56				$	3.78				$	2.73
	Exit Costs1		—					—					—					0.10
	Reduction-in-force Initiatives2		—					—					—					0.05
	Non-GAAP diluted EPS3	$	1.74				$	1.56				$	3.78				$	2.88
	1 During Q1 2023, we incurred exit costs of $17.9 million, including $9.3 million associated with the closure of our West Coast manufacturing facility and $8.6 million associated with the exiting of Aperture, a division of our Outward, Inc. subsidiary.
	2 During Q1 2023, we incurred costs related to reduction-in-force initiatives of $8.3 million primarily in our corporate functions.
	3 Per share amounts may not sum due to rounding to the nearest cent per diluted share.

SEC Regulation G – Non-GAAP Information

These tables include non-GAAP occupancy costs, gross profit, gross margin, selling, general and administrative expense, operating income, operating margin, income taxes, effective tax rate and diluted EPS. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information for investors regarding the performance of our business and facilitate a meaningful evaluation of our quarterly actual results on a comparable basis with prior periods. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in order to have comparable financial results to analyze changes in our underlying business from quarter to quarter. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240822101499/en/

Jeff Howie EVP, Chief Financial Officer – (415) 402 4324

Jeremy Brooks SVP, Chief Accounting Officer & Head of Investor Relations – (415) 733 2371

Source: Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

FAQ

What was Williams-Sonoma's (WSM) comparable brand revenue growth in Q2 2024?

Williams-Sonoma's comparable brand revenue declined by 3.3% in Q2 2024.

How much did Williams-Sonoma's (WSM) diluted EPS grow in Q2 2024?

Williams-Sonoma's diluted EPS grew by 11.5% to $1.74 in Q2 2024.

What is Williams-Sonoma's (WSM) revised revenue outlook for fiscal 2024?

Williams-Sonoma revised its fiscal 2024 outlook, now expecting annual net revenue growth between -4.0% and -1.5%.

What is Williams-Sonoma's (WSM) updated operating margin guidance for fiscal 2024?

Williams-Sonoma raised its operating margin guidance for fiscal 2024 to a range of 17.4% to 17.8%.

Did Williams-Sonoma (WSM) complete a stock split in 2024?

Yes, Williams-Sonoma effected a 2-for-1 stock split through a stock dividend on July 9, 2024.