Williams-Sonoma, Inc. announces strong first quarter results

Rhea-AI Summary

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) reported record results for Q1 2021, showcasing a 40.4% growth in comparable brand revenue. The company achieved a non-GAAP operating margin of 15.9%, an improvement of 950bps year-over-year. With a significant liquidity position of $640 million in cash, WSM repaid a $300 million term loan and announced plans to increase the fiscal year 2021 outlook to mid-teen revenue growth. CEO Laura Alber highlighted the unique positioning in the market driven by in-house design and a digital-first strategy.

Positive

• Q1 2021 comparable brand revenue growth of 40.4%, with brands like West Elm growing 50.9%.
• Non-GAAP operating margin rose to 15.9%, enhancing profitability by 950bps.
• GAAP diluted EPS reached $2.90, up 296% year-over-year.
• Strong liquidity with $640 million in cash and $238 million in operating cash flow, allowing for loan repayment and share repurchases.
• Raised fiscal year 2021 outlook to low double-digit to mid-teen revenue growth.

Negative

• None.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM), the world’s largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, today announced operating results for the first fiscal quarter ended May 2, 2021 (“Q1 21”) versus the first fiscal quarter ended May 3, 2020 (“Q1 20”).

“We are proud to report another record quarter of accelerating revenue and profitability with over 40% comp growth and a 950bps expansion in our non-GAAP operating margin. These results were driven by strength across all of our brands. We are seeing strength in our core businesses and our new growth initiatives have outperformed. As re-openings accelerate across the country, a record number of customers continue to shop with us as they invest in their homes. We are honored to be our customers' destination for their entertaining and home furnishings needs as they welcome friends and family back,” said Laura Alber, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“As a result, we are raising our full year outlook from mid-to-high single digit revenue growth to low-double digit to mid-teen revenue growth and year-over-year operating margin expansion. We believe our business is uniquely positioned to gain market share given our growth strategies and our three key differentiators:

1. Our in‐house design;
2. Our digital-first channel strategy; and
3. Our values.

These differentiators are more relevant than ever with our customers and set us apart from our competition,” Alber continued.

Alber concluded, “As we look ahead, we are confident in our runway for growth and profitability. The goals we have set are driving incremental growth faster than anticipated, our brand differentiators continue to accelerate, and favorable macro trends should continue to benefit our business for the long-term. We are the only home furnishings retailer that’s able to serve customers at scale online and provide the experience and convenience of physical retail with exclusive sustainable products – giving us the unique advantage to gain share for many years to come.”

FIRST QUARTER 2021

• Comparable brand revenue growth accelerates to 40.4%, with all brands accelerating sequentially including West Elm at 50.9%, Pottery Barn at 41.3%, Williams Sonoma at 35.3% and Pottery Barn Kids and Teen at 27.6%
• GAAP gross margin of 43.0%; non-GAAP gross margin of 43.0%, expanding 850bps and driven by higher year-over-year merchandise margins and occupancy leverage of approximately 410bps; occupancy costs were approximately $176 million, relatively flat to last year
• GAAP SG&A rate of 27.3%; non-GAAP SG&A rate of 27.1%, leveraging approximately 100bps and reflecting the strength of our topline performance and ongoing financial discipline
• GAAP operating margin of 15.7%; non-GAAP operating margin of 15.9%, leveraging approximately 950bps
• GAAP diluted EPS of $2.90; non-GAAP diluted EPS of $2.93, or 296% higher than last year
• Maintaining strong liquidity position of $640 million in cash and over $238 million in operating cash flow, enabling the company to repay its $300 million term loan in full, let its 364-day $200 million line of credit facility expire, and repurchase approximately $315 million in shares

OUTLOOK

Fiscal Year 2021

Given the strength of our business year-to-date and the macro trends that we believe will continue to benefit our business, we are raising our fiscal year 2021 outlook to low double-digit to mid-teen net revenue growth and year-over-year non-GAAP operating margin expansion.

Long-Term Financial Guidance

For the long-term, we are planning for net revenue growth of mid-to-high single digits and non-GAAP operating margin expansion. Our strong results, combined with our three key differentiators of in-house design, digital-first channel strategy and values, and the macro trends that should benefit our business over the long-term, give us confidence in these future growth projections and an accelerated path to $10 billion in net revenues and maintaining at least 15% non-GAAP operating margins in the next five years.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will host a live conference call today, May 26, 2021, at 2:00 P.M. (PT). The call, hosted by Laura Alber, President and Chief Executive Officer, 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 due to the potential variability and limited visibility of excluded items; these excluded items may include expenses related to the impact of inventory write-offs, the acquisition of Outward, Inc., and asset impairment charges. 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 statements relating to: our ability to capture significant opportunities in the home furnishings industry; increase our market share; our ability to continue to improve performance; our focus on operational excellence; our ability to improve customers’ experience; our optimism about the future; our ability to maximize growth and maintain high profitability; our fiscal year 2021 outlook and long-term financial targets, including projected net revenue growth and operating margin expansion; our stock repurchase program and dividend e

FAQ

What were the key financial results for WSM in Q1 2021?

Williams-Sonoma reported a 40.4% growth in comparable brand revenue and a non-GAAP operating margin of 15.9%.

How much did WSM's diluted EPS increase in Q1 2021?

The diluted EPS for WSM in Q1 2021 was $2.90, which is 296% higher than the previous year.

What is the revised fiscal year 2021 outlook for WSM?

WSM raised its fiscal year 2021 outlook to a projected low-double digit to mid-teen revenue growth.

What differentiators does WSM highlight for its market position?

WSM emphasizes its in-house design, digital-first strategy, and values as key differentiators in the market.

What is WSM's cash position reported in Q1 2021?

Williams-Sonoma reported a strong liquidity position with $640 million in cash.