Dillard’s, Inc. reported earnings fell 12 percent in the second quarter ended July 30 on flat same-store sales. Earnings in the six months rose 20.5 percent on a 10 percent comp gain.

CEO William T. Dillard, II stated, “Business softened in the quarter as we lapped the strongest second quarter in our history. Our first half performance was far better than last year’s with net income up 21 percent, earnings per share up 44 percent and gross margin up 240 basis points. We repurchased $412 million of stock during the half versus $171 million last year.”

Highlights of the 26 Weeks (compared to the prior year 26 weeks):

  • Total retail sales increased 10 percent;
  • Comparable store sales increased 10 percent;
  • Net income of $414.5 million compared to $343.9 million;
  • Earnings per share of $23.07 compared to $16.03;
  • Retail gross margin of 44.5 percent of sales compared to 42.1 percent of sales;
  • Operating expenses were $802.1 million (25.1 percent of sales) compared to $702.5 million (24.2 percent of sales); and
  • Share repurchase of $412.3 million (approximately 1,610,000 shares).

26-Week Results
Dillard’s reported net income for the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2022 of $414.5 million, or $23.07 per share, compared to $343.9 million, or $16.03 per share, for the prior year’s 26-week period. Included in net income for the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2022 is a pretax gain of $7.2 million ($5.6 million after-tax or $0.31 per share) primarily related to the sale of store property.

Included in net income for the prior year’s 26-week period ended July 31, 2021 is a pretax gain of $24.7 million ($19.2 million after-tax or $0.89 per share) primarily related to the sale of three store properties.

Sales—26 Weeks
Net sales for the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2022 and July 31, 2021 were $3.200 billion and $2.899 billion, respectively. Net sales include the operations of the company’s construction business, CDI Contractors, LLC (CDI).

Total retail sales (which excludes CDI) for the 26-week periods ended July 30, 2022 and July 31, 2021 were $3.133 billion and $2.836 billion, respectively. Total retail sales increased 10 percent for the 26-week period ended July 30, 2022. Sales in comparable stores increased 10 percent.

Gross Margin—26 Weeks
Consolidated gross margin for the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2022 was 43.7 percent of sales compared to 41.3 percent of sales for the prior year’s 26-week period.

Retail gross margin (which excludes CDI) for the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2022 improved 240 basis points of sales to 44.5 percent compared to 42.1 percent for the prior year’s 26-week period.

Inventory increased 7 percent at July 30, 2022 against a 13 percent decrease at July 31, 2021.

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses—26 Weeks
Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses (operating expenses) for the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2022 increased from $99.6 million to $802.1 million (25.1 percent of sales) compared to $702.5 million (24.2 percent of sales) for the prior year 26-week period primarily due to continued increases in payroll and payroll related expenses.

Second Quarter Highlights
(compared to the prior year’s second quarter)

  • Comparable store sales were flat;
  • Net income of $163.4 million compared to net income of $185.7 million;
  • Earnings per share of $9.30 compared to $8.81;
  • Retail gross margin of 41.5 percent of sales compared to 41.7 percent of sales;
  • Operating expenses were $401.3 million (25.3 percent of sales) compared to $365.9 million (23.3 percent of sales); and
  • Share repurchase of $225.8 million (approximately 875,000 shares).

Second Quarter Results
Dillard’s reported net income for the 13 weeks ended July 30, 2022 of $163.4 million, or $9.30 per share, compared to net income of $185.7 million, or $8.81 per share, for the 13 weeks ended July 31, 2021.

Sales—Second Quarter
Net sales for the 13 weeks ended July 30, 2022 and July 31, 2021 were $1.589 billion and $1.570 billion, respectively.

Total retail sales for the 13-week periods ended July 30, 2022 and July 31, 2021 were $1.553 billion and $1.539 billion, respectively. Total retail sales increased 1 percent for the 13-week period ended July 30, 2022. Sales in comparable stores were flat. Stronger performing categories included men’s apparel and accessories and cosmetics. Ladies’ apparel was the weakest performing category.

Gross Margin—Second Quarter
Consolidated gross margin for the 13 weeks ended July 30, 2022 was 40.8 percent of sales compared to 41.0 percent of sales for the prior year’s second quarter. The company achieved a gross margin exceeding 40 percent for the sixth consecutive quarter.

Retail gross margin for the 13 weeks ended July 30, 2022 declined 20 basis points of sales to 41.5 percent compared to 41.7 percent for the prior year’s second quarter.

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses—Second Quarter
Consolidated operating expenses for the 13 weeks ended July 30, 2022 were $401.3 million (25.3 percent of sales) compared to $365.9 million (23.3 percent of sales) for the prior year’s second quarter.

Retail operating expenses were $399.5 million (25.7 percent of sales) compared to $364.2 million (23.7 percent of sales). The increase in operating expenses is primarily due to increased payroll and payroll-related expenses in the current highly competitive and inflationary wage environment.

Share Repurchase
During the second quarter, the company purchased $225.8 million (approximately 875,000 shares) of Class A Common Stock at an average price of $258.11 per share under its share repurchase program.

During the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2022, the company purchased $412.3 million, approximately 1,610,000 shares, of Class A Common Stock at an average price of $256.10 per share. For the same period last year, the company repurchased $171.0 million of stock, approximately 1,359,000 shares. As of July 30, 2022, authorization of $199.7 million remained under the February 2022 program.

Total shares outstanding (Class A and Class B Common Stock) at July 30, 2022 and July 31, 2021 were 17.2 million and 20.7 million, respectively.

Store Information
Dillards announced the upcoming closing of locations in Sikes Senter in Wichita Falls, TX and East Hills Mall in St. Joseph, MO. Both locations are expected to close during the third quarter. Dillard’s confirmed its commitment to The Empire Mall in Sioux Falls, SD. The new store is expected to open in Fall 2023 and will mark the company’s 30th state of operation.

The company operates 250 Dillard’s locations and 29 clearance centers spanning 29 states and an Internet store at dillards.com. The total square footage at July 30, 2022 was 47.5 million square feet.

Photo courtesy Dillard’s