G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. reported earnings more than doubled in the fourth quarter as sales grew 42 percent. Sales grew 35 percent in the full year and are expected to expand 8 percent in 2022.

(NasdaqGS: GIII) today announced operating results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal 2022 year ended January 31, 2022.

Morris Goldfarb, G-III’s chairman and chief executive officer, said, “Fiscal year 2022 was a testament to the power of G-III. We continued to build upon our strong foundation and delivered our highest annual net income per diluted share in our company’s history. We captured market share by anticipating demand and working with retail partners, despite the significant supply chain challenges. We are in a strong financial position affording us the flexibility to continue to invest in our future.”

Goldfarb concluded, “Capping off the strongest year in our company’s history, I could not be prouder of what our world-class team has accomplished. Looking ahead, we are optimistic about the momentum of our business and the many opportunities for growth which gives us confidence in our outlook for the upcoming fiscal year 2023. Our ability to unlock the potential of our brands will continue to fuel our growth and further elevate our position as a leader in fashion.”

Net sales for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2022 increased 35 percent to $2.77 billion from $2.06 billion in the prior year. The company reported net income for the fiscal year of $200.6 million, or $4.05 per diluted share, compared to $23.5 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, in the prior year.

The company completed the restructuring of its retail operations segment during fiscal 2021 and closed its Wilsons Leather and G.H. Bass stores. Included in the company’s results for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021 are net losses from the Wilsons Leather and G.H. Bass store operations of $55.7 million, or $(1.14) per diluted share. These results reflect direct store operations including impairment charges, but do not include any allocated corporate overhead charges, shared administrative expenses or shared distribution expenses. These operating results for Wilsons Leather and G.H. Bass are presented solely to provide the historical operating results of the portion of the company’s retail operations segment that was closed and are not intended to be used to develop expectations for future results of the company or to indicate any future level of profitability of the company.

Net sales for the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2022 increased 42 percent to $748.2 billion from $526.2 million in the fourth quarter last year. The company reported net income for the fourth quarter of $48.4 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, compared to $14.6 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter last year. Included in the company’s fourth-quarter results ended January 31, 2021 are net losses from the Wilsons Leather and G.H. Bass store operations of $8.6 million, or $(0.17) per diluted share.

Share Repurchase Plan
G-III announced today that its Board of Directors has increased the previously authorized share repurchase program. There were 2.3 million shares available under the prior program which the Board has increased to 10 million shares. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased, if any, will depend on a number of factors, including market conditions and prevailing stock prices, and are subject to compliance with certain covenants contained in our credit agreement. Share repurchases may take place on the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or by other means, and would be made in accordance with applicable securities laws. The company currently has approximately 47.9 million shares of common stock outstanding.

Outlook
The company today issued guidance for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2023. The company’s fiscal year 2023 guidance contemplates the expected impact from the current supply chain conditions, including expected increased shipping costs and delays in receipt of goods. However, the guidance does not contemplate any reimposition of government-mandated store closures or other governmental restrictions as the result of new COVID-19 variants that may emerge. The reimposition of store closures or other restrictions could have a material impact on our net sales, results of operations and supply chain during fiscal 2023. The company’s fiscal 2023 results could differ materially from its current outlook as a result of the occurrence of any of these or other uncontemplated events. Further, the company has no direct operations in Russia or Ukraine. Exposure from sales to this area are expected to have an immaterial impact on the financial results of fiscal year 2023.

For fiscal 2023, the company expects net sales of approximately $3.0 billion and net income between $205.0 million and $215.0 million, or between $4.20 and $4.30 per diluted share. This compares to net sales of $2.77 billion and net income of $200.6 million, or $4.05 per diluted share, last year. For the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, the company expects net sales of approximately $600.0 million compared to $519.9 million in the same period last year. Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 is expected to be in the range $25.0 million and $30.0 million, or $0.50 and $0.60 per diluted share. This compares to a net income of $26.3 million or $0.53 per diluted share in last year’s first quarter.

G-III’s portfolio includes more than 30 licensed and proprietary apparel brands is anchored by five global power brands: DKNY, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Karl Lagerfeld Paris. G-III’s owned brands include DKNY, Donna Karan, Vilebrequin, G.H. Bass, Eliza J, Jessica Howard, Andrew Marc, Marc New York, and Sonia Rykiel. G-III has fashion licenses under the Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan, Guess?, Vince Camuto, Levi’s, and Dockers brands. Through its team sports business, G-III has licenses with the National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, and over 150 U.S. colleges and universities.

Photo courtesy G-III/Wilsons Leather