L.L. Bean reported annual net sales of $1.56 billion for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013, marking a 3 percent increase over 2012, when sales came in flat. The company said it plans to pay 8 percent performance bonuses to approximately 5,000 full and part-time employees.
“L.L. Bean has performed very well in a marketplace that continued to struggle – with economic uncertainty, political distractions and shaky consumer confidence,” said Chris McCormick, L.L. Bean’s President and CEO. “The company’s solid performance in fiscal 2013 is the result of a lot of hard work and dedication of our employees. The positive performance is also the outcome of strategies and investments put in motion in 2010 while the economy was still in a recession.”
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our appreciation to the L.L. Bean employees that made this happen,” said Shawn Gorman, L.L. Bean’s Chairman of the Board. “This year-end bonus is in recognition of their hard work, and a tribute to the strategies and investments we set in motion in 2010 that positioned the company for growth. We have an amazingly talented team in place and are pleased to continue the family’s commitment to keeping employee and shareholder interests aligned and reward our employees for their hard work, dedication and achievements.”
In addition to the bonus announcement, the company also reported to its employees the additional contribution of $40 million to fully fund its defined benefit pension program. Combined with the bonus, this represents a $78.5 million investment in L.L. Bean employees.
“We have made substantial investments in our website as well as in our internal processes, all with a goal of providing better product assortment and quality service to our customers,” said McCormick. “These investments have paid off in increased online sales, greater productivity and wide appeal for new fits and styles in Men’s, Women’s and Outerwear, as well as an expanded Active line. In addition we saw growth in Sporting Equipment with strong performance in our Hunting and Fishing lines as people continue to spend more time outdoors. Our Maine-made L.L. Bean Boot production is at an all-time high, demonstrating Bean’s first product is as relevant today as it was 101 years ago.”
Looking Ahead:
“We look forward to another successful year in 2014,” McCormick continued. “The past few years have focused on prudent management of the business and conservative growth plans. In the new fiscal year we will make the largest single-year capital investment with an additional $100 million in the Web, Retail expansion and business systems to fuel our continued growth. We will be opening four new stores, expanding our Signature product line and growing the brand as we see continued strengthening of the economy.”
2013 Business Highlights:
- 2013 company revenues $1.56 billion
- Men’s and Women’s Apparel and Outerwear and Sporting Goods saw revenue growth, with particular growth in our Hunting and Fishing categories, the heart of our outdoors heritage
- L.L. Bean Boot production continues at an all-time high
- $100 Million investment in internal productivity and process improvements
- ForeSee named L.L. Bean #1 in Overall Customer Satisfaction and ranks 2nd in E-Holiday Customer Satisfaction; Internet Retailer named LLB one of top 10 online apparel retailers; ranked #1 for email resolution by StellaService
- L.L. Bean donated $1.6 million in corporate contributions to nearly 200 non-profit organizations and an additional $360,000 for disaster relief
- Created unique tote bags out of Boston’s Fenway Park infield rain delay tarp, with profits donated to The One Fund Boston to support victims of the Boston Marathon bombing
- Provided Red Sox team and staff with one-of-a-kind red Bean Boots complete with World Series logo, to commemorate their 2013 victory
- Retail: 2013 marks the most profitable year for retail since the company began operating stores outside of Maine; opened one new store in Freehold, NJ; Fayetteville New York Outlet converted to full price store; first-ever kiosk opened in the Natick Mall was a huge success, 88 percent over plan
- Outdoor Discovery School participants at an all-time high of 100,900
- International: new store in popular Jiyugaoka area of Tokyo opened in October; introduced three successful collaborations: Isetan department store, Tokyo Disneyland and Beam’s department store to sell specialty products made by L.L. Bean manufacturing in Brunswick, Maine
- On December 5th 173,000 orders shipped; from Thanksgiving to Christmas 3.5 million orders shipped, 1,633,424 calls answered
- Customer Satisfaction responded to 128,000 contacts on Cyber Tuesday
- Record-breaking United Way campaign raised $1.626 million in corporate and employee donations for United Way offices
