Lululemon Athletica Inc. reported sales catapulted 88 percent in the first quarter year over year while gaining 25 percent on a two-year basis. Earnings rose sharply against the pandemic-impacted year-ago quarter and were well above Wall Street estimates.

Calvin McDonald, CEO, stated: “Our first-quarter results reflected strength across all drivers of growth, fueled by the continued expansion in our e-commerce business and a rebound in brick and mortar stores. Our strong performance across categories, channels and geographies demonstrates the momentum and strength of Lululemon as we shift into the new normal. All of us on the leadership team is grateful to our teams around the world who enabled these results, and who continue to focus on realizing growth.”

The fiscal year ending January 30, 2022 is referred to as “2021” and the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021 is referred to as “2020”. The adjusted non-GAAP financial measures below exclude certain costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of Mirror and the related tax effects.

For the first quarter of 2021, compared to the first quarter of 2020:

  • Net revenue increased 88 percent to $1.2 billion. On a constant dollar basis, net revenue increased 83 percent. Wall Street’s consensus estimate had been $1.13 billion. The company had projected sales in the range of $1.100 billion to $1.130 billion.
  • Company-operated stores net revenue increased 106 percent to $536.6 million.
  • Direct-to-consumer (DTC) net revenue increased 55 percent to $545.1 million. On a constant dollar basis, DTC net revenue increased 50 percent.
  • Net revenue increased 82 percent in North America and increased 125 percent internationally.
  • Direct to consumer net revenue represented 44.4 percent of total net revenue compared to 54.0 percent for the first quarter of 2020.
  • Gross profit increased 109 percent to $700.3 million and gross margin increased 580 basis points to 57.1 percent.
  • Income from operations increased 492 percent to $193.8 million. Adjusted income from operations increased 479 percent to $201.5 million.
  • Operating margin increased 1,080 basis points to 15.8 percent. Adjusted operating margin increased 1,110 basis points to 16.4 percent.
  • Income tax expense increased 827 percent to $49.1 million. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2021 was 25.3 percent compared to 15.6 percent for the first quarter of 2020. The adjusted effective tax rate was 24.5 percent for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 14.7 percent for the first quarter of 2020.
  • Diluted earnings per share were $1.11 compared to $0.22 in the first quarter of 2020. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.16 compared to $0.23 in the first quarter of 2020. Wall Street’s consensus estimate had been 91 cents. Lululemon had projected adjusted EPS in the range of 86 cents to 90 cents.
  • The company repurchased 0.3 million shares of its own common stock at an average cost of $311.02 per share.
  • The company opened two net new company-operated stores during the quarter, ending with 523 stores.

The consolidated statement of operations for the first quarter of 2019 is included in the tables at the end of this release for reference. For the first quarter of 2021, compared to the first quarter of 2019:

  • Net revenue increased by $444.2 million, or 57 percent, representing a two-year compound annual growth rate of 25 percent.
  • Gross margin increased 320 basis points.
  • Operating margin decreased 70 basis points. Adjusted operating margin decreased 10 basis points.
  • Diluted earnings per share were $1.11 compared to $0.74 in the first quarter of 2019. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.16 in the first quarter of 2021.

Meghan Frank, CFO, stated: “We are very pleased with our Q1 results, which reflect significant growth in the business compared to both 2020 and 2019. Our momentum remains strong as we enter the second quarter, and we are raising our estimates for the year accordingly. The strength of our financial position allows us to continue to deliver against the Power of Three growth strategies, while we leverage both near- and long-term opportunities.”

Balance Sheet highlights
The Company ended the first quarter of 2021 with $1.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents and the capacity under its committed revolving credit facilities was $397.3 million. Inventories at the end of the first quarter of 2021 increased 17 percent to $732.9 million compared to $625.8 million at the end of the first quarter of 2020.

2021 Outlook
For the second quarter of 2021, Lululemon expects net revenue to be in the range of $1.300 billion to $1.330 billion. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.05 to $1.10 for the quarter and adjusted diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.10 to $1.15.

For 2021, net revenue is expected to be in the range of $5.825 billion to $5.905 billion. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $6.52 to $6.65 for the year and adjusted diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $6.73 to $6.86.

Previously, guidance called for net revenue to be in the range of $5.550 billion to $5.650 billion. Diluted earnings per share was expected to be in the range of $6.10 to $6.25 for the year and adjusted earnings per share in the range of $6.30 to $6.45.

Photo courtesy Lululemon