Profits at Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, Inc. declined 34.3 percent on an adjusted basis in the fourth quarter ended January 29 as sales declined 5 percent. 

“We are very pleased with our performance for the fourth quarter as we exceeded our guidance given earlier in the year,” said Jon Barker, Sportsman’s Warehouse CEO. “While there was some softening in our shooting sports category in 2021, our business fundamentals remain strong, with growth in all our other categories, led by double-digit growth in footwear and apparel. We also expanded our footprint by opening 10 new stores during the year, refurbished another 19 stores, and grew our e-commerce business to over 15 percent of net sales, successfully executing on our strategic initiatives.”

Barker continued, “As we look ahead this year, it’s encouraging that we continue to see strong participation in outdoor activities. We will continue to improve our merchandising and overall customer experience, and believe we are well positioned to capture additional market share and further grow our omni-channel platform.”

For the thirteen weeks ended January 29, 2022 Net sales were $416.3 million, a decrease of 5.0 percent, compared to $438.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020. The net sales decrease was primarily due to lower sales in its firearms and ammunition categories compared to the prior-year period. Compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, net sales increased 61.3 percent from $258.2 million.

Same-store sales decreased 10.8 percent during the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. Compared to the same period of 2019, same-store sales increased 38.2 percent.

Gross profit was $136.6 million or 32.8 percent of net sales, compared to $142.0 million or 32.4 percent of net sales in the comparable prior-year period. The 40 basis point improvement as a percentage of net sales could be attributed to a favorable product sales mix and higher product margins, partially offset by higher overall transportation and freight costs.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased to $113.4 million, an increase of 10.5 percent, compared to $102.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020. This increase was primarily due to higher payroll expenses from the addition of ten new stores during the year, minimum wage increases at 53 of our stores and a one-time retention bonus paid to certain senior employees during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021. The company also experienced increases in rent, other SG&A expenses, depreciation, and store pre-opening expenses during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021.

Net income was $58.4 million, compared to a net income of $29.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Adjusted net income was $22.0 million compared to an adjusted net income of $33.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA was $38.5 million, compared to $51.5 million in the comparable prior-year period. Diluted earnings per share were $1.31 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.66 in the comparable prior year period. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.49 compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.75 for the comparable prior-year period.

On January 18, Sportsman’s Warehouse said it expected sales and adjusted diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $405 to $410 million and $0.43 to $0.48, respectively. The retailer had not previously provided guidance.

For the fifty-two weeks ended January 29, 2022 net sales were $1,506.1 million, an increase of $54.3 million, or 3.7 percent, compared to fiscal year 2020. This net sales increase was primarily due to the opening of 10 new stores during the year, as well as increased growth in its e-commerce platform compared to the prior year.

Same-store sales decreased 2.2 percent during fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020. This decrease was due to lower sales in our firearms and ammunition categories. Compared to fiscal year 2019, same-store sales increased 42.5 percent.

The retailer opened ten new stores in 2021 and ended the year with 122 total stores in operation.

Gross profit was $490.3 million or 32.6 percent of net sales, as compared to $476.5 million or 32.8 percent of net sales for fiscal year 2020. This year-over-year decrease of 20-basis points in gross profit margin was due to higher transportation and freight costs.

SG&A expenses increased to $399.7 million or 26.5 percent of net sales, compared with $353.7 million or 24.4 percent of net sales for fiscal year 2020. This increase was primarily due to higher payroll expenses from the addition of ten new stores during the year, minimum wage increases at 53 of our stores and a one-time retention bonus paid to certain senior employees during 2021. It also experienced increases in rent, other SG&A expenses, depreciation, and store pre-opening expenses during fiscal year 2021.

Net income was $108.5 million compared to a net income of $91.4 million in fiscal year 2020. Adjusted net income was $76.8 million compared to adjusted net income of $99.1 million in fiscal year 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA was $136.6 million compared to $163.2 million in fiscal year 2020.

Diluted earnings per share were $2.44 for fiscal year 2021, compared to diluted earnings per share of $2.06 last year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.72 for fiscal year 2021 compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.23 last year.

Balance sheet highlights as of January 29, 2022
The company ended the year with net debt of $9.1 million, comprised of $57.0 million of cash on hand and $66.1 million of borrowings outstanding under the company’s revolving credit facility. In comparison, net debt as of the end of fiscal year 2019 was $144.1 million, comprised of $1.7 million of cash on hand and $145.8 million in total debt. In December 2021, we received a $55 million cash payment from Great Outdoors Group in connection with the termination of the merger agreement.

Total liquidity was $203 million as of the end of fiscal 2021, comprised of $146 million of availability on the revolving credit facility and $57 million of cash-on-hand.

First Quarter 2022 Outlook
For the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, net sales are expected to be in the range of $300 million to $310 million, anticipating that same-store sales will be down 14 percent to 11 percent year-over-year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the quarter are expected to be in the range of ($0.01) to $0.01.

Jeff White, CFO, Sportsman’s Warehouse said, “We believe we are in a very solid financial position heading into this year, with sufficient overall inventory levels and a healthy balance sheet. We will take a disciplined approach in how we allocate our capital and will look to utilize the balance sheet as we invest in new store development, bring on new talent and technology, and consider strategic acquisition opportunities. Additionally, we are pleased that our Board has authorized a share repurchase program, as announced last week.”

Photo courtesy Sportsman’s Warehouse