Zumiez, Inc. reported earnings fell 10.7 percent year-over -ear but were ahead of levels reached in the fourth quarter of 2019. Sales grew 4.6 percent.
Net sales for the fourth quarter ended January 29, 2022 (13 weeks) increased 4.6 percent to $346.7 million from $331.5 million in the fourth quarter ended January 30, 2021 (13 weeks). Compared to the fourth quarter ended February 1, 2020 (13 weeks), fourth-quarter 2021 net sales increased 5.5 percent. Net income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 was $38.2 million, or $1.70 per diluted share, compared to net income of $42.8 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $37.9 million, or $1.48 per diluted share.
Total net sales for fiscal 2021 (52 weeks) ended January 29, 2022 increased 19.5 percent to $1,183.9 million from $990.7 million reported for fiscal 2020 (52 weeks) ended January 30, 2021. Compared to the fiscal 2019 (52 weeks) ended February 1, 2020, net sales increased 14.5 percent. Net income for fiscal 2021 was $119.3 million, or $4.85 per diluted share, compared to net income for fiscal 2020 of $76.2 million, or $3.00 per diluted share, and compared to net income for fiscal 2019 of $66.9 million, or $2.62 per diluted share.
At January 29, 2022, the company had cash and current marketable securities of $294.5 million compared to cash and current marketable securities of $375.5 million at January 30, 2021. The decrease in cash and current marketable securities was driven by share repurchases and capital expenditures partially offset by cash generated through operations. The company repurchased 4.6 million shares during fiscal 2021 an average cost of $43.30 per share and a total cost of $198.4 million.
Rick Brooks, CEO, Zumiez, Inc., said, “Fiscal 2021 was a year of tremendous growth and record profitability for Zumiez. Our multi-year success is directly attributable to the execution of the long-term consumer-centric growth strategy the company has been building and evolving since its inception. This strategy, which requires significant agility in navigating the trend cycles and speed desired by our customers, has produced a 36.1 percent five-year compound annual growth rate in diluted earnings per share and generated $422 million in free cash flow over the same period. And in 2021, we further enhanced our shareholder value creation through the repurchase of 4.6 million shares or 18 percent of our common stock. We are pleased with our many recent accomplishments and we are excited about the opportunities to profitably expand our global reach in the years to come.”
Fiscal First Quarter To Date Sales
Total first quarter-to-date sales for the 35 days ended March 5, 2022 decreased 1.9 percent, compared with the same 35 day time period in the prior year ended March 6, 2021. First quarter-to-date as of March 5, 2022, the company has repurchased an additional 1.2 million shares of stock at an average price of $44.47 and a total cost of $54.3 million.
Outlook
Given the positive impact of stimulus on net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and the current economic uncertainty, the company anticipates that net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 will be between $215 million and $221 million, down to the prior year. With this reduction in sales, the company expects to deleverage in the income statement related to both fixed costs and the re-introduction of expenses forgone in 2021 as a result of the pandemic such as store wages, training and travel. Earnings per diluted share for the quarter are expected to be break-even to a positive $0.10 per diluted share.
The company currently intends to open approximately 34 new stores in fiscal 2022, including up to 15 stores in North America, 14 stores in Europe and 5 stores in Australia.
