Los Angeles, CA —  Skechers nounced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

2023 Highlights

• Record annual sales of $8.00 billion, a year-over-year increase of 7.5%
• Direct-to-Consumer sales grew 24.3%
• Diluted earnings per share of $3.49, a year-over-year increase of 46.6%
• Inventory decrease of $292.6 million or 16.1% from December 31, 2022

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Record fourth quarter sales of $1.96 billion, a year-over-year increase of 4.4%
• Direct-to-Consumer sales grew 20.3%
• Diluted earnings per share of $0.56, a year-over-year increase of 16.7%
• Repurchased $60 million of Class A common stock

“Skechers achieved a new fourth quarter sales record of $1.96 billion, and a record gross margin of 53.1%. This success reflects the strong worldwide demand for our comfort technology products, especially in our Direct-to-Consumer business which grew 20%. Our Wholesale business experienced a decrease in sales of 8%, as several retailers continued to conservatively manage their inventory levels. However, we are optimistic that this behavior is changing based upon early reads from January shipments and positive order trends for the first half of the year,” stated David Weinberg, Chief Operating Officer of Skechers. “Regionally in the quarter, Asia Pacific grew 15%, led by double-digit growth in China, the Americas grew 3%, and Europe, Middle East and Africa decreased 7%. For the full-year, we achieved a new annual sales record of $8.00 billion, reduced inventory levels by 16%, and continued to invest in our distribution facilities, including new locations in India, Canada and Latin America. We begin 2024 confident in the strength of our brand and continued growth in both our Direct-to-Consumer and Wholesale segments globally.”

“Skechers’ new annual sales record of $8.00 billion was the result of the broad acceptance for our products worldwide, our loyal and growing consumer base, the cultivated relationships with our partner network, and our determined and dedicated team,” began Robert Greenberg, Chief Executive Officer of Skechers. “As always, product and marketing are paramount to our success, with comfort, quality, style and innovation inspiring every collection. Throughout the year, we delivered fresh styles of our proven Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins, understanding that consumers of all ages appreciate the comfort and convenience of this technology. We also introduced partnerships and a capsule collection with Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg, who appeared in a joint Super Bowl campaign. Skechers Performance signed Europe’s top goal scorer for 2023, Harry Kane, as well as other premier players for the launch of Skechers Football. We further expanded our product offering and elite-level roster with NBA players Julius Randle and Terance Mann, both competing in Skechers Basketball. With over 5,000 Skechers retail stores and becoming a Fortune 500 company, our brand’s global reach continues to expand. Our product initiatives and diverse line-up of athletes and ambassadors offers numerous opportunities to tell the Skechers story, and further grow our business globally. Given our momentum, we are confident that 2024 will be another successful year for the Company.”

Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Fourth quarter sales increased 4.4% as a result of a 6.9% increase internationally and a 0.3% increase domestically. Direct-to-Consumer increased 20.3% and Wholesale decreased 8.3%. On a constant currency basis, sales increased 2.8%.

Wholesale sales declined $86.6 million, or 8.3%, including decreases in EMEA of 19.5% and AMER of 7.4%, partially offset by an increase in APAC of 7.1%. Wholesale volume decreased 9.5% and average selling price increased 1.2%.

Direct-to-Consumer sales grew $168.7 million, or 20.3%, including increases in APAC of 21.2%, AMER of 14.6%, and EMEA of 53.1%. Direct-to-Consumer volume increased 11.8% and average selling price increased 7.7%.

Gross margin was 53.1%, an increase of 470 basis points, primarily due to higher average selling prices, a higher proportion of Direct-to-Consumer sales, and lower costs per unit, driven by lower freight costs.

Operating expenses increased $88.1 million, or 10.7%, and as a percentage of sales increased 270 basis points to 46.5%. Selling expenses increased $25.0 million, or 15.8%, and as a percentage of sales increased 90 basis points to 9.3%. The increase was due to higher brand demand creation expenditures. General and administrative expenses increased $63.1 million, or 9.5%, and as a percentage of sales increased 170 basis points to 37.1%. Increased expenses were primarily driven by increased facility costs, including rent and depreciation, and labor. These were partially offset by decreases in volume-driven labor and warehouse and distribution expenses from the supply chain and logistical challenges in the prior year.

Earnings from operations increased $43.7 million, or 50.4%, to $130.3 million, resulting in an operating margin of 6.6%.

Net earnings were $87.2 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.56 compared with prior year net earnings of $75.5 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.48.

In the fourth quarter, the Company’s effective income tax rate was 20.3%.

“Skechers’ record sales and earnings demonstrate the strong global position of our brand, compelling product assortment, and worldwide execution capabilities,” said John Vandemore, Chief Financial Officer of Skechers. “2023 was a dynamic year full of challenges, which the Skechers team faced with outstanding determination and agility. We are optimistic about 2024, where we will continue to execute against our long-term growth strategy of expanding internationally and deepening our Direct-to-Consumer relationships, and we remain confident in our sales goal of $10 billion by 2026.”

Full Year 2023 Financial Results

Full year sales increased 7.5%, reflecting a 13.3% increase internationally and a 0.8% decrease domestically. Direct-to-Consumer increased 24.3% and Wholesale decreased 2.8%. On a constant currency basis, sales increased 7.9%.

Wholesale sales decreased $127.6 million, or 2.8%, due to a decrease in AMER of 10.6%, partially offset by increases in APAC of 12.6% and EMEA of 0.1%. Wholesale volume decreased 8.7% and average selling price increased 6.3%.

Direct-to-Consumer sales grew $683.4 million, or 24.3%, due to increases in AMER of 21.5%, APAC of 22.0%, and EMEA of 49.2%. Direct-to-Consumer volume increased 19.6% and average selling price increased 4.0%.

Gross margin was 51.9%, an increase of 470 basis points, primarily driven by higher average selling prices and a higher proportion of Direct-to-Consumer sales.

Operating expenses increased $398.9 million or 13.4%. As a percentage of sales, operating expenses increased 220 basis points to 42.1%. Selling expenses increased $93.3 million or 16.0%, primarily due to higher global demand creation expenditures. General and administrative expenses increased $305.7 million or 12.8%, primarily driven by labor, and facility costs, including rent and depreciation. These were partially offset by decreases in volume-driven labor and warehouse and distribution expenses from the supply chain and logistical challenges in the prior year.

Earnings from operations increased $238.1 million to $784.8 million, resulting in an operating margin of 9.8%.

Net earnings were $545.8 million and diluted earnings per share were $3.49, an increase of 46.6% over the prior year.

The Company’s effective income tax rate was 18.8%.

Balance Sheet

Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $1.39 billion, an increase of $598.1 million, or 75.9% from December 31, 2022, due to increased earnings and favorable changes in working capital, primarily inventory. Increases were partially offset by capital expenditures of $323.7 million, $160.1 million of share repurchases, and payments of $70.4 million, net of cash acquired, related to the acquisition of our Scandinavian distributor.

Inventory was $1.53 billion, a decrease of $292.6 million or 16.1% from December 31, 2022.

Share Repurchase

During the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased 1.1 million shares of its Class A common stock at a cost of $60.0 million. In 2023, the Company repurchased 3.2 million shares of its Class A common stock at a cost of $160.1 million. As of December 31, 2023, approximately $265.7 million remained available under the Company’s share repurchase program.

Outlook

For the fiscal year 2024, the Company believes it will achieve sales between $8.60 and $8.80 billion and diluted earnings per share of between $3.65 and $3.85. The Company believes that for the first quarter of 2024, it will achieve sales between $2.175 and $2.225 billion and diluted earnings per share of between $1.05 and $1.10. Further, the Company believes that total capital expenditures will be between $350 and $400 million in 2024, inclusive of construction of the Company’s second distribution center in China.

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