Q3 2024 Caleres Inc Earnings Call
Speaker 1: Hello and welcome to the Polaris Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Call. My name is Kevin and I'll be your conference operator.
Hello, and welcome to the Polaris third quarter 2023 earnings call. My name is Kevin and I'll be your conference operator.
Speaker 1: If anyone should require operator assistance, please press star zero on your telephone keypad.
If anyone should require operator assistance. Please press star zero on your telephone keypad.
Speaker 1: A question and answer session will follow the following presentation.
Short answer session will follow the presentation. He may be placed in the question queue at any time by pressing star one on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded its now my pleasure to turn the call over to Logan bought of course, he vice President of Investor Relations. Please go ahead okay.
Speaker 1: You may be placed into question queue at any time by pressing star 1 on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is...
Speaker 1: It's now my pleasure to turn the call over to Logan Bonaccorsy, Vice President Investor Relations. Please go ahead Logan.
Speaker 2: Good morning. Thank you for joining our third quarter 2023 earnings calling webcast. A press release with detailed financial table as well as our quarterly size presentation are available at calaris.com.
Good morning, Thank you for joining our third quarter, it's funny 23 earnings call and webcast.
Press release with detailed financial tables, as well as our quarterly slide presentation are available on Polaris dotcom.
Speaker 2: Please be aware today's discussion contains forward-looking statements which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially due to various risk factors, including but not limited to the factors disclosed in the company's Form 10-K and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Please be aware today's discussion contains forward looking statements, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties actual results may differ materially due to various risk factors, including but not limited to the factors disclosed in the company's Form 10-K, and other filings with the U S Securities and Exchange Commission. Please.
Speaker 2: Please refer to today's press release and our SEC filings for more information on risk factors and other factors which could impact forward-looking statements. Copies of these reports are available online. In discussing the results of our operations, we will be providing and referring to certain non-GAAP financial measures. You can find additional information regarding these non-GAAP financial measures, as well as others used in today's earnings release and our presentation on the investor section of our website.
Please refer to today's press release, and our SEC filings for more information on risk factors and other factors, which could impact forward looking statements.
Copies of these reports are available online and discussing the results of our operations, we will be providing and referring to certain non-GAAP financial measures you.
You can find additional information regarding these non-GAAP financial measures as well as others used in todays earnings release and a presentation on the investors section of our website.
Speaker 2: The company undertakes no obligation to update information discussed in this call at any time.
The company undertakes no obligation to update information discussed in this call at any time.
Speaker 2: Joining me on the call today are Jay Schmitt, President and CEO , Jack Calandra, Senior Vice President and CFO . We will begin this morning's call with our prepared remarks, and thereafter, we will be happy to take your questions. I would now like to turn the call over to Jay. Jay? Thank you, Logan.
Joining me on the call today are J Smith, President and CEO, Jack Calandra, Senior Vice President and CFO.
To begin this morning's call with our prepared remarks, and thereafter, we'll be happy to take your questions I would now like to turn the call over to J J.
Thank you Logan and good morning, everyone.
Speaker 3: We are pleased to report earnings per share results above our guidance rate.
We are pleased to report earnings per share results above our guidance range.
Speaker 3: The Calaris team built on our strong first half results, leveraged our competitive advantages and core competencies, and drove another period of solid operational and financial performance.
The choleric team built on our strong first half results leveraged our competitive advantages and core competencies and drove another period of solid operational and financial performance.
Speaker 3: Our consistent ability to deliver underscores the strength of our brand assets and the power of our operating model.
Our consistent ability to deliver underscores the strength of our brand assets and the power of our operating model.
Speaker 3: During the 3rd quarter, we achieved adjusted earnings per share of $1 and 37 cents. Which was above the high end of our guidance range. And represented a nearly 20% increase over the 3rd quarter of 2022.
Yeah.
During the third quarter, we achieved adjusted earnings per share of $1.37.
Which was above the high end of our guidance range and represented a nearly 20% increase over the third quarter of 2022.
Speaker 3: Consolidated sales declined 4.6%, slightly below our expectations. However, we saw strong sequential improvement in the sales trend in the brand portfolio and continued strength in our cornerstone kids business at Famous Footwear.
Consolidated sales declined four 6% slightly below our expectations. However, we saw strong sequential improvement in the sales trend in the brand portfolio and continued strength in our cornerstone kids business at famous footwear.
Speaker 3: We achieved these results despite ongoing softness in the demand environment and weak seasonal demand in boots that impacted both segments of our business.
We achieved these results despite ongoing softness in the demand environment and weak seasonal demand in boots that impacted both segments of our business.
Speaker 3: During the quarter, we generated strong consolidated growth margin of approximately 45%.
During the quarter, we generated strong consolidated gross margin of approximately 45%.
Speaker 3: This was driven by record gross margin in the brand portfolio and solid gross margin at Famous Footwear as we continued to prioritize profitability over promotional sales.
This was driven by record gross margin in the brand portfolio and solid gross margin at famous footwear as we continued to prioritize profitability over promotional sales.
Speaker 3: Both segments of our business also delivered a strong operating margin, resulting in a consolidated adjusted operating margin of nearly nine percent.
Both segments of our business also delivered a strong operating margin, resulting in a consolidated adjusted operating margin of nearly 9%.
Speaker 3: The brand portfolio generated record third quarter operating margin of 12.2 percent, while Famous Footwear achieved a double-digit operating margin of 10.6 percent.
The brand portfolio generated record third quarter operating margin of 12, 2%.
At famous footwear achieved a double digit operating margin of 10, 6%.
Speaker 3: We saw a strong consumer reaction to our brands and our products and benefited from our ongoing inventory management.
We saw strong consumer reaction to our brands and for our products and benefited from our ongoing inventory management.
Speaker 3: Inventory declined more than 14% year over year as compared with third quarter of 2022, which allowed us to strategically adjust our promotional cadence across our business.
Inventory declined more than 14% year over year as compared with third quarter of 2022.
Which allowed us to strategically adjust our promotional cadence across our businesses.
Speaker 3: During the quarter, we continued to invest in and accelerate value-driving growth opportunities and made progress on several key initiatives.
During the quarter, we continued to invest in and accelerate value driving growth opportunities and made progress on several key initiatives.
Speaker 3: First, according to Cercana, we grew market share in the brand portfolio in women's fashion footwear and increased Famous Footwear's market share in shoe chains and in kids.
First according to sarcoma, we grew market share in the brand portfolio in women's fashion footwear and increased famous footwear its market share in shoe chains and in kids.
Speaker 3: Second, we leveraged our leading speed capabilities in the brand portfolio to capture demand in key trends in casual flats, loafers, moccasins, ballets, and fashion sneakers, supplementing the weak trending boot category.
Second we leveraged our leading speed capabilities in the brand portfolio to capture demand in key trends in casual flats, loafers moccasins ballets and fashion sneakers supplementing the week trending boot category.
Speaker 3: Third, we further enhanced our marketing ecosystem by partnering with BlueCore to strengthen our ability to utilize our Consumer Data Platform, or CDP.
Third we further enhanced our marketing ecosystem by partnering with Blue court to strengthen our ability to utilize our consumer data platform or CDP.
Speaker 3: Fourth, we expanded our global presence by opening an additional Sam Edelman store in Asia.
Fourth we expanded our global presence by opening an additional Sam Edelman store in Asia.
Speaker 3: We've now opened five stores fiscal year to date with three more slated for the fourth quarter.
We've now opened five stores fiscal year to date with three more slated for the fourth quarter.
Speaker 3: Fifth, we redoubled our commitment to ESG by unveiling our One Planet Standard, which highlights styles in each brand that meet our strictest sustainability standards.
Fifth we redoubled, our commitment to ESG by unveiling, our one planet standard, which highlight styles in each brand that meet our strictest sustainability standards.
Speaker 3: In addition, we were recognized by the Women's Forum of New York for our ongoing commitment to gender parity on our board of directors.
In addition, we were recognized by the women's for them up New York for our ongoing commitment to gender parity on our board of directors.
Speaker 3: And six, we further strengthen our balance sheet and financial flexibility by reducing the borrowings under our asset-based revolving credit facility by $22 million from second quarter of 2023.
And six we thought we further strengthened our balance sheet and financial flexibility by reducing the borrowings under our asset based revolving credit facility by $22 million from second quarter of 2023.
Speaker 3: This represents a $143 million year-over-year decline in our borrowing.
This represents a 143 million year over year decline in our borrowings.
Yeah.
Speaker 3: Now, let's turn to our operating segment, starting with the brand portfolio, which remains on track to deliver significantly higher earnings contribution in 2023 as compared with prior years.
Now, let's turn to our operating segments, starting with the brand portfolio, which remains on track to deliver significantly higher earnings contribution in 2023 as compared with prior years.
Speaker 3: Already, for the first time in our company's history, the majority of the earnings contribution year-to-date has come from this segment.
Already for the first time in our company's history. The majority of the earnings contribution year to date has come from this segment.
Speaker 3: During the quarter, the brand portfolio achieved a strong financial performance, delivering record third-quarter adjusted operating earnings of $39 million, and generating record third-quarter adjusted operating margin of 12.2%.
During the quarter the brand portfolio achieved a strong financial performance delivering record third quarter, adjusted operating earnings of $39 million and generating record third quarter adjusted operating margin of 12, 2%.
Speaker 3: This was driven by a 580 basis point improvement in gross margin due to higher initial margins, lower freight costs, strong inventory management, and reduced markdown.
This was driven by a 580 basis point improvement in gross margin due to higher initial margins lower freight costs strong inventory management and reduce markdowns.
Speaker 3: Our lead brands, once again, represented about half of the brand portfolio sales and nearly 60% of the segment's profitability.
Our lead brands once again represented about half of the brand portfolio sales and nearly 60% of the segment's profitability.
Speaker 3: We continue to expect the brand portfolio sales and earnings growth to lead the total company's growth over the next three years.
We continue to expect the brand portfolio sales and earnings growth to lead the total company's growth over the next three years.
Speaker 3: As I mentioned, the brand portfolio sales trends improved sequentially in the third quarter, with sales down 0.8 percent and many of our brands up year over year.
As I mentioned the brand portfolio sales trends improved sequentially in the third quarter with sales down <unk>, 8% and many of our brands up year over year.
Speaker 3: We are particularly proud of the performance of our speed program.
We are particularly proud with the performance of our speed programs.
Speaker 3: which represented 28% of our production during the quarter versus just 12% a year ago.
Which represented 28% of our production during the quarter versus just 12% a year ago.
Speed is a key differentiator for the Calera brand portfolio as we can get back into product in three months or less to align with what the consumer wants to buy.
Speaker 3: Speed is a key differentiator for the Colaris brand portfolio, as we can get back into product in three months or less to align with what the consumer wants to buy.
Speaker 3: As a result, we were successful in offsetting weakness and boots mostly during the quarter.
As a result, we were successful in offsetting weakness in boots, mostly during the quarter.
Speaker 3: The consumer continued to gravitate toward newness in non-seasonal categories, including casual flats, loafers, moccasins, valets, and fashion sneakers, which, by the way, were up over 30 percent in the quarter.
The consumer continue to gravitate toward newness in non seasonal categories, including casual flats.
First market sense, ballets and fashion sneakers, which by the way were up over 30% in the quarter.
Yeah.
Speaker 3: Looking at our direct-to-consumer business, our own e-commerce was a bright spot during the period, up nearly 5% year-over-year, with strong performances from lead brands Vionic and Allen Edmonds, as well as portfolio brands Dr. Scholz and Franco Sarto.
Looking at our direct to consumer business, our own E. Commerce was a bright spot during the period up nearly 5% year over year with strong performances from lead brands Bionic, and Allen Edmonds as well as portfolio brands Doctor Shoals, and Franco Sarto.
Speaker 3: As we look to close the year, we expect further sequential improvement in the brand portfolio as well as a return to year-over-year sales growth in the fourth quarter.
As we look to close the year, we expect further sequential improvement in the brand portfolio as well as a return to year over year sales growth in the fourth quarter.
Speaker 3: Specifically, we will work to maximize top selling categories and items, leaning into our speed to market and our edit to win strategy to get the consumer what they want.
Specifically, we will work to maximize top selling categories and items leaning into our speed to market and our edit to win strategy to get the consumer what they want.
Yeah.
Now to the performance of our lead brands.
Speaker 3: As we detailed at our Investor Day presentation in October , these four brands are transformed and ready for accelerated growth with clear strategies to optimize our ongoing investments.
As we detailed at our Investor day presentation. In October. These four brands are transformed and readied for accelerated growth with clear strategies to optimize our ongoing investments.
Speaker 3: Beginning with Allen Edmonds, the brand achieved its 11th consecutive quarter of growth.
Beginning with Allen Edmonds brand achieved its 11th consecutive quarter of growth.
Speaker 3: The third quarter year-over-year increase was broad-based, with improvements across all channels and major categories, including casual, dress, and sports.
The third quarter year over year increase was broad based with improvements across all channels and major categories, including casual dress and sport.
Speaker 3: The customer continued to respond to newness in footwear with our new casual hybrids and sports sneakers leading the way.
The customer continued to respond to newness in footwear with our new casual hybrids and sports sneakers, leading the way.
Speaker 3: During the quarter and in support of our long-term strategic growth plans, we introduced our Port Washington Studio Shop and Shop.
During the quarter and in support of our long term strategic growth plans, we introduced our port Washington studio shop in shops.
Speaker 3: in three more locations, including our new store in Oklahoma City, which opened in October .
In three more locations, including our new store in Oklahoma City, which opened in October.
Speaker 3: We now have seven Port Washington studio stores and continue to see the sales performance of these concept stores comp at twice the rate of the rest of the chain.
We now have seven port Washington studio stores and continue to see the sales performance of these concept stores comp at twice the rate of the rest of the chain.
Speaker 3: Also in the quarter we launched a new Allen Edmonds website to accelerate the growth in Canada for the Allen Edmonds business.
Also in the quarter, we launched a new Allen Edmonds website to accelerate the growth in Canada for.
For the Allen Edmonds business.
Speaker 3: Our bionic brand delivered a strong third quarter with sales increasing low single digits over the last year, driven primarily by their international and retail segments.
Our bionic brand delivered a strong third quarter with sales increasing low single digits over the last year, driven primarily by their international and retail segments.
Speaker 3: Gross profit climbed significantly, increasing across all channels.
Gross profit climbed significantly increasing across all channels.
Speaker 3: Our consumers and our hotel partners are embracing our NorCal rebranding and product newness.
Our consumers and our wholesale partners are embracing our norcal rebranding and product newness.
Speaker 3: In line with the overall market trend, the brand's loafers and flats were the main drivers of the positive performance in the period.
In line with the overall market trend the brand's loafers and flats were the main drivers of the positive performance in the period.
Speaker 3: The Uptown Mox continues to be a consumer favorite and is gaining traction as the most perfectly packable shoe in the marketplace.
The Uptown market continues to be a consumer favorite and is gaining traction as the most perfectly packable shoe in the marketplace.
[laughter] are naturalize their brand grew market share during the quarter climbing one spot to number 11 in women's fashion footwear.
Speaker 3: Our Naturalizer brand grew market share during the quarter, climbing one spot to number 11 in women's fashion footwear. The brand continued to make progress on its consumer-focused strategies and attract younger consumers.
The brand continued to make progress on its consumer focused strategies and attract younger consumers.
Speaker 3: In September , the brand launched its inaugural loyalty program, Naturalizer Insider, to further engage and connect with consumers.
In September the brand launched its inaugural loyalty program naturalize her insider to further engage and connect with consumers.
Speaker 3: Since that launch, more than half of our own e-commerce sales have been generated by insiders.
And sat launch more than half of our own E. Commerce sales have been generated by insiders.
Speaker 3: At Sam Edelman, the brand saw strength in feminine styles including ballets, Mary Janes, and lower heels as consumers shifted away from heavier boots and lug soles.
At Sam Edelman, the brand saw strength in feminine styles, including ballets, Mary Jane's and lower heels as consumers shifted away from heavier boot Sandbug soles.
While the shift.
Speaker 3: put some pressure on average unit retails, the brand's trend right assortment, including their core styles, resonated with their consumer, and sneakers continued to build momentum.
Some pressure on average unit retails, the brand's trend right assortment, including their core styles resonated with the consumer and sneakers continue to build momentum.
Speaker 3: Profitability remains strong for the brand and the team is busy on a number of fronts.
Profitability remained strong for the brand and the team is busy on a number of fronts.
Speaker 3: The Salmon Libby brand will relaunch in spring 2024 exclusively at Famous Footwear for the first month and rolling out more broadly to the market later.
The salmon Libbey brand will relaunch in spring 'twenty 'twenty four exclusively at famous footwear for the first month and rolling out more broadly to the market later.
Speaker 3: The product looks great and will begin shipping in fourth quarter.
The product looks great and will begin shipping in fourth quarter.
Speaker 3: In addition, I'm pleased to share that Sam and Libby Edelman will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from Footwear News in December , and the brand is also gearing up to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2024.
In addition, I'm pleased to share that Sam <unk> Libby Edelman well received the lifetime Achievement Award from footwear News in December and the brand is also gearing up to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2024.
Speaker 3: We were also pleased with the sales trend improvement and strong profitability across our portfolio brand.
We were also pleased with the sales trend improvement and strong profitability across our portfolio brands.
Speaker 3: In particular, Dr. Scholz, Frank Osardo, and Lifestride grew both sales and operating profit by maximizing styles in line with their consumer preferences.
In particular Doctor Shoals, Franco Sarto and lifestyle group, both sales and operating profit by maximizing styles in line with their consumer preferences.
Speaker 3: Overall, the brand portfolio performed well in the quarter and it's planned to close 2023 strong.
Overall, the brand portfolio performed well in the quarter and its plan to close 20 twenty-three strong.
Speaker 3: We expect ongoing improvement in segment sales trends and a more meaningful contribution to the company's operating performance this year.
We expect ongoing improvement in segment sales trends.
And a more meaningful contribution to the company's operating performance this year.
Speaker 3: We are confident the brand portfolio fueled by its lead brand.
We are confident the brand portfolio fueled by its fleet brands is positioned to lead the financial performance of Clarus over the long term.
Speaker 3: is positioned to lead the financial performance of Caleris over the long term.
Turning now to famous footwear.
Speaker 3: our comp store sales were down 6.9% in the quarter.
Our comp store sales were down six 9% in the quarter.
Speaker 3: However, the brand outperformed its competitive set, gaining 50 basis points of market share in two chains, and saw continued strength in its kids' business.
However, the brand outperformed its competitive set gaining 50 basis points of market share and shoe chains and saw continued strength in its the kids business.
Speaker 3: During the third quarter, FAMIS experienced some softening demand trends as families continued to be impacted by inflationary pressures and other macroeconomic concerns.
During the third quarter famous experience some softening demand trends as families continued to be impacted by inflationary pressures and other macroeconomic concerns.
Speaker 3: Additionally, a sharp drop off in boots had an outsized impact on Famous Footwear's results.
Additionally, a sharp drop off in boots had an outsized impact on famous footwear its results.
Speaker 3: Our kids' business, a key differentiator for Famous, increased 4% over last year as we distorted our inventory investment behind key trends, brands, and styles heading into back-to-school.
Our kids fitness, a key differentiator for famous increased 4% over last year as we distorted our inventory investment behind key trends brands and styles heading into back to school.
And those bigger bet paid off.
Speaker 3: We increased our kids' market share in shoe chains by nearly two percentage points and we achieved record kid sales during the 10-week back-to-school season.
We increased our kids market share and shoe chains by nearly two percentage points and we achieved record kids sales during the 10 week back to school season.
Speaker 3: We believe these results further cement our leadership position as the go-to shoe store for back-to-school and the go-to shoe store for kids all year long.
We believe these results further cement our leadership position as the go to shoe store for back to school.
And the go to shoe store for kids all year long.
Speaker 3: As we've detailed, we view kids as a key component to our growth strategy at FAMOUS and have made investments to support this critical area of our business.
As we've detailed we view kids as a key component to our growth strategy at famous and have made investments to support this critical area of our business.
Speaker 3: Famous owns 27% of the kids market share in shoe chains through the first nine months of the year.
Famous owns 27% of the kids market share and shoe chain through the first nine months of the year.
We believe we are well positioned to grow our share even further, particularly as our kids dominance and shoe chains increases and as consumers prioritize kids purchases in this tough macro environment.
Speaker 3: In addition to the strength in kids, many demand brands that Famous has been increasingly known for also showed strong increases during the quarter, just not enough to offset declines in seasonal categories.
In addition to the strength in kids many demand brands that famous has been increasingly known for also showed strong increases during the quarter, just not enough to offset declines in seasonal categories.
Speaker 3: Famous generated $48 million in adjusted operating earnings, resulting in a return to a double-digit operating margin of nearly 11%.
Famous generated 48 million in adjusted operating earnings, resulting in a return to a double digit operating margin of nearly 11%.
Speaker 3: Gross margins were down 50 basis points versus last year to 44.2% and overall we continue to prioritize the health of our business.
Gross margins were down 50 basis points versus last year to 44, 2%.
And overall, we continue to prioritize the health of our business.
Speaker 3: Our nimble approach to inventory has allowed us to react to soft demand for seasonal goods, mitigate markdown risk, and capitalize on what consumers are buying.
Our nimble approach to inventory has allowed us to react to soft demand for seasonal goods mitigate markdown risk and capitalize on what consumers are buying.
Okay.
And while we expect the consumer demand and competitive environment for famous to remain challenged for the balance of the year we.
We are confident that famous will continue to capitalize on pockets of demand, including shopping for holiday gaining market share in key categories and focusing on profitability by managing inventory and expense levels.
Longer term, we are confident famous footwear will continue to build on its leadership position with the millennial family and deliver growth and profitability.
In summary, as we outlined at our Investor Day in October we have transformed our company, resulting in a step change in the earnings power of the organization.
One that supports our baseline earnings of $4 per share and we have a clear plan and actionable strategies for growth in 'twenty 'twenty four and beyond.
Our unique structure is an asset that provides scale and stability and allows us to leverage our capabilities synergistically.
In 2020 for Polaris will return to growth by leveraging our competitive advantages powerful brands.
Innovative products and compelling experiences across channels and geographies.
Our successful execution of these operational initiatives will deliver strong financial performance and generate significant value for our shareholders over the long term.
And with that I will now hand, it over to Jack for a more detailed view of our financials Jack.
Thanks, Jay and good morning, everyone in today's call I'll provide additional details on our third quarter performance discuss the progress we've made on our expense reduction initiatives and update you on our capital allocation activities and share our revised outlook for full year 2023.
My comments will be on an adjusted basis. Please see today's press release for a reconciliation of adjusted results.
Starting with Q3 results.
Consolidated sales were 762 million down four 6% versus last year.
At famous sales were $450 million down six 7% comp.
Comparable sales were down six 9%.
The lower sales were driven by softness in seasonal categories, namely boots, which was partially offset by strong performance in kids.
Brand portfolio sales were $321 million down, 8% and reflected a continuation of the sequential year over year improvement.
Consolidated gross margin increased 210 basis points to 44, 7% with an increase in brand portfolio gross margin and a decrease in famous gross margin.
Brand portfolio gross margin was 43, 7%, a 580 basis point increase versus last year.
This gross margin was a record for the third quarter and was due to lower ocean freight costs higher initial margins and disciplined inventory management.
Famous gross margin was 44, 2%, a 50 basis point decline versus last year.
This decline reflects lower initial margins and a more normalized level of clearance pricing given last year's clean inventory position.
That said our change in promotional strategy with significantly less bogo drove a favorable comparison to 2019.
SG&A expense for the third quarter was $274 million or 35, 9% of sales.
SG&A expense was $9 5 million below last year from lower variable expenses and the benefits of our cost reduction initiatives.
Operating earnings were 67 million and operating margin was eight 8%.
Operating margin was 12, 2% at brand portfolio, a record for the third quarter and 10, 6% at famous.
Yeah.
Net interest expense was $4 5 million up half a million dollars from last year due to a higher borrowing rates.
The weighted average interest rate in Q3 was six 9% this year versus four 2% last year.
Diluted earnings per share were $1.37 in excess of the high end of our guidance range and 19% higher than last year.
EBITDA for the third quarter was 81 million or 10, 6% of sales.
Turning now to the balance sheet and cash flow, we ended the third quarter with $222 million in borrowings and no long term debt.
Inventory at the end of Q3 was $556 million down 14% versus last year, principally in the brand portfolio and reflecting disciplined inventory management across the business.
By segment inventory was down 2% at famous and down 27% at brand portfolio.
In general we feel good about the composition of inventory as aged inventory as a percentage of total is lower than last year in both segments.
Regarding cash flow from operations, we generated $32 million during the quarter and deploy cash for strategic investments in the business, including the omni channel experience marketing technologies and analytics and international.
We also paid our quarterly dividend and reduce borrowings on our revolver.
Specifically, we spent $20 5 million on capital expenditures and $2 5 million on our quarterly dividend.
With the 22 million pay down in Q3 borrowings are approximately $143 million below third quarter last year and down 86 million year to date.
As a result, we are now below one times on a debt to trailing 12 month EBITDA basis.
Given the volatile consumer environment and higher interest rates, we will continue to focus on reducing debt.
That said the achievement of our leverage target and expected free cash flow in Q4 gives us the opportunity to both reduce leverage and buy back shares.
We will evaluate these alternatives in light of business performance and market conditions as we proceed through the quarter.
We have $5 6 million shares remaining under our current board repurchase authorization.
Turning now to our outlook.
Given our performance year to date, coupled with soft consumer demand trends at famous that accelerated in October and have continued fourth quarter to date, we are tightening our full year earnings per share range to $4 10 to $4 20.
As a result for the full year, we now anticipate.
Consolidated sales to be down four 5% to five 5%, including the impact of the 50 <unk> week.
Consolidated operating margin of seven 3% to seven 5%.
We still expect to generate $20 million of in year savings from our expense management initiatives and have identified additional opportunities for cost savings in 2024.
As a result, we are increasing our one time charge to $7 million and increasing our projected savings on an annualized basis to 35 million to $40 million.
We took $4 million of that charge through Q3 and expect to take the remaining amount in the fourth quarter.
We expect net interest expense of about $18 million.
An effective tax rate of about 25%.
Capital expenditures of about $50 million.
And shares outstanding of approximately $34 3 million, which assumes no additional share repurchases this year.
With that I'd like to turn the call back over to the operator for questions operator.
Thank you well now be conducting a question answer session, if you'd like to be placed in the question queue. Please press star one on your telephone keypad once again Thats star one to be placed in the question queue.
Remove yourself from the queue at Star to one moment. Please while we poll for questions. Our first question is coming from Dana Telsey from Telsey Advisory Group Your line there's that life.
Hi, good morning, nice to see the progress our brand portfolio and also the careful management as we move through this famous footwear.
We may move through the environment, Jay as you think about the famous footwear business was there any time period, whether it's going back to the T. F C. Whatever that was similar to now.
And how do you plan on merchandising the sorting promo famous and promo and famous footwear as we move through into 'twenty 'twenty four and then on the margins, which were very impressive how do you think about under the hood on the margins and the puts and takes whether for the remainder of the year and into 'twenty two.
Four and Jack you mentioned further expense reduction how much do you think it could be and what would it entail. Thank you.
Well I think I'll begin by saying that as we look at the famous.
Famous business in the promotional cadence is continually that balance have really sales and profit that we're really managing very very closely. So we do not have any return to go back to what I would say the pre pandemic levels of what we're doing so we'd like to think we're competitive where we need to be with the marketplace and not any further.
I would say as a result of that when we do have products that are really are not performing we are using our clearance ability to clear goods and provide value to the consumer and those would be more in the second and fourth quarter of opportunities, which I think we've said before coming through.
Looking forward, though our whole focus with famous is really on the family and all those.
Inventory and products that the consumers want obviously, beginning with kids and really thinking about this millennial mom as she comes to shop for family I would say our items and our our interest is all in there and we are reacting aggressively to those in the marketplace and.
Then I'll, let Jack kind of fill in on the margin piece of it which I think was the second part of the question.
Yeah, Dan Thanks for the question so for margins as you know we continue to see really nice gross margin improvement in brand portfolio I would say just in terms of the order of those improvements Ocean freight is clearly driving the largest piece of that followed by fewer markdowns associated with our better <unk>.
<unk> management and then some of the higher initial.
Initial margins and prices.
And I would say, we expect sort of similar improvement in brand portfolio gross margin in Q4 of what we've seen in Q3.
And then on famous as you noted we were down 50 basis points in that case, we had lower initial margins I would say some increased shrink nothing to the extent that some of the other retailers have talked about but we've certainly seen that rate tick up and then the <unk>.
Inventory that we're managing in terms of we've got a little more clearance than we had last year and were taking back those clearance prices down a little bit. So that's really driving the the margin in famous.
And then your third yeah. Your third question.
I was on expense reduction and you know as we've continued to look for opportunities to streamline the organization and eliminate costs. We have as we've done our work found further consolidation opportunities in some of our smaller brands in the brand portfolio as well as some.
Real opportunities in corporate infrastructure and those changes are really driving up the annualized savings about $5 million from the range we communicated previously.
Thank you.
Yeah.
Thank you Doug.
Thank you next question is coming from <unk> from Piper Sandler Your line is that a lot.
Great. Thanks for taking my question can you just give us some color on how trends have evolved.
Both ethane and the brand portfolio since we last spoke at the analyst day, and how are you planning inventory buys, but I see nothing gauging what demand will look like for the first half of 'twenty four.
Yeah I'll start.
With the with the famous Pes, so what I would say is over.
Over the course of Q3, we saw our comp sales.
Lower each month of the quarter. So October was worse than September September was worse than August.
I'd say.
The first couple of weeks of November continued that trend, although we've seen improvement.
Now in November month to date, and I would say more noticeable improvements in the past few days and as we think about Q4 basically our guidance assumes that the Q3 comp back down six 9% is pretty much the midpoint of what we've modeled for Q.
For us so we feel pretty good about that.
Did you want to talk about Jay how we're thinking about inventory for next year. Yeah. So in famous footwear, obviously like many retailers were going to continue to be very fluid and I think agile in reacting to market trends, we have good positions in some of the key brands.
It had been trending all the way through this year and and we'll continue to model that very closely but I think you know the inventory management has always been very strong and conservative right. Now. So we're going to continue that posture as we go into there and keep looking at opportunities and working with our key.
Strategic partners to do that yeah, and just to add to that Ivy you know as we've started to look at our plans for 2024, we're certainly going to be looking for could the continuation.
<unk> of turn improvement in inventory.
And so we will look for that to be again, a nice opportunity to manage working capital and unlock some cash.
Got it makes sense and just one more for me. If you can just on the brand portfolio. Your topline trend sequentially improving them you know what gives you confidence I guess in <unk> 'twenty.
'twenty 'twenty four growth at the brand portfolio and what are the main drivers there. Thanks.
Yeah, I think coming out of Investor day really it's our focus on our lead brands. We think all of them are poised for growth and they have specific opportunity by brand that range from.
More international.
And our.
Our salmon libbey growth in our Sam Edelman brand and Allen Edmonds, they have its specific wholesale opportunity and and I think all of them along the way have a big digital opportunity as we go forward. So we're looking at all those vectors to kind of stimulate growth as we go into 2024.
In our brand portfolio, our net sales were down negative <unk>, 8% and that improved.
<unk>, where we were down seven in second quarter and even more in the first quarter. So we really are starting to see a very moved to a new normal here and I think a place where we can really start to grow again and I'm impressed Debbie by the the brand's ability to take market share in this <unk>.
Byron that'll be a continued focus as we go forward.
Awesome very helpful. Thank you.
Thanks, Kevin.
Okay.
As a reminder, that star one to be placed in the question queue. Our next question is coming from Mr. <unk> from Seaport research providers that life.
Yes, thanks for taking my questions I guess first.
I just wanted to better understand how to think about like the famous footwear comp holistically because it sounds like in the third quarter.
Back to school was good that's kind of a peak shopping period, and then September and October were difficult.
Some of that being due to the seasonal.
Side of the business and then for Q sounds like sort of started we just gotten better or are you sort of thinking that like similar to Q than your business the payments will be pretty good around all day, because it's kind of a a much.
Yeah, the shopping period, but then like once we kind of get through that and sort of January will be soft again, because youre kind of post peak shopping is that is that sort of holistically. We think about the business. You know people were showing up during these key periods. But then you know given the macro challenges kind of business in between is pretty tough.
Yeah, I think Mitch Hi, it's Jay.
You've got it mostly right.
I think that's basically how we how.
How third quarter played out and how we feel about fourth quarter, we were reacting to.
And did react to all of the key trending products that are really worth it.
<unk> by the consumer as being really important to them and are in good position on them on an item and skus strength. So that's really been our focus.
As we go into fourth quarter, and and then we will say about January.
The one thing I'll say is that this is continually.
You know what a changing environment, we are watching it very much in real time, but I would say that's pretty much how we see it.
And then on bread brand portfolio.
We just came out or kind of vendor earnings season last month, but a lot of the.
Kind of a vendor specific companies talked about challenges around Reorders and spring order books and there was a lot of guidance it was taking down that.
Very different story than what you guys are telling you at on on Bp's. So maybe maybe just elaborate on like why are you guys.
Strange because it sounds like you're taking market share why do you think you're taking share.
You know you guys are and some favorable categories or some of it you know the competitive advantage of the speed program like.
Why is it that your brands are holding up better than you know what at least my impression was kind of coming out of sort of vendor, earning season, where numbers were coming down and there was a lot of negativity around sort of replenishment at one and future orders things like that.
So.
I think for myself ill begin I think are our speed to market, which was the outlined really allowed us to capitalize on key market trends and as I reported last second quarter and into Investor day, We saw really the fashion sneaker business really take off as of lets say going from early.
Early spring to late spring and we've really positioned ourselves going into third quarter with a big play there and that did work across our portfolio really nicely and gave us a nice lift.
We're going to see similar trends I believe as we look at the key categories of these casual flats, new low heeled dress and other items as we go into first quarter and those are all on reorder for that time period. So I would say in a broad based way match. It really is it's really.
Staying very close to the consumer utilizing our speed program and also the really strong inventory management has allowed us to maintain our flexibility and agility and really going after this and feeding it I think the brand work that people have done has been really strong and the lead brands are continuing to.
Perform there.
And then the last thing I would say.
It's just that so much of our business really it's close to 50% is really and what I would call. This dynamic model. So between our drop ship ability our own D to C and our replenishment programs, we're really seeing some really nice return there in working all the way through on that and that goes across the.
Leo so.
So we're staying really close to consumer trends really working well with everybody, but again, our model is fluid and I think it's benefiting us in this time that we're in.
And then I guess the last one for me you mentioned a return to growth.
In 2024 can you just provide any more color I know, you're not giving 2024 guidance, but really color as to what exactly that means that means you know topline growth for both famous MVP. It sounds like this is an opportunity on the expense side.
And then maybe on the margin, but I don't know Jack like you guys are definitely benefiting from right now I don't know when that kind of are you anniversary that and that kind of runs out of the tailwind.
Well I think.
First of all going back to our Investor Day model, we did say that more growth was going to come out of our lead brands as we move into 2024.
And that I think continues with some of the key strategies that were outlined there.
And.
Then going forward.
We do see a return to more moderate growth as we lean into a lot of the things that are working right now and what we're doing with kids and famous in the family and other places, but that growth will be more moderate.
So that's I think where we are still very very focused on that hole.
Part of the play and then the piece on really margin too is that we really are.
We looked at it we're seeing a nice benefit from.
Our internal.
Our initial margins and the flow through all the way coming out of that from really great management straight through the business. So we do see a lot of that returning and then the last part is is that as we continue to grow the lead brands out of our portfolio, we're going to see a lot of that margin come out.
More strongly at some mix shifts.
And just a mature stat to Jay's comments I think also the.
It continued inventory management.
We're looking for improved terms that drives oftentimes lower lower markdown expense, which improves margin and then just the mix of channels as well with DTC growing faster certainly than the brand portfolio business DTC is a higher margin business than our traditional wholesale business.
Alright, Thanks, good luck for holiday.
Thank you too.
Thank you next question is coming from Laura campaigns from loop capital markets. Your line is that life.
Thanks for taking my question I wanted to get a little more color on how Nike is performing inside famous footwear and also how your owned brands are performing inside famous footwear.
Hi, Laurence J.
As far as Nike, we see in our total business it pretty much with similar to how famous did perform in the quarter.
What we did see strength out of Nike in the retro.
CT inspired sport shoes, our kids business was very strong our performance business was a little on the softer side and particularly in the men's part of performance. So that's how I would say that summed up there and then.
We did see again all the.
That kind of retro sport type of product continued to perform from all of the key athletic brands.
Over to our Calera brands, we saw them actually performed better than the total famous performance and.
And that's really come from.
Key focus on that area and really working there we did put someone in charge of that entire.
Buying responsibility at famous who came from the brand portfolio, who knows that very well. So we're seeing some of that start through again, it's a small part to our total right now but that growth trajectory that we outlined at Investor day growing from 6% to 10% seems to be well on track right now.
Got it thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you we reached out of our question and answer session I'd like to turn the floor back over to Jay for any further or closing comments.
Hi, before we close today I'd like to thank the talented Polaris team for their focus their hard work and their dedication.
We remain confident in our ability to close 2023 in a strong position.
To execute on our long term strategies.
As we look ahead, we believe the stage is set for us to continue to create exceptional product to exceed our consumers' expectations in this dynamic marketplace and to drive significant value for our shareholders.
Thank you for your interest in <unk> and best wishes on a happy healthy and safe holiday season, we look forward to seeing many of you at the ICR conference in January.
Thank you that does conclude today's teleconference and webcast you may disconnect. Your line at this time and have a wonderful day, we thank you for your participation today.