• Total Company sales increase 19 percent
• Both Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack banners post double-digit sales growth
• Board of directors authorizes new $500 million share repurchase program

SEATTLE, May 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today reported first quarter net earnings of $20 million and earnings per diluted share ("EPS") of $0.13 for the quarter ended April 30, 2022. Excluding a gain on the sale of the Company's interest in a corporate office building and an impairment charge related to a Trunk Club property, the Company posted an adjusted loss per share of $0.06.¹

Additionally, first quarter EPS was negatively impacted by $0.05 as a result of discrete tax expenses, primarily related to stock-based compensation, which increased the quarterly effective tax rate by 19.3 percent of pretax earnings. The Company continues to expect a full-year income tax rate of approximately 27 percent.

For the first quarter, net sales increased 18.7 percent versus the same period in fiscal 2021, exceeding pre-pandemic sales levels, and gross merchandise value ("GMV") increased 19.6 percent. During the quarter, Nordstrom banner net sales increased 23.5 percent and GMV increased 24.8 percent. Net sales for Nordstrom Rack increased 10.3 percent and continued to show sequential improvement towards pre-pandemic sales levels.

"Our focus on serving the customer through our interconnected model with Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack, a scaled digital platform and a strong store fleet positioned us to capitalize on demand from customers who shopped for long-awaited occasions and refreshed their closets," said Erik Nordstrom, chief executive officer of Nordstrom, Inc. "In the first quarter, we drove strong topline growth with broad-based improvement across core categories and geographies. Importantly, we made progress on our strategic initiatives and continue to focus on increasing profitability on the path to achieving our financial targets."

In the first quarter, core categories including men's and women's apparel, shoes and designer had the strongest growth against 2021 as customers refreshed their wardrobes for occasions such as social events, travel and return to office. Improvements were broad-based across regions, with urban stores having the strongest growth. Merchandise margins improved as a result of favorable pricing impacts and lower markdown rates.

"Customers remain at the center of everything we do and we continue to provide them with expanded and relevant choices and the differentiated service they expect from us, delivering on our commitment to get 'closer to you'," said Pete Nordstrom, president and chief brand officer of Nordstrom, Inc. "We're pleased with the momentum we're seeing in the business and excited about our plans for the upcoming Anniversary Sale. Looking ahead, we are committed to driving additional merchandise margin improvement and increasing supply chain productivity, to deliver incremental profitability while continuing to elevate the customer experience."

As previously announced on May 18, 2022, the board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 per share to be paid to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2022, payable on June 15, 2022. The board of directors also authorized a new $500 million share repurchase program on May 18, 2022.

FIRST QUARTER 2022 SUMMARY

• Total Company net sales increased 18.7 percent and GMV increased 19.6 percent compared with the same period in fiscal 2021.
• For the Nordstrom banner, net sales increased 23.5 percent, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, and GMV increased 24.8 percent compared with the same period in fiscal 2021.
• For the Nordstrom Rack banner, net sales increased 10.3 percent compared with the same period in fiscal 2021, and continued to show sequential improvement towards pre-pandemic sales levels.
• Digital sales were flat compared with the same period in fiscal 2021 as customers increasingly chose to shop in-store. Digital sales represented 39 percent of total sales during the quarter.
• Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, of 32.8 percent increased 190 basis points compared with the same period in fiscal 2021 due to leverage on buying and occupancy costs and improved merchandise margins from favorable pricing impacts and lower markdown rates.
• Ending inventory increased 23.7 percent compared with the same period in fiscal 2021, versus an 18.7 percent increase in sales. Approximately one-quarter of the change in inventory levels versus 2021 is due to pull-forward of Anniversary Sale receipts.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales, of 33.6 percent decreased 320 basis points compared with the same period in fiscal 2021 primarily due to leverage on higher sales.
• Earnings before interest and tax ("EBIT") was $73 million in the first quarter of 2022, compared with loss before interest and taxes of $85 million during the same period in fiscal 2021, primarily due to higher sales volume and improved merchandise margins. Adjusted EBIT of $32 million for the first quarter of 2022 excluded a $51 million gain on the sale of the Company's interest in a corporate office building and a $10 million impairment charge related to a Trunk Club property.²
• Interest expense, net, of $35 million decreased from $137 million during the same period in fiscal 2021 primarily as a result of a pretax debt refinancing charge of $88 million in the first quarter of 2021.
• Income tax expense was $18 million, or 46.8 percent of pretax earnings, compared with an income tax benefit of $56 million, or 25.4 percent of pretax loss, in the same period in fiscal 2021. Income tax expense in the first quarter of 2022 included discrete tax expense, primarily related to stock-based compensation, which increased the quarterly effective tax rate by 19.3 percent of pretax earnings. The Company continues to expect a full-year income tax rate of approximately 27 percent.
• The Company ended the first quarter with $1.3 billion in available liquidity, including $484 million in cash and the full $800 million available on its revolving line of credit. In May 2022, the Company entered into a new $800 million revolving credit agreement expiring in May 2027, replacing its previous revolving credit agreement that was scheduled to expire in September 2023.

STORES UPDATE

During and subsequent to the first quarter of 2022, the Company opened and announced plans to open and relocate the following stores:

The Company had the following store counts as of quarter-end:

FISCAL YEAR 2022 OUTLOOK

The Company is updating its outlook to reflect first quarter performance, including a gain on the sale of the Company's interest in a corporate office building and an impairment charge related to a Trunk Club property, resulting in the following financial expectations for fiscal 2022:

• Revenue growth, including retail sales and credit card revenues, of 6 to 8 percent versus fiscal 2021
• EBIT margin of 5.8 to 6.2 percent of sales
• Adjusted EBIT margin of 5.6 to 6.0 percent of sales³
• Income tax rate of approximately 27 percent
• EPS of $3.38 to $3.68, excluding the impact of share repurchase activity, if any
• Adjusted EPS of $3.20 to $3.50, excluding the impact of share repurchase activity, if any³
• Leverage ratio of approximately 2.5 times by year-end

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

The Company's senior management will host a conference call to provide a business update and to discuss first quarter 2022 financial results and fiscal 2022 outlook at 4:45 p.m. EDT today. To listen to the live call online and view the speakers' prepared remarks and the conference call slides, visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's corporate website at investor.nordstrom.com. An archived webcast with the speakers' prepared remarks and the conference call slides will be available in the Quarterly Results section for one year. Interested parties may also dial 201-689-8354. A telephone replay will be available beginning approximately three hours after the conclusion of the call by dialing 877-660-6853 or 201-612-7415 and entering Conference ID 13729631, until the close of business on May 31, 2022.

ABOUT NORDSTROM 

At Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN), we exist to help our customers feel good and look their best. Since starting as a shoe store in 1901, how to best serve customers has been at the center of every decision we make. This heritage of service is the foundation we're building on as we provide convenience and true connection for our customers. Our digital-first platform enables us to serve customers when, where and how they want to shop – whether that's in-store at more than 350 Nordstrom, Nordstrom Local and Nordstrom Rack locations or digitally through our Nordstrom and Rack apps and websites. Through it all, we remain committed to leaving the world better than we found it.

Certain statements in this press release contain or may suggest "forward-looking" information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involves risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different from expectations. The words "will," "may," "designed to," "outlook," "believes," "should," "targets," "anticipates," "assumptions," "plans," "expects" or "expectations," "intends," "estimates," "forecasts," "guidance" and similar expressions identify certain of these forward-looking statements. The Company also may provide forward-looking statements in oral statements or other written materials released to the public. All statements contained or incorporated in this press release or in any other public statements that address such future events or expectations are forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2022. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date made, and, except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events, new information or future circumstances.

 

 

 

 

NORDSTROM, INC.
SUMMARY OF NET SALES
(unaudited; amounts in millions)

Our Nordstrom brand includes Nordstrom.com, TrunkClub.com, Nordstrom-branded U.S. stores, Canada, which includes Nordstrom.ca, Nordstrom Canadian stores and Nordstrom Rack Canadian stores, and Nordstrom Local. Our Nordstrom Rack brand includes NordstromRack.com, Nordstrom Rack-branded U.S. stores and Last Chance clearance stores. The following table summarizes net sales for the first quarter of 2022, compared with the first quarter of 2021:

 

NORDSTROM, INC.
ADJUSTED EBIT, ADJUSTED EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EPS
(NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES)
(unaudited; amounts in millions except per share amounts)

Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") and Adjusted EPS are key financial metrics and, when used in conjunction with GAAP measures, we believe they provide useful information for evaluating our core business performance, enable comparison of financial results across periods and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management for financial and operational decision-making. Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS exclude certain items that we do not consider representative of our core operating performance. The financial measure calculated under GAAP which is most directly comparable to Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA is net earnings. The financial measure calculated under GAAP which is most directly comparable to Adjusted EPS is earnings (loss) per diluted share.

Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, net earnings, overall change in cash, earnings (loss) per share, earnings (loss) per diluted share or other financial measures performed in accordance with GAAP. Our method of determining non-GAAP financial measures may differ from other companies' financial measures and therefore may not be comparable to methods used by other companies.

The following is a reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA:

The following is a reconciliation of earnings (loss) per diluted share to Adjusted EPS:

 

NORDSTROM, INC.
FISCAL YEAR 2022 FORWARD-LOOKING NON-GAAP MEASURES
(NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES)
(unaudited)

The Company's adjusted EBIT as a percent of net sales ("adjusted EBIT margin") and adjusted EPS outlook for fiscal year 2022 excludes the impacts from certain items that we do not consider representative of our core operating performance. These items include the expected full fiscal year 2022 impact associated with a gain on the sale of the Company's interest in a corporate office building and an impairment charge related to a Trunk Club property recognized in the first quarter of 2022.

The following is a reconciliation of net earnings as a percent of net sales to adjusted EBIT margin included within our Fiscal Year 2022 Outlook:

The following is a reconciliation of earnings per diluted share to adjusted EPS included within our Fiscal Year 2022 Outlook:

 

NORDSTROM, INC.
ADJUSTED RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL ("ADJUSTED ROIC")
(NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE)
(unaudited; amounts in millions)

We believe that Adjusted ROIC is a useful financial measure for investors in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the capital we have invested in our business to generate returns over time. In addition, we have incorporated it in our executive incentive measures and we believe it is an important indicator of shareholders' return over the long term.

Adjusted ROIC is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, return on assets, net earnings, total assets or other GAAP financial measures. Our method of calculating non-GAAP financial measures may differ from other companies' methods and therefore may not be comparable to those used by other companies. The financial measure calculated under GAAP which is most directly comparable to Adjusted ROIC is return on assets. The following is a reconciliation of return on assets to Adjusted ROIC:

 

NORDSTROM, INC.
ADJUSTED DEBT TO EBITDAR (NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE)
(unaudited; dollar amounts in millions)

Adjusted Debt to earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent ("EBITDAR") is one of our key financial metrics and we believe that our debt levels are best analyzed using this measure, as it provides a reflection of our creditworthiness which could impact our credit rating and borrowing costs. This metric is calculated in accordance with the updates in our new Revolver covenant and is a key component in assessing whether our revolving credit facility is secured or unsecured, as well as our ability to make dividend payments and share repurchases. Our goal is to manage debt levels to achieve and maintain investment-grade credit ratings while operating with an efficient capital structure.

Subsequent to April 30, 2022, we replaced our Revolver which was set to expire in September 2023 with a new Revolver dated May 6, 2022. Under the new Revolver, the covenant calculation was updated to reflect the current lease standard (ASC 842). This change in our Revolver covenant did not have a material impact on our Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR.

Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, debt to net earnings, net earnings, debt or other GAAP financial measures. Our method of calculating a non-GAAP financial measure may differ from other companies' methods and therefore may not be comparable to those used by other companies. The following is a reconciliation of debt to net earnings to Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR:

 

NORDSTROM, INC.
FREE CASH FLOW (NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE)
(unaudited; amounts in millions)

Free Cash Flow is one of our key liquidity measures and, when used in conjunction with GAAP measures, we believe it provides investors with a meaningful analysis of our ability to generate cash from our business.

Free Cash Flow is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, operating cash flows or other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our method of calculating a non-GAAP financial measure may differ from other companies' methods and therefore may not be comparable to those used by other companies. The financial measure calculated under GAAP which is most directly comparable to Free Cash Flow is net cash provided by (used in) operating activities. The following is a reconciliation of net cash provided by (used in) operating activities to Free Cash Flow:

 

 

 

 

 

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SOURCE Nordstrom, Inc.