ATLANTA, March 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2021 ended January 29, 2022. Due to the material impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s business in fiscal 2020, this release includes comparisons of fiscal 2021 results to both fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019.

Full fiscal 2021 consolidated net sales increased to $1.142 billion compared to $749 million in fiscal 2020 and $1.123 billion in fiscal 2019. Sales of Lanier Apparel, which the Company exited in the third quarter of fiscal 2021, were $25 million in fiscal 2021, $39 million in fiscal 2020 and $95 million in fiscal 2019. On a GAAP basis, the Company reported earnings per share of $7.78 compared to a loss of $5.77 in fiscal 2020 and earnings of $4.05 in fiscal 2019. On an adjusted basis, the Company generated earnings per share of $7.99 compared to a loss of $1.81 in fiscal 2020 and earnings of $4.32 in fiscal 2019.

Consolidated net sales increased in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 to $300 million compared to $221 million and $298 million in the fourth quarters of fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively, despite having exited Lanier Apparel, which had sales of $9 million and $20 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively. On a GAAP basis, the Company reported earnings of $1.50 per share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 as compared to a loss of $0.74 per share in the same period of the prior year and earnings of $0.90 per share in fiscal 2019. Adjusted earnings were $1.68 per share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to adjusted earnings of $0.13 per share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 and $1.09 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.

Thomas C. Chubb III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Each of our happy, upbeat lifestyle brands - Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer, Southern Tide, The Beaufort Bonnet Company and Duck Head - had its best year ever in 2021. All five brands posted strong top and bottom-line growth, not only over 2020, but also as compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels. While a terrific year for all, the biggest contributor to our record earnings was the performance of our largest brand, Tommy Bahama, where sales grew 7% versus 2019 to a record $724 million and adjusted operating margin nearly doubled to 16% over the same timeframe.”

“Across all five brands, the key driver of growth in 2021 was higher active customer counts compared to 2019. Driving customer relationships in a profitable manner is critical to our ongoing success and ability to expand earnings beyond fiscal 2021 levels.”  

Mr. Chubb concluded, “As terrific as fiscal 2021 was, we believe the prospects for 2022 and beyond are even brighter. The momentum that we saw during 2021 has continued into the early part of 2022 and we have outstanding plans to deliver double-digit top and bottom line growth on a consolidated basis. Our talented, highly engaged teams will continue to evolve and update our products and brand messaging to ensure they stay relevant for today’s consumer and remain true to each brand’s unique DNA. This has been and will continue to be the key to our success as we deliver long-term value to our shareholders.”

Summary of Results

• Compared to fiscal 2019, net sales increased 9% for the full fiscal year and 8% during the fourth quarter, excluding Lanier Apparel. Consolidated net sales, which includes Lanier Apparel, increased 2% in fiscal 2021 and 1% in the fourth quarter compared to fiscal 2019.    
  • For the full fiscal year, compared to fiscal 2019, full-price direct to consumer sales grew 21% to $723 million, including growth of 58% in full-price e-commerce and 1% in full-price retail.   In the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, full-price direct to consumer sales grew 23% to $203 million, including growth of 48% in full-price e-commerce and 7% in full-price retail.
     
  • Lilly Pulitzer e-commerce flash clearance sales decreased to $32 million in fiscal 2021 compared to $48 million in fiscal 2019 due to higher full price sell through resulting in less inventory available for fiscal 2021 clearance events. In the fourth quarter, Lilly Pulitzer e-commerce flash clearance sales were $13 million compared to $17 million in the same period of 2019.
     
  • Full year restaurant sales increased 15% to $96 million compared to fiscal 2019. Restaurant sales in the fourth quarter grew 14% to $25 million compared to the same quarter in fiscal 2019. The quarter and year benefited from the operation of five additional Marlin Bar locations and strong sales increases in most locations.
     
  • Wholesale sales, excluding Lanier Apparel, decreased to $207 million during fiscal 2021 compared to $239 million in fiscal 2019. The decrease was primarily related to conservative inventory positions taken by our wholesale partners who placed most orders when there was heightened uncertainty related to COVID. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, wholesale sales, excluding Lanier Apparel, decreased to $42 million compared to $57 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. This decrease includes the impact of most spring wholesale deliveries shifting into the first quarter of 2022.
     
• Significant gross margin improvement was fueled by strong full-price sales, a shift in sales mix towards full-price direct to consumer channels, and improved initial product margin, partially offset by higher freight costs and the impact of LIFO accounting. Gross margin for fiscal 2021 increased 440 basis points to 62% compared to fiscal 2019 on a GAAP basis. On an adjusted basis, gross margin for fiscal 2021 increased 540 basis points to 63% compared to fiscal 2019. In the fourth quarter, gross margin on a GAAP basis was 59% compared to 56% in the same period of 2019. Adjusted gross margin in the fourth quarter was 61% compared to 56% in the same period of 2019.
   
• SG&A was $574 million, or 50% of net sales, for fiscal year 2021 compared to $566 million, or 50% of net sales, in fiscal 2019. On an adjusted basis, SG&A was $564 million, or 49% of net sales, compared to $562 million, or 50% of net sales, in fiscal 2019. SG&A during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 was $153 million on a GAAP basis compared to $149 million in 2019. On an adjusted basis, SG&A was $152 million during the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $146 million during the fourth quarter of 2019.
   
• Royalties and other income increased to $33 million for the fiscal year compared to $15 million of royalties and other income in fiscal 2019. Fiscal 2021 included non-recurring gains on the sale of an interest in an unconsolidated entity and sale of a distribution center formerly used by Lanier Apparel totaling $15 million.
   
• Consolidated operating margin expanded by 620 basis points on a GAAP basis and 650 basis points on an adjusted basis for fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2019, with improvements across all brands. The Company reported operating income of $166 million, or 15% of net sales, compared to an operating income of $94 million, or 8% of net sales, in fiscal 2019. On an adjusted basis, the Company’s operating income was $174 million, or 15% of net sales, in fiscal 2021 compared to an operating income of $99 million, or 9% of net sales, in fiscal 2019.   In the fourth quarter, the Company reported operating income of $32 million compared to an operating income of $21 million in the same period of fiscal 2019. On an adjusted basis, operating income was $36 million compared to $25 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.
   
• The effective tax rate was 20% for both the full year and fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to 26% for full year fiscal 2019 and 27% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Fiscal 2021 benefited from certain favorable discrete items.
   
• The Company reported earnings per share of $7.78 on a GAAP basis and $7.99 on an adjusted basis in fiscal 2021 compared to $4.05 on a GAAP basis and $4.32 on an adjusted basis in fiscal 2019. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company reported earnings per share of $1.50 on a GAAP basis and $1.68 on an adjusted basis compared to $0.90 on a GAAP basis and $1.09 on an adjusted basis during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.
   

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

Inventory decreased 4% to $118 million at the end of the fourth quarter compared to $124 million in the prior year as reported on a LIFO basis. On a FIFO basis, inventory increased by 6% and excluding Lanier Apparel, inventory increased 12% year over year.

The Company ended fiscal 2021 in a strong liquidity position with $210 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and no borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit agreement. The improvement in the Company’s liquidity position was attributable to $198 million of cash flow from operations which funded $32 million of capital expenditures primarily for information technology initiatives to enhance capabilities with regard to omni-channel, digital marketing and data, as well as investments in Marlin Bars and retail stores. In fiscal 2021, the Company also paid dividends of $28 million and repurchased $11 million of its shares, which includes $3 million related to employee stock compensation. The Company believes its future operating cash flow and strong liquidity position will satisfy ongoing cash requirements for the foreseeable future.

Dividend and Share Repurchase

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.55 per share, a 31% increase from the previous level of $0.42 per share. The dividend is payable on April 29, 2022 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 14, 2022. The Company has paid dividends every quarter since it became publicly owned in 1960.

To date, the Company has repurchased $37 million of shares, including $8 million in fiscal 2021, under its December 7, 2021 $150 million share repurchase authorization.

Fiscal 2022 Outlook

For the full 2022 fiscal year, ending on January 28, 2023, the Company expects net sales to grow to between $1.245 billion and $1.285 billion as compared to net sales of $1.142 billion in fiscal 2021. In fiscal 2022, GAAP and adjusted earnings per share are expected to be between $8.75 and $9.15. This compares to earnings on a GAAP basis of $7.78 per share and on an adjusted basis of $7.99 per share in fiscal 2021.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2022, ending April 30, 2022, the Company expects net sales in a range of $315 million to $335 million, as compared to $266 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. In the first quarter of fiscal 2021, GAAP and adjusted earnings per share are expected to be between $2.65 and $2.85. This compares to earnings on a GAAP basis of $1.70 per share and adjusted earnings of $1.89 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.  

The Company’s effective tax rate for fiscal 2022 is expected to be between 24% and 25%.

Capital expenditures in fiscal 2022 are expected to be approximately $50 million, compared to $32 million in fiscal 2021, primarily reflecting investments in information technology initiatives, the development of new direct to consumer locations, including a new Marlin Bar in Palm Beach Gardens, and remodeling existing locations.

About Oxford

Oxford Industries, Inc., a leader in the apparel industry, owns and markets the distinctive Tommy Bahama^®, Lilly Pulitzer^®, Southern Tide^®, The Beaufort Bonnet Company^® and Duck Head^® lifestyle brands. Oxford's stock has traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1964 under the symbol OXM.