Canada Goose jackets are piled up at the company's factory in Toronto on April 2, 2015.Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
Luxury parka maker Canada Goose Holdings Inc. slashed expected revenue growth for the year due to “material negative impact” from the new coronavirus outbreak.
The health crisis “has hit our biggest current growth market,” said chief executive Dani Reiss during a conference call with analysts on Friday after the company released its third-quarter financial results.
“As it is to everyone in the luxury industry, this is – obviously – a major near-term headwind,” he said.
Canada Goose has seen significant reductions in revenue at retail stores and through online shopping across Greater China. Meanwhile, global travel disruptions, such as flight cancellations and restrictions on movement, have affected retail stores in international shopping destinations in North America and Europe.
“Understandably, people are staying home and avoiding shopping for their own health and safety in China and abroad,” Mr. Reiss said.
Canada Goose now expects annual revenue for its 2020 financial year to grow between 13.8 per cent and 15 per cent – down from the earlier expected figure of at least 20 per cent. That translates to revenue between $945-million and $955-million.
“While we expect this to have a material near-term impact, this is a temporary disruption,” Mr. Reiss said. Although, the company noted in a statement that the disruption’s extent and duration remain unknown, and a prolonged situation could affect future fiscal periods.
Mr. Reiss said the company expects any long-term supply-chain impact to be offset by inventory Canada Goose built up over the past year.
Indigo Books & Music Inc. also said it’s feeling the effects of the coronavirus outbreak during its third-quarter results conference call Friday morning – a day after the company released its results.
Some of the company’s products that are made in China “will now be a little bit time affected,” said CEO Heather Reisman, adding the company is “working against that problem now.”
It’s hoping to see these new general merchandise products hit store shelves this fall, she said.
“We are, like everyone else ... impacted,” Ms. Reisman said, as the company has a good amount of work in China.
“And right now, China is closed.”
The Canada Goose chief executive also said the company’s “hearts go out to everyone who has been affected” and that Canada Goose donated roughly $190,000 (or 1,000,000 Chinese Yuan Renminbi) to the Wuhan Charity Foundation to help fight the battle against coronavirus.
“The health and safety of our team in Greater China is our top priority, and we are closely watching the situation and adjusting our operations as needed in co-operation with the local authorities,” he said.
Coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China. In late January, the World Health Organization declared it a global health emergency.
There are now at least 31,211 confirmed cases in China and 637 deaths, according to the WHO. Beyond China’s borders, there are 270 confirmed cases in 24 countries, and one death. There are several confirmed cases in Canada – situated in Ontario and British Columbia.
Canada Goose has 21 stores, according to its website, including one each in Beijing, Shenyang and Shanghai, China, as well as two in Hong Kong. It also operates locations in London, Tokyo, Milan and Paris, as well as several in Canada and the U.S.
The revised outlook came as the company reported its third-quarter financial results.
Canada Goose had a net income of $118-million, or $1.07 a diluted share, up from $103.4-million or 93 cents for the same quarter last year. Adjusted net income for the quarter ending Dec. 29 was $119.7-million, or $1.08 a share, up from $107.2-million or 96 cents a share last year.
Revenue came in at $452.1-million, up from $399.3-million for the same quarter last year.
Analysts had expected revenue of $448.2-million and adjusted net income of $1.07 for each share, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv.
Canada Goose’s shares were down $1.97 or 4.5 per cent at $42.18 in early afternoon trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.