Q2 Footwear Retailer Earnings: Foot Locker (NYSE:FL) Impresses

As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q2. Today, we are looking at footwear retailer stocks, starting with Foot Locker (NYSE:FL).

Footwear sales–like their apparel counterparts–are driven by seasons, trends, and innovation more so than absolute need and similarly face the bigger-picture secular trend of e-commerce penetration. Footwear plays a part in societal belonging, personal expression, and occasion, and retailers selling shoes recognize this. Therefore, they aim to balance selection, competitive prices, and the latest trends to attract consumers. Unlike their apparel counterparts, footwear retailers most sell popular third-party brands (as opposed to their own exclusive brands), which could mean less exclusivity of product but more nimbleness to pivot to what’s hot.

The 4 footwear retailer stocks we track reported a mixed Q2. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

After much suspense, the Federal Reserve cut its policy rate by 50bps (half a percent) in September 2024. This marks the central bank’s first easing of monetary policy since 2020 and the end of its most pointed inflation-busting campaign since the 1980s. Inflation had begun to run hot in 2021 post-COVID due to a confluence of factors such as supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and stimulus spending. While CPI (inflation) readings have been supportive lately, employment measures have prompted some concern. Going forward, the markets will debate whether this rate cut (and more potential ones in 2024 and 2025) is perfect timing to support the economy or a bit too late for a macro that has already cooled too much.

In light of this news, footwear retailer stocks have held steady with share prices up 2% on average since the latest earnings results.

Best Q2: Foot Locker (NYSE:FL)

Known for store associates whose uniforms resemble those of referees, Foot Locker (NYSE:FL) is a specialty retailer that sells athletic footwear, clothing, and accessories.

Foot Locker reported revenues of $1.9 billion, up 1.9% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, and overall, it was an exceptional quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ earnings and EBITDA estimates.

Mary Dillon, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The Lace Up Plan is working, as evidenced by our return to positive total and comparable sales growth as well as gross margin expansion in the second quarter. Our top line trends strengthened as we moved through the quarter, including a solid start to Back-to-School. We were also particularly pleased to deliver stabilization in our Champs Sports banner. As planned, we relaunched our enhanced FLX Rewards Program in the United States during the quarter and have been encouraged by initial results. Our strategies are building momentum as we look to the remainder of the year, and we are reaffirming our full-year Non-GAAP EPS outlook."

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 28.4% since reporting and currently trades at $23.47.

Is now the time to buy Foot Locker? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Boot Barn (NYSE:BOOT)

With a strong store presence in Texas, California, Florida, and Oklahoma, Boot Barn (NYSE:BOOT) is a western-inspired apparel and footwear retailer.

Boot Barn reported revenues of $423.4 million, up 10.3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.6%. The business had a strong quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ earnings estimates.

Boot Barn achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat and highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 39.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $161.67.

Is now the time to buy Boot Barn? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q2: Designer Brands (NYSE:DBI)

Founded in 1969 as a shoe importer and distributor, Designer Brands (NYSE:DBI) is an American discount retailer focused on footwear and accessories.

Designer Brands reported revenues of $771.9 million, down 2.6% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 5.4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted underwhelming earnings guidance for the full year and a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Designer Brands delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 2.7% since the results and currently trades at $5.65.

Read our full analysis of Designer Brands’s results here.

Shoe Carnival (NASDAQ:SCVL)

Known for its playful atmosphere that features carnival elements, Shoe Carnival (NASDAQ:SCVL) is a retailer that sells footwear from mainstream brands for the entire family.

Shoe Carnival reported revenues of $332.7 million, up 12.9% year on year. This print lagged analysts' expectations by 1.1%. Overall, it was a slower quarter as it also logged underwhelming earnings guidance for the full year.

Shoe Carnival delivered the fastest revenue growth but had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $37.36.

Read our full, actionable report on Shoe Carnival here, it’s free.

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