Boot Barn (BOOT) FY Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Boot Barn (BOOT) - **Conference Date**: June 04, 2025 - **Analyst Rating**: Buy rating with a price target of $185 [1] Key Points Business Performance - Boot Barn is experiencing broad-based growth across all major merchandise categories and geographies, with consistent customer transaction growth [5][10] - The company has historically been a mid-single-digit comp business, but current performance is exceeding that, indicating strong underlying momentum [6][19] - The first quarter guidance remains intact, with a high-end estimate of 6% same-store sales growth, while current performance is tracking at over 10% [19][20] Strategic Initiatives - Boot Barn's strategic focus includes same-store sales growth, new store openings, margin improvement, exclusive brands, and omni-channel strategies [13] - Exclusive brands accounted for 38.6% of sales last fiscal year, with a target for an additional 100 basis points growth this fiscal year [15] - The company plans to launch separate websites and marketing campaigns for exclusive brands to enhance storytelling and brand presence [14] Pricing and Elasticity - The company anticipates mid-single-digit price increases across third-party vendors due to tariffs, but expects to maintain competitive pricing through MAP policies [25][27] - Boot Barn is focused on holding prices lower for longer on exclusive brands to drive penetration growth [29] Market Trends and Industry Position - Boot Barn's performance contrasts with other public companies in the Western retail space, indicating strong execution and brand loyalty [8][40] - The company does not view current trends as a peak but rather as a stable mid-single-digit comp business, with a history of resilience [38][39] Marketing and Advertising - Boot Barn's marketing budget has grown significantly, now at over $60 million, with a focus on content distribution and storytelling for both the retailer and exclusive brands [42][43] - The company aims to leverage its marketing efforts to build brand awareness and drive sales [42] Margin and Cost Management - The company has achieved over 600 basis points of merchandise margin expansion over the last six years, with ongoing efforts to improve supply chain efficiencies [52] - Future margin drivers include exclusive brand penetration growth and better vendor discounts [52] - The company expects to maintain a full-price selling strategy, with markdowns primarily focused on moving through historic low inventory levels [46][47] Store Growth and Operations - Boot Barn plans to continue opening new stores, with a focus on finding the right locations and managing operational loads effectively [59][60] - New stores in regions like the Northeast are performing similarly to established markets, indicating strong brand acceptance [61] Future Outlook - The company remains optimistic about achieving a 15% EBIT margin over the next five to six years, despite current challenges [58] - Boot Barn is committed to maintaining its growth trajectory while ensuring operational efficiency and customer satisfaction [59][60] Additional Insights - The company is adapting its strategies in response to macroeconomic factors, including consumer spending and pricing pressures [20][21] - Boot Barn's approach to advertising and marketing is evolving to capitalize on digital opportunities and enhance customer engagement [42][43]

Boot Barn (BOOT) FY Conference Summary Company Overview - Boot Barn is a retail brand established in 1978, focusing on Western, work, and everyday lifestyle products [3][2] - The company has expanded its store base significantly over the years and has a strong exclusive brand portfolio [3][2] Total Addressable Market (TAM) - Initial TAM at IPO was $20 billion, primarily from work and Western customers [4] - Expansion of TAM to $40 billion by including the "Just Country" customer segment, adding approximately $15 billion [7][8] Competitive Landscape - Boot Barn operates 467 stores, with competition from regional players like Cavenders (104 stores) and various mom-and-pop retailers [8][9] - The industry is characterized by rational pricing strategies, avoiding price wars common in other retail sectors [12] Financial Performance - FY 2025 sales increased by 15% to $1.9 billion, with comparable sales up 5.5% [13] - Earnings per share (EPS) reached $5.88, nearly three times higher than four years ago [13] - Historical same-store sales growth averaged 5.5%, with a significant post-COVID spike of 54% [14][15] Store Expansion Strategy - Boot Barn plans to continue opening stores at a rate of 15% annually, targeting a total of 524 to 529 stores by the end of the year [25] - Long-term potential to double store count to 900 based on previous studies [26] Customer Demographics and Sales Mix - Customer demographics have remained consistent, with no significant shift towards higher-income customers [22] - Online sales have decreased from 17% to 10% of total sales due to new store growth [22] Strategic Initiatives 1. **Store Growth**: Continuous expansion with a focus on both legacy and new markets [25][26] 2. **Same Store Sales**: Consistent positive comps, with broad-based growth across all merchandise categories [33][36] 3. **Omnichannel Strategy**: Emphasis on in-store experiences while maintaining a digital presence [41] 4. **Exclusive Brands**: Focus on growing exclusive brands, which account for 35% of sales [46] Marketing and Brand Partnerships - Marketing budget has increased to $65 million, focusing on distribution and brand partnerships [38][39] - Collaborations with country music artists and events to enhance brand visibility [37] Future Growth Potential - Projected future sales growth of $1.4 billion from new stores, alongside comp sales [50] - Opportunities for margin expansion through full-price selling and supply chain efficiencies [51] Conclusion - Boot Barn is positioned for significant growth through strategic store expansion, consistent customer engagement, and a focus on exclusive brands, with a strong financial performance backing its initiatives [51]

Core Insights - Boot Barn's shares surged 34% this week due to tariff relaxation on Chinese imports and positive fiscal fourth-quarter earnings guidance [1][2] - Despite missing revenue expectations, the company's forward guidance and commentary on tariff mitigation led to a significant recovery in stock price [2][5] Financial Performance - For the quarter ending March 29, Boot Barn reported a revenue increase of 16.8% to $453.7 million, with same-store sales growth of 6% and earnings per share of $1.22, reflecting a 27% increase [3][6] - Although the reported results were strong, they fell short of analyst expectations, who anticipated higher consumer demand due to impending tariffs [5] Future Outlook - CEO John Hazen projected 65 to 70 new store openings for the upcoming fiscal year, which would represent a nearly 15% increase in store count compared to the previous year [6] - Management forecasted flat same-store sales at the midpoint for the year ahead, which was considered better than expected given low consumer confidence [6] Tariff Mitigation Strategy - The company plans to reduce its exposure to China, decreasing the percentage of exclusive brands sourced from China from 24% in fiscal 2025 to 12% in 2026 [7] - The recent agreement to roll back retaliatory tariffs will still leave a 30% tariff on Chinese imports, down from 145% [7] Market Position - Despite the recent rally, Boot Barn's stock remains approximately 12% below its all-time highs set in January [9] - The stock trades at around 26.5 times the midpoint of this year's earnings guidance, which is considered high for a fashion-oriented retailer in an uncertain economic climate [9][10]

Sales and Revenue - In fiscal 2025, sales from exclusive brand products accounted for approximately 38.6% of consolidated sales[149]. - The company’s sales can significantly fluctuate based on shopping seasons, with typically higher sales during the Christmas shopping season[168]. - Unseasonable or extreme weather could negatively impact sales, financial condition, and results of operations[171]. Financial Condition and Debt - The company did not have any outstanding indebtedness under the Wells Fargo Revolver as of March 29, 2025[160]. - The company’s revolving credit facility contains covenants that may limit operational flexibility and could impact financial performance[161]. - The company has no outstanding amount on its revolving credit facility as of March 29, 2025[314]. - The company’s capital structure is regularly evaluated, but it intends to retain available funds for business operations and expansion[198]. Legal and Regulatory Risks - The company faces risks related to increased regulatory enforcement and litigation in privacy and data protection, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act[151]. - Litigation costs and outcomes could materially affect the company’s business and financial condition[172]. - The company may face increased costs and operational changes due to violations or changes in laws, including labor and employment regulations[185]. - The company is subject to potential liability for infringing on third-party intellectual property rights, which could harm its brand image and financial results[177]. Operational Risks - The company relies on a software-as-a-service platform for various operational aspects, and any disruption could severely affect operations[152]. - The company may incur significant expenses addressing problems created by security breaches to its network, which could adversely affect financial results[150]. - The company may incur significant costs and face operational disruptions if it fails to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting[174]. - The company relies on vendors to provide quality merchandise that complies with applicable product safety laws, but non-compliance could adversely affect its financial results[184]. Market and Stock Performance - The company's common stock has traded as high as $176.64 and as low as $5.20 since its IPO in October 2014 through May 2025[190]. - The trading market for the company's common stock is influenced by analysts' reports, and unfavorable coverage could lead to a decline in stock price[197]. - The company does not currently intend to pay cash dividends on its common stock, which may decrease its desirability to investors[198]. Strategic Considerations - The company has made strategic acquisitions in the past and may consider future transactions that could impact liquidity and management focus[187]. - The company’s marketing strategy includes partnerships with celebrities, and any loss of these endorsements could negatively impact its business[175]. - Legal and business challenges may arise from actions by activist stockholders, potentially affecting the company's strategic direction[201]. - The company may face challenges from activist shareholders, which could divert management's attention and impact stock price[199]. External Factors - The company’s operations could be materially affected by external factors such as war, terrorism, or civil unrest, leading to decreased consumer spending[188]. - The company is exposed to risks from credit card fraud as it does not carry insurance against this risk[155]. - The company purchases all merchandise on a U.S. dollar-denominated basis and does not hedge against foreign exchange rate risks[315]. - The impact of inflation on the company's results of operations and financial condition is believed to be immaterial[316]. - The company is subject to interest rate risk related to borrowings under its credit facility, which bears interest at variable rates[314]. Goodwill and Intangible Assets - The company's goodwill balance as of March 29, 2025, was $197.5 million, and the intangible asset balance was $58.7 million[189].

Core Insights - Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. reported disappointing earnings for the fourth quarter, with earnings per share (EPS) of $1.22, missing the analyst consensus estimate of $1.24, and quarterly revenue of $453.75 million, falling short of the expected $458.42 million [1][3] - Despite the fourth-quarter miss, the company provided optimistic first-quarter guidance, expecting EPS between $1.44 and $1.52, slightly above the $1.44 analyst estimate, and revenue projected between $483 million and $491 million, compared to the $486.49 million estimate [3] - Boot Barn announced a $200 million share repurchase program, which may enhance shareholder value [3] Financial Performance - The company achieved a 15% annual total sales growth and a 23% increase in earnings per diluted share for fiscal year 2025, indicating resilience in its core consumer base despite market uncertainties [2] - The stock price increased by 15% to $152.74 following the earnings announcement, reflecting positive market sentiment [3] Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - JP Morgan analyst maintained an Overweight rating but lowered the price target from $209 to $196 [9] - UBS analyst kept a Buy rating and raised the price target from $156 to $210 [9] - Baird analyst maintained an Outperform rating and increased the price target from $140 to $180 [9] - B of A Securities analyst maintained a Buy rating and raised the price target from $160 to $173 [9] - Piper Sandler analyst maintained an Overweight rating and increased the price target from $162 to $184 [9]

Core Insights - Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results with revenues and earnings below the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but both metrics increased year over year, leading to an 18% rise in shares during after-hours trading [1][4]. Financial Performance - Earnings per share were $1.22, a 27.1% increase from $0.96 in the prior year, but missed the consensus estimate of $1.24 [4]. - Net sales reached $453.7 million, a 16.8% year-over-year increase, but fell short of the consensus estimate of $458 million [4]. - Consolidated same-store sales grew by 6%, driven by a 5.5% increase in retail store same-store sales and a 9.8% rise in e-commerce same-store sales, although it was below the expected 7.3% growth [5]. Margin and Cost Analysis - Gross profit increased by 20.9% to $168.6 million, primarily due to higher sales and improved merchandise margins, despite increased occupancy costs from new store openings [6]. - Gross margin improved by 130 basis points to 37.1%, attributed to a 210 basis point increase in merchandise margin rate, partially offset by an 80 basis point increase in costs related to buying, occupancy, and distribution [7]. - Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses rose by 17.5% to $118.9 million, driven by higher store payroll and corporate administrative costs, with SG&A as a percentage of net sales increasing to 26.2% [8]. Operational Highlights - Operating income increased by 29.9% to $49.7 million, with an operating margin of 11%, up 120 basis points from the previous year [9]. - The company ended the quarter with $69.8 million in cash and did not utilize its $250 million revolving credit facility [10]. Future Outlook - For the fiscal first quarter, total sales are expected to be between $483 million and $491 million, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 14-16%, with same-store sales growth projected at 4-6% [13]. - For fiscal 2026, total sales are projected to be between $2.07 billion and $2.15 billion, indicating growth of 8-13% from fiscal 2025, while same-store sales are expected to decline by 2% to grow by 2% [16].

Core Insights - Boot Barn reported revenue of $453.75 million for the quarter ended March 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 16.8% [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $1.22, up from $1.01 in the same quarter last year [1] - The reported revenue was slightly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $458.18 million, resulting in a revenue surprise of -0.97% [1] - The EPS fell short of the consensus estimate of $1.24, leading to an EPS surprise of -1.61% [1] Performance Metrics - Boot Barn's same-store sales growth was 6%, which was below the four-analyst average estimate of 7.3% [4] - The company opened or acquired 21 stores, matching the average estimate based on two analysts [4] - The average store square footage at the end of the period was 11,183, slightly above the estimated 11,134 [4] - The total number of stores operating at the end of the period was 459, consistent with the two-analyst average estimate [4] - Total retail store square footage at the end of the period was 5.13 million, exceeding the average estimate of 5.11 million [4] Stock Performance - Boot Barn shares have returned +46.7% over the past month, significantly outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +9.9% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Company Performance - Boot Barn reported quarterly earnings of $1.22 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.24 per share, but showing an increase from $1.01 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of -1.61% [1] - The company posted revenues of $453.75 million for the quarter ended March 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.97%, compared to year-ago revenues of $388.46 million [2] - Over the last four quarters, Boot Barn has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped consensus revenue estimates two times [2] Stock Performance - Boot Barn shares have lost about 11% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has gained 0.1% [3] - The current Zacks Rank for Boot Barn is 3 (Hold), indicating that the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future [6] Future Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $1.48 on revenues of $487.67 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $6.73 on revenues of $2.19 billion [7] - The outlook for the Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry, where Boot Barn operates, is currently in the bottom 38% of over 250 Zacks industries, which may impact the stock's performance [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Full year fiscal 2025 revenue reached a record $1.9 billion, reflecting a $1 billion sales growth over the last four fiscal years, driven by 186 new stores and strong same-store sales growth [6][8] - Earnings per diluted share increased by 23% to $5.88, up $1.08 from the prior year [6] - Fourth quarter total revenue increased by 17%, with earnings per diluted share at $1.22 compared to $0.96 in the prior year [7][8][23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Merchandise margin expanded by 130 basis points for the full year and by 210 basis points in the fourth quarter [20][23] - Same-store sales increased by 6% in the fourth quarter, with brick-and-mortar stores up 5.5% and e-commerce up 9.8% [7][15][23] - Exclusive brand penetration increased to 38.6% for fiscal 2025, with a growth of 1,500 basis points over the last four years [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company opened 60 new stores in fiscal 2025, expanding its footprint into four new states, ending the year with 459 stores [12][13] - The customer loyalty database grew by 14% year-over-year, reaching 9.6 million active customers [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to open 65 to 70 new stores in fiscal 2026, maintaining a 15% growth rate in new units [13][31] - The strategic initiatives focus on new store growth, same-store sales, omnichannel expansion, and merchandise margin improvement [12][18][20] - The company is diversifying its supply chain to reduce reliance on Chinese production, with expectations that only 5% of exclusive brand goods will be sourced from China in the second half of fiscal 2026 [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating ongoing uncertainties related to tariffs and consumer demand, with a proactive approach to pricing and inventory management [8][9][27] - The company anticipates a potential decline in merchandise margin in the second half of fiscal 2026 due to tariff impacts, but expects to maintain overall margin rates through strategic pricing [21][30] Other Important Information - The company has authorized a share repurchase program of up to $200 million, reflecting confidence in cash flow generation [33] - The guidance for fiscal 2026 includes a total sales range of $2.07 billion to $2.15 billion, with same-store sales expected to increase by 2% at the high end [28][30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on April and May same-store sales? - Management noted strong sales trends in the first quarter, with a consistent performance across major merchandise categories, but does not anticipate accelerating guidance for the entire quarter [37][39] Question: Can you elaborate on pricing power and tariff headwinds? - Management indicated that tariffs are expected to impact margins by approximately $8 million, with price increases anticipated in the summer [40][41] Question: How are you thinking about product shortages from China? - Management expressed confidence in their diversified sourcing strategy, with only 5% of exclusive brand products expected from China [46][47] Question: Can you discuss SG&A leverage and tariff impacts for fiscal 2027? - Management expects to leverage SG&A through normalized expenses and new store contributions, while acknowledging that tariff costs may carry into fiscal 2027 [72][74] Question: What is the strategy for pricing adjustments? - Management is evaluating pricing on a product-by-product basis, considering psychological price points and exclusive brand penetration opportunities [82][84] Question: How is the competitive landscape behaving? - Management noted that larger competitors remain rational, while smaller mom-and-pop retailers may face challenges due to price increases [88][89] Question: How are new markets performing compared to legacy markets? - Management highlighted that new store openings have positively impacted e-commerce sales, particularly in states like New York [92][93]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Full year fiscal 2025 revenue reached a record $1,900,000,000, reflecting a $1,000,000,000 increase over the last four fiscal years [8] - Earnings per diluted share grew by 23% to $5.88, an increase of $1.08 over the prior year [8] - Fourth quarter total revenue increased by 17%, with earnings per diluted share at $1.22 compared to $0.96 in the prior year [9][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated same store sales increased by 6% in the fourth quarter, with brick-and-mortar sales up 5.5% and e-commerce sales up 9.8% [9][10] - Merchandise margin expanded by 210 basis points in the fourth quarter and by 130 basis points for the full year [21][25] - Exclusive brand penetration increased to 38.6% for fiscal 2025, with a growth of 1,500 basis points over the last four years [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company opened 60 new stores in fiscal 2025, expanding its footprint into four new states, ending the year with 459 stores [14] - The customer loyalty database grew by 14% year-over-year, reaching 9,600,000 active customers [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to open 65 to 70 new stores in fiscal 2026, maintaining a growth rate of 15% [15] - The strategy includes a focus on exclusive brands and managing pricing in response to tariff impacts [12][22] - The company aims to maintain merchandise margin rates while potentially sacrificing some margin to gain market share [23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating ongoing uncertainties related to tariffs and consumer demand [10][29] - The company anticipates a potential decline in merchandise margin in the second half of fiscal 2026 due to tariff impacts [22][29] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining strong customer relationships and brand loyalty as key drivers for future growth [18][35] Other Important Information - The company has authorized a share repurchase program of up to $200,000,000, reflecting confidence in cash flow generation [34] - The company expects to face a tariff impact of approximately $8,000,000 in fiscal 2026, with strategies in place to mitigate this [11][41] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on April and May same store sales? - Management noted strong sales trends in the first quarter, with a guidance of plus 6% for the entire quarter, consistent with Q4 [38][40] Question: Can you elaborate on pricing power for the Boot Barn brand? - Management indicated that they have seen good pricing power, with typical price increases absorbed by customers, but expect some elasticity of demand due to mid-single-digit price increases [41][42] Question: What about product shortages from China? - Management stated that only 5% of exclusive brand products are sourced from China, with efforts to diversify production to other countries [48][49] Question: How do you plan to leverage SG&A expenses? - Management expects to leverage SG&A through normalized incentive compensation and lower legal expenses, benefiting from new store openings [78] Question: What is the outlook for merchandise margins? - Management anticipates strong margins in the first half of fiscal 2026 but expects pressure in the second half due to tariffs [70][71] Question: How is the competitive landscape behaving? - Management noted that larger competitors remain rational, while smaller mom-and-pop retailers may face challenges due to price increases [90][91]