Financial Performance - In 2023, lululemon's net revenue reached 9.6 billion, representing a 19% increase from 5.6 billion, with a gross margin improvement of 290 basis points to 58.3%[190][200]. - Operating margin improved to 22.2%, up 580 basis points from 16.4% in the previous year[211]. - The effective tax rate decreased to 28.8% in 2023 from 35.9% in 2022, with income tax expense rising by 31% to 12.20 in 2023 from 12.77 compared to 3,397,218, an increase of 108.8 million, driven by higher salaries, wages, and stock-based compensation[206]. - Impairment of goodwill and other assets decreased significantly by 81.7% to 407,913[208]. - Amortization of intangible assets decreased by 42.8% to 8,752[209]. - Gain on disposal of assets was recorded at 10,180 in the previous year[210]. - The company experienced a 1,023.9 million, reflecting a 42.9% growth from 2022[25]. - The Americas region generated 79% of total net revenue in 2023, with plans for ongoing product innovation and brand awareness initiatives[21]. - In 2023, net revenue from other product categories represented 13% of total net revenue[14]. Retail Expansion - The company operated 711 retail locations as of January 28, 2024, an increase from 655 locations in the previous year[30]. - The company plans to continue expanding its presence in China Mainland, expecting the majority of new store openings in 2024 to occur in this market[23]. - The company plans to continue expanding its physical retail locations to support growth objectives[62]. - The company opened 56 net new stores, resulting in a 15% increase in square footage, while total company-operated store net revenue grew by 21%[185]. Product Development - New product innovations included the launch of the Wundermost bodywear collection for women and the Steady State and Soft Jersey lines for men, alongside updates to footwear styles[186]. - A partnership with Peloton was announced, making Peloton the exclusive content provider for lululemon Studio members and the primary apparel provider[188]. Supply Chain and Manufacturing - The company relies on approximately 49 vendors for manufacturing, with five vendors producing 55% of its products in 2023[36]. - Approximately 42% of the company's products were manufactured in Vietnam, with 16% in Cambodia, and 11% in Sri Lanka during 2023[86]. - The company has a Responsible Supply Chain program focused on monitoring, integration, and collaboration to uphold labor rights and improve working conditions[54]. - Supply chain disruptions improved in 2023, leading to reduced freight costs and lower air freight usage compared to previous years[195]. - Gross margin increased by 290 basis points, with a net increase of 240 basis points primarily due to lower freight costs and reduced duty costs[205]. Employee and Leadership - The company employed approximately 88,000 people worldwide as of January 28, 2024[50]. - As of January 28, 2024, approximately 50% of the board of directors and 70% of the senior executive leadership team are women[45]. - The employee engagement score exceeded the retail industry average in 2023, with an 85% participation rate in the annual survey[53]. - The company aims to maintain 100% gender pay equity across its global employee population, having achieved this in the United States[49]. Risks and Challenges - The athletic apparel market is highly competitive, with significant competition from established companies like Nike, adidas, and Under Armour[42]. - The company faces significant pressure on costs and pricing due to intense competition, constrained sourcing capacity, and inflationary pressures, which could adversely affect operating margins[69]. - The company has limited experience in international markets, which may hinder expansion efforts and growth outside of the Americas[75]. - Disruptions in the supply chain due to geopolitical events or natural disasters could materially affect the company's operating and financial results[85]. - The fluctuating cost of raw materials, including petroleum-based products and cotton, could adversely impact the company's cost of goods sold and future margins[94]. - Increasing labor costs in South Asia and Southeast Asia could significantly raise production costs, negatively impacting operations and earnings[97]. - The company faces risks related to information security, including potential breaches that could damage customer relationships and lead to legal and financial exposure[98]. - Cyber-attacks targeting the retail industry may increase operational costs for the company, including expenses for additional security measures and personnel[99]. - Compliance with various privacy and data protection laws, such as GDPR and CCPA, adds to the company's operational complexity and costs, with potential legal repercussions for non-compliance[103]. - Climate change poses risks to the supply chain, potentially increasing production costs and impacting consumer purchasing behavior[108]. - Global economic uncertainties, including inflation and geopolitical tensions, may adversely affect consumer discretionary spending and demand for the company's products[111]. - The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant volatility in the global economy, impacting store traffic, supply chains, and overall financial condition[116]. - Trade restrictions and tariffs imposed by the U.S. and other countries could increase costs and disrupt the supply chain, negatively affecting financial performance[120]. - Adverse changes in trade agreements or geopolitical instability could negatively impact the company's operations and cash flows[122]. - The company is subject to various income tax laws, and changes in these laws could adversely affect its effective income tax rate and profitability[125]. - The company is currently negotiating the renewal of its Advance Pricing Arrangement with the IRS and Canada Revenue Agency, which could impact its effective tax rate[128]. - Changes in international tax laws, including the 15% corporate alternative minimum tax under the Inflation Reduction Act, may affect the company's income tax expense and capital allocation decisions[129]. - The company faces risks related to compliance with extensive regulations governing the labeling, distribution, and sale of its products, which could lead to significant penalties[130]. - The company is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, which have historically affected its results of operations[135]. - The company may face litigation related to intellectual property claims, which could result in significant expenses and impact its operations[143]. Cybersecurity - The board of directors oversees cybersecurity risks and has delegated primary responsibility to the audit committee, which includes a cybersecurity sub-committee[152]. - The company has not been materially affected by previous cybersecurity incidents, but continues to experience cyber-attacks, including phishing attempts[159]. - The company operates a cybersecurity program that includes risk assessments and incident response, managed by the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with over 25 years of experience[155]. - The company has a vendor risk program to monitor cybersecurity risks associated with third-party service providers, requiring them to undergo risk assessments before data exchange[158]. Stock and Dividends - The company does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future, with future determinations dependent on financial condition and operating results[167]. - The company repurchased a total of 119,839 shares during the fourth quarter of 2023 under its stock repurchase programs, with an average price paid per share of approximately 100.00 in February 2019 to $327.15 by January 28, 2024[165]. Miscellaneous - The company utilizes comparable sales as a key metric to evaluate business performance, providing insights into underlying trends[180]. - The company’s fiscal year typically results in a 52-week year, with fiscal 2024 expected to be a 53-week year[180]. - The company has entered into new leases for distribution centers, including a 1,255,000 square feet center in Ontario, California, expected to be operational in early fiscal 2024[161].
lululemon(LULU) - 2024 Q4 - Annual Report