Dillard's, Inc. Reports First Quarter Results

Core Viewpoint - Dillard's, Inc. reported a relatively good first quarter despite economic uncertainty, maintaining expense control and a healthy gross margin while executing a significant stock repurchase program [1]. Financial Performance - Net income for the first quarter ended May 3, 2025, was $163.8 million, or $10.39 per share, down from $180.0 million, or $11.09 per share, in the same period last year [2]. - Net sales for the first quarter were $1.529 billion, a decrease from $1.549 billion in the prior year [3]. - Total retail sales, excluding the construction business, decreased by 2% to $1.468 billion compared to $1.493 billion in the previous year, with comparable store sales down by 1% [4]. Gross Margin - Consolidated gross margin for the first quarter was 43.9% of sales, down from 44.6% in the prior year [5]. - Retail gross margin was 45.5% of sales, compared to 46.2% in the same period last year, with declines noted in ladies' apparel and slight decreases in other categories [5]. Inventory and Expenses - Inventory increased by 6% as of May 3, 2025, compared to the previous year [6]. - Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $421.7 million, or 27.6% of sales, slightly down from $426.7 million, or 27.5% of sales, in the prior year, primarily due to reduced payroll expenses [7]. Share Repurchase - The company repurchased $98 million worth of Class A Common Stock, approximately 276,000 shares, at an average price of $355.65 per share, with $175 million remaining under the current repurchase program [10]. Store Operations - Dillard's operates 272 stores across 30 states, including 28 clearance centers, totaling 46.3 million square feet of retail space [11].