ZUMZ Posts Wider-Than-Expected Q1 Loss, 5.5% Y/Y Rise in Comps

Core Insights - Zumiez Inc. reported first-quarter fiscal 2025 results with total net sales of $184.3 million, surpassing estimates, while the loss per share was wider than expected but improved year over year [1][2][9] Financial Performance - The company posted a quarterly loss of $0.79 per share, compared to a loss of $0.86 in the same quarter last year, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.77 [2][9] - Total net sales increased by 3.9% from $177.4 million in the prior-year quarter, driven by strong performance in North America [2][4] - Comparable sales rose 5.5% year over year, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of growth, exceeding the expected 4% [3][9] Regional and Category Performance - North America's net sales improved by 4.9% year over year to $149.7 million, while international sales declined by 0.2% to $34.6 million [4][5] - Comparable sales in North America increased by 7.4%, while international comps declined by 2.3% [5] - The women's category saw the highest comps increase, while hardgoods was the only category to post a decline [5] Margins and Costs - Gross profit increased by 6.6% year over year to $55.3 million, with gross margin expanding by 70 basis points to 30% [6][9] - Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs rose by 4.3% year over year to $75.2 million, with a notable one-time legal cost impacting the percentage of sales [7] Financial Health - As of May 3, 2025, cash and current marketable securities totaled $101 million, down from $146.6 million a year earlier, primarily due to share repurchases and capital expenditures [11] - The company had no debt and total shareholders' equity was reported at $298.5 million [11][12] - Inventory increased by 2.1% year over year to $149.9 million, with plans to open nine new stores and close 20 in fiscal 2025 [13] Future Guidance - For Q2 fiscal 2025, total sales are expected between $207 million and $214 million, with comps growth anticipated to range from a decrease of 1% to an increase of 3% [16] - The company projects an operating loss between $0.7 million and $4 million for Q2, with a loss per share expected between $0.09 and $0.24 [17] - For fiscal 2025, Zumiez anticipates year-over-year sales growth despite planned store closures, with a focus on improving product margins and operating margins [18][20]