Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for fiscal year 2024 reached $496.4 million, an increase of 3.6% year-over-year [28] - Pre-tax income grew by 5.1% to $67.1 million, marking a record for the company [28] - Adjusted EPS increased by 10.2% to $3.77 [28] - For Q4, total revenues were $150.4 million, up 5.7%, with net retail sales increasing by 4.7% [25][28] - Gross margin improved to 56.6%, a 20 basis points increase from the previous year [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The commercial revenue segment, which includes wholesale sales and international franchise revenue, rose by 20.5% compared to the prior year [26] - Store traffic increased by 3%, significantly outpacing the national average decline of nearly 1% [25][26] - The company opened 24 new locations in 2024, contributing to a total of 64 new locations opened over the year [64] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expanded its global footprint by over 100 additional locations in the past two years, primarily through partner-operated models [8] - The largest unit expansion occurred in Italy, with 13 partner-operated locations now established [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three key initiatives: expanding experiential retail locations, advancing digital transformation, and increasing investments to drive profitable growth [8][15] - Plans to open at least 50 new net locations in 2025, with a majority being partner-operated internationally [30][64] - The introduction of a new retail experience in ICON Park, Orlando, is set to enhance the brand's presence in tourist destinations [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism for fiscal year 2025, anticipating continued revenue growth despite potential tariff impacts [6][30] - The company has successfully navigated previous economic challenges, including the retail apocalypse and COVID-19 [19] - Positive early reactions to spring and Easter offerings were noted, alongside strong social media engagement [20] Other Important Information - The Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend by 10% to $0.22 per share [23] - The company returned $42 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the year [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Overall consumer environment and business reaction to a slowdown - Management noted positive quarter-to-date results, with traffic outpacing national levels, and highlighted the toy industry's recession-resistant nature [36][37] Question: Progress in e-commerce - Management acknowledged the need for improvement in e-commerce and emphasized the importance of an integrated omnichannel strategy [38] Question: Tariff impacts and dependence on China - The company has diversified its supply chain, reducing dependency on China to less than 50% of inventory shipped to North America [46] Question: Future of same-day delivery partnerships - Management highlighted the importance of partnerships like Uber for enhancing customer convenience, especially during peak seasons [50][52] Question: Plans for MiniBeans product line expansion - The MiniBeans collection has sold over 1.25 million units, and the company plans to extend its reach into wholesale retail locations [57][59] Question: Inventory levels and expansion - Management indicated that inventory levels would rise to support new store openings, but overall growth would be managed carefully [70] Question: Revenue guidance and macroeconomic headwinds - Management provided mid-single-digit revenue growth guidance, accounting for potential macroeconomic challenges while remaining optimistic about store performance [75][76]