Arhaus (NasdaqGS:ARHS) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 26, 2026 08:30 AM ET Speaker0Good morning. Welcome to the Arhaus fourth quarter and full year 2025 earnings conference call. Please note that this call is being recorded, and the reproduction of any part of this call is not permitted without written authorization from the company. I will now turn the call over to your host, Tara Louise Atwood-Saja, Vice President of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.Speaker7Good morning, and thank you for joining us fo ...

E-commerce written sales grew 12.3%, supported by a refined direct mail strategy that targeted 750,000 new customers with specific pricing and design capabilities.Inventory levels were intentionally increased by $12.7 million to $96.2 million to front-run potential tariff implementations and ensure immediate product availability.Management attributed a late-quarter written sales deceleration to the 45-day government shutdown, which created consumer uncertainty despite strong post-Thanksgiving momentum.Avera ...

Core Insights - Ethan Allen's fiscal Q2 results were significantly affected by a government shutdown, which led to reduced consumer confidence and lower retail orders, particularly in the contract segment [4][6][16] - Despite the decline in demand, the company reported an improvement in gross margin to 60.9%, up 60 basis points year-over-year, driven by a higher average ticket price and reduced headcount [5][7] - The company ended the quarter with a strong liquidity position, holding $179.3 million in cash and investments with no debt, and continued to return capital to shareholders through dividends [5][12] Order Activity - Retail written orders declined by 17.9% and wholesaler orders decreased by 19.3% compared to the previous year, with both metrics showing a sequential decline throughout the quarter [1][6] - The decline in orders was attributed to macroeconomic challenges and an 11% drop in design center traffic [1][4] Financial Performance - Consolidated net sales for the quarter were reported at $149.9 million, influenced by a higher starting retail backlog and fewer returns, although offset by lower demand and fewer contract sales [2] - Adjusted operating income was $13.5 million, resulting in an adjusted operating margin of 9%, compared to 5.4% in the pre-pandemic fiscal 2019 second quarter [8][10] Margin and Cost Management - The company faced pressures on operating margins due to fixed-cost deleveraging and increased promotional activities, but these were partially mitigated by expense controls, including headcount reductions [9][10] - The total number of associates decreased by 5.1% year-over-year, ending the quarter with 3,149 employees [9] Tariffs and Pricing Strategy - Recent Section 232 tariffs imposed a 25% tariff on fully manufactured upholstered wood products, with additional tariffs affecting non-U.S. manufactured goods [13][14] - To address tariff impacts, the company is implementing a three-part strategy, including vendor cost sharing, sourcing diversification, and selective retail price increases averaging about 5% on certain SKUs [18] Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about maintaining margins and improving sales as government operations resume and consumer traffic increases [10][16] - The company operates 172 design centers in North America, with approximately 75% of its furniture produced domestically, emphasizing a vertically integrated model supported by technology [17][19]

Core Viewpoint - The Trump Administration's new tariffs on furniture imports are set to take effect on October 14, impacting various companies differently, with some facing significant margin pressure while others may benefit from the changes [1][3][5]. Impact on Companies - RH Inc. is heavily reliant on imports from Vietnam and China, with over 70% of its products sourced from these countries, making it vulnerable to the new tariffs, which include a 25% tariff on upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets, rising to 30% and 50% respectively by 2026 [6][8]. - RH has warned of a potential revenue hit of $30 million in the second half of the year due to tariff pressures, with an additional $40 million impact expected in 2026 [7]. - Wayfair, while somewhat insulated due to its marketplace model, will still face challenges as 35-40% of its third-party suppliers are located in Asian countries affected by the tariffs, forcing the company to make difficult decisions regarding cost absorption or price increases [10][11][12]. - Ethan Allen Interiors stands to benefit from the tariffs due to its strong domestic manufacturing presence, with approximately 75% of its merchandise produced in North America, allowing it to maintain prices or implement small price hikes without sacrificing volume [14][15]. Market Reactions - RH's stock has declined by 10% this month, reflecting investor concerns over its vulnerability to tariff impacts and a downgraded rating from Zacks Research to Strong Sell [9]. - Wayfair's stock has increased over 100% year-to-date, but the new tariffs may present an opportunity for profit-taking [13]. - Ethan Allen's stock has seen limited growth of 5% year-to-date, but the tariffs could attract new customers and revive sales growth, which has been down 4.9% year-over-year [15].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved record net revenue of $358 million, representing a 15.7% increase year-over-year [28] - Comparable growth was up 10.5%, driven by the successful conversion of strong first-quarter demand [28] - Net income grew by 57.7% to $35 million, reflecting over three times earnings leverage on 16% net revenue growth [33] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 51.2% to $60 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.8%, up 390 basis points year-over-year [34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Demand comparable growth decreased by 3.6% due to macroeconomic pressures, but July saw a rebound with a 15.7% increase [31][32] - The upholstery business remains a significant driver, with a focus on customization and a wide range of fabric options [56] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company operates in a $100 billion market, holding less than a 2% share, indicating significant growth potential [41] - The showroom expansion strategy is aimed at increasing market presence, with plans to open five to seven traditional showrooms annually [41] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on increasing brand awareness, expanding showroom footprint, enhancing omnichannel client experience, and investing in scalable infrastructure [6] - The launch of the Our House Bath Collection represents a strategic expansion into a new product category [14][15] - The company aims to navigate macroeconomic challenges from a position of strength, being debt-free with ample liquidity [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged a dynamic and uncertain operating environment but expressed confidence in the brand's strength and long-term outlook [31] - The company expects continued choppiness in demand trends but remains optimistic about the resilience of its client base [31][32] - Full-year guidance reflects confidence in strategy execution, with net revenue expected between $1.29 billion and $1.38 billion [49] Other Important Information - The company is investing approximately $10 million in strategic initiatives to support long-term growth [46] - A diversified sourcing strategy is in place to mitigate risks associated with tariffs and geopolitical tensions [38] Q&A Session Summary Question: Opportunities with the Bath Collection - Management noted that customer preferences are evolving towards softer, warmer designs, and the Bath Collection aligns with these trends [55] Question: Demand Trends and Tariff Impact - Management acknowledged the choppiness in demand and the expected impact of tariffs, emphasizing the resilience of their consumer base [64][94] Question: Market Share and Competitive Position - Management believes the company is gaining market share and has a unique product offering that differentiates it from competitors [98]