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Under Armour(UAA) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
UAAUnder Armour(UAA)2024-08-08 16:37

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q1 2025 was down 10% to 1.2billion,witha141.2 billion, with a 14% decline in North America due to softer full-price wholesale demand and lower sales to the off-price channel [30] - Gross margin increased by 110 basis points to 47.5%, driven by pricing benefits from lower discounting and supply chain improvements [33][34] - SG&A expenses increased 42% to 837 million, but adjusted SG&A expenses were down 6% to $555 million due to cost management actions [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Apparel revenue was down 8%, footwear down 15%, and accessories down 5%, with declines across most categories [32] - Direct-to-consumer (DTC) revenue declined 12%, with a 25% decline in e-commerce due to reduced promotional activity [32] - Licensing revenue was down 14%, primarily due to declines in North American and Japanese markets [32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - EMEA revenue was flat on a reported and currency-neutral basis, with strength in DTC partially offset by a slight decline in wholesale [31] - APAC revenue was down 10% or 7% on a currency-neutral basis, driven by declines in wholesale and DTC amid a softening macro environment [31] - Latin America revenue increased by 16% or 12% on a currency-neutral basis, showing solid growth among regional distributors [31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is executing its "Protect This House" strategy, focusing on brand authenticity and elevating its culture [4][5] - A 25% SKU/style count reduction is being implemented to streamline operations and focus on high-return products [24] - The appointment of Eric Liedtke as EVP of Brand Strategy aims to enhance brand marketing and consumer insights [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's ability to deliver on sales growth guidance, emphasizing the importance of team execution and strategic clarity [43] - The company anticipates a low double-digit percentage decline in full-year revenue, with regional variations expected [37] - Management highlighted the need for improved storytelling and marketing to connect with younger consumers [46] Other Important Information - The company is focusing on elevating consumer experiences across direct-to-consumer and wholesale businesses, with a new flagship store opening in Baltimore [27] - The loyalty program, UA Rewards, has grown to nearly 5 million members, contributing positively to revenue and engagement [28] - The company is increasing investment in paid social media influencers to drive brand engagement [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Confidence in sales growth guidance for the second half of the year - Management believes they have a healthy view of the business and are making prudent decisions to improve brand performance [43] Question: Evolution of marketing and brand strategy - Management emphasized the importance of product, story, and region working together, and highlighted the need for aggressive marketing in North America [46] Question: SKU reduction strategy and its impact - Management stated that the SKU reduction will be strategic and surgical, focusing on high-performance products and improving communication of their benefits [49] Question: Units versus price expectations in revenue guidance - Management is focusing on average selling price (ASP) growth while reducing lower-margin products to drive gross margin expansion [50] Question: Approach to share buybacks - Management is cautious about share buybacks this year, evaluating cash flow and investment opportunities before making decisions [51] Question: Brand performance in EMEA and APAC - Management noted that EMEA is showing strong momentum, while APAC faces more complex macro pressures [53]