Nordstrom(US:JWN)2021-08-25 00:14Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net sales decline of 6% in Q2 2021 compared to the same period in fiscal 2019, but this represented a sequential improvement of 700 basis points from Q1 2021 [29] - Gross profit as a percentage of net sales remained flat compared to the same period in fiscal 2019, with lower markdowns offsetting the deleverage from lower net sales [34] - The company generated over $900 million in operating cash flow and took steps to strengthen its balance sheet by retiring $500 million in senior unsecured notes [28][37] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nordstrom sales improved by 800 basis points sequentially, or 1100 basis points after adjusting for the timing shift of the Anniversary Sale, while Nordstrom Rack sales improved by 500 basis points sequentially [30] - Digital sales increased by 30% over the previous year and 24% over Q2 2019, with digital sales accounting for 40% of total sales during the quarter [20][31] - The Anniversary Sale saw total event sales increase by 1% over 2019, with a notable increase in event selection by 12% and a reduction in sold-out items by 35% compared to 2019 [10][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Southern region stores continued to outperform the fleet average, although the gap narrowed relative to Q1 [32] - The company noted that new-to-Nordstrom customer counts increased by 16% over 2019 in the 70 Rack stores that were repositioned for a price-oriented offering [19][112] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is executing its "Closer to You" strategy, focusing on winning in key markets, broadening the reach of Nordstrom Rack, and increasing digital velocity [15][20] - The acquisition of a minority interest in four ASOS brands is seen as a strategic move to enhance digital offerings and extend beyond traditional wholesale models [22][23] - The company aims to reduce its leverage ratio to approximately three times by the end of 2021 and 2.5 times by the end of 2022 through earnings improvement and debt reduction [43] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the outlook for the second half of the year, anticipating continued consumer demand supported by economic improvement and increased mobility [39] - The company is closely monitoring the impacts of the pandemic on customer behavior and supply chain, while maintaining a focus on agility and flexibility [24] - Despite uncertainties, management remains committed to capturing market share, improving profitability, and creating shareholder value [25][44] Other Important Information - The company experienced a 52% increase in order pickup in stores during the Anniversary Sale compared to 2019, highlighting the effectiveness of integrated touchpoints [13] - Total SG&A as a percentage of net sales increased by 170 basis points compared to the same period in fiscal 2019 due to freight and labor cost pressures [37] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on SG&A cost pressures - Management acknowledged ongoing headwinds in supply chain and labor costs, indicating that they have factored these into guidance for the second half of the year [49] Question: Quantifying sequential improvement in sales - Management noted that sequential improvement was observed throughout the quarter, with July leading into August being the strongest month [58] Question: Inventory flows and supply chain challenges - Management highlighted challenges in global supply chain leading to uneven inventory flows, with plans to mitigate these impacts through various strategies [64] Question: Performance of Nordstrom Rack - Management reported meaningful progress in Nordstrom Rack, with a focus on price-oriented offerings leading to increased new customer counts [111] Question: Traffic versus ticket during Anniversary Sale - Management indicated improvements in traffic, although not yet at 2019 levels, with higher conversion rates and larger baskets noted [120] Question: Future of the ASOS partnership - Management expressed excitement about the ASOS partnership, viewing it as a significant opportunity to enhance offerings and reach younger customers [69]