Hooker Furniture(HOFT)2025-04-17 15:56Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated net sales for Q4 2025 increased by 397.5 million, a decrease of 18.1 million for the year, primarily due to lower sales volumes and 3.8 million or 10% from the prior quarter, driven by a 14% increase in unit volume [17] - Home Meridian Q4 net sales increased by 2 million or about 7% year over year due to soft demand [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - All three reportable segments experienced sales decreases driven by weak demand and a depressed housing market [8] - Year-end backlog fell 22%, driven mostly by a significantly improved in-stock position [18] - Cash and cash equivalents stood at 36.9 million from the previous year-end [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on gaining market share and creating a pathway for profitability despite the ongoing furniture retail downturn [12] - Cost reduction initiatives are being accelerated, including the planned exit of the Savannah warehouse, expected to save 5.7 million annually beginning in fiscal 2027 [15][10] - The company is also opening a new leased facility in Vietnam to improve product flow and support margin expansion [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted significant macroeconomic headwinds, including the weakest housing market in 50 years and lower consumer confidence [14] - Despite challenges, the company believes it is positioned to continue gaining market share through merchandising efforts and speed to market initiatives [28] - Management is evaluating strategies to mitigate the current economic environment, including potential additional tariffs [26] Other Important Information - The company expects to record net charges of between 4 million in fiscal 2026 related to the Savannah warehouse exit [10] - The completion of cost reduction plans is expected by the second half of fiscal 2026, with total savings projected between 20 million [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on Hooker Branded's sales improvements - Management noted that the October market had a significant positive impact, particularly on Hooker case goods, with two new collections performing well [32] Question: Opportunities in domestic upholstery due to tariffs - Management sees a tremendous opportunity in domestic upholstery and has capacity to grow in this area [35] Question: Future gross margins for Home Meridian - Management indicated that there is a strong focus on growing Pulaski and Samuel Lawrence furniture, which is contributing to margin expansion [39] Question: Backlog comparison to pre-pandemic levels - Management did not provide specific figures but emphasized a focus on the right products and avoiding low-margin items [40] Question: Strategic inventory build and nimbleness - Management had already strategically increased inventory, which positioned the company well for current market conditions [46] Question: Market share growth sustainability - Management believes they can improve market share growth beyond the current 3 to 15 basis points pace [49]