The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
VANCOUVER, Canada — Lululemon Athletica Inc. climbed in late trading after raising its annual profit forecast yet again and posting another quarter of brisk sales growth, showing the yogawear maker is still avoiding the weakness that's pummelled other North American apparel retailers.
Comparable sales — a closely watched measure in the industry — rose 17 percent on a constant-currency basis in the latest quarter, above the 12 percent estimate compiled by Consensus Metrix. The result marks the seventh straight quarter it’s been above 10 percent — a rare achievement in retail.
Lululemon now sees profit of $4.63 to $4.70 a share this year, 12 cents more than its previous forecast, despite earlier warnings that increased use of air freight will trim margins.
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The Vancouver-based company’s 10th consecutive profit beat is another sign that demand for $98 yoga pants and $68 men’s tank tops remains strong. Chief Executive Calvin McDonald said the company made progress in all of its main areas of focus.
These areas broadly include creating momentum with new products — especially for men — while boosting digital sales and expanding into overseas markets like China, where it just re-launched an e-commerce site. McDonald said Lululemon has “significant runway” in front of it.
E-commerce, which boasts higher profit margins than traditional sales, continues to underpin the company’s growth. Comparable online sales climbed by 31 percent on a constant-currency basis in the period, and those sales represent a bigger piece of total revenue than they did a year earlier.
Market Reaction
Lululemon shares rose as much as 5.8 percent in late trading before paring some of the gain. The stock, which has 20 buy recommendations from analysts, has advanced 55 percent this year through Thursday’s close.
By Sandrine Rastello; editors: Crayton Harrison, Jonathan Roeder and Lisa Wolfson.
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