NEW YORK, May 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL), the New York-based specialty athletic retailer, today reported financial results for its first quarter ended May 1, 2021.

First Quarter Results
The Company reported net income of $202 million, or $1.93 per share, for the 13 weeks ended May 1, 2021, as compared with a net loss of $110 million, or $1.06 per share, for the corresponding prior-year period. On a non-GAAP basis, the Company earned $1.96 per share, versus a loss of $0.67 per share in the first quarter of 2020. As compared to the first quarter of 2019, earnings per share increased 27.0 percent from the $1.52 per share earned in that period. On a non-GAAP basis, earnings per share increased 28.1 percent from the $1.53 per share earned in the first quarter of 2019.

First quarter comparable-store sales increased by 80.3 percent. Total sales increased by 83.1 percent, to $2,153 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared with sales of $1,176 million in the same period last year. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, total sales for the first quarter increased by 79.4 percent. As compared to the first quarter of 2019, total sales increased 3.6 percent, and 2.4 percent excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

"I am extremely pleased with the strength of our performance in the first quarter, compared not only to last year's heavily COVID impacted first quarter, but also relative to the first quarter of 2019. Against the ongoing challenges of pandemic-related store closures in Europe and Canada and U.S. ports congestion, our top and bottom-line results were nothing short of exemplary," said Richard Johnson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our merchandise offering resonated very well with our customers, driving strength in our stores and continued momentum in our digital business. With strong product tailwinds, we remain optimistic about our category and our ability to drive long-term growth, profitability and shareholder value."

"The freshness of our inventory, coupled with robust demand across our assortment, resulted in significantly less promotional activity during the first quarter, driving gross margin expansion and improved inventory turns," added Andrew Page, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "At the same time, we continued to exercise discipline with expense management while strategically investing in our business. Importantly, the underlying health of our business and financial position are strong, enabling us to continue advancing our strategic initiatives."

Non-GAAP Adjustments
During the first quarter of 2021, the Company recorded adjustments to earnings, which are detailed below in the accompanying reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results. The items included: 1) a $2 million charge related to the impairment of one of the Company's minority investments; and 2) charges of $2 million primarily related to severance costs in connection with the reorganization of certain support functions.

Financial Position
At May 1, 2021, the Company's merchandise inventories were $1,021 million, 30.0 percent lower than at the end of the first quarter last year. Using constant currencies, inventory decreased by 32.7 percent. 

At quarter-end, the Company's cash and cash equivalents totaled $1,963 million, while the debt on its balance sheet was $109 million. The Company's total cash position, net of debt, was $1,293 million higher than at the same time last year. During the first quarter of 2021, the Company spent $34 million to repurchase 620,544 shares, returning a total of $55 million to shareholders through its share repurchase program and dividends. In addition, the Company invested $51 million in its store fleet, digital platforms, supply chain and logistics capabilities, and other infrastructure.

Store Base Update
During the first quarter, the Company opened 12 new stores, remodeled or relocated 15 stores, and closed 58 stores.  As of May 1, 2021, the Company operated 2,952 stores in 27 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.  In addition, 131 franchised Foot Locker stores were operating in the Middle East.  

The Company announced today that it is taking action, in partnership with its suppliers, to position its store fleet for the future. As part of this effort, in the second quarter of 2021, the Company decided to convert approximately one third of its Footaction stores into other existing banner concepts over the course of the year to focus growth on its iconic banners. The Company will close the majority of the remaining Footaction stores as leases expire over the next two years and believes this strategic decision will enable it to better serve its consumers in a post-COVID marketplace.

Financial Outlook
Given the ongoing uncertainty created by COVID-19, the Company is not providing detailed full-year 2021 guidance at this time.

Conference Call
The Company is hosting a live conference call at 9:00 a.m. ET today, Friday May 21, 2021, to review these results and provide an update on the business. This conference call may be accessed live by calling toll free 1-844-701-1163 or international toll 1-412-317-5490 or via the Investor Relations section of the Foot Locker, Inc. website at https://www.footlocker-inc.com. Please log on to the website 15 minutes prior to the call in order to register. An archived replay of the conference call can be accessed approximately one hour following the end of the call at 1-877-344-7529 in the U.S. or 1-855-669-9658 in Canada or 1-412-317-0088 internationally with passcode 10154491 through June 4, 2021. A replay of the call will be also be available via webcast from the same Investor Relations section of the Foot Locker, Inc. website at https://www.footlocker-inc.com.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  Other than statements of historical facts, all statements which address activities, events, or developments that the Company anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, but not limited to, such things as future capital expenditures, expansion, strategic plans, financial objectives, dividend payments, stock repurchases, growth of the Company's business and operations, including future cash flows, revenues, and earnings, and other such matters, are forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are based on many assumptions and factors which are detailed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

These forward-looking statements are based largely on our expectations and judgments and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control. For additional discussion on risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2021 filed on March 25, 2021. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to reporting the Company's financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company reports certain financial results that differ from what is reported under GAAP. We have presented certain financial measures identified as non-GAAP, such as sales changes excluding foreign currency fluctuations, adjusted income before income taxes, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per share.

We present certain amounts as excluding the effects of foreign currency fluctuations, which are also considered non-GAAP measures. Where amounts are expressed as excluding the effects of foreign currency fluctuations, such changes are determined by translating all amounts in both years using the prior-year average foreign exchange rates. Presenting amounts on a constant currency basis is useful to investors because it enables them to better understand the changes in our business that are not related to currency movements.

These non-GAAP measures are presented because we believe they assist investors in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core business or affect comparability. In addition, these non-GAAP measures are useful in assessing our progress in achieving our long-term financial objectives.

We estimate the tax effect of all non-GAAP adjustments by applying a marginal tax rate to each of the respective items. The income tax items represent the discrete amount that affected the period.

The non-GAAP financial information is provided in addition to, and not as an alternative to, our reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The various non-GAAP adjustments are summarized in the tables below.

Contact:
James R. Lance
Vice President,
Corporate Finance and Investor Relations
Foot Locker, Inc.
(212) 720-4600

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SOURCE Foot Locker, Inc.