UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): August 18, 2017

 

Foot Locker, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

New York   1-10299   13-3513936
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 

(Commission

File Number)

  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

330 West 34th Street, New York, New York   10001
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (212) 720-3700
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company   o

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   o

 
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On August 18, 2017, Foot Locker, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2017. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The press release includes a non-GAAP financial measure for second quarter 2017 net income excluding a charge related to pension litigation. The Company believes this non-GAAP financial result provides useful information to investors because it allows for a more direct comparison of the Company’s operating performance for the second quarter of 2017 to the Company’s performance in the comparable prior-year period. The non-GAAP financial result is provided in addition to, and not as an alternative to, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation to GAAP is provided in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
   
(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No. Description
   
99.1 Press Release, dated August 18, 2017, issued by Foot Locker, Inc.
 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  FOOT LOCKER, INC.
         
Date: August 18, 2017 By:  /s/ Lauren B. Peters  
    Name:  Lauren B. Peters  
    Title: Executive Vice President and  
      Chief Financial Officer  
 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Contact:

John A. Maurer

Vice President,

Treasurer and Investor Relations

Foot Locker, Inc.

(212) 720-4092

 

FOOT LOCKER, INC. REPORTS 2017 SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
     
·Second Quarter Net Income of $51 Million, or $0.39 Per Share  
·Non-GAAP Net Income of $81 Million, or $0.62 Per Share  
·Second Quarter Comparable-Store Sales Decreased 6.0 Percent  

 

NEW YORK, NY, August 18, 2017 – Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL), the New York-based specialty athletic retailer, reported today financial results for its second quarter ended July 29, 2017.

 

Second Quarter Results

Net income for the Company’s second quarter ended July 29, 2017 was $51 million, or $0.39 per share, compared with net income of $127 million, or $0.94 per share in the same period of 2016. This result included a $50 million pre-tax litigation charge related to a recent appeals court decision in a lawsuit against the Company involving the conversion of its pension plan in 1996. The Company previously recorded a $100 million pre-tax charge in the third quarter of 2015 related to the same litigation. Excluding this charge, which reduced after-tax earnings by 23 cents per share, non-GAAP earnings were $0.62 per share.

 

Second quarter comparable-store sales decreased 6.0 percent. Total sales decreased 4.4 percent, to $1,701 million this quarter, compared with sales of $1,780 million for the corresponding prior-year period. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, total sales for the second quarter decreased 4.3 percent. The Company’s gross margin rate decreased to 29.6 percent of sales from 33.0 percent a year ago, and the selling, general, and administrative expense rate increased 20 basis points to 19.9 percent of sales.

 

“While we believe our position in the market for premium sneakers remains very strong and our customers continue to look to us for compelling new athletic footwear and apparel styles,” said Richard Johnson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, “sales of some recent top styles fell well short of our expectations and impacted this quarter’s results. At the same time, we were affected by the limited availability of innovative new products in the market. We believe these industry dynamics will persist through 2017, and we expect comparable sales to be down three to four percent over the remainder of the year.”

 

Mr. Johnson continued, “We are obviously disappointed in the results for the quarter, and our team is working quickly to adjust our operations to a changed retail landscape in which we are seeing our consumers move faster than ever from one source of inspiration or influence to another. In addition to working with our vendor partners to identify and capture new trends faster, we are also evaluating a realignment of our capital expenditure priorities and additional expense reductions so we can regain our momentum on both the top and bottom lines and deliver long-term value for our shareholders.”

 

Year-To-Date Results

Net income for the Company’s first six months of the year decreased to $231 million, or $1.74 per share on a GAAP basis, compared to net income of $318 million, or $2.33 per share, for the corresponding period in 2016. On a non-GAAP basis, earnings per share for the six-month period totaled $1.97, a 15 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2016. Year-to-date sales were $3,702 million, a decrease of 1.7 percent compared to sales of

 

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$3,767 million in the corresponding six-month period of 2016. Year-to-date, comparable store sales decreased 2.6 percent, while total year-to-date sales, excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, decreased by 1.1 percent.

 

Financial Position

At July 29, 2017, the Company’s merchandise inventories were $1,290 million, 3.7 percent lower than at the end of the second quarter last year. Using constant currencies, inventory decreased 4.9 percent. The Company’s cash totaled $1,043 million, while the debt on its balance sheet was $126 million. The Company spent $21 million to repurchase 350 thousand shares during the quarter and paid a quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share for $41 million.

 

“In addition to retaining our very strong overall financial position, we took aggressive action in the second quarter to ensure that our inventory levels remained in line with sales,” said Lauren Peters, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “In light of the current sales challenges in this unprecedented retail environment, we are considering a range of expense alternatives, including adjustments to our largely productive store base; reductions in overall capital spending, as well as shifting of emphasis from real estate to digital and supply chain; and various additional expense initiatives to create a more flexible, efficient organization.”

 

Store Base Update

During the second quarter, the Company opened 24 new stores, remodeled or relocated 38 stores, and closed 19 stores. As of July 29, 2017, the Company operated 3,359 stores in 23 countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, 68 franchised Foot Locker stores were operating in the Middle East, as well as 14 franchised Runners Point stores in Germany.

 

The Company is hosting a live conference call at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) today, August 18, 2017, to review these results and discuss the outlook for the remainder of 2017. This conference call may be accessed live by dialing 1-800-897-4057 (U.S. and Canada) or +44 207-855-8974 (International), or via the Investor Relations section of the Foot Locker, Inc. website at http://www.footlocker-inc.com. Please log on to the website 15 minutes prior to the call in order to register. A replay of the call will be available via webcast from the same Investor Relations section of the Foot Locker, Inc. website at http://www.footlocker-inc.com through September 1, 2017.

 

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 Securities and Exchange Commission, including the effects of currency fluctuations, customer demand, fashion trends, competitive market forces, uncertainties related to the effect of competitive products and pricing, customer acceptance of the Company’s merchandise mix and retail locations, the Company’s reliance on a few key vendors for a majority of its merchandise purchases (including a significant portion from one key vendor), cybersecurity breaches, pandemics and similar major health concerns, unseasonable weather, deterioration of global financial markets, economic conditions worldwide, deterioration of business and economic conditions, any changes in business, political and economic conditions due to the threat of future terrorist activities in the United States or in other parts of the world and related U.S. military action overseas, the ability of the Company to execute its business and strategic plans effectively with regard to each of its business units, and risks associated with global product sourcing, including political instability, changes in import regulations, and disruptions to transportation services and distribution.

 

For additional discussion on risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” disclosed in the 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 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.

 

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FOOT LOCKER, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

 

Periods ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

   Second Quarter   Year-to-Date 
   2017   2016   2017   2016 
Sales  $1,701   $1,780   $3,702   $3,767 
Cost of sales (1)   1,198    1,193    2,519    2,484 
Gross margin   503    587    1,183    1,283 
                     
SG&A   339    350    710    711 
Depreciation and amortization   42    39    83    78 
Income from operations   122    198    390    494 
                     
Litigation charge   50        50     
Interest (income)/expense, net   (1)   1    (1)   1 
Other income       (1)   (1)   (3)
Income before income taxes   73    198    342    496 
Income tax expense   22    71    111    178 
Net income  $51   $127   $231   $318 
                     
Diluted EPS  $0.39   $0.94   $1.74   $2.33 
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding   132.0    135.5    132.3    136.6 

 

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Results:

 

   Second Quarter   Year-to-Date 
   2017   2016   2017   2016 
   After
Tax
   EPS   After
Tax
   EPS   After
Tax
   EPS   After
Tax
   EPS 
GAAP net income  $51   $0.39   $127   $0.94   $231   $1.74   $318   $2.33 
                                         
After-tax adjustments:                                        
Litigation charge (2)   30    0.23            30    0.23         
Non-GAAP results  $81   $0.62   $127   $0.94   $261   $1.97   $318   $2.33 

 

Footnotes:

 

(1)

Cost of sales includes: the cost of merchandise, freight, distribution, shipping and handling, occupancy and buyers’ compensation. Occupancy costs include rent, common area maintenance charges, real estate taxes, general maintenance, and utilities. Cost of sales is exclusive of depreciation and amortization, which is shown separately.

   
(2) During the second quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $50 million ($30 million after-tax, applying a marginal tax rate, or $0.23 per diluted share) in connection with its U.S. retirement plan litigation. The Company had previously recorded a pre-tax charge for $100 million during 2015. This charge reflects the Company’s revised estimate of its exposure for this matter, bringing the total pre-tax amount accrued to $150 million. The Company will continue to vigorously defend itself in this case. In light of the uncertainties involved in this matter, there is no assurance that the ultimate resolution will not differ from the amount currently accrued by the Company.

 

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FOOT LOCKER, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

(In millions)

 

   July 29,   July 30, 
   2017   2016 
ASSETS          
           
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $1,043   $945 
Merchandise inventories   1,290    1,339 
Other current assets   311    301 
    2,644    2,585 
Property and equipment, net   821    726 
Deferred taxes   167    174 
Other assets   314    277 
   $3,946   $3,762 
           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
           
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $162   $348 
Accrued and other liabilities   308    326 
Current portion of capital lease obligations       1 
    470    675 
Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases   126    128 
Other liabilities   456    381 
Total liabilities   1,052    1,184 
Total shareholders’ equity   2,894    2,578 
   $3,946   $3,762 

 

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FOOT LOCKER, INC.

Store and Square Footage

(unaudited)

 

Store activity is as follows:

 

   January 28,           July 29,   Relocations/ 
   2017   Opened   Closed   2017   Remodels 
Foot Locker US   948    3    19    932    25 
Foot Locker Europe   622    9    7    624    22 
Foot Locker Canada   119    1    3    117    3 
Foot Locker Asia Pacific   95    3    1    97    7 
Kids Foot Locker   411    24    3    432    19 
Lady Foot Locker   124        12    112     
Champs Sports   545    3    2    546    10 
Footaction   261    8    7    262    13 
Runners Point   122    1    1    122     
Sidestep   86        2    84     
SIX:02   30    2    1    31     
Total   3,363    54    58    3,359    99 

 

Selling and gross square footage are as follows:

 

   January 28, 2017   July 29, 2017 
(in thousands)  Selling   Gross   Selling   Gross 
Foot Locker US   2,453    4,250    2,452    4,261 
Foot Locker Europe   907    1,971    922    1,999 
Foot Locker Canada   265    432    273    443 
Foot Locker Asia Pacific   134    220    138    230 
Kids Foot Locker   688    1,175    736    1,257 
Lady Foot Locker   167    280    152    256 
Champs Sports   1,930    2,978    1,949    3,013 
Footaction   786    1,309    815    1,361 
Runners Point   162    267    156    267 
Sidestep   81    135    77    132 
SIX:02   61    101    63    106 
Total   7,634    13,118    7,733    13,325 

 

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