Fran Horowitz, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We were very pleased with our third quarter results. Total net sales grew 10% year-over-year, or 5% from 2019 levels. Our largest market, the U.S., experienced ongoing strength, growing 17% on a one-year and 12% on a two-year basis. Digital net sales rose 8% from last year, representing 46% of total third quarter sales. Gross profit rate declined 30 basis points on a one-year and increased 360 basis points on a two-year basis, benefiting from AUR improvements, offset by elevated supply chain costs. Combined with ongoing tight expense controls, we achieved an 8% operating margin, representing our best third quarter operating margin and income since 2012.”
“The start of the holiday season has been promising. Customers have come out early to shop and have been responding well to assortments. We continue to actively manage through ongoing supply chain constraints, including production and delivery delays and elevated costs, and are confident that we have the product, marketing voice and omnichannel experience to surprise and delight new and existing customers throughout the fourth quarter.”
A summary of results for the third quarter ended October 30, 2021 as compared to the third quarter ended October 31, 2020:
*Net sales of $905 million, up 10% as compared to last year and up 5% as compared to pre-COVID 2019 third quarter net sales.
*Digital net sales of $413 million increased 8% as compared to last year and increased 55% as compared to pre-COVID 2019 third quarter digital net sales.
*Gross profit rate of 63.7%, down approximately 30 basis points as compared to last year and up approximately 360 basis points as compared to 2019. The year-over-year decline is driven by approximately 300 basis points of higher average unit cost from freight inflation and efforts to offset supply chain issues, almost fully offset by higher average unit retail on lower promotions.
*Operating expense, excluding other operating income, net, was up 8% compared to last year and remained flat as compared to 2019. The year-over-year increase reflects an increase in marketing expenses and payroll and a decrease in store occupancy. Operating expense as a percentage of sales decreased to 55.8% from 56.8% last year and from 58.4% as compared to 2019.
*Operating income of $73 million and $79 million on a reported and adjusted non-GAAP basis, respectively, as compared to operating income of $59 million and $65 million last year, on a reported and adjusted non-GAAP basis, respectively.
details at: https://corporate.abercrombie.com/investors/newsevents/press-releases