lululemon athletica inc. (LULU)
SIC breadcrumb: Manufacturing > SIC Major Group 23 > SIC 2300 Apparel & Other Finishd Prods of Fabrics & Similar Matl
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1397187. Latest filing source: 0001397187-26-000020.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 11,102,600,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-03-17 |
| Net income | 1,579,183,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-03-17 |
| Assets | 8,456,743,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-03-17 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-03-17. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001397187.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 2,649,181,000 | 3,288,319,000 | 3,979,296,000 | 4,401,879,000 | 6,256,617,000 | 8,110,518,000 | 9,619,278,000 | 10,588,126,000 | 11,102,600,000 | |
| Net income | 303,381,000 | 258,662,000 | 483,801,000 | 645,596,000 | 588,913,000 | 975,322,000 | 854,800,000 | 1,550,190,000 | 1,814,616,000 | 1,579,183,000 |
| Operating income | 421,152,000 | 456,001,000 | 705,836,000 | 889,110,000 | 819,986,000 | 1,333,355,000 | 1,328,408,000 | 2,132,676,000 | 2,505,697,000 | 2,210,615,000 |
| Gross profit | 1,199,617,000 | 1,398,790,000 | 1,816,287,000 | 2,223,386,000 | 2,463,991,000 | 3,608,565,000 | 4,492,340,000 | 5,609,405,000 | 6,270,811,000 | 6,284,132,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 2.21 | 1.90 | 3.61 | 4.93 | 4.50 | 7.49 | 6.68 | 12.20 | 14.64 | 13.26 |
| Operating cash flow | 386,392,000 | 489,337,000 | 742,779,000 | 669,316,000 | 803,336,000 | 1,389,108,000 | 966,463,000 | 2,296,164,000 | 2,272,713,000 | 1,602,477,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 149,511,000 | 157,864,000 | 225,807,000 | 283,048,000 | 229,226,000 | 394,502,000 | 638,657,000 | 651,865,000 | 689,232,000 | 680,802,000 |
| Share buybacks | 29,327,000 | 100,261,000 | 598,340,000 | 173,399,000 | 63,663,000 | 812,602,000 | 444,001,000 | 558,652,000 | 1,636,879,000 | 1,178,349,000 |
| Assets | 1,657,541,000 | 1,998,483,000 | 2,084,711,000 | 3,281,354,000 | 4,185,215,000 | 4,942,478,000 | 5,607,038,000 | 7,091,941,000 | 7,603,292,000 | 8,456,743,000 |
| Liabilities | 297,568,000 | 401,523,000 | 638,736,000 | 1,329,136,000 | 1,626,649,000 | 2,202,432,000 | 2,458,239,000 | 2,859,860,000 | 3,279,245,000 | 3,494,903,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 1,359,973,000 | 1,596,960,000 | 1,445,975,000 | 1,952,218,000 | 2,558,566,000 | 2,740,046,000 | 3,148,799,000 | 4,232,081,000 | 4,324,047,000 | 4,961,840,000 |
| Free cash flow | 236,881,000 | 331,473,000 | 516,972,000 | 386,268,000 | 574,110,000 | 994,606,000 | 327,806,000 | 1,644,299,000 | 1,583,481,000 | 921,675,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 9.76% | 14.71% | 16.22% | 13.38% | 15.59% | 10.54% | 16.12% | 17.14% | 14.22% | |
| Operating margin | 17.21% | 21.46% | 22.34% | 18.63% | 21.31% | 16.38% | 22.17% | 23.67% | 19.91% | |
| Return on equity | 22.31% | 16.20% | 33.46% | 33.07% | 23.02% | 35.60% | 27.15% | 36.63% | 41.97% | 31.83% |
| Return on assets | 18.30% | 12.94% | 23.21% | 19.67% | 14.07% | 19.73% | 15.25% | 21.86% | 23.87% | 18.67% |
| Liabilities / equity | 0.22 | 0.25 | 0.44 | 0.68 | 0.64 | 0.80 | 0.78 | 0.68 | 0.76 | 0.70 |
| Current ratio | 4.80 | 4.91 | 2.86 | 2.91 | 2.41 | 1.86 | 2.12 | 2.49 | 2.16 | 2.26 |
Financial Charts
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-06-04. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001397187.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-07-31 | 2.26 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-10-30 | 2.00 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-04-30 | 2.28 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-07-30 | 2,209,165,000 | 341,603,000 | 2.68 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-10-29 | 2,204,218,000 | 248,714,000 | 1.96 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2024-01-28 | 3,205,103,000 | 669,468,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-04-28 | 2,208,891,000 | 321,421,000 | 2.54 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-07-28 | 2,371,078,000 | 392,922,000 | 3.15 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-10-27 | 2,396,660,000 | 351,870,000 | 2.87 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2025-02-02 | 3,611,497,000 | 748,403,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-05-04 | 2,370,660,000 | 314,572,000 | 2.60 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-08-03 | 2,525,219,000 | 370,905,000 | 3.10 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-11-02 | 2,565,920,000 | 306,835,000 | 2.59 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2026-02-01 | 3,640,801,000 | 586,871,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-05-03 | 2,471,603,000 | 195,048,000 | 1.69 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001397187-26-000078.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") should be read in conjunction with the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and related notes in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the audited consolidated financial statements and MD&A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2025.
This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about our financial condition, results of operations, business strategies, growth opportunities, market trends, and future performance. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "may," "will," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "intends," and similar expressions.
These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and may differ materially from actual results due to various factors, including those described under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this report. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.
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Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to January 31 of the following year, typically resulting in a 52-week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2026 will end on January 31, 2027 and will be a 52-week year. Fiscal 2025 was a 52-week year and ended on February 1, 2026. Fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2025 are referred to as "2026," and "2025," respectively. The first quarter of 2026 and 2025 ended on May 3, 2026 and May 4, 2025, respectively.
Components of this MD&A include:
•Overview
•Financial Highlights and Market Conditions and Trends
•Quarter-to-Date Results of Operations
•Comparable Sales
•Non-GAAP Financial Measures
•Seasonality
•Liquidity and Capital Resources
•Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
•Operating Locations
We use comparable sales as a metric to evaluate the performance of our business. Refer to the Comparable Sales section of this MD&A for further information.
We provide constant dollar changes, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as supplemental information to help investors understand the underlying growth rate of net revenue excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A for reconciliations between the non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
We disclose material non-public information through one or more of the following channels: our investor relations website (http://corporate.lululemon.com/investors), the social media channels identified on our investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts. Information contained on or accessible through our websites is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this quarterly report or any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.
Overview
lululemon athletica inc. is principally a designer, distributor, and retailer of technical athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories. Our vision is to create transformative products and experiences that build meaningful connections, unlocking greater possibility and wellbeing for all. Since our inception, we have fostered a distinctive corporate culture; we promote a set of core values in our business which include taking personal responsibility, acting with courage, valuing connection and inclusion, and choosing to have fun. These core values attract passionate and motivated employees who are driven to achieve personal and professional goals, and share our purpose "to elevate human potential by helping people feel their best."
We offer a comprehensive line of technical athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories marketed under the lululemon brand which includes:
•Pants, shorts, tops, and jackets designed for a healthy lifestyle including athletic activities such as yoga, running, training, and most other activities;
•Apparel designed for being on the move; and
•Fitness-inspired accessories.
Financial Highlights
The summary below compares the first quarter of 2026 to the first quarter of 2025:
•Net revenue increased 4% to $2.5 billion. On a constant dollar basis, net revenue increased 2%.
•Comparable sales increased 1%, or decreased 2% on a constant dollar basis.
–Americas comparable sales decreased 5%, or 6% on a constant dollar basis.
–China Mainland comparable sales increased 20%, or 13% on a constant dollar basis.
–Rest of World comparable sales increased 5%, or 1% on a constant dollar basis.
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•Gross profit decreased 3% to $1.3 billion.
•Gross margin decreased 410 basis points to 54.2%.
•Income from operations decreased 37% to $276.9 million.
•Operating margin decreased 730 basis points to 11.2%.
•Income tax expense decreased 33% to $91.0 million. Our effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2026 was 31.8% compared to 30.2% for the first quarter of 2025.
•Diluted earnings per share were $1.69 compared to $2.60 in the first quarter of 2025.
Market Conditions and Trends
Net revenue in the Americas decreased 3%, and comparable sales in the Americas decreased 5%. We experienced lower conversion rates, reduced store traffic, and a decrease in average order value in the Americas. We also experienced a decrease in product margin in the Americas segment of 500 basis points, primarily reflective of the impact of higher tariffs. We have initiated an action plan to drive sustainable net revenue growth in the Americas, structured around three strategic pillars: product creation, product activation, and enterprise enablement. This includes a plan to increase the reliance of full price selling to drive sustainable revenue growth.
Net revenue in China Mainland and Rest of World increased 30% and 13%, respectively, and comparable sales increased 20% and 5%, respectively. We experienced increased traffic in these markets which led to higher comparable sales. We opened 19 net new stores in China Mainland and 13 net new stores in Rest of World which contributed to the respective increases in net revenue.
Across all markets, our business continues to be influenced by macroeconomic conditions, including trade policies, shifting consumer demand and sentiment, foreign currency fluctuations, and geopolitical instability. These factors have had varying effects across our markets and are expected to continue to impact our business throughout the remainder of 2026 and beyond.
Import Tariffs
During 2025, the United States implemented a series of trade-related policies, including removing the de minimis exemption for low-value shipments imported into the United States, and implementing higher tariffs under different statutes, including under the International Emergency Economic Power Act ("IEEPA"). These changes in the tariff landscape, including the de minimis exemption removal, had a significant adverse effect on our business and results of operations in 2025, which continues in 2026.
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated tariffs imposed under the IEEPA. Immediately following this IEEPA decision, the U.S. Administration initiated new tariffs at different rates under alternative legislative powers. The U.S. Administration also confirmed that the IEEPA decision does not impact the removal of the de minimis exemption. We paid $230 million of tariffs under the IEEPA and have commenced submitting refund claims for eligible IEEPA tariffs paid, including associated interest. The ultimate amounts that we may recover remain uncertain and as of May 3, 2026, we have not recognized an asset in relation to IEEPA refund claims.
There remains significant uncertainty regarding the duration and scope of newly initiated tariffs and whether the United States will pursue additional trade actions or impose further tariffs, or currently enforced tariffs may be invalidated through legal challenges.
Because this is an evolving area, future developments may change our expectations materially. For additional information on related risks, please see “Risk Factors” in this report.
Other Factors Affecting Our Business
Foreign currency fluctuations positively impacted our financial results during the first quarter of 2026, increasing net revenue growth by $52.2 million compared to the first quarter of 2025. We expect ongoing exchange rate volatility to continue to affect our financial results.
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Quarter-to-Date Results of Operations: First Quarter Results
The following table summarizes key components of our results of operations for the periods indicated:
| First Quarter | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | |||||||||||
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of net revenue) | |||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 2,471,603 | $ | 2,370,660 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 1,132,785 | 987,534 | 45.8 | 41.7 | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | 1,338,818 | 1,383,126 | 54.2 | 58.3 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 1,059,988 | 942,871 | 42.9 | 39.8 | ||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 1,884 | 1,630 | 0.1 | 0.1 | ||||||||||
| Income from operations | 276,946 | 438,625 | 11.2 | 18.5 | ||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 9,131 | 11,786 | 0.4 | 0.5 | ||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 286,077 | 450,411 | 11.6 | 19.0 | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 91,029 | 135,839 | 3.7 | 5.7 | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 195,048 | $ | 314,572 | 7.9 | % | 13.3 | % |
Net Revenue
| First Quarter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | Year over year change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of net revenue) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | (Constant dollar change) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 1,621,210 | $ | 1,674,558 | 65.6 | % | 70.6 | % | $ | (53,348) | (3) | % | (4) | % | ||||||||||
| China Mainland | 478,395 | 368,101 | 19.4 | 15.5 | 110,294 | 30 | % | 23 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 371,998 | 328,001 | 15.1 | 13.8 | 43,997 | 13 | % | 9 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 2,471,603 | $ | 2,370,660 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | $ | 100,943 | 4 | % | 2 | % |
The increase in net revenue was primarily due to increased China Mainland and Rest of World net revenue, partially offset by decreased Americas net revenue. Global comparable sales increased 1%, or decreased 2% on a constant dollar basis, primarily due to lower conversion rates as well as a decrease in average order value, partially offset by higher traffic.
Gross Margin
| First Quarter | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 1,338,818 | $ | 1,383,126 | $ | (44,308) | (3.2) | % | |||||||
| Gross margin | 54.2 | % | 58.3 | % | (410) basis points |
The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to:
•a net decrease in product margin of 270 basis points, comprised of:
–a net decrease of 330 basis points primarily from higher tariffs as well as markdowns including credit card affiliate programs and higher inventory provisions, partially offset by higher pricing and lower product costs; and
–a favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of 60 basis points.
•a net inc
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Components of this MD&A include:
•Overview
•Financial Highlights and Market Conditions and Trends
•Results of Operations
•Comparison of 2025 to 2024
•Comparable Sales and Sales Per Square Foot
•Non-GAAP Financial Measures
•Liquidity and Capital Resources
•Liquidity Outlook
•Contractual Obligations and Commitments
•Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to January 31 of the following year, typically resulting in a 52-week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2025 was a 52-week year and fiscal 2024 was a 53-week year. Net revenue for 2024 includes results from the 53rd week; however, comparable sales are calculated on a one-week shifted basis such that the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2026 are compared to the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2025 rather than January 26, 2025.
This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, such as our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions included in the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Our actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those described under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of this report. These statements speak only as of the date of this report, and we do not undertake to update them, except as required by law.
We use comparable sales as a metric to evaluate the performance of our business. Refer to the Comparable Sales and Sales Per Square Foot section of this MD&A for further information.
We provide constant dollar changes, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as supplemental information to help investors understand the underlying growth rate of net revenue excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A for reconciliations between the non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
We disclose material non-public information through one or more of the following channels: our investor relations website (http://corporate.lululemon.com/investors), the social media channels identified on our investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts. Information contained on or accessible through our websites is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this annual report or any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.
Overview
In 2025, we delivered net revenue growth of 5%, with a 22% increase in our international regions offsetting a decrease of 1% in the Americas. Our international revenue growth was driven by a 29% increase in China Mainland, and a 16% increase in Rest of World.
By product category, we saw a 5% increase in women's, 4% growth in men's, and an 8% increase in accessories and other categories. We expanded our retail presence by adding 44 net new company-operated stores, contributing to an 11% increase in square footage. Company-operated store net revenue increased 1% and e-commerce net revenue increased 8%.
Operating margin decreased 380 basis points and diluted earnings per share decreased by 9%, mainly due to the impact from increased tariff rates in the United States, and the removal of the de minimis provision. We have taken mitigating actions, including selective price increases and vendor negotiations; however, we do not expect these actions to fully offset these incremental costs, and we believe tariffs and de minimis changes will continue to adversely affect gross margin and income from operations in 2026. See "Import Tariffs" below for additional information.
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Over the course of 2025, we repurchased 5.0 million shares for $1.2 billion, and in December 2025, our board of directors approved a $1.0 billion increase to our stock repurchase authorization.
Priorities and actions
We have experienced declining revenue trends in North America and have developed an action plan to drive improvement in this region, while maintaining revenue growth in our international businesses. Our action plan is structured around three strategic pillars: product creation, product activation, and enterprise efficiency.
Product Creation
The goal of our Product Creation pillar is to ensure we deliver the product that our guests expect from lululemon. We are leveraging our Science of Feel principles across our performance and lifestyle assortments. Work streams within this pillar include:
•Increasing the frequency and breadth of new styles. In 2025 new styles included Daydrift, Be Calm, Big Cozy, and Mile Maker. We are working to reinvigorate several of our key franchises including Scuba, Dance Studio, and ABC, while also maintaining a strong pipeline of new innovations across our performance offering.
•Improving our speed to market. We are executing initiatives intended to reduce our product development timelines, which we believe may support more timely introduction of new styles and innovation. In addition, we have been enhancing our chase capabilities, with the objective of enabling more responsive replenishment of select strong‑performing styles.
Product Activation
The aim of the Product Activation pillar is to ensure we are bringing our product to life for our guest in new and compelling ways across all channels. Work streams within this pillar include:
•Improving the in-store experience by maximizing the impact of our assortments through individual item count reduction, improving in-store storytelling by shifting product adjacencies, and enhancing visual merchandising.
•Improving the digital experience through continued enhancements to our website to elevate the guest experience and improve storytelling with the goal to increase conversion.
•Continued investment in integrated marketing with a plan focused on driving awareness and excitement for product newness and innovation across our performance and lifestyle assortments. We are leveraging our ambassadors as well as carefully sourced creators, with a focus on engaging guests through social channels and community activations.
Enterprise Efficiency
We continue to take actions in both the near and longer term to ensure we are operating as efficiently as possible. These actions help mitigate the cost of increased tariffs and current revenue trends in the Americas. These include enterprise-wide operating efficiency and cost-saving initiatives, selective price increases, and supply chain initiatives.
Financial Highlights
The summary below compares 2025 to 2024:
•Net revenue increased 5% to $11.1 billion.
•Comparable sales increased 2%.
–Americas comparable sales decreased 3%.
–China Mainland comparable sales increased 20%, or 19% on a constant dollar basis.
–Rest of World comparable sales increased 9%, or 7% on a constant dollar basis.
•Gross profit was consistent at $6.3 billion.
•Gross margin decreased 260 basis points to 56.6%.
•Income from operations decreased 12% to $2.2 billion.
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•Operating margin decreased 380 basis points to 19.9%.
•Income tax expense decreased 13% to $659.8 million. Our effective tax rate for 2025 was 29.5% compared to 29.6% for 2024.
•Diluted earnings per share were $13.26 for 2025 compared to $14.64 in 2024.
Market Conditions and Trends
Segment Trends
Net revenue in the Americas decreased 1% and comparable sales in the Americas decreased 3%. We experienced lower conversion rates, store traffic, and average order value in the Americas, partially reflective of certain product categories, including core categories, experiencing lower demand. The decline in Americas comparable sales also contributed to a decline in global sales per square foot. We experienced a decrease in product margin in the Americas segment of 340 basis points, primarily reflective of the impact of tariffs and increased markdowns. We have initiated an action plan to drive sustainable net revenue growth in the Americas, as outlined in the overview section, which includes a plan to reduce the percentage of markdowns on our products.
Net revenue in China Mainland and Rest of World increased 29% and 16%, and comparable sales increased 20% and 9%, respectively. We experienced increased traffic in these markets partially due to brand awareness and product category growth, which led to higher comparable sales, and opening 21 net new stores in China Mainland and nine net new stores in Rest of World contributed to the respective increases in net revenue.
Across all markets, our business continues to be influenced by macroeconomic conditions, including trade policies, shifting consumer demand, foreign currency fluctuations, and geopolitical instability. These factors have had varying effects across our markets and are expected to continue to impact our business throughout 2026 and beyond.
Import Tariffs
On April 2, 2025, the U.S. Administration announced the implementation of a 10% baseline tariff on imports from nearly all countries with higher country-specific tariff rates scheduled to begin April 9, 2025. Subsequently, certain countries, including Vietnam, announced trade deals with the United States and most negotiated tariff rates are higher than the 10% baseline rate. The U.S. Administration eliminated the de minimis exemption for all countries effective August 29, 2025, with legislation enacted to repeal the statutory exemption entirely by July 1, 2027.
These changes in the tariff landscape, including the de minimis removal, had a significant adverse effect on our business and results of operations. The countries from which we source the majority of our products are now subject to higher tariffs on imports into the United States. Further, the majority of our sales to U.S. e-commerce guests are currently fulfilled from distribution centers in Canada, and historically a significant proportion of these orders qualified for the de minimis exemption. The removal of this exemption increased the cost of fulfilling those orders. The unmitigated impact of increased tariffs and the removal of the de minimis exemption resulted in a reduction to gross profit for 2025 of approximately $275 million. As part of our enterprise efficiency efforts, we continue to take actions in both the near and longer term to help mitigate the cost of increased tariffs.
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Power Act ("IEEPA"). Immediately following this IEEPA decision, the U.S. Administration initiated new tariffs at different rates under alternative legislative powers. The U.S. Administration also confirmed that the IEEPA decision does not impact the removal of the de minimis exemption. In 2025, we remitted $216 million of tariffs under the IEEPA; however, the IEEPA decision did not address the processes or timing for refund claims, and the ultimate amounts, if any, that we may recover remain uncertain.
There remains significant uncertainty regarding the duration and scope of newly initiated tariffs and whether the United States will pursue additional trade actions or impose further tariffs. Based on the current landscape, mitigating actions are not expected to fully offset the effect of imposed tariffs and the removal of the de minimis exemption, and we expect continued decline in our gross margin and operating margin in 2026.
Because this is an evolving area, future developments may change our expectations materially. For additional information on related risks, please see “Risk Factors” in this report.
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Our updated forecasts, inclusive of the trends above, resulted in changes in the probability of achieving performance conditions of performance-based restricted stock units. Therefore, we recognized a reversal of stock-based compensation expense of $26.3 million during the second quarter of 2025.
Other Factors Affecting Our Business
Foreign currency fluctuations positively impacted our financial results during 2025, increasing net revenue growth by $27.6 million compared to 2024. We expect ongoing exchange rate volatility to continue affecting our financial results.
The OBBBA includes, among other provisions, the permanent extension of certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the reinstatement of 100% bonus depreciation, the immediate expensing of qualifying research and development costs, and modifications to the international tax framework including changes to global intangible low-tax income, the base erosion and anti-abuse tax, and foreign-derived intangible income. Based on our current evaluation of the legislation, we do not expect these tax law changes to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We will continue to assess the potential impacts of OBBBA as additional regulatory guidance becomes available.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes key components of our results of operations for the periods indicated:
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of net revenue) | |||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 11,102,600 | $ | 10,588,126 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 4,818,468 | 4,317,315 | 43.4 | 40.8 | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | 6,284,132 | 6,270,811 | 56.6 | 59.2 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 4,066,556 | 3,762,379 | 36.6 | 35.5 | ||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 6,961 | 2,735 | 0.1 | — | ||||||||||
| Income from operations | 2,210,615 | 2,505,697 | 19.9 | 23.7 | ||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 28,352 | 70,380 | 0.3 | 0.7 | ||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 2,238,967 | 2,576,077 | 20.2 | 24.3 | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 659,784 | 761,461 | 5.9 | 7.2 | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,579,183 | $ | 1,814,616 | 14.2 | % | 17.1 | % |
Comparison of 2025 to 2024
Net Revenue
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | Year over year change | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of net revenue) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | (Constant dollar change) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 7,847,044 | $ | 7,928,156 | 70.7 | % | 74.9 | % | $ | (81,112) | (1) | % | (1) | % | ||||||||||
| China Mainland | 1,754,799 | 1,361,337 | 15.8 | 12.9 | 393,462 | 29 | 28 | |||||||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 1,500,757 | 1,298,633 | 13.5 | 12.3 | 202,124 | 16 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 11,102,600 | $ | 10,588,126 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | $ | 514,474 | 5 | % | 5 | % |
The increase in net revenue was primarily due to increased China Mainland and Rest of World net revenue. Comparable sales increased 2%. The increase in comparable sales was primarily a result of higher e-commerce traffic, partially offset by lower conversion rates and a decrease in average order value. We had total net revenue of $163.2 million during the 53rd week of 2024, which partially offset the increase in net revenue.
Gross Margin
| 2025 | 2024 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 6,284,132 | $ | 6,270,811 | $ | 13,321 | 0.2 | % | |||||||
| Gross margin | 56.6 | % | 59.2 | % | (260) basis points |
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The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to:
•a net decrease in product margin of 230 basis points, comprised of:
–a net decrease of 240 basis points primarily from higher tariffs, as well as increased markdowns and new credit card affiliate programs. This was partially offset by higher pricing, lower product costs, and lower damages; and
–a favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of 10 basis points.
•a net increase in other cost of sales as a percentage of net revenue of 30 basis points, comprised of:
–an increase in occupancy and depreciation costs of 40 basis points; and
–a decrease in costs related to our product departments of 10 basis points.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
| 2025 | 2024 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 4,066,556 | $ | 3,762,379 | $ | 304,177 | 8.1 | % | |||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of net revenue | 36.6 | % | 35.5 | % | 110 basis points |
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to:
•an increase in costs related to our operating channels of $204.8 million, comprised of:
–an increase in employee costs of $77.0 million primarily due to increased salaries and wages expense for retail employees primarily due to increased labor hours, partially offset by decreased incentive compensation and benefit costs;
–an increase in digital marketing expenses of $49.0 million;
–an increase in variable costs of $38.8 million primarily due to higher credit card fees, distribution costs, and packaging costs as a result of higher net revenue;
–an increase in occupancy and depreciation costs of $22.5 million;
–an increase in technology costs of $9.5 million; and
–an increase in other operating costs of $8.0 million.
•an increase in head office costs of $67.3 million, comprised of:
–an increase in technology costs, including software support and licensing, of $32.9 million;
–an increase in depreciation of $15.0 million;
–an increase in contractor, advisory, and professional fees of $12.4 million, which includes costs associated with proxy contest matters of $5.1 million in 2025;
–an increase in brand and community expenses of $7.8 million;
–an increase in other head office costs of $4.9 million; and
–a decrease in employee costs of $5.7 million primarily due to decreased incentive compensation, including a reversal of stock-based compensation expense during the second quarter of 2025 due to a change in the probability of achieving performance conditions, partially offset by increased salaries and wages expense and executive transition costs of $15.2 million in 2025.
•an increase in net foreign currency exchange and derivative revaluation losses of $32.1 million.
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenue increased 110 basis points, primarily due to an increase in costs related to our operating channels of 90 basis points. Executive transition costs contributed 10 basis points to the increase.
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Segment Results
On a segment basis, we determine income from operations without taking into account corporate expenses. Corporate expenses include the cost of centrally managed support functions including product design, raw material development, product innovation, sourcing, supply chain, and global merchandising which are included in other cost of sales. Administrative corporate expenses include technology, brand and marketing, finance, human resources, legal, and other head office costs.
Americas
| 2025 | 2024 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 7,847,044 | $ | 7,928,156 | $ | (81,112) | (1.0) | % | |||||||
| Product costs | 2,585,483 | 2,336,251 | 249,232 | 10.7 | |||||||||||
| Other cost of sales | 674,020 | 641,699 | 32,321 | 5.0 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 4,587,541 | 4,950,206 | (362,665) | (7.3) | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 2,026,883 | 1,934,649 | 92,234 | 4.8 | |||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations | $ | 2,560,658 | $ | 3,015,557 | $ | (454,899) | (15.1) | % | |||||||
| Product margin | 67.1 | % | 70.5 | % | (340) basis points | ||||||||||
| Gross margin | 58.5 | % | 62.4 | % | (390) basis points | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of net revenue | 25.8 | % | 24.4 | % | 140 basis points | ||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations as a % of net revenue | 32.6 | % | 38.0 | % | (540) basis points |
The decrease in net revenue was primarily due to a decrease in comparable sales, which decreased 3%. The decrease in comparable sales was primarily a result of lower conversion rates, reduced store traffic, and a decrease in average order value, partially offset by higher e-commerce traffic, which was partially driven by the impact of credit card affiliate programs. Net revenue during the 53rd week of 2024 was $118.0 million, which also contributed to the decrease in net revenue. The decrease in net revenue was partially offset by a $192.4 million increase from new or expanded company-operated stores and our other channels. We have opened 14 net new company-operated stores since 2024.
The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to lower product margin driven by higher tariffs and increased markdowns, as well as higher occupancy costs as a percentage of net revenue.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher marketing expenses and employee costs.
China Mainland
| 2025 | 2024 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 1,754,799 | $ | 1,361,337 | $ | 393,462 | 28.9 | % | |||||||
| Product costs | 414,504 | 324,237 | 90,267 | 27.8 | |||||||||||
| Other cost of sales | 221,680 | 198,373 | 23,307 | 11.7 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 1,118,615 | 838,727 | 279,888 | 33.4 | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 417,492 | 328,868 | 88,624 | 26.9 | |||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations | $ | 701,123 | $ | 509,859 | $ | 191,264 | 37.5 | % | |||||||
| Product margin | 76.4 | % | 76.2 | % | 20 basis points | ||||||||||
| Gross margin | 63.7 | % | 61.6 | % | 210 basis points | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of net revenue | 23.8 | % | 24.2 | % | (40) basis points | ||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations as a % of net revenue | 40.0 | % | 37.5 | % | 250 basis points |
The increase in net revenue was primarily due to an increase in comparable sales, which increased 20%, or 19% on a constant dollar basis. The increase in comparable sales was primarily a result of higher e-commerce traffic, partially offset by a decrease in average order value. The increase in net revenue was also driven by a $166.9 million increase in net revenue from new or expanded company-operated stores and our other channels. We have opened 21 net new company-operated stores since 2024. Net revenue during the 53rd week of 2024 was $23.6 million, which partially offset the increase in net revenue.
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The increase in gross margin was primarily due to lower occupancy and depreciation costs as a percentage of net revenue.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher employee costs and marketing expenses, as well as higher variable costs.
Rest of World
| 2025 | 2024 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 1,500,757 | $ | 1,298,633 | $ | 202,124 | 15.6 | % | |||||||
| Product costs | 428,044 | 364,906 | 63,138 | 17.3 | |||||||||||
| Other cost of sales | 255,756 | 217,536 | 38,220 | 17.6 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 816,957 | 716,191 | 100,766 | 14.1 | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 471,056 | 401,245 | 69,811 | 17.4 | |||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations | $ | 345,901 | $ | 314,946 | $ | 30,955 | 9.8 | % | |||||||
| Product margin | 71.5 | % | 71.9 | % | (40) basis points | ||||||||||
| Gross margin | 54.4 | % | 55.1 | % | (70) basis points | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of net revenue | 31.4 | % | 30.9 | % | 50 basis points | ||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations as a % of net revenue | 23.0 | % | 24.3 | % | (130) basis points |
The increase in net revenue was primarily due to a $121.4 million increase in net revenue from new or expanded company-operated stores and our other channels, including from an increased number of locations operated by third parties under license and supply arrangements. We have opened nine net new company-operated stores since 2024. The increase in net revenue was also driven by an increase in comparable sales, which increased 9%, or 7% on a constant dollar basis. The increase in comparable sales was primarily a result of higher traffic, partially offset by lower conversion rates and a decrease in average order value. Net revenue during the 53rd week of 2024 was $21.7 million, which partially offset the increase in net revenue.
The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to lower product margin and higher distribution center costs as a percentage of net revenue.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher employee costs, as well as higher marketing expenses and variable costs.
Corporate
Corporate expenses increased $62.4 million to $1.4 billion in 2025 compared to 2024. The increase in corporate expenses is primarily due to an increase in net foreign currency exchange and derivative revaluation losses of $32.1 million and higher technology costs, as well as higher depreciation costs. The increase in corporate expenses was partially offset by lower employee costs and marketing expenses.
Other Income (Expense), Net
| 2025 | 2024 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | $ | 28,352 | $ | 70,380 | $ | (42,028) | (59.7) | % |
The decrease in other income, net was primarily due to a decrease in interest income as a result of lower average cash balances and lower interest rates.
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Income Tax Expense
| 2025 | 2024 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 659,784 | $ | 761,461 | $ | (101,677) | (13.4) | % | |||||||
| Effective tax rate | 29.5 | % | 29.6 | % | (10) basis points |
The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to lower tax rates on foreign-derived intangible income ("FDII") and tax benefits related to foreign exchange losses. The decrease in the effective tax rate was partially offset by an increase in nondeductible expenses in international jurisdictions.
Net Income
| 2025 | 2024 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,579,183 | $ | 1,814,616 | $ | (235,433) | (13.0) | % |
The decrease in net income in 2025 was primarily due to an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $304.2 million and a decrease in other income (expense), net of $42.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in income tax expense of $101.7 million and an increase in gross profit of $13.3 million.
Comparable Sales and Sales Per Square Foot
Comparable Sales
We use comparable sales to evaluate the performance of our company-operated store and e-commerce businesses from an omni-channel perspective. It allows us to monitor the performance of our business without the impact of recently opened or expanded stores. We believe investors would similarly find these metrics useful in assessing the performance of our business. The comparable sales measures we report may not be equivalent to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Comparable sales includes comparable company-operated store and all e-commerce net revenue. E-commerce net revenue includes buy online pick up in store, back-back room, and ship from store net revenue in addition to our websites, other region-specific websites, third-party online marketplaces, and mobile apps. Our back-back room capability allows our store educators to access inventory located at our other locations and have product shipped directly to a guest's address or a store. Comparable company-operated stores have been open, or open after being significantly expanded, for at least 12 full fiscal months. Net revenue from a company-operated store is included in comparable sales beginning with the month for which the store has a full fiscal month of sales in the prior year. Comparable sales excludes sales from new stores that have not been open for at least 12 full fiscal months, from stores which have not been in their significantly expanded space for at least 12 full fiscal months, from stores which have been temporarily relocated for renovations or temporarily closed, and sales from company-operated stores that have closed. Comparable sales also excludes sales from our selling channels other than company-operated stores and e-commerce.
Company-operated stores acquired as a result of the acquisition of the Mexico operations were considered comparable beginning October 2025, after 12 full fiscal months of sales from the date of acquisition. Prior to the acquisition, wholesale sales were made to a third party under a license and supply arrangement.
In fiscal years with 53 weeks, the 53rd week of net revenue is excluded from the calculation of comparable sales. In the year following a 53-week year, the prior year period is shifted by one week to compare similar calendar weeks.
Sales Per Square Foot
We use sales per square foot to assess the performance of our company-operated stores relative to their square footage. We believe that sales per square foot is useful in evaluating the performance of our company-operated stores. Sales per square foot is calculated using total net revenue from all company-operated stores divided by the average ending square footage of the stores for each period during the year. In fiscal years with 53 weeks, the 53rd week of net revenue is excluded from the calculation of sales per square foot. The square footage of our company-operated stores includes all retail related space, including selling space as well as storage and back-office areas. The sales per square foot metric we report may not be equivalent to similarly titled metrics reported by other companies.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report certain financial metrics on a constant dollar basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure.
A constant dollar basis assumes the average foreign currency exchange rates for the period remained constant with the average foreign currency exchange rates for the same period of the prior year. We use constant dollar metrics to facilitate comparison of underlying performance excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Management uses these constant currency metrics internally when reviewing and assessing financial performance.
These non-GAAP financial measures are provided in addition to, and not a substitute for, the corresponding financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures follows, which includes more detail on the GAAP financial measure that is most directly comparable to each non-GAAP financial measure, and the related reconciliations between these financial measures. Our non-GAAP financial measures may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Constant Dollar Changes
The below changes in net revenue show the change compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Due to the 53rd week in 2024, comparable sales are calculated on a one-week shifted basis such that the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2026 are compared to the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2025 rather than January 26, 2025.
| 2025 Compared to 2024 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change | Foreign exchange changes | Change in constant dollars | |||||||
| Net Revenue | |||||||||
| Americas | (1) | % | — | % | (1) | % | |||
| China Mainland | 29 | (1) | 28 | ||||||
| Rest of World | 16 | (2) | 14 | ||||||
| Total net revenue | 5 | % | — | % | 5 | % | |||
| Comparable sales(1) | |||||||||
| Americas | (3) | % | — | % | (3) | % | |||
| China Mainland | 20 | (1) | 19 | ||||||
| Rest of World | 9 | (2) | 7 | ||||||
| Total comparable sales | 2 | % | — | % | 2 | % |
__________
(1)Comparable sales includes comparable company-operated store and e-commerce net revenue.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are our current balances of cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations, and capacity under our committed revolving credit facility, including to fund short-term working capital requirements. Our primary cash needs are capital expenditures for opening new stores and remodeling or relocating existing stores, investing in our distribution centers, investing in technology and making system enhancements, funding working capital requirements, and making other strategic capital investments. We may also use cash to repurchase shares of our common stock. Cash and cash equivalents in excess of our needs are held in interest-bearing accounts with financial institutions, as well as in money market funds and term deposits.
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The following table summarizes our net cash flows provided by and used in operating, investing, and financing activities for the periods indicated:
| 2025 | 2024 | Year over year change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Total cash provided by (used in): | |||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 1,602,477 | $ | 2,272,713 | $ | (670,236) | |||||
| Investing activities | (662,118) | (798,174) | 136,056 | ||||||||
| Financing activities | (1,208,656) | (1,652,508) | 443,852 | ||||||||
| Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 91,163 | (81,666) | 172,829 | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (177,134) | $ | (259,635) | $ | 82,501 |
Operating Activities
Net income decreased $235.4 million. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily as a result of a decrease in cash flows from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $357.5 million, primarily driven by the timing of income tax payments due to timing of foreign tax installment payments, accounts receivable, and inventory purchases, partially offset by the timing of accounts payable and changes in accrued compensation. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was also a result of decreased deferred income taxes and lower stock-based compensation expense, partially offset by increased depreciation and higher cash inflows related to derivatives.
Investing Activities
The decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to the acquisition of the lululemon branded retail locations and operations run by a third party in Mexico in 2024. Please refer to Note 7. Acquisition included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was also due to decreased capital expenditures primarily due to a decrease in corporate and supply chain related infrastructure capital expenditures, partially offset by an increase in capital expenditures for opening, remodeling, and relocating company-operated stores, primarily in the Americas and China Mainland. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was partially offset by the settlement of net investment hedges.
Financing Activities
The decrease in cash used in financing activities was primarily the result of a decrease in cash paid for our stock repurchases. During 2025, we repurchased 5.0 million shares at a total cost including commissions and excise taxes of $1.2 billion. During 2024, we repurchased 5.1 million shares at a total cost including commissions and excise taxes of $1.6 billion. The common stock was repurchased in the open market at prevailing market prices, including under plans complying with the provisions of Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with the timing and actual number of shares repurchased depending upon market conditions, eligibility to trade, and other factors.
Liquidity Outlook
We believe our cash and cash equivalent balances, cash generated from operations, and borrowings available to us under our committed revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. Our ability to access borrowings under the credit facility depends on our ongoing compliance with the covenants in the credit agreement, and a failure to maintain such compliance could adversely affect our liquidity. Our cash from operations may be negatively impacted by a decrease in demand for our products as well as the other factors described in "Item 1A. Risk Factors". In addition, we may make discretionary capital improvements with respect to our stores, distribution facilities, headquarters, or systems, or we may repurchase shares under an approved stock repurchase program, which we would expect to fund through the use of cash, issuance of debt or equity securities or other
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external financing sources to the extent we were unable to fund such expenditures out of our cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from operations.
The following table includes certain measures of our liquidity:
| February 1, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,807,202 | |
| Working capital(1) excluding cash and cash equivalents | 567,951 | ||
| Capacity under committed revolving credit facility | 593,635 |
__________
(1)Working capital is calculated as current assets of $4.3 billion less current liabilities of $1.9 billion.
Capital expenditures are expected to range between $725.0 million and $745.0 million in 2026.
Our current commitments with respect to inventory purchases are included within our purchase obligations outlined below. The timing and cost of our inventory purchases will vary depending on a variety of factors such as revenue growth, assortment and purchasing decisions, product costs including freight and duty, and the availability of production capacity and speed. Our inventory balance as of February 1, 2026 was $1.7 billion, an increase of 18% from February 2, 2025. We expect that our inventories will increase in the mid-single digits by the end of 2026. On a unit basis, we expect inventories to slightly decrease.
Our existing Americas credit facility provides for $600.0 million in commitments under an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility. The credit facility has a maturity date of October 15, 2030. As of February 1, 2026, no borrowings were outstanding under this facility other than letters of credit and guarantee of $6.4 million. Further information regarding our credit facilities and associated covenants is outlined in Note 13. Revolving Credit Facilities included in Item 8 of Part II of this report.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Leases. We lease certain store and other retail locations, distribution centers, offices, and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Our leases generally have initial terms of between two and 15 years, and generally can be extended in increments between two and five years, if at all. The following table details our future minimum lease payments. Minimum lease commitments exclude variable lease expenses including contingent rent payments, common area maintenance, property taxes, and landlord's insurance.
Purchase obligations. The amounts listed for purchase obligations in the table below represent agreements (including open purchase orders) to purchase products and for other expenditures in the ordinary course of business that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms. In some cases, values are subject to change, such as for product purchases throughout the production process. The reported amounts exclude liabilities included in our consolidated balance sheets as of February 1, 2026.
The following table summarizes our contractual arrangements due by fiscal year as of February 1, 2026, and the timing and effect that such commitments are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:
| Total | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (minimum rent) | $ | 2,103,820 | $ | 370,705 | $ | 391,976 | $ | 334,124 | $ | 287,375 | $ | 182,005 | $ | 537,635 | |||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations | 631,644 | 578,093 | 16,347 | 24,204 | 13,000 | — | — |
As of February 1, 2026, our minimum operating lease commitment for distribution center operating leases which have been committed to, but not yet commenced, was $278.5 million, which is not reflected in the table above.
We enter into standby letters of credit to secure certain of our obligations, including leases, taxes, and duties. As of February 1, 2026, letters of credit and letters of guarantee totaling $14.5 million had been issued, including $6.4 million under our committed revolving credit facility.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Predicting future events is inherently an imprecise activity and, as such, requires the use of significant judgment. Actual results may vary from our estimates in amounts that may be material to the financial statements. An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact our consolidated financial statements. Management has reviewed these critical accounting policies and estimates and discussed them with the audit committee.
Our critical accounting policies, estimates, and judgments are as follows, and see Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in Item 8 of Part II for additional information:
Inventory provision
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. We periodically review our inventories and make a provision for obsolescence and goods that have quality issues or that are damaged. We record a provision at an amount that is equal to the difference between the inventory cost and its net realizable value. As of February 1, 2026, the net carrying value of our inventories was $1.7 billion, which included provisions for obsolete and damaged inventory of $87.1 million. The provision is determined based upon assumptions about product quality, damages, future demand, selling prices, and market conditions. A decrease in product demand due to changing consumer preferences, or increased competition could impact the Company's evaluation of its inventory, and additional reserves might be required.
Deferred taxes on undistributed net investment of foreign subsidiaries.
We have not recognized U.S. state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on the net investment in our subsidiaries which we have determined to be indefinitely reinvested. This determination is based on the cash flow projections and operational and fiscal objectives of each of our foreign subsidiaries. Such estimates are inherently imprecise since many assumptions utilized in the projections are subject to revision in the future.
For the portion of our net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries that is not indefinitely reinvested, we have recorded a deferred tax liability for the taxes which would be due upon repatriation. For distributions made by our Canadian subsidiaries, the amount of tax payable is partially dependent on how the repatriation transactions are made. The deferred tax liability has been recorded on the basis that we would choose to make the repatriation transactions in the most tax-efficient manner. Specifically, to the extent that the Canadian subsidiaries have sufficient paid-up capital, any such distributions would be made as a return of capital, rather than as a dividend, and therefore would not be subject to Canadian withholding tax.
As of February 1, 2026, the net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries was $3.3 billion, of which $1.6 billion was determined to be indefinitely reinvested. The paid-up capital balance of the Canadian subsidiaries was approximately $368.7 million.
We have recognized a deferred tax liability of $80.7 million as of February 1, 2026 which represents the Canadian withholding taxes payable on the portion of our Canadian earnings and other foreign earnings that are not indefinitely reinvested and cannot be repatriated as a return of capital, and U.S. state income taxes payable upon repatriation of the amounts which are not indefinitely reinvested.
In future periods, if the net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries and other foreign subsidiaries continues to grow, whether due to the accumulation of profits by these subsidiaries or due to a change in the amount that is indefinitely reinvested, we will record additional deferred tax liabilities, including both Canadian and foreign withholding taxes for the amounts in excess of the paid-up capital balance and U.S. state income taxes.
Contingencies
We are involved in legal proceedings regarding contractual and employment relationships and a variety of other matters. We record contingent liabilities when a loss is assessed to be probable and its amount is reasonably estimable. If it is reasonably possible that a material loss could occur through ongoing litigation, we provide disclosure in the footnotes to our financial statements. Assessing probability of loss and estimating the amount of probable losses requires analysis of multiple factors, including in some cases judgments about the potential actions of third-party claimants and courts. Should we experience adverse court judgments or should negotiated outcomes differ to our expectations with respect to such ongoing litigation, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
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MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2025 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001397187-25-000013.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Components of management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations include:
•Overview
•Financial Highlights and Market Conditions and Trends
•Results of Operations
•Comparison of 2024 to 2023
•Comparable Sales and Sales Per Square Foot
•Non-GAAP Financial Measures
•Liquidity and Capital Resources
•Liquidity Outlook
•Contractual Obligations and Commitments
•Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to January 31 of the following year, typically resulting in a 52-week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2024 was a 53-week year. Net revenue includes results from the 53rd week; however, comparable sales exclude the 53rd week. Fiscal 2023 was a 52-week year.
This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, such as our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions included in the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Our actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those described in the "Item 1A. Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We use comparable sales as a metric to evaluate the performance of our business. Refer to the Comparable Sales and Sales Per Square Foot section of this management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for further information.
We provide constant dollar changes and adjusted financial results which exclude certain inventory provisions, asset impairments, and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio and their related tax effects. The constant dollar changes and adjusted financial results are non-GAAP financial measures, and we provide them as supplemental information that enable evaluation of the underlying trend in our operating performance, and enable a comparison to our historical financial information. Refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for reconciliations between the adjusted non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
We disclose material non-public information through one or more of the following channels: our investor relations website (http://corporate.lululemon.com/investors), the social media channels identified on our investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts. Information contained on or accessible through our websites is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this annual report or any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.
Overview
Fiscal 2024 was another year of growth for lululemon. Net revenue increased 10%, operating margin expanded 150 basis points, or 50 basis points on an adjusted basis, and diluted earnings per share grew 20%, or 15% on an adjusted basis. Our teams continued to execute against our Power of Three ×2 growth plan and the compound annual growth rate in net revenue was 19% between fiscal 2021 and 2024.
We saw growth across our regions, merchandise categories, and channels as we continue to engage with guests and provide them with innovative products that help enable their wellness journey. In the Americas, revenue grew 4% driven by strength in Canada. In the United States, we have been working to increase the level of seasonal newness within our assortment mix. In China Mainland, revenue increased 41%, and in Rest of World, revenue grew 27%. By category, we saw a 9% increase in women's, 14% growth in men's, and an 10% increase in other categories. We expanded our retail presence by adding 56 net new company-operated stores, contributing to a 14% increase in square footage. These metrics include our stores in Mexico which we now operate directly, the result of the acquisition of the Mexico operations from our license and
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supply partner in September 2024. Company-operated store net revenue increased 14% and e-commerce net revenue increased 6%.
We repurchased 5.1 million shares for $1.6 billion in 2024, and our board of directors approved increases in our stock repurchase authorization totaling $2.0 billion during 2024.
Brand Campaigns and Activations
Deepening our relationship with existing guests while also bringing new guests into the lululemon brand remains an important priority for us. We believe our unaided brand awareness is relatively low across most of the regions where we operate. In 2024, we brought several activations to life aimed at increasing loyalty with existing guests while, at the same time, attracting new guests into our brand.
Our partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee was on full display during the Paris Olympics, as we outfitted the athletes for their off-field activities. In the Americas, we continued to grow our membership program and began offering new benefits including our Partner Perks program which provides members with exclusive experiences and perks from select partner brands.
In China Mainland, we expanded our Summer Sweat Games to over 70 stores across nearly 40 cities and for World Mental Health Day, we hosted activities in nine cities across China Mainland, anchored by our event along the West Bund in Shanghai. We also extended our World Mental Health Day activations to additional countries, including South Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
In 2024, we also welcomed additional new ambassadors to the brand, including six-time PGA tour winner Max Homa, Chinese director, actress, and screenwriter Jia Ling, and Frances Tiafoe our newest tennis ambassador.
Product Innovation
We continue to seek to create product that solves the unmet needs of our guests. We believe our technical product is a key competitive advantage for us, and our positioning as a premium athletic brand, with high style and high performance product, helps differentiate us from our peers.
In 2024, we remained focused on our core activities of yoga, run, and train and also our newer "play" activities including golf and tennis. In women's, Align, Define, and Scuba continued to be key product franchises for us, and towards the end of the year, we launched our Daydrift trouser; a refined, casual pant to be worn all day into night. For men, guests continued to respond to our lounge franchises including Steady State, Soft Jersey, and Smooth Spacer, and our performance franchises including Pacebreaker and Zeroed In. In footwear, we expanded our offering with new casual and performance styles including our first collection for men. And in accessories, we continued to bring innovation across our offering of bags, which drove good response from our guests.
Financial Highlights
The summary below compares 2024 to 2023 and provides both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures. The adjusted financial measures for 2023 exclude $72.1 million of post-tax asset impairment and other charges recognized in relation to lululemon Studio. There were no adjusted financial measures for 2024.
•Net revenue increased 10% to $10.6 billion. On a constant dollar basis, net revenue increased 11%.
•Comparable sales, which excludes net revenue from the 53rd week of 2024, increased 4%.
–Americas comparable sales decreased 1%.
–China Mainland comparable sales increased 25%, or 27% on a constant dollar basis.
–Rest of World comparable sales increased 19%, or 20% on a constant dollar basis.
•Gross profit increased 12% to $6.3 billion. Adjusted gross profit increased 11%.
•Gross margin increased 90 basis points to 59.2%. Adjusted gross margin increased 60 basis points.
•Income from operations increased 17% to $2.5 billion. Adjusted income from operations increased 12%.
•Operating margin increased 150 basis points to 23.7%. Adjusted operating margin increased 50 basis points.
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•Income tax expense increased 22% to $761.5 million. Our effective tax rate for 2024 was 29.6% compared to 28.8% for 2023. The adjusted effective tax rate was 28.7% for 2023.
•Diluted earnings per share were $14.64 for 2024 compared to $12.20 in 2023. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $12.77 in 2023.
Market Conditions and Trends
Macroeconomic conditions, government actions and policies, consumer confidence and purchasing behaviors, and foreign currency fluctuations impact our business. Such factors are expected to continue to impact our business throughout 2025, with the impact varying by market.
Consumer confidence, purchasing behaviors, and their propensity to spend in our sector have been impacted by uncertain economic conditions including inflation, fluctuating interest rates, and other factors. We continue to monitor the economic environment, including in the US, Canada, and China Mainland.
We experienced revenue and traffic growth in 2024 compared to 2023 in all regions, but have experienced a reduction in our revenue growth rate in the Americas compared to the growth we had in previous years, driven by our operations in the United States. During 2024, Americas comparable sales decreased 1%. We are monitoring government policies in the Americas, including changes in tariffs, and while we do not expect current changes to have a material impact on the cost of our products, tariffs and related uncertainties could impact consumer confidence, traffic, and demand for our products.
Foreign currency fluctuations have adversely impacted our financial results. Foreign currency fluctuations reduced the growth of our net revenue by $75.3 million when comparing 2024 to 2023, primarily due to the overall appreciation of the US dollar. We expect future exchange rate volatility to impact our results.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes key components of our results of operations for the periods indicated:
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of net revenue) | |||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 10,588,126 | $ | 9,619,278 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 4,317,315 | 4,009,873 | 40.8 | 41.7 | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | 6,270,811 | 5,609,405 | 59.2 | 58.3 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 3,762,379 | 3,397,218 | 35.5 | 35.3 | ||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other assets, restructuring costs | — | 74,501 | — | 0.8 | ||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 2,735 | 5,010 | — | 0.1 | ||||||||||
| Income from operations | 2,505,697 | 2,132,676 | 23.7 | 22.2 | ||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 70,380 | 43,059 | 0.7 | 0.4 | ||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 2,576,077 | 2,175,735 | 24.3 | 22.6 | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 761,461 | 625,545 | 7.2 | 6.5 | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,814,616 | $ | 1,550,190 | 17.1 | % | 16.1 | % |
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Comparison of 2024 to 2023
Net Revenue
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | Year over year change | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of net revenue) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | (Constant dollar change) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 7,928,156 | $ | 7,631,647 | 74.9 | % | 79.3 | % | $ | 296,509 | 4 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| China Mainland | 1,361,337 | 963,760 | 12.9 | 10.0 | 397,577 | 41 | 43 | |||||||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 1,298,633 | 1,023,871 | 12.3 | 10.6 | 274,762 | 27 | 29 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 10,588,126 | $ | 9,619,278 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | $ | 968,848 | 10 | % | 11 | % |
The increase in net revenue was primarily due to increased China Mainland net revenue. Americas and Rest of World net revenue also increased. We had total net revenue of $163.2 million during the 53rd week of 2024 which contributed to the total increase in net revenue in 2024. Comparable sales, which excludes net revenue from the 53rd week of 2024, increased 4%.
Gross Profit
| 2024 | 2023 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 6,270,811 | $ | 5,609,405 | $ | 661,406 | 11.8 | % | |||||||
| Gross margin | 59.2 | % | 58.3 | % | 90 basis points |
Gross margin increased 90 basis points. As a result of our decision to cease selling the lululemon Studio Mirror, we recognized an inventory obsolescence provision of $23.7 million during 2023, which reduced gross margin by 30 basis points. Adjusted gross margin increased 60 basis points. Please refer to Note 9. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, Restructuring Costs included in Item 8 of Part II of this report.
The increase in gross margin was primarily the result of a net increase in product margin of 120 basis points, comprised of:
•a net increase of 120 basis points from lower product costs and lower inventory provision expense, partially offset by higher freight costs;
•an increase of 30 basis points due to the lululemon Studio obsolescence provision recognized during 2023; and
•an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of 30 basis points.
The increase in product margin was partially offset by a net increase in other cost of sales as a percentage of net revenue of 30 basis points, comprised of:
•an increase in occupancy and depreciation costs of 60 basis points;
•an increase in distribution center costs of 30 basis points;
•a decrease in costs related to our product departments of 50 basis points; and
•a favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of 10 basis points.
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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
| 2024 | 2023 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 3,762,379 | $ | 3,397,218 | $ | 365,161 | 10.7 | % | |||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of net revenue | 35.5 | % | 35.3 | % | 20 basis points |
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to:
•an increase in costs related to our operating channels of $196.0 million, comprised of:
–an increase in employee costs of $84.2 million primarily due to increased salaries and wages expense and benefit costs for retail employees primarily from the growth in our business, partially offset by decreased incentive compensation;
–an increase in brand and community costs of $54.2 million primarily due to increased digital marketing expenses;
–an increase in other operating costs of $41.9 million primarily due to increased depreciation costs and repairs and maintenance costs; and
–an increase in technology costs of $18.7 million.
The increase in costs related to our operating channels was partially offset by a decrease in variable costs of $2.9 million primarily due to decreased distribution costs driven by lower rates, partially offset by increased credit card fees as a result of increased net revenue.
•an increase in head office costs of $179.0 million, comprised of:
–an increase in brand and community costs of $64.5 million primarily due to increased marketing expenses as well as increased charitable donations;
–an increase in advisory and professional fees of $42.9 million;
–an increase in technology costs, including cloud computing amortization, of $27.6 million;
–an increase in other head office costs of $25.7 million; and
–an increase in depreciation of $20.2 million.
The increase in costs related to our head office was partially offset by a net decrease in employee costs of $1.9 million primarily due to decreased incentive compensation, partially offset by increased salaries and wages expense.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was partially offset by an increase in net foreign currency exchange and derivative revaluation gains of $9.9 million.
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, Restructuring Costs
| 2024 | 2023 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other assets, restructuring costs | $ | — | $ | 74,501 | $ | (74,501) | (100.0) | % |
During 2023, we recognized certain asset impairments and restructuring costs related to lululemon Studio. Please refer to Note 9. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, Restructuring Costs included in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information.
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Amortization of Intangible Assets
| 2024 | 2023 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | $ | 2,735 | $ | 5,010 | $ | (2,275) | (45.4) | % |
The amortization of intangible assets in 2024 was primarily the result of the amortization of intangible assets recognized upon the acquisition of the Mexico operations. The amortization of intangible assets in 2023 was primarily the result of the amortization of intangible assets recognized upon the acquisition of MIRROR, which we rebranded as lululemon Studio.
Segment Results
On a segment basis, we determine income from operations without taking into account corporate expenses and certain other expenses. Corporate expenses include the cost of centrally managed support functions including product design, raw material development, product innovation, sourcing, supply chain, and global merchandising which are included in other cost of sales. Administrative corporate expenses include technology, brand and marketing, finance, human resources, legal, and other head office costs.
Americas
| 2024 | 2023 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 7,928,156 | $ | 7,631,647 | $ | 296,509 | 3.9 | % | |||||||
| Product costs | 2,336,251 | 2,283,490 | 52,761 | 2.3 | |||||||||||
| Other cost of sales | 641,699 | 576,810 | 64,889 | 11.2 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 4,950,206 | 4,771,347 | 178,859 | 3.7 | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 1,934,649 | 1,834,163 | 100,486 | 5.5 | |||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations | $ | 3,015,557 | $ | 2,937,184 | $ | 78,373 | 2.7 | % | |||||||
| Product margin | 70.5 | % | 70.1 | % | 40 basis points | ||||||||||
| Gross margin | 62.4 | % | 62.5 | % | (10) basis points | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of net revenue | 24.4 | % | 24.0 | % | 40 basis points | ||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations as a % of net revenue | 38.0 | % | 38.5 | % | (50) basis points |
The increase in Americas net revenue was primarily due to a $263.5 million increase from new or expanded company-operated stores and our other channels. We added 24 net new company-operated stores in the Americas since 2023, including 14 company-operated stores from the acquisition of the Mexico operations. Americas net revenue during the 53rd week of 2024 was $118.0 million, which contributed to the increase in Americas net revenue in 2024. Americas comparable sales, which excludes net revenue from the 53rd week of 2024, decreased 1%. The decrease in comparable sales was primarily a result of decreased conversion rates, partially offset by an increase in traffic and a higher dollar value per transaction.
The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to deleverage on distribution center and occupancy costs, partially offset by higher product margin.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increased marketing expenses, higher depreciation, and higher employee costs, partially offset by decreased distribution cost rates.
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China Mainland
| 2024 | 2023 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 1,361,337 | $ | 963,760 | $ | 397,577 | 41.3 | % | |||||||
| Product costs | 324,237 | 241,663 | 82,574 | 34.2 | |||||||||||
| Other cost of sales | 198,373 | 154,136 | 44,237 | 28.7 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 838,727 | 567,961 | 270,766 | 47.7 | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 328,868 | 230,645 | 98,223 | 42.6 | |||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations | $ | 509,859 | $ | 337,316 | $ | 172,543 | 51.2 | % | |||||||
| Product margin | 76.2 | % | 74.9 | % | 130 basis points | ||||||||||
| Gross margin | 61.6 | % | 58.9 | % | 270 basis points | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of net revenue | 24.2 | % | 23.9 | % | 30 basis points | ||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations as a % of net revenue | 37.5 | % | 35.0 | % | 250 basis points |
The increase in China Mainland net revenue was primarily due to an increase in comparable sales, which increased 25%, or 27% on a constant dollar basis. China Mainland comparable sales excludes net revenue from the 53rd week of 2024. The increase in comparable sales was primarily a result of increased traffic, partially offset by a lower dollar value per transaction. The increase in China Mainland net revenue was also driven by a $156.5 million increase in in net revenue from new or expanded company-operated stores and our other channels. We have opened 24 net new company-operated stores since 2023. China Mainland net revenue during the 53rd week of 2024 was $23.6 million, which contributed to the increase in China Mainland net revenue in 2024.
The increase in gross margin was primarily due to higher product margin as well as leverage on occupancy and other costs.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher employee costs and increased marketing expenses, as well as increased distribution costs and packaging costs driven by higher net revenue.
Rest of World
| 2024 | 2023 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 1,298,633 | $ | 1,023,871 | $ | 274,762 | 26.8 | % | |||||||
| Product costs | 364,906 | 316,542 | 48,364 | 15.3 | |||||||||||
| Other cost of sales | 217,536 | 171,992 | 45,544 | 26.5 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 716,191 | 535,337 | 180,854 | 33.8 | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 401,245 | 333,505 | 67,740 | 20.3 | |||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations | $ | 314,946 | $ | 201,832 | $ | 113,114 | 56.0 | % | |||||||
| Product margin | 71.9 | % | 69.1 | % | 280 basis points | ||||||||||
| Gross margin | 55.1 | % | 52.3 | % | 280 basis points | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of net revenue | 30.9 | % | 32.6 | % | (170) basis points | ||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations as a % of net revenue | 24.3 | % | 19.7 | % | 460 basis points |
The increase in Rest of World net revenue was primarily due to an increase in comparable sales, which increased 19%, or 20% on a constant dollar basis. Rest of World comparable sales excludes net revenue from the 53rd week of 2024. The increase in comparable sales was primarily a result of increased traffic and a higher dollar value per transaction, partially offset by a decrease in conversion rates. The increase in Rest of World net revenue was also driven by a $95.8 million increase in net revenue from new or expanded company-operated stores and our other channels. We have opened eight net new company-operated stores since 2023. Rest of World net revenue during the 53rd week of 2024 was $21.7 million, which contributed to the increase in Rest of World net revenue in 2024.
The increase in gross margin was primarily due to higher product margin.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher employee costs and increased marketing expenses, as well as increased distribution costs and credit card fees driven by higher net revenue.
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Corporate
Corporate expenses decreased $9.0 million to $1.3 billion in 2024 compared to 2023. The net decrease was primarily due to an inventory obsolescence provision of $23.7 million and certain asset impairments and restructuring costs of $74.5 million in relation to lululemon Studio recognized in 2023. Please refer to Note 9. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, Restructuring Costs included in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information. Corporate expenses also decreased due to an increase in net foreign currency exchange and derivative gains of $9.9 million, as well as a decrease in employee costs. The decrease in corporate expenses was partially offset by increased professional fees and technology costs, as well as increased depreciation and marketing expenses.
Other Income (Expense), Net
| 2024 | 2023 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | $ | 70,380 | $ | 43,059 | $ | 27,321 | 63.5 | % |
The increase in other income, net was primarily due to an increase in interest income as a result of higher average cash balances.
Income Tax Expense
| 2024 | 2023 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 761,461 | $ | 625,545 | $ | 135,916 | 21.7 | % | |||||||
| Effective tax rate | 29.6 | % | 28.8 | % | 80 basis points |
The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an increase in non-deductible expenses in international jurisdictions, a decrease in tax benefits related to stock-based compensation, adjustments upon the filing of certain income tax returns, and an increase in net revenue outside of the United States. The increase in the effective tax rate was partially offset by an increase in tax credits, and the income tax impact of certain non-deductible impairment and other charges related to lululemon Studio, which increased the effective tax rate by 10 basis points in 2023.
Excluding the income tax effects of the impairment and other charges recognized in relation to lululemon Studio in 2023, the adjusted effective tax rate was 28.7% in 2023.
Net Income
| 2024 | 2023 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,814,616 | $ | 1,550,190 | $ | 264,426 | 17.1 | % |
The increase in net income in 2024 was primarily due to an increase in gross profit of $661.4 million, impairment and restructuring charges recognized in 2023 of $74.5 million, an increase in other income (expense), net of $27.3 million, partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $365.2 million, and an increase in income tax expense of $135.9 million.
Excluding the impairment and other charges recognized in relation to lululemon Studio in 2023, and their tax effects, adjusted net income increased $192.3 million or 12%.
Comparable Sales and Sales Per Square Foot
Comparable Sales
We use comparable sales to evaluate the performance of our company-operated store and e-commerce businesses from an omni-channel perspective. It allows us to monitor the performance of our business without the impact of recently opened or expanded stores. We believe investors would similarly find these metrics useful in assessing the performance of our business.
Comparable sales includes comparable company-operated store and all e-commerce net revenue. E-commerce net revenue includes buy online pick-up in store, back-back room, and ship from store net revenue in addition to our websites,
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other region-specific websites, digital marketplaces, and mobile apps. Our back-back room capability allows our store educators to access inventory located at our other locations and have product shipped directly to a guest's address or a store. Comparable company-operated stores have been open, or open after being significantly expanded, for at least 12 full fiscal months. Net revenue from a company-operated store is included in comparable sales beginning with the first fiscal month for which the store has a full fiscal month of sales in the prior year. Comparable sales excludes sales from new stores that have not been open for at least 12 full fiscal months, from stores which have not been in their significantly expanded space for at least 12 full fiscal months, from stores which have been temporarily relocated for renovations or temporarily closed, and sales from company-operated stores that have closed. Comparable sales also excludes sales from our selling channels other than company-operated stores and e-commerce. The comparable sales measures we report may not be equivalent to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Company-operated stores acquired as a result of the acquisition of the Mexico operations will be considered comparable beginning October 2025, after 12 full fiscal months of sales from the date of acquisition. Prior to the acquisition, wholesale sales were made to a third party under a license and supply arrangement.
In fiscal years with 53 weeks, the 53rd week of net revenue is excluded from the calculation of comparable sales. In the year following a 53-week year, the prior year period is shifted by one week to compare similar calendar weeks.
Sales Per Square Foot
We use sales per square foot to assess the performance of our company-operated stores relative to their square footage. We believe that sales per square foot is useful in evaluating the performance of our company-operated stores. Sales per square foot is calculated using total net revenue from all company-operated stores divided by the average ending square footage of the stores for each period during the year. In fiscal years with 53 weeks, the 53rd week of net revenue is excluded from the calculation of sales per square foot. The square footage of our company-operated stores includes all retail related space, including selling space as well as storage and back-office areas. The sales per square foot metric we report may not be equivalent to similarly titled metrics reported by other companies.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Constant dollar changes and adjusted financial results are non-GAAP financial measures.
A constant dollar basis assumes the average foreign currency exchange rates for the period remained constant with the average foreign currency exchange rates for the same period of the prior year. We provide constant dollar changes in our results to help investors understand the underlying growth rate of net revenue excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
For 2023, adjusted gross profit, gross margin, income from operations, operating margin, income tax expense, effective tax rates, net income, and diluted earnings per share exclude certain inventory provisions, asset impairments, and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio, and the related income tax effects of these items.
We believe these adjusted financial measures are useful to investors as they provide supplemental information that enable evaluation of the underlying trend in our operating performance, and enable a comparison to our historical financial information. Further, due to the finite and discrete nature of these items, we do not consider them to be normal operating expenses that are necessary to run our business, or impairments that are expected to arise in the normal course of our operations. Management uses these adjusted financial measures and constant currency metrics internally when reviewing and assessing financial performance.
The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or with greater prominence to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures follows, which includes more detail on the GAAP financial measure that is most directly comparable to each non-GAAP financial measure, and the related reconciliations between these financial measures. Our non-GAAP financial measures may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
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Constant Dollar Changes
The below changes in net revenue and comparable sales show the change compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Comparable sales exclude net revenue from the 53rd week of 2024.
| 2024 Compared to 2023 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change | Foreign exchange changes | Change in constant dollars | |||||||
| Net Revenue | |||||||||
| Americas | 4 | % | — | % | 4 | % | |||
| China Mainland | 41 | 2 | 43 | ||||||
| Rest of World | 27 | 2 | 29 | ||||||
| Total net revenue | 10 | % | 1 | % | 11 | % | |||
| Comparable sales(1) | |||||||||
| Americas | (1) | % | — | % | (1) | % | |||
| China Mainland | 25 | 2 | 27 | ||||||
| Rest of World | 19 | 1 | 20 | ||||||
| Total comparable sales | 4 | % | — | % | 4 | % |
__________
(1)Comparable sales includes comparable company-operated store and e-commerce net revenue.
Adjusted Financial Measures
The following table reconciles the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP with the adjusted financial measures for 2023. The adjustments relate to certain inventory provisions, asset impairments, and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio and their related tax effects. Please refer to Note 9. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, Restructuring Costs included in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information on the nature of these amounts. There were no adjusted financial measures for 2024.
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Profit | Gross Margin | Income from Operations | Operating Margin | Income Tax Expense | Effective Tax Rate | Net Income | Diluted Earnings Per Share | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GAAP results | $ | 5,609,405 | 58.3 | % | $ | 2,132,676 | 22.2 | % | $ | 625,545 | 28.8 | % | $ | 1,550,190 | $ | 12.20 | ||||||||||||
| lululemon Studio charges: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| lululemon Studio obsolescence provision | 23,709 | 0.3 | 23,709 | 0.2 | 23,709 | 0.19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | 44,186 | 0.5 | 44,186 | 0.35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 30,315 | 0.3 | 30,315 | 0.24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect of the above | 26,085 | (0.1) | (26,085) | (0.21) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23,709 | 0.3 | 98,210 | 1.0 | 26,085 | (0.1) | 72,125 | 0.57 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted results (non-GAAP) | $ | 5,633,114 | 58.6 | % | $ | 2,230,886 | 23.2 | % | $ | 651,630 | 28.7 | % | $ | 1,622,315 | $ | 12.77 |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are our current balances of cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations, and capacity under our committed revolving credit facility, including to fund short-term working capital requirements. Our primary cash needs are capital expenditures for opening new stores and remodeling or relocating existing stores, investing in our distribution centers, investing in technology and making system enhancements, funding working capital requirements, and making other strategic capital investments. We may also use cash to repurchase shares of our common stock. Cash and cash equivalents in excess of our needs are held in interest bearing accounts with financial institutions, as well as in money market funds and term deposits.
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The following table summarizes our net cash flows provided by and used in operating, investing, and financing activities for the periods indicated:
| 2024 | 2023 | Year over year change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Total cash provided by (used in): | |||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 2,272,713 | $ | 2,296,164 | $ | (23,451) | |||||
| Investing activities | (798,174) | (654,132) | (144,042) | ||||||||
| Financing activities | (1,652,508) | (548,828) | (1,103,680) | ||||||||
| Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (81,666) | (4,100) | (77,566) | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (259,635) | $ | 1,089,104 | $ | (1,348,739) |
Operating Activities
Net income increased $264.4 million. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily as a result of a decrease in cash flows from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $251.1 million, primarily driven by changes in accounts payable, inventories, accrued compensation, and other assets, partially offset by changes in income taxes and accrued liabilities. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was also a result of changes in impairment and other charges recognized in relation to lululemon Studio in 2023, and lower cash inflows related to derivatives, partially offset by increased deferred incomes taxes and depreciation.
Investing Activities
The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to the acquisition of the lululemon branded retail locations and operations run by a third party in Mexico. Please refer to Note 6. Acquisition included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information. The increase in cash used in investing activities was also due to increased capital expenditures primarily due to an increase in supply chain infrastructure, company-operated stores expenditures, and system initiatives, partially offset by a decrease in corporate infrastructure capital expenditures. The increase in cash used in investing activities was partially offset by the settlement of net investment hedges.
Financing Activities
The increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily the result of an increase in our stock repurchases. During 2024, we repurchased 5.1 million shares at a total cost including commissions and excise taxes of $1.6 billion. During 2023, we repurchased 1.5 million shares at a total cost including commissions and excise taxes of $558.7 million. The common stock was repurchased in the open market at prevailing market prices, including under plans complying with the provisions of Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with the timing and actual number of shares repurchased depending upon market conditions, eligibility to trade, and other factors.
Liquidity Outlook
We believe our cash and cash equivalent balances, cash generated from operations, and borrowings available to us under our committed revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. Our cash from operations may be negatively impacted by a decrease in demand for our products as well as the other factors described in "Item 1A. Risk Factors". In addition, we may make discretionary capital improvements with respect to our stores, distribution facilities, headquarters, or systems, or we may repurchase shares under an approved stock repurchase program, which we would expect to fund through the use of cash, issuance of
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debt or equity securities or other external financing sources to the extent we were unable to fund such expenditures out of our cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from operations.
The following table includes certain measures of our liquidity:
| February 2, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,984,336 | |
| Working capital(1) excluding cash and cash equivalents | 156,336 | ||
| Capacity under committed revolving credit facility | 393,935 |
__________
(1)Working capital is calculated as current assets of $4.0 billion less current liabilities of $1.8 billion.
Capital expenditures are expected to range between $740.0 million and $760.0 million in 2025.
Our current commitments with respect to inventory purchases are included within our purchase obligations outlined below. The timing and cost of our inventory purchases will vary depending on a variety of factors such as revenue growth, assortment and purchasing decisions, product costs including freight and duty, and the availability of production capacity and speed. Our inventory balance as of February 2, 2025 was $1.4 billion, an increase of 9% from January 28, 2024. We expect that our inventories will continue to grow in 2025, and we expect the growth rate will exceed net revenue growth in 2025.
Our existing Americas credit facility provides for $400.0 million in commitments under an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility. The credit facility has a maturity date of December 14, 2026. As of February 2, 2025, aside from letters of credit of $6.1 million, we had no other borrowings outstanding under this credit facility. Further information regarding our credit facilities and associated covenants is outlined in Note 12. Revolving Credit Facilities included in Item 8 of Part II of this report.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Leases. We lease certain store and other retail locations, distribution centers, offices, and equipment under non-cancellable operating leases. Our leases generally have initial terms of between two and 15 years, and generally can be extended in increments between two and five years, if at all. The following table details our future minimum lease payments. Minimum lease commitments exclude variable lease expenses including contingent rent payments, common area maintenance, property taxes, and landlord's insurance.
Purchase obligations. The amounts listed for purchase obligations in the table below represent agreements (including open purchase orders) to purchase products and for other expenditures in the ordinary course of business that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms. In some cases, values are subject to change, such as for product purchases throughout the production process. The reported amounts exclude liabilities included in our consolidated balance sheets as of February 2, 2025.
The following table summarizes our contractual arrangements due by fiscal year as of February 2, 2025, and the timing and effect that such commitments are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:
| Total | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (minimum rent) | $ | 1,845,624 | $ | 336,521 | $ | 314,027 | $ | 299,214 | $ | 243,199 | $ | 182,854 | $ | 469,809 | |||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations | 803,579 | 725,155 | 22,982 | 16,807 | 25,635 | 13,000 | — |
As of February 2, 2025, our minimum operating lease commitment for distribution center operating leases which have been committed to, but not yet commenced, was $274.8 million, which is not reflected in the table above.
We enter into standby letters of credit to secure certain of our obligations, including leases, taxes, and duties. As of February 2, 2025, letters of credit and letters of guarantee totaling $12.6 million had been issued, including $6.1 million under our committed revolving credit facility.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Predicting future events is inherently an imprecise activity and, as such,
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requires the use of significant judgment. Actual results may vary from our estimates in amounts that may be material to the financial statements. An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact our consolidated financial statements.
Our critical accounting policies, estimates, and judgements are as follows, and see Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in Item 8 of Part II for additional information:
Inventory provision
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. We periodically review our inventories and make a provision for obsolescence and goods that have quality issues or that are damaged. We record a provision at an amount that is equal to the difference between the inventory cost and its net realizable value. As of February 2, 2025, the net carrying value of our inventories was $1.4 billion, which included provisions for obsolete and damaged inventory of $82.3 million. The provision is determined based upon assumptions about product quality, damages, future demand, selling prices, and market conditions.
Deferred taxes on undistributed net investment of foreign subsidiaries.
We have not recognized U.S. state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on the net investment in our subsidiaries which we have determined to be indefinitely reinvested. This determination is based on the cash flow projections and operational and fiscal objectives of each of our foreign subsidiaries. Such estimates are inherently imprecise since many assumptions utilized in the projections are subject to revision in the future.
For the portion of our net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries that is not indefinitely reinvested, we have recorded a deferred tax liability for the taxes which would be due upon repatriation. For distributions made by our Canadian subsidiaries, the amount of tax payable is partially dependent on how the repatriation transactions are made. The deferred tax liability has been recorded on the basis that we would choose to make the repatriation transactions in the most tax efficient manner. Specifically, to the extent that the Canadian subsidiaries have sufficient paid-up-capital, any such distributions would be made as a return of capital, rather than as a dividend, and therefore would not be subject to Canadian withholding tax.
As of February 2, 2025, the net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries was $3.7 billion, of which $1.6 billion was determined to be indefinitely reinvested. The paid-up-capital balance of the Canadian subsidiaries was approximately $165.2 million.
We have recognized a deferred tax liability of $107.0 million as of February 2, 2025 which represents the Canadian withholding taxes payable on the portion of our Canadian earnings that are not indefinitely reinvested and cannot be repatriated as a return of capital, and U.S. state income taxes payable upon repatriation of the amounts which are not indefinitely reinvested.
In future periods, if the net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries continues to grow, whether due to the accumulation of profits by these subsidiaries or due to a change in the amount that is indefinitely reinvested, we will record additional deferred tax liabilities, including both Canadian withholding taxes for the amount in excess of the paid-up capital balance and U.S. state income taxes.
Contingencies
We are involved in legal proceedings regarding contractual and employment relationships and a variety of other matters. We record contingent liabilities when a loss is assessed to be probable and its amount is reasonably estimable. If it is reasonably possible that a material loss could occur through ongoing litigation, we provide disclosure in the footnotes to our financial statements. Assessing probability of loss and estimating the amount of probable losses requires analysis of multiple factors, including in some cases judgments about the potential actions of third-party claimants and courts. Should we experience adverse court judgments or should negotiated outcomes differ to our expectations with respect to such ongoing litigation it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001397187-24-000010.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Components of management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations include:
•Overview
•Financial Highlights and Market Conditions and Trends
•Results of Operations
•Comparison of 2023 to 2022
•Comparison of 2022 to 2021
•Comparable Sales and Sales Per Square Foot
•Non-GAAP Financial Measures
•Liquidity and Capital Resources
•Liquidity Outlook
•Contractual Obligations and Commitments
•Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to January 31 of the following year, typically resulting in a 52-week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2023, 2022, and 2021 were each 52-week years. Fiscal 2024 will be a 53-week year.
This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, such as our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions included in the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Our actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those described in the "Item 1A. Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We use comparable sales as a metric to evaluate the performance of our business. Refer to the Comparable Sales and Sales Per Square Foot section of this management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for further information.
We provide constant dollar changes and adjusted financial results, which are non-GAAP financial measures, as supplemental information that enable evaluation of the underlying trend in our operating performance, and enable a comparison to our historical financial information. Refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for reconciliations between the adjusted non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
We disclose material non-public information through one or more of the following channels: our investor relations website (http://corporate.lululemon.com/investors), the social media channels identified on our investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts. Information contained on or accessible through our websites is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this Annual Report or any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, we revised the financial information which is regularly reviewed and used by our CODM to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Historically, our segments were based on selling channel. As we have further executed on our omni-channel retail strategy, and with the continued expansion of our international operations, our resource allocation decisions have evolved to focus on regional markets. We organize our operations into four regional markets: Americas, China Mainland, APAC, and EMEA. We report three segments, Americas, China Mainland, and Rest of World, which is comprised of the APAC and EMEA regions on a combined basis. Our prior year segment results have been recast to reflect our new segment reporting structure.
Overview
In 2023, lululemon celebrated its 25th anniversary and delivered another strong year of financial results. We continued to execute against our Power of Three ×2 growth plan, growing net revenue 19% and diluted earnings per share 83%, or 27% on an adjusted basis, as our teams were able to successfully navigate an uncertain macroeconomic environment.
Our growth continued across regions, merchandise categories, and channels. We delivered strong net revenue growth across our regions including 12% in the Americas, 67% in China Mainland, and 43% in Rest of World. Net revenue from our women's product range increased 17%, men's increased 15%, and net revenue from our other categories increased 36%. We
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opened 56 net new company-operated stores, contributing to a 15% increase in square footage, while total company-operated store net revenue increased 21% and e-commerce net revenue increased 17%.
We believe this broad-based growth was underpinned by our ability to bring new innovations into our product assortment, while also increasing our brand awareness and bringing new guests into our brand.
Product Innovation
By innovating through our Science of Feel approach, we continue to seek to solve the unmet needs of our guests. While continuing to see strength from our key collections including Align, Scuba, Define, and Softstreme for women and our ABC collection for men, we launched new innovations as well. For women, we launched Wundermost, our new bodywear collection, we expanded our dual gender golf and tennis assortments. On the men’s side, we launched Steady State and Soft Jersey, to expand our lounge offering, while also enhancing our Pace Breaker short. In accessories, we continued to see strength across our bag assortment, and in footwear we updated our Blissfeel and Chargefeel styles, and in early 2024, we launched our first footwear styles for men. We also announced a new textile-to-textile recycling partnership with the goal of enabling circularity in our supply chain by transforming apparel waste into high quality nylon and polyester.
Brand Awareness
We believe that increasing our brand awareness and introducing new guests to the lululemon brand remains one of our largest opportunities, both in the Americas and to an even greater degree in our international markets.
In order to grow brand awareness we combine our community-based, grass roots model of guest engagement, with larger scale brand activations and global brand campaigns. With connection points across both our physical and digital channels, we aim to bring new guests into our brand, engage with them in ways that are more than just transactional and create deeper connections.
In 2023, we executed several strategies designed to connect with guests, bring new guests into our brand, and grow awareness. Highlights include: hosting our Dupe Swap event in Los Angeles; testing our first men's focused TV campaign featuring our ABC pants; taking over the West Bund in Shanghai for one week to host wellness-centric events and experiences intended to bring awareness to World Mental Health Day; and continuing to grow our Essentials membership program.
In addition, in September 2023 we announced our new partnership with Peloton. Peloton is now the exclusive provider of content for our lululemon Studio members, we have become their primary apparel provider. We plan to jointly engage our global communities through special programming, experiences, and events.
Financial Highlights
The summary below compares 2023 to 2022 and provides both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures. The adjusted financial measures for 2023 exclude $72.1 million of post-tax asset impairment and other charges recognized in relation to lululemon Studio. The adjusted financial measures for 2022 exclude $442.7 million of post-tax goodwill impairment and other charges recognized in relation to lululemon Studio and the post-tax net gain on the sale of an administrative building of $8.5 million.
•Net revenue increased 19% to $9.6 billion. On a constant dollar basis, net revenue increased 20%.
•Comparable sales increased 13%, or 14% on a constant dollar basis.
–Americas comparable sales increased 8%, or 9% on a constant dollar basis.
–China Mainland comparable sales increased 39%, or 46% on a constant dollar basis.
–Rest of World comparable sales increased 32%, or 33% on a constant dollar basis.
•Gross profit increased 25% to $5.6 billion. Adjusted gross profit increased 24% to $5.6 billion.
•Gross margin increased 290 basis points to 58.3%. Adjusted gross margin increased 240 basis points to 58.6%.
•Income from operations increased 61% to $2.1 billion. Adjusted income from operations increased 25% to $2.2 billion.
•Operating margin increased 580 basis points to 22.2% from 16.4% in 2022. Adjusted operating margin increased 110 basis points to 23.2% from 22.1% in 2022.
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•Income tax expense increased 31% to $625.5 million. Our effective tax rate for 2023 was 28.8% compared to 35.9% for 2022. The adjusted effective tax rate was 28.7% and 28.1% for 2023 and 2022, respectively.
•Diluted earnings per share were $12.20 for 2023 compared to $6.68 in 2022. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $12.77 for 2023 compared to $10.07 in 2022.
Market Conditions and Trends
Macroeconomic conditions, supply chain disruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted our business and operating costs. Certain trends are expected to continue throughout 2024, with the impact varying by market.
Macroeconomic Conditions
Macroeconomic conditions, including foreign currency fluctuations, have impacted our financial results. Foreign currency fluctuations reduced the growth of our net revenue by $89.8 million when comparing 2023 to 2022, primarily due to the overall appreciation of the US dollar. We expect future exchange rate volatility to impact our results. We have also experienced increased wage rates which increased our employee costs when comparing 2023 to 2022.
Consumer purchasing behaviors and their propensity to spend in our sector have been impacted by uncertain economic conditions including inflation, higher interest rates, and other factors. While we experienced traffic and net revenue growth in 2023 in all markets, over the course of 2023 we saw moderation in the year over year traffic and net revenue growth in the Americas. We continue to monitor macroeconomic conditions and the trends in consumer demand for our products.
Supply Chain Disruption
In 2021 and 2022 we experienced supply chain disruption, including delays in inbound delivery of our products as well as in manufacturing. This supply chain disruption caused us to use higher cost modes of transport, including increasing our use of air freight. We saw an improvement in the supply chain disruption during the second half of 2022 and during 2023, including reductions in freight costs and reductions in our levels of air freight usage.
COVID-19 Pandemic
Most of our retail locations were open throughout 2023, 2022, and 2021, with certain locations temporarily closed due to COVID-19 resurgences during the first quarter of 2022 and at various times in 2021. The effect of COVID-19, including store closures, impacted our revenue and operating margins in 2021 and the first quarter of 2022 in China Mainland.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes key components of our results of operations for the periods indicated:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of net revenue) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 9,619,278 | $ | 8,110,518 | $ | 6,256,617 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 4,009,873 | 3,618,178 | 2,648,052 | 41.7 | 44.6 | 42.3 | |||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 5,609,405 | 4,492,340 | 3,608,565 | 58.3 | 55.4 | 57.7 | |||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 3,397,218 | 2,757,447 | 2,225,034 | 35.3 | 34.0 | 35.6 | |||||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other assets, restructuring costs | 74,501 | 407,913 | — | 0.8 | 5.0 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 5,010 | 8,752 | 8,782 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||
| Acquisition-related expenses | — | — | 41,394 | — | — | 0.7 | |||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | — | (10,180) | — | — | (0.1) | — | |||||||||||||||
| Income from operations | 2,132,676 | 1,328,408 | 1,333,355 | 22.2 | 16.4 | 21.3 | |||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 43,059 | 4,163 | 514 | 0.4 | 0.1 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 2,175,735 | 1,332,571 | 1,333,869 | 22.6 | 16.4 | 21.3 | |||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 625,545 | 477,771 | 358,547 | 6.5 | 5.9 | 5.7 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,550,190 | $ | 854,800 | $ | 975,322 | 16.1 | % | 10.5 | % | 15.6 | % |
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Comparison of 2023 to 2022
Net Revenue
Net revenue increased $1.5 billion, or 19%, to $9.6 billion in 2023 from $8.1 billion in 2022. On a constant dollar basis, net revenue increased 20%. Comparable sales increased 13%, or 14% on a constant dollar basis. The increase in net revenue was primarily due to increased Americas net revenue. China Mainland and Rest of World net revenue also increased.
Net revenue for 2023 and 2022 is summarized below, and reflects our updated segments, including comparatives.
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | Year over year change | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of net revenue) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | (Constant dollar change) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 7,631,647 | $ | 6,817,454 | 79.3 | % | 84.1 | % | $ | 814,193 | 11.9 | % | 12.0 | % | ||||||||||
| China Mainland | 963,760 | 576,503 | 10.0 | 7.1 | 387,257 | 67.2 | 75.0 | |||||||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 1,023,871 | 716,561 | 10.6 | 8.8 | 307,310 | 42.9 | 44.0 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 9,619,278 | $ | 8,110,518 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,508,760 | 18.6 | % | 20.0 | % |
Americas. The increase in Americas net revenue was primarily due to an increase in comparable sales, which increased 8%, or 9% on a constant dollar basis. The increase in comparable sales was primarily a result of increased traffic, partially offset by a lower dollar value per transaction and a decrease in conversion rates. The increase in Americas net revenue was also driven by a $327.6 million increase in non-comparable sales, primarily from our company-operated stores that were opened or significantly expanded since 2022 as well as increased outlet, wholesale, and license and supply arrangement net revenue, partially offset by fewer temporary locations and lower lululemon Studio net revenue.
China Mainland. The increase in China Mainland net revenue was primarily due to an increase in comparable sales, which increased 39%, or 46% on a constant dollar basis. The increase in comparable sales was primarily a result of increased traffic, partially offset by a decrease in conversion rates and a lower dollar value per transaction. The increase in China Mainland net revenue was also driven by a $180.6 million increase in non-comparable sales, primarily from our company-operated stores that were opened or significantly expanded since 2022 as well as increased net revenue from outlets.
Rest of World. The increase in Rest of World net revenue was primarily due to an increase in comparable sales, which increased 32%, or 33% on a constant dollar basis. The increase in comparable sales was primarily a result of increased traffic, partially offset by a decrease in conversion rates. The increase in Rest of World net revenue was also driven by a $118.9 million increase in non-comparable sales, primarily from our company-operated stores that were opened or significantly expanded since 2022 as well as increased license and supply arrangements and outlets net revenue.
Gross Profit
| 2023 | 2022 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 5,609,405 | $ | 4,492,340 | $ | 1,117,065 | 24.9 | % | |||||||
| Gross margin | 58.3 | % | 55.4 | % | 290 basis points |
During 2022, we decided to shift our lululemon Studio strategy to focus on providing digital app-based services. While we continued to sell at-home hardware in 2023, we reached the decision to cease selling the lululemon Studio Mirror during the third quarter of 2023. These strategy shifts resulted in the recognition of an inventory obsolescence provision of $62.9 million in 2022 and a further provision of $23.7 million in 2023. These provisions reduced gross margin by 80 basis points and 30 basis points in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Please refer to Note 8. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, Restructuring Costs included in Item 8 of Part II of this report.
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Gross margin increased 290 basis points, or excluding the impact of the lululemon Studio obsolescence provisions detailed above, increased 240 basis points. This 240 basis point net increase was primarily a result of:
•a net increase in product margin of 290 basis points, primarily due to lower freight costs from rate reductions and reduced air freight, as well as lower duty costs, modestly offset by higher inventory provisions and shrink in the current year;
•an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of 20 basis points; and
•deleverage on occupancy costs of 20 basis points and an increase in costs related to our distribution centers as a percentage of net revenue of 10 basis points.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
| 2023 | 2022 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 3,397,218 | $ | 2,757,447 | $ | 639,771 | 23.2 | % | |||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenue | 35.3 | % | 34.0 | % | 130 basis points |
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to:
•an increase in head office costs of $327.7 million, comprised of:
–an increase in employee costs of $108.8 million primarily due to increased salaries and wages expense as well as increased stock-based compensation and incentive compensation, primarily as a result of headcount growth and increased wage rates;
–an increase in brand and community costs of $95.4 million primarily due to increased marketing expenses;
–an increase in depreciation of $46.0 million;
–an increase in other head office costs of $40.4 million, primarily due to increased professional fees; and
–an increase in technology costs, including cloud computing amortization, of $37.1 million.
•an increase in costs related to our operating channels of $319.1 million, comprised of:
–an increase in employee costs of $145.1 million primarily due to increased salaries and wages expense, incentive compensation, and benefit costs for retail employees, primarily from the growth in our business and increased wage rates;
–an increase in other operating costs of $67.7 million primarily due to increased depreciation costs, technology costs, and repairs and maintenance costs;
–an increase in variable costs of $66.8 million primarily due to increased credit card fees, distribution costs, and packaging costs, primarily as a result of increased net revenue; and
–an increase in brand and community costs of $39.5 million primarily due to increased digital marketing expenses.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was partially offset by a decrease in net foreign currency exchange and derivative revaluation losses of $7.0 million.
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Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, Restructuring Costs
| 2023 | 2022 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other assets, restructuring costs | $ | 74,501 | $ | 407,913 | $ | (333,412) | (81.7) | % |
During 2023, we recognized certain asset impairments and restructuring costs, and during 2022, we recognized impairment of goodwill and other assets, each in relation to lululemon Studio. Please refer to Note 8. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, Restructuring Costs included in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
| 2023 | 2022 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | $ | 5,010 | $ | 8,752 | $ | (3,742) | (42.8) | % |
The amortization of intangible assets was primarily the result of the amortization of intangible assets recognized upon the acquisition of MIRROR, which we rebranded as lululemon Studio.
Gain on Disposal of Assets
| 2023 | 2022 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | $ | — | $ | (10,180) | $ | 10,180 | (100.0) | % |
During the second quarter of 2022, we completed the sale of an administrative office building, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $10.2 million.
Income from Operations
On a segment basis, we determine income from operations without taking into account our general corporate expenses and certain other expenses. Segmented income from operations is summarized below. Our prior year segment results have been recast to reflect our new segment reporting structure.
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of net revenue of respective operating segment) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 2,937,184 | $ | 2,503,740 | 38.5 | % | 36.7 | % | $ | 433,444 | 17.3 | % | |||||||||
| China Mainland | 337,316 | 196,865 | 35.0 | 34.1 | 140,451 | 71.3 | |||||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 201,832 | 103,204 | 19.7 | 14.4 | 98,628 | 95.6 | |||||||||||||||
| $ | 3,476,332 | $ | 2,803,809 | $ | 672,523 | 24.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
| General corporate expenses | 1,240,436 | 1,005,988 | 234,448 | 23.3 | |||||||||||||||||
| lululemon Studio obsolescence provision | 23,709 | 62,928 | (39,219) | (62.3) | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other assets, restructuring costs | 74,501 | 407,913 | (333,412) | (81.7) | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 5,010 | 8,752 | (3,742) | (42.8) | |||||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | — | (10,180) | 10,180 | (100.0) | |||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations | $ | 2,132,676 | $ | 1,328,408 | $ | 804,268 | 60.5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 22.2 | % | 16.4 | % | 580 basis points |
Americas. The increase in Americas income from operations was primarily the result of increased gross profit of $691.7 million, driven by increased net revenue and higher gross margin. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to higher product margin, partially offset by deleverage on distribution center costs. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, primarily due to higher employee costs, increased digital marketing expenses, increased credit card fees, packaging costs, and distribution costs driven by higher net revenue, and
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increased depreciation, and technology costs. Income from operations as a percentage of Americas net revenue increased due to higher gross margin, partially offset by deleverage on selling, general and administrative expenses.
China Mainland. The increase in China Mainland income from operations was primarily the result of increased gross profit of $228.1 million, driven by increased net revenue. Gross margin was consistent year over year, primarily due to leverage on occupancy and other costs, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates and lower product margin. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to higher employee costs, as well as increased digital marketing expenses, increased packaging costs, distribution costs, and credit card fees driven by higher net revenue, and increased technology costs. Income from operations as a percentage of China Mainland net revenue increased due to leverage on selling, general and administrative expenses.
Rest of World. The increase in Rest of World income from operations was primarily the result of increased gross profit of $190.2 million, driven by increased net revenue and higher gross margin. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to higher product margin as well as leverage on occupancy and other costs, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to higher employee costs, as well as increased digital marketing expenses, increased distribution costs, credit card fees, and packaging costs driven by higher net revenue, and increased technology costs. Income from operations as a percentage of Rest of World net revenue increased due to higher gross margin and leverage on selling, general and administrative expenses.
General Corporate Expenses. The increase in general corporate expenses was primarily due to increased employee costs, as well as increased brand and community costs, depreciation, technology costs, professional fees, and product team costs. The increase in general corporate expenses was partially offset by a decrease in net foreign currency exchange and derivative losses of $7.0 million.
Other Income (Expense), Net
| 2023 | 2022 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | $ | 43,059 | $ | 4,163 | $ | 38,896 | 934.3 | % |
The increase in other income, net was primarily due to an increase in interest income as a result of higher cash balances and higher interest rates.
Income Tax Expense
| 2023 | 2022 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 625,545 | $ | 477,771 | $ | 147,774 | 30.9 | % | |||||||
| Effective tax rate | 28.8 | % | 35.9 | % | (710) basis points |
The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due the income tax impact of certain non-deductible impairment and other charges recognized in 2022 and 2023 related to lululemon Studio, partially offset by a lower tax rate on the gain on the sale of an administrative building in 2022. These items increased the effective tax rate by 780 basis points and 10 basis points in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Excluding the income tax effects of the impairment and other charges recognized in 2022 and 2023 in relation to lululemon Studio, and excluding the tax effect of the gain on the sale of the administrative building in 2022, the adjusted effective tax rate increased to 28.7% in 2023 from 28.1% in 2022.
The increase in the adjusted effective tax rate was primarily due to withholding taxes on unremitted earnings which are not considered to be permanently reinvested, partially offset by adjustments upon the filing of certain income tax returns, and a decrease in U.S. state taxes.
Net Income
| 2023 | 2022 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,550,190 | $ | 854,800 | $ | 695,390 | 81.4 | % |
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The increase in net income in 2023 was primarily due to an increase in gross profit of $1.1 billion, an increase in other income (expense), net of $38.9 million, and impairment and restructuring charges recognized in 2023 of $74.5 million compared to impairment charges of $407.9 million recognized in 2022, partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $639.8 million, an increase in income tax expense of $147.8 million, and a gain on disposal of assets of $10.2 million in the prior year.
Excluding certain inventory provisions, goodwill and other asset impairments, and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio in 2023 and 2022 and the gain on sale of an administrative building in 2022, and their tax effects, adjusted net income increased $333.4 million or 26%.
Comparison of 2022 to 2021
Net Revenue
Net revenue increased $1.9 billion, or 30%, to $8.1 billion in 2022 from $6.3 billion in 2021. On a constant dollar basis, net revenue increased 32%. Comparable sales increased 25%, or 28% on a constant dollar basis. The increase in net revenue was primarily due to increased Americas net revenue. China Mainland and Rest of World net revenue also increased.
Net revenue for 2022 and 2021 is summarized below, and reflects our updated segments, including comparatives.
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of net revenue) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | (Constant dollar change) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 6,817,454 | $ | 5,299,906 | 84.1 | % | 84.7 | % | $ | 1,517,548 | 28.6 | % | 30.0 | % | ||||||||||
| China Mainland | 576,503 | 434,261 | 7.1 | 6.9 | 142,242 | 32.8 | 40.0 | |||||||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 716,561 | 522,450 | 8.8 | 8.4 | 194,111 | 37.2 | 49.0 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 8,110,518 | $ | 6,256,617 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,853,901 | 29.6 | % | 32.0 | % |
Americas. The increase in Americas net revenue was primarily due to an increase in comparable sales, which increased 28%, or 29% on a constant dollar basis. The increase in comparable sales was primarily a result of increased traffic, partially offset by a decrease in conversion rates. Americas net revenue also increased due to a $296.9 million increase in non-comparable sales, primarily from our company-operated stores that were opened or significantly expanded since 2021 as well as increased outlet, wholesale, and re-commerce net revenue, partially offset by lower license and supply arrangement and lululemon Studio net revenue.
China Mainland. The increase in China Mainland net revenue was primarily due to an increase in comparable sales, which increased 17%, or 23% on a constant dollar basis. The increase in comparable sales was primarily a result of increased traffic, partially offset by a decrease in conversion rates. The increase in China Mainland net revenue was also driven by a $77.5 million increase in non-comparable sales, primarily from our company-operated stores that were opened or significantly expanded since 2021.
Rest of World. The increase in Rest of World net revenue was primarily due to a $151.5 million increase in non-comparable sales, primarily from our company-operated stores that were opened or significantly expanded since 2021 as well as increased license and supply arrangements, outlets, and wholesale net revenue. The increase in Rest of World net revenue was also driven by an increase in comparable sales, which increased 10%, or 19% on a constant dollar basis. The increase in comparable sales was primarily a result of increased traffic, partially offset by a decrease in conversion rates.
Gross Profit
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 4,492,340 | $ | 3,608,565 | $ | 883,775 | 24.5 | % | |||||||
| Gross margin | 55.4 | % | 57.7 | % | (230) basis points |
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During 2022, we updated our lululemon Studio strategy to focus on digital app-based services, which meant we no longer expected to be able to sell all of the in-home hardware inventory above cost. We recognized a provision of $62.9 million against hardware inventory during 2022. This reduced 2022 gross margin by 80 basis points. Please refer to Note 8. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, Restructuring Costs included in Item 8 of Part II of this report.
The remaining 150 basis point decrease in gross margin was primarily the result of:
•a decrease in product margin of 100 basis points primarily due to higher markdowns, sales mix, and increased damages and shrink, partially offset by lower air freight costs;
•an increase in costs related to our product departments and distribution centers as a percentage of net revenue of 60 basis points; and
•an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of 40 basis points.
The decrease in gross margin was partially offset by leverage on occupancy and depreciation costs of 50 basis points, driven primarily by the increase in net revenue.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 2,757,447 | $ | 2,225,034 | $ | 532,413 | 23.9 | % | |||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenue | 34.0 | % | 35.6 | % | (160) basis points |
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to:
•an increase in head office costs of $283.7 million, comprised of:
–an increase in costs of $142.2 million primarily due to increased depreciation of $43.5 million and increased technology costs, including cloud computing amortization, of $35.7 million, as well as increased brand and community costs and professional fees; and
–an increase in employee costs of $141.5 million primarily due to an increase in salaries and wages expense of $76.5 million and incentive compensation of $34.8 million, as well as increased stock-based compensation expense and travel costs, primarily as a result of headcount growth and increased wage rates.
•an increase in costs related to our operating channels of $249.5 million, comprised of:
–an increase in variable costs of $127.6 million primarily due to an increase in distribution costs and credit card fees, primarily as a result of increased net revenue;
–an increase in employee costs of $104.2 million primarily due to an increase in salaries and wages expense and incentive compensation in our company-operated store and e-commerce channels, primarily due to growth in our business and increased wage rates;
–an increase in other costs of $15.3 million primarily due to an increase in repairs and maintenance costs, depreciation, and technology costs, partially offset by a decrease in professional fees; and
–an increase in brand and community costs of $2.4 million primarily due to an increase in digital marketing expenses related to our e-commerce channel, partially offset by a decrease in marketing expenses related to lululemon Studio.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was partially offset by a decrease in net foreign exchange and derivative revaluation losses of $0.8 million.
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Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, Restructuring Costs
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | ||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other assets, restructuring costs | $ | 407,913 | $ | — | $ | 407,913 | n/a |
During 2022, we recognized an impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets in relation to our lululemon Studio business unit. Please refer to Note 8. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, Restructuring Costs included in Item 8 of Part II of this report.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | $ | 8,752 | $ | 8,782 | $ | (30) | (0.3) | % |
The amortization of intangible assets was primarily the result of the amortization of intangible assets recognized upon the acquisition of MIRROR, which we rebranded as lululemon Studio.
Acquisition-Related Expenses
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Acquisition-related expenses | $ | — | $ | 41,394 | $ | (41,394) | (100.0) | % |
In connection with our acquisition of MIRROR, we recognized acquisition-related compensation expenses of $38.4 million and transaction and integration related costs of $3.0 million in 2021. There were no acquisition-related expenses in 2022. Please refer to Note 9. Acquisition-Related Expenses included in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information.
Gain on Disposal of Assets
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | ||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | $ | (10,180) | $ | — | $ | (10,180) | n/a |
During the second quarter of 2022, we completed the sale of an administrative office building, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $10.2 million.
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Income from Operations
On a segment basis, we determine income from operations without taking into account our general corporate expenses and certain other expenses. Segmented income from operations is summarized below. Our prior segment results have been recast to reflect our new segment reporting structure.
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of net revenue of respective operating segment) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 2,503,740 | $ | 1,867,016 | 36.7 | % | 35.2 | % | $ | 636,724 | 34.1 | % | |||||||||
| China Mainland | 196,865 | 167,318 | 34.1 | 38.5 | 29,547 | 17.7 | |||||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 103,204 | 67,674 | 14.4 | 13.0 | 35,530 | 52.5 | |||||||||||||||
| $ | 2,803,809 | $ | 2,102,008 | $ | 701,801 | 33.4 | % | ||||||||||||||
| General corporate expenses | 1,005,988 | 718,477 | 287,511 | 40.0 | |||||||||||||||||
| lululemon Studio obsolescence provision | 62,928 | — | 62,928 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other assets, restructuring costs | 407,913 | — | 407,913 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 8,752 | 8,782 | (30) | (0.3) | |||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition-related expenses | — | 41,394 | (41,394) | (100.0) | |||||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | (10,180) | — | (10,180) | n/a | |||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations | $ | 1,328,408 | $ | 1,333,355 | $ | (4,947) | (0.4) | % | |||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 16.4 | % | 21.3 | % | (490) basis points |
Americas. The increase in Americas income from operations was primarily the result of increased gross profit of $855.2 million, driven by increased net revenue, partially offset by lower gross margin. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to lower product margin, partially offset by leverage on occupancy and other costs. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, primarily due to higher employee costs, as well as increased distribution costs and credit card fees driven by higher net revenue, and increased technology costs. Income from operations as a percentage of Americas net revenue increased due to leverage on selling, general and administrative expenses.
China Mainland. The increase in China Mainland income from operations was primarily the result of increased gross profit of $70.4 million, driven by increased net revenue, partially offset by lower gross margin. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates as well as deleverage on distribution center and other costs. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to higher employee costs, as well as increased digital marketing expenses, increased packaging and distribution costs driven by higher net revenue, and increased technology costs. Income from operations as a percentage of China Mainland net revenue decreased primarily due to lower gross margin.
Rest of World. The increase in Rest of World income from operations was primarily the result of increased gross profit of $80.9 million, driven by increased net revenue, partially offset by lower gross margin. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates as well as lower product margin, partially offset by leverage on occupancy and other costs. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to higher employee costs, as well as increased distribution costs, credit card fees, and packaging costs driven by higher net revenue, and increased digital marketing expenses. Income from operations as a percentage of Rest of World net revenue increased due to leverage on selling, general and administrative expenses.
General Corporate Expenses. The increase in general corporate expenses was primarily due to higher employee costs, as well as increased depreciation, brand and community costs, technology costs, professional fees, and product team costs. The increase in general corporate expenses was partially offset by a decrease in net foreign exchange and derivative losses of $0.8 million.
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Other Income (Expense), Net
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | $ | 4,163 | $ | 514 | $ | 3,649 | 709.9 | % |
The increase in other income, net was primarily due to an increase in interest income from higher interest rates, partially offset by an increase in other expenses.
Income Tax Expense
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 477,771 | $ | 358,547 | $ | 119,224 | 33.3 | % | |||||||
| Effective tax rate | 35.9 | % | 26.9 | % | 900 basis points |
The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to certain non-deductible expenses related to the impairment of goodwill and other assets recognized in relation to our lululemon Studio business unit (formerly MIRROR) partially offset by the gain on sale of an administrative building in 2022 which increased the effective tax rate by 780 basis points. Certain non-deductible expenses related to the MIRROR acquisition increased the effective tax rate by 70 basis points in 2021. The increase in the effective tax rate was also due to the accrual of U.S. state tax and Canadian withholding taxes on unremitted earnings which are not considered to be permanently reinvested, adjustments upon filing of certain income tax returns, and a decrease in deductions for stock-based compensation, partially offset by a decrease in non-deductible expenses in international jurisdictions.
Excluding the impairment of goodwill and other assets recognized in relation to our lululemon Studio business unit (formerly MIRROR) and the gain on sale of an administrative building in 2022, and the MIRROR acquisition-related expenses in 2021, and their tax effects, our adjusted effective tax rates were 28.1% and 26.2% for 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Net Income
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 854,800 | $ | 975,322 | $ | (120,522) | (12.4) | % |
The decrease in net income in 2022 was primarily due to an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $532.4 million, an impairment charge recognized in 2022 of $407.9 million, an increase in income tax expense of $119.2 million, partially offset by an increase in gross profit of $883.8 million, a decrease in acquisition-related expenses of $41.4 million, a gain on disposal of assets of $10.2 million, and an increase in other income (expense), net of $3.6 million. Excluding the impairment of goodwill and other assets recognized in relation to our lululemon Studio business unit (formerly MIRROR) and the gain on sale of an administrative building in 2022, and the MIRROR acquisition-related expenses in 2021, and their tax effects, adjusted net income increased $273.7 million or 27.0%.
Comparable Sales and Sales Per Square Foot
Comparable Sales
We use comparable sales to evaluate the performance of our company-operated store and e-commerce businesses from an omni-channel perspective. It allows us to monitor the performance of our business without the impact of recently opened or expanded stores. We believe investors would similarly find these metrics useful in assessing the performance of our business.
Comparable sales includes comparable company-operated store and all e-commerce net revenue. E-commerce net revenue includes our buy online pick-up in store, back-back room, and ship from store omni-channel retailing capabilities in addition to our websites, other region-specific websites, digital marketplaces, and mobile apps. Comparable company-operated stores have been open, or open after being significantly expanded, for at least 12 full fiscal months. Net revenue from a company-operated store is included in comparable sales beginning with the first fiscal month for which the store has a full fiscal month of sales in the prior year. Comparable sales excludes sales from new stores that have not been open for at least 12 full fiscal months, from stores which have not been in their significantly expanded space for at least 12 full fiscal months, from stores which have been temporarily relocated for renovations or temporarily closed, and sales from company-
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operated stores that have closed. Comparable sales also excludes sales from our selling channels other than company-operated stores and e-commerce. The comparable sales measures we report may not be equivalent to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
In fiscal years with 53 weeks, the 53rd week of net revenue is excluded from the calculation of comparable sales. In the year following a 53-week year, the prior year period is shifted by one week to compare similar calendar weeks.
Non-comparable sales includes all net revenue other than comparable sales.
Sales Per Square Foot
We use sales per square foot to assess the performance of our company-operated stores relative to their square footage. We believe that sales per square foot is useful in evaluating the performance of our company-operated stores. Sales per square foot is calculated using total net revenue from all company-operated stores divided by the average ending square footage of the stores for each period during the year. In fiscal years with 53 weeks, the 53rd week of net revenue is excluded from the calculation of sales per square foot. The square footage of our company-operated stores includes all retail related space, including selling space as well as storage and back-office areas. The sales per square foot metric we report may not be equivalent to similarly titled metrics reported by other companies.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Constant dollar changes and adjusted financial results are non-GAAP financial measures.
A constant dollar basis assumes the average foreign currency exchange rates for the period remained constant with the average foreign currency exchange rates for the same period of the prior year. We provide constant dollar changes in our results to help investors understand the underlying growth rate of net revenue excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Adjusted gross profit, gross margin, income from operations, operating margin, income tax expense, effective tax rates, net income, and diluted earnings per share exclude certain inventory provisions, goodwill and other asset impairments, and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio, the gain on disposal of assets for the sale of an administrative office building, the MIRROR acquisition-related expenses, and the related income tax effects of these items.
We believe these adjusted financial measures are useful to investors as they provide supplemental information that enable evaluation of the underlying trend in our operating performance, and enable a comparison to our historical financial information. Further, due to the finite and discrete nature of these items, we do not consider them to be normal operating expenses that are necessary to run our business, or impairments or disposal gains that are expected to arise in the normal course of our operations. Management uses these adjusted financial measures and constant currency metrics internally when reviewing and assessing financial performance.
The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or with greater prominence to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures follows, which includes more detail on the GAAP financial measure that is most directly comparable to each non-GAAP financial measure, and the related reconciliations between these financial measures. Our non-GAAP financial measures may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
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Constant Dollar Changes
The below changes in net revenue and comparable sales show the change compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.
| 2023 Compared to 2022 | 2022 Compared to 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change | Foreign exchange changes | Change in constant dollars | Change | Foreign exchange changes | Change in constant dollars | |||||||||||||
| Net Revenue | ||||||||||||||||||
| Americas | 12 | % | — | % | 12 | % | 29 | % | 1 | % | 30 | % | ||||||
| China Mainland | 67 | 8 | 75 | 33 | 7 | 40 | ||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 43 | 1 | 44 | 37 | 12 | 49 | ||||||||||||
| Total net revenue | 19 | % | 1 | % | 20 | % | 30 | % | 2 | % | 32 | % | ||||||
| Comparable sales(1) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Americas | 8 | % | 1 | % | 9 | % | 28 | % | 1 | % | 29 | % | ||||||
| China Mainland | 39 | 7 | 46 | 17 | 6 | 23 | ||||||||||||
| Rest of World | 32 | 1 | 33 | 10 | 9 | 19 | ||||||||||||
| Total comparable sales | 13 | % | 1 | % | 14 | % | 25 | % | 3 | % | 28 | % |
__________
(1)Comparable sales includes comparable company-operated store and e-commerce net revenue.
Adjusted Financial Measures
The following tables reconcile the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP with the adjusted financial measures. The 2023 and 2022 adjustments relate to certain inventory provisions, goodwill and other asset impairments, and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio, and their related tax effects. The 2022 adjustments also relate to the gain on sale of an administrative office building, and their related tax effects. The 2021 adjustments relate to MIRROR acquisition-related expenses, and their related tax effects. Please refer to Note 5. Property and Equipment, Note 8. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, Restructuring Costs, and Note 9. Acquisition-Related Expenses included in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information on the nature of these amounts.
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Profit | Gross Margin | Income from Operations | Operating Margin | Income Tax Expense | Effective Tax Rate | Net Income | Diluted Earnings Per Share | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GAAP results | $ | 5,609,405 | 58.3 | % | $ | 2,132,676 | 22.2 | % | $ | 625,545 | 28.8 | % | $ | 1,550,190 | $ | 12.20 | ||||||||||||
| lululemon Studio charges: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| lululemon Studio obsolescence provision | 23,709 | 0.3 | 23,709 | 0.2 | 23,709 | 0.19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | 44,186 | 0.5 | 44,186 | 0.35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 30,315 | 0.3 | 30,315 | 0.24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect of the above | 26,085 | (0.1) | (26,085) | (0.21) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23,709 | 0.3 | 98,210 | 1.0 | 26,085 | (0.1) | 72,125 | 0.57 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted results (non-GAAP) | $ | 5,633,114 | 58.6 | % | $ | 2,230,886 | 23.2 | % | $ | 651,630 | 28.7 | % | $ | 1,622,315 | $ | 12.77 |
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| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Profit | Gross Margin | Income from Operations | Operating Margin | Income Tax Expense | Effective Tax Rate | Net Income | Diluted Earnings Per Share | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GAAP results | $ | 4,492,340 | 55.4 | % | $ | 1,328,408 | 16.4 | % | $ | 477,771 | 35.9 | % | $ | 854,800 | $ | 6.68 | ||||||||||||
| lululemon Studio charges: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| lululemon Studio obsolescence provision | 62,928 | 0.8 | 62,928 | 0.8 | 62,928 | 0.49 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other assets | 407,913 | 5.0 | 407,913 | 3.19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect of the above | 28,171 | (7.8) | (28,171) | (0.22) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 62,928 | 0.8 | 470,841 | 5.8 | 28,171 | (7.8) | 442,670 | 3.46 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | (10,180) | (0.1) | (10,180) | (0.08) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect of the above | (1,661) | — | 1,661 | 0.01 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted results (non-GAAP) | $ | 4,555,268 | 56.2 | % | $ | 1,789,069 | 22.1 | % | $ | 504,281 | 28.1 | % | $ | 1,288,951 | $ | 10.07 |
| 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income from Operations | Operating Margin | Income Tax Expense | Effective Tax Rate | Net Income | Diluted Earnings Per Share | ||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| GAAP results | $ | 1,333,355 | 21.3 | % | $ | 358,547 | 26.9 | % | $ | 975,322 | $ | 7.49 | |||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 2,989 | — | 2,989 | 0.02 | |||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition-related compensation | 38,405 | 0.7 | 38,405 | 0.29 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect of the above | 1,417 | (0.7) | (1,417) | (0.01) | |||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted results (non-GAAP) | $ | 1,374,749 | 22.0 | % | $ | 359,964 | 26.2 | % | $ | 1,015,299 | $ | 7.79 |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are our current balances of cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations, and capacity under our committed revolving credit facility, including to fund short-term working capital requirements. Our primary cash needs are capital expenditures for opening new stores and remodeling or relocating existing stores, investing in our distribution centers, investing in technology and making system enhancements, funding working capital requirements, and making other strategic capital investments. We may also use cash to repurchase shares of our common stock. Cash and cash equivalents in excess of our needs are held in interest bearing accounts with financial institutions, as well as in money market funds and term deposits.
The following table summarizes our net cash flows provided by and used in operating, investing, and financing activities for the periods indicated:
| 2023 | 2022 | Year over year change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Total cash provided by (used in): | |||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 2,296,164 | $ | 966,463 | $ | 1,329,701 | |||||
| Investing activities | (654,132) | (569,937) | (84,195) | ||||||||
| Financing activities | (548,828) | (467,487) | (81,341) | ||||||||
| Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (4,100) | (34,043) | 29,943 | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,089,104 | $ | (105,004) | $ | 1,194,108 |
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Operating Activities
The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily as a result of:
•an increase in cash flows from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $859.1 million, primarily driven by changes in inventories, accounts payable, and prepaid expenses and other current assets, partially offset by changes in income taxes and accrued liabilities; and
•increased net income of $695.4 million.
The increase in cash provided by operating activities was partially offset by changes in adjusting items of $224.8 million, primarily driven by goodwill and other asset impairments and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio, as well as increased depreciation and higher cash inflows related to derivatives.
Investing Activities
The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to the settlement of net investment hedges and increased capital expenditures. The increase in capital expenditures was primarily due to investment in our distribution centers as well as other technology infrastructure and system initiatives, partially offset by a decrease in company-operated store and corporate capital expenditures.
Financing Activities
The increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily the result of an increase in our stock repurchases. During 2023, 1.5 million shares were repurchased at a total cost including commissions and excise taxes of $558.7 million. During 2022, 1.4 million shares were repurchased at a total cost including commissions and excise taxes of $444.0 million. The common stock was repurchased in the open market at prevailing market prices, including under plans complying with the provisions of Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with the timing and actual number of shares repurchased depending upon market conditions, eligibility to trade, and other factors.
Liquidity Outlook
We believe our cash and cash equivalent balances, cash generated from operations, and borrowings available to us under our committed revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. Our cash from operations may be negatively impacted by a decrease in demand for our products as well as the other factors described in "Item 1A. Risk Factors". In addition, we may make discretionary capital improvements with respect to our stores, distribution facilities, headquarters, or systems, or we may repurchase shares under an approved stock repurchase program, which we would expect to fund through the use of cash, issuance of debt or equity securities or other external financing sources to the extent we were unable to fund such expenditures out of our cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from operations.
The following table includes certain measures of our liquidity:
| January 28, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,243,971 | |
| Working capital excluding cash and cash equivalents(1) | 185,345 | ||
| Capacity under committed revolving credit facility | 393,661 |
__________
(1)Working capital is calculated as current assets of $4.1 billion less current liabilities of $1.6 billion.
Capital expenditures are expected to range between $690.0 million and $710.0 million in 2024.
Our current commitments with respect to inventory purchases are included within our purchase obligations outlined below. The timing and cost of our inventory purchases will vary depending on a variety of factors such as revenue growth, assortment and purchasing decisions, product costs including freight and duty, and the availability of production capacity and speed. Our inventory balance as of January 28, 2024 was $1.3 billion, a decrease of 9% from January 29, 2023. We expect our inventories to decrease during the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023, and then increase in the second half of 2024 compared to the second half of 2023.
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Our existing Americas credit facility provides for $400.0 million in commitments under an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility. The credit facility has a maturity date of December 14, 2026, subject to extension under certain circumstances. As of January 28, 2024, aside from letters of credit of $6.3 million, we had no other borrowings outstanding under this credit facility. Further information regarding our credit facilities and associated covenants is outlined in Note 12. Revolving Credit Facilities included in Item 8 of Part II of this report.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Leases. We lease certain store and other retail locations, distribution centers, offices, and equipment under non-cancellable operating leases. Our leases generally have initial terms of between two and 15 years, and generally can be extended in increments between two and five years, if at all. The following table details our future minimum lease payments. Minimum lease commitments exclude variable lease expenses including contingent rent payments, common area maintenance, property taxes, and landlord's insurance.
Purchase obligations. The amounts listed for purchase obligations in the table below represent agreements (including open purchase orders) to purchase products and for other expenditures in the ordinary course of business that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms. In some cases, values are subject to change, such as for product purchases throughout the production process. The reported amounts exclude liabilities included in our consolidated balance sheets as of January 28, 2024.
One-time transition tax payable. The U.S. tax reforms enacted in December 2017 imposed a mandatory transition tax on accumulated foreign subsidiary earnings which have not previously been subject to U.S. income tax. The one-time transition tax is payable over eight years beginning in fiscal 2018. The one-time transition tax payable is net of foreign tax credits, and the table below outlines the expected payments due by fiscal year.
The following table summarizes our contractual arrangements due by fiscal year as of January 28, 2024, and the timing and effect that such commitments are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:
| Total | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (minimum rent) | $ | 1,645,318 | $ | 300,379 | $ | 287,224 | $ | 232,510 | $ | 214,519 | $ | 158,252 | $ | 452,434 | |||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations | 688,934 | 656,376 | 5,566 | 10,506 | 2,899 | 13,587 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| One-time transition tax payable | 28,555 | 12,691 | 15,864 | — | — | — | — |
As of January 28, 2024, our operating lease commitments for distribution center operating leases which have been committed to, but not yet commenced, was $299.6 million, which is not reflected in the table above.
We enter into standby letters of credit to secure certain of our obligations, including leases, taxes, and duties. As of January 28, 2024, letters of credit and letters of guarantee totaling $10.2 million had been issued, including $6.3 million under our committed revolving credit facility.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Predicting future events is inherently an imprecise activity and, as such, requires the use of significant judgment. Actual results may vary from our estimates in amounts that may be material to the financial statements. An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact our consolidated financial statements.
Our critical accounting policies, estimates, and judgements are as follows, and see Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in Item 8 of Part II for additional information:
Inventory provision
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. We periodically review our inventories and make a provision for obsolescence and goods that have quality issues or that are damaged. We record a provision at an amount that is equal to the difference between the inventory cost and its net realizable value. As of January 28, 2024 the net carrying value of our inventories was $1.3 billion, which included provisions for obsolete and damaged inventory of $139.7 million. The
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provision is determined based upon assumptions about product quality, damages, future demand, selling prices, and market conditions, and includes a provision of $63.0 million against lululemon Studio Mirror inventory.
Deferred taxes on undistributed net investment of foreign subsidiaries.
We have not recognized U.S. state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on the net investment in our subsidiaries which we have determined to be indefinitely reinvested. This determination is based on the cash flow projections and operational and fiscal objectives of each of our foreign subsidiaries. Such estimates are inherently imprecise since many assumptions utilized in the projections are subject to revision in the future.
For the portion of our net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries that is not indefinitely reinvested, we have recorded a deferred tax liability for the taxes which would be due upon repatriation. For distributions made by our Canadian subsidiaries, the amount of tax payable is partially dependent on how the repatriation transactions are made. The deferred tax liability has been recorded on the basis that we would choose to make the repatriation transactions in the most tax efficient manner. Specifically, to the extent that the Canadian subsidiaries have sufficient paid-up-capital, any such distributions would be made as a return of capital, rather than as a dividend, and therefore would not be subject to Canadian withholding tax.
As of January 28, 2024, the net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries was $2.5 billion, of which $1.6 billion was determined to be indefinitely reinvested. The paid-up-capital balance of the Canadian subsidiaries was approximately $140.0 million.
We have recognized a deferred tax liability of $41.2 million as of January 28, 2024 which represents the Canadian withholding taxes payable on the portion of our Canadian earnings that are not indefinitely reinvested and cannot be repatriated as a return of capital, and U.S. state income taxes payable upon repatriation of the amounts which are not indefinitely reinvested.
In future periods, if the net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries continues to grow, whether due to the accumulation of profits by these subsidiaries or due to a change in the amount that is indefinitely reinvested, we will record additional deferred tax liabilities, including both Canadian withholding taxes for the amount in excess of the paid-up capital balance and U.S. state income taxes.
Contingencies
We are involved in legal proceedings regarding contractual and employment relationships and a variety of other matters. We record contingent liabilities when a loss is assessed to be probable and its amount is reasonably estimable. If it is reasonably possible that a material loss could occur through ongoing litigation, we provide disclosure in the footnotes to our financial statements. Assessing probability of loss and estimating the amount of probable losses requires analysis of multiple factors, including in some cases judgments about the potential actions of third-party claimants and courts. Should we experience adverse court judgments or should negotiated outcomes differ to our expectations with respect to such ongoing litigation it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001397187-23-000012.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Components of management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations include:
•Overview
•Financial Highlights and Market Conditions and Trends
•Results of Operations
•Comparison of 2022 to 2021
•Comparable Store Sales and Total Comparable Sales
•Non-GAAP Financial Measures
•Liquidity and Capital Resources
•Liquidity Outlook
•Contractual Obligations and Commitments
•Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to January 31 of the following year, typically resulting in a 52-week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2022 and 2021 were each 52-week years.
This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, such as our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions included in the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Our actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those described in the "Item 1A. Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We disclose material non-public information through one or more of the following channels: our investor relations website (http://corporate.lululemon.com/investors), the social media channels identified on our investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts.
Overview
In 2019 we announced our Power of Three growth plan which established our goal to double our total net revenue by 2023 and outlined our plans to double men's revenue, double digital net revenue, and to quadruple international net revenue. We achieved our goal to double our total net revenue ahead of schedule, and in 2022 we launched our new 5-year growth plan, the Power of Three ×2.
Our Power of Three ×2 plan leverages the success of our prior growth strategy, and is comprised of three key pillars – Product Innovation, Guest Experience, and Market Expansion. We continue to see opportunity to grow our men's, direct to consumer, and international net revenue, while continuing to grow our core businesses.
2022 was the inaugural year of our new plan and we successfully executed against our goals by delivering 30% net revenue growth. Our strength was balanced across channel, region, and merchandise category; and was achieved in a challenging macroeconomic backdrop with ongoing supply chain disruptions. The underlying trends that have fueled our business continue to do so, and include a desire for guests to live an active and healthy lifestyle, the desire for apparel that offers versatility, the desire to be part of a diverse and inclusive community, and the desire to achieve wellness, both physically and mentally.
Product Innovation
We continue to solve for the unmet needs of our guest by bringing new technical innovations into our merchandise assortment. In 2022, we expanded our core running category with the launch of Senseknit, a proprietary fabric technology offering zoned compression. We entered new activities with our capsule collections for golf, tennis, and hiking. And we launched footwear, enabling us to provide a head-to-toe solution to our guests. The footwear collection currently includes three technical styles – Blissfeel, Chargefeel, and Strongfeel – all designed specifically for women. In addition, we launched a dual gender slide for pre- and post-workouts.
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Guest Experience and Membership
Our omni operating model allows us to efficiently and effectively serve our guests in the ways most convenient to them – either in store or online. We saw strength across both channels in 2022 as net revenue in our company-operated store channel increased 29% and our direct to consumer net revenue increased 33%.
Community is at the core of our brand. In 2022, we continued to engage with guests via in-store events, 10K runs in Atlanta and Houston, ambassador-led activations, and our Summer Sweat Games in China Mainland, among other in-person events. In addition, we connect with our community of guests through our connected fitness content provided by lululemon Studio.
In October 2022, we launched our new two-tier membership program. The Essential membership tier is free and provides access to select content, as well as certain benefits in-store and online. We rebranded MIRROR to become lululemon Studio, the premium paid tier of the program which offers members a connected fitness experience via in-home hardware. As part of our membership launch, we also enhanced the lululemon Studio offering to include access to exclusive content provided by outside studio partners, as well as a discount on lululemon product purchases.
As concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic have subsided the connected fitness industry has experienced challenging market conditions, and as a result we have seen weakening demand for our in-home fitness hardware. Hardware unit sales did not meet our expectations during the peak holiday selling period and the reduction in customer acquisition costs was less than anticipated. As a result, in the fourth quarter, we reviewed our strategy and we plan to evolve lululemon Studio to focus on digital app-based services. Building on the two-tier membership program, we will be expanding the lululemon Studio premium tier by enabling guests to access digital fitness content via a new app, launching in summer 2023, for a lower monthly fee. We believe this strategy will enable more guests to experience our digital fitness content, while also building a larger community of guests with a deeper connection to lululemon.
In 2022 we recognized post-tax charges totaling $442.7 million related to lululemon Studio, including the impairment of goodwill, intangible assets, and property and equipment, and provisions against hardware inventory. See the section "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates", Goodwill Impairment Assessment below and Note 8. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets included in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information.
Market Expansion
We continued to expand our presence both in North America and in our international markets. During 2022, we opened 81 net new company-operated stores, including 31 stores in the PRC, nine stores in the rest of Asia Pacific, 32 stores in North America, and nine stores in Europe, including our first locations in Spain.
In 2022, our net revenue in North America increased 29%. In our international markets, despite certain COVID-19 closures in the PRC, we saw net revenue growth of 35%.
Financial Highlights
The summary below compares 2022 to 2021 and provides both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures. The adjusted financial measures for 2022 exclude $442.7 million of post-tax impairment and other charges recognized in relation to our lululemon Studio business unit (formerly MIRROR) and the post-tax net gain on the sale of an administrative building of $8.5 million. The adjusted financial measures for 2021 exclude acquisition-related expenses, and their related tax effects.
•Net revenue increased 30% to $8.1 billion. On a constant dollar basis, net revenue increased 32%.
•Total comparable sales increased 25%, or 28% on a constant dollar basis.
–Comparable store sales increased 16%, or 19% on a constant dollar basis.
–Direct to consumer net revenue increased 33%, or 35% on a constant dollar basis.
•Gross profit increased 24% to $4.5 billion. Adjusted gross profit increased 26% to $4.6 billion.
•Gross margin decreased 230 basis points to 55.4%. Adjusted gross margin decreased 150 basis points to 56.2%.
•Income from operations was consistent at $1.3 billion. Adjusted income from operations increased 30% to $1.8 billion.
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•Operating margin decreased 490 basis points to 16.4%. Adjusted operating margin increased 10 basis points to 22.1%.
•Income tax expense increased 33% to $477.8 million. Our effective tax rate for 2022 was 35.9% compared to 26.9% for 2021. The adjusted effective tax rate was 28.1% and 26.2% for 2022 and 2021, respectively.
•Diluted earnings per share were $6.68 for 2022 compared to $7.49 in 2021. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $10.07 for 2022 compared to $7.79 in 2021.
Refer to the non-GAAP reconciliation tables contained in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for reconciliations between the above adjusted non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Market Conditions and Trends
Macroeconomic conditions, the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and supply chain disruption impacted our business and operating costs in 2022 and 2021. Certain trends are expected to continue into 2023, with the impact varying by market.
Macroeconomic Conditions
Macroeconomic conditions, including foreign currency fluctuations, inflationary pressures, and labor shortages have impacted our financial results. This includes higher air freight costs during the first half of 2022 and increased wage rates during 2022 compared to 2021. We have not increased the retail prices on the significant proportion of our products. Inflation, an anticipated economic downturn, and other macroeconomic factors could also impact consumer purchasing behaviors and sustained increases in costs may have an adverse effect on our operating margins.
COVID-19 Pandemic
Most of our retail locations were open throughout 2022 and 2021, with certain locations temporarily closed due to COVID-19 resurgences, including certain closures during 2022 in the PRC.
Supply chain disruption
In 2021 and 2022 we experienced supply chain disruption, including delays in inbound delivery of our products as well as in manufacturing. This supply chain disruption caused us to use higher cost modes of transport, including increasing our use of air freight. The supply chain disruption we have experienced has contributed to the 50% increase in our inventory balance as of January 29, 2023 compared to January 30, 2022. We expect that while the growth rate in our inventories will exceed net revenue growth in the first half of 2023, the growth rate will be relatively in line with net revenue growth in the second half of 2023.
The use of air freight reduced our gross margin during the first half of 2022, however, we began seeing an improvement in the supply chain issues and experienced lower inbound freight costs in the second half of 2022, and this resulted in an overall improvement to our gross margin from air freight costs for 2022 compared to 2021. We expect that we will similarly see improvements in our gross margin from air freight costs in the first half of 2023 compared to the prior year when there was the supply chain disruption.
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Results of Operations
The following table summarizes key components of our results of operations for the periods indicated:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of revenue) | |||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 8,110,518 | $ | 6,256,617 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 3,618,178 | 2,648,052 | 44.6 | 42.3 | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | 4,492,340 | 3,608,565 | 55.4 | 57.7 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 2,757,447 | 2,225,034 | 34.0 | 35.6 | ||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 8,752 | 8,782 | 0.1 | 0.1 | ||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other assets | 407,913 | — | 5.0 | — | ||||||||||
| Acquisition-related expenses | — | 41,394 | — | 0.7 | ||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | (10,180) | — | (0.1) | — | ||||||||||
| Income from operations | 1,328,408 | 1,333,355 | 16.4 | 21.3 | ||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 4,163 | 514 | 0.1 | — | ||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 1,332,571 | 1,333,869 | 16.4 | 21.3 | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 477,771 | 358,547 | 5.9 | 5.7 | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 854,800 | $ | 975,322 | 10.5 | % | 15.6 | % |
Comparison of 2022 to 2021
Net Revenue
Net revenue increased $1.9 billion, or 30%, to $8.1 billion in 2022 from $6.3 billion in 2021. On a constant dollar basis, assuming the average foreign currency exchange rates in 2022 remained constant with the average foreign currency exchange rates in 2021, net revenue increased $2.0 billion, or 32%.
The increase in net revenue was primarily due to increased direct to consumer net revenue, as well as due to company-operated store net revenue, including from new company-operated stores and increased comparable store sales. Other net revenue also increased.
Total comparable sales, which includes comparable store sales and direct to consumer, increased 25% in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021. Total comparable sales increased 28% on a constant dollar basis.
Net revenue for 2022 and 2021 is summarized below.
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of revenue) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Company-operated stores | $ | 3,648,127 | $ | 2,821,497 | 45.0 | % | 45.1 | % | $ | 826,630 | 29.3 | % | |||||||||
| Direct to consumer | 3,699,791 | 2,777,944 | 45.6 | 44.4 | 921,847 | 33.2 | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 762,600 | 657,176 | 9.4 | 10.5 | 105,424 | 16.0 | |||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 8,110,518 | $ | 6,256,617 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,853,901 | 29.6 | % |
Company-Operated Stores. The increase in net revenue from our company-operated stores was driven by net revenue from company-operated stores that were opened or significantly expanded since 2021 which contributed $435.9 million to the increase. During 2022, we opened 81 net new company-operated stores, including 40 stores in Asia Pacific, 32 stores in North America, and nine stores in Europe. The increase in net revenue from our company-operated stores was also driven by increased comparable store sales. Comparable store sales increased 16%, or 19% on a constant dollar basis. The increase in comparable store sales was primarily a result of increased store traffic, partially offset by a decrease in conversion rates. Dollar value per transaction was consistent year over year.
Direct to Consumer. Direct to consumer net revenue increased 33%, or 35% on a constant dollar basis. The increase in net revenue from our direct to consumer segment was primarily a result of increased traffic, partially offset by a decrease in conversion rates and a lower dollar value per transaction.
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Other. The increase in other net revenue was primarily due to increased outlet sales, sales to wholesale accounts, license and supply arrangement revenue, recommerce revenue, and revenue from our pop up locations. The increase in net revenue was partially offset by a decrease in net revenue from lululemon Studio.
Gross Profit
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 4,492,340 | $ | 3,608,565 | $ | 883,775 | 24.5 | % | |||||||
| Gross margin | 55.4 | % | 57.7 | % | (230) basis points |
Our updated lululemon Studio strategy will focus on digital app based services and means we no longer expect to be able to sell all of the in-home hardware inventory above cost. We recognized a provision of $62.9 million against hardware inventory during the fourth quarter of 2022. This reduced 2022 gross margin by 80 basis points. Please refer to Note 8. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets included in Item 8 of Part II of this report.
The remaining 150 basis point decrease in gross margin was primarily the result of:
•a decrease in product margin of 100 basis points primarily due to higher markdowns, sales mix, and increased damages and shrink, partially offset by lower air freight costs;
•an increase in costs related to our product departments and distribution centers as a percentage of net revenue of 60 basis points; and
•an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of 40 basis points.
The decrease in gross margin was partially offset by leverage on occupancy and depreciation costs of 50 basis points, driven primarily by the increase in net revenue.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 2,757,447 | $ | 2,225,034 | $ | 532,413 | 23.9 | % | |||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenue | 34.0 | % | 35.6 | % | (160) basis points |
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to:
•an increase in head office costs of $283.7 million, comprised of:
–an increase in costs of $142.2 million primarily due to increased depreciation of $43.5 million and increased technology costs, including cloud computing amortization, of $35.7 million, as well as increased brand and community costs and professional fees; and
–an increase in employee costs of $141.5 million primarily due to an increase in salaries and wages expense of $76.5 million and incentive compensation of $34.8 million, as well as increased stock-based compensation expense and travel costs, primarily as a result of headcount growth and increased wage rates.
•an increase in costs related to our operating channels of $249.5 million, comprised of:
–an increase in variable costs of $127.6 million primarily due to an increase in distribution costs and credit card fees, primarily as a result of increased net revenue;
–an increase in employee costs of $104.2 million primarily due to an increase in salaries and wages expense and incentive compensation in our company-operated store and direct to consumer channels, primarily due to growth in our business and increased wage rates;
–an increase in other costs of $15.3 million primarily due to an increase in repairs and maintenance costs, depreciation, and technology costs, partially offset by a decrease in professional fees; and
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–an increase in brand and community costs of $2.4 million primarily due to an increase in digital marketing expenses related to our direct to consumer channel, partially offset by a decrease in marketing expenses related to lululemon Studio.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was partially offset by a decrease in net foreign exchange and derivative revaluation losses of $0.8 million.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | $ | 8,752 | $ | 8,782 | $ | (30) | (0.3) | % |
The amortization of intangible assets was primarily the result of the amortization of intangible assets recognized upon the acquisition of MIRROR.
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | ||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other assets | $ | 407,913 | $ | — | $ | 407,913 | n/a |
During the fourth quarter of 2022, we recognized an impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets in relation to our lululemon Studio business unit (formerly MIRROR). Please refer to the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section of this Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as well as Note 8. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets included in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information.
Acquisition-Related Expenses
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Acquisition-related expenses | $ | — | $ | 41,394 | $ | (41,394) | (100.0) | % |
In connection with our acquisition of MIRROR, we recognized acquisition-related compensation expenses of $38.4 million and transaction and integration related costs of $3.0 million in 2021. There were no acquisition-related expenses in 2022. Please refer to Note 9. Acquisition-Related Expenses included in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information.
Gain on Disposal of Assets
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | ||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | $ | (10,180) | $ | — | $ | (10,180) | n/a |
During the second quarter of 2022, we completed the sale of an administrative office building, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $10.2 million.
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Income from Operations
On a segment basis, we determine income from operations without taking into account our general corporate expenses and certain other expenses. Segmented income from operations is summarized below.
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of net revenue of respective operating segment) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Company-operated stores | $ | 991,067 | $ | 727,735 | 27.2 | % | 25.8 | % | $ | 263,332 | 36.2 | % | |||||||||
| Direct to consumer | 1,562,538 | 1,216,496 | 42.2 | 43.8 | 346,042 | 28.4 | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 107,083 | 77,283 | 14.0 | 11.8 | 29,800 | 38.6 | |||||||||||||||
| $ | 2,660,688 | $ | 2,021,514 | $ | 639,174 | 31.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
| General corporate expenses | 862,867 | 637,983 | 224,884 | 35.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| lululemon Studio obsolescence provision | 62,928 | — | 62,928 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 8,752 | 8,782 | (30) | (0.3) | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other assets | 407,913 | — | 407,913 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition-related expenses | — | 41,394 | (41,394) | (100.0) | |||||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | (10,180) | — | (10,180) | n/a | |||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations | $ | 1,328,408 | $ | 1,333,355 | $ | (4,947) | (0.4) | % | |||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 16.4 | % | 21.3 | % | (490) basis points |
Company-Operated Stores. The increase in income from operations from company-operated stores was primarily the result of increased gross profit of $413.7 million, driven by increased net revenue. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, primarily due to higher salaries and wages expense and higher incentive compensation as a result of the growth in our business and increased wage rates. Store operating costs increased, primarily due to increases in credit card fees and distribution costs as a result of higher net revenue, as well as increased repairs and maintenance. Income from operations as a percentage of company-operated stores net revenue increased due to leverage on selling, general and administrative expenses.
Direct to Consumer. The increase in income from operations from our direct to consumer segment was primarily the result of increased gross profit of $527.9 million, driven by increased net revenue, partially offset by lower gross margin. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to higher markdowns, sales mix, deleverage on distribution center and product team costs, and unfavorable foreign exchange, partially offset by lower air freight costs. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to higher distribution costs and credit card fees as a result of higher net revenue, as well as higher digital marketing expenses, depreciation, employee costs, and technology costs. Income from operations as a percentage of direct to consumer net revenue decreased primarily due to a decrease in gross margin, partially offset by leverage on selling, general and administrative expenses.
Other. The increase in income from operations was primarily the result of a reduction in lululemon Studio marketing expenses and increased operating profit from our other lululemon retail operations. Increased net revenue from outlets, sales to wholesale accounts, license and supply arrangements, recommerce, and pop up locations resulted in increased gross profit. This was partially offset by a decrease in net revenue from lululemon Studio. Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased due to lower lululemon Studio marketing costs, partially offset by higher people costs as a result of growth in our other lululemon retail locations. Income from operations as a percentage of other net revenue increased primarily due to leverage on selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by lower gross margin.
General Corporate Expenses. The increase in general corporate expenses was primarily due to increased employee costs, primarily from headcount growth and increased wage rates, as well as increased depreciation, technology costs including cloud computing amortization, brand and community costs, and professional fees. The increase in general corporate expenses was partially offset by a decrease in net foreign exchange and derivative losses of $0.8 million. We expect general corporate expenses to continue to increase in future years as we grow our overall business and require increased efforts at our head office to support our operations.
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Other Income (Expense), Net
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | $ | 4,163 | $ | 514 | $ | 3,649 | 709.9 | % |
The increase in other income, net was primarily due to an increase in interest income from higher interest rates, partially offset by an increase in other expenses.
Income Tax Expense
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 477,771 | $ | 358,547 | $ | 119,224 | 33.3 | % | |||||||
| Effective tax rate | 35.9 | % | 26.9 | % | 900 basis points |
The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to certain non-deductible expenses related to the impairment of goodwill and other assets recognized in relation to our lululemon Studio business unit (formerly MIRROR) partially offset by the gain on sale of an administrative building in 2022 which increased the effective tax rate by 780 basis points. Certain non-deductible expenses related to the MIRROR acquisition increased the effective tax rate by 70 basis points in 2021. The increase in the effective tax rate was also due to the accrual of U.S. state tax and Canadian withholding taxes on unremitted earnings which are not considered to be permanently reinvested, adjustments upon filing of certain income tax returns, and a decrease in deductions for stock-based compensation, partially offset by a decrease in non-deductible expenses in international jurisdictions.
Excluding the impairment of goodwill and other assets recognized in relation to our lululemon Studio business unit and the gain on sale of an administrative building in 2022, and the MIRROR acquisition-related expenses in 2021, and their tax effects, our adjusted effective tax rates were 28.1% and 26.2% for 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Net Income
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 854,800 | $ | 975,322 | $ | (120,522) | (12.4) | % |
The decrease in net income in 2022 was primarily due to an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $532.4 million, an impairment charge recognized in 2022 of $407.9 million, an increase in income tax expense of $119.2 million, partially offset by an increase in gross profit of $883.8 million, a decrease in acquisition-related expenses of $41.4 million, a gain on disposal of assets of $10.2 million, and an increase in other income (expense), net of $3.6 million. Excluding the impairment of goodwill and other assets in relation to our lululemon Studio business unit (formerly MIRROR) and the gain on sale of an administrative building in 2022, and the MIRROR acquisition-related expenses in 2021, and their tax effects, adjusted net income increased $273.7 million or 27.0%.
Comparable Store Sales and Total Comparable Sales
We use comparable store sales to assess the performance of our existing stores as it allows us to monitor the performance of our business without the impact of recently opened or expanded stores. We use total comparable sales to evaluate the performance of our business from an omni-channel perspective. We believe investors would similarly find these metrics useful in assessing the performance of our business.
Comparable store sales reflect net revenue from company-operated stores that have been open, or open after being significantly expanded, for at least 12 full fiscal months. Net revenue from a store is included in comparable store sales beginning with the first fiscal month for which the store has a full fiscal month of sales in the prior year. Comparable store sales exclude sales from new stores that have not been open for at least 12 full fiscal months, from stores which have not been in their significantly expanded space for at least 12 full fiscal months, and from stores which have been temporarily relocated for renovations or temporarily closed. Comparable store sales also exclude sales from direct to consumer and our other operations, as well as sales from company-operated stores that have closed.
Total comparable sales combines comparable store sales and direct to consumer net revenue.
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In fiscal years with 53 weeks, the 53rd week of net revenue is excluded from the calculation of comparable sales. In the year following a 53 week year, the prior year period is shifted by one week to compare similar calendar weeks.
Opening new stores and expanding existing stores is an important part of our growth strategy. Accordingly, total comparable sales is just one way of assessing the success of our growth strategy insofar as comparable sales do not reflect the performance of stores opened, or significantly expanded, within the last 12 full fiscal months. The comparable sales measures we report may not be equivalent to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Constant dollar changes in net revenue, total comparable sales, comparable store sales, and direct to consumer net revenue are non-GAAP financial measures.
A constant dollar basis assumes the average foreign currency exchange rates for the period remained constant with the average foreign currency exchange rates for the same period of the prior year. We provide constant dollar changes in our results to help investors understand the underlying growth rate of net revenue excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Adjusted gross profit, gross margin, income from operations, operating margin, income tax expense, effective tax rates, net income, and diluted earnings per share exclude the impairment of goodwill and other assets recognized in relation to our lululemon Studio business unit (formerly MIRROR), the gain on disposal of assets for the sale of an administrative office building, the MIRROR acquisition-related expenses, and the related income tax effects of these items. We believe these adjusted financial measures are useful to investors as they provide supplemental information that enable evaluation of the underlying trend in our operating performance, and enable a comparison to our historical financial information. Further, due to the finite and discrete nature of these items, we do not consider them to be normal operating expenses that are necessary to operate the business, or impairments or disposal gains that are expected to arise in the normal course of our operations.
Management uses these adjusted financial measures and constant currency metrics internally when reviewing and assessing financial performance.
The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or with greater prominence to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures follows, which includes more detail on the GAAP financial measure that is most directly comparable to each non-GAAP financial measure, and the related reconciliations between these financial measures.
Constant Dollar Changes in Net Revenue
The below changes in net revenue show the change compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.
| 2022 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Revenue | Direct to Consumer Net Revenue | |||||||||
| (In thousands) | (Percentages) | (Percentages) | ||||||||
| Change | $ | 1,853,901 | 30 | % | 33 | % | ||||
| Adjustments due to foreign currency exchange rate changes | 147,728 | 2 | 2 | |||||||
| Change in constant dollars | $ | 2,001,629 | 32 | % | 35 | % |
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Constant Dollar Changes in Total Comparable Sales, Comparable Store Sales, and Direct to Consumer Net Revenue
The below changes in total comparable sales, comparable store sales, and direct to consumer net revenue show the change compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.
| 2022 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Comparable Sales1,2 | Comparable Store Sales2 | Direct to Consumer Net Revenue | |||||||
| Change | 25 | % | 16 | % | 33 | % | |||
| Adjustments due to foreign currency exchange rate changes | 3 | % | 3 | 2 | |||||
| Change in constant dollars | 28 | % | 19 | % | 35 | % |
__________
(1)Total comparable sales includes comparable store sales and direct to consumer net revenue.
(2)Comparable store sales reflects net revenue from company-operated stores that have been open for at least 12 full fiscal months, or open for at least 12 full fiscal months after being significantly expanded.
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Adjusted financial measures
The following tables reconcile adjusted financial measures with the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The 2022 adjustments relate to the impairment of goodwill and other assets in relation to our lululemon Studio business unit (formerly MIRROR) and the gain on sale of an administrative office building, and their related tax effects. The 2021 adjustments relate to MIRROR acquisition-related expenses, and their related tax effects. Please refer to Note 5. Property and Equipment, Note 8. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Assets, and Note 9. Acquisition-Related Expenses included in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information on the nature of these amounts.
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Profit | Gross Margin | Income from Operations | Operating Margin | Income Tax Expense | Effective Tax Rate | Net Income | Diluted Earnings Per Share | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GAAP results | $ | 4,492,340 | 55.4 | % | $ | 1,328,408 | 16.4 | % | $ | 477,771 | 35.9 | % | $ | 854,800 | $ | 6.68 | ||||||||||||
| lululemon Studio charges: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Obsolescence provision | 62,928 | 0.8 | 62,928 | 0.8 | 62,928 | 0.49 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill | 362,492 | 4.4 | 362,492 | 2.83 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of intangible assets | 40,585 | 0.5 | 40,585 | 0.32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of property and equipment | 4,836 | 0.1 | 4,836 | 0.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | (10,180) | (0.1) | (10,180) | (0.08) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect of the above | 26,510 | (7.8) | (26,510) | (0.21) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted results (non-GAAP) | $ | 4,555,268 | 56.2 | % | $ | 1,789,069 | 22.1 | % | $ | 504,281 | 28.1 | % | $ | 1,288,951 | $ | 10.07 |
| Fourth Quarter 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||
| Income from operations | $ | 314,426 | |
| lululemon Studio related charges: | |||
| Obsolescence provision | 62,928 | ||
| Impairment of goodwill | 362,492 | ||
| Impairment of intangible assets | 40,585 | ||
| Impairment of property and equipment | 4,836 | ||
| Adjusted income from operations (non-GAAP) | $ | 785,267 |
| 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income from Operations | Operating Margin | Income Tax Expense | Effective Tax Rate | Net Income | Diluted Earnings Per Share | ||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| GAAP results | $ | 1,333,355 | 21.3 | % | $ | 358,547 | 26.9 | % | $ | 975,322 | $ | 7.49 | |||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 2,989 | — | 2,989 | 0.02 | |||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition-related compensation | 38,405 | 0.7 | 38,405 | 0.29 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect of the above | 1,417 | (0.7) | (1,417) | (0.01) | |||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted results (non-GAAP) | $ | 1,374,749 | 22.0 | % | $ | 359,964 | 26.2 | % | $ | 1,015,299 | $ | 7.79 |
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are our current balances of cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations, and capacity under our committed revolving credit facility. Our primary cash needs are capital expenditures for opening new stores and remodeling or relocating existing stores, investing in technology and making system enhancements, funding working capital requirements, and making other strategic capital investments both in North America and internationally. We may also use cash to repurchase shares of our common stock. Cash and cash equivalents in excess of our needs are held in interest bearing accounts with financial institutions, as well as in money market funds and term deposits.
The following table summarizes our net cash flows provided by and used in operating, investing, and financing activities for the periods indicated:
| 2022 | 2021 | Year over year change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Total cash provided by (used in): | |||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 966,463 | $ | 1,389,108 | $ | (422,645) | |||||
| Investing activities | (569,937) | (427,891) | (142,046) | ||||||||
| Financing activities | (467,487) | (844,987) | 377,500 | ||||||||
| Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (34,043) | (6,876) | (27,167) | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (105,004) | $ | 109,354 | $ | (214,358) |
Operating Activities
The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily as a result of a decrease in cash flows from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $726.1 million. This decrease was primarily driven by changes in accounts payable, inventories, and income taxes. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was also due to lower cash inflows related to derivatives not designated in a hedging relationship.
The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was partially offset by an increase in depreciation and stock-based compensation expense.
Investing Activities
The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to increased capital expenditures, partially offset by the settlement of net investment hedges and other investing activities. The increase in capital expenditures was primarily due to corporate expenditures and from our company-operated stores segment.
Capital expenditures for our company-operated stores segment were $303.7 million and $189.6 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. The capital expenditures for our company-operated stores segment in each period were primarily for opening new company-operated stores, for the remodeling or relocation of certain stores, ongoing store refurbishment, and increased investment in our new and existing distribution facilities. The capital expenditures for our company-operated stores segment also included $78.9 million to open 87 company-operated stores and $47.1 million to open 56 company-operated stores, in 2022 and 2021 respectively. We expect to open 45 to 50 new company-operated stores in 2023.
Capital expenditures for our direct to consumer segment were $57.1 million and $81.7 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Capital expenditures in 2022 were primarily related to our distribution centers as well as other technology infrastructure and system initiatives.
Capital expenditures related to corporate activities and other were $277.9 million and $123.2 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in capital expenditures in each fiscal year was primarily due to investments in technology and business systems, and for increased capital expenditures on corporate office renovations. The proceeds of the sale of an administrative office building during the second quarter of 2022 are included in other investing activities.
Financing Activities
The decrease in cash used in financing activities was primarily the result of a decrease in our stock repurchases. During 2022, 1.4 million shares were repurchased at a total cost including commissions and excise taxes of $444.0 million. During 2021, 2.2 million shares were repurchased at a total cost including commissions of $812.6 million. The common stock was repurchased in the open market at prevailing market prices, including under plans complying with the provisions of Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with the timing and actual number of shares repurchased depending upon market conditions, eligibility to trade, and other factors.
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Liquidity Outlook
We believe our cash and cash equivalent balances, cash generated from operations, and borrowings available to us under our committed revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. Our cash from operations may be negatively impacted by a decrease in demand for our products as well as the other factors described in "Item 1A. Risk Factors". In addition, we may make discretionary capital improvements with respect to our stores, distribution facilities, headquarters, or systems, or we may repurchase shares under an approved stock repurchase program, which we would expect to fund through the use of cash, issuance of debt or equity securities or other external financing sources to the extent we were unable to fund such expenditures out of our cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from operations.
The following table includes certain measures of our liquidity:
| January 29, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,154,867 | |
| Working capital excluding cash and cash equivalents(1) | 512,388 | ||
| Capacity under committed revolving credit facility | 393,480 |
__________
(1)Working capital is calculated as current assets of $3.2 billion less current liabilities of $1.5 billion.
Capital expenditures are expected to range between $660.0 million and $680.0 million in 2023.
Our current commitments with respect to inventory purchases are included within our purchase obligations outlined below. The timing and cost of our inventory purchases will vary depending on a variety of factors such as revenue growth, assortment and purchasing decisions, product costs including freight and duty, and the availability of production capacity and speed. Our inventory balance as of January 29, 2023 was $1.4 billion, an increase of 50% from January 30, 2022. Increased air freight usage and cost have contributed to the increase in inventory. On a number of units basis, our inventory increased 58% compared to January 30, 2022. We expect that while the growth rate in our inventories will exceed net revenue growth in the first half of 2023, the growth rate will be relatively in line with net revenue growth in the second half of 2023.
Our existing North America credit facility provides for $400.0 million in commitments under an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility. The credit facility has a maturity date of December 14, 2026, subject to extension under certain circumstances. As of January 29, 2023, aside from letters of credit of $6.5 million, we had no other borrowings outstanding under this credit facility. Further information regarding our credit facilities and associated covenants is outlined in Note 12. Revolving Credit Facilities included in Item 8 of Part II of this report.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Leases. We lease certain store and other retail locations, distribution centers, offices, and equipment under non-cancellable operating leases. Our leases generally have initial terms of between two and 15 years, and generally can be extended in increments between two and five years, if at all. The following table details our future minimum lease payments. Minimum lease commitments exclude variable lease expenses including contingent rent payments, common area maintenance, property taxes, and landlord's insurance.
Purchase obligations. The amounts listed for purchase obligations in the table below represent agreements (including open purchase orders) to purchase products and for other expenditures in the ordinary course of business that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms. In some cases, values are subject to change, such as for product purchases throughout the production process. The reported amounts exclude liabilities included in our consolidated balance sheets as of January 29, 2023.
One-time transition tax payable. The U.S. tax reforms enacted in December 2017 imposed a mandatory transition tax on accumulated foreign subsidiary earnings which have not previously been subject to U.S. income tax. The one-time transition tax is payable over eight years beginning in fiscal 2018. The one-time transition tax payable is net of foreign tax credits, and the table below outlines the expected payments due by fiscal year.
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The following table summarizes our contractual arrangements due by fiscal year as of January 29, 2023, and the timing and effect that such commitments are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:
| Total | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (minimum rent) | $ | 1,174,024 | $ | 238,343 | $ | 265,787 | $ | 197,934 | $ | 143,603 | $ | 117,639 | $ | 210,718 | |||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations | 884,382 | 841,341 | 15,843 | 3,430 | 5,184 | 2,930 | 15,654 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| One-time transition tax payable | 38,073 | 9,518 | 12,691 | 15,864 | — | — | — |
As of January 29, 2023, our operating lease commitments for distribution center operating leases which have been committed to, but not yet commenced, was $632.0 million, which is not reflected in the table above.
We enter into standby letters of credit to secure certain of our obligations, including leases, taxes, and duties. As of January 29, 2023, letters of credit and letters of guarantee totaling $8.6 million had been issued, including $6.5 million under our committed revolving credit facility.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Predicting future events is inherently an imprecise activity and, as such, requires the use of significant judgment. Actual results may vary from our estimates in amounts that may be material to the financial statements. An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact our consolidated financial statements.
Our critical accounting policies, estimates, and judgements are as follows, and see Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in Item 8 of Part II for additional information:
Goodwill impairment assessment
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment on the first day of the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred.
We acquired Curiouser Products Inc., dba "MIRROR" in 2020, subsequently re-branded "lululemon Studio," and $362.5 million of goodwill was allocated to the lululemon Studio reporting unit.
We performed a quantitative impairment analysis on October 31, 2022 for the lululemon Studio reporting unit. The result of this annual test concluded that the fair value of the lululemon Studio reporting unit exceeded its carrying value. We used a discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair value, supplemented by market analysis, which indicated the fair value of lululemon Studio was approximately 4% higher than its carrying value. The key assumptions of the fair value of the lululemon Studio reporting unit as of October 31, 2022 were the revenue growth rates, operating profit margins, and the discount rate. The test indicated that failure to increase the growth rate of new subscribers in the near term, or failure to reduce customer acquisition costs, or other internal or external factors could cause a material impairment of goodwill.
Sales of hardware units did not meet our fourth quarter expectations and the reduction in customer acquisition costs was less than anticipated, and therefore our short and long term forecasts for lululemon Studio were revised downwards with an adverse impact on future expected cash flows. As a result, we reviewed our strategy and we plan to evolve lululemon Studio to focus on digital app-based services.
We determined the lower than forecasted subscriber growth, and the shift in strategy, were triggering events which indicated we should conduct an impairment test as of January 29, 2023. We used a discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair value of the lululemon Studio reporting unit based on our updated strategic plans, supplemented by market comparable analysis. This led to the recognition of an impairment of goodwill of $362.5 million. The key assumptions in estimating the fair value of the lululemon Studio reporting unit were the revenue growth rates, operating profit margins, and the discount rate. The fair value of the lululemon Studio reporting unit is a Level 3 fair value measurement.
Finite-lived intangible asset impairment assessment
As of January 29, 2023, the performance of lululemon Studio in the fourth quarter of 2022 and our change in strategy were also triggering events which indicated we should test the related intangible assets for impairment. The undiscounted cash flows of the asset group to which the intangible assets belong were less than their carrying value, and therefore we calculated the fair value of the asset group, which was also less than its carrying value. This resulted in an impairment of $40.6
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million, relating to the MIRROR brand, which is associated with in-home hardware and to the customer relationship intangible assets that were recognized as part of the acquisition. The carrying value of individual long-lived assets was not reduced to lower than their fair value. The fair values of the brand and the customer relationships were based on a relief from royalty method and a discounted cash flow model respectively, and are Level 3 fair value measurements.
The relief from royalty method is dependent on certain key estimates, including forecast hardware and hardware subscriber revenues, the royalty rate, and the discount rate.
Inventory provisions
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. We periodically review our inventories and make a provision for obsolescence and goods that have quality issues or that are damaged. We record a provision at an amount that is equal to the difference between the inventory cost and its net realizable value. As of January 29, 2023 the net carrying value of our inventories was $1.4 billion, which included provisions for obsolete and damaged inventory of $123.2 million. The provision is determined based upon assumptions about product quality, damages, future demand, selling prices, and market conditions, and includes a provision of $62.9 million against lululemon Studio hardware inventory.
Our change in strategy related to lululemon Studio means we no longer expect to be able to sell all of the hardware inventory above cost. The net realizable value of the lululemon Studio inventory was determined based on hardware sales forecasts and assumptions regarding liquidation value. If we do not achieve our sales forecasts, have to sell the hardware at prices lower than our forecasts, or are unable to liquidate excess inventory and the prices we anticipate, this could reduce the net realizable value of this inventory below our estimate and we would increase our provision in the period in which we made such a determination.
Deferred taxes on undistributed net investment of foreign subsidiaries.
We have not recognized U.S. state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on the net investment in our subsidiaries which we have determined to be indefinitely reinvested. This determination is based on the cash flow projections and operational and fiscal objectives of each of our foreign subsidiaries. Such estimates are inherently imprecise since many assumptions utilized in the projections are subject to revision in the future.
For the portion of our net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries that is not indefinitely reinvested, we have recorded a deferred tax liability for the taxes which would be due upon repatriation. For distributions made by our Canadian subsidiaries, the amount of tax payable is partially dependent on how the repatriation transactions are made. The deferred tax liability has been recorded on the basis that we would choose to make the repatriation transactions in the most tax efficient manner. Specifically, to the extent that the Canadian subsidiaries have sufficient paid-up-capital, any such distributions would be made as a return of capital, rather than as a dividend, and therefore would not be subject to Canadian withholding tax.
As of January 29, 2023, the net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries was $2.4 billion, of which $1.3 billion was determined to be indefinitely reinvested. The paid-up-capital balance of the Canadian subsidiaries was $740.6 million.
We have recognized a deferred tax liability of $20.2 million as of January 29, 2023 which represents the Canadian withholding taxes payable on the portion of our Canadian earnings that are not indefinitely reinvested and cannot be repatriated as a return of capital, and U.S. state income taxes payable upon repatriation of the amounts which are not indefinitely reinvested.
In future periods, if the net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries continues to grow, whether due to the accumulation of profits by these subsidiaries or due to a change in the amount that is indefinitely reinvested, we will record additional deferred tax liabilities, including both Canadian withholding taxes for the amount in excess of the paid-up capital balance and U.S. state income taxes, and our effective tax rate will increase. Absent any changes to the permanently reinvested amounts, or the paid-up-capital of our Canadian subsidiaries, we expect the effective tax rate to increase in 2023, where we will accrue Canadian withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes for profits generated in our Canadian subsidiaries.
Contingencies
We are involved in legal proceedings regarding contractual and employment relationships and a variety of other matters. We record contingent liabilities when a loss is assessed to be probable and its amount is reasonably estimable. If it is reasonably possible that a material loss could occur through ongoing litigation, we provide disclosure in the footnotes to our financial statements. Assessing probability of loss and estimating the amount of probable losses requires analysis of multiple factors, including in some cases judgments about the potential actions of third-party claimants and courts. Should we
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experience adverse court judgments or should negotiated outcomes differ to our expectations with respect to such ongoing litigation it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001397187-22-000014.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Components of management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations include:
•Overview - The Power of Three
•Financial Highlights
•Results of Operations
•Comparison of 2021 to 2020
•Comparable Store Sales and Total Comparable Sales
•Non-GAAP Financial Measures
•Liquidity and Capital Resources
•Liquidity Outlook
•Contractual Obligations and Commitments
•Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to January 31 of the following year, typically resulting in a 52-week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2021 and 2020 were each 52-week years.
This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, such as our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions included in the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Our actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those described in the "Item 1A. Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We disclose material non-public information through one or more of the following channels: our investor relations website (http://investor.lululemon.com/), the social media channels identified on our investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts.
Overview - The Power of Three
In 2021, we continued to execute against our Power of Three growth plan. We have achieved some of our key growth goals under this plan two years ahead of schedule. These include generating $6 billion in net revenue, doubling our men's net revenue relative to fiscal 2018, and doubling our e-commerce net revenue relative to fiscal 2018 (which we achieved in 2020). We have seen the trends that we believe have fueled our business over the last few years continue. These include the desire to live an active and healthy lifestyle, the desire to be part of a diverse and inclusive community, and the desire to achieve wellness, both physically and mentally.
We achieved these goals while strategically managing a number of challenges related to the COVID-19 environment, including stores closures, capacity constraints, and challenges across our supply chain including certain supplier factory closures, port slowdowns, and reduced air freight capacity.
Product Innovation
Our lens for product development and innovation continues to be what we refer to as the Science of Feel. In 2021, we continued to bring technical innovations to our guests including expanding our Yoga offering with the launch of our Instill franchise, made from our SmoothCover fabric; we continued to build out our high support bra offerings with the launch of the Air Support bra, our most tested bra to date, which took five years to research and develop and is made from our Ultralu fabric; and for men we launched the versatile License to Train short, made from our High Impact Swift Pique fabric and further built out our On The Move offering with the Bowline bottom. We are also particularly proud of our multi-year collaboration with the Canadian Olympic Committee and Paralympic Committee. This collaboration allows us to showcase the lululemon brand and our technical expertise within apparel on the world stage; and we believe it is a compelling platform that we can leverage to continue to grow our brand presence both inside and outside of Canada.
Omni Guest Experience
We continue to see benefits from our omni business model and in 2021, net revenue in our company-operated store channel increased 70% and our e-commerce business increased 22%. We engaged with our guests both in real life (where and when it was safe to do so) and virtually. In our digital business, we continued to see the benefits of the investments we have made over the last several years, while we continue to invest in our websites and mobile apps as we work to elevate the guest
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experience. In 2021, we continued to make foundational investments which included expanding our accepted payment methods, improving our storytelling, making search more predictive, and making the checkout process more seamless. When looking at MIRROR, we continue to focus on strategies and initiatives which we believe will allow us to build our community and increase guest loyalty. These include setting up MIRROR shop-in-shops in approximately 200 stores in North America, including launching in Canada, and continuing to enhance the offering with new classes and connected accessories.
Market Expansion
We continued to expand our presence both in North America and in our international markets. During 2021, we opened 53 net new company-operated stores, including 31 stores in the PRC, seven stores in the rest of Asia Pacific, 10 stores in North America, and five stores in Europe.
In 2021, our net revenue in North America increased 40%. In our international markets, we saw revenue growth of 53%, which keeps us on track with our goal to quadruple the business from 2018 levels by 2023.
COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 continues to impact the global economy and cause disruption and volatility. While most of our retail locations were open throughout 2021, certain locations were temporarily closed based on government and health authority guidance. We believe we will continue to experience differing levels of disruption and volatility, market by market. The pandemic has also impacted our product manufacturers and our distribution and logistics providers. There has been disruption in transportation and port congestion, an increase in freight costs, and we have increased our use of air freight. We expect this disruption and increased costs to continue throughout fiscal 2022.
Financial Highlights
The summary below compares 2021 to 2020:
•Net revenue increased 42% to $6.3 billion. On a constant dollar basis, net revenue increased 40%.
•Company-operated stores net revenue increased 70% to $2.8 billion.
•Direct to consumer net revenue increased 22% to $2.8 billion, or increased 20% on a constant dollar basis.
•Gross profit increased 46% to $3.6 billion.
•Gross margin increased 170 basis points to 57.7%.
•Acquisition-related expenses of $41.4 million were recognized in 2021 compared to $29.8 million in 2020.
•Income from operations increased 63% to $1.3 billion.
•Operating margin increased 270 basis points to 21.3%.
•Income tax expense increased 56% to $358.5 million. Our effective tax rate for 2021 was 26.9% compared to 28.1% for 2020.
•Diluted earnings per share were $7.49 for 2021 compared to $4.50 in 2020. This includes $40.0 million and $26.7 million of after-tax costs related to the MIRROR acquisition in 2021 and 2020, respectively, which reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.30 and $0.20 in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Refer to the non-GAAP reconciliation tables contained in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for reconciliations between constant dollar changes in net revenue and direct to consumer net revenue, and the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
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Results of Operations
The following table summarizes key components of our results of operations for the periods indicated:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of revenue) | |||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 6,256,617 | $ | 4,401,879 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 2,648,052 | 1,937,888 | 42.3 | 44.0 | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | 3,608,565 | 2,463,991 | 57.7 | 56.0 | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 2,225,034 | 1,609,003 | 35.6 | 36.6 | ||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 8,782 | 5,160 | 0.1 | 0.1 | ||||||||||
| Acquisition-related expenses | 41,394 | 29,842 | 0.7 | 0.7 | ||||||||||
| Income from operations | 1,333,355 | 819,986 | 21.3 | 18.6 | ||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 514 | (636) | — | — | ||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 1,333,869 | 819,350 | 21.3 | 18.6 | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 358,547 | 230,437 | 5.7 | 5.2 | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 975,322 | $ | 588,913 | 15.6 | % | 13.4 | % |
Comparison of 2021 to 2020
Net Revenue
Net revenue increased $1.9 billion, or 42%, to $6.3 billion in 2021 from $4.4 billion in 2020. On a constant dollar basis, assuming the average foreign currency exchange rates in 2021 remained constant with the average foreign currency exchange rates in 2020, net revenue increased $1.8 billion, or 40%.
The increase in net revenue was primarily due to increased company-operated store net revenue, which was the result of more extensive temporary store closures and COVID-19 operating restrictions that were in place during 2020. Direct to consumer net revenue and other net revenue also increased.
Net revenue for 2021 and 2020 is summarized below.
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of revenue) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Company-operated stores | $ | 2,821,497 | $ | 1,658,807 | 45.1 | % | 37.7 | % | $ | 1,162,690 | 70.1 | % | |||||||||
| Direct to consumer | 2,777,944 | 2,284,068 | 44.4 | 51.9 | 493,876 | 21.6 | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 657,176 | 459,004 | 10.5 | 10.4 | 198,172 | 43.2 | |||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 6,256,617 | $ | 4,401,879 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,854,738 | 42.1 | % |
Company-Operated Stores. The increase in net revenue from our company-operated stores segment was primarily due to most of our stores being open throughout 2021, while almost all were temporarily closed for a significant portion of the first two quarters of 2020, and open with reduced operating hours and occupancy restrictions for the last two quarters of 2020 as a result of COVID-19.
During 2021, we opened 53 net new company-operated stores, including 38 stores in Asia Pacific, 10 stores in North America, and five stores in Europe.
Direct to Consumer. Direct to consumer net revenue increased 22%, and increased 20% on a constant dollar basis. The increase in net revenue from our direct to consumer segment was primarily the result of increased traffic and higher dollar value per transaction, partially offset by a decrease in conversion rates. During the second quarter of 2020, we held an online warehouse sale in the United States and Canada which generated net revenue of $43.3 million. We did not hold any warehouse sales during 2021.
Other. The increase in other net revenue was primarily due to most of our outlet and pop up locations being open throughout 2021, while almost all were temporarily closed for a significant portion of the first two quarters of 2020, and open with reduced operating hours and occupancy restrictions for the last two quarters of 2020 as a result of COVID-19. The increase in net revenue from our other retail locations was partially offset by a decrease in net revenue from MIRROR.
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Gross Profit
| 2021 | 2020 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 3,608,565 | $ | 2,463,991 | $ | 1,144,574 | 46.5 | % | |||||||
| Gross margin | 57.7 | % | 56.0 | % | 170 basis points |
The increase in gross margin was primarily the result of:
•a decrease in occupancy and depreciation costs as a percentage of net revenue of 130 basis points, driven primarily by the increase in net revenue;
•a decrease in costs related to our distribution centers and product departments as a percentage of net revenue of 30 basis points, driven primarily by the increase in net revenue; and
•a favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of 30 basis points.
The increase in gross margin was partially offset by a decrease in product margin of 20 basis points, primarily due to higher air freight costs as a result of global supply chain disruption, partially offset by lower markdowns.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
| 2021 | 2020 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 2,225,034 | $ | 1,609,003 | $ | 616,031 | 38.3 | % | |||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenue | 35.6 | % | 36.6 | % | (100) basis points |
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to:
•an increase in costs related to our operating channels of $286.4 million, comprised of:
–an increase in employee costs of $150.8 million primarily due to an increase in salaries and wages expense and incentive compensation expenses in our company-operated store and other retail locations, primarily due to the increased number of hours worked as a result of COVID-19 impacts in 2020, and increased wage rates in 2021, as well as performance and growth in our business;
–an increase in variable costs of $78.1 million primarily due to an increase in distribution costs related to the growth in our direct to consumer net revenue, and an increase in credit card fees as a result of increased net revenue;
–an increase in brand and community costs of $37.6 million primarily due to an increase in digital marketing expenses; and
–an increase in other costs of $19.9 million primarily due to an increase in depreciation, professional fees, and technology costs;
•an increase in head office costs of $287.7 million, comprised of:
–an increase of $163.9 million primarily due to increases in professional fees, brand and community costs, technology costs, and other head office costs; and
–an increase in employee costs of $123.8 million primarily due to increased salaries and wages expense, and incentive compensation, stock-based compensation expense, and employee benefit costs;
•a decrease in government payroll subsidies of $36.5 million as no government payroll subsidies were recognized in 2021; and
•an increase in net foreign exchange and derivative revaluation losses of $5.3 million.
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Amortization of Intangible Assets
| 2021 | 2020 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | $ | 8,782 | $ | 5,160 | $ | 3,622 | 70.2 | % |
The increase in the amortization of intangible assets was the result of the intangible assets recognized upon the acquisition of MIRROR during the second quarter of 2020.
Acquisition-Related Expenses
| 2021 | 2020 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Acquisition-related expenses | $ | 41,394 | $ | 29,842 | $ | 11,552 | 38.7 | % |
In connection with our acquisition of MIRROR, we recognized acquisition-related compensation expenses of $38.4 million and $20.1 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. We also recognized transaction and integration related costs of $3.0 million and $10.5 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. Acquisition-related expenses in 2020 were partially offset by a $0.8 million gain that was recognized on our existing investment.
Please refer to Note 6. Acquisition included in Item 8 of Part II of this report for information on the nature and recognition of acquisition-related compensation expense.
Income from Operations
On a segment basis, we determine income from operations without taking into account our general corporate expenses.
Segmented income from operations before general corporate expenses is summarized below.
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (Percentage of net revenue of respective operating segment) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segmented income from operations: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Company-operated stores | $ | 727,735 | $ | 212,592 | 25.8 | % | 12.8 | % | $ | 515,143 | 242.3 | % | |||||||||
| Direct to consumer | 1,216,496 | 1,029,102 | 43.8 | 45.1 | 187,394 | 18.2 | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 77,283 | 10,502 | 11.8 | 2.3 | 66,781 | 635.9 | |||||||||||||||
| $ | 2,021,514 | $ | 1,252,196 | $ | 769,318 | 61.4 | % | ||||||||||||||
| General corporate expenses | 637,983 | 397,208 | 240,775 | 60.6 | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 8,782 | 5,160 | 3,622 | 70.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition-related expenses | 41,394 | 29,842 | 11,552 | 38.7 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations | $ | 1,333,355 | $ | 819,986 | $ | 513,369 | 62.6 | % | |||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 21.3 | % | 18.6 | % | 270 basis points |
Company-Operated Stores. The increase in income from operations from company-operated stores was primarily the result of increased gross profit of $712.8 million, driven by increased net revenue and higher gross margin. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to leverage on fixed costs. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, primarily due to higher employee and operating costs. Employee costs increased primarily due to the increased number of hours worked as a result of COVID-19 impacts in 2020, as well as increased wage rates in 2021, and performance and growth in our business. Store operating costs increased, primarily due to increases in credit card fees, packaging costs and distribution costs as a result of higher net revenue, and due to government payroll subsidies during 2020 that partially offset selling, general and administrative expenses. Income from operations as a percentage of company-operated stores net revenue increased, primarily due to higher gross margin and leverage on selling, general and administrative expenses.
Direct to Consumer. The increase in income from operations from our direct to consumer segment was primarily the result of increased gross profit of $311.2 million, driven by increased net revenue, partially offset by lower gross margin. The
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decrease in gross margin was primarily due to increased air freight and distribution center costs relative to net revenue. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to higher variable costs including distribution costs and credit card fees as a result of higher net revenue, as well as higher digital marketing expenses, depreciation, employee costs and technology costs. Income from operations as a percentage of direct to consumer net revenue has decreased primarily due to a decrease in gross margin and deleverage on selling, general and administrative expenses.
Other. The increase in income from operations was primarily the result of increased gross profit of $120.6 million, driven by increased net revenue and higher gross margin. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to higher product margin. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, driven by higher overall salaries and wages expense, incentive compensation, MIRROR marketing expenses and professional fees. Income from operations as a percentage of other net revenue increased primarily due to leverage on selling, general and administrative expenses and a higher gross margin.
General Corporate Expenses. The increase in general corporate expenses was primarily the result of increases in employee costs primarily from the growth in our business, as well as increased professional fees, brand and community costs, technology costs, and supplies. An increase in net foreign exchange and derivative losses of $5.3 million also contributed to the increase in general corporate expense. We expect general corporate expenses to continue to increase in future years as we grow our overall business and require increased efforts at our head office to support our operations.
Other Income (Expense), Net
| 2021 | 2020 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | $ | 514 | $ | (636) | $ | 1,150 | (180.8) | % |
The increase in other income, net was primarily due to a decrease in expenses related to our credit facilities, including for the 364-day credit facility that was in place during 2020. This was partially offset by a decrease in interest income primarily due to lower interest rates. We did not have any borrowings on our revolving credit facilities during 2021 or 2020.
Income Tax Expense
| 2021 | 2020 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 358,547 | $ | 230,437 | $ | 128,110 | 55.6 | % | |||||||
| Effective tax rate | 26.9 | % | 28.1 | % | (120) basis points |
The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a net increase in tax deductions related to stock-based compensation, and adjustments upon filing of certain income tax returns, partially offset by non-deductible expenses in international jurisdictions. Certain non-deductible expenses related to the MIRROR acquisition increased the effective tax rate by 70 basis points in 2021 compared to 60 basis points in 2020.
Net Income
| 2021 | 2020 | Year over year change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | (In thousands) | (Percentage) | |||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 975,322 | $ | 588,913 | $ | 386,409 | 65.6 | % |
The increase in net income in 2021 was primarily due to an increase in gross profit of $1.1 billion, an increase in other income (expense), net of $1.2 million partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $616.0 million, an increase in income tax expense of $128.1 million, an increase in acquisition-related expenses of $11.6 million, and an increase in amortization of intangible assets of $3.6 million.
Comparable Store Sales and Total Comparable Sales
We use comparable store sales to assess the performance of our existing stores as it allows us to monitor the performance of our business without the impact of recently opened or expanded stores. We use total comparable sales to evaluate the performance of our business from an omni-channel perspective. We believe investors would similarly find these metrics useful in assessing the performance of our business. However, as the temporary store closures from COVID-19
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resulted in a significant number of stores being removed from our comparable store calculations during the first two quarters of 2020, we believe total comparable sales and comparable store sales on a full year basis are not currently representative of the underlying trends of our business. We do not believe these full year metrics are currently useful to investors in understanding performance, therefore we have not included these metrics in our discussion and analysis of results of operations. We did not provide comparable sales metrics that included the first two quarters during 2020 or 2021.
Comparable store sales reflect net revenue from company-operated stores that have been open, or open after being significantly expanded, for at least 12 full fiscal months. Net revenue from a store is included in comparable store sales beginning with the first fiscal month for which the store has a full fiscal month of sales in the prior year. Comparable store sales exclude sales from new stores that have not been open for at least 12 full fiscal months, from stores which have not been in their significantly expanded space for at least 12 full fiscal months, and from stores which have been temporarily relocated for renovations or temporarily closed. Comparable store sales also exclude sales from direct to consumer and our other operations, as well as sales from company-operated stores that have closed.
Total comparable sales combines comparable store sales and direct to consumer net revenue.
In fiscal years with 53 weeks, the 53rd week of net revenue is excluded from the calculation of comparable sales. In the year following a 53 week year, the prior year period is shifted by one week to compare similar calendar weeks.
Opening new stores and expanding existing stores is an important part of our growth strategy. Accordingly, total comparable sales is just one way of assessing the success of our growth strategy insofar as comparable sales do not reflect the performance of stores opened, or significantly expanded, within the last 12 full fiscal months. The comparable sales measures we report may not be equivalent to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Constant dollar changes in net revenue and direct to consumer net revenue are non-GAAP financial measures.
A constant dollar basis assumes the average foreign currency exchange rates for the period remained constant with the average foreign currency exchange rates for the same period of the prior year. We provide constant dollar changes in our results to help investors understand the underlying growth rate of net revenue excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or with greater prominence to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures follows, which includes more detail on the GAAP financial measure that is most directly comparable to each non-GAAP financial measure, and the related reconciliations between these financial measures.
The below changes in net revenue show the change compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.
| 2021 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Revenue | Direct to Consumer Net Revenue | |||||||||
| (In thousands) | (Percentages) | (Percentages) | ||||||||
| Change | $ | 1,854,738 | 42 | % | 22 | % | ||||
| Adjustments due to foreign currency exchange rate changes | (95,494) | (2) | (2) | |||||||
| Change in constant dollars | $ | 1,759,244 | 40 | % | 20 | % |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are our current balances of cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations, and capacity under our committed revolving credit facility. Our primary cash needs are capital expenditures for opening new stores and remodeling or relocating existing stores, investing in technology and making system enhancements, funding working capital requirements, and making other strategic capital investments both in North America and internationally. We may also use cash to repurchase shares of our common stock. Cash and cash equivalents in excess of our needs are held in interest bearing accounts with financial institutions, as well as in money market funds and term deposits.
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The following table summarizes our net cash flows provided by and used in operating, investing, and financing activities for the periods indicated:
| 2021 | 2020 | Year over year change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Total cash provided by (used in): | |||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 1,389,108 | $ | 803,336 | $ | 585,772 | |||||
| Investing activities | (427,891) | (695,532) | 267,641 | ||||||||
| Financing activities | (844,987) | (80,788) | (764,199) | ||||||||
| Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (6,876) | 29,996 | (36,872) | ||||||||
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 109,354 | $ | 57,012 | $ | 52,342 |
Operating Activities
The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily as a result of:
•increased net income of $386.4 million;
•an increase in cash flows from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $176.7 million. This increase was driven by changes in income taxes, accrued compensation, and accounts payable, partially offset by cash flows related to inventories; and
•changes in adjusting items of $22.7 million primarily related to an increase in depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and higher cash inflows related to derivatives not designated in a hedging relationship, partially offset by changes in deferred income taxes.
Investing Activities
The decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to the acquisition of MIRROR, net of cash acquired for $452.6 million during 2020. This was partially offset by an increase in capital expenditures.
Capital expenditures for our company-operated stores segment were $189.6 million and $134.2 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The capital expenditures for our company-operated stores segment in each period were primarily for the remodeling or relocation of certain stores, for opening new company-operated stores, and ongoing store refurbishment. The capital expenditures for our company-operated stores segment also included $47.1 million to open 56 company-operated stores and $41.0 million to open 40 company-operated stores, in 2021 and 2020 respectively. We expect to open approximately 70 new company-operated stores in 2022.
Capital expenditures for our direct to consumer segment were $81.7 million and $37.2 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The capital expenditures in 2021 were primarily related to our distribution centers as well as other technology infrastructure and system initiatives.
Capital expenditures related to corporate activities and other were $123.2 million and $57.8 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The capital expenditures in each fiscal year were primarily related to investments in technology and business systems, and for capital expenditures related to opening retail locations other than company-operated stores. The increase in capital expenditures for our corporate activities and other was partially due to more larger scale projects, this was partially offset by a continued shift to cloud computing in 2021. Implementation costs related to cloud service arrangements are recognized within other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets and the associated cash flows are included in operating activities.
Financing Activities
The increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily the result of an increase in our stock repurchases. During 2021, 2.2 million shares were repurchased at a cost of $812.6 million. During 2020, 0.4 million shares were repurchased at a cost of $63.7 million. The other common stock was repurchased in the open market at prevailing market prices, including under plans complying with the provisions of Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with the timing and actual number of shares repurchased depending upon market conditions, eligibility to trade, and other factors.
Liquidity Outlook
We believe that our cash and cash equivalent balances, cash generated from operations, and borrowings available to us under our committed revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. Our cash from operations may be negatively impacted by a decrease in demand
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for our products as well as the other factors described in "Item 1A. Risk Factors". In addition, we may make discretionary capital improvements with respect to our stores, distribution facilities, headquarters, or systems, or we may repurchase shares under an approved stock repurchase program, which we would expect to fund through the use of cash, issuance of debt or equity securities or other external financing sources to the extent we were unable to fund such expenditures out of our cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from operations.
The following table includes certain measures of our liquidity:
| January 30, 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,259,871 | |
| Working capital excluding cash and cash equivalents(1) | (50,352) | ||
| Capacity under committed revolving credit facility | 396,976 |
__________
(1)Working capital is calculated as current assets of $2.6 billion less current liabilities of $1.4 billion.
Capital expenditures are expected to range between $600.0 million and $625.0 million in fiscal 2022.
Our current commitments with respect to inventory purchases are included within our purchase obligations outlined below. The timing and cost of our inventory purchases will vary depending on a variety of factors such as revenue growth, assortment and purchasing decisions, product costs including freight and duty, and the availability of production capacity and speed. Our inventory balance as at January 30, 2022 was $966.5 million, an increase of 49% from January 31, 2021. Increased air freight usage and cost has contributed to the increase in inventory. On a number of units basis, our inventory increased 33% compared to January 31, 2021. We expect that our inventory balance will continue to grow in fiscal 2022 and we expect the growth rate will exceed net revenue growth in fiscal 2022.
Our existing North America credit facility provides for $400.0 million in commitments under an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility. The credit facility has a maturity date of December 14, 2026, subject to extension under certain circumstances. As of January 30, 2022, aside from letters of credit of $3.0 million, we had no other borrowings outstanding under this credit facility. Further information regarding our credit facilities and associated covenants is outlined in Note 11. Revolving Credit Facilities included in Item 8 of Part II of this report.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Leases. We lease certain store and other retail locations, distribution centers, offices, and equipment under non-cancellable operating leases. Our leases generally have initial terms of between five and 15 years, and generally can be extended in five-year increments, if at all. The following table details our future minimum lease payments. Minimum lease commitments exclude variable lease expenses including contingent rent payments, common area maintenance, property taxes, and landlord's insurance.
Purchase obligations. The amounts listed for purchase obligations in the table below represent agreements (including open purchase orders) to purchase products and for other expenditures in the ordinary course of business that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms. In some cases, values are subject to change, such as for product purchases throughout the production process. The reported amounts exclude liabilities included in our consolidated balance sheets as of January 30, 2022.
One-time transition tax payable. The U.S. tax reforms enacted in December 2017 imposed a mandatory transition tax on accumulated foreign subsidiary earnings which have not previously been subject to U.S. income tax. The one-time transition tax is payable over eight years beginning in fiscal 2018. The one-time transition tax payable is net of foreign tax credits, and the table below outlines the expected payments due by fiscal year.
Deferred consideration. The amounts listed for deferred consideration in the table below represent expected future cash payments for certain continuing MIRROR employees, subject to the continued employment of those individuals up to three years from the acquisition date as outlined in Note 6. Acquisition included in Item 8 of Part II of this report.
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The following table summarizes our contractual arrangements due by fiscal year as of January 30, 2022, and the timing and effect that such commitments are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:
| Total | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (minimum rent) | $ | 944,809 | $ | 210,956 | $ | 199,274 | $ | 177,606 | $ | 117,844 | $ | 72,586 | $ | 166,543 | |||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations | 993,480 | 945,092 | 10,199 | 17,829 | 4,698 | — | 15,662 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| One-time transition tax payable | 43,150 | 5,076 | 9,518 | 12,691 | 15,865 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred consideration | 24,306 | 24,298 | 8 | — | — | — | — |
As of January 30, 2022, our operating lease commitments for distribution center operating leases which have been signed, but not yet commenced, was $379.7 million, which is not reflected in the table above.
We enter into standby letters of credit to secure certain of our obligations, including leases, taxes, and duties. As of January 30, 2022, letters of credit and letters of guarantee totaling $4.4 million had been issued, including $3.0 million under our committed revolving credit facility.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Predicting future events is inherently an imprecise activity and, as such, requires the use of significant judgment. Actual results may vary from our estimates in amounts that may be material to the financial statements. An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact our consolidated financial statements.
Our critical accounting policies, estimates, and judgements are as follows, and see Note 2. Summary of Significant Account Policies included in Item 8 of Part II for additional information:
Inventory provisions
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. We periodically review our inventories and make a provision for obsolescence and goods that have quality issues or that are damaged. We record a provision at an amount that is equal to the difference between the inventory cost and its net realizable value. As of January 30, 2022 the net carrying value of our inventories was $966.5 million, which included provisions for obsolete and damaged inventory of $35.7 million. The provision is determined based upon assumptions about product quality, damages, future demand, selling prices, and market conditions. If changes in market conditions result in reductions in the estimated net realizable value of our inventory below our previous estimate, we would increase our reserve in the period in which we made such a determination.
Goodwill impairment assessment
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment on the first day of the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred.
We have allocated $362.5 million of goodwill to the MIRROR reporting unit. As of November 1, 2021, we performed a quantitative impairment analysis of the MIRROR reporting unit and concluded that the fair value of the MIRROR reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, and no impairment has been recognized.
We used a discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair value, supplemented by market analysis, which indicated the fair value of MIRROR was at least 18% higher than its carrying value. The key assumptions of the fair value of the MIRROR reporting unit are the revenue growth rates, operating profit margins, and the discount rate. Our ability to generate expected cashflows is dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, trends in the Connected Fitness industry and the desire to exercise at home, our ability to attract new subscribers to grow the community, and to maintain a loyal subscriber base. The fair value of MIRROR is also dependent on the ability of MIRROR to leverage fixed costs and therefore achieve long term profitability. Declining cashflow trends compared to forecast, or other internal or external indicators, could cause us to conclude that impairment indicators exist, and goodwill may be impaired.
Deferred taxes on undistributed net investment of foreign subsidiaries.
We have not recognized U.S. state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on the net investment in our subsidiaries which we have determined to be indefinitely reinvested. This determination is based on the cash flow projections and
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operational and fiscal objectives of each of our foreign subsidiaries. Such estimates are inherently imprecise since many assumptions utilized in the projections are subject to revision in the future.
For the portion of our net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries that are not indefinitely reinvested, we have recorded a deferred tax liability for the taxes which would be due upon repatriation. For distributions made by our Canadian subsidiaries, the amount of tax payable is partially dependent on how the repatriation transactions are made. The deferred tax liability has been recorded on the basis that we would choose to make the repatriation transactions in the most tax efficient manner. Specifically, to the extent that the Canadian subsidiaries have sufficient paid-up-capital, any such distributions would be structured as a return of capital, rather than as a dividend, and would not be subject to Canadian withholding tax.
As of January 30, 2022, the paid-up-capital balance of the Canadian subsidiaries for tax purposes was $2.0 billion. The net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries was $2.5 billion, of which $1.1 billion was determined to be indefinitely reinvested. The Canadian subsidiaries have sufficient paid-up-capital such that we could choose to repatriate the portion of our net investment that is not indefinitely reinvested without paying Canadian withholding tax.
Deferred income tax liabilities of $3.8 million have been recognized in relation to the portion of our net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries that is not indefinitely reinvested, representing the U.S. state income taxes which would be due upon repatriation. The unrecognized deferred tax liability on the indefinitely reinvested amount is approximately $3.2 million.
In future periods, if the net investment in our Canadian subsidiaries exceeds their paid-up-capital balance, whether due to the accumulation of profits by these subsidiaries or due to a change in the amount that is indefinitely reinvested, we will record additional deferred tax liabilities for Canadian withholding taxes and our effective tax rate will increase. Absent any changes to paid-up-capital of our Canadian subsidiaries, or permanent re-investment amounts, we expect the effective tax rate to increase in fiscal 2022.
Contingencies
We are involved in legal proceedings regarding contractual and employment relationships and a variety of other matters. We record contingent liabilities when a loss is assessed to be probable and its amount is reasonably estimable. If it is reasonably possible that a material loss could occur through ongoing litigation, we provide disclosure in the footnotes to our financial statements. Assessing probability of loss and estimating the amount of probable losses requires analysis of multiple factors, including in some cases judgments about the potential actions of third-party claimants and courts. Should we experience adverse court judgments or should negotiated outcomes differ to our expectations with respect to such ongoing litigation it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.