Nordstrom (ticker: JWN) has surpassed expectations with its impressive second-quarter earnings report. Despite a more than 10% drop in sales at its flagship stores, the department-store chain managed to post adjusted earnings of 84 cents per share. This exceeded the consensus call of 45 cents among analysts tracked by FactSet.
The company also reported revenue of $3.77 billion, surpassing expectations for $3.68 billion. However, this figure declined by approximately 8% compared to the previous year. Nordstrom attributes about half of this decline to its decision to push back its yearly Anniversary Sale by a week and wind down its Canadian operations.
Both Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack experienced negative net sales, with decreases of 10.1% and 4.1% respectively. However, these numbers represent an improvement from the first quarter, where Nordstrom’s sales fell 11.4% and Nordstrom Rack’s declined by 11.9%.
CEO Erik Nordstrom expressed satisfaction with the company’s performance. “We’ve worked hard to improve our operating model, and our solid results reflect the continued progress we made against our top priorities to improve Nordstrom Rack performance, increase inventory productivity, and deliver efficiencies through supply chain optimization.”
Nordstrom is confident in its financial outlook for the fiscal year and remains committed to delivering value to its customers in the face of challenging market conditions.
Nordstrom Faces Declining Revenue in 2023 Fiscal Year
Nordstrom, a leading retailer, has reaffirmed its outlook for the fiscal year ending in January. The company is expecting a decline in revenue between 4% and 6% compared to fiscal 2022. Despite adjusted earnings per share projections of $1.80 to $2.20 (excluding share repurchases and charges from winding down operations in Canada), analysts anticipate annual earnings per share to be around $1.98.
Following recent downbeat commentary from Burlington Stores and Dollar Tree, Nordstrom’s stock experienced a 3.9% decrease, closing at $16.91. Concerns over consumers’ financial strength contributed to this decline. However, the stock has still shown a 4.7% gain in 2023 thus far.
While Burlington and Dollar Tree cater to a wider range of income households, Nordstrom’s consumer base primarily consists of higher-income households. This demographic has provided some resilience for the company during economic downturns. However, even these wealthier consumers may now be feeling the impact.
Other competitors in the retail industry face similar challenges. In LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s second fiscal quarter, their U.S. sales decreased by 1%. Ralph Lauren surpassed expectations but cautioned that their value-oriented consumers were experiencing macroeconomic pressures. Tapestry, the parent company of Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman, fell short of earnings expectations as North American sales declined by low-single digits due to a challenging consumer backdrop.
Despite these difficulties, Nordstrom remains committed to navigating the changing landscape of the retail industry and sustaining its position as a leader in the market.
The Shifting Landscape for Aspirational Consumers
In a recent call with investors, Tapestry CEO Joanne Crevoiserat shed light on the impact of financial constraints on the aspirational consumer, particularly those in the lower income cohort. The current economic climate has put them in a position where they have to be more discerning when making purchasing decisions.
This shift in consumer behavior reflects the growing pressure faced by individuals with limited resources. They are becoming more selective and mindful of their choices, ensuring that each decision aligns with their priorities and needs.
As the market evolves, businesses must adapt to this changing dynamic. Understanding the preferences and constraints of the aspirational consumer is crucial in successfully catering to their needs and desires.