Coach Q4 And FY 2016 Earnings: A Return To Growth In North America

Coach (NYSE:COH) reported its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 2016 results on August 9, 2016. While the company beat the earnings expectations, it missed out on revenue.

See our complete analysis for Coach here

The biggest news to come out of Coach’s Q4 and FY 2016 results was the return to positive comparable sales in its North American segment. This is the first time since the third quarter of 2013, representing the seventh sequential improvement since the transformation plan was implemented by the company. This was driven by growth in the direct business, and actions to elevate the brand positioning and streamline the distribution, given the highly promotional nature of its department store channel. The company’s 1941 collection and its Disney collaboration resonated well with consumers, and revenue in the women’s segment reaped its benefits, along with improvement in the company’s leather goods. The majority of the renovated luxury concept stores’ comparable sales exceeded those of its other stores, with a further 165 converted in the quarter, taking the total up to 300 for the financial year, and 450 overall. The company also noted a low single digit increase in the North American premium women’s handbag and accessories market, with Coach attaining a share of 16%, down from 17% a year ago. The company’s above $400 price bracket rose in penetration, and now constitutes 40% of its handbag sales, up from 30% last year.

The International segment also delivered strong results, particularly in European and Mainland China, where double digit growth was reported in the quarter. Sales in Greater China were led by growth on the Mainland, but was offset by continued weakness in Hong Kong and Macau. For the year, sales increased 5% on a constant currency basis, to $605 million, beating the $600 million guidance provided by the company, in spite of a further devaluation in the renminbi. Chinese consumers play an important role in the growth for the company, with Chinese tourists driving demand in a number of regions, including Southeast Asia. Decline in Chinese tourist travel to Japan, impacted by currency fluctuations, resulted in a 5% fall in sales there in the quarter, on a constant currency basis, but increased 7% on a dollar basis. Despite relative softness in France, sales rose 50% in Europe in FY 2016, reaching $135 million, exceeding expectations of sales of $125 million.

Coach is taking a number of steps to continue with the earnings momentum going into FY 2017, despite the volatility in tourist spending flows, and macroeconomic, geopolitical, and promotional headwinds. The company wants to continue with its luxury concept stores, with a total of 400 expected to be completed by the end of the year. The men’s business is another area of focus, and the company wants to generate 20% of its revenues from this segment by the end of FY 2017. The company also wants to rationalize its department store distribution, by reducing its door count by 25%, or over 250 locations, while at the same time reducing its markdown allowances, given the high level of promotions in this space. Coach also has other collaborations in mind for the next fiscal year, including one with PAC-MAN, which will be launched this fall.

Have more questions on Coach? See the links below:

• Why Do We Feel Coach Has A 17% Upside Potential?
• How Will Coach Close Out Its Financial Year?
• What Will Be Coach’s Revenue And EBITDA Breakdown In 2016?
• How Will Coach Perform In 2016?
• What Will Be The Impact of Coach’s Collaboration With Disney?
• How Has Coach’s Revenue Per Square Foot Changed Over The Years?
• What Percentage Of Coach’s Stock Price Can Be Attributed To Growth?
• What Has Resulted In A Decline In North American Net Sales And A Rise in International Sales For Coach So Far In FY 2016?
• Coach’s Strong Presence In China To Help The Company In The Future
• How Did the Different Segments Of Coach Perform In Q3 2016?
• How Has The Transformation Plan Affected Coach’s North American Retail Store Count?
• Coach Q3 2016 Earnings And Revenue Beats Expectations
• What To Expect From Coach In Q3 FY 2016?
• Is Coach’s Transformation Plan Working?
• Coach: Year 2015 In Review
• Is The Men’s Segment Becoming Big Business For Coach?
• How Will Coach’s Revenue And EBITDA Change In The Next 3 Years?
• What Is Coach’s Fundamental Value Based On Expected 2016 Results?

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