Birkenstock Profit Boosted by Higher Prices, Demand at Retailers

Bloomberg
Aug 14

Birkenstock Holding Plc reported earnings that were slightly better than expected as the German company benefitted from raising prices on its high-end sandals and clogs and strong demand from retail partners.

The shares gained 3.5% in premarket trading.

Adjusted earnings came in at €218 million ($255 million) before interest, taxes, appreciation and amortization in the fiscal quarter that ended in June, according to a statement Thursday. That exceeded the €213 million average of analyst estimates.

Sales of €635 million for the quarter were largely in line with estimates, helped by demand particularly in the Americas and the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, the company said.

Chief Executive Officer Oliver Reichert wants to capitalize on the brand’s recent momentum by grabbing more market share in the footwear world as others struggle to deal with rising tariffs and supply chain snarls. Birkenstock, which makes almost all of its products in Germany, has begun to compensate for those challenges by, among other things, raising prices.

Reichert has repeatedly said he wants to be conservative with his financial forecasts, with the company maintaining its full-year outlook.

Retailer Demand

Constant-currency sales grew 16% in the Americas and 13% in Europe, Middle East and Africa, both above the average estimate. The expansion of 21% in the Asia-Pacific region fell shy of analyst expectations.

The company is also seeing robust demand from key retail partners in the US and elsewhere, one factor behind the 18% growth in its business-to-business division in the quarter. That topped estimates, while Birkenstock’s direct-to-consumer sales channels showed slower growth than many expected.

Birkenstock has emerged as one of five “must-have” brands that retailers need to stock to be successful, along with On Holding AG, Brooks and Deckers Outdoor Corp.’s Hoka and Ugg brands, Sam Poser, an analyst at Williams Trading, said in a note earlier this week.

That contrasts with the struggles of rivals including Crocs, whose shares tumbled last week after the brand offered a dismal sales and earnings projection.

In recent years, Birkenstock has benefited from growing demand for its closed-toe sneakers, boots, clogs and slippers, which often command higher price tags than the classic sandals.

It’s also expanded its offering of cheaper plastic footwear, which is bringing in new customers and convincing long-time fans to pick up extra pairs that are geared toward the beach and humid climates. The company has found ways to lift prices on those products, too, including by offering higher-end versions with, say, larger buckles.

Overall, the average selling price of Birkenstock products was up by a percentage in the mid-single digits, the company said.

Birkenstock shares are down about 11% so far this year, which is similar to many of its footwear rivals. That trails the performance of the S&P 500 Index.

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