Covid-19 pandemic hits Skechers’ Q2 sales

Second quarter sales at Skechers decreased 42 percent to 730 million dollars as a result of a 37.8 percent decrease in its international business and a 47.3 percent decrease in the company’s domestic business, reflecting the impact of the global pandemic. Net loss was 68.1 million dollars in the second quarter and diluted loss per share was 44 cents.

“Skechers, like most businesses around the world, has never faced a more challenging time than during the pandemic, which caused the closing of nearly every market worldwide,” said Robert Greenberg, Chief Executive Officer of Skechers in a statement, adding, “Now, with more than 90 percent of our Skechers stores safely re-opened and some markets in the early stages of recovery, we believe that we will remain a brand consumers and retailers trust to deliver comfort, quality, and style.”

Skechers Q2 sales decline, sees recovery in China

The company said that its international sales declines were partially offset by an 11.5 percent increase in China sales. The company’s international wholesale business decreased 29.9 percent and its domestic wholesale business decreased 57.2 percent. With nearly all its Skechers stores closed at some point in the quarter, its direct-to-consumer business decreased 47.1 percent, which includes a 428.2 percent increase in its e-commerce business. Comparable same store sales in its direct-to-consumer business decreased 45.6 percent, including a decrease of 35.9 percent in the United States and 66.9 percent internationally.

Gross margin for the quarter increased by approximately 210 basis points as a result of a favourable mix of online and international sales. Loss from operations decreased from 172.1 million dollars or 154.9 percent to a loss of 61 million dollars.

“The impact of Covid-19 to Skechers’ business was significant in the second quarter as we saw much of the world outside Asia shutter nearly all businesses. However, we remain optimistic about the early signs of recovery we witnessed during the quarter, including a return to growth in China, consistent improvement each month in some markets outside of China, and record shattering growth of over 400 percent in our company-owned e-commerce business,” added David Weinberg, chief operating officer of Skechers.

Picture:Facebook/Skechers