Macy’s earnings fall after cutting outlook as demand trends weaken

MACY’S Inc said earnings will be weaker than previously expected for the full-year, underscoring the uncertainty around US consumer spending through the remainder of 2023.  

The department-store retailer said it would take markdowns and other measures to address excess spring merchandise in order to meet current consumer demand. It lowered sales guidance to “reflect anticipated macroeconomic impacts to the consumer”, the company said.

“We planned the year assuming that the economic health of the consumer would be challenged, but starting in late March, demand trends weakened further in our discretionary categories,” chief executive officer Jeff Gennette said in a statement. 

The shares were down as much as 15 per cent in early trading in New York before paring back the decline.

Same-store sales at the Macy’s namesake brand sank 8.7 per cent on an owned basis; the higher-end Bloomingdale’s dropped 3.9 per cent and Bluemercury rose 4.3 per cent.

Gennette said on a call with analysts that roughly half of Macy’s brand customers make less than US$75,000 per year, which is why the decline in sales at those stores was the most prominent. 

The company also noted that credit card revenue was challenged by higher bad debt within the portfolio, a further sign of consumer weakness. 

Bright spots in the quarter were beauty, fragrance and office clothing, and there is limited price resistance in luxury “even in the current environment”, said Tony Spring, Macy’s president. He replaces Gennette, who retires next year.

Adjusted earnings per share were 56 US cents, compared with the average analyst estimate of 46 cents. Gross margin of 40 per cent, meanwhile, met forecasts due to leaner inventory levels, the company said.

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Macy’s results come after reports from mass-market apparel retailers last week, which impressed investors with better-than-expected profitability despite declining sales. Michael Kors-owner Capri Holdings, which generates a third of its revenue from department stores, said on Wednesday that full-year revenue will be weaker than previously forecast and pointed to “near-term uncertainties in the Americas”. BLOOMBERG