Weyco Reports First Quarter Sales and Earnings

Rhea-AI Summary

Weyco Group (NASDAQ: WEYS) reported declining financial results for Q1 2025. Net sales decreased 5% to $68.0 million compared to $71.6 million in Q1 2024. Net earnings fell 17% to $5.5 million, with diluted EPS dropping to $0.57 from $0.69. The North American Wholesale segment saw a 4% decline in sales to $54.3 million, with only Florsheim showing growth (+7%). Retail segment sales dropped 12% to $8.7 million. Notably, the company faces significant challenges from new U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports, which increased from 16% to 161%. To address this, Weyco is negotiating with suppliers, planning price increases, and diversifying sourcing. The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share, a 4% increase from the previous $0.26.

Positive

• Florsheim brand sales increased 7% due to new product launches
• Board increased quarterly dividend by 4% to $0.27 per share
• Australian sales grew 6% in local currency
• Company successfully secured inventory ahead of tariff implementation

Negative

• Net sales decreased 5% to $68.0 million
• Net earnings fell 17% to $5.5 million
• Stacy Adams and Nunn Bush sales declined 7% and 16% respectively
• Retail segment sales dropped 12%
• Tariffs on Chinese imports increased dramatically from 16% to 161%

Insights

Financial Analyst

Weyco faces declining sales, falling earnings, and massive tariff increases that threaten future profitability despite strong cash position.

Weyco Group's Q1 2025 results reveal concerning financial performance with net sales declining 5% to $68.0 million and net earnings dropping 17% to $5.5 million compared to Q1 2024. Operating earnings decreased 15% to $7.0 million, with diluted EPS falling to $0.57 from $0.69 in the prior year.

The company's balance sheet remains solid with $71.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, representing approximately 24% of total assets ($299.3 million). This strong liquidity position provides crucial financial flexibility given the challenges ahead.

The most significant concern is the dramatic increase in tariffs on Chinese imports, which have surged from 16% to an extraordinary 161%. With Weyco sourcing a majority of products from China, this creates a severe cost pressure that will materialize in future quarters. Management has outlined a multi-pronged strategy including supplier negotiations, planned price increases beginning Summer 2025, and accelerated diversification of sourcing.

Despite these headwinds, the company increased its quarterly dividend by 4% to $0.27 per share. This decision suggests management confidence in their financial stability but also reduces available capital during a period of significant operational challenges. Gross margin remained nearly steady at 44.6% compared to 44.7% last year, indicating relatively effective cost management despite sales declines.

Retail Industry Specialist

Weyco's performance reflects retail footwear weakness with massive Chinese tariff increases threatening its business model.

Weyco's Q1 2025 results highlight significant challenges facing the footwear industry, particularly in the non-athletic segment. The company's performance varied notably across its brand portfolio, with Florsheim showing 7% growth due to successful new product launches. However, this bright spot was overshadowed by declines across other major brands, with Stacy Adams down 7%, Nunn Bush declining 16%, and BOGS falling 5%.

The company explicitly attributes these declines to "current softness in non-athletic footwear at retail, as consumers were cautious with discretionary spending" – a clear indication of broader industry headwinds rather than company-specific issues. The North American retail segment, primarily e-commerce, experienced a 12% sales decrease to $8.7 million, driven largely by reduced promotional activities for BOGS.

The most pressing challenge is the supply chain disruption posed by the massive tariff increase on Chinese imports. With tariffs jumping from 16% to 161%, Weyco faces an existential threat to its sourcing model. The company has temporarily halted China imports while evaluating mitigation strategies.

This creates a precarious situation: raising prices significantly could further depress already weak consumer demand, while absorbing costs would severely compress margins. Weyco's disclosure that they "brought in a large amount of inventory ahead of the tariff effective dates" provides only a temporary buffer. The rapid need to diversify sourcing away from China, where they currently source the majority of products, presents significant operational challenges including potential quality control issues and disruption to established manufacturing relationships.

MILWAUKEE, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Weyco Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: WEYS) (“we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company”) today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

First Quarter 2025 Overview

• Net sales: $68.0 million (down 5% compared to $71.6 million in Q1 2024)
• Gross earnings: 44.6% of net sales (compared to 44.7% of net sales in Q1 2024)
• Earnings from operations: $7.0 million (down 15% compared to $8.3 million in Q1 2024)
• Net earnings: $5.5 million (down 17% compared to $6.7 million in Q1 2024)
• Diluted earnings per share: $0.57 (down from $0.69 in Q1 2024)
  

North American Wholesale Segment
Wholesale net sales were $54.3 million for the quarter, down 4% compared to $56.2 million in the first quarter of 2024. Florsheim's first quarter sales were up 7% due largely to new product launches, but this gain was more than offset by lower sales of our other major brands. Stacy Adams and Nunn Bush sales were down 7% and 16%, respectively, for the quarter, reflecting the current softness in non-athletic footwear at retail, as consumers were cautious with discretionary spending. BOGS sales were down 5%, resulting from lower retailer demand.

Wholesale gross earnings as a percent of net sales were 39.4% and 39.6% in the first quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively. Wholesale selling and administrative expenses totaled $14.8 million for the quarter and $14.9 million last year. As a percent of net sales, wholesale selling and administrative expenses were flat at 27% in both 2025 and 2024. Wholesale operating earnings decreased 10% to $6.6 million for the quarter, from $7.4 million in 2024, as a result of lower sales.

North American Retail Segment
Net sales in our retail segment, which were generated mainly by our e-commerce websites, were $8.7 million, down 12% from record sales of $9.8 million in 2024. The decrease resulted mainly from lower sales on the BOGS website, due to reduced promotional activities in 2025, compared to strong BOGS website sales in the first quarter of last year.

Retail gross earnings as a percent of net sales were 66.6% and 65.3% in the first quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively. Retail operating earnings totaled $0.6 million for the quarter, down 52% from $1.3 million last year. The decrease was primarily due to lower sales.

Other Operations
Our other operations historically included our retail and wholesale businesses in Australia, South Africa, and Asia Pacific (collectively, “Florsheim Australia”). We ceased operations in the Asia Pacific region in 2023 and completed the wind down of that business in 2024. Accordingly, first-quarter 2025 results of the “other” category only reflect the operations of Australia and South Africa.

Net sales of Florsheim Australia were $5.1 million, down 7% from $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2024. The weaker Australian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar contributed to this decrease. In local currency, Florsheim Australia’s net sales were down 3% due mainly to the closing of Asia Pacific, partially offset by higher sales in Australia. Net sales in Australia were up 6% in local currency, with higher sales in both its wholesale and retail businesses.

Florsheim Australia’s gross earnings as a percent of net sales were 62.7% and 60.2% in the first quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively. Florsheim Australia generated operating losses totaling $0.2 million for the quarter and $0.4 million last year. The improvement was due to higher sales in Australia.

Tariffs
Over the last several weeks, the U.S. government enacted a broad range of reciprocal and retaliatory tariffs (“incremental tariffs”) on goods imported into the United States. Including these incremental tariffs, the current effective total tariff rate on goods sourced from China, which is where we source a majority of our products, is 161%, up from 16% in 2024. While the incremental tariffs did not impact our first quarter 2025 performance, unless withdrawn, these tariffs will significantly increase our cost of goods sold in future periods. To mitigate the impact of tariff-cost increases, we have negotiated cost reductions with several of our Chinese suppliers and are planning to raise selling prices beginning in Summer 2025. We are also accelerating our efforts to diversify our sourcing.

“We started the year facing significant geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainties, including the evolving tariff and trade policies of the U.S. government, recession concerns, and market turmoil,” stated Thomas W. Florsheim, Chairman and CEO. “To date, our efforts to minimize the impact of the incremental tariffs have been fruitful, as we brought in a large amount of inventory ahead of the tariff effective dates. This allows us time, during this tumultuous period, to temporarily halt our China imports as we evaluate plans to mitigate the anticipated future impact of the tariff-cost increases. Despite the uncertainties we face, we are confident in our ability to manage tariff-related cost challenges. Our history of strong operational execution, particularly in the management of our supply chain and price-setting strategy, underscores our proven ability to withstand a turbulent environment.”

Dividend Declaration
On May 6, 2025, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.27 per share to all shareholders of record on May 16, 2025, payable June 30, 2025. This represents an increase of 4% above the previous quarterly dividend rate of $0.26.

Conference Call Details
Weyco Group will host a conference call on May 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the first quarter 2025 financial results in more detail. To participate in the call, please dial 1-888-596-4144 or 1-646-968-2525, using passcode 6441034# at least fifteen minutes before the start of the call. There is no pre-registration link for the call this quarter.

A replay will be available for one year beginning about two hours after the completion of the call at the following webcast link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/4g97hfsx. Alternatively, the replay will be available by visiting the investor relations section of Weyco Group’s website at www.weycogroup.com.

About Weyco Group
Weyco Group, Inc., designs and markets quality and innovative footwear principally for men, but also for women and children, under a portfolio of well-recognized brand names including: Florsheim, Nunn Bush, Stacy Adams, BOGS, and Forsake. The Company’s products can be found in leading footwear, department, and specialty stores, as well as on e-commerce websites worldwide. Weyco Group also operates Florsheim stores in the United States, Australia, and South Africa.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Various factors could cause our results to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the uncertain impacts of U.S. trade and tariff policies – particularly incremental tariffs on goods sourced from China - which remain highly dynamic and unpredictable; the impact of inflation generally and, specifically, increases in our costs for materials, labor and other manufacturing inputs; a slow down or contraction in the overall U.S. or Australian economies; our ability to successfully market and sell our products in a highly competitive industry and in view of changing and unpredictable consumer trends; the effect of unseasonable weather conditions on the demand for certain of our products; our ability to successfully procure our products from independent manufacturers on a timely basis; consumer acceptance of products and other factors affecting retail market conditions, changes in interest rates, the uncertain impact of the wars in Ukraine and Israel and the related economic and other sanctions imposed by the U.S. and European Union; and other factors detailed from time to time in our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K filed on March 14, 2025, which are incorporated herein by reference. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

For more information, contact:

Judy Anderson
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
414-908-1833

WEYCO GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
	March 31,				December 31,
		2025				2024
	(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	71,546			$	70,963
Marketable securities, at amortized cost		856				852
Accounts receivable, net		39,765				37,464
Income tax receivable		—				1,086
Inventories		68,186				74,012
Prefunded dividend		—				21,579
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,347				3,435
Total current assets		183,700				209,391
Marketable securities, at amortized cost		5,532				5,529
Deferred income tax benefits		1,046				1,037
Property, plant and equipment, net		28,083				28,180
Operating lease right-of-use assets		11,279				10,504
Goodwill		12,317				12,317
Trademarks		32,868				32,868
Other assets		24,470				24,260
Total assets	$	299,295			$	324,086
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Accounts payable	$	4,801			$	8,378
Dividend payable		—				21,579
Operating lease liabilities		4,358				4,033
Accrued liabilities		9,094				13,273
Accrued income tax payable		861				—
Total current liabilities		19,114				47,263
Deferred income tax liabilities		13,912				13,922
Long-term pension liability		9,867				9,888
Operating lease liabilities		7,486				7,034
Other long-term liabilities		366				394
Total liabilities		50,745				78,501
Common stock		9,619				9,643
Capital in excess of par value		73,003				72,577
Reinvested earnings		183,629				181,299
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(17,701	)			(17,934	)
Total equity		248,550				245,585
Total liabilities and equity	$	299,295			$	324,086

WEYCO GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025				2024
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	68,030			$	71,558
Cost of sales		37,655				39,551
Gross earnings		30,375				32,007
Selling and administrative expenses		23,344				23,756
Earnings from operations		7,031				8,251
Interest income		634				905
Interest expense		(1	)			—
Other expense, net		(127	)			(95	)
Earnings before provision for income taxes		7,537				9,061
Provision for income taxes		1,994				2,411
Net earnings	$	5,543			$	6,650
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic		9,548				9,436
Diluted		9,664				9,580
Earnings per share
Basic	$	0.58			$	0.70
Diluted	$	0.57			$	0.69
Cash dividends declared (per share)	$	0.26			$	0.25
Comprehensive income	$	5,776			$	5,631

WEYCO GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025				2024
	(Dollars in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings	$	5,543			$	6,650
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities -
Depreciation		532				584
Amortization		65				66
Bad debt expense		140				44
Deferred income taxes		(33	)			(35	)
Net foreign currency transaction losses (gains)		67				(9	)
Share-based compensation expense		427				367
Pension expense		120				220
Loss on disposal of fixed assets		—				18
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance		(110	)			(105	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities -
Accounts receivable		(2,441	)			(2,865	)
Inventories		5,827				12,928
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(84	)			2,633
Accounts payable		(3,579	)			(3,053	)
Accrued liabilities and other		(4,292	)			(5,301	)
Accrued income taxes		1,947				2,194
Net cash provided by operating activities		4,129				14,336
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities		—				215
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(417	)			(170	)
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities		(417	)			45
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Cash dividends paid		(2,482	)			(4,664	)
Shares purchased and retired		(732	)			(5	)
Net cash used for financing activities		(3,214	)			(4,669	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		85				(676	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	583			$	9,036
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at beginning of period		70,963				69,312
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at end of period	$	71,546			$	78,348
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$	71			$	207
Interest paid	$	1			$	—
NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITY:
Settlement of dividend payable with prefunded dividend	$	21,579			$	—

FAQ

What were Weyco Group's (WEYS) Q1 2025 earnings results?

Weyco Group reported Q1 2025 net earnings of $5.5 million ($0.57 per diluted share), down 17% from $6.7 million ($0.69 per share) in Q1 2024. Net sales decreased 5% to $68.0 million.

How much did WEYS increase its dividend in Q1 2025?

Weyco Group increased its quarterly dividend by 4%, from $0.26 to $0.27 per share, payable June 30, 2025, to shareholders of record on May 16, 2025.

What is the impact of new tariffs on Weyco Group's Chinese imports?

The total tariff rate on Weyco's goods sourced from China increased from 16% to 161%. The company is mitigating this by negotiating with suppliers, planning price increases, and diversifying sourcing.

How did Weyco's different brands perform in Q1 2025?

Florsheim sales increased 7%, while Stacy Adams and Nunn Bush sales declined 7% and 16% respectively. BOGS sales decreased 5% due to lower retailer demand.

What was Weyco Group's retail segment performance in Q1 2025?

Retail segment sales, primarily from e-commerce websites, decreased 12% to $8.7 million from $9.8 million in 2024, mainly due to reduced promotional activities on the BOGS website.