Vans, The North Face boost parents sales

VF Brands has posted strong third-quarter results, with balanced growth across its entire portfolio. The US-listed apparel company, which owns and operates Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Wrangler and Lee, among others, says sales grew 8 per cent in the third quarter, to US$3.9 billion. Its share price soared 12.39 per cent after the announcement on Friday (US time) to $82.47.

Vans sales soared 25 per cent and The North Face’s, by 14 per cent.

“VF’s third-quarter results were fuelled by strong growth in our largest brands and balanced growth across the core dimensions of our portfolio,” said VF Brands president, chairman and CEO Steve Rendle.

Revenue from VF’s ‘active’ segment, which includes brands such as Vans and JanSport, increased 16 per cent, while revenue from its ‘outdoor’ segment, which includes brands such as The North Face and Timberland, increased 11 per cent.

VF reported $592 million in operating income, 22 per cent up on the prior year. Net income for the period was $463 million, a 613 per cent increase over the $90 million loss posted in the same period last year.

“Based on the strength of our third-quarter performance and the growth trajectory we see for the remainder of fiscal 2019, we are again increasing our full year outlook,” Rendle said.

The business expects revenue from its ‘work’ segment, which includes brands such as Dickies, is expected to increase 39 per cent, while revenue from its ‘active’ segment is expected to increase 16 per cent and revenue from its ‘outdoor’ segment is expected to grow 8 per cent.

VF expects revenue from its ‘jeans’ segment, which includes brands such as Wrangler and Lee, to decline 3 per cent, while direct-to-consumer revenue is expected to increase 13 per cent, and digital revenue is set to increase by more than 30 per cent.