VF Corporation, a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel and footwear, announced its strategy and key initiatives to support continued superior returns to its shareholders.
During an investor meeting in New York City, the Company established its revenue target of $17.3 billion by 2017, representing a five-year compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10 percent, with 8 percent organic growth and 2 percent growth anticipated from acquisitions. VF also announced its earnings per share target of $18.00 for 2017, representing a five-year CAGR of 13 percent.
“VF’s model – consisting of powerful brands supported by powerful platforms – continues to deliver outstanding value to shareholders, as evidenced by 20 percent average annual growth in total shareholder return over the past five years,” said Eric C. Wiseman, VF Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
“By leading in innovation, connecting with consumers, expanding geographically and growing our direct-to-consumer business, we look forward to delivering the next chapter in a long and very successful growth story.”
Summary of Key 2017 Financial Targets
In addition to new 2017 targets for revenues and earnings per share of $17.3 billion and $18.00, respectively, the Company also raised its projections for gross and operating margin.
Given the exceptional growth in its highly profitable Outdoor & Action Sports, direct-to-consumer and international businesses, VF is now targeting a gross margin of 49.5 percent in 2017, a 300 basis point improvement over the 46.5 percent gross margin achieved in 2012.
Operating margin is expected to reach 16 percent, up 250 basis points from the 2012 operating margin of 13.5 percent. Annual cash flow from operations, by 2017, is targeted at $2.4 billion, with a cumulative $9.5 billion in cash flow to be generated between 2013 and 2017.
Outdoor & Action Sports: Powerful Brands Driving Strong Growth
VF’s Outdoor & Action Sports coalition is expected to continue to be the key driver in the Company’s growth in the coming years, with revenues expected to reach $11.1 billion by 2017.
This growth represents a five-year CAGR of 14 percent comprised of 11 percent organic growth and 3 percent growth coming from acquisitions. Outdoor & Action Sports revenues are expected to reach 64 percent of VF’s total revenues by 2017, up from 54 percent in 2012. Strong growth is anticipated across all key regions: 12 percent in the Americas, 13 percent in EMEA and 24 percent in Asia-Pacific.
Steve Rendle, Vice President, VF Corporation and Group President, Outdoor & Action Sports Americas, presented global, five-year growth targets for the coalition’s largest brands, The North Face, Vans and Timberland.
-The North Face brand is anticipated to grow at a 12 percent annual growth rate, with revenues reaching $3.3 billion by 2017 from $1.9 billion in 2012.
-The Vans brand raised its average annual revenue growth projection, initially provided in June of 2012, from 13 percent to 15 percent. The brand is now targeting total revenues of $2.9 billion by 2017, up from $1.5 billion in 2012.
-The Timberland brand, now in its second full year of VF ownership, continues to anticipate growing revenues at an annual CAGR of 10 percent over the next five years, increasing to $2.3 billion by 2017 from $1.5 billion in 2012.
Jeanswear & Imagewear: A Heritage of Authenticity and Innovation
A focus on continuous product innovation is expected to drive total Jeanswear revenues to $3.3 billion by 2017, with a CAGR of 4 percent over the five-year period. Globally, the Asia Pacific region is expected to contribute the highest percentage growth, with revenues expected to rise at a 12 percent annual rate over the next five years.
Scott Baxter, VF Vice President and Group President, Jeanswear Americas, Imagewear and South America, presented plans to grow the Lee brand globally at a 5 percent annual rate and the Wrangler brand globally at a 3 percent annual rate over the next five years.
Baxter also reviewed updated growth targets for Imagewear, where this highly profitable business, including the Red Kap, Bulwark and Majestic brands, is expected to deliver a compounded annual growth rate of 4 percent, with revenues reaching $1.3 billion by 2017.
Sportswear: Powering Nautica Brand Equity
Based on its current momentum, Sportswear revenues are expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 8 percent over the next five years, reaching $835 million in 2017, fueled by growth in both the Nautica and Kipling (U.S.) businesses.
Karen Murray, President, VF Sportswear, discussed how the Nautica brand’s increased focus on performance-based products and strategies will help the Nautica brand reach $700 million in revenues by 2017, representing a 7 percent CAGR.
Contemporary Brands: The 7 For All Mankind Brand’s Strategy for Success
Revenues for the Contemporary Brands coalition, which includes the 7 For All Mankind, Splendid and Ella Moss brands, are targeted to reach $645 million by 2017, representing an 8 percent CAGR over the five-year period.
The coalition’s largest brand, 7 For All Mankind, is poised to deliver an average annual growth rate of 8 percent through 2017 with revenues reaching approximately $400 million. Susan Kellogg, President, VF Contemporary Brands, reviewed key product innovations that are expected to drive continued growth for the 7 For All Mankind brand.
Direct-to-Consumer: Serving Consumers Directly
VF’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) business – consisting of its owned retail stores and eCommerce businesses – will continue to be a significant contributor to VF’s growth over the next five years. Comprising 21 percent of total revenues in 2012, direct-to-consumer is anticipated to grow to 25 percent of total revenues by 2017.
Mike Gannaway, Vice President, VF Direct/Customer Teams identified key elements of the plan, including new store openings with a strong international component, accelerated eCommerce growth and continuous comp store increases to fuel a 14 percent CAGR in DTC, to $4.4 billion in revenues by 2017.
The Company expects to own and operate approximately 1,775 stores, an increase of approximately 645 stores over the 1,129 stores at year-end 2012. As one of VF’s fastest growing and most profitable businesses, eCommerce revenues are expected to grow at an average rate of 25 percent annually over the next five years. DTC growth is anticipated across all key regions with CAGRs of 12 percent in the Americas, 21 percent in EMEA and 15 percent in Asia-Pacific, respectively.
International Expansion: Fueling Growth Across Key Geographies
International growth is another key pillar of VF’s growth, and is expected to comprise 43 percent of total revenues by 2017 compared with 37 percent in 2012. Revenues are targeted to hit $7.4 billion in 2017, with a CAGR of 13 percent over the five-year period.
During a panel discussion, Karl Heinz Salzburger, Vice President, VF Corporation and President, VF International together with other executives from VF’s international team provided an overview of brand strategies that are expected to fuel revenue growth in each key geographic region, including compounded annual growth rates of 17 percent growth in Asia-Pacific, 15 percent in the Americas (non U.S.) and 11 percent in EMEA.
