The following discussion contains references to fiscal years 2024 and 2023, which represent fiscal years ending or ended on February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024, respectively. Fiscal 2024 has a 52-week accounting period and fiscal 2023 had a 53-week accounting period. This discussion and analysis should be read with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in Part 1, Item 1 of this Report.
Results of Operations
The following discussion of the Company’s financial performance is based on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements set forth herein. Expenses and, to a greater extent, operating income, vary by quarter. Results of a period shorter than a full year may not be indicative of results expected for the entire year as a result of the seasonality of our business, among other things.
Key Operating Statistics
We measure performance using key operating statistics. One of the main performance measures we use is comparable store sales growth. In fiscal years following those with 53 fiscal weeks, the prior year period is shifted by one week to compare similar retail calendar weeks. Additionally, for 2024, we updated our definition of a comparable store. We now define a comparable store as a store that has been open for at least 14 full consecutive months without closure for more than seven days within the same fiscal month. Remodeled or relocated stores are considered comparable stores if the selling square footage is not changed significantly, the store is not closed for more than five days in any fiscal month and the store remains in the same trade area. This change aligns more with industry standards in regard to measuring “comp store” sales performance. This change is effective for fiscal year 2024 and forward. For fiscal year 2024, the definition change results in six stores becoming comparable stores in 2024, which would not have become a comparable store until 2025 under the prior definition. The revised definition would result in no change to the full year 2023 comparable store sales results of 5.3%.
We also use other operating statistics, most notably average sales per store, to measure our performance. As we typically occupy existing space in established shopping centers rather than sites built specifically for our stores, store square footage (and therefore sales per square foot) varies by store. We focus on overall store sales volume as the critical driver of profitability. In addition to sales, we measure cost of sales as a percentage of sales and store operating expenses, with a particular focus on labor, as a percentage of sales. These results translate into store level contribution, which we use to evaluate overall performance of each individual store. Finally, we monitor corporate and distribution center expenses against budgeted amounts.
Thirteen Weeks Ended August 3, 2024 and July 29, 2023
Net Sales. Sales comparisons for 2024 to the prior year are affected by the shift in the calendar caused by last year having 53 weeks. Net sales increased $3.0 million, or 1.7%, to $176.6 million in the second quarter of 2024 from $173.6 million in the second quarter of 2023. The shift in the retail calendar contributed $7.9 million to revenue for the thirteen weeks ended August 3, 2024. Comparable store sales, on a comparable weeks basis, decreased 1.7%, resulting in a decrease of $3.0 million in sales. Net store opening and closing activity resulted in a net decrease of $1.9 million in sales.
Cost of Sales (exclusive of depreciation). Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation) increased $14.4 million, or 13.4%, to $121.6 million in the second quarter of 2024 from $107.2 million in the second quarter of 2023. Cost of sales as a percentage of sales increased to 68.9% in the second quarter of 2024 from 61.8% in the second quarter of 2023. The 710 basis points increase was driven by an increase of 510 basis points of markdowns (from a strategic inventory reset) and a 220 basis points increase in shrink (driven by physical inventory results and accrual rate adjustment), partially offset by a decrease of 20 basis points in other cost of sales.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $4.2 million, or 6.1%, to $73.8 million in the second quarter of 2024 from $69.5 million in the second quarter of 2023. The increase was driven by one-time CEO transition related expenses of $1.4 million, corporate expense (primarily payroll, insurance and professional fees) of $3.8 million, and store selling and advertising expense of $1.0 million, partially offset by lower incentive compensation expense of $2.3 million. As a percentage of sales, Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 41.8% in the second quarter of 2024 from 40.1% in the second quarter of 2023, primarily driven by the aforementioned items.
Depreciation. Depreciation expense increased $0.1 million, or 1.6%, to $4.8 million in the second quarter of 2024 from $4.7 million in the second quarter of 2023.
Impairment. Non-cash impairment expense related to underperforming stores totaled $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2024, comprised of $0.7 million for leasehold improvements and fixtures and equipment, and $0.6 million for operating lease right of use assets. There was no impairment expense in the second quarter of 2023.