DALLAS, Jun 28, 2003/ — San Francisco, CA-based Levi Strauss & Co. reported last Thursday second-quarter net sales of $930 million, a 1% increase from $924 million compared to last year.
Hinting on the stagnant economy and challenging retail environments worldwide as the reasons for the flat growth in sales, Phil Marineau, CEO of Levi Strauss commented that the company’s revamp product lines and marketing strategies, sales trends has actually improved.
Second-quarter gross profit was $385 million, or 41.3 percent of sales, which compares to $370 million, or 40.0 percent of sales, in the second quarter of 2002.
Included in 2002 gross profit is $30 million of restructuring-related expenses associated with the closure of manufacturing plants.
Excluding restructuring-related expenses, gross profit in the second quarter of 2002 was $400 million, or 43.3 percent of sales.
Operating income for the quarter was $56 million, or 6.1 percent of net sales, compared to an operating loss of $82 million, or 8.9 percent of net sales, in the second quarter of 2002.
“Despite the persistently tough market conditions, including deflationary apparel trends in the United States and Europe, there is still an opportunity for modest growth in the second half of this year,” Marineau said on the official statement.
The company is banking on the new Levi Strauss Signature™ brand as a key driver of growth as it rolls out to all 3,000 U.S. Wal-Mart locations.
The brand will have the full line – men’s, women’s, children in stores next time. It will also be rolled out in Canada and the Asia-Pacific region later this year. Europe has to wait until 2004 before Levi Strauss Signature™ will be available in stores.
Hasan
merhaba; levi’s 501 merakl