COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR CO

Previous wording

Ultimately, we expect our investments to enable market share capture across our brand portfolio, expand gross margin, improve selling, general and administrative expense efficiency, and drive improved operating margin over the long-term. We seek to bring additional consumer segments to our brands by proactively managing the promotional activity of the brands in the marketplace. For the Columbia brand, we are working to establish the Columbia.com site as the best expression of the brand through enhancements to the consumer experience as well as generally less promotion and discount activity.

Current wording

Ultimately, we expect our investments to enable market share capture across our brand portfolio, expand gross margin, improve selling, general and administrative expense efficiency, and drive improved operating margin over the long-term. We seek to bring additional consumer segments to our brands in the marketplace. For the Columbia brand, we are working to establish the Columbia.com site as the best expression of the brand through enhancements to the consumer experience, as well as generally less promotion and discount activity. In an effort to reduce inventories and to assist with our transition of merchandise containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances ("PFAS") chemicals, we opened temporary outlet stores in the U.S., which will remain open through 2024, and begin to ramp down throughout 2025.

Previous wording

Increasing Competitive Environment |We believe many brands have shifted their strategies to capitalize on the emergence of casual and lifestyle trends. The versatility of casual and lifestyle products provides consumers the ability to use these products in a variety of settings, including outdoor activities. This shift has been evident in both the apparel and footwear product categories. We believe this trend has accelerated because of changes in consumer behavior resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in an increasingly competitive apparel and footwear marketplace.

Current wording

Increasing Competitive Environment |We believe many brands have shifted their strategies and new brands have entered the marketplace to capitalize on the emergence of casual and lifestyle trends. The versatility of casual and lifestyle products provides consumers the ability to use these products in a variety of settings, including outdoor activities. This shift has been evident in both the apparel and footwear product categories. We believe this trend has accelerated because of changes in consumer behavior resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in an increasingly competitive apparel and footwear marketplace.

Previous wording

Economic Environment Impacting Demand | We believe general economic uncertainty is impacting consumer and customer behavior and demand. Customers have been increasingly cautious managing inventory and in placing advance orders. This cautiousness has been most pronounced in the U.S., but we believe that retailer prudence is spreading to other regions, including Canada and, to a lesser extent, Europe. Consumer demand, particularly in the U.S., has been generally soft for outdoor apparel and footwear products. We anticipate these trends will persist throughout 2024.

Current wording

Economic Environment Impacting Demand | We believe general economic uncertainty is impacting consumer and customer behavior and demand. Customers have been increasingly cautious managing inventory and in placing advance orders. This cautiousness has been most pronounced in the U.S., but has spread to other regions, including Canada and, to a lesser extent, Europe. Consumer demand, particularly in the U.S., has been generally soft for outdoor apparel and footwear products. We anticipate these trends will persist throughout 2024.

Previous wording

Promotional and Clearance Environment | Since last year, we have been proactively managing promotional activity on Columbia.com to help establish the site as the best expression of the brand. However, we believe consumers are still seeking value from us, particularly in the U.S. This has resulted in reduced demand for our direct-to-consumer ("DTC") e-commerce sites and branded stores. To capture demand associated with value conscious consumers, we have increasingly relied on our fleet of DTC brick-and-mortar stores including our outlet stores and clearance locations, which offer discounted and clearance merchandise. The use of temporary clearance stores results in lower DTC product margins, increased SG&A expenses and modest operating income. We believe this method of liquidation results in stronger financial returns to the Company in comparison to wholesale closeout sales channel alternatives and has a less disruptive impact in the marketplace. We anticipate continuing to utilize temporary clearance locations to assist with inventory liquidation throughout 2024.

Current wording

Promotional and Clearance Environment | Since last year, we have been proactively managing promotional activity on Columbia.com to help establish the site as the best expression of the brand. However, we believe consumers are still seeking value, particularly in the U.S. This is contributing to reduced demand for our direct-to-consumer ("DTC") e-commerce sites and branded stores. To capture demand associated with value conscious consumers, we have increasingly relied on our fleet of DTC brick-and-mortar outlet stores and clearance locations, which offer discounted and clearance merchandise. The use of temporary clearance stores results in lower DTC product margins, increased SG&A expenses and modest operating income. We believe this method of liquidation results in stronger financial returns to the Company in comparison to wholesale closeout sales channel alternatives and has a less disruptive impact in the marketplace. We anticipate continuing to utilize temporary clearance locations to assist with inventory liquidation through 2024 with plans to ramp down these locations throughout 2025.

Previous wording

continue to be challenged year-over-year. We believe this is a transitional trend and that, over time, growth in digital environments will outpace physical retail sales growth.

Current wording

within our DTC e-commerce and brick-and-mortar businesses. As a result, we expect our DTC channel to continue to be challenged year-over-year. We believe this is a transitional trend and that, over time, growth will return to the DTC channel.

Previous wording

Favorable Freight Cost Environment | Over the past year, we have realized significant declines in ocean freight rates and costs in comparison to prior year elevated levels. These lower ocean freight rates resulted in substantially lower inbound freight costs which benefited our gross margin. Looking forward, we expect less of a favorable benefit from lower inbound freight costs. Worldwide ocean freight rates continue to decline and we expect to achieve additional cost savings and resulting gross margin improvement as we finalize freight contracts which take effect beginning June 1. We anticipate these lower ocean freight costs will persist and continue to benefit gross margin throughout 2024.

Current wording

Freight Cost Environment | Over the past year, we have realized significant declines in ocean freight rates and costs in comparison to prior year elevated levels. These lower ocean freight rates resulted in substantially lower inbound freight costs which benefited our gross margin in 2023 and first half of 2024. As a result of ongoing conflict disrupting ocean transport through the Red Sea, spot ocean freight rates have begun to increase, and ocean carriers have initiated peak season surcharges. We utilize contracted pricing for the bulk of our ocean freight, which minimizes our exposure to spot pricing. However, if the conflict and ocean freight rate trends persist beyond our current contracts, we could incur increased ocean freight costs in future periods. Additionally, we may incur peak season surcharges and/or need to pay a premium to secure needed capacity.

Previous wording

Increasing Regulatory Environment | Recently, the number of regulations at the global and jurisdictional level impacting our business, and in particular our products, has significantly increased. We expect this trend to continue, and as a result, will impact our expenses, product input costs and ultimately our products, which may in turn impact our revenue. These regulatory matters at a minimum include regulations related to climate, social, privacy, and product chemistry. For example, in anticipation of the effectiveness of the regulations in California and New York states related to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances ("PFAS"), we have been working to eliminate PFAS chemicals across our global product line. We stopped manufacturing any apparel or footwear with PFAS intentionally added prior to our Fall 2024 season. These PFAS matters may result in a more promotional environment in 2024 as retailers move through merchandise containing PFAS.

Current wording

Increasing Regulatory Environment | Recently, the number of regulations at the global and jurisdictional level impacting our business, and in particular our products, has significantly increased. We expect this trend to continue, and as a result, will impact our expenses, product input costs and ultimately our products, which may in turn impact our revenue. These regulatory matters at a minimum include regulations related to climate, social, privacy, and product chemistry. For example, in anticipation of the effectiveness of the regulations in California and New York states related to PFAS chemicals, we have been working to eliminate PFAS chemicals across our global product line. These PFAS matters have and may continue to result in a more promotional environment in 2024 as retailers move through merchandise containing PFAS.

Previous wording

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. SG&A expenses is summarized in the following table:

Current wording

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. SG&A expenses are summarized in the following table:

Previous wording

•lower supply chain expenses, reflecting decreased global distribution center expenses resulting from normalized inventory levels, as well as the non-recurrence of third-party logistics transition-related costs incurred in the comparable period of 2023.

Current wording

•lower supply chain expenses, reflecting decreased global distribution center expenses resulting from more normalized inventory levels; and

Previous wording

•favorable region and channel net sales mix; partially offset by

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•favorable region and channel net sales mix.

Previous wording

•higher omni-channel expenses of $10.8 million, primarily reflecting higher DTC expenses, including personnel expenses and costs associated with temporary clearance locations and new stores; partially offset by

Current wording

•higher omni-channel expenses of $17.4 million, reflecting higher DTC brick-and-mortar expenses, including costs associated with new stores and temporary clearance locations and personnel expenses.

Previous wording

Our effective income tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were impacted by discrete tax items, which lowered the effective income tax rate in each period. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, our effective income tax rate was primarily impacted by a benefit related to a non-recurring decrease in foreign withholding taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, our effective income tax rate was primarily impacted by a non-recurring benefit related to a foreign currency loss resulting from an intercompany transaction.

Current wording

Income tax expense decreased to $8.6 million through the second quarter of 2024 from $15.5 million for the comparable period in 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, our effective tax rate was primarily impacted by a benefit related to a non-recurring decrease in foreign withholding taxes. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, our effective income tax rate was primarily impacted by a non-recurring benefit related to foreign currency loss resulting from an intercompany transaction.

Previous wording

U.S. operating income decreased $8.6 million to $73.0 million, or 15.4% of net sales, for the first quarter of 2024 from $81.6 million, or 15.8% of net sales, for the comparable period in 2023. The decrease was driven primarily by decreased net sales and gross margin, partially offset by lower SG&A expenses. U.S. net sales decreased $43.1 million, or 8%, for the first quarter of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. U.S. net sales decreased primarily due to lower Spring 2024 wholesale orders, partially offset by an increase in net sales in our DTC brick-and-mortar business. As of March 31, 2024, our U.S. business operated 161 retail stores, compared to 156 stores as of March 31, 2023. In addition, we operated 44 temporary clearance locations as of March 31, 2024 to support inventory reduction efforts, compared to 8 temporary clearance locations as of March 31, 2023. Lower SG&A expenses were primarily driven by lower supply chain and demand creation expenses, partially offset by higher omni-channel expenses, as discussed above. SG&A expenses increased as a percentage of net sales to 34.5% for the first quarter of 2024 compared to 33.1% for the same period in 2023.

Current wording

U.S. operating income decreased $31.6 million to $23.5 million, or 6.9% of net sales, for the second quarter of 2024 from $55.1 million, or 13.8% of net sales, for the comparable period in 2023. The decrease was driven primarily by decreased net sales and gross margin, partially offset by lower SG&A expenses. U.S. net sales decreased $58.9 million, or 15%, for the second quarter of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, driven primarily by decreased net sales in our U.S. wholesale business. DTC net sales decreased modestly as a result of lower e-commerce net sales, partially offset by net sales growth from our brick-and-mortar business. The declines in wholesale net sales resulted from retailer cautiousness and a difficult competitive environment in the U.S. The declines in e-commerce net sales resulted from softness in the U.S., which we attribute to a challenging e-commerce environment for traditional outdoor brands, coupled with efforts to de-emphasize promotions on Columbia.com. The increases in brick-and-mortar net sales were primarily driven by our temporary clearance locations which have continued to support our excess inventory liquidation efforts. As of June 30, 2024, our U.S. business operated 46 temporary clearance locations, compared to 30 locations for the comparable period in 2023. In addition, our U.S. business operated 163 retail stores as of June 30, 2024, compared to 157 stores for the comparable period in 2023. U.S. SG&A expenses increased as a percentage of net sales to 42.6% for the second quarter of 2024 compared to 38.7% for the same period in 2023, driven by fixed SG&A expenses and decreased net sales. In total, U.S. SG&A expenses decreased for the second quarter of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, primarily driven by lower supply chain expenses resulting from more normalized inventory levels and lower demand creation expenses, partially offset by higher DTC brick-and-mortar expenses, including costs associated with new stores and temporary clearance locations and personnel expenses.

Previous wording

LAAP operating income increased $3.5 million to $21.8 million, or 15.7% of net sales, for the first quarter of 2024 from $18.3 million, or 13.4% of net sales, for the comparable period in 2023. The increase was driven primarily by increased net sales and gross margin, partially offset by increased SG&A expenses. LAAP net sales increased $2.3 million, or 2% (7% constant-currency), for the first quarter of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Increased LAAP net sales were primarily driven by our China business, partially offset by lower LAAP distributor net

Current wording

LAAP operating income increased $5.5 million to $27.9 million, or 11.7% of net sales, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 from $22.4 million, or 9.8% of net sales, for the comparable period in 2023. The increase was driven primarily by increased net sales and gross margin. LAAP net sales increased $8.5 million, or 4% (9% constant-currency), for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Increased LAAP net sales were primarily driven by our China business, which continues to see strong consumer demand. Japan net sales declined, driven by unfavorable effects from foreign currency fluctuation, which more than offset constant-currency net sales growth resulting from international tourism. Korea net sales also declined. LAAP SG&A expenses decreased as a percentage of net sales to 44.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to 45.7% for the same period in 2023.

Previous wording

EMEA operating income decreased $1.3 million to $19.1 million, or 18.3% of net sales, for the first quarter of 2024 from $20.4 million, or 18.8% of net sales, for the comparable period in 2023. The decrease was driven by decreased net sales combined with increased SG&A expenses due to increased headcount to support the business. EMEA net sales decreased $3.8 million, or 4% (6% constant-currency), for the first quarter of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, driven by lower EMEA distributor net sales and lower Spring 2024 wholesale orders, partially offset by an increase in our Europe-direct DTC net sales. EMEA SG&A expenses increased as a percentage of net sales to 31.3% for the first quarter of 2024 compared to 28.0% for the same period in 2023.

Current wording

EMEA operating income decreased $1.9 million to $33.5 million, or 16.1% of net sales, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 from $35.4 million, or 16.9% of net sales, for the comparable period in 2023. EMEA net sales decreased $0.7 million, or 0% (1% constant-currency), for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, driven by lower EMEA distributor net sales, partially offset by an increase in our Europe-direct DTC net sales. EMEA SG&A expenses increased as a percentage of net sales to 30.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to 27.4% for the same period in 2023, primarily driven by higher DTC brick-and-mortar expenses and personnel expenses.

Previous wording

Unallocated corporate expenses increased by $5.7 million to $80.4 million for the first quarter of 2024 from $74.7 million for the same period in 2023, largely driven by higher personnel expenses.

Current wording

Unallocated corporate expenses increased by $5.4 million to $148.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 from $142.7 million for the same period in 2023, largely driven by higher personnel expenses.

Previous wording

Including cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and available committed credit lines, we had approximately $1.5 billion in total liquidity as of March 31, 2024. Our liquidity may be affected by the general seasonal trends common to the industry. Our products are marketed on a seasonal basis and our sales are weighted substantially toward the third and fourth quarters, while our operating costs are more equally distributed throughout the year. Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments balances generally are at their lowest level just prior to the start of the U.S. holiday season and increase during the fourth quarter from collection of wholesale business receivables and fourth quarter DTC sales. This trough cash position is impacted by the amount of product we order from our contract manufacturers in anticipation of customer demand and is more heavily impacted in advance of periods of expected high demand.

Current wording

Our primary sources of liquidity include cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and available committed credit lines. Our liquidity may be affected by the general seasonal trends common to the industry. Our products are marketed on a seasonal basis and our sales are weighted substantially toward the third and fourth quarters, while our operating costs are more equally distributed throughout the year. Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments balances generally are at their lowest level just prior to the start of the U.S. holiday season and increase during the fourth quarter from collection of wholesale business receivables and fourth quarter DTC sales. This trough cash position is impacted by the amount of product we order from our contract manufacturers in anticipation of customer demand and is more heavily impacted in advance of periods of expected high demand.

Previous wording

The change in cash flows provided by operating activities was driven by a $31.8 million increase in cash provided by changes in assets and liabilities, partially offset by a $3.0 million decrease in cash provided by net income and non-cash adjustments. The most significant comparative changes in assets and liabilities included Inventoriesand Accounts receivable, and to a lesser extent, Prepaid expenses and other current assets, and Accounts payable. The $60.2 million increase in cash provided by Inventories reflected a decrease in inventory as we curtailed inventory purchases to compensate for elevated inventories exiting 2022 and liquidated excess inventory levels throughout 2023

Current wording

The change in cash flows provided by operating activities was driven by a $124.7 million increase in cash provided by changes in assets and liabilities, partially offset by a $25.5 million decrease in cash provided by net income and non-cash adjustments. The most significant comparative changes in assets and liabilities included Accounts payable, Inventories, and Prepaid expenses and other current assets. The $100.4 million increase in cash provided by Accounts payablewas primarily driven by lower inventory receipts in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023. The $46.5 million decrease in cash used in Inventories reflected a decrease in inventory as we curtailed inventory purchases to compensate for elevated inventories exiting 2022 and liquidated excess inventory levels throughout 2023 and the first half of 2024. These amounts were partially offset by the $33.2 million decrease in cash provided by Prepaid expenses and other current assets primarily driven by lower inventory prepayments.

Previous wording

Net cash provided by investing activities was $37.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $111.7 million of cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023. For the 2024 period, net cash provided by investing activities consisted of $110.9 million in cash provided by sales and maturities of short-term investments, partially offset by $59.0 million in cash used for purchases of short-term investments and $14.8 million for capital expenditures. For the 2023 period, net cash used in investing activities consisted of $98.2 million in purchases of short-term investments and $14.0 million for capital expenditures, partially offset by $0.6 million provided by sales and maturities of short-term investments.

Current wording

Net cash provided by investing activities was $30.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $89.9 million of cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023. For the 2024 period, net cash provided by investing activities consisted of $446.1 million in cash provided by sales and maturities of short-term investments, partially offset by $388.3 million in cash used for purchases of short-term investments and $27.8 million for capital expenditures. For the 2023 period, net cash used in investing activities consisted of $117.9 million in purchases of short-term investments and $22.8 million for capital expenditures, partially offset by $50.7 million provided by sales and maturities of short-term investments.

Previous wording

Net cash used in financing activities was $71.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $35.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. For the 2024 period, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of repurchases of common stock of $50.2 million and dividend payments to our shareholders of $17.9 million. For the 2023 period, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of repurchases of common stock of $15.3 million and dividend payments to our shareholders of $18.6 million.

Current wording

Net cash used in financing activities was $139.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $115.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. For the 2024 period, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of repurchases of common stock of $102.6 million and dividend payments to our shareholders of $35.6 million. For the 2023 period, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of repurchases of common stock of $78.3 million and dividend payments to our shareholders of $37.1 million.

Previous wording

As of March 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $418.5 million and short-term investments of $369.3 million, compared to $350.3 million and $414.2 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023 and $361.0 million and $99.5 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2023.

Current wording

As of June 30, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $341.8 million and short-term investments of $369.3 million, compared to $350.3 million and $414.2 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023 and $231.6 million and $71.2 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2023.

Previous wording

Refer to Note 7 in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for further information regarding the domestic credit facility.

Current wording

Refer to Note 7 in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for further information regarding our domestic credit facility.

Previous wording

As of March 31, 2024, collectively, our international subsidiaries had unsecured, uncommitted lines of credit, credit facilities and overdraft facilities, providing for borrowings up to approximately US$104.5 million. There was no balance outstanding under these facilities.

Current wording

As of June 30, 2024, collectively, our international subsidiaries had unsecured, uncommitted lines of credit, credit facilities and overdraft facilities, providing for borrowings up to approximately US$103.2 million. There was no balance outstanding under these facilities.

Previous wording

Our working capital management goals include maintaining an optimal level of inventory necessary to deliver goods on time to our customers and our retail stores to satisfy end consumer demand, alleviating manufacturing capacity constraints, and driving efficiencies to minimize the cycle time from the purchase of inventory from our suppliers to the collection of accounts receivable balances from our customers. Inventory balances may be elevated in advance of periods of expected high demand. As of March 31, 2024, our inventory balance decreased to $607.4 million, compared to $959.2 million as of March 31, 2023, driven by a meaningful reduction in current season and carryover inventory resulting from lower inventory buys, as well as the use of our outlet stores and temporary clearance locations to profitably sell excess merchandise. We believe older season inventories represent a manageable portion of our total inventory mix.

Current wording

Our working capital management goals include maintaining an optimal level of inventory necessary to deliver goods on time to our customers and our retail stores to satisfy end consumer demand, alleviating manufacturing capacity constraints, and driving efficiencies to minimize the cycle time from the purchase of inventory from our suppliers to the collection of accounts receivable balances from our customers. Inventory balances may be elevated in advance of periods of expected high demand. As of June 30, 2024, our inventory balance decreased to $823.6 million, compared to $1,162.5 million as of June 30, 2023, driven by a reduction in current season and carryover inventory resulting from lower inventory buys, as well as the use of our outlet stores and temporary clearance locations to profitably sell excess merchandise. We believe older season inventories represent a manageable portion of our total inventory mix.

Previous wording

Our inventory purchase obligations were $675.0 million as of March 31, 2024, compared to $343.4 million and $540.6 million as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively.

Current wording

Our inventory purchase obligations were $450.9 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $343.4 million and $301.9 million as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, respectively.