2021 was an “exceptional year” for Crocs, according to the company’s CEO Andrew Rees. Analysts and experts appear to concur.
The company on Monday posted pre-announced expectations for Q4 and the full year ahead of its virtual presentation at the 24th annual ICR conference, which begins today and runs through Wednesday. Caleres, Genesco, Boot Barn and Lululemon also announced updated guidance, though Crocs’ winning streak was a major standout.
Crocs expects to hit record 2021 revenues, marking about 67% growth compared to 2020. Crocs expects Q4 revenues to grow about 42%, with a Q4 non-GAAP operating margin of about 28%. For 2022, Crocs expects to see revenue grow more than 20% compared to 2021, which falls in line with the company’s broader plan to achieve $5 billion in sales by 2026.
Plus, Crocs expects its recently acquired Hey Dude brand to see between $700 and $750 million in fiscal year 2022, in line with its goal to make it a $1 billion brand by 2024.
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“We remain incredibly confident in the Crocs brand and continue to expect to achieve $5 billion in revenues by 2026, even before any Hey Dude revenues,” said Rees.
In light of the announcement, analysts updated or affirmed their stances on the brand that has shown consistently strong results through 2021. In November, the Crocs Classic Clog was honored as Shoe of the Year at the 35th annual FN Achievement Awards.
Williams Trading analyst Sam Poser said he is confident that Crocs will apply its own success to the Hey Dude brand, which he said has the potential to reach a wider market. Poser noted that the incoming Hey Dude president Rick Blackshaw comes from Converse, which gives him an understanding of brands with iconic products.
“The addressable market for Hey Dude is vast, and we are comfortable that Hey Dude compliments Crocs while it appeals to a similar customer base,” Poser wrote.
Baird analyst Jonathan Komp reaffirmed his confidence in Hey Dude’s trajectory of rapid growth in a Monday note.
“Given the strong results and outlook, we expect Crocs to deliver a bullish message on the core business and related to the planned Hey Dude acquisition – both of which could prove supportive to shares following the recent sharp pullback,” he wrote.
Stifel analyst Jim Duffy was more hesitant. He noted that Crocs’ growth is concentrated in North America via its classic clog, making the stock riskier more subject to fashion changes.
Crocs will present at the ICR 2022 Conference on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 3:00 pm ET.
