*First quarter comparable sales grew 22.9 percent, on top of 10.8 percent growth last year.
*Store comparable sales increased 18.0 percent, on top of 0.9 percent growth last year. Digital comparable sales grew 50 percent, on top of 141 percent growth a year ago.
*Same-day services (Order Pickup, Drive Up and Shipt) grew more than 90 percent, led by growth in Drive Up of 123 percent.
*More than 95 percent of Target’s first quarter sales were fulfilled by its stores.
*The Company gained more than $1 billion in market share in the first quarter, on top of a $1 billion share gain in first quarter 2020.
*First quarter GAAP EPS of $4.17 was 643.2 percent higher than last year. First quarter Adjusted EPS1 of $3.69 was 525.0 percent higher than last year.
Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) today announced its first quarter 2021 financial results, which reflected robust growth in both sales and profitability. The Company reported first quarter GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of $4.17, up 643.2 percent from $0.56 in 2020. First quarter Adjusted EPS of $3.69, which excluded a $0.53 gain on the sale of Dermstore, grew 525.0 percent compared with $0.59 in 2020. The attached tables provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures. All earnings per share figures refer to diluted EPS.
“Our performance in the first quarter was outstanding on every measure, and showcased the power of putting our stores at the center of our strategy. Store comp sales grew 18.0 percent in the quarter, even as they also fulfilled more than three quarters of Target’s digital sales – including more than 90-percent growth of our same-day services. Importantly, market-share gains of more than $1 billion in the first quarter, on top of $1 billion in share gains a year ago, demonstrate Target’s continued relevance with our guests, even as they have many more shopping options compared with a year ago,” said Brian Cornell, chairman and chief executive officer of Target Corporation.
“Given the trust we’ve built with our guests quarter after quarter and our commitment to adjusting along with them to the ongoing shifts in the macro environment, we’re confident in continued comp growth in the second quarter and through the remainder of the year, as well as a healthy full-year operating margin rate.”
Comparable sales grew 22.9 percent in the first quarter, reflecting comparable store sales growth of 18.0 percent and comparable digital sales growth of 50 percent. Total revenue of $24.2 billion grew 23.4 percent compared with last year, driven by total sales growth of 23.3 percent and a 30.4 percent increase in other revenue. Operating income was $2.4 billion in first quarter 2021, up 407 percent from $0.5 billion in 2020.
First quarter operating income margin rate was 9.8 percent in 2021 compared with 2.4 percent in 2020. First quarter gross margin rate was 30.0 percent, compared with 25.1 percent in 2020. This year’s gross margin rate reflected the benefit of favorable category mix and merchandising actions, primarily from low markdown rates, while last year’s gross margin rate reflected elevated inventory costs and impairment charges. First quarter SG&A expense rate was 18.6 percent in 2021, compared with 20.7 percent in 2020, reflecting the benefit of leverage from strong sales growth, partially offset by the net impact of other factors, primarily investments in team member pay, benefits, and safety.
further detail at: https://investors.target.com/news-releases/news-release-details/target-corporation-reports-first-quarter-earnings-0