JAKKS Pacific, Inc. reported financial results for the first quarter of 2021, which showed that net sales were $83.8 million, up 26% compared to $66.6 million last year.
This increase is the highest year-over-year first quarter growth for JAKKS Pacific since Q1 2015.
The increase was driven primarily by higher sales of products across the Toys/Consumer Products segment, which were up 28% globally. Net sales of Disguise costumes were essentially flat compared to last year.
JAKKS Chairman and CEO Stephen Berman stated, “We had an excellent beginning to 2021, with strong sales growth in many product lines, a healthy increase in gross margins, and tight cost controls. We delivered the best first quarter operating results since 2015, with significant improvement in sales, gross margin, adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA. These results reflect the efforts we have made to broaden our product line, reduce our operating costs and cut interest expense.
“During the quarter, we drove double-digit sales increases in all of our toy divisions: Boys, Girls and Seasonal. We saw strong sales of products tied to video games, including Nintendo, Sonic the Hedgehog and Apex: Legends, a near doubling of sales in Disney Princess, solid initial sales of Raya and the Last Dragon, and continued strength in Black & Decker. We also registered strong sales of our own brands such as Perfectly Cute and Redo Skateboards. These sales gains easily offset the expected sales decreases we saw in Frozen, Frozen 2, and Fly Wheels.
“We are especially pleased by our continued success in reducing our operating costs, as reflected by our strong increase in gross margin and lower SG&A costs. Looking toward the balance of the year, we expect to continue to benefit from lean retail inventories and lower operating costs. Our retail POS trends remain positive, and we have a well-balanced line of new and continuing products planned for the holiday season. As we have for our 27-year history, we will focus on proven play patterns and our partnerships with world-class license partners and highly recognizable brands.
“As 2021 unfolds, we expect to see a return to more normal patterns of shopping, gift-giving and celebrating Halloween. We believe we are set up very well for a year of increased sales, improved EBITDA and a strengthened financial position, which we expect to generate strong momentum and can position us well for 2022 and beyond.”
See the full report here.