MILWAUKEE, March 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Weyco Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WEYS) (the "Company") today announced financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2015.

FOURTH QUARTER
Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2015 were $87.4 million, as compared to 2014 net sales of $95.3 million. Earnings from operations were $11.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, as compared to $13.4 million in 2014. Net earnings attributable to the Company were $7.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, as compared to $8.1 million in 2014. Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2015 included $458,000 ($279,000 after tax, or $0.03 per diluted share) of income representing the final adjustment to the earnout payment relating to the 2011 acquisition of Bogs. The final payment of $5.2 million will be made in the first quarter of 2016. Diluted earnings per share were $0.65 in the fourth quarter of 2015, as compared to $0.75 per share in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Net sales in the North American wholesale segment, which include North American wholesale sales and licensing revenues, were $67.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, as compared to $73.9 million in 2014. Within the wholesale segment, net sales of the Stacy Adams brand were up 5% for the quarter, driven by strong new product sales. This increase was offset by lower net sales of the BOGS, Nunn Bush and Florsheim brands. BOGS net sales were down 22% for the quarter. Overall, BOGS sales in the U.S. and Canada were negatively impacted by the mild start to the winter season. BOGS sales in Canada were also down due to the translation of the weaker Canadian dollar into U.S. dollars. Net sales of the Nunn Bush brand were down 10% for the quarter, primarily due to lower net sales at department stores and off-price retailers. Florsheim net sales were down 2% this quarter. Licensing revenues were $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, up from $1.2 million in last year's fourth quarter. Overall product margins for the wholesale segment were 34.7% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to 34.2% in the fourth quarter of 2014. Gross margins in the U.S. increased to 35.4% this quarter, from 33.1% in last year's fourth quarter, however, this increase was offset by lower gross margins in Canada. Gross margins in Canada continue to be negatively affected by the weaker Canadian dollar because inventory is purchased in U.S. dollars. Wholesale earnings from operations were $9.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, as compared to $9.8 million in 2014. The decline in operating earnings resulted from the lower operating earnings in Canada.

Net sales of the North American retail segment, which include sales from the Company's Florsheim retail stores and its internet business in the United States, were $7.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, as compared to $7.5 million in 2014. This decrease was due to three fewer domestic retail stores operating this quarter compared to last year's fourth quarter. Same store sales (which include U.S. internet sales) were up 5% for the quarter. Retail earnings from operations were $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, as compared to $1.7 million in last year's fourth quarter.

Other net sales, which include the wholesale and retail sales of Florsheim Australia and Florsheim Europe, were $12.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, as compared to $13.9 million in 2014. This decrease was primarily due to lower net sales at Florsheim Australia, caused by the translation of the weaker Australian currency into U.S. dollars. In local currency, Florsheim Australia's net sales were up 5% for the quarter. Earnings from operations at Florsheim Australia and Florsheim Europe were $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, as compared to $1.9 million in the same period last year. This decrease was primarily due to lower gross margins in Australia's and South Africa's wholesale and retail businesses. These businesses purchase their inventory in U.S. dollars, and their gross margins have been negatively impacted by the weakness of their local currencies compared to the U.S. dollar.

FULL YEAR 2015
Overall net sales were flat at $320.6 million in 2015 and $320.5 million in 2014. Earnings from operations were $29.8 million in 2015, as compared to $30.7 million in 2014. Net earnings attributable to the Company were $18.2 million in 2015, as compared to $19.0 million in 2014. Earnings for 2015 included $458,000 ($279,000 after tax, or $0.03 per diluted share) of income representing the final adjustment to the earnout payment relating to the 2011 acquisition of Bogs. Diluted earnings per share were $1.68 in 2015, as compared to $1.75 per share in 2014.

Net sales in the North American wholesale segment, which include North American wholesale sales and licensing revenues, were $251.4 million in 2015, as compared to $243.4 million in 2014. Within the wholesale segment, net sales of our Stacy Adams brand were up 11% for the year, driven by strong new product sales. BOGS net sales were up 3% for the year, due to strong sales of its women's and children's footwear in the U.S. Net sales of our Nunn Bush brand were flat while Florsheim net sales were down 1% for the year. Licensing revenues were $3.6 million in 2015, up from $3.2 million last year. Overall product margins for the wholesale segment increased to 31.5% this year, from 31.4% last year. Gross margins in the U.S. increased to 32.4% this year, from 31.4% last year, however, this increase was partially offset by lower gross margins in Canada. Gross margins in Canada continue to be negatively affected by the weaker Canadian dollar because inventory is purchased in U.S. dollars. Wholesale selling and administrative expenses were up $1.3 million for the year, which included an additional $2 million in marketing and advertising expenses. Wholesale earnings from operations increased to $24.3 million in 2015, from $22.5 million in 2014. Wholesale operating earnings in the U.S. were up 13% for the year, however, this increase was offset by lower operating earnings in Canada.

In the North American retail segment, net sales were $22.1 million in 2015, as compared to $23.3 million in 2014. The decrease was due to three fewer domestic retail stores operating this year as compared to last year. Same store sales (which include U.S. internet sales) were up 1% for the year. Earnings from operations for the retail segment were $2.5 million in 2015, as compared to $3.3 million in 2014. This decrease was due to lower net sales at the Company's brick and mortar locations.

The Company's other businesses had net sales of $47.1 million in 2015, as compared to $53.7 million in 2014. This decrease was primarily due to lower net sales at Florsheim Australia, caused by the translation of the weaker Australian currency into U.S. dollars. In local currency, Florsheim Australia's net sales were up 7% for the year. Earnings from operations at Florsheim Australia and Florsheim Europe were $3.0 million in 2015, as compared to $4.8 million last year. This decrease was primarily due to lower operating earnings at recently opened retail stores in Asia and Australia as well as lower operating earnings at our retail store in Macau, as a result of higher operating expenses.

Other expense was $1.4 million in 2015 compared to $595,000 in 2014. This year's other expense included foreign currency transaction losses of $961,000 compared to $268,000 last year. This increase was primarily due to the significant decline in the Australian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar. Additionally, other expense includes $473,000 of expense related to the operating losses and write-off of an investment by Florsheim Australia in a foreign joint venture.

"Overall, our 2015 results were adversely impacted by the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian and Australian currencies," stated Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr., the Company's Chairman and CEO. "Our North American wholesale segment had an excellent year, with sales, gross margins and operating earnings all increasing. As we look ahead, we remain confident in the strength of our brands worldwide and are committed to making the necessary investment in our brands and business to secure profitable growth in 2016 and beyond."

On March 1, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share to all shareholders of record on March 21, 2016, payable March 31, 2016.

Conference Call Details
Weyco Group will host a conference call on March 3, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2015 financial results in more detail. To participate in the call please dial 888-713-4215 or 617-213-4867, referencing passcode 23093019#, five minutes before the start of the call. A replay will be available for one year beginning about two hours after the completion of the call at the following webcast link: http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/c8md36oq. Alternatively, the conference call and replay will be available by visiting the investor relations section of Weyco Group's website at www.weycogroup.com.

About Weyco Group
Weyco Group, Inc., designs and markets quality and innovative footwear for men, women and children under a portfolio of well-recognized brand names including: Florsheim, Nunn Bush, Stacy Adams, BOGS, Rafters and Umi. The Company's products can be found in leading footwear, department, and specialty stores worldwide. Weyco Group also operates Florsheim concept stores in the United States and Australia, as well as in a variety of international markets.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Various factors could cause the results of Weyco Group to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to: (i) successfully market and sell its products in a highly competitive industry and in view of changing consumer trends, consumer acceptance of products and other factors affecting retail market conditions; (ii) procure its products from independent manufacturers; and (iii) other factors, including those detailed from time to time in Weyco Group's filings made with the SEC. Weyco Group undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

CONTACT: John Wittkowske, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 414-908-1880