Online and international sales helped Caleres close the year ahead of expectations, with fourth-quarter results coming in above its outlook.

The footwear group reported net sales of $695.1 million for the quarter, up 8.7 per cent from a year earlier, with growth led by its brand portfolio division.

President and CEO Jay Schmidt said both sales and margins exceeded forecasts.

“Performance was driven by continued strength in owned e-commerce and international growth, reinforcing our strategic growth vectors,” he said.

Brand Portfolio sales rose 20.3 per cent, or 1.5 per cent on an organic basis excluding Stuart Weitzman.

By contrast, its Famous Footwear segment posted a softer performance, with sales down 1.2 per cent, although comparable sales were slightly up. Direct-to-consumer channels remained a key driver, accounting for about 74 per cent of quarterly sales.

For the full year, Caleres reported net sales of $2.8 billion, up 1.3 per cent. Brand Portfolio sales increased 7.3 per cent, while Famous Footwear sales declined 3.6 per cent.

Looking ahead, Schmidt said the company will focus on rebuilding profitability.

“While we have many reasons for optimism, we are also aware that the current geopolitical backdrop presents a level of risk and uncertainty,” he said.

“We are confident that executing our strategic plans will result in improved financial performance and drive long-term value for our shareholders.”

• Further reading: Caleres sees second-quarter sales fall amid tariff pressures.