Christopher & Banks Corporation (NYSE:CBK), a specialty women’s apparel retailer, today reported results for the third quarter ended October 31, 2015.
Results for the Third Quarter Ended October 31, 2015
- Net sales totaled $103.6 million, as compared to $110.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2014. During the quarter, the Company operated an average of 3.0% fewer stores than during the comparable period last year, reflecting its MPW store conversion strategy; offset to some extent by new store openings, primarily outlets.
- Same-store sales decreased 6.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2014; this follows a 6.4% same-store sales decrease in last year's third quarter.
- Gross margin was 35.8% compared to 39.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
- Operating income was $0.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2015. This compares to operating income of $9.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
- Net loss totaled $0.3 million, or ($0.01) per share. Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 totaled $9.0 million, or $0.24 per diluted share.
LuAnn Via, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our third quarter results were in line with our guidance, despite a continued difficult retail environment and unseasonably warm weather. Sales and gross margin met our expectations and we ended the quarter with inventory down approximately 14% on a per square foot basis as a result of highly disciplined inventory management. We also drove significant sales growth, in addition to higher gross margins, in our e-Commerce business. We have taken a number of steps to drive improved performance in the business and create a stronger foundation from which to execute, including reorganizing our merchant team and the associated improved processes, and capitalizing on the information provided by our retail intelligence tool. Looking ahead, while we remain focused on these initiatives as well as driving improved productivity in our stores, we will also continue implementing our omni-channel strategy.”
Balance Sheet Highlights and Capital Expenditures
Cash, cash-equivalents and investments totaled $29.4 million as of October 31, 2015. Inventory per square foot, excluding in-transit and eCommerce inventory, decreased approximately 13.8% to $20.61 per square foot, as of October 31, 2015, as compared to November 1, 2014. For the third quarter ended October 31, 2015, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility and capital expenditures totaled approximately $5.1 million.
Outlook for the 2015 Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company currently expects:
- total net sales of between $91.0 million and $95.0 million, as compared to net sales of $98.0 million in last year’s fourth quarter;
- gross margin to be 30.4% to 31.6% as compared to last year’s 29.1%, which included a correction to occupancy expense which negatively impacted gross margin by 369 basis points;
- SG&A to be between approximately $33.2 million and $33.7 million, compared to the $31.4 million of SG&A expense reported in the fourth quarter last year;
- inventory per square foot at the end of the quarter to be slightly below the level at the end of last year’s fourth quarter;
- depreciation and amortization to be approximately $3.2 million as compared to $3.0 million in last year’s fourth quarter;
- to close two Christopher & Banks stores, one CJ store, and nine Missy, Petite, Women (“MPW”) stores; and to convert 20 stores into 10 MPW stores; and
- average store count to be down 1.6% and average square footage to be up 1.6%, as compared to last year’s fourth quarter.
For the 2015 fiscal year, the Company now expects:
- capital expenditures to be approximately $26.0 million to $27.0 million;
- a tax rate of approximately 36.3%;
- the average store count to be down approximately 4.0% and related average square footage for the year to be flat as compared to fiscal 2014;
- to open nine new MPW stores and 33 Outlet stores and to end the year with approximately 519 stores, of which 315 are MPWs, as compared to 518 stores at the end of fiscal 2014; and
- to end the fiscal year with a total square footage increase of approximately 3.3%, as compared to the end of fiscal 2014.
Conference Call Information
The Company will discuss its third quarter results in a conference call scheduled for today, December 8, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call will be simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet at http://www.christopherandbanks.com. An online archive of the broadcast will be available within approximately one hour of the completion of the call and will be accessible at http://www.christopherandbanks.com until January 8, 2016. In addition, an audio replay of the call will be available shortly after its conclusion and will be archived until December 15, 2015. This call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-5176 and using the passcode 4706379.
About Christopher & Banks
Christopher & Banks Corporation is a Minneapolis-based specialty retailer of women’s clothing. As of December 8, 2015, the Company operates 540 stores in 45 states consisting of 79 Christopher & Banks stores, 71 stores in its women’s plus size clothing division CJ Banks, 314 MPW stores and 76 Outlet stores. The Company also operates the www.ChristopherandBanks.com eCommerce website.
Keywords: Christopher & Banks, CJ Banks, Women’s Clothing, Plus Size Clothing, Petites, Extended Sizes, Outfits.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements, made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements may use the words “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “intend”, “project”, “believe” and similar expressions and include the statements that: (i) while the Company remains focused on its initiatives as well as driving improved productivity in its stores, it will also continue implementing its omni-channel strategy; (ii) for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company currently expects: (a) total net sales of between $91.0 million and $95.0 million, as compared to net sales of $98.0 million in last year’s fourth quarter; (b) gross margin to be 30.4% to 31.6% as compared to last year’s 29.1%, which included a correction to occupancy expense which negatively impacted gross margin by 369 basis points; (c) SG&A to be between approximately $33.2 million and $33.7 million, compared to the $31.4 million of SG&A expense reported in the fourth quarter last year; (d) inventory per square foot at the end of the quarter to be slightly below the level at the end of last year’s fourth quarter; (e) depreciation and amortization to be approximately $3.2 million as compared to $3.0 million in last year’s fourth quarter; (f) to close two Christopher & Banks stores, one CJ store, and nine Missy, Petite, Women (“MPW”) stores; and to convert 20 stores into 10 MPW stores; and (g) average store count to be down 1.6% and average square footage to be up 1.6%, as compared to last year’s fourth quarter; (iii) for the 2015 fiscal year, the Company now expects: (a) capital expenditures to be approximately $26.0 million to $27.0 million; (b) a tax rate of approximately 36.3%; (c) the average store count to be down approximately 4.0% and related average square footage for the year to be flat as compared to fiscal 2014; (d) to open nine new MPW stores and 33 Outlet stores and to end the year with approximately 519 stores, of which 315 are MPWs, as compared to 518 stores at the end of fiscal 2014; and (e) to end the fiscal year with a total square footage increase of approximately 3.3%, as compared to the end of fiscal 2014.
These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the inherent difficulty in forecasting consumer buying and retail traffic patterns which may be affected by factors beyond the Company’s control, such as a weakness in overall consumer demand; adverse weather, economic or political conditions; and shifts in consumer tastes or spending habits that result in reduced sales or gross margins; (ii) lack of acceptance of the Company’s fashions, including its seasonal fashions; (iii) the ability of the Company’s infrastructure and systems to adequately support its operations; (iv) the effectiveness of the Company’s brand awareness, marketing programs and efforts to enhance the in-store experience; (v) the possibility that, because of poor customer response to the Company’s merchandise, management may determine it is necessary to sell merchandise at lower than expected margins or at a loss; (vi) the failure to successfully implement the Company’s strategic and tactical plans; (vii) general economic conditions could lead to a reduction in store traffic and in consumer spending on women’s apparel; (viii) fluctuations in the levels of the Company’s sales, expenses or earnings; and (ix) risks associated with the performance and operations of the Company’s Internet operations.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement at any time for any reason.
Certain other factors that may cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements are included in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the Company’s website under “For Investors” and you are urged to carefully consider all such factors.
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| CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
| Thirteen Weeks Ended | Thirty-nine Weeks Ended | |||||||||||||||
| October 31, | November 1, | October 31, | November 1, | |||||||||||||
| 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 103,641 | $ | 110,610 | $ | 289,259 | $ | 320,609 | ||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Merchandise, buying and occupancy | 66,519 | 66,873 | 188,992 | 201,333 | ||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 33,604 | 31,477 | 95,223 | 94,965 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,116 | 2,916 | 8,733 | 8,781 | ||||||||||||
| Impairment of store assets | 67 | - | 182 | 144 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 103,306 | 101,266 | 293,130 | 305,223 | ||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 335 | 9,344 | (3,871 | ) | 15,386 | |||||||||||
| Other expense | (36 | ) | (46 | ) | (76 | ) | (150 | ) | ||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 299 | 9,298 | (3,947 | ) | 15,236 | |||||||||||
| Income tax provision (benefit) | 614 | 315 | (1,480 | ) | 274 | |||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (315 | ) | $ | 8,983 | $ | (2,467 | ) | $ | 14,962 | ||||||
| Basic (loss) income per share: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | 0.24 | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | 0.41 | ||||||
| Basic shares outstanding | 36,906 | 36,805 | 36,877 | 36,685 | ||||||||||||
| Diluted (loss) income per share: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | 0.24 | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | 0.40 | ||||||
| Diluted shares outstanding | 36,906 | 37,714 | 36,877 | 37,669 | ||||||||||||
| CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||
| October 31, | November 1, | |||||
| 2015 | 2014 | |||||
| ASSETS | ||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 24,369 | $ | 25,349 | ||
| Short-term investments | 5,009 | 13,366 | ||||
| Accounts receivable | 4,978 | 6,300 | ||||
| Merchandise inventories | 52,503 | 58,806 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 10,512 | 8,944 | ||||
| Deferred income taxes | 3,558 | - | ||||
| Income taxes receivable | 503 | 956 | ||||
| Total current assets | 101,432 | 113,721 | ||||
| Property, equipment and improvements, net | 59,147 | 42,985 | ||||
| Other non-current assets: | ||||||
| Long-term investments | - | 4,978 | ||||
| Deferred income taxes | 36,075 | - | ||||
| Other assets | 688 | 373 | ||||
| Total other non-current assets | 36,763 | 5,351 | ||||
| Total assets | $ | 197,342 | $ | 162,057 | ||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 16,652 | $ | 19,242 | ||
| Accrued salaries, wages and related expenses | 5,501 | 5,369 | ||||
| Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities | 22,278 | 21,726 | ||||
| Total current liabilities | 44,431 | 46,337 | ||||
| Non-current liabilities: | ||||||
| Deferred lease incentives | 9,663 | 6,959 | ||||
| Deferred rent obligations | 7,132 | 3,973 | ||||
| Other non-current liabilities | 1,328 | 1,341 | ||||
| Total non-current liabilities | 18,123 | 12,273 | ||||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||||||
| Common stock | 469 | 466 | ||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 125,602 | 123,977 | ||||
| Retained earnings | 121,427 | 91,730 | ||||
| Common stock held in treasury | (112,711) | (112,711) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 1 | (15) | ||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 134,788 | 103,447 | ||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 197,342 | $ | 162,057 | ||
| CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||
| Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended | ||||||
| October 31, | November 1, | |||||
| 2015 | 2014 | |||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (2,467) | $ | 14,962 | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 8,733 | 8,781 | ||||
| Impairment of store assets | 182 | 144 | ||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | (1,695) | - | ||||
| Unrealized gain on investment, net | (2) | - | ||||
| Amortization of premium on investments | 34 | 58 | ||||
| Amortization of financing costs | 47 | 52 | ||||
| Deferred lease-related liabilities | 2,923 | 2,699 | ||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 1,389 | 2,035 | ||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | - | 51 | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||
| Accounts receivable | (978) | (3,872) | ||||
| Merchandise inventories | (7,185) | (13,929) | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | (3,708) | (1,564) | ||||
| Income taxes receivable | 342 | (646) | ||||
| Accounts payable | (1,703) | (4,140) | ||||
| Accrued liabilities | 805 | (2,534) | ||||
| Other liabilities | 67 | 360 | ||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (3,216) | 2,457 | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||
| Purchases of property, equipment and improvements | (22,641) | (15,318) | ||||
| Purchases of available-for-sale investments | - | (12,495) | ||||
| Maturities of available-for-sale investments | 13,007 | 10,200 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (9,634) | (17,613) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||
| Shares redeemed for payroll taxes | (26) | (1,469) | ||||
| Exercise of stock options | - | 999 | ||||
| Payment of deferred financing costs | - | (99) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (26) | (569) | ||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (12,876) | (15,725) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 37,245 | 41,074 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 24,369 | $ | 25,349 | ||
| Supplemental cash flow information: | ||||||
| Accrued purchases of equipment and improvements | $ | 1,055 | $ | 184 | ||
| Shares surrendered for stock option cost | $ | - | $ | 1,715 | ||
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Contacts:
Peter G. Michielutti,
763-551-5000
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and
Chief Financial Officer
or
Investor Relations:
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Inc.
Jean Fontana, 203-682-8200
