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8-K - 8-K - CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPa12-28241_18k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

GRAPHIC

2400 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55441 · (763) 551-5000 · www.christopherandbanks.com

 

FOR:

 

Christopher & Banks Corporation

 

 

 

COMPANY CONTACT:

 

Peter Michielutti

 

 

Senior Vice President,

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(763) 551-5000

 

 

 

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:

 

Jean Fontana

 

 

ICR, Inc.

 

 

(203) 682-8200

 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION REPORTS RESULTS FOR THE

THIRTEEN-WEEK PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 27, 2012

 

– Same-Store Sales Increased 13.7% as Compared to Comparable Period Last Year –

 

Minneapolis, MN, November 29, 2012 — Christopher & Banks Corporation (NYSE: CBK), a specialty women’s apparel retailer, today reported results for the thirteen and thirty-nine-week periods ended October 27, 2012.*  For the third quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company reported net sales of $117.3 million, operating income of $3.6 million and net income of $0.10 per diluted share, the first comparable period quarterly profit in ten quarters.

 

Results for the Thirteen-Week Period Ended October 27, 2012

 

·                  Net sales totaled $117.3 million, as compared to $114.6 million in the comparable period last year.  During the quarter, the Company operated an average of 129, or 17%, fewer stores than during the comparable period last year.

 

·                  Same store sales increased 13.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, as compared to the comparable period last year.

 

·                  Operating income totaled $3.6 million and included approximately $333,000 in pre-tax expenses related to restructuring charges.  This compares to an operating loss of $14.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2011.

 

·                  Net income for the quarter totaled $3.6 million, or $0.10 per diluted share.  Net loss for the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2011 totaled $13.7 million, or $0.39 per share.

 


*                 As previously announced, the Company changed its fiscal year-end to the Saturday nearest to the end of January, from the Saturday nearest to the end of February, to better align the Company’s financial reporting periods with its operational cycle and with other specialty retail companies.  In this release, financial results for the third fiscal quarter are compared to the thirteen-week period ended October 29, 2011.

 



 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR THE THIRTEEN-WEEK PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 27, 2012

 

“We are pleased that our strategic initiatives continue to gain traction, as evidenced by our markedly improved third quarter financial results.  We drove strong comparable store sales growth and delivered operating income above our expectations, which is a reflection of how the organization has come together to execute on this turnaround strategy.  I am also extremely pleased that LuAnn will be leading the team going forward and am confident there will be a smooth transition.  As I have said before, while the turnaround is gaining traction, the Company is at the beginning of an 18 to 24 month process, with much work to do to return to an acceptable level of profitability.  I am confident that LuAnn and her team will be successful in achieving this goal,” commented Joel Waller, who was the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer until November 26, 2012, when LuAnn Via joined the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer.

 

LuAnn Via, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “I am both thrilled to join Christopher & Banks and excited about the opportunity to build upon the foundation that Joel and the team have established.  The third quarter results are a testament to the effectiveness of the strategy that has been put in place and is confirmation that the Company is on the right path.  I look forward to further building on this progress.”

 

Results for the Thirty-Nine-Week Period Ended October 27, 2012

 

·                  Total net sales were $314.3 million, as compared to $330.5 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2011.  Same-store sales increased 1.5% in the first nine months of fiscal 2012.

 

·                  Operating loss totaled $11.9 million, and included a $5.2 million pre-tax benefit related to restructuring charges.  This compares to an operating loss of $28.5 million for the comparable thirty-nine week period last year.

 

·                  Net loss for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012 was $12.0 million, or $0.34 per share, which incorporates a tax provision of approximately $173,000.  This compares to a net loss of $28.1 million, or $0.79 per share, for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2011.

 

2



 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR THE THIRTEEN-WEEK PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 27, 2012

 

Balance Sheet Highlights and Capital Expenditures

 

Cash, cash-equivalents and investments totaled $33.2 million as of October 27, 2012.

 

Inventory per average store increased approximately 13% at the end of the third quarter, as compared to the comparable period last year.

 

For the quarter and nine months ended October 27, 2012, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility.  For the thirty-nine week period ended October 27, 2012, capital expenditures totaled approximately $3.1 million.

 

Real Estate

 

As part of the Company’s real estate restructuring efforts, all 103 stores identified for closure were closed as of July 28, 2012.  The Company closed eight additional stores in the normal course of business during the third quarter ended October 27, 2012.  The Company also opened one new dual store during the third quarter.

 

Outlook for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2012

 

For the fourth quarter and full fiscal year, the Company expects:

 

·                  A high-single to low-double digit increase in comparable store sales in the fourth quarter.

 

·                  Merchandise margins in the fourth quarter to exceed those in the comparable period last year, although seasonally lower than the third quarter, which is consistent with historical performance.

 

·                  Based on store closings and rent restructurings, 400 to 500 basis points of positive leverage on occupancy expense for the fourteen-weeks ending February 2, 2013, when compared to the thirteen-weeks ended January 28, 2012.

 

·                  SG&A for the fourth quarter, a fourteen-week period, to be in the range of $36 million to $37 million, which includes an estimate of approximately $1.9 million of expense associated with the additional week.

 

·                  Inventory levels to be in-line with sales expectations at year-end, with the exception of the acceleration of some first quarter merchandise receipts related to the Chinese New Year.

 

3



 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR THE THIRTEEN-WEEK PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 27, 2012

 

·                  Depreciation and amortization to be roughly $18 million in fiscal 2012.

 

·                  To conserve cash by minimizing capital expenditures as no new store openings are planned for the remainder of this fiscal year and capital expenditures to be approximately $5.0 million for the full fiscal year.

 

·                  A nominal negative effective tax rate in the low single digits, as the rate will continue to be affected by the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets in fiscal 2012.

 

Conference Call Information

 

The Company will discuss its third quarter results in a conference call scheduled for today, November 29, 2012, at 4:15 p.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 one hour of the completion of the call and will be accessible at http://www.christopherandbanks.com until December 6, 2012.  In addition, an audio replay of the call will be available shortly after its conclusion and will be archived until December 6, 2012.  This audio replay may be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176 and using the passcode 1029423.

 

About Christopher & Banks

 

Christopher & Banks Corporation is a Minneapolis-based specialty retailer of women’s clothing.  As of November 29, 2012, the Company operates 637 stores in 44 states consisting of 386 Christopher & Banks stores, 171 stores in their women’s plus size clothing division CJ Banks, 55 dual stores and 25 outlet stores.  The Company also operates the www.ChristopherandBanks.com and www.CJBanks.com e-commerce websites.

 

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”,

 

4



 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR THE THIRTEEN-WEEK PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 27, 2012

 

“project”, “believe” and similar expressions and include statements (i) that the Company expects a high-single to low-double digit increase in comparable store sales in the fourth quarter; (ii) that the Company anticipates merchandise margins in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year to exceed those in the comparable period last year, but to be seasonally lower than the third quarter; (iii) that, based on store closings and rent restructurings, the Company expects 400 to 500 basis points of positive leverage on occupancy expense for the fourteen-weeks ending February 2, 2013, when compared to the thirteen-weeks ended January 28, 2012; (iv) that the Company expects SG&A for the fourth quarter, a fourteen -week period, to be in the range of $36 million to $37 million, which includes an estimate of approximately $1.9 million of expense associated with the additional week; (v) the Company expects its inventory levels to be in-line with its sales expectations at year-end, with the exception of the acceleration of some first quarter merchandise receipts related to the Chinese New Year; (vi) that the Company expects depreciation and amortization to be roughly $18 million in fiscal 2012; (vii) that the Company intends to conserve cash by minimizing capital expenditures and that no new store openings are planned for the remainder of this fiscal year; (viii) that capital expenditures are now expected to be approximately $5.0 million for the full fiscal year; and (ix) that the Company expects a nominal negative effective tax rate in the low single digits.  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 our 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 our 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; (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 our 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 our 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

 

5



 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR THE THIRTEEN-WEEK PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 27, 2012

 

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 “Investor Relations” and you are urged to carefully consider all such factors.

 

###

 

6



 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THIRTEEN AND THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED

OCTOBER 27, 2012, OCTOBER 29, 2011 AND NOVEMBER 26, 2011(1)

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended

 

Thirty-nine Weeks Ended

 

 

 

Oct. 27,

 

Oct. 29,

 

Nov. 26,

 

Oct. 27,

 

Oct. 29,

 

Nov. 26,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

117,263

 

$

114,553

 

$

123,896

 

$

314,321

 

$

330,535

 

$

343,957

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merchandise, buying and occupancy

 

75,952

 

85,473

 

97,056

 

222,671

 

235,119

 

246,285

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

32,917

 

37,319

 

37,552

 

94,376

 

106,490

 

107,487

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4,445

 

5,754

 

5,314

 

14,384

 

17,470

 

17,164

 

Impairment and restructuring

 

333

 

 

12,199

 

(5,161

)

 

12,199

 

Total costs and expenses

 

113,647

 

128,546

 

152,121

 

326,270

 

359,079

 

383,135

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

3,616

 

(13,993

)

(28,225

)

(11,949

)

(28,544

)

(39,178

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

6

 

111

 

104

 

96

 

274

 

259

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

3,622

 

(13,882

)

(28,121

)

(11,853

)

(28,270

)

(38,919

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision (benefit)

 

39

 

(133

)

118

 

173

 

(139

)

412

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

3,583

 

$

(13,749

)

$

(28,239

)

$

(12,026

)

$

(28,131

)

$

(39,331

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

0.10

 

$

(0.39

)

$

(0.79

)

$

(0.34

)

$

(0.79

)

$

(1.11

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic shares outstanding

 

35,643

 

35,578

 

35,585

 

35,626

 

35,527

 

35,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

0.10

 

$

(0.39

)

$

(0.79

)

$

(0.34

)

$

(0.79

)

$

(1.11

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted shares outstanding

 

36,030

 

35,578

 

35,585

 

35,626

 

35,527

 

35,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends per share

 

$

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.06

 

$

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.18

 

 


(1)         In January 2012, the Company changed its fiscal year end to the Saturday closest to the end of January from the Saturday closest to the end of February.  The Company has provided financial results for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2011 on a comparable basis to the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012.  The Company’s prior year third fiscal quarter included the thirteen weeks ended November 26, 2011.

 

7



 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE BALANCE SHEET

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Oct. 27,

 

Nov. 26,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

33,209

 

$

34,495

 

Short-term investments

 

 

22,242

 

Merchandise inventories

 

58,186

 

58,173

 

Other current assets

 

8,227

 

12,534

 

Total current assets

 

99,622

 

127,444

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, equipment and improvements, net

 

44,964

 

59,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term investments

 

 

17,987

 

Other

 

414

 

278

 

Total other assets

 

414

 

18,265

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

145,000

 

$

204,794

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable(1)

 

$

27,554

 

$

36,173

 

Accrued salaries, wages and related expenses

 

3,823

 

5,433

 

Accrued liabilities(1)

 

23,520

 

19,080

 

Total current liabilities

 

54,897

 

60,686

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred lease incentives

 

6,240

 

14,115

 

Deferred rent obligations

 

3,148

 

6,528

 

Other

 

1,929

 

2,842

 

Total other liabilities

 

11,317

 

23,485

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

468

 

457

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

118,900

 

116,927

 

Retained earnings

 

72,129

 

115,886

 

Common stock held in treasury

 

(112,711

)

(112,711

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

64

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

78,786

 

120,623

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

145,000

 

$

204,794

 

 


(1) Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

8



 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Thirty-nine

 

 

 

Weeks Ended

 

 

 

Oct. 27,

 

Nov. 26

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(12,026

)

$

(39,331

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,384

 

17,164

 

Amortization of premium on investments

 

11

 

113

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

18

 

 

Loss on disposal of furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

34

 

 

Impairment of store assets

 

139

 

11,445

 

Change in deferred lease liabilities(1)

 

(3,100

)

(1,796

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

1,536

 

2,158

 

Gain on investments, net

 

(531

)

(62

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in accounts receivable

 

(977

)

(3,533

)

Increase in merchandise inventories

 

(18,732

)

(18,961

)

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses

 

595

 

(2,048

)

Decrease in income taxes receivable

 

352

 

5,441

 

Increase in other current assets

 

(71

)

 

Decrease in other assets

 

184

 

36

 

Increase in accounts payable(1)

 

8,088

 

21,090

 

Decrease in accrued liabilities(1)

 

(7,405

)

(4,884

)

Decrease in lease termination fee liability

 

(8,032

)

 

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

 

10

 

(106

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(25,523

)

(13,274

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, equipment and improvements

 

(3,113

)

(11,113

)

Proceeds from sale of furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

35

 

 

Purchases of investments

 

 

(35,712

)

Sales of investments

 

21,403

 

57,446

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

18,325

 

10,621

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Shares redeemed for payroll taxes

 

(25

)

(138

)

Financing costs

 

(350

)

 

Dividends paid

 

 

(6,426

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(375

)

(6,564

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(7,573

)

(9,217

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

40,782

 

43,712

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

33,209

 

$

34,495

 

 


(1) Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

9