SANTA BARBARA, CA--(Marketwire - May 6, 2008) - Big Dog Holdings, Inc. (
NASDAQ:
BDOG)
(
www.bigdogs.com,
www.thewalkingcompany.com), a developer and retailer of
branded, lifestyle consumer products, today reported its Company name
change to The Walking Company Holdings, Inc. and financial results for the
first quarter ended March 31, 2008.
Corporate Name Change
The Company's Board of Directors has approved the change of the Company's
name to "The Walking Company Holdings, Inc." The Company's NASDAQ symbol
will also be changed from BDOG to WALK. The change is expected to be
effected within the next few days.
Financial Results
For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, consolidated net sales were
$46,378,000, a 5% increase, as compared with $44,224,000 in the first
quarter 2007. Our consolidated net sales increased primarily due to the
addition of 41 net new The Walking Company ("TWC") stores. The Company had
a total of 291 stores open (191 TWC stores and 100 Big Dogs stores) at the
end of the period, as compared with 295 stores open on March 31, 2007 (150
TWC stores and 145 Big Dogs stores.) Comparable retail store sales
decreased 1.9% for the quarter (0.5% decline for TWC chain and 6.6% decline
for the Big Dogs chain.) Total consolidated gross profit for the quarter
decreased to 50.3% of net sales or $23,335,000 as compared with 52.7% of
net sales or $23,300,000 in the first quarter 2007. Gross margins for TWC
and Big Dogs decreased to 50.7% and 48.7% compared to 52.0% and 54.5%,
respectively, for the same period last year.
Consolidated operating expenses in the first quarter 2008 were $29,962,000
or 64.6% of sales compared to $29,210,000 or 66.0% in 2007. Consolidated
operating loss for the first quarter 2008 was $6,627,000 compared to
$5,910,000 for the first quarter 2007. The consolidated net loss per share
for the first quarter 2008 increased to $.52 per share, as compared with a
consolidated net loss per share of $.44 per share for the first quarter
2007.
Andrew Feshbach, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our corporate name
change reflects the main focus of our business, which is the development
and growth of the Walking Company operations. TWC is now more than twice
as large as Big Dogs in sales and number of stores. Our 1st quarter
results reflect a 15% increase in our TWC sales, all accomplished while
reducing our corporate overhead expenses as compared to last year. Our
consolidated gross margin was lower than last year due to a substantial
shift of revenue from Big Dogs to TWC, as well as a one-time adjustment
reflected in our prior year margin which related to the Steve's Shoes
acquisition. So far our 2nd quarter TWC business is trending stronger than
our 1st quarter, and we remain cautiously optimistic about the 2nd quarter
and summer selling season."
Today's Conference Call
Today the Company will host a conference call at 1:30PM PDT to discuss
financial results for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2008. Dial in
information is as follows: U.S. Toll Free: 1-800-434-1335. Participant code
(to be given to the operator): 62679333. In the event you are unable to
attend a recordable copy will be available two (2) hours after the call has
ended. Dial in information to listen to the recorded call is as follows:
1-800-750-4065, Participant code: 75472226.
Big Dog Holdings, Inc. consists of The Walking Company and Big Dogs. The
Walking Company is a leading independent specialty retailer of high
quality, technically designed comfort walk wear and accessories that
features premium brands such as ECCO, Mephisto, Dansko, Keen and MBT among
many others. These products have particular appeal to one of the largest
and most rapidly growing demographics in the nation. The Walking Company
operates 199 stores in premium malls across the nation. Big Dogs
develops, markets and retails a branded, lifestyle collection of unique,
high-quality, popular-priced consumer products, including activewear,
casual sportswear, accessories and gifts. The BIG DOGS® brand image is
one of quality, value and fun. The BIG DOGS® brand is designed to appeal
to people of all ages and demographics, particularly baby boomers and their
kids, big and tall customers, and pet owners. In addition to its 100
retail stores, Big Dogs markets its products through its catalogs,
corporate sales accounts and Internet sales.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Act 1995 --
With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this
press release are forward looking statements that involve a number of risks
and uncertainties. The actual future sales and other results of the Company
could differ significantly from those statements. Further information on
the Company's risk factors is contained in the Company's quarterly and
annual reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
BIG DOG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
March 31,
---------------------------
2008 2007
------------- -------------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 814,000 $ 789,000
Receivables, net 7,781,000 2,187,000
Inventories, net 77,030,000 74,018,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,677,000 1,817,000
Deferred income taxes 2,002,000 6,363,000
------------- -------------
Total current assets 89,304,000 85,174,000
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, Net 35,654,000 25,927,000
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, Net 3,580,000 4,016,000
GOODWILL 6,296,000 3,131,000
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 5,053,000 1,740,000
OTHER ASSETS 418,000 462,000
------------- -------------
TOTAL $ 140,305,000 $ 120,450,000
============= =============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Short-term borrowings $ 38,673,000 $ 38,774,000
Current portion of long-term debt 3,366,000 2,353,000
Accounts payable 19,261,000 18,004,000
Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities 6,607,000 5,758,000
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 67,907,000 64,889,000
LONG-TERM CONVERTIBLE DEBT 17,413,000 -
NOTES PAYABLE 3,630,000 2,621,000
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS 1,638,000 2,243,000
DEFERRED RENT AND LEASE INCENTIVES 8,228,000 4,850,000
DEFERRED GAIN ON SALE-LEASEBACK 76,000 129,000
------------- -------------
Total liabilities 98,892,000 74,732,000
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 41,413,000 45,718,000
------------- -------------
TOTAL $ 140,305,000 $ 120,450,000
============= =============
BIG DOG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
--------------------------
2008 2007
------------ ------------
NET SALES $ 46,378,000 $ 44,224,000
COST OF GOODS SOLD 23,043,000 20,924,000
------------ ------------
GROSS PROFIT 23,335,000 23,300,000
------------ ------------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, marketing and distribution 25,865,000 25,340,000
General and administrative 2,029,000 2,055,000
Depreciation and amortization 2,068,000 1,815,000
------------ ------------
Total operating expenses 29,962,000 29,210,000
------------ ------------
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS (6,627,000) (5,910,000)
INTEREST INCOME 2,000 3,000
INTEREST EXPENSE (1,031,000) (706,000)
------------ ------------
LOSS BEFORE BENEFIT FROM
INCOME TAXES (7,656,000) (6,613,000)
BENEFIT FROM INCOME TAXES (2,680,000) (2,478,000)
------------ ------------
NET LOSS $ (4,976,000) $ (4,135,000)
============ ============
NET LOSS PER SHARE
BASIC $ (0.52) $ (0.44)
============ ============
DILUTED $ (0.52) $ (0.44)
============ ============
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
BASIC 9,481,000 9,336,000
============ ============
DILUTED 9,481,000 9,336,000
============ ============
Contact Information: For Further Information:
Big Dog Holdings, Inc.
121 Gray Avenue
Santa Barbara, California 93101
www.bigdogs.com
www.thewalkingcompany.com
Investor Information
(805) 963-8727, ext. 1360
alexisd@bigdogs.com