MINNEAPOLIS -- April 09, 2009
Christopher & Banks Corporation (NYSE: CBK) today reported results for its fiscal 2009 fourth quarter and fiscal year ended February 28, 2009.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year Highlights
* Reports a loss per share from continuing operations for the fourth
quarter of $0.82.
* Fourth quarter loss includes $0.17 per share of charges primarily
related to store asset impairment, severance and information
technology software and related costs.
* Reports fourth quarter fiscal 2009 same-store sales decline of 20%.
* Ended fiscal 2009 with cash, cash equivalents and long-term
investments of $95 million.
* Inventory per store at fiscal year-end (excluding e-Commerce) was down
12% from prior year-end.
Fourth Quarter Results
Total sales from continuing operations for the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2009 were $103.9 million compared to $122.3 million for the thirteen-week period ended March 1, 2008. Same-store sales from continuing operations for the thirteen-week period ended February 28, 2009 declined 20%, as compared to the thirteen-week period ended March 1, 2008.
Merchandise, buying and occupancy expense was $84.4 million or 81.2% of sales this fiscal quarter compared to $79.8 million or 65.2% of sales in last year’s fourth quarter. Gross margins declined significantly due to pressure on merchandise margins and deleveraging of buying and occupancy costs resulting from the 20% decline in comparable store sales.
The Company began an expense reduction initiative in fiscal 2009, which resulted in SG&A expenses, excluding the additional charges in the fourth quarter, being flat on a dollar basis in the fourth quarter as compared to the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year.
The Company’s fourth quarter loss from continuing operations was $28.9 million or $0.82 per share. During the fourth quarter, the Company recorded pre-tax charges of approximately $7.3 million, or $0.17 per share. These charges related primarily to asset impairment associated with under-performing stores, severance associated with the previously announced reorganization of the field management organization and the reduction in force at the Company’s corporate headquarters, and information technology software and related charges.
Lorna Nagler, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We were disappointed with our fourth quarter earnings performance resulting from weak traffic combined with a highly promotional environment. We did, however, successfully reduce our inventory levels and continued to make progress on various operational and merchandising initiatives that will benefit our Company in fiscal 2010 and beyond. We also maintained a healthy balance sheet and put into place a prudent expense reduction program that is expected to yield at least $15 million in SG&A savings in fiscal 2010. Our core customer has been spending very sparingly on her wardrobe for the past six months, yet we remain confident that we are well capitalized to outlast this recession and are also positioned to benefit meaningfully when customers return to the mall.”
Full Fiscal Year Results
Total sales from continuing operations for the fifty-two week fiscal 2009 period ended February 28, 2009 were $530.7 million compared to $560.9 million for the fifty-two week period ended March 1, 2008. Same-store sales decreased 12% for the fifty-two week period ended February 28, 2009 compared to the corresponding fifty-two week period ended March 1, 2008.
For fiscal 2009, after taking into account the additional charges in the fourth quarter, the net loss from continuing operations was $8.1 million or $0.23 per share, compared to net income of $25.5 million or $0.71 per share for fiscal 2008. As of February 28, 2009, the Company operated 815 stores compared to 837 stores as of March 1, 2008.
Balance Sheet Highlights
The Company ended fiscal 2009 with total cash, cash-equivalents and long-term investments of $95 million. Inventory, excluding e-Commerce inventory, decreased approximately 12% on a per-store basis at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, as compared to the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The Company has a strong balance sheet and management believes that its cash and cash-equivalents are sufficient to meet the Company’s cash and liquidity needs for the reasonably foreseeable future.
Capital Expenditures
Fiscal 2009 capital expenditures were approximately $18 million. Of this amount, approximately $8 million was related to new stores, fixture replacements and store remodels. The majority of the remaining expenditures were related to various information technology initiatives. In fiscal 2010, management expects capital expenditures to be in the range of $8 to $9 million.
First Quarter Guidance
The Company will not be providing EPS guidance at this time, but will provide its outlook for certain metrics on its conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today.
Conference Call Information
The Company will discuss its fourth quarter and full year results in a conference call scheduled for today, April 9, 2009, at 5:00 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 April 23, 2009. In addition, an audio replay of the call will be available shortly after its conclusion and will be archived until April 16, 2009. This call may be accessed by dialing (888) 203-1112 and using password 8086540.
About Christopher & Banks
Christopher & Banks Corporation is a Minneapolis-based specialty retailer of women’s clothing. As of April 9, 2009, the Company operates 815 stores in 46 states consisting of 548 Christopher & Banks stores and 267 stores in their plus size clothing division CJ Banks. The Company also operates the www.ChristopherandBanks.com and www.CJBanks.com e-Commerce websites.
Keywords: Petites, Women’s Clothing, Plus Size Clothing, Christopher & Banks, CJ Banks.
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 statements regarding (i) that the progress made to-date and anticipated in the future with respect to various operating and merchandising initiatives will benefit the Company in fiscal 2010 and beyond; (ii) that the expense reduction program put in place is expected to yield at least $15 million in SG&A savings in fiscal 2010; (iii) that the Company is well capitalized to outlast this recession and is positioned to benefit meaningfully when customers return to the mall; (iv) the belief that its cash and other cash-equivalents are sufficient to meet its liquidity needs for the reasonably foreseeable future; and (v) the anticipated amount of capital expenditures in fiscal 2010 of $8 to $9 million. 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) effectiveness of the Company’s brand awareness and marketing programs; (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 plans; (vii) general economic conditions and uncertainty in the financial and credit markets 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 “Investor Relations” and you are urged to carefully consider all such factors.
CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION
UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE QUARTERS AND YEARS ENDED
FEBRUARY 28, 2009 AND MARCH 1, 2008
(in thousands, except per share data)
Quarter Ended Year Ended
February March 1, February March 1,
28, 28,
2009 2008 2009 2008
Net sales $ 103,892 $ 122,289 $ 530,742 $ 560,912
Costs and
expenses:
Merchandise,
buying and 84,373 79,756 341,734 341,927
occupancy
Selling, general
and 43,285 40,965 172,295 161,180
administrative
Depreciation and 6,610 6,060 26,264 21,763
amortization
Impairment of 4,557 412 4,557 412
store assets
Total costs 138,825 127,193 544,850 525,282
and expenses
Operating income (34,933) (4,904) (14,108) 35,630
(loss)
Interest and other 223 (1,279) (1,809) (4,662)
expense (income)
Income (loss)
from continuing
operations (35,156) (3,625) (12,299) 40,292
before income
taxes
Income tax
provision (6,249) (1,334) (4,215) 14,828
(benefit)
Income (loss)
from continuing (28,907) (2,291) (8,084) 25,464
operations
Income (loss) on
discontinued 89 (5,993) (4,666) (8,446)
operations, net of
tax
Net income $ (28,818) $ (8,284) $ (12,750) $ 17,018
(loss)
Basic earnings
(loss) per share:
Continuing $ (0.82) $ (0.06) $ (0.23) $ 0.71
operations
Discontinued 0.00 (0.17) (0.13) (0.24)
operations
Earnings (loss) $ (0.82) $ (0.23) $ (0.36) $ 0.48
per basic share
Basic shares 35,114 35,287 35,097 35,772
outstanding
Diluted earnings
(loss) per share:
Continuing $ (0.82) $ (0.06) $ (0.23) $ 0.71
operations
Discontinued 0.00 (0.17) (0.13) (0.24)
operations
Earnings (loss)
per diluted $ (0.82) $ (0.23) $ (0.36) $ 0.47
share
Diluted shares 35,114 35,287 35,097 35,852
outstanding
Dividends per $ 0.06 $ 0.06 $ 0.24 $ 0.24
share
CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION
UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE BALANCE SHEET
(in thousands)
February 28, March 1,
2009 2008
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 78,814 $ 78,492
Merchandise inventories 38,828 43,840
Other current assets 28,401 26,303
Total current assets 146,043 148,635
Property, equipment and improvements, net 120,347 133,599
Other assets:
Long-term investments 16,400 23,350
Other 7,352 6,208
Total other assets 23,752 29,558
Total assets $290,142 $311,792
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 19,806 $ 15,381
Accrued liabilities 31,691 37,287
Other current liabilities 487 -
Total current liabilities 51,984 52,668
Other liabilities:
Deferred lease incentives 23,506 24,854
Other 14,429 15,443
Total other liabilities 37,935 40,297
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock 453 450
Additional paid-in capital 111,763 110,360
Retained earnings 200,719 221,929
Common stock held in treasury (112,712) (112,712)
Accumulated other comprehensive income - (1,200)
(loss)
Total stockholders' equity 200,223 218,827
Total liabilities and stockholders' $ 290,142 $ 311,792
equity