MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 12/11/15 -- Le Chateau Inc. (TSX: CTU.A), a leading Canadian brand in specialty retailing, offering a broad array of contemporary fashion apparel, accessories and footwear for style-conscious women and men, today reported its results for the third quarter ended October 31, 2015. The 2015 year refers to the 39-week period ended October 31, 2015 while the 2014 year refers to the 39-week period ended October 25, 2014.
Sales for the third quarter ended October 31, 2015 were $57.6 million as compared with $58.1 million for the third quarter ended October 25, 2014, a decrease of 0.8%, with 7 fewer stores in operation. Comparable store sales increased 2.5% for the third quarter as compared to last year (see non-GAAP measures below). As expected, the benefits of the Canada-wide media campaign starting in August were well reflected in regular stores, online sales and also in the Ladies and Footwear divisions. Comparable store sales for the Company's 150 regular stores (excluding fashion outlets) increased 5.6% for the third quarter as compared to last year. Included in comparable store sales are online sales which increased 34.8% for the third quarter.
Earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, write-off and/or impairment of property and equipment ("Adjusted EBITDA") (see non-GAAP measures below) for the third quarter amounted to $(7.2) million, compared to $(4.9) million for the same period last year. The decrease of $2.3 million in adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was primarily attributable to the increase of $3.4 million in selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses, offset by an increase in gross margin dollars of $1.1 million. SG&A expenses increased primarily due to the cost of the Canada-wide media campaign that started in August. The increase of $1.1 million in gross margin dollars was the result of the increase in gross margin percentage to 63.9% from 61.6% in 2014. The gross margin improvement in the third quarter of 2015 resulted from reduced promotional activity.
Net loss for the third quarter ended October 31, 2015 amounted to $12.5 million or $(0.42) per share compared to a net loss of $11.1 million or $(0.37) per share for the same period last year.
Nine-month Results
Sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 were $171.7 million as compared with $179.7 million last year, a decrease of 4.5%, with 7 fewer stores in operation. Comparable store sales decreased 2.6% versus the same period a year ago. Included in comparable store sales are online sales which increased 31.1% for the nine months ended October 31, 2015.
Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 amounted to $(12.1) million, compared to $(11.3) million last year. The decrease of $851,000 in adjusted EBITDA for the first nine months was primarily attributable to an increase of $458,000 in SGA expenses, as well as a decrease of $393,000 in gross margin dollars. SG&A expenses increased due to the launch of our media campaign, as indicated above, partially offset by reductions in store operating costs and head office expenses. The decrease of $393,000 million in gross margin dollars was the result of the 4.5% decline in sales for the first nine months of 2015, offset by the increase in gross margin percentage to 65.0% from 62.3% in 2014. The gross margin improvement for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 resulted from reduced promotional activity.
Net loss for the nine-month period ended October 31, 2015 amounted to $28.9 million or $(0.96) per share compared to a net loss of $27.1 million or $(0.95) per share the previous year.
During the first nine months of 2015, the Company closed four stores and, as planned, expects to close another 8 stores before the year ending January 30, 2016. As at October 31, 2015, the Company operated 218 stores (including 68 fashion outlet stores) compared to 225 stores (including 42 fashion outlet stores) as at October 25, 2014. Total square footage for the Le Chateau network as at October 31, 2015 amounted to 1,192,000 square feet (including 475,000 square feet for fashion outlet stores), compared to 1,230,000 square feet (including 391,000 square feet for fashion outlet stores) as at October 25, 2014. During the next three years, the Company plans on reducing its retail floor space by 250,000 square feet, predominantly coming from the fashion outlet stores.
During the nine months ended October 31, 2015, the Company renovated five stores: Scarborough Town Centre in Ontario on April 1, 2015, Fairview Pointe Claire in Quebec on May 21, 2015, Mayfair Shopping Centre in British Columbia on September 3, 2015, Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Ontario on September 10, 2015 and St. Laurent Shopping Centre in Ottawa, Ontario on September 18, 2015.
Strategy
During the preceding three years, in response to significant new competition entering the Company's markets, the Company embarked on a major product repositioning and rebranding project. In conjunction with the project, the Company initiated a store renovation program and in mid-August, launched a marketing campaign across Canada in collaboration with Sid Lee, a world renowned agency that offers marketing communication strategies. The campaign combines TV, billboards and social media, and aims to raise brand awareness. Consumers are rediscovering our brand and products, and we believe this will have a sustainable impact. Direct benefits of the media campaign were reflected in the sale of the Ladies and Footwear divisions with year-over-year increases of 5.6% and 10.5% in comparable store sales for the third quarter, respectively. We also observed some important provincial disparities with solid sales increases in Ontario and Quebec partially offset by weakness in Alberta as a result of economic conditions. Overall, we remain optimistic about the opportunity to grow our business and improve our margins.
Fourth Quarter of 2015
For the first five weeks ended December 5, 2015, total retail sales increased 8.0% compared to the five week period ended November 29, 2014. On a comparable week basis (for the five week period ended December 5, 2015 versus the five week period ended December 6, 2014, total retail sales decreased 3.4%, with 8 fewer stores in operation, and comparable store sales decreased 1.7%. Included in comparable store sales are online sales which increased 26.8%.
Profile
Le Chateau is a leading Canadian brand in specialty retailing, offering a broad array of contemporary fashion apparel, accessories and footwear for style-conscious women and men. The Le Chateau brand is sold exclusively through the Company's 217 retail locations, of which 216 are located in Canada. The Company's retail locations are primarily found in major urban shopping malls, as well as street-front locations with high pedestrian traffic. In addition, the Company has 4 stores under license in the Middle East. Le Chateau's web-based marketing is further broadening the Company's customer base among internet shoppers in both Canada and the United States. With its 57-year tradition of vertical integration, emphasizing a design and manufacturing approach to retailing, Le Chateau is unique among Canadian fashion merchants.
Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to discussing earnings measures in accordance with IFRS, this press release provides adjusted EBITDA as a supplementary earnings measure, which is defined as earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, write-off and/or impairment of property and equipment. Adjusted EBITDA is provided to assist readers in determining the ability of the Company to generate cash from operations and to cover financial charges. It is also widely used for valuation purposes for public companies in our industry.
The following table reconciles adjusted EBITDA to loss before income tax recovery for the three and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2015 and October 25, 2014:
(Unaudited) For the three months ended For the nine months ended (In thousands of October 31, October 25, October 31, October 25, Canadian dollars) 2015 2014 2015 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss before income tax recovery $ (12,478) $ (11.052) $ (28,858) $ (28,783) Depreciation and amortization 3,849 4,297 12,582 13,497 Write-off and impairment of property and equipment 351 1,134 1,240 1,847 Finance costs 1,037 757 2,909 2,170 Finance income (2) (5) (9) (16) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted EBITDA $ (7,243) $ (4,869) $ (12,136) $ (11,285) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company also discloses comparable store sales which are defined as sales generated by stores that have been open for at least one year on a comparable week basis. Comparable store sales exclude sales from stores converted to outlet or clearance stores during the year of conversion.
The following table reconciles comparable store sales to total sales disclosed in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of loss for the three and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2015 and October 25, 2014:
(Unaudited) For the three months ended For the nine months ended (In thousands of October 31, October 25, October 31, October 25, Canadian dollars) 2015 2014 2015 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comparable store sales - Regular stores $ 43,581 $ 41,251 $ 130,268 $ 132,044 Comparable store sales - Outlet stores 10,185 11,207 30,598 33,089 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total comparable store sales 53,766 52,458 160,866 165,133 Non-comparable store sales 3,874 5,676 10,812 14,610 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total sales $ 57,640 $ 58,134 $ 171,678 $ 179,743 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements relating to the Company and/or the environment in which it operates that are based on the Company's expectations, estimates and forecasts. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and/or are beyond the Company's control. A number of factors may cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed. These factors also include those set forth in other public filings of the Company. Therefore, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and the Company disavows any intention or obligation to update or revise any such statements as a result of any event, circumstance or otherwise except to the extent required under applicable securities law.
Factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: the ability of the Company to successfully implement its business initiatives and whether such business initiatives will yield the expected benefits; competitive conditions in the businesses in which the Company participates; changes in consumer spending; general economic conditions and normal business uncertainty; seasonality and weather patterns; changes in the Company's relationship with its suppliers; lease renewals; information technology security and loss of customer data; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; interest rate fluctuations; liquidity risk and changes in laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company. The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect our results.
The Company's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the third quarter ended October 31, 2015 are available online at www.sedar.com.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Unaudited) As at As at As at
(In thousands of Canadian dollars) October 31, October 25, January 31,
2015 2014 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash $ 850 $ 2,355 $ 1,195
Accounts receivable 1,642 1,061 2,025
Income taxes refundable 494 539 619
Derivative financial instruments - 104 -
Inventories 122,048 128,393 115,357
Prepaid expenses 1,638 2,481 1,079
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 126,672 134,933 120,275
Property and equipment 52,188 62,648 58,091
Intangible assets 2,348 3,282 2,961
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 181,208 $ 200,863 $ 181,327
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Current portion of credit facility $ 23,737 $ 17,221 $ 14,737
Trade and other payables 14,214 16,942 16,133
Deferred revenue 2,752 3,106 3,452
Current portion of provisions 666 298 678
Current portion of long-term debt 1,124 3,505 2,007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 42,493 41,072 37,007
Credit facility 38,522 37,900 33,674
Long-term debt 22,595 6,113 5,836
Provisions 1,545 409 1,473
Deferred lease credits 9,946 11,838 11,354
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities 115,101 97,332 89,344
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity
Share capital 47,967 47,967 47,967
Contributed surplus 7,421 4,274 4,439
Retained earnings 10,719 51,186 39,577
Accumulated other comprehensive
income - 104 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity 66,107 103,531 91,983
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 181,208 $ 200,863 $ 181,327
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of
Canadian dollars, For the three months ended For the nine months ended
except per share October 31, October 25, October 31, October 25,
information) 2015 2014 2015 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $ 57,640 $ 58,134 $ 171,678 $ 179,743
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of sales and
expenses
Cost of sales 20,789 22,338 60,072 67,744
Selling 40,173 37,595 112,534 112,251
General and
administrative 8,121 8,501 25,030 26,377
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
69,083 68,434 197,636 206,372
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Results from
operating
activities (11,443) (10,300) (25,958) (26,629)
Finance costs 1,037 757 2,909 2,170
Finance income (2) (5) (9) (16)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss before income
taxes (12,478) (11,052) (28,858) (28,783)
Income tax recovery - - - (1,716)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss $ (12,478) $ (11,052) $ (28,858) $ (27,067)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss per share
Basic $ (0.42) $ (0.37) $ (0.96) $ (0.95)
Diluted (0.42) (0.37) (0.96) (0.95)
Weighted average
number of shares
outstanding ('000) 29,964 29,964 29,964 28,610
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Unaudited) For the three months ended For the nine months ended
(In thousands of October 31, October 25, October 31, October 25,
Canadian dollars) 2015 2014 2015 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss $ (12,478) $ (11,052) $ (28,858) $ (27,067)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive
income (loss) to be
reclassified to
profit or loss in
subsequent periods
Change in fair value
of forward exchange
contracts - 121 - (267)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- 121 - (267)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized forward
exchange contracts
reclassified to net
loss - 355 - (47)
Income tax recovery - - - 113
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- 355 - 66
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other
comprehensive
income (loss) - 476 - (201)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive loss $ (12,478) $ (10,576) $ (28,858) $ (27,268)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Unaudited) For the three months ended For the nine months ended
(In thousands of October 31, October 25, October 31, October 25,
Canadian dollars) 2015 2014 2015 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARE CAPITAL
Balance, beginning of
period $ 47,967 $ 47,967 $ 47,967 $ 42,960
Issuance of subordinate
voting shares upon
conversion of long-
term debt - - - 5,000
Issuance of subordinate
voting shares upon
exercise of options - - - 5
Reclassification from
contributed surplus
due to exercise of
share options - - - 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period $ 47,967 $ 47,967 $ 47,967 $ 47,967
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS
Balance, beginning of
period $ 7,318 $ 4,140 $ 4,439 $ 3,581
Fair value adjustment
for long-term debt - - 2,560 -
Stock-based
compensation expense 103 134 422 695
Exercise of share
options - - - (2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period $ 7,421 $ 4,274 $ 7,421 $ 4,274
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance, beginning of
period $ 23,197 $ 62,238 $ 39,577 $ 78,253
Net loss (12,478) (11,052) (28,858) (27,067)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period $ 10,719 $ 51,186 $ 10,719 $ 51,186
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCUMULATED OTHER
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(LOSS)
Balance, beginning of
period $ - $ (372) $ - $ 305
Other comprehensive
income (loss) for the
period - 476 - (201)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period $ - $ 104 $ - $ 104
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders'
equity $ 66,107 $ 103,531 $ 66,107 $ 103,531
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Unaudited) For the three months ended For the nine months ended
(In thousands of October 31, October 25, October 31, October 25,
Canadian dollars) 2015 2014 2015 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss $ (12,478) $ (11,052) $ (28,858) $ (27,067)
Adjustments to
determine net cash
from operating
activities
Depreciation and
amortization 3,849 4,297 12,582 13,497
Write-off and
impairment of
property and
equipment 351 1,134 1,240 1,847
Amortization of
deferred lease
credits (395) (570) (1,440) (1,743)
Deferred lease
credits - 35 32 169
Stock-based
compensation 103 134 422 695
Provisions (18) (106) 60 51
Finance costs 1,037 757 2,909 2,170
Interest paid (840) (607) (2,212) (1,868)
Income tax recovery - - - (1,716)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(8,391) (5,978) (15,265) (13,965)
Net change in non-cash
working capital items
related to operations (6,828) (4,566) (9,846) (7,301)
Income taxes refunded - 905 350 6,453
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows related to
operating activities (15,219) (9,639) (24,761) (14,813)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase in credit
facility 17,118 12,573 13,894 24,518
Financing costs (10) - (442) -
Proceeds of long-term
debt - - 20,000 5,000
Repayment of long-term
debt (430) (2,094) (1,730) (6,212)
Issue of share capital
upon exercise of
options - - - 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows related to
financing activities 16,678 10,479 31,722 23,311
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property
and equipment and
intangible assets (2,223) (953) (7,306) (7,589)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows related to
investing activities (2,223) (953) (7,306) (7,589)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in
cash (764) (113) (345) 909
Cash, beginning of
period 1,614 2,468 1,195 1,446
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash, end of period $ 850 $ 2,355 $ 850 $ 2,355
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contacts:
Emilia Di Raddo, CPA, CA,
President
(514) 738-7000
Johnny Del Ciancio, CPA, CA,
Vice-President, Finance
(514) 738-7000
MaisonBrison:
Pierre Boucher
(514) 731-0000
Source:
Le Chateau Inc.
