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News Release

         
Contact:  
W. Michael Madden
Senior Vice President & CFO
(615) 872-4800
  Tripp Sullivan
Corporate Communications, Inc.
(615) 324-7335

KIRKLAND’S REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL 2011 RESULTS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 8, 2012) — Kirkland’s, Inc. (NASDAQ: KIRK) today reported financial results for the 13-week and 52-week periods ended January 28, 2012.

Net sales, including gift card breakage revenue, for the 13-week period ended January 28, 2012, increased 6.8% to $149.1 million compared with $139.6 million for the 13-week period ended January 29, 2011. Comparable store sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 increased 1.4% compared with a decrease of 7.9% in the prior-year quarter. E-commerce sales entered the base of comparable stores during December 2011, and contributed 80 basis points to the overall comparable store sales increase for the fourth quarter. The Company opened 11 stores and closed 3 during the fourth quarter of 2011, bringing the total number of stores to 309 as of quarter’s end.

Net sales, including gift card breakage revenue, for the 52-week period ended January 28, 2012, increased 3.6% to $430.3 million compared with $415.3 million for the 52-week period ended January 29, 2011. Comparable store sales for fiscal 2011 decreased 4.0% compared with a 0.5% decrease in fiscal 2010. The Company opened 34 stores and closed 25 during fiscal 2011.

The Company reported net income of $15.2 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 compared with net income of $14.4 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. For fiscal 2011, the Company reported net income of $19.1 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, compared with net income of $26.4 million, or $1.28 per diluted share, in the prior-year period.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company recorded a pre-tax gain in the amount of $1.2 million related to a change in the estimate of its loyalty program accrual due to the termination of the agreement with its private-label credit card service provider. This gain is included within cost of sales on the consolidated condensed statements of income. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company’s income tax expense included a net benefit of $0.8 million related to an adjustment to the Company’s prior-year income tax provision partially offset by an adjustment to the state tax rate applied to the Company’s deferred tax assets.

Robert Alderson, Kirkland’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Consistent with our pre-announcement in early February, we finished the fourth quarter on an encouraging note. We returned to positive comparable store sales and eclipsed our original earnings estimates, while making strong progress on our share repurchase plan. The positive sales trends experienced during the fourth quarter continued through February and, combined with our store growth plans and continued acceleration in e-commerce sales, suggest moderate but steady improvement in our business for fiscal 2012.”

Stock Repurchase Plan
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company repurchased 1,194,992 shares of common stock for a total of $15.4 million, or an average price of $12.90 per share. Since the inception of the repurchase

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2501 McGavock Pike, Suite 1000 ¦ Nashville, Tennessee 37214 ¦ (615) 872-4800

KIRK Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2011 Results
Page 2
March 8, 2012

plan, the Company has repurchased 2,117,066 shares of common stock for a total of $24.6 million, or an average price of $11.61 per share. The Company has $15.4 million remaining under its repurchase authorization. As of January 28, 2012, the Company had 18.4 million shares of common stock outstanding.

Fiscal 2012 Performance Goals

    Store Growth: For the 53-week period ending February 2, 2013 (“fiscal 2012”), the Company expects to open 35 to 45 new stores and close approximately 25 stores. This expected unit growth of approximately 3% to 6% would represent an increase in square footage of approximately 9% to 13%. New store openings will be weighted more toward the second half of the year, while closings will be weighted more toward the first half.
     
Sales:  
The Company expects total sales for fiscal 2012 to increase in the
range of 10% to 12% compared with fiscal 2011. This expectation
for total sales growth reflects the additional week in the retail
calendar for Fiscal 2012. This level of sales growth would imply
comparable store sales of flat to slightly positive for the fiscal
year, excluding the impact of the additional week of sales.
Margins:  
Based on the current outlook, the Company expects operating margin
in fiscal 2012 to be approximately equal to that of fiscal 2011
with continued benefits from lower inbound freight costs –
particularly in the first half of the year – and improved
merchandise performance, offset slightly by an expected increase
in fuel costs impacting outbound transportation, a planned
increase in marketing expenses, as well as investments in
additional personnel in key areas of the business to support the
Company’s growth plans and technology investments.
Earnings:  
Based on the above assumptions, the Company expects earnings per
share for fiscal 2012 to be in the range of $1.10 to $1.15. The
Company expects its effective tax rate for fiscal 2012 to range
between 38% and 38.5%.
Cash Flow:  
Excluding activity under the Company’s share repurchase program,
the Company expects to again generate positive cash flow in fiscal
2012. Capital expenditures in fiscal 2012 are estimated to range
between $29 million and $32 million.

First Quarter Fiscal 2012 Outlook
The Company issued guidance for the first quarter ending April 28, 2012, of net income of $0.11 to $0.14 per diluted share. Net sales are expected to be $98 million to $100 million, with comparable store sales flat to slightly positive. The Company expects to open approximately 5 stores and close approximately 15 stores during the quarter.

Investor Conference Call and Web Simulcast
Kirkland’s will host a conference call today, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss its results of operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. The number to call for the interactive teleconference is (212) 231-2919. A replay of the conference call will be available through Thursday, March 15, 2012, by dialing (402) 977-9140 and entering the confirmation number, 21575913.

A live broadcast of Kirkland’s quarterly conference call will be available online at the Company’s website www.kirklands.com under Investor Relations or http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=84811 on March 8, 2012, beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and continue for one year.

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KIRK Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2011 Results
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March 8, 2012

About Kirkland’s, Inc.
Kirkland’s, Inc. was founded in 1966 and is a specialty retailer of home décor in the United States. Although originally focused in the Southeast, the Company has grown beyond that region and currently operates 299 stores in 30 states.  The Company’s stores present a broad selection of distinctive merchandise, including framed art, mirrors, candles, lamps, picture frames, accent rugs, garden accessories and artificial floral products.  The Company’s stores also offer an extensive assortment of gifts, as well as seasonal merchandise.  More information can be found at www.kirklands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause Kirkland’s actual results to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the competitive environment in the home décor industry in general and in Kirkland’s specific market areas, inflation, product availability and growth opportunities, seasonal fluctuations, and economic conditions in general. Those and other risks are more fully described in Kirkland’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 14, 2011. Kirkland’s disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

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KIRK Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2011 Results
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March 8, 2012

KIRKLAND’S, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                 
    13-Week Period Ended
    January 28,   January 29,
    2012   2011
Net sales
  $ 149,110     $ 139,606  
Cost of sales
    84,982       80,521  
 
               
Gross profit
    64,128       59,085  
Operating expenses:
               
Operating expenses
    36,551       33,371  
Depreciation
    3,522       3,523  
 
               
Operating income
    24,055       22,191  
Other income, net
    64       46  
 
               
Income before income taxes
    24,119       22,237  
Income tax expense
    8,941       7,855  
 
               
Net income
  $ 15,178     $ 14,382  
 
               
Earnings per share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.80     $ 0.72  
 
               
Diluted
  $ 0.78     $ 0.70  
 
               
Shares used to calculate earnings per share:
               
Basic
    19,037       19,902  
 
               
Diluted
    19,413       20,549  
 
               

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KIRK Reports Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2011 Results
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March 8, 2012

KIRKLAND’S, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                 
    52-Week Period Ended
    January 28,   January 29,
    2012   2011
Net sales
  $ 430,285     $ 415,300  
Cost of sales
    261,091       244,764  
 
               
Gross profit
    169,194       170,536  
Operating expenses:
               
Operating expenses
    126,279       115,745  
Depreciation
    12,410       12,817  
 
               
Operating income
    30,505       41,974  
Other income, net
    65       194  
 
               
Income before income taxes
    30,570       42,168  
Income tax expense
    11,455       15,737  
 
               
Net income
  $ 19,115     $ 26,431  
 
               
Earnings per share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.97     $ 1.33  
 
               
Diluted
  $ 0.95     $ 1.28  
 
               
Shares used to calculate earnings per share:
               
Basic
    19,707       19,855  
 
               
Diluted
    20,227       20,578  
 
               

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KIRK Reports Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2011 Results
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March 8, 2012

KIRKLAND’S, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)

                 
    January 28, 2012   January 29, 2011
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 83,123     $ 91,222  
Inventories, net
    47,306       44,452  
Deferred income taxes
    1,657       3,528  
Other current assets
    7,784       7,468  
 
               
Total current assets
    139,870       146,670  
Property and equipment, net
    60,315       46,231  
Non-current deferred income taxes
    1,108       1,440  
Other assets
    1,296       736  
 
               
Total assets
  $ 202,589     $ 195,077  
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 21,592     $ 20,236  
Income taxes payable
    3,146       1,289  
Other current liabilities
    21,805       24,364  
 
               
Total current liabilities
    46,543       45,889  
Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities
    38,384       30,899  
 
               
Total liabilities
    84,927       76,788  
 
               
Net shareholders’ equity
    117,662       118,289  
 
               
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 202,589     $ 195,077  
 
               

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KIRK Reports Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2011 Results
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March 8, 2012

KIRKLAND’S, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)

                 
    52-Week Period Ended
    January 28, 2012   January 29, 2011
Net cash provided by (used in):
               
Operating activities
  $ 41,765     $ 36,700  
Investing activities
    (26,652 )     (22,596 )
Financing activities
    (23,212 )     706  
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents:
               
Net increase (decrease )
    (8,099 )     14,810  
Beginning of period
    91,222       76,412  
 
               
End of period
  $ 83,123     $ 91,222  
 
               

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