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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 FIRST QUARTER 2014 RESULTS
Announces $30 Million Share Repurchase Authorization

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 22, 2014) — Kirkland’s, Inc. (NASDAQ: KIRK) today reported financial results for the 13-week period ended May 3, 2014.

Net sales for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2014, increased 6.9% to $108.3 million compared with $101.2 million for the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2013. Comparable store sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, including e-commerce sales, increased 5.0% compared with a decrease of 2.3% in the prior-year quarter. Kirkland’s opened 7 stores and closed 7 during the first quarter, leaving the total number of stores at 324 at quarter end.

The Company reported net income of $2.1 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2014, compared with net income of $1.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2013.

Robert Alderson, Kirkland’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased with the sales momentum during the quarter in our stores and online after the slower start related to adverse weather events. Despite a somewhat more promotional environment late in the quarter, sales remained strong leading to earnings performance at the high end of our guidance. The year thus far is proceeding according to our plan, and we continue to expect benefits for the balance of the year from our investments in store growth, merchandise systems, e-commerce and branding initiatives.”

Stock Repurchase Authorization of $30 Million
The Company also announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan providing for the purchase in the aggregate of up to $30 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock over the next 24 months. The shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market or negotiated transactions, and the amount and timing of those purchases will be based on a variety of factors, including stock acquisition price, regulatory limitations and other market and economic factors. The stock repurchase program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the Company may terminate the repurchase program at any time. As of May 21, 2014, the Company had 17.3 million common shares outstanding.

Mr. Alderson added, “We maintain a strong balance sheet, and our unique store model continues to suggest future cash flow generation. As we opportunistically increase the growth rate of the business, the Board’s decision to authorize another round of share repurchases signals our confidence in the future of Kirkland’s.”

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KIRK Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2014 Results
Page 2
May 22, 2014

     
Fiscal 2014 Outlook
Store Growth:
 

For the 52-week period ending January 31, 2015 (“fiscal
2014”), the Company expects to achieve approximately 10%
square footage growth with 35 to 40 new store openings
and 10 to 15 store closings. New store openings will be
weighted more toward the second half of the year, and
store closings will be weighted more toward the first
half of the year.
Sales:  
Total sales for fiscal 2014 are expected to increase
approximately 8% to 10% compared with fiscal 2013. This
level of sales performance would imply a comparable store
sales increase of approximately 3% to 5% for fiscal 2014.
Margin & Expenses:  
The Company expects year-over-year improvement in
merchandise and gross profit margins that is expected to
result from a lower markdown rate, lower inbound freight
costs, and sales leverage. Operating expenses are
expected to increase on a dollar basis due to the
increase in stores and incremental investments in
corporate headcount to support our growth initiatives.
The Company is also anticipating approximately $0.03 to
$0.04 per diluted share in additional costs associated
with its second half lease expiration and transition to
replacement corporate headquarters space.
Earnings:  
Based on the above assumptions, without regard to share
repurchase activity, the Company expects fiscal 2014
earnings per share to be in the range of $0.90 to $1.00.
The Company expects its full year tax rate to be
approximately 39%.
Cash Flow:  
Capital expenditures in fiscal 2014 are estimated to
range between $33 million and $36 million. Based on the
above assumptions, the Company expects to generate
positive cash flow in fiscal 2014, excluding potential
share repurchases.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2014 Outlook
The Company issued guidance for the second quarter ending August 2, 2014, of a net loss of $0.03 to $0.06 per diluted share. Net sales are expected to be in the range of $104 million to $105 million with a comparable store sales increase in the range of 3% to 4%. The Company expects to open approximately 8 stores and close approximately 2 stores during the quarter.

Investor Conference Call and Web Simulcast
Kirkland’s will issue its earnings release for the first quarter before the market opens on Thursday, May 22, 2014, and will host a conference call on the same day at 11:00 a.m. ET. The number to call for the interactive teleconference is (212) 231-2918. A replay of the conference call will be available through Thursday, May 29, 2014, by dialing (402) 977-9140 and entering the confirmation number, 21706373.

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=99176 on May 22, 2014, beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and continue for one year.

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 326 stores in 35 states.  The Company’s stores present a broad selection of distinctive merchandise, including framed art, mirrors, candles, lamps, picture frames, accent rugs, garden

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KIRK Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2014 Results
Page 3
May 22, 2014

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 17, 2014. 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 First Quarter Fiscal 2014 Results
Page 4
May 22, 2014

KIRKLAND’S, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)

                 
    13-Week   13-Week
    Period Ended   Period Ended
    May 3,   May 4,
    2014   2013
Net sales
  $ 108,255     $ 101,233  
Cost of sales
    65,653       61,827  
 
               
Gross profit
    42,602       39,406  
Operating expenses:
               
Operating expenses
    34,943       32,779  
Depreciation
    4,300       3,791  
 
               
Operating income
    3,359       2,836  
Other (income) expense, net
    (13 )     6  
 
               
Income before income taxes
    3,372       2,830  
Income tax expense
    1,317       1,057  
 
               
Net income
  $ 2,055     $ 1,773  
 
               
Earnings per share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.12     $ 0.10  
 
               
Diluted
  $ 0.12     $ 0.10  
 
               
Shares used to calculate earnings per share:
               
Basic
    17,308       17,083  
 
               
Diluted
    17,825       17,433  
 
               

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KIRK Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2014 Results
Page 5
May 22, 2014

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

                         
    May 3, 2014   February 1, 2014   May 4, 2013
ASSETS
                       
Current assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 82,418     $ 89,050     $ 74,111  
Inventories, net
    50,702       52,637       47,889  
Deferred income taxes
    2,857       2,777       1,638  
Other current assets
    8,595       8,817       7,591  
 
                       
Total current assets
    144,572       153,281       131,229  
Property and equipment, net
    82,768       80,329       76,964  
Other assets
    2,028       1,838       1,680  
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 229,368     $ 235,448     $ 209,873  
 
                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                       
Current liabilities:
                       
Accounts payable
  $ 19,465     $ 23,102     $ 20,933  
Income taxes payable
    866       5,875        
Other current liabilities
    22,870       23,670       21,719  
 
                       
Total current liabilities
    43,201       52,647       42,652  
Non-current deferred income taxes
    3,239       3,337       3,057  
Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities
    44,930       44,235       43,778  
 
                       
Total liabilities
    91,370       100,219       89,487  
 
                       
Net shareholders’ equity
    137,998       135,229       120,386  
 
                       
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 229,368     $ 235,448     $ 209,873  
 
                       

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KIRK Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2014 Results
Page 6
May 22, 2014

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

                 
 
  13-Week   13-Week
 
  Period Ended   Period Ended
 
  May 3, 2014   May 4, 2013
 
               
Net cash provided by (used in):
               
Operating activities
  $ 221     $ 8,561  
Investing activities
    (6,930 )     (2,322 )
Financing activities
    77       75  
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents:
               
Net increase (decrease)
    (6,632 )     6,314  
Beginning of the period
    89,050       67,797  
 
               
End of the period
  $ 82,418     $ 74,111  
 
               

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