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8-K - FORM 8-K - QKL Stores Inc.v437048_8k.htm

 

Exhibit 99.1 

 

QKL Stores Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015

Financial Results

 

Daqing, China, April 14, 2016 – QKL Stores Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: QKLS), a leading regional supermarket chain in Northeastern China and Inner Mongolia, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year financial results ended December 31, 2015.

 

Mr. Zhuangyi Wang, Chairman and CEO, said, “As QKL expands its market presence in northeast China, we are uniquely positioned against our local competitors through our large product offering, strong supplier relationships, efficient distribution network and state-of-the-art IT system. We are comfortable with our opportunities in 2015 and believe we’ll see an improvement in operating expenses and profit growth in coming quarters.

 

“In 2015, we closed three stores, as of December 31, 2015, we operated 25 supermarkets, 16 hypermarkets, 4 department stores and 5 distribution centers situated in Daqing, Harbin Changchun and Jiamusi, respectively.

 

As we advance into 2015, we expect to open one new supermarket this year. We maintain confidence in our strategy of strengthening our store presence in Tier 4 and 5 cities in northeastern China as well as in our core region of operation around Daqing where the majority of our older stores are based.”

 

Fourth Quarter 2015 Financial Results

 

Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2015 decreased by 17.7% to $62.4 million from $75.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Comparable stores are stores that were opened for at least one year before the beginning of the comparison period, or by October 1, 2014. Those 40 stores generated approximately $55.0 million in sales in the fourth quarter of 2015, representing a decrease of $10.1 million, or 15.6% compared with $65.1 million in sales in fiscal 2014. New store sales increased, reflecting the opening of 5 new stores since October 1, 2014. These stores generated approximately $7.4 million in sales in the fiscal 2015.

 

Gross profit decreased by 17.3% year over year to $10.5 million, compared to $12.7 million in the prior year period. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue for the fourth quarter of 2015 was 16.9%, compared to 16.8% for the fourth quarter of 2014. The change in gross profit was primarily attributable to net sales decreased by $13.4 million in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014.

 

Operating expenses increased by 24.4% to $30.6 million compared to $24.6 million in the prior year period. The change in operating expenses was mainly due to the increase in expenses, including salaries, utility and advertising in fiscal 2015. The increase was also due to a $5.0 million of long-lived asset impairment charges during fiscal 2015.

 

We had a net loss of $18.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared with net loss of $14.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

 

 

 

Full Year 2015 Financial Results

 

Net sales decreased by $4.5 million, or 1.6%, to $270.1 million for fiscal 2015 from $274.6 million for fiscal 2014. Comparable stores are stores that were opened for at least one year before the beginning of the comparison period, or by January 1, 2014. Those 40 stores generated approximately $235.3 million sales in fiscal 2015, a decrease of $11.4 million, or 4.6% compared with $246.7 million sales in fiscal 2014. New store sales increased, reflecting the opening of 5 new stores since January 1, 2014. These stores generated approximately $31.8 million in sales in the fiscal 2015. The number of stores including supermarkets/hypermarkets and department stores at fiscal 2015 was 45 versus 48 at fiscal 2014.

 

Gross profit, or total revenue minus cost of sales, was decreased by $0.7 million, or 1.7%, to $45.7 million, or 16.9% of net sales, in fiscal 2015 from $46.4 million, or 16.9% of net sales, in fiscal 2014. The change in gross profit was primarily attributable to net sales decreased by $4.5 million in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014.

 

Operating expenses increased by $2.8 million, or 4.8%, to $61.6 million, or 22.8% of net sales, in fiscal 2015 from $58.7 million, or 21.4% of net sales, in fiscal 2014. The change in operating expenses was mainly due to the increase in expenses, including salaries, utility and advertising in fiscal 2015. The increase was also due to a $5.0 million of long-lived asset impairment charges during fiscal 2015.

 

We had a net loss of $31.2 million in fiscal 2015 compared with net loss of $27.0 million in fiscal 2014. The number of shares used in the computation of diluted EPS was 1,522,326 shares in fiscal 2015 and 2014.

 

About QKL Stores Inc.:

 

Based in Daqing, China, QKL Stores, Inc. is a leading regional supermarket chain company operating in Northeastern China and Inner Mongolia. QKL Stores sells a broad selection of merchandise, including groceries, fresh food, and non-food items, through its retail supermarkets, hypermarkets and department stores; the company also has its own distribution centers that service its supermarkets. For more information, please access the Company’s website at: www.qklstoresinc.com.

 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

Certain statements in this release and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company are “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding future events and developments and our future performance, as well as management's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. The forward looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including market acceptance of the Company’s services and projects and the Company’s continued access to capital and other risks and uncertainties. The actual results the Company achieves may differ materially from those contemplated by any forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on our current expectations and speak only as of the date of such statements.

 

 

 

 

Contact Information

 

QKL Stores, Inc.

 

In China:

Mike Li, Investor Relations

+86-459-460-7987

 

 

 

 

QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

  

December 31, 2015

  

December 31, 2014

 
         
ASSETS          
Cash  $9,059,312   $9,013,006 
Restricted cash   8,164,524    8,623,748 
Short term investment   107,830    - 
Accounts receivable   667,842    949,211 
Inventories   57,911,057    62,605,754 
Other receivables   19,119,889    21,375,611 
Prepaid expenses   9,388,381    12,114,028 
Advances to suppliers   10,959,426    8,653,037 
Deferred income tax assets – current portion   2,058,207    2,839,714 
           
Total current assets   117,436,468    126,174,109 
Property, plant equipment, net   23,658,581    37,843,171 
Land use rights, net   619,318    684,375 
Deferred income tax assets – non-current portion   1,253,286    61,681 
Other assets   6,224    11,880 
           
Total assets  $142,973,877   $164,775,216 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Short term bank loans   69,319,285    60,201,757 
Accounts payable   41,062,255    37,206,633 
Cash card and coupon liabilities   13,556,213    14,539,728 
Customer deposits received   2,866,632    2,005,136 
Accrued expenses and other payables   21,636,314    23,147,611 
Income taxes payable   43,364    241,189 
           
Total current liabilities   148,484,063    137,342,054 
Warrant liabilities   -    - 
           
Total liabilities   148,484,063    137,342,054 
           
Commitments and contingencies   -    - 
           
Shareholders’ equity          
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share, authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 1,522,326 and 1,522,326 shares at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 respectively   1,522    1,522 
Series A convertible preferred stock, par value $0.01, authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 529,412 and 529,412 shares at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014   5,294    5,294 
Additional paid-in capital   93,746,014    93,746,014 
Retained earnings – appropriated   8,342,969    8,338,153 
Retained earnings   (120,345,590)   (89,116,190)
Accumulated other comprehensive income   12,739,605    14,458,369 
           
Total shareholders’ equity   (5,510,186)   27,433,162 
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $142,973,877   $164,775,216 

  

 

 

 

QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

   Years Ended December 31, 
   2015   2014 
         
Net sales  $270,064,086   $274,636,920 
Cost of sales   224,410,425    228,215,577 
Gross profit   45,653,661    46,421,343 
           
Operating expenses:          
Selling expenses   61,552,981    58,724,799 
General and administrative expenses   11,933,688    8,879,070 
Total operating expenses   73,486,669    67,603,869 
           
Loss from operations   (27,833,008)   (21,182,526)
           
Non-operating income(expense):          
Interest income   564,320    622,988 
Interest expense   (4,714,296)   (4,436,526)
Total non-operating income   (4,149,976)   (3,813,538)
           
Loss before income tax   (31,982,984)   (24,996,064)
           
Income taxes   (758,400)   1,965,765 
           
Net loss  $(31,224,584)  $(26,961,829)
Comprehensive loss statement:          
           
Net loss   (31,224,584)   (26,961,829)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (1,718,764)   501,580 
           
Comprehensive loss  $(32,943,348)  $(26,460,249)
           
*Basic earnings per share of common stock  $(20.51)  $(17.71)
*Diluted earnings per share  $(20.51)  $(17.71)
           
*Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per ordinary share – basic   1,522,326    1,522,326 
*Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per ordinary share – diluted   1,522,326    1,522,326 

 

 

 

  

QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

   Years Ended December 31, 
   2015   2014 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net loss  $(31,224,584)  $(26,961,829)
Depreciation-property, plant and equipment   4,079,764    4,942,830 
Amortization   29,820    30,223 
Deferred income tax   (588,435)   (60,393)
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment   3,740,273    1,205,657 
Share-based compensation   -    408,057 
Provision/(reversal) on PPE, inventory, other receivables and sales return   5,164,943    (378,576)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Accounts receivable   240,563    (394,389)
Inventories   1,555,062    1,761,003 
Other receivables   880,704    880,698 
Prepaid expenses   2,168,357    (2,250,285)
Advances to suppliers   (2,883,981)   (871,150)
Accounts payable   6,083,334    1,552,356 
Cash card and coupon liabilities   (218,068)   (3,829,348)
Customer deposits received   1,009,143    1,026,003 
Accrued expenses and other payables   (1,894,818)   5,209,616 
Income taxes payable   (192,789)   1,972,000 
Net cash used in operating activities   (12,050,712)   (15,757,527)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Purchases of short term investment   (112,381)   - 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment   (459,504)   (4,230,820)
Sales proceeds of fixed assets disposal   322,444    277,290 
Net cash used in investing activities   (249,441)   (3,953,530)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Bank repayment   (59,401,490)   (40,678,849)
Bank borrowings   72,245,055    60,204,696 
Net cash provided by financing activities   12,843,565    19,525,847 
           
Net increase/(decrease) in cash   543,412    (185,210)
           
Effect of foreign currency translation   (497,106)   (46,996)
           
Cash at beginning of period   9,013,006    9,245,212 
Cash at end of period  $9,059,312   $9,013,006 
           
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:          
Interest paid   4,714,296    4,436,526 
Income taxes (received)  $(27,860)  $(45,196)