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8-K - 8-K - CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPcbk-form8kxfy17xq3_20171128.htm
Exhibit 99.1
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2400 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55441 ▪ (763) 551-5000 ▪ www.christopherandbanks.com

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION REPORTS
THIRD QUARTER FISCAL 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS


- Net Sales of $98.5 million, reflecting a Comparable Sales Decrease of 5.0% -
- Fourth Quarter to date Comparable Sales are up mid-single digits -
- Selling, General & Administrative Expenses decreased by $0.7 million -


Minneapolis, MN, November 28, 2017 - Christopher & Banks Corporation (NYSE: CBK), a specialty women’s apparel retailer, today reported results for the third quarter ended October 28, 2017.

Joel Waller, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We remain pleased with the progress of our turnaround, and with the inflection point we saw in our business late in October. For the fourth quarter-to-date, comparable sales are up mid-single-digits reflecting an increase in transactions and average dollar sales, including higher AUR as compared to the same period last year. While the third quarter was somewhat disappointing, we attribute this partially to weather and saw the timing of our sales improvement coincide with more seasonable weather as well as the receipt of new holiday merchandise. Both Outlets and eCommerce saw positive comp increases in the third quarter which have accelerated in the fourth quarter-to-date. We remain focused on refining our merchandise assortment to strike the right balance between fashion and core product, improving the flow of fashion and newness, and leveraging our marketing programs to connect with our customers. Overall, we believe that continuing to execute on our strategic plan will ultimately drive long-term, sustainable growth.”

Results for the Third Quarter Ended October 28, 2017
Net sales totaled $98.5 million, a decrease of 7.7%, while operating on average 473 stores. This compares to $106.7 million in net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2016, while operating on average 506 stores.
Comparable sales decreased 5.0% following a 4.5% increase in the same period last year. eCommerce sales increased 8.5% following a 16.3% increase in the same period last year.
Gross margin rate decreased 300 basis points to 33.8%, as compared to last year’s third quarter, primarily due to continued higher promotions and markdowns to move through non-go-forward product and address slow sellers more quickly.
Selling, general & administrative expenses (“SG&A”) decreased by $0.7 million, driven by lower store operating expenses, lower net employee compensation expenses, and the absence of costs related to the customer platform transition that took place in last year’s third quarter, partially offset by higher medical claims and consulting fees. As a percent of net sales, SG&A was 32.3%, compared to 30.5% in the prior year period.

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Net loss totaled $1.6 million, or ($0.05) per share, compared to net income for the prior year period of $3.5 million, or $0.09 per share.
Adjusted EBITDA*, a non-GAAP measure, was $1.4 million, compared to $6.7 million for the same period last year.

Balance Sheet Highlights and Capital Expenditures
Cash and cash-equivalents totaled $17.9 million as of October 28, 2017. Total inventory was $51.4 million at the end of the third quarter as compared to $54.1 million at the end of the third quarter last year, a reduction of 4.9%.

Capital expenditures for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 were $1.2 million compared to $2.0 million in last year’s third quarter. Capital expenditures in the third quarter this year primarily reflected investments in new stores and technology associated with the Company’s omni-channel capabilities. For the third quarter ended October 28, 2017, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

The Company also announced that it has recently engaged a leading commercial real estate company to solicit interest in a sale and leaseback of the Company’s corporate facility in Plymouth MN which, if consummated, will unlock additional capital and enhance the Company’s overall liquidity position. The Company estimates the value of the building is in the low to mid-teen million dollar range.

Conference Call Information
The Company will discuss its third quarter results in a conference call scheduled for today, November 28, 2017, at 8:30 a.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 approximately one hour of the completion of the call and will be accessible at http://www.christopherandbanks.com for 30 days. In addition, an audio replay of the call will be available shortly after its conclusion and will be archived until December 5, 2017. This call may be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921 and using the passcode 13673598.

Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), this press release contains a non-GAAP financial measure, Adjusted EBITDA. The presentation of these non-GAAP measures is not in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered superior to or as a substitute for net income or net loss, or any other measure of performance derived in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes the inclusion of these non-GAAP measures provides useful supplemental information to investors regarding the underlying performance of the Company’s business operations, especially when comparing such results to previous periods. These non-GAAP measures are not an alternative for measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from similarly titled non-GAAP measures used by other companies. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to its most directly comparable GAAP measure as provided in the table below.


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*Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as Net income (loss), adjusted for Income tax provision (benefit); Other income; Interest expense, net; Depreciation and Amortization; Impairment of long-lived assets; and certain discretionary items. Please see “Non-GAAP Measures” above and the reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the comparable GAAP measure that follows in the table below.

About Christopher & Banks
Christopher & Banks Corporation is a Minneapolis-based national specialty retailer featuring exclusively designed privately branded women’s apparel and accessories. As of November 28, 2017, the Company operates 472 stores in 45 states consisting of 321 MPW stores, 79 Outlet stores, 37 Christopher & Banks stores, and 35 stores in its women’s plus size clothing division CJ Banks. The Company also operates the www.ChristopherandBanks.com eCommerce website.

Keywords: Christopher & Banks, CJ Banks, Women’s Clothing, Plus Size Clothing, Petites, Extended Sizes, Outfits.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release and in our upcoming earnings conference call may constitute forward-looking statements, made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect our current views with respect to certain events that could have an effect on our future performance. The forward-looking statements relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical facts and may use the words “will”, "expect", "anticipate", "plan", "intend", "project", "believe", “should”, "drive" "in order to" and similar expressions. Except for historical information, matters discussed in this press release or on our earnings conference call may be considered forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based largely on information currently available to our management and our current expectations, assumptions, plans, estimates, judgments and projections about our business and our industry, 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 the Company's future performance and financial results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee their accuracy or our future performance, and there are a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors (many of which are outside our control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, there is no assurance that our expectations will, in fact, be achieved or that our estimates or assumptions will be correct, and we caution investors and all others not to place undue reliance on such 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, those factors described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and in the “Forward-Looking Statements” disclosure in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our latest annual report on Form 10-K. All forward-looking statements that are made or attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. The

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Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that projected results expressed or implied in such statements will not be realized.





    COMPANY CONTACT:
 
 
    Marc Ungerman
 
 
    Interim Chief Financial Officer and
 
 
    Vice President, Controller
 
 
    (763) 551-5000
 
 
 
 
 
    INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
 
 
    Jean Fontana
 
 
    ICR, Inc.
 
 
    (646) 277-1214
 
 


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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
 
October 28,
 
October 29,
 
October 28,
 
October 29,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net sales
$
98,468

 
$
106,668

 
$
273,642

 
$
296,625

Merchandise, buying and occupancy costs
65,229

 
67,447

 
185,237

 
189,543

Gross profit
33,239

 
39,221

 
88,405

 
107,082

Other Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
31,802

 
32,483

 
91,956

 
98,585

Depreciation and amortization
2,976

 
3,119

 
9,242

 
9,116

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 
163

 
476

Total other operating expenses
34,778

 
35,602

 
101,361

 
108,177

Operating (loss) income
(1,539
)
 
3,619

 
(12,956
)
 
(1,095
)
Interest expense, net
(38
)
 
(44
)
 
(107
)
 
(126
)
Other income

 

 

 
911

(Loss) income before income taxes
(1,577
)
 
3,575

 
(13,063
)
 
(310
)
Income tax provision
45

 
82

 
136

 
249

Net (loss) income
$
(1,622
)
 
$
3,493

 
$
(13,199
)
 
$
(559
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
(0.05
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
(0.36
)
 
$
(0.02
)
Basic shares outstanding
37,285
 
37,075
 
37,178
 
36,992
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
(0.05
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
(0.36
)
 
$
(0.02
)
Diluted shares outstanding
37,285
 
37,153
 
37,178
 
36,992

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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
October 28,
 
October 29,
 
2017
 
2016
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
17,867

 
$
25,882

Accounts receivable
4,196

 
3,742

Merchandise inventories
51,431

 
54,085

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
4,638

 
9,726

Income taxes receivable
243

 
601

Total current assets
78,375

 
94,036

 
 
 
 
Property, equipment and improvements, net
50,374

 
57,472

 
 
 
 
Other non-current assets:
 
 
 
Deferred income taxes
296

 
375

Other assets
638

 
460

Total other non-current assets
934

 
835

Total assets
$
129,683

 
$
152,343

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
22,600

 
$
16,625

Accrued salaries, wages and related expenses
5,972

 
6,754

Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities
24,871

 
23,478

Total current liabilities
53,443

 
46,857

 
 
 
 
Non-current liabilities:
 
 
 
Deferred lease incentives
8,186

 
9,333

Deferred rent obligations
6,623

 
6,348

Other non-current liabilities
2,500

 
1,396

Total non-current liabilities
17,309

 
17,077

 
 
 
 
Stockholders' equity:
 
 
 
Common stock
475

 
471

Additional paid-in capital
127,348

 
126,408

Retained earnings
43,819

 
74,241

Common stock held in treasury
(112,711
)
 
(112,711
)
Total stockholders' equity
58,931

 
88,409

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
129,683

 
$
152,343


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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
 
October 28,
 
October 29,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(13,199
)
 
$
(559
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
9,242

 
9,116

Impairment of long-lived assets
163

 
476

Deferred income taxes, net
25

 
18

Gain from company-owned life insurance

 
(911
)
Amortization of premium on investments

 
10

Amortization of financing costs
47

 
47

Deferred lease-related liabilities
(866
)
 
(817
)
Stock-based compensation expense
859

 
565

Loss on disposal of assets

 
1

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(1,648
)
 
326

Merchandise inventories
(14,597
)
 
(11,604
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(1,260
)
 
(543
)
Income taxes receivable
273

 
(88
)
Accounts payable
8,640

 
123

Accrued liabilities
(2,089
)
 
2,912

Other liabilities
1,743

 
164

Net cash used in operating activities
(12,667
)
 
(764
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Purchases of property, equipment and improvements
(4,447
)
 
(8,770
)
Proceeds from company-owned life insurance

 
911

Maturities of available-for-sale investments

 
3,005

Net cash used in investing activities
(4,447
)
 
(4,854
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Issuance of stock for stock option exercises, net of forfeitures

 
17

Shares redeemed for payroll taxes
(25
)
 
(23
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(25
)
 
(6
)
 
 
 
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(17,139
)
 
(5,624
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
35,006

 
31,506

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
17,867

 
$
25,882

 
 
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
107

 
$
143

Income taxes (refunded) paid
$
(263
)
 
$
102

Accrued purchases of equipment and improvements
$
288

 
$
267


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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION OF NET LOSS TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

The following table reconciles from Net (loss) income in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, for the thirteen week and thirty-nine week periods ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016:

 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
 
October 28,
 
October 29,
 
October 28,
 
October 29,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net (loss) income on a GAAP basis
$
(1,622
)
 
$
3,493

 
$
(13,199
)
 
$
(559
)
Income tax provision
45

 
82

 
136

 
249

Other income

 

 

 
911

Interest expense, net
(38
)
 
(44
)
 
(107
)
 
(126
)
Depreciation & amortization
2,976

 
3,119

 
9,242

 
9,116

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 
163

 
476

Lease termination fees and other related costs, net

 

 
484

 

Advisory fees in connection with shareholder activism

 

 

 
1,549

eCommerce transition fees

 

 

 
684

Adjusted EBITDA
$
1,437

 
$
6,738

 
$
(3,067
)
 
$
10,730








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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION OF LOSS PER SHARE
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

No adjustment was necessary for the thirteen week periods ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016.

The following table reconciles from Net loss per share in accordance with GAAP to Adjusted net loss per share, on a non-GAAP basis, for the thirty-nine week periods ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016:

 
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
 
October 28,
 
October 29,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Pretax
Net of tax
Per share amounts
 
Pretax
Net of tax
Per share amounts
GAAP net loss per share
 
 
$
(0.36
)
 
 
 
$
(0.02
)
Adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Lease termination fees and other related costs, net
$
484

$
477

$
0.01

 
$

$

$

   Advisory fees in connection with shareholder activism



 
1,549

1,479

0.04

   eCommerce transition fees



 
684

653

0.02

Adjusted loss per share
 
 
$
(0.35
)
 
 
 
$
0.04



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