Christopher & Banks (CBK) Announces Departure of CEO, Trims Q4 Guidance

Christopher & Banks Corporation (NYSE: CBK), a specialty women’s apparel retailer, today announced an update to its guidance for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year, the election of Joel Waller as interim President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the departure of LuAnn Via, President & CEO.

The Company’s change in guidance for the fourth quarter is attributable to a number of factors, including lower traffic, ongoing headwinds in women’s apparel and weather. The most significant decline occurred during the two full weekends prior to Christmas where sales were negatively impacted by an estimated $4.5 million. The Company now anticipates net sales for the quarter to be between $85 million and $86 million. The continued strong performance in the Company’s eCommerce business, which grew by 15% in fiscal December, was offset by lower-than-anticipated sales in its other channels, particularly outlets. In response to these soft sales trends, the Company was more promotional than originally planned in order to drive sales and manage inventory levels, which has led to gross margin pressure. As a result, the Company now expects its net loss for the quarter to be in the range of $16 million to $17 million, including transition costs associated with the change in management. Despite the lower than planned sales, cash, cash equivalents and investments are expected to be approximately $30 million which is near the low end of the Company’s earlier guidance, and the Company expects to end the fiscal year with on-hand inventory at cost down in the low single digits, which is within its previous guidance. The Company continues to be highly focused on managing its expenses, conserving its cash and controlling inventory.

(Street sees Q4 sales of $95 million)

The Company also reported that LuAnn Via, President & Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, will be departing effective today, and that Lisa Wardell resigned as a member of the Board of Directors and Board Chair, effective January 10, 2017.

In connection with Ms. Via’s departure as Chief Executive Officer, the Company’s Board of Directors announced that, effective today, Joel Waller has been elected interim President & CEO and a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Waller successfully served in a similar capacity for the Company several years ago. He has an extensive retail background with over 35 years of industry experience as both an executive and more recently as a consultant. His proven track record includes serving as the Chief Executive Officer of The Wet Seal, Inc., a specialty retailer of juniors clothing, shoes and accessories from 2005 to 2008 and prior to that as the Chief Executive Officer of Wilsons Leather, a specialty retailer of leather outerwear, accessories and apparel, for approximately twenty years, ending in January 2005.

In addition, the Company announced that Kent Kleeberger has been elected as Board Chair. The Board of the Company intends immediately to commence a search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer and will be engaging a national search firm to assist it in that process.

Mr. Kleeberger said, “We thank LuAnn for her service and contributions as President and CEO during these challenging times, and wish her well in her future endeavors. LuAnn has laid an excellent foundation for future growth and was instrumental in upgrading our assortments, talent, technology and ecommerce platforms.”

Mr. Waller commented, “I am very excited to be rejoining Christopher & Banks and working with the management team and the entire organization. I am very confident in the opportunity to return the Company to profitability and have requested that my compensation package be directly aligned with increasing shareholder value.”

Mr. Kleeberger commented that “I and the other members of the Board look forward to having Joel’s leadership again. We are confident that he will provide clear direction and a smooth transition as we search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer.”

Mr. Kleeberger stated that, “as we look to Fiscal 2017, the Board of Directors and management, under Joel’s leadership, are committed to continuing to explore ways to maximize shareholder value, including implementing the cost savings initiatives previously identified for fiscal 2017, exploring additional cost savings opportunities, and inventory optimization. In addition to these current efforts, the Company is also exploring opportunities to maximize e-Commerce growth potential, generate free cash flow and identify potential growth opportunities and strategic transactions.”

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