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The Container Store Group, Inc. Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2016 Financial Results

February 7, 2017 4:05 PM

Earnings Per Share Up 38% over Prior Year Period

SG&A Savings and Efficiency Program Drives Financial Results

COPPELL, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Container Store Group, Inc. (NYSE: TCS) (the “Company”), today announced financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2016 ended December 31, 2016. In light of the Company’s previously announced fiscal year end change, all references to prior year results are based on the recast third quarter of fiscal 2015 ended January 2, 2016.

Melissa Reiff, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We’re pleased that our ongoing discipline on the expense side enabled us to deliver a 38% increase in earnings per share versus the prior year period. Our custom closets business, specifically elfa® and TCS Closets®, drove incremental sales and profit; however, holiday department sales were disappointing during the quarter and, as we expected, Our Annual elfa® Sale was impacted by fewer selling days combined with Christmas and New Year’s Eve holidays falling on weekends.”

Reiff continued, “We’re nearing completion of our new long-term strategic plan that outlines our goals and priorities and our roadmap to achieving them. We look forward to sharing its central elements by June. Fundamental to this plan is leveraging our key differentiators and implementing new strategies to achieve top-line sales growth and maximizing the productivity of our stores by aligning our marketing, merchandising, in-store and online experience with the evolving expectations of today’s consumer.”

“Given our top and bottom-line performance for the first nine months of fiscal 2016, we now expect to deliver results at the lower end of our previously provided annual comparable store sales and earnings outlook ranges, and consolidated sales modestly below our previously provided annual outlook range,” Reiff concluded.

New and Existing Stores

In fiscal 2017, the Company plans to open locations in Cleveland, OH, Albuquerque, NM, Livingston, NJ, and Staten Island, NY, as well as relocate its Chestnut Hill, MA store. The Albuquerque store will be the first of the Company’s new mid-size store format as part of its test-and-learn effort to optimize its stores and improve efficiency and productivity.

“Overall, for the seven stores we opened in fiscal 2016, sales results have exceeded our expectations and moving forward we will continue to seek strategic store expansion opportunities,” added Reiff. “While we believe that new stores are important to our future and that our runway for growth remains strong with only 86 stores, for fiscal 2017, we plan to point a significant portion of our capital allocation toward our existing store remodels and enhancements. This will allow us to properly support the expansion of our custom closets business, as well as explore new store formats.”

Third Quarter 2016 Results

For the third quarter (thirteen weeks) ended December 31, 2016:

For the year-to-date (thirty-nine weeks) ended December 31, 2016:

Balance sheet highlights:

(In thousands) December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016
Cash $18,491 $20,953
Total debt $338,290 $352,049
Liquidity* $106,384 $93,350
*Cash plus availability on revolving credit facilities

Outlook

For fiscal 2016, the Company expects consolidated net sales to be modestly below the previously provided range of $820 to $830 million. Comparable store sales are expected to be at the low end of the previously provided range of -3.0% to -1.5%. Net income for fiscal 2016 is expected to be at the low end of the previously provided range of $0.20 to $0.30 per diluted common share based on estimated diluted common shares outstanding of 49 million. This assumes a tax rate of approximately 39% for the full fiscal year.

Conference Call Information

A conference call to discuss third quarter fiscal 2016 financial results is scheduled for today, February 7, 2017, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 877-407-3982 (international callers please dial 201-493-6780) approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available online at investor.containerstore.com.

A taped replay of the conference call will be available within two hours of the conclusion of the call and can be accessed both online and by dialing 844-512-2921 (international callers please dial 412-317-6671). The pin number to access the telephone replay is 13654006. The replay will be available until March 7, 2017.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including statements about our expectations regarding our long-term strategic plan for increased sales and productivity; expectations regarding the contribution of our closet business in driving sales and profit growth; expectations regarding our goals, strategies, priorities and initiatives, including the expansion of our Custom Closets section and exploration of new store formats; ; expectations regarding new store openings and relocations and remodeling of existing stores; and statements regarding our anticipated financial performance.

These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: our inability to successfully implement our planned fiscal 2016 and 2017 initiatives in the timeframe we expect or at all; our inability to open or relocate new stores, or remodel existing stores, in the timeframe and at the locations we anticipate; overall decline in the health of the economy, consumer spending, and the housing market; our inability to manage costs and risks relating to new store openings; our inability to source and market new products to meet consumer preferences; our failure to achieve or maintain profitability; our dependence on a single distribution center for all of our stores; effects of a security breach or cyber-attack of our website or information technology systems; our vulnerability to natural disasters and other unexpected events; our reliance upon independent third party transportation providers; our inability to protect our brand; our failure to successfully anticipate consumer preferences and demand; our inability to manage our growth; inability to locate available retail store sites on terms acceptable to us; our inability to maintain sufficient levels of cash flow to meet growth expectations; disruptions in the global financial markets leading to difficulty in borrowing sufficient amounts of capital to finance the carrying costs of inventory to pay for capital expenditures and operating costs; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; our inability to effectively manage our online sales; competition from other stores and internet based competition; our inability to obtain merchandise on a timely basis at competitive prices as a result of changes in vendor relationships; vendors may sell similar or identical products to our competitors; our reliance on key executive management, and the transition in our executive leadership; our inability to find, train and retain key personnel; labor relations difficulties; increases in health care costs and labor costs; our dependence on foreign imports for our merchandise; violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar worldwide anti bribery and anti-kickback laws; our indebtedness may restrict our current and future operations; and increased uncertainty with respect to tax and trade policies, tariffs and government regulations affecting trade between the United States and other countries as a result of the recent presidential and congressional elections in the United States.

These and other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on May 10, 2016, and our other reports filed with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

About The Container Store

The Container Store (NYSE: TCS) is the nation’s leading retailer of storage and organization products and the only retailer solely devoted to the storage and organization category of retailing. The Company originated the concept of storage and organization retailing when it opened its first store in 1978. Today, the retailer has 86 store locations nationwide that each average 25,000 square feet. The Container Store has over 11,000 products to help customers save space and, ultimately, save them time. As the pace of modern life accelerates and being organized is not a luxury anymore but a necessity, The Container Store is devoted to making customers more productive, relaxed and happier by selling customized, complete solutions. Since its inception, the retailer has nurtured an employee-first culture and couples its one-of-kind product collection with a high level of customer service delivered by its highly trained organization experts. The Company has been named to FORTUNE magazine’s 100 Best Companies To Work For® — 17 years in a row. Visit www.containerstore.com for more information about store locations, the product collection and services offered. To find out more about The Container Store’s unique culture, Foundation Principles® and devotion to Conscious Capitalism®, visit the retailer’s culture blog at www.whatwestandfor.com.

The Container Store Group, Inc.
Consolidated balance sheets (unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) December 31, February 27, January 2,
2016 2016 2016
Assets
Current assets:
Cash $18,491 $13,609 $20,953
Accounts receivable, net 31,344 28,843 26,726
Inventory 109,009 86,435 101,899
Prepaid expenses 10,815 8,692 10,396
Income taxes receivable - 157 1,876
Deferred tax assets, net - - 3,256
Other current assets 12,319 8,695 9,501
Total current assets 181,978 146,431 174,607
Noncurrent assets:
Property and equipment, net 166,428 176,117 175,193
Goodwill 202,815 202,815 202,815
Trade names 226,050 228,368 228,967
Deferred financing costs, net 343 419 426
Noncurrent deferred tax assets, net 1,080 2,090 2,324
Other assets 1,420 1,879 1,923
Total noncurrent assets 598,136 611,688 611,648
Total assets $780,114 $758,119 $786,255
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $49,057 $40,274 $43,365
Accrued liabilities 64,552 69,635 62,220
Revolving lines of credit - 721 2,558
Current portion of long-term debt 5,390 5,373 5,279
Income taxes payable 4,156 - 311
Total current liabilities 123,155 116,003 113,733
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt 332,900 316,135 344,212
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities, net 79,672 80,720 84,899
Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities 33,020 38,193 38,363
Total noncurrent liabilities 445,592 435,048 467,474
Total liabilities 568,747 551,051 581,207
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized; 48,003,359 shares issued at December 31, 2016; 47,986,975 shares issued at February 27, 2016 and January 2, 2016 480 480 480
Additional paid-in capital 858,460 856,879 856,667
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (24,047 ) (19,835 ) (18,615 )
Retained deficit (623,526 ) (630,456 )

(633,484

)

Total shareholders’ equity 211,367 207,068 205,048
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $780,114 $758,119 $786,255
The Container Store Group, Inc.
Consolidated statements of operations (unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016 December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016
Net sales $216,380 $212,836 $598,888 $587,206
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) 90,678 87,402 250,136 243,988
Gross profit 125,702 125,434 348,752 343,218
Selling, general, and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) 100,206 103,867 288,037 294,219
Stock-based compensation 599 488 1,355 1,188
Pre-opening costs 2,918 1,784 6,558 6,956
Depreciation and amortization 9,236 9,081 28,061 25,705
Other expenses 182 - 839 -
Loss on disposal of assets - 58 41 65
Income from operations 12,561 10,156 23,861 15,085
Interest expense, net 4,119 4,209 12,434 12,614
Income before taxes 8,442 5,947 11,427 2,471
Provision for income taxes 3,350 2,023 4,851 993
Net income $5,092 $3,924 $6,576 $1,478
Net income per common share - basic and diluted $0.11 $0.08 $0.14 $0.03
Weighted-average common shares - basic 47,999,535 47,986,975 47,992,652 47,985,720
Weighted-average common shares - diluted 48,022,499 47,986,975 48,002,495 47,985,720
The Container Store Group, Inc.
Consolidated statements of cash flows (unaudited)

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended

(In thousands)

December 31, 2016

January 2, 2016
Operating activities
Net income $6,576 $1,478
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 28,061 25,705
Stock-based compensation 1,355 1,188
Loss on disposal of property and equipment 41 65
Deferred tax (benefit) provision (1,044 ) 138
Noncash interest 1,441 1,457
Other (135 ) 383
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (9,843 ) (6,504 )
Inventory (25,686 ) (12,810 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets 2,932 (376 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 19,882 12,612
Income taxes 5,089 (1,831 )
Other noncurrent liabilities (4,794 ) 560
Net cash provided by operating activities 23,875 22,065
Investing activities
Additions to property and equipment (21,010 ) (32,285 )
Proceeds from investment grant - 479
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 7 199
Net cash used in investing activities (21,003 ) (31,607 )
Financing activities
Borrowings on revolving lines of credit 43,135 43,957
Payments on revolving lines of credit (46,653 ) (48,467 )
Borrowings on long-term debt 30,000 33,000
Payments on long-term debt (19,121 ) (8,986 )
Payment of debt issuance costs - (258 )
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options - 57
Net cash provided by financing activities 7,361 19,303
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (551 ) (327 )
Net increase in cash 9,682 9,434
Cash at beginning of period 8,809 11,519
Cash at end of period $18,491 $20,953
Supplemental information for non-cash investing and financing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (included in accounts payable) $304 $1,311
Capital lease obligation incurred $658 $386

Note Regarding Non-GAAP Information

This press release includes financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, including Adjusted EBITDA. The Company has reconciled these non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in a table accompanying this release. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered as alternatives to net income (loss) as a measure of financial performance or cash flows from operations as a measure of liquidity, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP and they should not be construed as an inference that the Company’s future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. These non-GAAP measures are key metrics used by management, the Company’s board of directors, and Leonard Green and Partners, L.P., its controlling stockholder, to assess its financial performance. The Company presents these non-GAAP measures because it believes they assist investors in comparing the Company’s performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that the Company does not believe are indicative of its core operating performance and because the Company believes it is useful for investors to see the measures that management uses to evaluate the Company. These non-GAAP measures are also frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in the Company’s industry. In evaluating these non-GAAP measures, you should be aware that in the future the Company will incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. The Company’s presentation of these non-GAAP measures should not be construed to imply that its future results will be unaffected by any such adjustments. Management compensates for these limitations by relying on our GAAP results in addition to using non-GAAP measures supplementally. These non-GAAP measures are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to different methods of calculation.

The Company defines EBITDA as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated in accordance with its credit facilities and is one of the components for performance evaluation under its executive compensation programs. Adjusted EBITDA reflects further adjustments to EBITDA to eliminate the impact of certain items, including certain non-cash and other items that the Company does not consider in its evaluation of ongoing operating performance from period to period as discussed further below. The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA in connection with covenant compliance and executive performance evaluations, and to supplement GAAP measures of performance to evaluate the effectiveness of its business strategies, to make budgeting decisions and to compare its performance against that of other peer companies using similar measures. The Company believes it is useful for investors to see the measures that management uses to evaluate the Company, its executives and its covenant compliance, as applicable. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are also frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in the Company’s industry.

The Container Store Group, Inc. Supplemental Information - Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(unaudited)

The table below reconciles the non-GAAP financial measure Adjusted EBITDA with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure of GAAP net income.

Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016 December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016
Net income $5,092 $3,924 $6,576 $1,478
Depreciation and amortization 9,236 9,081 28,061 25,705
Interest expense, net 4,119 4,209 12,434 12,614
Provision for income taxes 3,350 2,023 4,851 993
EBITDA $21,797 $19,237 $51,922 $40,790
Pre-opening costs (a) 2,918 1,784 6,558 6,956
Noncash rent (b) (298 ) (508 ) (970 ) (1,489 )
Stock-based compensation (c) 599 488 1,355 1,188
Foreign exchange losses (gains) (d) 53 141 (211 ) 273
Other adjustments (e) 249 22 996 52
Adjusted EBITDA $25,318 $21,164 $59,650 $47,770
(a) Non-capital expenditures associated with opening new stores and relocating stores, including rent, marketing expenses, travel and relocation costs, and training costs. We adjust for these costs to facilitate comparisons of our performance from period to period.
(b) Reflects the extent to which our annual GAAP rent expense has been above or below our cash rent payment due to lease accounting adjustments. The adjustment varies depending on the average age of our lease portfolio (weighted for size), as our GAAP rent expense on younger leases typically exceeds our cash cost, while our GAAP rent expense on older leases is typically less than our cash cost.
(c) Non-cash charges related to stock-based compensation programs, which vary from period to period depending on volume and vesting timing of awards. We adjust for these charges to facilitate comparisons from period to period.
(d) Realized foreign exchange transactional gains/losses our management does not consider in our evaluation of our ongoing operations.
(e) Other adjustments include amounts our management does not consider in our evaluation of our ongoing operations, including certain severance and other charges.

Investors:

ICR, Inc.

Farah Soi, 203.682.8200

[email protected]

or

Media:

The Container Store

Audrey Robertson, 972.538.6623

[email protected]

Source: The Container Store Group, Inc.

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