ARO LIQUIDATION INC NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE: ARO), a mall-based specialty retailer of casual apparel for young women and men, today reported results for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, and provided guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
Second Quarter Performance
For the second quarter of fiscal 2014, net sales decreased 13% to $396.2 million, from $454.0 million in the year ago period. Comparable sales, including the e-commerce channel, for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 decreased 13%, compared to a decrease of 15% for the corresponding 13-week period ended August 3, 2013.
The Company reported a net loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 of $63.8 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, which included:
-- an after-tax charge of approximately $18.5 million, or $0.23 per diluted
share, resulting from store asset impairment charges;
-- an after-tax charge of $3.4 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, which
was driven primarily by the establishment of reserves against net
deferred tax assets;
-- after-tax expenses of approximately $3.0 million, or $0.04 per diluted
share, primarily related to consulting fees associated with the
Company's operational initiatives and investment banking fees;
-- after-tax restructuring charges of approximately $2.9 million, or $0.04
per diluted share, related to the Company's previously announced
strategic initiatives involving its P.S. from Aeropostale business, as
well as the Company's cost savings plan; and
Excluding the aforementioned charges, the Company reported an adjusted net loss of $36.0 million, or $0.46 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 (see Exhibit D).
Julian R. Geiger, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "I am encouraged that the company was able to achieve higher average unit retails and margins, as well as better expense control during the second quarter, which allowed us to exceed guidance. I feel very fortunate to be joining the organization at this time. I believe that, in principle, we are moving in the right direction."
The Company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $152.3 million and $133.6 million in long-term debt.
The Company opened four Aeropostale stores and one Aeropostale and P.S. from Aeropostale combination store, and closed 11 Aeropostale stores and three P.S. from Aeropostale stores during the quarter. For the second quarter, the Company invested $7.2 million in planned capital expenditures.
Third Quarter Guidance
For the third quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company expects operating losses in the range of $33.0 to $37.0 million, which translates to a net loss in the range of $0.44 to $0.48 per diluted share. The effective tax rate for the third quarter is projected to be approximately 4.0%. This outlook does not include the impact of any store impairments or accelerated store closure costs which may be identified, consulting fees, and severance costs related to the Company's previous Chief Executive Officer.
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
The Company believes that the disclosure of adjusted net loss and adjusted loss, which are non-GAAP financial measures, provides investors with useful information to help them better understand the Company's results (see Exhibit D).
Conference Call Information
The Company will be holding a conference call today at 4:15 P.M. ET to review its second quarter results. The broadcast will be available through the 'Investor Relations' link at www.aeropostale.com or by dialing 877-407-9039 approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time with the passcode "Aeropostale." A replay will be available approximately one hour after the recording through Thursday, August 28, 2014 and can be accessed by dialing 877-870-5176, using the required passcode 13587270. An archive will also be available at the Aeropostale website for 12 months.
About Aeropostale, Inc.
Aeropostale®, Inc. is a primarily mall-based, specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting 14 to 17 year-old young women and men through its Aeropostale® stores and 4 to 12 year-old kids through its P.S. from Aeropostale® stores. The Company provides customers with a focused selection of high quality fashion and fashion basics at compelling values in an innovative and exciting store environment. Aeropostale® maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, sourcing, marketing and selling all of its own merchandise. Aeropostale® products can only be purchased in Aeropostale® stores and online at www.aeropostale.com. P.S. from Aeropostale® products can be purchased in P.S. from Aeropostale® stores and online at www.ps4u.com and www.aeropostale.com. The Company currently operates 848 Aeropostale® stores in 50 states and Puerto Rico, 75 Aeropostale stores in Canada and 147 P.S. from Aeropostale® stores in 31 states and Puerto Rico. In addition, pursuant to various licensing agreements, our licensees currently operate 162 Aeropostale® and P.S. from Aeropostale stores in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Since November 2012, Aeropostale, Inc. has operated GoJane.com, Inc., an online women's fashion footwear and apparel retailer.
SPECIAL NOTE: THIS PRESS RELEASE AND ORAL STATEMENTS MADE FROM TIME TO TIME BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPANY CONTAIN CERTAIN "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" MADE IN RELIANCE UPON THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED, CONCERNING EXPECTATIONS FOR SALES, STORE OPENINGS, GROSS MARGINS, EXPENSES, COST SAVINGS, STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND EARNINGS. ACTUAL RESULTS MIGHT DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. AMONG THE FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO MATERIALLY DIFFER INCLUDE, CHANGES IN THE COMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE, INCLUDING THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW PRODUCTS OR PRICING CHANGES BY OUR COMPETITORS; CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY AND OTHER EVENTS LEADING TO A REDUCTION IN DISCRETIONARY CONSUMER SPENDING; SEASONALITY; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND OTHER CONDITIONS AND THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE IMPACT OF CHANGES IN IMPORT RESTRICTIONS; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT AND REALIZE THE ANTICIPATED BENEFITS OF THE COMPANY'S STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND COST REDUCTION PROGRAM, AS WELL AS THE OTHER RISK FACTORS SET FORTH IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K AND QUARTERLY REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q, FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT SUBSEQUENT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Company Contact:
Susan Lewis/VP, Investor & Media Relations
(646) 364-0215 or
slewis@aeropostale.com
Media Contact:
Leigh Parrish, FTI Consulting
(212) 850-5651
EXHIBIT A
AEROPOSTALE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
August 2, 2014 February 1, 2014 August 3, 2013
-------------- ---------------- --------------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $152,274 $106,517 $100,291
Merchandise inventory 213,016 172,311 249,618
Other current assets 59,971 97,793 89,244
------ ------ ------
Total current assets 425,261 376,621 439,153
Fixtures, equipment and improvements,
net 170,504 235,401 269,510
Goodwill and intangible assets 28,204 28,580 28,956
Other assets 10,813 7,039 6,037
------ ----- -----
TOTAL ASSETS $634,782 $647,641 $743,656
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $137,307 $138,245 $150,930
Accrued expenses 108,916 102,116 94,364
------- ------- ------
Total current liabilities 246,223 240,361 245,294
Long-term debt 133,590 - -
Other non-current liabilities 102,468 126,588 130,033
Stockholders' equity 152,501 280,692 368,329
------- ------- -------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $634,782 $647,641 $743,656
EXHIBIT B
AEROPOSTALE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND
SELECTED STORE DATA
(In thousands, except per share and store data)
(Unaudited)
13 weeks ended
--------------
August 2, 2014 August 3, 2013
-------------- --------------
% of sales % of sales
---------- ----------
Net sales $396,155 100.0% $454,034 100.0%
Cost of sales (including certain buying, occupancy and 333,605 84.2% 372,863 82.1%
warehousing expenses) (1)
Gross profit 62,550 15.8% 81,171 17.9%
Selling, general and administrative expenses (2) 121,182 30.6% 124,963 27.5%
Restructuring charges (3) 3,019 0.8% - 0.0%
----- --- --- ---
Loss from operations (61,651) (15.6)% (43,792) (9.6)%
Interest expense 2,424 0.6% 192 0.0%
----- --- --- ---
Loss before income taxes (64,075) (16.2)% (43,984) (9.6)%
Income tax benefit 4 (256) (0.1)% (10,250) (2.2)%
---- ----- ------- -----
Net loss $(63,819) (16.1)% $(33,734) (7.4)%
Basic loss per share $(0.81) $(0.43)
Diluted loss per share $(0.81) $(0.43)
Weighted average basic shares 78,753 78,470
Weighted average diluted shares 78,753 78,470
STORE DATA:
Comparable sales change (including e-commerce channel) (13)% (15)%
Stores open at end of period 1,072 1,119
Total square footage at end of period 4,006,220 4,139,513
Average square footage during period 4,031,063 4,119,473
1 Cost of sales for the second quarter of 2014 was unfavorably impacted by asset impairment charges of $19.0 million ($18.5 million after tax, or $0.23 per diluted share). Cost of sales for the second quarter of 2013 was unfavorably impacted by store asset impairment
charges of $8.0 million ($5.2 million after tax, or $0.07 per diluted share)
2 Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2014 was unfavorably impacted by consulting fees of $3.1 million ($3.0 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share). Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2013 was
unfavorably impacted by an accounting effect related to retirement features of our stock based compensation plan of $2.7 million ($1.6 million after tax, or $0.02 per diluted share).
3 Restructuring charges for the second quarter of 2014 increased by $3.0 million ($2.9 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share).
4 Income tax benefit for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 was unfavorably impacted by the establishment of reserves against net deferred tax assets of $3.4 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share.
EXHIBIT C
AEROPOSTALE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND
SELECTED STORE DATA
(In thousands, except per share and store data)
(Unaudited)
26 weeks ended
--------------
August 2, 2014 August 3, 2013
-------------- --------------
% of sales % of sales
---------- ----------
Net sales $792,013 100.0% $906,307 100.0%
Cost of sales (including certain buying, occupancy and 658,966 83.2% 723,701 79.9%
warehousing expenses) (1)
Gross profit 133,047 16.8% 182,606 20.1%
Selling, general and administrative expenses (2) 240,627 30.4% 246,904 27.2%
Restructuring charges (3) 37,508 4.7% - 0.0%
------ --- --- ---
Loss from operations (145,088) (18.3)% (64,298) (7.1)%
Interest expense 2,773 0.4% 391 0.0%
----- --- --- ---
Loss before income taxes (147,861) (18.7)% (64,689) (7.1)%
Income tax benefit 4 (7,260) (0.9)% (18,787) (2.0)%
------ ----- ------- -----
Net loss $(140,601) (17.8)% $(45,902) (5.1)%
Basic loss per share $(1.79) $(0.59)
Diluted loss per share $(1.79) $(0.59)
Weighted average basic shares 78,655 78,420
Weighted average diluted shares 78,655 78,420
STORE DATA:
Comparable sales change (including e-commerce channel) (13)% (14)%
Average square footage during period 4,048,609 4,086,609
1 Cost of sales for the first twenty-six weeks of 2014 was unfavorably impacted by asset impairment charges of $21.6 million ($21.0 million after tax, or $0.27 per diluted share). Cost of sales for the first twenty-six weeks of 2013 was unfavorably impacted by store asset
impairment charges of $8.6 million ($5.5 million after tax, or $0.08 per diluted share).
2 Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first twenty-six weeks of 2014 was unfavorably impacted by consulting fees of $3.4 million ($3.3 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share). Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first twenty-six
weeks of 2013 was unfavorably impacted by an accounting effect related to retirement features of our stock based compensation plan of $2.7 million ($1.6 million after tax, or $0.02 per diluted share).
3 Restructuring charges for the first twenty-six weeks of 2014 included store asset impairment charges of $30.5 million ($29.1 million after tax, or $0.37 per diluted share) and other restructuring charges of $7.0 million ($6.7 million after tax, or $0.09 per diluted share).
4 Income tax benefit for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 2014 was unfavorably impacted by the establishment of reserves against net deferred tax assets of $3.4 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share.
EXHIBIT D
AEROPOSTALE, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NET LOSS AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss and diluted loss per share on a GAAP basis to the non-GAAP adjusted basis discussed in this release.
13 weeks ended
--------------
August 2, 2014 August 3, 2013
-------------- --------------
Net Loss Diluted Loss Per Net Loss Diluted Loss Per
Share Share
As reported $(63,819) $(0.81) $(33,734) $(0.43)
Asset impairment charges (1) 18,486 0.23 5,191 0.07
Establishment of reserves against net deferred tax assets 3,440 0.04 - -
Other restructuring charges 2,927 0.04 - -
Consulting and other fees (2) 2,980 0.04 - -
Accounting effect related to retirement features of our stock
based compensation plan - - 1,615 0.02
As adjusted $(35,986) $(0.46) $(26,928) $(0.34)
26 weeks ended
--------------
August 2, 2014 August 3, 2013
-------------- --------------
Net Loss Diluted Loss Per Net Loss Diluted Loss Per
Share Share
As reported $(140,601) $(1.79) $(45,902) $(0.59)
Asset impairment charges (3) 50,047 0.64 5,514 0.08
Other restructuring charges 6,731 0.09 - -
Consulting and other fees (2) 3,252 0.04 - -
Establishment of reserves against net deferred tax assets 3,440 0.04 - -
Accounting effect related to retirement features of our stock
based compensation plan - - 1,615 0.02
As adjusted $(77,131) $(0.98) $(38,773) $(0.49)
(1)Recorded in cost of sales in the statement of operations for the second quarter of 2014.
(2)Recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the statement of operations for the second quarter of 2014 and the first twenty-six weeks of 2014.
(3)Includes $29.3 million, after tax recorded in restructuring charges and $20.8 million, after tax recorded in cost of sales in the statement of operations for the first twenty-six weeks of 2014.
SOURCE Aeropostale, Inc.
