Bassett Announces Fiscal Second Quarter Results

BASSETT, Va., July 1, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:BSET) announced today its results of operations for its fiscal quarter ended May 30, 2015.

Fiscal 2015 Second Quarter Highlights

  • Consolidated sales were $111.6 million for the second quarter of 2015 compared to $85.2 million for the second quarter of 2014, an increase of 31%. Excluding the sales from the acquisition of Zenith Freight Lines, LLC ("Zenith"), consolidated sales increased 17%.
  • Operating income for the quarter, excluding the effects of $0.4 million in charges associated with management restructuring costs, was $7.2 million or 6.4% of sales as compared to $3.9 million or 4.6% of sales for the prior year quarter. Excluding the effects of Zenith, operating income would have been $6.2 million or 6.2% of sales.
  • Wholesale sales were $66.7 million for the second quarter of 2015 compared to $56.2 million for the second quarter of 2014, an increase of 19%. Wholesale operating profit was $4.8 million or 7.2% of sales as compared to $4.3 million or 7.6% of sales for the prior year quarter.
  • Company-owned store delivered sales increased 20%, including a comparable store sales increase of 17%, compared to the prior year quarter. Comparable store operating income was $2.1 million or 3.4% of sales for the current year quarter as compared to $0.1 million for the prior year quarter, a $2.0 million improvement. Total retail operating income was $2.0 million or 3.1% of sales for the quarter as compared to a loss of $0.7 million for the prior year quarter.
  • Zenith, acquired in the first quarter of 2015, generated operating income of $1.0 million on sales of $22.0 million or 4.7% of sales.
  • Received a $1.1 million distribution from U.S. Customs and Border Protection as part of the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 ("CDSOA").
  • Net income for the quarter increased to $4.5 million or $0.42 per diluted share as compared to $2.6 million or $0.24 per diluted share for the prior year. Excluding the CDSOA funds mentioned above, net income would have been $3.9 million or $0.36 per diluted share.

"We continued to improve the execution of our strategy in the second quarter as consolidated revenue increased by 31%", commented Robert H. Spilman, Jr. President and CEO. "Across the board, our business segments grew sales and increased profits. Propelled by our store network and independent dealers, wholesale sales grew by 19%. The 17% comparable store sales growth turned in by our corporate retail division marked the fourth consecutive quarter of double digit gains and the successful integration of our recently acquired Zenith Freight Lines, LLC significantly contributed to our operating results. In short, we managed our integrated business model at higher levels of efficiency producing operating income growth of 84% to $7.2 million (excluding $0.4 million of management restructuring charges) or 6.4% of sales. We will continue to seek to wring out further improvement in our operations as we enter the slower summer months prior to the historically strong fall selling season."

Wholesale Segment

Net sales for the wholesale segment were $66.7 million for the second quarter of 2015 as compared to $56.2 million for the second quarter of 2014, an increase of $10.5 million or 19%. This sales increase was driven by a 27% increase in shipments to the Bassett Home Furnishings store network and a 6.8% increase in open market shipments (outside the Bassett Home Furnishings store network). Gross margins for the wholesale segment decreased to 32.8% for the second quarter of 2015 as compared to 33.9% for the second quarter of 2014 caused largely by increased discounting of wood products as the Company is implementing a significant makeover of its imported wood furniture line. Wholesale SG&A increased $2.3 million to $17.1 million for the second quarter of 2015 as compared to $14.8 million for the second quarter of 2014. SG&A as a percentage of sales decreased to 25.6% as compared to 26.3% for the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to greater leverage of fixed costs from higher sales volumes. Operating income was $4.8 million or 7.2% of sales as compared to $4.3 million or 7.6% of sales in the prior year quarter.

"Our merchandising programs continue to resonate with consumers inside our stores and with our open market dealers", continued Spilman. "Our upholstery division performed at record levels of revenue and profitability during the quarter. The HGTV Design Studio at Bassett custom upholstery products remain the anchor of our assortment in Bassett Home Furnishings stores. We are currently negotiating an extension of our licensing agreement with HGTV and have plans to extend the reach of this successful effort to our best independent dealers this fall. We are excited about our HGTV Design Studio at Bassett Custom Sale that will be promoted this fall and will allow all of our participating dealers to advertise on national cable and the web simultaneously for the first time. On the wood side, retail sales of our recently introduced Bench Made collection have exceeded our internal plan and we intend to broaden the assortment this fall. Wood margins, however, were down from last year due to heavier discounting of discontinued products and higher container freight costs."

Retail Segment

Net sales for the 59 Company-owned Bassett Home Furnishings stores were $63.9 million for the second quarter of 2015 as compared to $53.3 million for the second quarter of 2014, an increase of $10.6 million or 20%. The increase was primarily due to a $9.0 million or 17% increase in comparable store sales coupled with a $1.6 million increase in non-comparable store sales primarily from 2 new stores opened in the last 15 months.

While the Company does not recognize sales until goods are delivered to the consumer, management tracks written sales (the retail dollar value of sales orders taken, rather than delivered) as a key store performance indicator. Written sales for comparable stores increased by 15% for the second quarter of 2015 as compared to the second quarter of 2014.

The consolidated retail operating profit for the second quarter of 2015 was $2.0 million as compared to a loss of $0.7 million for the second quarter of 2014, an increase of $2.7 million. The 57 comparable stores generated operating income of $2.0 million for the quarter, or 3.4% of sales, as compared to $0.1 million, or 0.1% of sales, for the prior year quarter. Gross margins for comparable stores were 49.8% for the second quarter of both 2015 and 2014. SG&A expenses for comparable stores increased $2.5 million to $28.1 million or 46.4% of sales as compared to 49.7% of sales for the second quarter of 2014. The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of sales is primarily due to greater leverage of fixed costs due to higher sales volumes for the comparable stores.

Losses associated with non-comparable stores were $0.1 million for the quarter as compared to $0.7 million for the prior year quarter. This decrease is primarily from $0.5 million of pre-opening costs recognized in the second quarter of 2014 as compared to less than $0.1 million for the current year quarter.

The Company plans to continue opening new stores, primarily in underpenetrated markets where it currently has stores. The Company and certain licensees are actively engaged in site selection and lease negotiations for several new stores. One new corporate store in Woodland Hills, California is expected to open during 2015 with another new store in Dulles, Virginia scheduled to open during the first half of fiscal 2016. The Company also expects two new licensee stores to open over the remainder of fiscal 2015. The Company completed store relocations in San Antonio and Southlake, Texas during the first quarter of 2015 and expects to relocate the Newport News, Virginia store during the first quarter of 2016. During the second quarter of 2015, the Company closed an underperforming store in Memphis, Tennessee which was announced in the first quarter of 2015.

"The strong sales produced by our corporate retail team resulted in a $2.0 million operating profit for the division, an increase of $2.7 million from a year earlier", said Spilman. "The majority of the improvement came from the leverage of SGA expenses from increased sales, although we did incur $0.7 million less in store opening costs due to fewer stores opening in the period. During the quarter we remodeled one of our Atlanta stores and another in Palm Beach, FL. We also began construction on a new location in an exciting new lifestyle center in Woodland Hills, CA that will open this September. Also, an existing Bassett licensee will open a new store in Livingston, NJ in August. Another significant development in the quarter was the extensive new product rollout that hit our floors prior to Memorial Day. Utilizing our sourcing, manufacturing, and logistics capabilities, we were able to deliver complete room settings to cohesively reset as much as 20% of our retail space. Although our sales have been robust as of late, we strive to keep our presentation crisp and to offer our spin on the relevant home furnishings trends of today. A product launch of this magnitude usually takes place prior to Labor Day, but we planned this accelerated launch over a year ago. Our next major effort will take place in December in preparation for our annual New Year's event."

About Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:BSET), is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality, mid-priced home furnishings. With 92 company- and licensee-owned stores at the time of this release, Bassett has leveraged its strong brand name in furniture into a network of corporate and licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories. The most significant growth opportunity for Bassett continues to be the Company's dedicated retail store program. Bassett's retail strategy includes affordable custom-built furniture that is ready for delivery in the home within 30 days. The stores also feature the latest on-trend furniture styles, more than 1,000 upholstery fabrics, free in-home design visits, and coordinated decorating accessories. Bassett is also growing its traditional wholesale business with more than 600 accounts on the open market, across the United States and internationally. For more information, visit the Company's website at bassettfurniture.com. (BSET-E)

Certain of the statements in this release, particularly those preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "should," "estimates," or similar expressions, or those relating to or anticipating financial results for periods beyond the end of the second fiscal quarter of 2015, constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. For those statements, Bassett claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In many cases, Bassett cannot predict what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements. Expectations included in the forward-looking statements are based on preliminary information as well as certain assumptions which management believes to be reasonable at this time. The following important factors affect Bassett and could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements: the effects of national and global economic or other conditions and future events on the retail demand for home furnishings and the ability of Bassett's customers and consumers to obtain credit; and the economic, competitive, governmental and other factors identified in Bassett's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement that Bassett makes speaks only as of the date of such statement, and Bassett undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indication of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - unaudited
(In thousands, except for per share data)
Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
May 30, 2015 May 31, 2014 May 30, 2015 May 31, 2014
Percent of Percent of Percent of Percent of
Amount Net Sales Amount Net Sales Amount Net Sales Amount Net Sales
Sales revenue:
Furniture and accessories $ 99,467 $ 85,185 $ 189,015 $ 160,832
Logistics 12,086 -- 15,345 --
Total sales revenue 111,553 100.0% 85,185 100.0% 204,360 100.0% 160,832 100.0%
Cost of furniture and accessories sold 46,921 42.1% * 39,872 46.8% 88,851 43.5% * 75,266 46.8%
Selling, general and administrative expenses excludingnew store pre-opening costs 57,425 51.5% * 40,901 48.0% 104,900 51.3% * 79,481 49.4%
New store pre-opening costs 44 0.0% 521 0.6% 44 0.0% 1,108 0.7%
Lease exit costs -- 0.0% -- 0.0% 419 0.2% -- 0.0%
Asset impairment charges -- 0.0% -- 0.0% 106 0.1% -- 0.0%
Management restructuring costs 449 0.4% -- 0.0% 449 0.2% -- 0.0%
Income from operations 6,714 6.0% 3,891 4.6% 9,591 4.7% 4,977 3.1%
Remeasurement gain on acquisition of affiliate -- 0.0% -- 0.0% 7,212 3.5% -- 0.0%
Income from Continued Dumping & Subsidy Offset Act 1,066 1.0% -- 0.0% 1,066 0.5% -- 0.0%
Other income (loss), net (597) -0.5% (272) -0.3% (1,220) -0.6% 13 0.0%
Income before income taxes 7,183 6.4% 3,619 4.2% 16,649 8.1% 4,990 3.1%
Income tax provision 2,654 2.4% 1,068 1.3% 6,164 3.0% 1,596 1.0%
Net income $ 4,529 4.1% $ 2,551 3.0% $ 10,485 5.1% $ 3,394 2.1%
Basic earnings per share $ 0.42 $ 0.24 $ 0.99 $ 0.32
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.42 $ 0.24 $ 0.98 $ 0.31
* Because it is a service company, all operating costs for Zenith are included in consolidated Selling, general and administrative expenses. The acquisition of Zenith has the effect of reducing consolidated Cost of furniture and accessories sold as a percentage of sales and increasing Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales as compared to the prior year. For comparative purposes only, Cost of furniture and accessories sold would have been 47.2% and 47.0% and Selling, general and adminstrative expenses would have been 46.7% and 47.9% of sales for the quarter and six months ended May 30, 2015, respectively, excluding the effects of Zenith.
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Assets May 30, 2015 November 29, 2014
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 22,467 $ 26,673
Short-term investments 23,125 23,125
Accounts receivable, net 20,346 15,228
Inventories, net 62,978 57,272
Deferred income taxes, net 5,339 5,268
Other current assets 10,414 7,796
Total current assets 144,669 135,362
Property and equipment, net 95,864 74,812
Other long-term assets
Deferred income taxes, net 5,418 9,701
Goodwill and other intangible assets 17,842 1,730
Other 8,190 19,141
Total long-term assets 31,450 30,572
Total assets $ 271,983 $ 240,746
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable $ 24,776 $ 22,251
Accrued compensation and benefits 10,571 8,931
Customer deposits 22,965 22,202
Dividends payable -- 2,102
Current portion of long-term debt 4,428 316
Other accrued liabilities 11,579 10,971
Total current liabilities 74,319 66,773
Long-term liabilities
Post employment benefit obligations 11,398 11,498
Long-term debt 10,748 1,902
Other long-term liabilities 3,756 3,741
Total long-term liabilities 25,902 17,141
Stockholders' equity
Common stock 54,355 52,467
Retained earnings 115,149 106,339
Additional paid-in-capital 4,158 --
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,900) (1,974)
Total stockholders' equity 171,762 156,832
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 271,983 $ 240,746
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - unaudited
(In thousands)
Six Months Ended
May 30, 2015 May 31, 2014
Operating activities:
Net income $ 10,485 $ 3,394
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 4,729 3,438
Equity in undistributed income of investments and unconsolidated affiliated companies (220) (343)
Provision for restructuring and asset impairment charges 106 --
Non-cash portion of lease exit costs 419 --
Re-measurement gain on acquisition of affiliate (7,212) --
Tenant improvement allowances received from lessors 330 1,270
Deferred income taxes 4,212 (160)
Other, net 1,018 421
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable (1,490) 1,015
Inventories (5,706) 367
Other current and long-term assets (2,121) 1,451
Customer deposits 763 3,122
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 3,882 (156)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 9,195 13,819
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (7,942) (12,209)
Proceeds from sale of retail real estate and property and equipment 2,952 1,407
Cash paid for business acquisition, net of cash acquired (7,323) --
Capital contribution to affiliate (1,345) --
Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments -- 5,000
Proceeds from sale of interest in affiliate -- 2,348
Other -- 188
Net cash used in investing activities (13,658) (3,266)
Financing activities:
Cash dividends (3,777) (3,480)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 2,993 --
Other issuance of common stock 171 147
Repurchases of common stock (255) (2,930)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation 1,032 --
Repayments of notes payable (1,214) (141)
Proceeds from equipment loans 1,307 --
Net cash used in financing activities 257 (6,404)
Change in cash and cash equivalents (4,206) 4,149
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 26,673 12,733
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $ 22,467 $ 16,882
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Segment Information - unaudited
(In thousands)
Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
May 30, 2015 May 31, 2014 May 30, 2015 May 31, 2014
Net Sales
Wholesale $ 66,705 $ 56,184 $ 125,510 $ 107,270
Retail - Company-owned stores 63,921 53,290 121,104 100,414
Logistical services 21,958 -- 27,957 --
Inter-company eliminations:
Furniture and accessories (31,159) (24,289) (57,600) (46,852)
Logistical services (9,872) -- (12,611) --
Consolidated $ 111,553 $ 85,185 $ 204,360 $ 160,832
Operating Income (Loss)
Wholesale $ 4,796 $ 4,257 $ 7,723 $ 6,605
Retail 1,971 (666) 1,929 (2,438)
Logistical services 1,027 -- 1,019 --
Inter-company elimination (631) 300 (106) 810
Management restructuring costs (449) -- (449) --
Lease exit costs -- -- (419) --
Asset impairment charges -- -- (106) --
Consolidated $ 6,714 $ 3,891 $ 9,591 $ 4,977
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Rollforward of BHF Store Count
November 30, May 30,
2014 Opened* Closed* 2015
Company-owned stores 60 -- (1) 59
Licensee-owned stores 34 -- (1) 33
Total 94 -- (2) 92
* Does not include openings and closures due to relocation of existing stores within a market.
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Retail Information---unaudited
(In thousands)
57 Comparable Stores 53 Comparable Stores
Quarter Ended Quarter Ended Six Months Ended Six Months Ended
May 30, 2015 May 31, 2014 May 30, 2015 May 31, 2014
Percent of Percent of Percent of Percent of
Amount Net Sales Amount Net Sales Amount Net Sales Amount Net Sales
Net sales $ 60,608 100.0% $ 51,597 100.0% $ 109,317 100.0% $ 93,894 100.0%
Cost of sales 30,416 50.2% 25,899 50.2% 54,703 50.0% 47,062 50.1%
Gross profit 30,192 49.8% 25,698 49.8% 54,614 50.0% 46,832 49.9%
Selling, general and administrative expense* 28,113 46.4% 25,644 49.7% 52,063 47.6% 47,220 50.3%
Income from operations $ 2,079 3.4% $ 54 0.1% $ 2,551 2.4% $ (388) -0.4%
All Other Stores All Other Stores
Quarter Ended Quarter Ended Six Months Ended Six Months Ended
May 30, 2015 May 31, 2014 May 30, 2015 May 31, 2014
Percent of Percent of Percent of Percent of
Amount Net Sales Amount Net Sales Amount Net Sales Amount Net Sales
Net sales $ 3,313 100.0% $ 1,693 100.0% $ 11,787 100.0% $ 6,520 100.0%
Cost of sales 1,748 52.8% 929 54.9% 5,861 49.7% 3,231 49.6%
Gross profit 1,565 47.2% 764 45.1% 5,926 50.3% 3,289 50.4%
Selling, general and administrative expense 1,629 49.2% 963 56.9% 6,504 55.2% 4,231 64.9%
Pre-opening store costs** 44 1.3% 521 30.8% 44 0.4% 1,108 17.0%
Loss from operations $ (108) -3.3% $ (720) -42.6% $ (622) -5.3% $ (2,050) -31.3%
*Comparable store SG&A includes retail corporate overhead and administrative costs.
**Pre-opening store costs include the accrual for straight-line rent recorded during the period between date of possesion and store opening date, employee payroll and training costs prior to store opening and other various expenses incurred prior to store opening. 

CONTACT: J. Michael Daniel

         Senior Vice President and

         Chief Financial Officer

         (276) 629-6614 - Investors



         Jay S. Moore

         Director of Communications

         (276) 629-6450 - Media
Source: Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.

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