Party City Holdco Inc. (NYSE:PRTY) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017.

James M. Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “With fourth quarter results that were in line with our expectations, we achieved 4% topline growth and 8% Adjusted EPS growth in 2017. More importantly, we made strong progress against many of our key strategic priorities: expanding the reach of our unique vertical model; improving in-store efficiency and the shopping experience for our customers; elevating our digital capabilities; increasing our presence across multiple alternative market channels as well as in key international markets; expanding our manufacturing capabilities and entering new streams of business through acquisitions and finally, executing a highly accretive share buyback program.”

Mr. Harrison added, “We are well-positioned to build on this progress in 2018 as we continue to grow our consumer products businesses, focus on our retail initiatives and enhance our digital assets and omni-channel platform. We will also continue to deploy the strong cash flow this business generates with a disciplined approach that balances our growth objectives with the continued deleverage of our balance sheet and the return of capital to shareholders.”

Full Year Summary:

  • Total revenues of $2,372 million increased 3.9% on both a reported basis and a constant currency basis.
  • Retail sales increased 5.3% on both a reported and constant currency basis, driven primarily by 53 net new Party City stores added in the past twelve months.
  • Brand comparable sales decreased 0.7% during 2017. After adjusting for the impacts of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and a shift in the fiscal calendar of the Company’s retail operations which caused certain New Year’s Eve sales to fall into the first quarter of fiscal 2018, such sales were essentially flat.
  • Net third-party wholesale revenues increased 4.9% after adjusting for the impact of currency and the acquisition of 36 franchise stores over the last twelve months. On a reported basis, these sales increased 0.7%.
  • Total gross profit margin increased 40 basis points to 40.8% of net sales, principally due to a 300 basis points increase in share of shelf1 and reduced product costs, partially offset by increased promotional activities.
  • Operating expenses totaled 29.4% of revenues, and increased 5.7% over 2016 to $696.2 million. The increase in rate was principally a result of the Company’s investment in Kazzam, the online exchange platform for party related services. Wholesale selling expenses increased 9.0%, reflecting the acquisition of Granmark as well as inflationary cost increases. Retail operating expenses increased 1.6% due to higher store count and inflationary cost increases, largely offset by improved labor productivity and efficiency in our stores, as well as lower advertising expenses.
  • During the year, the Company opened 16 new stores, acquired 36 franchise stores and 8 independent stores, and closed 7 stores.
  • Reported net income increased to $215.3 million from $117.5 million in 2016. Reported net income and reported diluted earnings per share (see below) include approximately $90 million of non-recurring income tax benefits related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform”).
  • Adjusted net income rose 7.5% to $148.6 million, compared to $138.3 million for fiscal 2016.
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased 4.9% to $409.2 million, compared to $390.0 million in fiscal 2016.
  • Reported diluted earnings per share improved to $1.79 from $0.98. Adjusted diluted income per share improved 7.8% to $1.24 despite $0.04 of foreign exchange headwind and a $0.03 investment in Kazzam.
  • Free cash flow2 totaled $342.2 million.

Fourth Quarter Summary:

  • Total revenues increased 5.4% on a reported basis to $789.6 million and 4.7% on a constant currency basis.
  • Retail sales increased 4.6% on a reported basis (4.2% on a constant currency basis) driven primarily by increased store count through acquired franchise stores (36), eight acquired independent stores and nine net new Party City company-owned stores in the past twelve months.
  • Brand comparable sales decreased 1.4% during the fourth quarter and were essentially flat after adjusting for the impact of the New Year’s Eve timing shift, as discussed above.
  • Net third-party wholesale revenues increased 11.9% after adjusting for the impact of currency and the acquisition of 36 franchise stores over the last twelve months. On a reported basis these sales increased 9.7%.
  • Total gross profit margin increased 50 basis points to 46.9% of net sales, primarily due to higher share of shelf1.
  • Operating expenses totaled $205.1 million or 26.0% of revenues, representing an increase of 40 basis points from Q4 2016 and largely the result of the investment in Kazzam.
  • Reported net income of $185.0 million compared to $85.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Reported net income and reported diluted earnings per share (see below) include approximately $90 million of non-recurring income tax benefits related to Tax Reform.
  • Adjusted net income increased 3.2% to $94.1 million, compared to $91.2 million for the prior year quarter.
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased 2.6% to $197.4 million.
  • Reported diluted earnings per share totaled $1.58, compared to $0.71 in the prior year quarter. Adjusted diluted income per share increased 6.6% to $0.81 from $0.76 in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Balance Sheet Highlights as of December 31, 2017:

The Company ended the year with $1,777.1 million in debt (net of cash) resulting in net debt leverage3 of 4.3 times and approximately $172.0 million in availability under its asset-based revolving credit facility.

Share Repurchase Program:

During the fourth quarter, the company repurchased 23.4 million shares at a cost of $286.7 million. As of December 31, 2017, $55 million remained available under the original $100 million share repurchase program which was announced in November 2017.

Term Loan Repricing:

In February 2018, the Company completed a successful repricing of its Term Loan Credit Agreement, under which the applicable margin for ABR borrowings was lowered from 2.00% to 1.75% and the applicable margin for LIBOR borrowings was lowered from 3.00% to 2.75%. Additionally, under the terms of the repricing, the ABR and LIBOR margins will be reduced to 1.50% and 2.50%, respectively, when the Company’s Senior Secured Leverage Ratio (as defined by the Term Loan Credit Agreement) falls below 3.2x. The Company expects the repricing to result in 2018 interest expense savings of approximately $3 million. All other significant terms, including maturity, remain unchanged.

Fiscal 2018 Outlook:

For 2018, the Company is providing the following guidance:

  • Total revenue of $2.44 to $2.49 billion
  • Brand comparable sales growth of approximately 1%
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $415 to $430 million
  • Adjusted net income of $172 to $183 million
  • Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.76 to $1.87
  • Net debt leverage3 of approximately 3.8 times by the end of 2018
  • GAAP net income of $143 to $154 million
  • GAAP diluted EPS of $1.46 to $1.57

The Company has reconciled Non-GAAP outlook measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures later in this release. See "Non-GAAP Information" and “Reconciliation of 2018 Outlook” for a more detailed explanation, including definitions of the various Non-GAAP terms used in this release.

_____________________

1 The percentage of our retail product cost of sales supplied by our wholesale operations

2 Defined as adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures

3 Defined as net debt to adjusted EBITDA

Conference Call Information

A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter 2017 financial results is scheduled for today, March 9, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (833) 241-4256 (U.S. domestic) and (647) 689-4207 (international), and enter conference ID#4281209, approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be webcast at http://investor.partycity.com/. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register and download any necessary audio software. The webcast will be accessible for one year after the call.

Website Information

We routinely post important information for investors on the Investor Relations section of our website, http://investor.partycity.com/. We intend to use this website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

Non-GAAP Information

This press release includes non-GAAP measures including Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income/Loss and Adjusted Earnings per Share. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because we believe they assist investors in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by eliminating items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. In addition, we use Adjusted EBITDA: (i) as a factor in determining incentive compensation, (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies and (iii) because our credit facilities use Adjusted EBITDA to measure compliance with certain covenants. The Company has reconciled these non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in tables accompanying this release. We also evaluate our results of operations on both an as reported and a constant currency basis. The constant currency presentation, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We calculate constant currency percentages by converting our prior-period local currency financial results using the current period exchange rates and comparing these adjusted amounts to our current period reported results. We also provide free cash flow, defined as Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures, and net debt leverage, which is calculated by adding Loans and Notes Payable, Current Portion of Long Term Obligations and Long Term Obligations, Excluding Current Portion, subtracting Cash and Cash Equivalents and dividing by Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve month period. Adjusted Earnings per Share is calculated by dividing Adjusted Net Income by the Weighted Average Number of Common Shares-Diluted. We believe providing these non-GAAP measures provides valuable supplemental information regarding our results of operations and leverage, consistent with how we evaluate our performance. In evaluating these non-GAAP financial measures, investors should be aware that in the future the Company may incur expenses or be involved in transactions that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. The Company's presentation of non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed to imply that its future results will be unaffected by any such adjustments. The Company has provided this information as a means to evaluate the results of its core operations. Other companies in the Company's industry may calculate these items differently than it does. Each of these measures is not a measure of performance under GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events or our future financial or operating performance, and include Party City’s expectations regarding revenues, brand comparable sales, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income/loss, adjusted diluted earnings per share, average common shares outstanding and the effective tax rate. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management's good-faith belief and reasonable judgment based on current information, and these statements are qualified by important risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those forecasted or indicated by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include: our ability to compete effectively in a competitive industry; fluctuations in commodity prices; our ability to appropriately respond to changing merchandise trends and consumer preferences; successful implementation of our store growth strategy; decreases in our Halloween sales; disruption to the transportation system or increases in transportation costs; product recalls or product liability; economic slowdown affecting consumer spending and general economic conditions; loss or actions of third party vendors and loss of the right to use licensed material; disruptions at our manufacturing facilities; and the additional risks and uncertainties set forth in “Risk Factors” in Party City’s latest Form 10-K and in subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future events, outlook, guidance, results, actions, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements. Except as may be required by any applicable laws, Party City assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date hereof or the earlier date specified herein, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

About Party City

Party City Holdco Inc. is the leading party goods company by revenue in North America and, we believe, the largest vertically integrated supplier of decorated party goods globally by revenue. The Company is a popular one-stop shopping destination for party supplies, balloons, and costumes. In addition to being a great retail brand, the Company is a global, world-class organization that combines state-of-the-art manufacturing and sourcing operations, and sophisticated wholesale operations complemented by a multi-channel retailing strategy and e-commerce retail operations. The Company is the leading player in its category, vertically integrated and unique in its breadth and depth. Party City Holdco designs, manufactures, sources and distributes party goods, including paper and plastic tableware, metallic and latex balloons, Halloween and other costumes, accessories, novelties, gifts and stationery throughout the world. The Company’s retail operations include over 900 specialty retail party supply stores (including approximately 150 franchise stores) throughout North America operating under the names Party City and Halloween City, and e-commerce websites, principally through the domain name PartyCity.com.

   
PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
 
December 31, December 31,
2017 2016
ASSETS Unaudited
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $54,291 $64,610
Accounts receivable, net 140,980 134,091
Inventories, net 604,066 613,868
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 77,816 68,255
Total current assets 877,153 880,824
Property, plant and equipment, net 301,141 292,904
Goodwill 1,619,253 1,572,568
Trade names 568,681 566,599
Other intangible assets, net 75,704 76,581
Other assets, net 12,824 4,502
Total assets $3,454,756 $3,393,978
 
 
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE SECURITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Loans and notes payable $286,291 $120,138
Accounts payable 160,994 163,415
Accrued expenses 176,609 149,683
Income taxes payable 45,568 46,675
Current portion of long-term obligations 13,059 13,348
Total current liabilities 682,521 493,259
Long-term obligations, excluding current portion 1,532,090 1,539,604
Deferred income tax liabilities 175,836 278,819
Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities 91,929 65,507
Total liabilities 2,482,376 2,377,189
 
Redeemable securities 3,590 -
Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock (96,380,102 and 119,515,894 shares outstanding and 119,759,669 and
119,515,894 shares issued at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)

1,198 1,195
Additional paid-in capital 917,192 910,167
Retained earnings 372,596 157,666
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (35,818) (52,239)
Total Party City Holdco Inc. stockholders' equity before common stock held in treasury 1,255,168 1,016,789
Less: Common stock held in treasury, at cost (23,379,567 shares at December 31, 2017) (286,733) -
Total Party City Holdco Inc. stockholders' equity 968,435 1,016,789
Noncontrolling interests 355 -
Total stockholders’ equity 968,790 1,016,789
Total liabilities, redeemable securities and stockholders’ equity $3,454,756 $3,393,978
 
   
PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands, except share and per share data, unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2017   2016 2017   2016
 
Revenues:
Net sales $785,020 $743,292 $2,357,986 $2,266,386
Royalties and franchise fees 4,563 5,996 13,583 17,005
Total revenues 789,583 749,288 2,371,569 2,283,391
 
Expenses:
Cost of sales 417,137 398,093 1,395,279 1,350,387
Wholesale selling expenses 17,410 14,102 65,356 59,956
Retail operating expenses 133,186 130,513 415,167 408,583
Franchise expenses 4,291 4,706 14,957 15,213
General and administrative expenses 42,606 37,091 168,369 152,919
Art and development costs 5,693 5,653 23,331 22,249
Development stage expenses 1,882 - 8,974 -
Total expenses 622,205 590,158 2,091,433 2,009,307
Income from operations 167,378 159,130 280,136 274,084
 
Interest expense, net 22,152 21,523 87,366 89,380
Other expense (income), net 3,766 2,097 4,626 (2,010)
Income before income taxes 141,460 135,510 188,144 186,714
Income tax (benefit) expense (43,497) 50,334 (27,196) 69,237
Net income $184,957 $85,176 $215,340 $117,477
 
 
 
Comprehensive income $185,922 $75,673 $231,761 $98,028
 
Net income per common share-Basic $1.59 $0.71 $1.81 $0.98
Net income per common share-Diluted $1.58 $0.71 $1.79 $0.98
Weighted-average number of common shares-Basic 115,718,330 119,505,541 118,589,421 119,381,842
Weighted-average number of common shares-Diluted 116,852,149 120,541,211 119,894,021 120,369,672
 
   
PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2017   2016 2017   2016
 
Net income $184,957 $85,176 $215,340 $117,477
Interest expense, net 22,152 21,523 87,366 89,380
Income taxes (43,497) 50,334 (27,196) 69,237
Depreciation and amortization 22,649 22,444 85,168 83,630
EBITDA 186,261 179,477 360,678 359,724
Non-cash purchase accounting adjustments 1,028 425 7,378 4,114
Restructuring, retention and severance (a) 879 657 9,718 911
Deferred rent (b) 1,653 6,595 7,287 18,835
Closed store expense (c) 711 761 4,875 3,688
Foreign currency losses (gains), net 2,150 (472) 466 (7,417)
Employee equity based compensation (d) 1,457 1,024 5,309 3,853
Non-employee equity based compensation (e) (253) - 3,033 -
Undistributed (income) loss in unconsolidated joint ventures (102) (66) (194) 314
Corporate development expenses (f) 3,323 2,395 9,401 4,290
Hurricane-related costs 70 - 455 -
Refinancing charges - 1,458 - 1,458
Other 242 161   804 279
Adjusted EBITDA 197,419 192,415   $409,210 $390,049
 
Adjusted EBITDA margin 25.0% 25.7% 17.3% 17.1%
 
(a) During the first quarter of 2017, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Gerald Rittenberg and recorded a severance charge in accordance with the terms of such agreement (this amount excludes a $1,362 stock option modification charge for Mr. Rittenberg, which is included in “Employee equity based compensation” in this table). Additionally, during the first quarter of 2017, the Company restructured its retail operations and recorded a severance charge. Further, the “restructuring, retention and severance” amounts in the adjusted EBITDA table also include additional restructuring, retention and severance charges incurred by the Company and excluded from the definition of adjusted EBITDA in the Company’s credit facilities (see "Non-GAAP Information" above for a discussion of the Company’s use of adjusted EBITDA).
 
(b) The deferred rent adjustment reflects the difference between accounting for rent and landlord incentives in accordance with GAAP and the Company’s actual cash outlay for such items.
 
(c) Charges incurred related to closing underperforming stores.
 
(d) The first quarter of 2017 includes a $1,362 stock option modification charge for Gerald Rittenberg.
 
(e) Principally represents shares of Kazzam awarded to Ampology as compensation for Ampology’s services.
 
(f) Primarily represents start-up costs for Kazzam and third-party costs related to acquisitions (principally legal expenses).
 
   
PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2017   2016 2017   2016
 
Income before income taxes $141,460 $135,510 $188,144 $186,714
Intangible asset amortization 5,255 5,065 16,959 17,247
Non-cash purchase accounting adjustments (a) 1,384 309 9,549 5,300

Amortization of deferred financing costs and original issuance discounts

1,238 1,997 4,937 5,818
Restructuring, retention and severance (b) (378) - 7,113 -
Non-employee equity based compensation (c) (253) - 3,033 -
Hurricane-related costs 70 - 455 -
Refinancing charges - 725 - 725
Employee equity based compensation (d) 1,457 1,024 5,309 3,853
Adjusted income before income taxes 150,233 144,630 235,499 219,657
Adjusted income tax expense (e) 56,143 53,462 86,856 81,380
Adjusted net income $94,090 $91,168 $148,643 $138,277
 
Adjusted net income per common share - diluted $0.81 $0.76 $1.24 $1.15
 
Weighted-average number of common shares-diluted 116,852,149 120,541,211 119,894,021 120,369,672
 
(a) On July 27, 2012, PC Merger Sub, Inc., which was our wholly-owned indirect subsidiary, merged into Party City Holdings Inc. (“PCHI”), with PCHI being the surviving entity (the “Transaction”). As a result of the Transaction, the Company applied the acquisition method of accounting and increased the value of certain property, plant and equipment. The impact of such adjustments on depreciation expense increased the Company’s expenses. These property, plant and equipment depreciation amounts are included in “Non-cash purchase accounting adjustments” for purposes of calculating “adjusted net income,” but are excluded from “Non-cash purchase accounting adjustments” for purposes of calculating adjusted EBITDA since they are included in depreciation expense.
 
(b) During the first quarter of 2017, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Gerald Rittenberg and recorded a severance charge in accordance with the terms of such agreement (this amount excludes a $1,362 stock option modification charge for Mr. Rittenberg, which is included in “Employee equity based compensation” in this table). Additionally, during the first quarter of 2017, the Company restructured its retail operations and recorded a severance charge.
 
(c) Principally represents shares of Kazzam awarded to Ampology as compensation for Ampology’s services.
 
(d) The first quarter of 2017 includes a $1,362 stock option modification charge for Gerald Rittenberg.
 
(e) Represents income tax expense/benefit after excluding the specific tax impacts for each of the pre-tax adjustments. The tax impacts for each of the adjustments were determined by applying to the pre-tax adjustments the effective income tax rates for the specific legal entities in which the adjustments were recorded. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“the Act”) was signed into law. The Act significantly changed U.S. tax law, including lowering the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018, and implementing a one-time "deemed repatriation" tax on unremitted earnings accumulated in non-U.S. jurisdictions. Due to the complexities of accounting for the Act, SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 allows entities to include a provisional estimate of the impact of the Act in its 2017 financial statements. Therefore, based on currently available information, during the fourth quarter of 2017 the Company recorded a provisional income tax benefit of $91.0 million related to the remeasurement of its deferred tax liabilities due to the lower U.S. corporate tax rate. As the Act is a significant and non-recurring event which is impacting the comparability of the Company’s financial statements, the Company has excluded the impact of the law, including the $91.0 million benefit, from its adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2017.
 
                       

PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.

RECONCILIATION OF 2018 OUTLOOK

(In millions, unaudited)

 
Full year 2018
Outlook
Net income: $143 - $154
Intangible asset amortization, net of tax:

 

11

Non-recurring consulting costs, net of tax: 8

Amortization of deferred financing costs and original issuance discount, net of tax:

4
Non-cash purchase accounting adjustments, net of tax:

 

3

Equity based compensation, net of tax:         3        
Adjusted net income: $172       -       $183
 
 
 
 
Net income: $143 - $154
Income taxes: 50 - 54
Interest expense, net: 98 - 95
Depreciation and amortization: 84       -       82
EBITDA: $375 - $385
Corporate development expenses: 11 - 12
Non-recurring consulting costs: 11
Equity based compensation: 5
Deferred rent: 4 - 5
Restructuring, retention and severance: 3 - 4
Non-cash purchase accounting adjustments: 3 - 4
Closed store expense: 3       -       4
Adjusted EBITDA: $415       -       $430
 
           
PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
2017 2016
Total Revenues

Dollars in
thousands

  

Percentage of
Total Revenues

Dollars in
thousands

  

Percentage of
Total Revenues

Net Sales:
Wholesale $330,834 41.9% $307,147 41.0%
Eliminations (171,276)   (21.7%) (161,711)   (21.6%)
Net wholesale 159,558 20.2% 145,436 19.4%
Retail 625,462   79.2% 597,856   79.8%
Total net sales 785,020 99.4% 743,292 99.2%
Royalties and franchise fees 4,563   0.6% 5,996   0.8%
Total revenues $789,583   100.0% $749,288   100.0%
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
2017 2016
Total Revenues

Dollars in
thousands

  

Percentage of
Total Revenues

Dollars in
thousands

  

Percentage of
Total Revenues

Net Sales:
Wholesale $1,260,089 53.1% $1,252,218 54.8%
Eliminations (630,692)   (26.6%) (626,900)   (27.4%)
Net wholesale 629,397 26.5% 625,318 27.4%
Retail 1,728,589   72.9% 1,641,068   71.9%
Total net sales 2,357,986 99.4% 2,266,386 99.3%
Royalties and franchise fees 13,583   0.6% 17,005   0.7%
Total revenues $2,371,569   100.0% $2,283,391   100.0%
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
2017 2016
Total Gross Profit

Dollars in
thousands

  

Percentage of
Net Sales

Dollars in
thousands

  

Percentage of
Net Sales

Retail $315,528 50.4% $292,185 48.9%
Wholesale $52,355   32.8% 53,014   36.5%
Total $367,883   46.9% $345,199   46.4%
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
2017 2016
Total Gross Profit

Dollars in
thousands

  

Percentage of
Net Sales

Dollars in
thousands

  

Percentage of
Net Sales

Retail $763,315 44.2% $711,468 43.4%
Wholesale 199,392   31.7% 204,531   32.7%
Total $962,707   40.8% $915,999   40.4%
 
       
PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.
OPERATING METRICS
 
Three Months Ended December 31, LTM
2017 2016 2017
 
Store Count
Corporate Stores:
Beginning of period 794 737 750
New stores opened 3 15 16
Acquired 7 - 44
Closed (1) (2) (7)
End of period 803 750 803
Franchise Stores:
Beginning of period 148 184 184
New stores opened 1 1 3
Sold to Party City - - (36)
Closed (1) (1) (3)
End of period 148 184 148
Grand Total 951 934 951
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2017 2016 2017 2016
 
Share of Shelf (a) 82.3% 77.9% 79.6% 76.6%
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2017 2016 2017 2016
 
Brand comparable sales (b) -1.4% -3.5% -0.7% -0.4%
 
(a) Share of shelf represents the percentage of our retail product cost of sales supplied by our wholesale operations.
(b) Party City brand comparable sales include North American e-commerce sales.