Claire's Stores, Inc. Reports Preliminary Unaudited Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter And Full Year Results

CHICAGO, April 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Claire's Stores, Inc. (the "Company"), one of the world's leading specialty retailers of fashionable jewelry and accessories for young women, teens, tweens, and kids, today announced its preliminary unaudited financial results for the fiscal 2017 fourth quarter and fiscal year, which ended February 3, 2018. 

The financial results discussed in this press release regarding the fiscal 2017 results are unaudited and should be considered preliminary and subject to change.  The Company plans to file its 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K on or before the due date of May 4, 2018.

Fourth Quarter Results

The Company reported net sales of $406.8 million for the fiscal 2017 fourth quarter, an increase of $24.3 million, or 6.4% compared to the fiscal 2016 fourth quarter.  Fiscal 2017 fourth quarter included 14 weeks of operations compared to fiscal 2016 fourth quarter, which included 13 weeks.  Net sales for the additional week of operations were $20.0 million.  The balance of the sales increase was attributable to a favorable foreign currency translation effect of our non-U.S. net sales, an increase in new concession and company-operated store sales, partially offset by the effect of store closures, a decrease in same store sales and decreased franchisee sales.  Net sales would have increased 2.4% excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes.

"We are pleased the restructuring process is proceeding as planned with relatively little impact to customers," said Ron Marshall, Claire's Chief Executive Officer. "Our underlying business is sound and the steps we are taking will substantially reduce the debt on our balance sheet to help ensure Claire's long term success. We look forward to emerging as a healthier, more profitable company – one that can nimbly adjust to the changing dynamics of the retail landscape and will be a strong business partner for suppliers, concessions partners and franchisees."

Consolidated same store sales decreased 0.8% for the 13 weeks ended January 27, 2018 compared to the 13 weeks ended January 28, 2017, with North America same store sales increasing 1.1% and Europe same store sales decreasing 3.8%.  The Company computes same store sales on a local currency basis, which eliminates any impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates.  For the fiscal 2018 first quarter-to-date period, consolidated same store sales have increased in the low single digit range, with North America outperforming Europe. 

Gross profit percentage increased 250 basis points to 53.6% during the fiscal 2017 fourth quarter versus 51.1% for the prior year quarter.  This increase in gross profit percentage consisted of a 180 basis point decrease in occupancy costs, 60 basis point increase in merchandise margin and a 10 basis point decrease in buying and buying-related costs.  The decrease in occupancy costs, as a percentage of sales, was primarily caused by the leveraging effect of concession store sales, which do not have associated occupancy costs.  The increase in merchandise margin resulted primarily from higher initial markup and a decrease in markdowns. 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $19.9 million, or 15.9%, compared to the fiscal 2016 fourth quarter.  Excluding the extra week of operations in Fiscal 2017 and excluding an unfavorable $5.1 million foreign currency translation effect, selling, general and administrative expenses would have increased $7.9 million.  Excluding the extra week of operations in Fiscal 2017 and the foreign currency translation effect, the increase was primarily due to increased compensation-related expenses and increased concession store commission expenses due to the overall increase in our concession store sales.  As we continue to open new concession stores, we expect commission expense to increase accordingly.  As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 3.0% compared to the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA for the 14 weeks ended February 3, 2018 was $86.8 million compared to $76.9 million in the 13 week fiscal 2016 fourth quarter.  Adjusted EBITDA would have been $80.2 million excluding an additional week of operations of $6.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before income taxes, net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, loss (gain) on early debt extinguishments, and asset impairments.  Adjusted EBITDA excludes management fees, severance, the impact of transaction-related costs and certain other items.  A reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA is attached. 

As of February 3, 2018, cash and cash equivalents were $42.4 million.  As of February 3, 2018, the Company had $31.0 million drawn on its ABL Credit Facility and an additional $40.3 million of borrowing availability.  The fiscal 2017 fourth quarter cash balance increase of $16.6 million consisted of positive impacts of $86.8 million of Adjusted EBITDA,   partially offset by $40.0 million from net repayments under our ABL Credit Facility, reductions for $12.4 million of cash interest payments, $7.7 million of capital expenditures, $6.1 million from seasonal working capital uses and $4.0 million for tax payments and other items.

Fiscal 2017 Results

Fiscal 2017 net sales were $1.3 billion, an increase of $26.3 million, or 2.0% compared to fiscal 2016.  Fiscal 2017 included 53 weeks of operations, compared to 52 weeks in Fiscal 2016.  Consolidated same store sales increased 1.7% in fiscal 2017 for the 52 weeks ended January 27, 2018 compared to the 52 weeks ended January 28, 2017, with North America same store sales increasing 1.5% and Europe same store sales increasing 1.9%. Net sales would have increased 1.1% excluding the impact from foreign currency rate changes.

Adjusted EBITDA for the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2018 in fiscal 2017 was $218.4 million, compared to $188.2 million in fiscal 2016 which consisted of 52 weeks.  Adjusted EBITDA would have been $211.8 million excluding an additional week if operations of $6.6 million in fiscal 2017.  Net income for the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2018 in fiscal 2017 was $35.2 million.  A reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA is attached.

Chapter 11 Proceedings

On March 19, 2018, the Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries (together with the Company, the "Debtors"), commenced voluntary chapter 11 cases (the "Chapter 11 Cases") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Bankruptcy Court").  The Debtors commenced the Chapter 11 Cases to eliminate a substantial portion of debt from the Company's balance sheet and to position Claire's for long-term success. Holders of approximately 96.4% of the Company's first lien debt, 8% of its second lien notes, and 83% of its unsecured notes support the Debtors' restructuring.

The Chapter 11 Cases are being jointly administered for procedural purposes only under the caption In re Claire's Stores, Inc., et al., Case No. 18-10584 (MFW). Additional information regarding the Chapter 11 Cases is available in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2018 and April 5, 2018.

Claire's expects to operate its business in the ordinary course during its restructuring process, and its Claire's® and Icing® locations worldwide will continue to provide their customers with the assortment of products and quality of service they have come to expect to find in the Company's stores.

As of April 13, 2018 the Company had approximately $101 million of liquidity, comprised of global cash on hand and availability on its DIP ABL facility, net of applicable reserves.

Company Overview

Claire's Stores, Inc. is one of the world's leading specialty retailers of fashionable jewelry and accessories for young women, teens, tweens and girls ages 3 to 35. The Company operates through its stores under two brand names: Claire's® and Icing®.  As of February 3, 2018, Claire's Stores, Inc. operated 2,594 stores in 17 countries throughout North America and Europe, excluding 970 concession store locations.  The Company franchised 722 stores in 29 countries primarily located in the Middle East, Central and Southeast Asia and Central and South America, Southern Africa, and Russia.  More information regarding Claire's Stores is available on the Company's corporate website at www.clairestores.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" which represent the Company's expectations or beliefs with respect to future events.  Statements that are not historical are considered forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated.  Those factors include, without limitation: our level of indebtedness; general economic conditions; changes in consumer preferences and consumer spending; unwillingness of vendors and service providers to supply goods or services pursuant to historical customary credit arrangements; competition; general political and social conditions such as war, political unrest and terrorism; natural disasters or severe weather events; currency fluctuations and exchange rate adjustments; failure to maintain our favorable brand recognition; failure to successfully market our products through other channels, such as e-commerce; uncertainties generally associated with the specialty retailing business, such as decreases in mall traffic; disruptions in our supply of inventory; inability to increase same store sales; inability to renew, replace or enter into new store leases on favorable terms; increase in our cost of merchandise; significant increases in our merchandise markdowns; inability to grow our company-operated store base, expand our international store base through franchise or similar licensing arrangements or expand our store base through store concessions; inability to design and implement new information systems; data security breaches of confidential information or other cyber attacks; delays in anticipated store openings or renovations; results from any future asset impairment analysis; changes in applicable laws, rules and regulations, including laws and regulations governing the sale of our products, particularly regulations relating to heavy metals and chemical content in our products; changes in anti-bribery laws; changes in employment laws, including laws relating to overtime pay, tax laws and import laws; product recalls; increases in the costs of healthcare for our employees; increases in the cost of labor; labor disputes; loss of key members of management; increases in the cost of borrowings; unavailability of additional debt or equity capital; and the impact of our substantial indebtedness on our operating income and our ability to grow. Risks and uncertainties relating to any capital restructuring initiative include: risks and uncertainties relating to the Chapter 11 Cases, including but not limited to, the Company's ability to obtain Bankruptcy Court approval with respect to motions filed in the Chapter 11 Cases, the effects of the Chapter 11 Cases on the Company and on the interests of various constituents, Bankruptcy Court rulings in the Chapter 11 Cases and the outcome of the Chapter 11 Cases in general, the length of time the Company will operate as a debtor in possession in chapter 11, risks associated with motions filed and relief sought by third parties in the Chapter 11 Cases, the potential adverse effects of the Chapter 11 Cases on the Company's liquidity or results of operations or business prospects and increased legal and other professional costs necessary to execute the Company's reorganization; risks and uncertainties associated with the transactions contemplated by the Debtors' debtor-in-possession financing and restructuring support agreement, including satisfaction of the conditions thereto, which conditions may not be satisfied for various reasons, including for reasons outside of the Company's control, including the negotiation of terms, conditions and provisions related thereto; the ability of the Debtors to obtain requisite support for the restructuring and a chapter 11 plan of reorganization from various stakeholders; the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern; the ability of the Debtors to confirm a chapter 11 plan of reorganization; and the effects of disruption from the Chapter 11 Cases and any restructuring transactions pursued or consummated in connection therewith or relating thereto, making it more difficult to maintain business, financing and operational relationships, to obtain and maintain normal terms with customers, suppliers and service providers and to retain key executives and to maintain various licenses and approvals necessary for the Company to conduct its business.  These and other applicable risks, cautionary statements and factors that could cause actual results to differ from the Company's forward-looking statements are included in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.  The historical results contained in this press release are not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Company.

Additional Information

Other Claire's Stores, Inc. press releases, a corporate profile and our filings with the SEC, including the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2018 and April 5, 2018 are available on Claire's business website at: www.clairestores.com.

Contact Information
Scott Huckins, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (847) 765-1100, or E-mail, [email protected]

Net Income (Loss) Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss), adjusted to exclude income taxes, interest expense and income, depreciation and amortization, loss (gain) on early debt extinguishments, asset impairments, management fees, consulting fees, severance and transaction related costs, and certain non-cash and other items. We use Adjusted EBITDA as an important tool to assess our operating performance. We consider Adjusted EBITDA to be a useful measure in highlighting trends in our business. We reinforce the importance of Adjusted EBITDA with our bonus eligible associates by using this metric in our annual performance bonus program. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is effective, when used in conjunction with net income (loss), in evaluating asset performance, and differentiating efficient operators in the industry. Furthermore, Adjusted EBITDA is defined in the covenants contained in our debt agreements and it is the metric we use to communicate our financial performance to our debt investors.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP, and is not intended to represent cash flow from operations under GAAP and should not be used as an alternative to net income (loss) as an indicator of operating performance or to represent cash flow from operating, investing or financing activities as a measure of liquidity. We compensate for the limitations of using Adjusted EBITDA by using it only to supplement our GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business. Adjusted EBITDA has its limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.

Some of the limitations of Adjusted EBITDA are:

• Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash used for capital expenditures;

• Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated or amortized often will have to be replaced and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the cash requirements for such replacements;

• Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital requirements; and

• Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the cash necessary to make payments of interest or principal on our indebtedness.

While Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used as a measure of operations and the ability to meet indebtedness service requirements, it is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation.

SOURCE Claire's Stores, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.clairestores.com