NWY New York & Company New York & Company, Inc.

New York & Company, Inc. (NYSE:NWY), a specialty apparel chain with 532 retail stores, today announced results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended January 28, 2012 (“fiscal year 2011”).

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Results

For the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, net sales were $271.8 million, as compared to $303.2 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010. Comparable store sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 decreased 6.3% compared to an increase of 1.7% in the prior year fourth quarter.

Net loss from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 was $10.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, which includes non-cash asset impairment charges totaling $2.2 million. This compares to net income from continuing operations in the prior year fourth quarter of $14.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, which included favorable non-operating tax adjustments totaling $2.3 million.

Gregory Scott, New York & Company’s CEO, stated: “While we are disappointed with our fourth quarter results, fiscal 2011 was an important year for our Company. We gained valuable insight about our customer, her lifestyle needs and what drives her purchasing decisions in terms of merchandise, fashion, price points and promotions – all while facing significant cost pressures within our supply chain. We have already begun applying these key learnings to our business planning in 2012.”

Mr. Scott continued: “Our top priority in 2012 is to deliver a significant improvement in our operating performance versus last year and bring us one step closer toward achieving our long-term goal of high single-digit operating margins. To achieve this, we are focused on six keys to success: Maximizing sales and profitability particularly during peak traffic times of the year; increasing our marketing efforts to grow traffic in stores and on-line; maintaining our dominance in wear-to-work, while redefining our casual assortment; improving our average unit cost; optimizing our real estate portfolio; and expanding our growing eCommerce and Outlet businesses.”

During the fourth quarter:

• The Company’s eCommerce business produced strong results with sales up 22% from the same period in the prior year and reaching more than 8% of total net sales in the quarter.
• Gross profit as a percentage of net sales declined by 730 basis points versus the prior year, reflecting significantly higher levels of promotional activity necessary to drive traffic, increase sales, and liquidate non go-forward holiday inventory, and to ensure that inventories were clean entering the Spring season. The gross profit decline was partially offset by reductions in occupancy costs as the Company continues to reduce its rent expense.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses were $70.0 million, or 25.8% of net sales, which includes $2.2 million of non-cash charges related to the impairment of store assets. Excluding these charges, selling, general and administrative expenses were $67.8 million, or 25.0% of net sales. This compares to year-ago selling, general and administrative expenses of $76.0 million, or 25.1% of net sales, and reflects the Company’s continued benefits from its expense control initiatives along with a reduction in the number of stores from the prior year period.
• Total year-end inventories were flat compared to last year-end. On-hand inventory, which excludes inventory in-transit, decreased $7.7 million, or 13.0%, due to a significant reduction in clearance inventory. The increase in goods in-transit reflects a shift in the timing of an early Spring floorset. Adjusting for this shift, inventory levels are expected to be down throughout the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 versus last year’s first quarter.
• The Company ended the year with $50.8 million of cash-on-hand with no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility.
• During the fourth quarter, the Company remodeled one existing store and closed 10 stores, ending the year with 532 stores, including 26 Outlet stores, and 2.9 million selling square feet in operation. For the year, the Company remodeled 11 existing stores and closed 23 stores.

For fiscal year 2011, net sales were $956.5 million, as compared to $1,021.7 million for fiscal year 2010, and comparable store sales decreased 3.3% for fiscal year 2011 versus an increase of 1.6% in fiscal year 2010. Gross profit for fiscal year 2011 decreased $11.7 million to $221.6 million, or 23.2% of net sales, as compared to $233.3 million, or 22.8% of net sales, in fiscal year 2010. Selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2011 decreased $41.2 million to $257.2 million, or 26.9% of net sales, as compared to $298.4 million, or 29.2% of net sales, for fiscal year 2010. Net loss from continuing operations was $38.9 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, for fiscal year 2011, which includes non-cash asset impairment charges totaling $3.1 million, or $0.05 per diluted share. This compares to a net loss from continuing operations of $76.5 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, for fiscal year 2010, which includes previously disclosed non-operating adjustments totaling a loss of $0.81 per diluted share.

Outlook

Regarding its expectations for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, the Company provided the following:

• Comparable store sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 are expected to be down in the low single-digit range, and the Company expects to have 11 fewer stores in operation since the first quarter of fiscal year 2011.
• Gross profit margin is expected to improve by 100 to 150 basis points versus the first quarter of last year reflecting higher initial markups resulting in merchandise margin increases.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses are expected to be up slightly in dollars versus the prior year’s first quarter reflecting investments in marketing. In addition, the Company has increased certain variable expenses in its growing eCommerce and Outlet businesses which are partially offset by decreases in other variable expenses due to the closure of certain New York & Company stores.
• The Company expects the effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 to be 0%. As previously announced, the Company continues to provide for adjustments to the deferred tax valuation allowance recorded in the second quarter of fiscal year 2010 offsetting any future tax provisions or benefits resulting in a 0% effective tax rate for GAAP purposes.
• The Company expects inventory levels at the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 to be down in the mid single-digit range as compared to the prior year. On-hand inventory is expected to be down in the high single-digit to low double-digit range throughout the quarter with increases expected toward the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2012.
• The Company has no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility and does not anticipate the need to borrow against the facility during the first half of fiscal year 2012.
• Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $6.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, as compared to $2.2 million in the prior year’s first quarter, reflecting the expansion of the Company’s Outlet business. For fiscal year 2012, capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of $20 million to $23 million, as compared to $12.2 million in fiscal year 2011. Depreciation expense for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 is estimated at approximately $9 million. For fiscal year 2012, depreciation expense is expected to be approximately $35 million.
• During the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, the Company expects to open 12 new stores (including 11 Outlet locations), remodel four existing locations, and close two stores, ending the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 with 542 stores, including 37 Outlet stores. For fiscal year 2012, the Company expects to open 15 to 20 new stores, remodel 10 to 15 existing locations, and close between 25 and 30 stores, ending the year with between 517 to 527 stores, including 41 to 46 Outlet stores.

Conference Call Information

A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 results is scheduled for today Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 4:30 pm Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 888-442-4145, referencing conference ID number 6421848, approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be web-cast live at www.nyandcompany.com. A replay of this call will be available beginning at 7:30 pm ET on March 15, 2012 until midnight on March 22, 2012 and can be accessed by dialing 877-870-5176 and entering conference ID number 6421848.

About New York & Company

New York & Company, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of women's fashion apparel and accessories, and the modern wear-to-work destination for women, providing perfectly fitting pants and NY Style that is feminine, polished, on-trend and versatile—all at an amazing value. The Company's proprietary branded New York & Company® merchandise is sold exclusively through its national network of retail stores and eCommerce store at www.nyandcompany.com. The Company currently operates 532 stores in 43 states. Additionally, certain product, press release and SEC filing information concerning the Company are available at the Company's website: www.nyandcompany.com.

Forward Looking Statements: This press release contains certain forward looking statements. Some of these statements can be identified by terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “continue,” “could,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict”, and similar expressions and include references to assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable and relate to its future prospects, developments and business strategies. Such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These include, but are not limited to: (i) the impact of general economic conditions and their effect on consumer confidence and spending patterns; (ii) changes in the cost of raw materials, distribution services or labor; (iii) the potential for current economic conditions to negatively impact the Company's merchandise vendors and their ability to deliver products; (iv) the Company’s ability to open and operate stores successfully; (v) seasonal fluctuations in the Company’s business; (vi) the Company’s ability to anticipate and respond to fashion trends; (vii) the Company’s dependence on mall traffic for its sales; (viii) competition in the Company’s market, including promotional and pricing competition; (ix) the Company’s ability to retain, recruit and train key personnel; (x) the Company’s reliance on third parties to manage some aspects of its business; (xi) the Company’s reliance on foreign sources of production; (xii) the Company’s ability to protect its trademarks and other intellectual property rights; (xiii) the Company’s ability to maintain, and its reliance on, its information technology infrastructure; (xiv) the effects of government regulation; (xv) the control of the Company by its sponsors and any potential change of ownership of those sponsors; and (xvi) other risks and uncertainties as described in the Company’s documents filed with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward looking statements included in this press release to reflect any future events or circumstances.

           

Exhibit (1)

 

New York & Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

  (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) Three monthsended

January 28, 2012

%ofnetsales Three monthsendedJanuary 29, 2011 %ofnetsales Net sales $ 271,837 100.0 % $ 303,179 100.0

%

 

  Cost of goods sold, buying and occupancy costs 212,643   78.2 % 214,927   70.9

%

 

  Gross profit 59,194 21.8 % 88,252 29.1

%

 

  Selling, general and administrative expenses 70,002 25.8 % 75,953 25.1

%

 

  Restructuring charges —   — % (37 ) (0.1

)%

 

  Operating (loss) income (10,808

)

 

(4.0 )% 12,336 4.1

%

 

  Interest expense, net of interest income 122   — % 157   0.1

%

 

  (Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes (10,930

)

 

(4.0 )% 12,179 4.0

%

 

  Benefit for income taxes (40 ) — % (2,757

)

 

(0.9

)%

 

  (Loss) income from continuing operations (10,890

)

 

(4.0 )% 14,936 4.9

%

 

  Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes —   — % 81   0.1

%

 

  Net (loss) income $ (10,890

)

 

(4.0 )% $ 15,017   5.0

%

 

    Basic (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations $ (0.18

)

 

$ 0.25 Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations   —     —   Basic (loss) earnings per share $ (0.18

)

 

$ 0.25     Diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations $ (0.18

)

 

$ 0.24 Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations   —     0.01   Diluted (loss) earnings per share $ (0.18

)

 

$ 0.25     Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic shares of common stock 61,189   59,537   Diluted shares of common stock 61,189   61,126     Selected operating data for continuing operations: (Dollars in thousands, except square foot data) Comparable store sales (decrease) increase (6.3 ) % 1.7

%

 

Net sales per average selling square foot (a) $ 94 $ 98 Net sales per average store (b) $ 506 $ 535 Average selling square footage per store (c)     5,401             5,453            

(a)

Net sales per average selling square foot is defined as net sales divided by the average of beginning and end of period selling square feet.

(b)

Net sales per average store is defined as net sales divided by the average of beginning and end of period number of stores.

(c)

Average selling square footage per store is defined as end of period selling square feet divided by end of period number of stores.

           

Exhibit (2)

 

New York & Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

  (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) Fiscal Yearended

January 28, 2012

%ofnetsales Fiscal YearendedJanuary 29, 2011 %ofnetsales Net sales $ 956,456 100.0 % $ 1,021,699 100.0

%

 

  Cost of goods sold, buying and occupancy costs 734,838   76.8 % 788,378 77.2

%

 

  Gross profit 221,618 23.2 % 233,321 22.8

%

 

  Selling, general and administrative expenses 257,188 26.9 % 298,419 29.2

%

 

  Restructuring charges —   — % 1,281 0.1

%

 

  Operating loss (35,570

)

 

(3.7 )% (66,379 ) (6.5

)%

 

  Interest expense, net of interest income 495 0.1 % 697 0.1

%

 

  Loss on modification and extinguishment of debt 144   — % — —

%

 

  Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (36,209

)

 

(3.8 )% (67,076 ) (6.6

)%

 

  Provision for income taxes 2,728   0.3 % 9,466 0.9

%

 

  Loss from continuing operations (38,937

)

 

(4.1 )% (76,542 ) (7.5

)%

 

  Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes —   — % 81 —

%

 

  Net loss $ (38,937

)

 

(4.1 )% $ (76,461 ) (7.5

)%

 

    Basic loss per share from continuing operations $ (0.64

)

 

$ (1.29 ) Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations   —     — Basic loss per share $ (0.64

)

 

$ (1.29 )   Diluted loss per share from continuing operations $ (0.64

)

 

$ (1.29 ) Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations   —     — Diluted loss per share $ (0.64

)

 

$ (1.29 )   Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic shares of common stock 60,824   59,443 Diluted shares of common stock 60,824   59,443   Selected operating data for continuing operations: (Dollars in thousands, except square foot data) Comparable store sales (decrease) increase (3.3 ) % 1.6 % Net sales per average selling square foot (a) $ 324 $ 329 Net sales per average store (b) $ 1,758 $ 1,805 Average selling square footage per store (c)     5,401             5,453          

(a)

Net sales per average selling square foot is defined as net sales divided by the average of beginning and end of period selling square feet.

(b)

Net sales per average store is defined as net sales divided by the average of beginning and end of period number of stores.

(c)

Average selling square footage per store is defined as end of period selling square feet divided by end of period number of stores.

         

Exhibit (3)

 

New York & Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

  (Amounts in thousands) January 28, 2012 January 29, 2011 (Unaudited) (Audited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 50,787 $ 77,392 Accounts receivable 7,269 9,756 Income taxes receivable 477 527 Inventories, net 81,328 82,062 Prepaid expenses 21,057 20,707 Other current assets 968 1,202 Current assets of discontinued operations — 54 Total current assets 161,886 191,700   Property and equipment, net 115,280 144,561 Intangible assets 14,879 14,879 Deferred income taxes 4,361 3,362 Other assets 950 708 Total assets $ 297,356 $ 355,210 Liabilities and stockholders’ equity Current liabilities: Current portion – long-term debt $ — $ 7,500 Accounts payable 72,297 73,611 Accrued expenses 55,146 64,072 Income taxes payable 3,064 260 Deferred income taxes 4,361 3,362 Current liabilities of discontinued operations — 130 Total current liabilities 134,868 148,935   Deferred rent 57,127 66,862 Other liabilities 5,256 5,576 Total liabilities 197,251 221,373   Total stockholders’ equity 100,105 133,837 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 297,356 $ 355,210      

Exhibit (4)

 

New York & Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

  Fiscal year ended

(Amounts in thousands)

January 28,

2012

    January 29,

2011

(Unaudited) (Audited)   Operating activities Net loss $ (38,937 ) $ (76,461 ) Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes — 81 Loss from continuing operations (38,937 ) (76,542 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of continuing operations: Depreciation and amortization 38,418 41,090 Loss from impairment charges 3,055 16,283 Amortization of deferred financing costs 167 216 Write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs 144 — Share-based compensation expense 3,719 2,474 Deferred income taxes — 17,863 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 2,487 (309 ) Income taxes receivable 50 2,473 Inventories, net 734 4,997 Prepaid expenses (350 ) 1,901 Accounts payable (1,314 ) 1,592 Accrued expenses (9,056 ) 5,140 Income taxes payable 2,804 (731 ) Deferred rent (9,735 ) (5,158 ) Other assets and liabilities   (740 )   (486 ) Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of continuing operations   (8,554 )   10,803   Investing activities Capital expenditures (12,158 ) (15,695 ) Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets   —   936 Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations   (12,158 )   (14,759 )   Financing activities Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility 14,000 21,000 Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility (14,000 ) (21,000 ) Repayment of debt (7,500 ) (6,000 ) Payment of financing costs (595 ) — Proceeds from exercise of stock options 2,202 95 Excess tax reduction from exercise of stock options   —   (43 ) Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations   (5,893 )   (5,948 )   Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (26,605 ) (9,904 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   77,392   87,296 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 50,787 $ 77,392