99 Cents Only Stores Reports Fourth Quarter And Full-Year Fiscal 2015 Results

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif., April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 99 Cents Only Stores LLC (the "Company") announced its financial results for each of the fourth quarter and full-year fiscal 2015 ended January 30, 2015. As previously announced, the Company changed its fiscal year from the Saturday closest to the end of March, to the Friday closest to the end of January in order to be in line with its retail industry peers. As a result of the change in the Company's fiscal year, for purposes of this release, the comparable prior year financial statements have been recast to conform to the new fiscal calendar. 

Financial Results

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, a 13-week period, the Company's net sales increased $6.9 million to $512.6 million, compared to $505.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, a 14-week period. On a comparable 13-week basis, net sales increased 8.1% during the fourth quarter. Same-store sales increased 2.8%, calculated on a comparable 13-week period, with increases in both customer traffic and average ticket.  Same-store sales performance was driven by a significant increase in seasonal sales resulting from a wider selection of product offerings. Net loss was $2.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to net loss of $14.7 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.  Net loss decreased in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 as compared to prior year, primarily due to a previously disclosed workers' compensation charge in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.  Net loss as a percentage of total sales was (0.4)% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to net loss as a percentage of total sales of (2.9)% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.  Adjusted EBITDA was $34.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $50.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. The reduction in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to higher inventory shrinkage expenses and distribution and transportation expenses in the current fourth quarter and an extra week of sales in the prior year fourth quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 6.7%, compared to 9.9% over the same period.

For the full-year fiscal 2015, a 52-week period, the Company's net sales increased $87.3 million, to $1,926.9 million, compared to $1,839.6 million in fiscal 2014, a 53-week period. On a comparable 52-week basis, net sales increased 6.3% during fiscal 2015. Same-store sales increased 0.4%, calculated on a comparable 52-week period of the prior year.  Net income was $5.5 million for fiscal 2015, compared to net loss of $10.9 million in fiscal 2014.  Net income as a percentage of total sales was 0.3% for fiscal 2015, compared to a net loss as a percentage of total sales of (0.6)% for fiscal 2014. Adjusted EBITDA was $143.7 million in fiscal 2015, compared to $155.1 million in fiscal 2014. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 7.5%, compared to 8.4% over the same period.

Average sales per store open at least 12 months on a trailing 52-week period was $5.4 million in fiscal 2015 equal to that in fiscal 2014.  Average net sales per estimated saleable square foot (computed for stores open at least 12 months) on a trailing 52-week period was $328 per square foot for fiscal 2015, compared to $330 per square foot for fiscal 2014.

Commenting on the results, Stéphane Gonthier, President and CEO stated, "We are pleased with the progress that we have made during what was a transformative year, as we executed on key elements of our long-term strategic plan. We opened a record 40 net new stores during the year and completed a major store remodeling program under our "Go Taller" initiative, while at the same time upgrading many of our legacy IT systems. We made significant progress in enhancing our seasonal and general merchandise offerings and continue to work hard on expanding the selection of everyday consumables in our stores.  We are also pleased that we have been able to attract a number of experienced store and regional operational team members to the Company, and we have added key members to the executive team. I would like to thank all of our corporate and regional office employees, along with the store managers and their teams for their efforts and dedication and I look forward to great success in the upcoming year."

Store Openings

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company opened 21 net new stores.  As of the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company operated 383 stores, an increase of 11.7% in store count over the end of fiscal 2014. Total net selling square footage was 6.2 million as of the end of fiscal 2015, an increase of 10.4% over the end of fiscal 2014.

Q4 FY15 Accounting Items

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company recorded a charge for additional inventory shrinkage based upon the results of annual physical inventory counts completed during the quarter. This resulted in a net charge to cost of sales and a corresponding reduction in inventory of approximately $10.0 million, which was primarily related to the implementation of certain strategic initiatives, including the "Go Taller" store remodeling program. 

Change in Presentation of Financial Statements

In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company changed the presentation of its financial statements to include receiving, distribution, warehouse costs and transportation to and from stores in its cost of sales.  Previously, these costs were included in selling, general and administrative expenses.  Depreciation expense related to these costs, which was historically included in selling, general and administrative expense, is now included in cost of sales.  Also, depreciation and amortization expense included in selling, general and administrative expense will no longer be presented separately.  Reclassifications of $28.5 million and $103.6 million from selling, general and administrative expense to cost of sales were made for the comparable fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and full-year fiscal 2014, respectively, to conform to current year presentation.  This change does not change previously reported operating income or net income.

This change in presentation of financial statements was made in order to be in line with the Company's peers in the retail industry.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

The Company's conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and full-year fiscal 2015 ended January 30, 2015 and the other matters described in this release is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific time (11:00 a.m. Eastern time). 

The live Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2015 Earnings call can be accessed by dialing (888) 895-5479 from the U.S.A., or (847) 619-6250 from international locations, and entering confirmation code 39385749.  Please phone in approximately 9 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and hold for an operator to assist you.  Please inform the operator that you are calling in for 99 Cents Only Stores' Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2015 Earnings conference call, and be prepared to provide the operator with your name, company name, and position, if requested.  A telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes and will be available through Thursday, April 30, 2015, by dialing (888) 843-7419 from the U.S.A., or (630) 652-3042 from international locations, and entering confirmation code 39385749#.

A copy of this earnings release and any other financial and statistical information about the period to be presented in the conference call will be available prior to the call at the section of the Company's website entitled "Investor Relations" at www.99only.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company defines EBITDA as net income before interest expense (income) and other financial costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA for the relevant period as adjusted by the following amounts: non-cash adjustments to reserve balances, stock-based compensation, fees and expenses related to the Merger (as defined below), legal settlements, non-ordinary course store closures, and other non-cash or one-time items.  Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA divided by total sales.  Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin as presented herein, are supplemental measures of the Company's performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP").  The Company's management uses EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin to assess its performance and that of its competitors.  In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is used to determine the Company's compliance and ability to take certain actions under the covenants contained in the Company's debt instruments.  EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are not measures of the Company's financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net income, operating income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP, as measures of operating performance or operating cash flows or as measures of liquidity.

Merger and Conversion to LLC

On January 13, 2012, 99¢ Only Stores was acquired by affiliates of Ares Management LLC, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Gold-Schiffer family.  The acquisition is referred to as the "Merger." Effective October 18, 2013, 99¢ Only Stores converted from a California corporation to a California limited liability company, 99 Cents Only Stores LLC.  The term the "Company" refers to 99¢ Only Stores and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the conversion date and to 99 Cents Only Stores LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries on or after the conversion date.

Founded in 1982, the Company operates 384 extreme value retail stores with 277 in California, 49 in Texas, 37 in Arizona and 21 in Nevada as of April 15, 2015. The Company is an extreme value retailer of consumable and general merchandise and seasonal products.   For more information, visit www.99only.com.

For further information:

Bradley Lukow, CPA, CA
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
(323) 881-1208
[email protected]

The following tables reconcile EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income for the periods indicated:

The following tables reconcile EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income for the periods indicated:

Safe Harbor Statement
The Company has included statements in this release that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. As a general matter, forward-looking statements are those focused on future or anticipated events or trends, expectations and beliefs including, among other things, (a) trends affecting the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and (b) the business and growth strategies of the Company (including the Company's store opening growth rate) that are not historical in nature.  Such statements are intended to be identified by using words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "will," "project," "plan" and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Any forward-looking statements are and will be based upon the Company's then-current expectations, estimates and assumptions regarding future events and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those projected in this release for the reasons, among others, discussed in the reports and other documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections contained in the Company's Transition Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

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SOURCE 99 Cents Only Stores