99 Cents Only Stores Reports Strong Second Quarter Fiscal 2018 Results

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif., Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Second Quarter Fiscal 2018 Highlights:

• Net sales increased to $540.5 million, up 8.9% compared to the prior year
• Same-store sales increased by 9.0% compared to the prior year
• Gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, increased to 28.8%, up from 28.4% in the prior year
• Net loss was $33.6 million compared to net loss of $35.1 million in the prior year
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ increased 93.2% to $10.1 million compared to the prior year

99 Cents Only Stores LLC (the "Company") announced its financial results for the second quarter ended July 28, 2017.

Geoffrey Covert, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The second quarter offers further evidence of the progress we have continued to make in executing our turnaround plan. Our focused strategy of improving the Company's operating performance is yielding encouraging results."

Mr. Covert continued, "Net sales for the second quarter were $540.5 million, up 8.9% over the prior year period. On a same-store basis, sales increased 9.0%, resulting from a 4.7% increase in transaction count and a 4.1% increase in basket. This was driven by our emphasis on providing higher-quality merchandise, expanding our fresh variety, enhancing our in-stock position, strengthening our marketing efforts and improving the customer shopping experience. We are also benefitting from increased sales in our above $1 products, as we believe our customers appreciate the extreme value of the merchandise that we provide. We are working to differentiate the 99 Cents Only brand by focusing on fresh, seasonal and closeout merchandise at the lowest prices."  

Mr. Covert concluded, "We also continue to make progress in improving overall operating efficiencies. Second quarter gross margin of 28.8% was up 40 basis points year-over-year, driven primarily by our focus on reducing shrink and managing scrap, along with increased efficiency in our logistics network. Our second quarter net loss was $33.6 million, an improvement of $1.5 million or 4.3% compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Importantly, second quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $10.1 million, up 93.2% compared to $5.2 million last year. On a year-to-date basis, Adjusted EBITDA of $26.4 million is up 42.3% compared to the same period a year ago.  We are encouraged by this result and continue to expect we will achieve our guidance of improving adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2018."

Second Quarter Financial Results

For the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company's net sales increased 8.9% to $540.5 million, compared to $496.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Same-store sales increased 9.0% compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2017, with higher customer traffic of 4.7% in addition to higher average ticket of 4.1%. The increase in same-store sales was primarily driven by higher sales from seasonal, general merchandise and consumable categories, in part due to higher sales of above $1 products, better product assortment and improved store execution. Sales from grocery and fresh offerings also increased, driven by better product availability, improved product assortment, as well as continued improvements in store in-stock levels.

Gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, was 28.8% in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, an increase of 40 basis points from the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Gross margin increased primarily due to lower inventory shrinkage, partially offset by lower product margin. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $172.3 million, or 31.9%, as a percentage of net sales, representing a decrease of 20 basis points from the second quarter of fiscal 2017. This improvement was primarily due to a 60 basis point reduction from leveraging occupancy, depreciation and other fixed store-level expenses on higher same-store sales, as well as a 30 basis point improvement from lower store operating costs. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in payroll-related expenses of 40 basis points, primarily due to higher performance compensation and minimum wage increases, as well as by store impairment charges of 30 basis points.

Net loss was $33.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to net loss of $35.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Net loss as a percentage of net sales was (6.2)% for the second quarter of fiscal 2018, compared to net loss as a percentage of net sales of (7.1)% for the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Adjusted EBITDA was $10.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, compared to $5.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 1.9% compared to 1.1% in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

Year-to-Date Financial Results

For the first half of fiscal 2018, the Company's net sales increased 7.8% to $1,088.0 million, compared to $1,009.4 million in the first half of fiscal 2017. Same-store sales increased 7.9% driven by higher customer traffic and higher average ticket. Net loss was $42.4 million in the first half of fiscal 2018, compared to net loss of $60.3 million for the first half of fiscal 2017. Net loss as a percentage of total sales was (3.9)% for the first half of fiscal 2018, compared to net loss as a percentage of total sales of (6.0)% for the first half of fiscal 2017. Adjusted EBITDA was $26.4 million in the first half of fiscal 2018, compared to $18.5 million for the first half of fiscal 2017. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 2.4% for the first half of fiscal 2018, compared to 1.8% for the first half of fiscal 2017.

Sale-Leaseback Transactions

As previously reported, during the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company sold and concurrently leased back two existing stores and received net proceeds of $13.3 million, of which approximately $2.0 million was used to pay down the Company's first lien term loan facility in accordance with the terms thereof.

Store Openings

The Company did not open any new stores during the second quarter of fiscal 2018. As of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company operated 390 stores. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Company opened one new store in California, bringing the total store count to 391.

Subsequent Events

Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility

On September 6, 2017, the Company successfully completed an amendment of its asset-based revolving credit facility (the "ABL Facility"), to provide a last-out term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $25.0 million (the "FILO Facility").  The Company has drawn the entire $25.0 million under the FILO Facility. Loans under the FILO Facility bear interest at a rate based, at the Company's option, on (i) LIBOR plus 7.75% or (ii) the determined base rate (Prime Rate) plus 6.75%.

The FILO Facility will mature on the earliest of (a) April 8, 2021, (b) the date that is 90 days prior to the stated maturity date of the Company's term loan facility, (c) the date that is 90 days prior to the stated maturity date in respect of the Company's senior unsecured notes, and (d) the date of termination of the commitments under the ABL Facility.

Texas Store Impact from Hurricane Harvey

The Company currently operates 27 stores and one distribution center in the greater Houston, Texas metropolitan area.  Due to severe weather conditions in connection with Hurricane Harvey in late August 2017, the majority of the Company's Houston-area stores and the distribution center were unable to open or operate for two to three days.  A total of 24 stores and the distribution center have since reopened. Three stores remain closed due to structural damage of varying magnitudes.  The Company is currently assessing the extent of damage and expected insurance proceeds to determine the potential impact on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

Fiscal 2018 Outlook

The Company is reiterating the following previously issued outlook for fiscal 2018:

• Positive same-store sales growth
• Year-over-year decrease in net loss and an increase in adjusted EBITDA over the same period
• 3 new store openings, all in the second half of the year
• Capital expenditures of approximately $53-$58 million

The Company expects to close three under-performing stores by end of fiscal 2018 or early fiscal 2019.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

The Company's conference call to discuss its fiscal 2018 second quarter and the other matters described in this release is scheduled for Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time (2:00 p.m. Eastern Time).

The live call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-3982 (domestic) or 1-201-493-6780 (international). Please phone in approximately 10 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' Fiscal 2018 Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call, and be prepared to provide the operator with your name, company name and the conference ID: 13669259. The call will also be broadcast live over the Internet, accessible through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.99only.com/investor-relations.

A telephonic replay of the call will be available beginning Thursday, September 7, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, through Thursday, September 21, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. To access the replay, dial 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and enter the replay pin number: 13669259. A replay of the webcast will also be available for 60 days upon completion of the conference call, accessible through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.99only.com/investor-relations.

A copy of this earnings release and supplemental slides will be available prior to the call, accessible through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.99only.com/investor-relations.

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 various items set forth in the reconciliation tables below, including stock-based compensation, impairment of goodwill and other assets, expenses, charges and reserves related to strategic initiatives and executive recruitment and severance, amortization of gain on sale-leaseback transactions, and other non-cash or one-time or other items as permitted by the terms of the Company's debt instruments.  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 core operating 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.

About 99 Cents Only Stores

Founded in 1982, 99 Cents Only Stores LLC is the leading operator of extreme value stores in California and the Southwestern United States. The Company currently operates 391 stores located in California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada. 99 Cents Only Stores LLC offers a broad assortment of name brand and other attractively priced merchandise and compelling seasonal product offerings. For more information, visit www.99only.com. 

Investor Contact:
Addo Investor Relations
Lasse Glassen
(424) 238-6249
[email protected]

 

### Tables to Follow ###

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

 

The following tables reconcile EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net loss 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 27, 2017. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE 99 Cents Only Stores