Men's Wearhouse Reports Fiscal 2012 Fourth Quarter And Full Year Results

HOUSTON, March 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Men's Wearhouse (NYSE: MW) today announced its consolidated financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and the full year ended February 2, 2013.

Total net sales for the 2012 fiscal fourth quarter increased 8.2% to $608.4 million from $562.2 million for the same period a year ago.  Retail segment sales for the quarter increased by 6.8% or $34.8 million and corporate apparel sales increased by 21.5% or $11.5 million.  For the full 2012 fiscal year, net sales increased by 4.4% to $2,488.3 million, with a retail segment increase of 5.1% and a corporate apparel segment decrease of 1.7%. 

The GAAP basis net loss for the 2012 fiscal fourth quarter was $3.4 million, or $0.07 diluted loss per share, compared to a net loss of $3.8 million, or $0.07 diluted loss per share, in the same period in 2011. Last year's fourth quarter adjusted diluted loss per share was $0.05 after excluding $1.3 million ($0.9 million after tax or $0.02 per diluted share) in acquisition related integration costs and $0.3 million ($0.2 million after tax or less than $0.01 per diluted share) for non-cash asset impairment charges. 

For the full 2012 fiscal year, GAAP basis net earnings were $131.7 million, or $2.55 diluted earnings per share, compared to net earnings of $120.6 million, or $2.30 diluted earnings per share, for the 2011 fiscal year.  On an adjusted basis, fiscal year 2011 net earnings were $124.4 million or $2.38 adjusted diluted earnings per share after excluding $3.8 million ($2.5 million after tax or $0.05 per diluted share) in acquisition related integration costs and $2.0 million ($1.3 million after tax or $0.03 per diluted share) for non-cash asset impairment charges.

Doug Ewert, Men's Wearhouse president and chief executive officer, stated, "Our fourth quarter started out with an unprecedented volume decline in November which we described in our third quarter earnings release and conference call.  The balance of the fourth quarter improved over November results; however, macro-economic conditions remained challenging for our customers throughout the period, which resulted in fourth quarter and full year results that were two cents below the low end of our guidance range provided on December 5, 2012.

"Net sales at our core flagship brand Men's Wearhouse stores, which represented 61% of our total fourth quarter sales, were up 9.1% over last year's fourth quarter, and comparable store sales increased 1.0%, at the low end of our guidance range for the quarter. Our higher margin tuxedo rental revenues had an above guidance U.S. comparable store sales increase of 9.4% in the fourth quarter, driven by increased unit rental rates and unit rentals.

"Moores, our retail brand in Canada, was 11% of our total sales mix in the 2012 fourth quarter and delivered a comparable store sales decrease of 5.5%, below our expectations," continued Ewert.  "K&G, with 16% of our total fourth quarter sales, had a comparable store sales decrease of 5.7%, also below our expectations.  Sales at K&G were disappointing as customers did not respond to our promotions and new marketing campaign as well as expected.  Our Corporate Apparel segment, which represented 11% of our total 2012 fourth quarter sales, had a sales increase of 21.5% as managed account customer uniform sales exceeded plan.

"Subsequent to year-end, our board and management have embarked upon a process of reevaluating the Company's operating structure and capital allocation program," added Ewert.  "We believe that our core strength lies primarily in our MW and Moores men's specialty apparel retailing.  To better focus our efforts on these core operations, we have engaged Jefferies & Co. to assist us in evaluating strategic alternatives for our K&G operations. 

"Additionally, the board has approved a new share repurchase program of $200 million, which amends and increases the Company's existing share repurchase authorization. We had $45 million available in our prior repurchase program and this action adds an additional $155 million for share repurchases by the Company.

"We are also in the process of amending and restating our credit facility, which we expect to complete by mid-April," continued Ewert.  "Under the amended facility, we will increase our revolving credit to $300 million, with possible future increases to $450 million under an expansion feature, and extend the maturity date to 2018.  In addition, the amended facility will provide for a $100 million term loan which will be repaid over five years, with 10% payable annually in quarterly installments and the remainder due at maturity.  The other terms of the credit facility will remain substantially similar to those included in our current facility.  We currently have no debt outstanding under the existing revolver other than letters of credit totaling approximately $22.3 million, which will continue in place under the amended facility.

"We believe these strategic and deliberate actions will better position the Company for growth and will unlock value for our shareholders."

Net Sales Summaries
The following is a summary of net sales for fourth quarter and fiscal 2012.  The dollars shown are U.S. dollars in millions and due to rounded numbers may not sum.  The Moores' comparable store sales change is based on the Canadian dollar.

2013 GUIDANCE
The Company will implement a modification to its forward guidance practice beginning with fiscal 2013 by giving annual guidance only.  The Company will provide specific financial related guidance and guidance around certain elements which management believes will influence the annual results for the full fiscal year. 

Commenting on the Company's annual guidance, Ewert added, "We continue to closely monitor our customers' reactions to continued macro-economic uncertainties that dominate the headlines and, inevitably, their wallets and spending patterns.  Our annual guidance contemplates this but does not take into consideration any share repurchases under the new share repurchase program or any other actions that may result from our engagement of strategic advisors noted in my comments." 

The Company can offer no assurance that it will enter into any transaction in the future, and no decision has been made to enter into a transaction at this time. The Company does not intend to disclose further developments about the review of strategic alternatives unless and until such time as its Board of Directors has approved a specific course of action, or it otherwise deems further disclosure is appropriate or required.

GAAP Diluted EPS
For the fiscal year, the Company expects GAAP diluted earnings per share in a range of $2.70 to $2.80, an increase of 5.9% to 9.8% over the prior year diluted earnings per share of $2.55 and an increase of 7.1% to 11.1% over the prior year diluted earnings per share adjusted for the 53^rd week of $2.52.

Sales
Total sales are expected to increase 2.85% to 3.85%.  Comparable store sales are expected as follows (all comparable store sales growth is based on a 52-week comparable time period):

Corporate apparel sales are expected to increase 1.9% to 2.4% and are expected to be approximately 9.5% of total sales.  

Gross Margin
Total gross margin by segment is expected as follows:

SG&A
Compared to FY12 on a 52 week basis, our FY13 total SG&A expense is expected to increase 3.4% to 3.9% while decreasing 30 to 48 basis points as a percentage of sales.  The increase in FY13 as compared to FY12 on a 53 week basis is expected to be 1.8% to 2.3% with a decrease of 37 to 55 basis points as a percentage of sales.    

Other

Store Activity

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION
At 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, March 14, 2013, Company management will host a conference call and real time webcast to review fiscal fourth quarter and full year 2012 results and its outlook for fiscal 2013.

To access the conference call, dial 480-629-9692.  To access the live webcast presentation, visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.menswearhouse.com. A telephonic replay will be available through March 21, 2013 by calling 303-590-3030 and entering the access code of 4604189#, or a webcast archive will be available free on the website for approximately 90 days.

STORE INFORMATION

^(a)  92 and 91 stores, respectively, offering women's apparel.

Founded in 1973, Men's Wearhouse is one of North America's largest specialty retailers of men's apparel with 1,143 stores.  The Men's Wearhouse, Moores and K&G stores carry a full selection of men's designer, brand name and private label suits, sport coats, furnishings and accessories and Men's Wearhouse and Tux stores carry a limited selection.  Most K&G stores carry a full selection of women's apparel.  Tuxedo rentals are available in the Men's Wearhouse, Moores and Men's Wearhouse and Tux stores.  Additionally, Men's Wearhouse operates a global corporate apparel and workwear group consisting of Twin Hill in the United States and Dimensions, Alexandra and Yaffy in the UK. 

This press release contains forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements may be significantly impacted by various factors, including sensitivity to economic conditions and consumer confidence, possibility of limited ability to expand Men's Wearhouse stores, possibility that certain of our expansion strategies may present greater risks, changes in foreign currency rates and other factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012 and subsequent Forms 10-Q.  For additional information on Men's Wearhouse, please visit the Company's websites at www.menswearhouse.com, www.kgstores.com, www.mooresclothing.com, www.twinhill.com, www.dimensions.co.uk and www.alexandra.co.uk. 

Contact:

Ken Dennard
Dennard - Lascar Associates
(713) 529-6600

SOURCE Men's Wearhouse