Aeropostale Reports Results For Third Quarter Of Fiscal 2014

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NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Aeropostale, Inc. ARO, a mall-based specialty retailer of casual apparel for young women and men, today reported results for the third quarter of fiscal 2014, and provided guidance for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

Third Quarter Performance
For the third quarter of fiscal 2014, net sales decreased 12% to $452.9 million, from $514.6 million in the year ago period. Comparable sales, including the e-commerce channel, for the third quarter decreased 11% compared to the corresponding 13-week period ended November 2, 2013.

The Company reported a net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 of $52.3 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, which included:

  • an after-tax charge of $10.9 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, resulting from store asset impairment charges;
  • an after-tax charge of $3.2 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, resulting from lease buyout costs;
  • an after-tax charge of $1.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, related to consulting fees;
  • after-tax restructuring charges of $1.5 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, related to the severance costs associated with the exit of the mall-based P.S. from Aeropostale stores;
  • an after-tax charge of $2.0 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, related to severance costs for the Company's former Chief Executive Officer; and
  • an after-tax benefit of $1.8 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, related to the reversal of stock-based compensation expense.

Excluding the aforementioned charges, the Company reported an adjusted net loss of $35.2 million, or $0.45 per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 (see Exhibit D).

Julian R. Geiger, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "During my first 100 days back at Aeropostale, I have developed and begun executing my vision of, and game plan for, positioning and returning the Company to profitability.  In that time, we have also continued to support and accelerate a variety of well conceived and executed merchandising, marketing, operational and financial initiatives that started before my arrival.  We have made small but measureable steps in the right direction, which led to third quarter results that were in line with our guidance.  We ended the quarter with inventories well-controlled, positioning us appropriately as we progress through the fourth quarter."

The Company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $109.2 million and long-term debt of $136.0 million.

The Company opened three Aeropostale stores and closed 16 Aeropostale and seven P.S. from Aeropostale stores during the quarter. For the third quarter, the Company invested $5.9 million in planned capital expenditures.

Fourth Quarter Guidance
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company expects operating losses in the range of $28.0 to $34.0 million, which translates to a net loss in the range of $0.37 to $0.44 per diluted share. The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter is projected to be approximately 4.0%.  This earnings guidance does not include the impact of any store impairments, accelerated store closure costs, or real estate consulting fees.

Mr. Geiger continued, "The history of Aeropostale is one steeped in determination and overcoming adversity.  We believe that we understand what has been wrong with the business, that we know how to fix it and that we have the resources to do so.  Through changes in organizational structure, discipline, brand positioning, and assortments, assortment planning and allocation, I believe that our organization is capable of winning once again.  Together, we will solve our current problems and jointly author our future success.  Our goal is clear – to return to profitability."

Use of Non-GAAP Measures
The Company believes that the disclosure of adjusted net loss and adjusted loss per diluted share, which are non-GAAP financial measures, provides investors with useful information to help them better understand the Company's results (see Exhibit D).

Conference Call Information
The Company will be holding a conference call today at 4:15 P.M. ET to review its third quarter results. The broadcast will be available through the 'Investor Relations' link at www.aeropostale.com or by dialing 877-407-9039 approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time with the passcode "Aeropostale."  A replay will be available approximately one hour after the recording through Wednesday, December 10, 2014 and can be accessed by dialing 877-870-5176, using the required passcode 13596170.  An archive will also be available at the Aeropostale website for 12 months.

About Aeropostale, Inc.
Aeropostale®, Inc. is a primarily mall-based, specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting 14 to 17 year-old young women and men through its Aeropostale® stores and 4 to 12 year-olds through its P.S. from Aeropostale® stores. The Company provides customers with a focused selection of high quality fashion and fashion basic merchandise at compelling values in an exciting store environment. Aeropostale® maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, sourcing, marketing and selling all of its own merchandise. Aeropostale® products can be purchased in Aeropostale® stores and online at www.aeropostale.com. P.S. from Aeropostale® products can be purchased in P.S. from Aeropostale® stores and online at www.ps4u.com and www.aeropostale.com. The Company currently operates 842 Aeropostale® stores in 50 states and Puerto Rico, 69 Aeropostale stores in Canada and 141 P.S. from Aeropostale® stores in 31 states and Puerto Rico. In addition, pursuant to various licensing agreements, our licensees currently operate 233 Aeropostale® and P.S. from Aeropostale® locations in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.  Since November 2012, Aeropostale, Inc. has operated GoJane.com, Inc., an online women's fashion footwear and apparel retailer.

SPECIAL NOTE: THIS PRESS RELEASE AND ORAL STATEMENTS MADE FROM TIME TO TIME BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPANY CONTAIN CERTAIN "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" MADE IN RELIANCE UPON THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED, CONCERNING EXPECTATIONS FOR SALES, STORE OPENINGS, GROSS MARGINS, EXPENSES, STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND EARNINGS.  ACTUAL RESULTS MIGHT DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. AMONG THE FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO MATERIALLY DIFFER INCLUDE, CHANGES IN THE COMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE, INCLUDING THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW PRODUCTS OR PRICING CHANGES BY OUR COMPETITORS, CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY AND OTHER EVENTS LEADING TO A REDUCTION IN DISCRETIONARY CONSUMER SPENDING; SEASONALITY; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND OTHER CONDITIONS AND THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE IMPACT OF CHANGES IN IMPORT RESTRICTIONS; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH UNCERTAINTY RELATING TO THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT ITS  STRATEGIES; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT AND REALIZE THE ANTICIPATED BENEFITS OF THE COMPANY'S STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND COST REDUCTION PROGRAM, AS WELL AS THE OTHER RISK FACTORS SET FORTH IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K AND QUARTERLY REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q, FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT SUBSEQUENT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES.

Company Contact:
Susan Lewis/VP, Investor & Media Relations
(646) 364-0215 or slewis@aeropostale.com

Media Contact:
Leigh Parrish, FTI Consulting
(212) 850-5600

 

EXHIBIT A


















AEROPOSTALE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 (In thousands)

(Unaudited)












November 1,
2014



February 1,
2014



November 2,
2013

ASSETS









Current Assets:









  Cash and cash equivalents 

$

109,198


$

106,517


$

68,018

  Merchandise inventory 


211,136



172,311



262,587

  Other current assets 


57,156



97,793



102,573

     Total current assets 


377,490



376,621



433,178










Fixtures, equipment and improvements, net 


151,196



235,401



274,402

Goodwill and intangible assets


28,016



28,580



28,768

Other assets 


21,622



7,039



5,965










TOTAL ASSETS 

$

578,324


$

647,641


$

742,313










LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY









Current Liabilities:









  Accounts payable 

$

143,354


$

138,245


$

179,821

  Accrued expenses 


99,319



102,116



86,644

     Total current liabilities 


242,673



240,361



266,465










Long-term debt


136,042



-



-










Other non-current liabilities 


95,766



126,588



128,981










Stockholders' equity 


103,843



280,692



346,867










TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 

$

578,324


$

647,641


$

742,313

 

 

 

AEROPOSTALE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND

SELECTED STORE DATA

 (In thousands, except per share and store data)

(Unaudited)













13 weeks ended



November 1, 2014



November 2, 2013





% of sales





% of sales

Net sales  

$

452,889


100.0%


$

514,588


100.0%











Cost of sales (including certain buying, occupancy and warehousing expenses) 1


384,011


84.8%



426,699


82.9%











Gross profit 


68,878


15.2%



87,889


17.1%











Selling, general and administrative expenses 2 


121,250


26.8%



128,923


25.1%











Restructuring charges 3


1,713


0.3%



-


0.0%











Loss from operations  


(54,085)


(11.9)%



(41,034)


(8.0)%











Interest expense 


3,035


0.7%



314


0.0%











Loss before income taxes 


(57,120)


(12.6)%



(41,348)


(8.0)%











Income tax benefit 


(4,797)


(1.0)%



(15,725)


(3.0)%











Net loss

$

(52,323)


(11.6)%


$

(25,623)


(5.0)%











Basic loss per share 

$

(0.66)




$

(0.33)













Diluted loss per share 

$

(0.66)




$

(0.33)













Weighted average basic shares 


79,015





78,488













Weighted average diluted shares 


79,015





78,488













STORE DATA:




















Comparable sales change (including e-commerce channel) 


(11)%





(15)%













Stores open at end of period 


1,052





1,124













Total square footage at end of period 


3,912,039





4,158,414













Average square footage during period 


3,988,975





4,161,390




1 Cost of sales for the third quarter of 2014 was unfavorably impacted by asset impairment charges of $12.5 million ($10.9 million after tax, or $0.13 per diluted share) and lease buyout costs of $3.7 million ($3.2 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share).  Cost of sales for the third quarter of 2013 was unfavorably impacted by store asset impairment charges of $5.1 million ($2.8 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share)        


2 Selling, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2014 was unfavorably impacted by consulting fees of $1.4 million ($1.2 million after tax, or $0.01 per diluted share) and severance costs for our former Chief Executive Officer of $2.3 million ($2.0 million after tax, or $0.03).  It was favorably impacted by the reversal of stock-based compensation related to the departure of our former Chief Executive Officer of $2.0 million ($1.8 million after tax, or $0.02 per diluted share).         


3 Restructuring charges for the third quarter of 2014 were $1.7 million ($1.5 million after tax, or $0.02 per diluted share).              

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C




















AEROPOSTALE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND

SELECTED STORE DATA

 (In thousands, except per share and store data)

(Unaudited)













39 weeks ended



November 1, 2014



November 2, 2013





% of sales





% of sales

Net sales  

$

1,244,902


100.0%


$

1,420,895


100.0%











Cost of sales (including certain buying, occupancy and warehousing expenses) 1


1,042,977


83.8%



1,150,400


81.0%











Gross profit 


201,925


16.2%



270,495


19.0%











Selling, general and administrative expenses 2 


361,877


29.1%



375,827


26.5%











Restructuring charges 3


39,221


3.1%



-


0.0%











Loss from operations  


(199,173)


(16.0)%



(105,332)


(7.4)%











Interest expense 


5,808


0.5%



705


0.0%











Loss before income taxes 


(204,981)


(16.5)%



(106,037)


(7.4)%











Income tax benefit 4


(12,057)


(1.0)%



(34,512)


(2.4)%











Net loss

$

(192,924)


(15.5)%


$

(71,525)


(5.0)%











Basic loss per share 

$

(2.45)




$

(0.91)













Diluted loss per share 

$

(2.45)




$

(0.91)













Weighted average basic shares 


78,775





78,442













Weighted average diluted shares 


78,775





78,442













STORE DATA:




















Comparable sales change (including e-commerce channel) 


(12)%





(15)%













Average square footage during period 


4,028,731





4,111,534




1 Cost of sales for the first thirty-nine weeks of 2014 was unfavorably impacted by asset impairment charges of $34.1 million ($31.9 million after tax, or $0.41 per diluted share) and lease buyout costs of $4.0 million ($3.5 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share). Cost of sales for the first thirty-nine weeks of 2013 was unfavorably impacted by store asset impairment charges of $13.6 million ($8.3 million after tax, or $0.10 per diluted share).


2 Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first thirty-nine weeks of 2014 was unfavorably impacted by consulting fees of $4.4 million ($4.1 million after tax, or $0.05 per diluted share) and severance costs for our former Chief Executive Officer of $2.3 million ($2.0 million after tax, or $0.03). It was favorably impacted by the reversal of stock-based compensation related to the departure of our former Chief Executive Officer of $2.0 million ($1.8 million after tax, or $0.02 per diluted share).


3 Restructuring charges for the first thirty-nine weeks of 2014 included store asset impairment charges of $30.5 million ($29.1 million after tax, or $0.37 per diluted share) and other restructuring charges of $8.7 million ($8.2 million after tax, or $0.10 per diluted share).


4 Income tax benefit for the first thirty-nine weeks of fiscal 2014 was unfavorably impacted by the establishment of reserves against net deferred tax assets of $3.4 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share.

 

EXHIBIT D
























AEROPOSTALE, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NET LOSS AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

























The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss and diluted loss per share on a GAAP basis to the non-GAAP adjusted basis discussed in this release.  














13 weeks ended


November 1, 2014


November 2, 2013



Net Loss



Diluted Loss
Per Share



Net Loss



Diluted Loss
Per Share













As reported  

$

(52,323)


$

(0.66)


$

(25,623)


$

(0.33)













Asset impairment charges 1


10,929



0.13



2,769



0.04

Lease buyout costs 2


3,206



0.04



-



-

Other restructuring charges


1,500



0.02



-



-

Consulting fees 3


1,195



0.01



-



-

Severance for former CEO


2,027



0.03



-



-

Reversal of stock-based compensation related to departure of CEO


(1,781)



(0.02)



-



-













As adjusted  

$

(35,247)


$

(0.45)


$

(22,854)


$

(0.29)


























39 weeks ended


November 1, 2014


November 2, 2013



Net Loss



Diluted Loss Per Share



Net Loss



Diluted Loss Per Share













As reported  

$

(192,924)


$

(2.45)


$

(71,525)


$

(0.91)













Asset impairment charges 4


60,977



0.78



8,283



0.10

Other restructuring charges


8,231



0.10



-



-

Consulting fees 3


4,124



0.05



-



-

Lease buyout costs 2


3,529



0.04



-



-

Establishment of reserves against net deferred tax assets 


3,440



0.04



-



-

Severance for former CEO


2,027



0.03



-



-

Reversal of stock-based compensation related to departure of CEO


(1,781)



(0.02)



-



-













As adjusted  

$

(112,377)


$

(1.43)


$

(63,242)


$

(0.81)













1Recorded in cost of sales in the statement of operations for the third quarter of 2014 and third quarter of 2013.













2Recorded in cost of sales in the statement of operations for the third quarter of 2014 and the first thirty-nine weeks of 2014.













3Recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the statement of operations for the third quarter of 2014 and the first thirty-nine weeks of 2014.













4Includes $29.1 million, after tax recorded in restructuring charges and $31.9 million, after tax recorded in cost of sales in the statement of operations for the first thirty-nine weeks of 2014.  Includes $8.3 million, after tax recorded in cost of sales for the first thirty-nine weeks of 2013.

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aeropostale-reports-results-for-third-quarter-of-fiscal-2014-300004427.html

SOURCE Aeropostale, Inc.

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