Bon-Ton Q3 FY'13 comparable stores sales down 2.8%

Third Quarter Highlights

-Comparable store sales decreased 2.8%.

-Gross margin rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 was flat to the gross margin rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 at 36.6% of net sales.

-Operating income improved by $5.0 million to $15.9 million, compared with operating income of $10.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012.

-Adjusted EBITDA increased $4.4 million to $38.4 million, compared with $34.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure recognized under generally accepted accounting principles (see Note 1).

-Net loss was reduced by $9.2 million to $0.9 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $10.1 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2012.

Brendan Hoffman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We saw meaningful improvement in our comparable store sales towards the end of the quarter. Additionally, due to strategic inventory reductions, we ended the quarter down approximately 5% on a comparable store basis. Reduced expenses contributed to 13% growth in Adjusted EBITDA which, together with lower interest expense, delivered an improved EPS. Strong performances in a number of key merchandise categories where we increased our investment lead us to believe that we are on track with our strategic initiatives. Our eCommerce business continues to grow at a healthy pace, benefiting from traffic-driving initiatives and our broader merchandise assortment."

Mr. Hoffman continued, "We are looking forward to the holiday selling season with a fresh and inspired merchandise assortment that offers our customers quality and value in an exciting shopping environment. Our marketing campaign is designed to entice shoppers into our stores and to our eCommerce site. We will continue to roll out our localization strategies to drive store productivity and we will maintain inventory management and cost controls as we execute this new strategy."

Year-to-date Highlights

-Comparable stores sales decreased 2.6%.

-Gross margin rate increased approximately 50 basis points to 36.1%, compared with 35.6% in the prior year period.

-Operating loss improved by $18.6 million to $6.7 million, compared with an operating loss of $25.3 million in the prior year period.

-Adjusted EBITDA increased $16.4 million to $62.4 million, compared with $46.0 million in the prior year period.

-Net loss improved by $31.1 million to $64.9 million, or $3.40 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $96.0 million, or $5.20 per diluted share, for the prior year period.

Net Sales

Comparable store sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 decreased 2.8%. Total sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 decreased 2.6% to $651.2 million, compared with $668.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2012.

Click here to view full results

Bon-Ton Stores