Hot Topic sales grows in double digits in Q4 FY'13

The company reported net income in the fourth quarter of $12.1 million, or $0.29 per share, compared to net income of $9.0 million, or $0.21 per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 (13 weeks). Total sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 increased 11.0% to $233.0 million compared to $209.9 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011.

Total company comparable sales increased 2.6% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Due to the 53rd week in fiscal 2012, fourth quarter comparable sales are compared to the corresponding 14 week period ended February 4, 2012.

Additionally, during the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the company began including Internet sales in the computation of comparable sales. All prior year comparable sales results have been adjusted to reflect this change. A summary of the sales results by division was included in the fourth quarter sales release.

For the fiscal year of 2012, the company reported net income of $19.5 million, or $0.46 per share, compared to a net loss of $1.8 million, or $0.04 per share, for fiscal year 2011 (52 weeks).

The results for fiscal year 2011 include a charge of $16.6 million for the implementation of the strategic business changes and cost reduction plan. On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes the charges for the strategic business changes and the cost reduction plan, fiscal year 2011 net income was $0.19 per share.

At the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the company operated 618 Hot Topic stores, 190 Torrid stores and five Blackheart stores compared to 628 Hot Topic stores and 148 Torrid stores at the end of fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the company opened five Torrid stores and five Blackheart stores, and closed two Hot Topic stores and one Torrid store. The company also remodeled one Hot Topic store during the quarter.

Hot Topic, Inc. is a mall and web based specialty retailer operating the Hot Topic and Torrid concepts, as well as a new test retail concept, Blackheart. Hot Topic offers music/pop culture-licensed and music/pop culture-influenced apparel, accessories, music and gift items for young men and women.

Torrid retails on-trend fashion apparel, lingerie and accessories inspired by and designed to fit the young, voluptuous woman who wears size 12 and up. Blackheart offers an expanded collection of dark, edgy, sexy lingerie, accessories and beauty products.

Hot Topic