Sears Holdings Q3 FY'14 sales fall 6.7%

Adjusted EBITDA was $(286) million for the third quarter of 2013, which was within the range of our previous guidance from October 29, compared to $(172) million in the prior year quarter.

Highlights:

- 70% of sales are now made to SYW members, up from 65% last quarter
- 17% year-to-date growth in online and multi-channel sales over the prior year
- Launched Adam Levine and Nicki Minaj in 500 Kmart stores and on website
- On track to generate $2.0 billion of liquidity during fiscal year versus objective of $500 million

Financial Summary

Third Quarter Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

Revenues decreased $585 million to $8.3 billion for the quarter ended November 2, 2013, as compared to revenues of $8.9 billion for the quarter ended October 27, 2012. The revenue decrease was primarily due to the effect of having fewer Kmart and Sears Full-line stores in operation, which accounted for approximately $200 million of the decline, as well as lower domestic comparable store sales, which accounted for approximately $170 million of the decline.

Revenues were also impacted by approximately $110 million attributable to the separation of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. ("SHO"), which occurred in the third quarter of 2012. It recorded revenues from SHO of approximately $425 million, primarily related to merchandise sold to SHO for resale, in the third quarter of 2013.

The prior year quarter included revenues of approximately $463 million related to SHO merchandise sales to its customers, as well as revenues of approximately $70 million for merchandise sold to SHO for resale which occurred after the separation. Third quarter revenues also included a decrease of $49 million due to foreign currency exchange rates.

For the quarter, domestic comparable store sales declined 3.1%, comprised of decreases of 2.1% at Kmart and 4.0% at Sears Domestic. The decline at Kmart reflects decreases in its transactional categories, such as grocery & household and drugstore, as well as declines in consumer electronics and toys. These decreases were partially offset by increases in the apparel and seasonal & outdoor living categories.

The decline at Sears Domestic reflects decreases in most categories including the consumer electronics, lawn & garden, tools, home appliances and apparel categories, as well as declines at Sears Auto Centers, partially offset by an increase in the home category.

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Sears Holdings