Francesca's Q4'FY14 comparable sales drop 6%

27 Mar '14

3 min read

Francesca's Holdings Corporation announced fourth quarter and full year 2013 financial results.

These results cover the 13 and 52 week periods ended February 1, 2014 along with comparisons to the 14 and 53 week periods ended February 2, 2013.

Highlights:

Fourth quarter net sales increased 6% to $92.1 million

Fourth quarter comparable sales decreased 6%

Fourth quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.27

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

Net sales for the thirteen weeks ending February 1, 2014 were $92.1 million. Net sales for the fourteen weeks ending February 2, 2013 were $86.7 million, including approximately $3.9 million related to the fourteenth week in last year's fourth quarter. The increase in fourth quarter sales was driven by 91 new boutique openings since the prior year quarter.

Comparable sales, which includes direct-to-consumer sales, decreased 6%, as compared to a 10% increase in the prior year quarter. The decrease in comparable sales was driven by a decrease in transactions partially offset by an increase in direct-to-consumer sales of 92% versus the prior year quarter.

Five new boutiques were opened during the fourth quarter bringing new openings for the year to 91 and ending total boutique count to 451 at quarter end.

Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 50.6% compared to 53.4% in the prior year quarter. This decrease was due to 180 basis points of deleveraging of fixed occupancy costs and 100 basis points of lower merchandise margin. The decrease in merchandise margins was due to elevated markdowns and promotions compared to the prior year quarter.

Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses, which excludes $1.3 million in charges related to severance and litigation, increased 28% to $27.7 million from $21.6 million of selling, general and administrative expenses in the prior year quarter.

This increase was primarily due to higher payroll expenses and infrastructure investments to support the larger boutique base and direct-to-consumer sales growth. The prior year quarter did not include any adjusted items.

Adjusted income from operations, which excludes $1.3 million in charges related to severance and litigation, was $18.9 million or 20.5% of net sales compared to income from operations of $24.7 million or 28.5% of net sales in the prior year quarter.

Net income was $10.6 million or $0.25 diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to net income of $14.9 million or $0.33 diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2012, with 2012's 53rd week contributing approximately $0.03 diluted earnings per share. Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $11.4 million, or $0.27 adjusted diluted earnings per share, which excludes severance and litigation expenses of $1.3 million pretax ($0.8 million net of tax), or $0.02 diluted earnings per share.

Click here to view full results.

Francesca's Holdings

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