RTW RTW Retailwinds Inc

~ Reports Total Sales of $201.9 Million ~ ~ eCommerce Business Grew to 30% of Sales from 26% in the Prior Year Quarter ~ ~ Reports $83.3 Million in Cash / $1.28 Per Diluted Share with No Debt Outstanding ~

RTW Retailwinds, Inc. [NYSE:RTW], an omni-channel specialty apparel retail platform for powerful celebrity and consumer brands, today announced results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2019 ended August 3, 2019.

Gregory Scott, Chief Executive Officer of RTW Retailwinds, said: “We continue to execute against our strategic initiatives, most notably building the foundation of our multi-brand digital platform to address customer opportunities. Fashion to Figure, our on-trend plus-size brand, delivered positive comp results reflecting the ongoing implementation of our strategic vision. Happy x Nature, our ready-to-wear brand in partnership with Kate Hudson, continues to build momentum driven by the strength of Kate’s active and engaged social following. We also experienced positive comp results in our celebrity brands, driven by a significant comp increase in the Gabrielle Union sub-brand. In addition, we made key additions to the RTW executive team representing industry leaders who bring the expertise necessary to drive our near and long-term growth objectives.

“That said, we were disappointed with second quarter results in our core New York & Company brand. While our traffic and eCommerce business improved sequentially from the prior quarter, and we delivered positive increases in new customer acquisition, we continued to experience decreases in brick-and-mortar traffic as well as decreases in basket size and ongoing weakness from our SoHo Jeans sub-brand. We responded swiftly to these challenges by reducing receipts in the second quarter. As we move forward we are also addressing these challenges with a sense of urgency, beginning with our Customer First initiative launching this Fall. At the same time, we experienced increases in variable eCommerce expenses particularly in shipping, and this increase combined with reduced vendor rebates and increased recruiting fees, negatively affected our operating results in the quarter. We also incurred $2.3 million of losses from our new businesses in the quarter, compared to breakeven in the prior year.

“Looking ahead to the third quarter, as we continue to experience challenging trends in our core New York & Company brand, we will continue to focus on the growth of the New York & Company eCommerce business which has shown stronger traffic and sales trend, as reflected in our guidance for the third quarter. We have repositioned our product investments for Fall recognizing the ongoing weakness in our SoHo Jeans sub-brand, and will lean into the celebrity brands, our dominant wear-to-work pants category, and the lounge/athleisure category. Finally, our Customer First initiative, led by Traci Inglis, President, Chief Marketing and Customer Officer, is expected to transform the customer journey across our portfolio of brands and position us for long term growth. We remain committed to our strategic priorities and are making the necessary adjustments reflecting the current environment.”

Over the last year, the Company launched three new businesses, Fashion to Figure, Happy x Nature and Uncommon Sense. Based on our current performance, and the necessary decision to focus our resources on improving the New York & Company business, the Company has decided to concentrate on the Fashion to Figure and the Happy x Nature businesses as the most compelling new opportunities for growth. These businesses have shown early potential and the Company has decided to focus on growing these brands, and as such, has decided to exit the Uncommon Sense business. In connection with this decision, the Company expects to pursue several divestiture options and depending upon those efforts, could record a one-time charge of up to $4.5 million in the third quarter to write down inventory, impair certain assets, and record severance.

For the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, the Company reported the following:

• Net sales were $201.9 million, as compared to $216.4 million in the prior year, reflecting a 4.8% decrease in comparable store sales, and a net reduction in store count by 13 stores from the prior year second quarter, partially offset by an increase in sales from new businesses.
• Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased 260 basis points to 29.5% versus fiscal year 2018 second quarter gross profit percentage of 32.1%. Product margin remains near peak levels although it did decrease slightly due to increased promotional activity. Margin was impacted by increases in shipping costs, as well as a reduction of vendor rebates due to lower receipts, partially offset by a slight improvement in buying and occupancy costs as the Company continues to reduce occupancy expenses.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses were $67.2 million, or 33.3% of net sales, as compared to $66.3 million, or 30.7% of net sales, in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018. Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of fiscal year 2019 is $2.0 million of incremental spending compared to prior year period incurred in connection with the incubation of three new businesses (Fashion to Figure, Happy x Nature, and Uncommon Sense) and increased recruiting expenses, which were partially offset by a reduction in variable compensation.
• Operating loss for the second quarter of fiscal year 2019 was $7.6 million, inclusive of $2.3 million of losses from the Company’s new businesses. This compares to operating income of $3.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2018.
• Net loss for the second quarter of fiscal year 2019 was $7.5 million, or a loss of $0.12 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $3.1 million, or earnings of $0.05 per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018.

Other Financial and Operational Highlights for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2019:

• On hand inventory in-store is down slightly. Total quarter end inventory increased 8.8%, as compared to the end of the prior year period, primarily reflecting an increase in merchandise in-transit due to shifts in the timing of receipts in an effort to receive goods in advance of projected tariff increases, and an increase in inventory to support the new businesses.
• Capital expenditures were $1.8 million, as compared to $1.4 million in the prior year period, reflecting continued spending to support new stores, the remodel/refresh of existing stores, and investments in the IT infrastructure to support new businesses.
• The Company opened 3 New York & Company stores and 2 Fashion to Figure stores, closed 1 New York & Company store and 1 Outlet store, as well as converted 2 New York & Company stores to Outlet stores, ending the second quarter with 413 stores, including 120 Outlet stores (of which 57 are clearance stores), with approximately 2.0 million selling square feet in operation. The Company continues to maintain a highly flexible lease portfolio with approximately 70% of its leases expiring in 2 years or less.
• The Company ended the second quarter with $83.3 million of cash on-hand versus $94.8 million at the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, with no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility and no long-term debt.

Outlook:

For the third quarter of fiscal year 2019:

• Net sales are expected to be down in the low single-digit to mid single-digit percentage range, reflecting the combination of reduced store count and comparable store sales which are expected to be down in the low to mid single-digit percentage range.
• Gross margin is expected to be down slightly, primarily reflecting increased shipping costs and decreased vendor rebates, partially offset by an increase in product margins.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses are expected to increase by approximately $2 million versus the prior year’s third quarter. This increase reflects investments in marketing to support the Company’s new businesses and drive new customer acquisition and an increase in variable eCommerce selling expenses, driven by growth in the eCommerce business and the costs to support new businesses, partially offset by reductions in variable compensation and reduced payroll.
• Operating results for the third quarter are expected to reflect a modest loss, excluding one-time charges to exit the Uncommon Sense business.

Additional Outlook:

• On-hand inventory at the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2019 in the core New York & Company business is expected to be down slightly, offset by increased in-transit levels due to the timing of receipts and inventory to support the new businesses, with total inventory expected to be up in the low to mid single-digits percentage.
• Capital expenditures for the third quarter of fiscal year 2019 are projected to be approximately $4.5 million to $6.0 million to support new stores and the remodel/refresh of existing stores, as well as investments in IT infrastructure, as compared to $2.1 million of capital expenditures in the third quarter of fiscal year 2018. For fiscal year 2019, total capital expenditures are projected to be $12 million to $13 million, as compared to $8.5 million in capital expenditures in fiscal year 2018, with the increase primarily due to investments in IT infrastructure.
• Depreciation and amortization expense for the third quarter of fiscal year 2019 is estimated to be approximately $5 million.
• During the third quarter of fiscal year 2019, the Company expects to open 3 New York & Company stores, remodel/refresh 1 New York & Company store, and close 1 New York & Company store and 1 Outlet store.
• For fiscal year 2019, the Company expects to open approximately 8 New York & Company stores and 2 Fashion to Figure stores, convert 2 New York & Company stores to Outlet stores, and remodel/refresh 4 New York & Company stores and 2 Outlet stores, and close 11 to 13 New York & Company stores and up to 5 Outlet stores. The Company plans to end fiscal year 2019 with roughly 402 to 404 stores, and approximately 2.0 million selling square feet.

Comparable Store Sales:

A store is included in the comparable store sales calculation after it has completed 13 full fiscal months of operations from the store's opening date or once it has been reopened after remodeling if the gross square footage did not change by more than 20%. Sales from the Company's eCommerce stores, and private label credit card royalties and related revenue are included in comparable store sales. In addition, in a year with 53 weeks, sales in the last week of the year are not included in determining comparable store sales.

Conference Call Information

A conference call to discuss second quarter results is scheduled for today, Thursday, August 22, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 407-0784 and reference conference ID number 13693408 approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be webcast live at www.nyandcompany.com. A replay of this call will be available at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on August 22, 2019 until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 29, 2019 and can be accessed by dialing (844) 512-2921 and entering conference ID number 13693408.

As a supplement to this press release, slides with information regarding the second quarter results and outlook for third quarter 2019 will also be available at: www.nyandcompany.com at approximately 4:20 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 22, 2019.

About RTW Retailwinds

RTW Retailwinds, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the "Company") is a specialty women's omni-channel and digitally enabled retailer with a powerful multi-brand lifestyle platform providing curated fashion solutions that are versatile, on-trend, and stylish at a great value. The specialty retailer, first incorporated in 1918, has grown to now operate 413 retail and outlet locations in 35 states while also growing a substantial eCommerce business. The Company's portfolio includes branded merchandise from New York & Company, Fashion to Figure, and Happy x Nature, and collaborations with Eva Mendes, Gabrielle Union and Kate Hudson. The Company's branded merchandise is sold exclusively at its retail locations and online at www.nyandcompany.com, www.fashiontofigure.com, www.happyxnature.com, and through its rental subscription businesses at www.nyandcompanycloset.com and www.fashiontofigurecloset.com. Additionally, certain product, press releases and SEC filing information concerning the Company are available at the Company's website: www.nyandcompany.com.

Forward-looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements made within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some of these statements can be identified by terms and phrases such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimate,” “continue,” “could,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” and similar expressions and references to assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable and relate to its future prospects, developments and business strategies. Such statements, including information under “Outlook” and “Additional Outlook” above, are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These include, but are not limited to: (i) the Company’s dependence on mall traffic for its sales and the continued reduction in the volume of mall traffic; (ii) the Company’s ability to anticipate and respond to fashion trends; (iii) the impact of general economic conditions and their effect on consumer confidence and spending patterns; (iv) changes in the cost of raw materials, distribution services or labor; (v) the potential for economic conditions to negatively impact the Company's merchandise vendors and their ability to deliver products; (vi) the Company’s ability to open and operate stores successfully; (vii) seasonal fluctuations in the Company’s business; (viii) competition in the Company’s market, including promotional and pricing competition; (ix) the Company’s ability to retain, recruit and train key personnel; (x) the Company’s reliance on third parties to manage some aspects of its business; (xi) the Company’s reliance on foreign sources of production; (xii) the Company’s ability to protect its trademarks and other intellectual property rights; (xiii) the Company’s ability to maintain, and its reliance on, its information technology infrastructure; (xiv) the effects of government regulation; (xv) the control of the Company by its largest shareholder and any potential change of ownership of the Company including the shares held by its largest shareholder; (xvi) the impact of tariff increases or new tariffs; and (xvii) other risks and uncertainties as described in the Company’s documents filed with the SEC, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements included in this press release to reflect any future events or circumstances.

Exhibit (1)

RTW Retailwinds, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

     

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

13 weeks ended August 3, 2019

 

% of net sales

 

13 weeks ended August 4, 2018

 

% of net sales

 

Net sales

 

$

201,894

 

100.0

%

$

216,370

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold, buying and occupancy costs

 

142,259

 

70.5

%

146,996

 

67.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

59,635

 

29.5

%

69,374

 

32.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

67,208

 

33.3

%

66,317

 

30.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(7,573)

 

(3.8)

%

3,057

 

1.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

(261)

 

(0.1)

%

(217)

 

(0.1)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

(7,312)

 

(3.7)

%

3,274

 

1.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

178

 

—

%

207

 

0.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(7,490)

 

(3.7)

%

$

3,067

 

1.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss) earnings per share

 

$

(0.12)

 

 

 

$

0.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted (loss) earnings per share

 

$

(0.12)

 

 

 

$

0.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic shares of common stock

 

64,337

 

 

 

63,749

 

 

 

Diluted shares of common stock

 

64,337

 

 

 

66,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected operating data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands, except square foot data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comparable store sales (decrease) increase

 

(4.8)

%

 

 

0.6

%

 

 

Net sales per average selling square foot (a)

 

$

99

 

 

 

$

101

 

 

 

Net sales per average store (b)

 

$

491

 

 

 

$

503

 

 

 

Average selling square footage per store (c)

 

4,959

 

 

 

4,974

 

 

 

Ending store count

 

413

 

 

 

426

 

 

 

(a)

Net sales per average selling square foot is defined as net sales divided by the average of beginning and monthly end of period selling square feet.

(b)

Net sales per average store is defined as net sales divided by the average of beginning and monthly end of period number of stores.

(c)

Average selling square footage per store is defined as end of period selling square feet divided by end of period number of stores.

Exhibit (2)

RTW Retailwinds, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

     

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

26 weeks ended August 3, 2019

 

% of net sales

 

26 weeks ended August 4, 2018

 

% of net sales

 

Net sales

 

$

402,857

 

100.0

%

$

435,199

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold, buying and occupancy costs

 

280,580

 

69.6

%

295,864

 

68.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

122,277

 

30.4

%

139,335

 

32.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

132,300

 

32.9

%

132,803

 

30.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(10,023)

 

(2.5)

%

6,532

 

1.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

(576)

 

(0.1)

%

(195)

 

—

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

—

 

—

%

239

 

—

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

(9,447)

 

(2.4)

%

6,488

 

1.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

292

 

—

%

335

 

0.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(9,739)

 

(2.4)

%

$

6,153

 

1.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss) earnings per share

 

$

(0.15)

 

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted (loss) earnings per share

 

$

(0.15)

 

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic shares of common stock

 

64,265

 

 

 

63,638

 

 

 

Diluted shares of common stock

 

64,265

 

 

 

65,824

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected operating data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands, except square foot data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comparable store sales (decrease) increase

 

(5.0)

%

 

 

1.7

%

 

 

Net sales per average selling square foot (a)

 

$

197

 

 

 

$

202

 

 

 

Net sales per average store (b)

 

$

980

 

 

 

$

1,007

 

 

 

Average selling square footage per store (c)

 

4,959

 

 

 

4,974

 

 

 

(a)

Net sales per average selling square foot is defined as net sales divided by the average of beginning and monthly end of period selling square feet.

(b)

Net sales per average store is defined as net sales divided by the average of beginning and monthly end of period number of stores.

(c)

Average selling square footage per store is defined as end of period selling square feet divided by end of period number of stores.

Exhibit (3)

RTW Retailwinds, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

August 3, 2019

 

February 2, 2019*

 

August 4, 2018

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$ 83,320

 

$

95,542

 

$

94,758

Accounts receivable

 

9,526

 

9,879

 

11,831

Inventories, net

 

89,349

 

82,803

 

82,124

Prepaid expenses

 

12,361

 

16,921

 

17,233

Other current assets

 

1,897

 

1,818

 

2,018

Total current assets

 

196,453

 

206,963

 

207,964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

56,669

 

63,791

 

68,331

Operating lease assets

 

218,230

 

—

 

—

Intangible assets

 

16,719

 

16,813

 

16,969

Other assets

 

817

 

1,311

 

1,618

Total assets

 

$ 488,888

 

$

288,878

 

$

294,882

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$ 78,617

 

$

77,050

 

$

73,310

Accrued expenses

 

66,840

 

68,585

 

73,641

Current operating lease liabilities

 

40,383

 

—

 

—

Income taxes payable

 

—

 

375

 

—

Total current liabilities

 

185,840

 

146,010

 

146,951

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred rent

 

—

 

25,090

 

26,066

Non-current operating lease liabilities

 

207,168

 

—

 

—

Other liabilities

 

28,097

 

31,165

 

33,649

Total liabilities

 

421,105

 

202,265

 

206,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

67,783

 

86,613

 

88,216

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$ 488,888

 

$

288,878

 

$

294,882

*

Derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019.

Exhibit (4)

RTW Retailwinds, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

26 weeks ended August 3, 2019

 

26 weeks ended August 4, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(9,739)

 

$

6,153

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

9,520

 

 

10,715

Non-cash lease expense

 

 

22,313

 

 

—

Loss from impairment charges

 

 

407

 

 

486

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

94

 

 

156

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

 

15

 

 

41

Write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs

 

 

—

 

 

239

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

1,352

 

 

1,186

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

685

 

 

513

Inventories, net

 

 

(6,546)

 

 

2,374

Prepaid expenses

 

 

(603)

 

 

(786)

Accounts payable

 

 

1,567

 

 

3,221

Accrued expenses

 

 

(2,020)

 

 

(2,835)

Income taxes payable

 

 

(375)

 

 

(28)

Deferred rent

 

 

—

 

 

(1,151)

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

(23,478)

 

 

—

Other assets and liabilities

 

 

(2,070)

 

 

(2,025)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

 

(8,878)

 

 

18,259

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(2,708)

 

 

(1,626)

Insurance recoveries

 

 

267

 

 

184

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(2,441)

 

 

(1,442)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 

—

 

 

(11,750)

Principal payments on capital lease obligations

 

 

(844)

 

 

(1,046)

Shares withheld for payment of employee payroll taxes

 

 

(59)

 

 

(171)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(903)

 

 

(12,967)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(12,222)

 

 

3,850

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

95,542

 

 

90,908

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

83,320

 

$

94,758

 

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Investor Relations: ICR, Inc. (203) 682-8200 Allison Malkin