J.Crew & Latest Quarter Results

A big "thanks!" to Jessica who kindly shared the following article from WWD with us (click here to read in its entirety) that gives us a more in-depth explanation:

J.Crew Logs Q2 Loss on Buyout Costs as Sales Rise
By Arnold J. Karr
with contributions from Jean E. Palmieri
September 1, 2011

Costs related to its March acquisition by TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners led J.Crew Group Inc. to a $10.5 million net loss in the second quarter while net, comparable and same-store sales registered gains in the period.

The company disclosed in its Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Thursday, that it had settled a series of shareholder claims regarding the pricing of its acquisition by adding $6 million to the $10 million settlement agreed upon in January. The company said that it “or its insurers” and the two acquiring parties would make a one-time settlement payment of $16 million to be distributed on a pro-rated basis among members of the class who challenged the purchase in Delaware Chancery Court and other state and federal courts. J.Crew recorded a $10 million litigation settlement expense in last year’s fourth quarter and expensed the remaining $6 million in the second quarter.

During the three months ended July 30, the New York-based specialty retailer recorded a net loss of $10.5 million compared to net income of $34.9 million during the prior-year period. Stripping out costs and amortization related to the acquisition as well as interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted EBITDA fell 7.6 percent to $64.2 million from the predecessor company’s year-ago level of $69.5 million.

Overall revenues in the quarter rose 6.7 percent to $435 million, from $407.5 million, with store sales up 5.4 percent to $311 million and direct sales up 13.1 percent to $116 million. Comparable-store sales were up 1 percent and comparable sales, which include direct marketing revenues, rose 12 percent. Gross margin declined to 36.5 percent of sales from 44.6 percent with acquisition-related costs, including $23 million in store lease amortization costs related to its acquisition.

On the firm’s quarterly earnings call, James Scully, chief financial and administrative officer, said that the women’s business improved during the second quarter versus the first quarter while there was sustained strength in men’s, accessories and its Crewcuts division. He said the company made “more significant adjustments” to the women’s assortment in the second half, “and we are beginning to see the benefit of those adjustments.”

A company spokeswoman said women’s pants, schoolboy blazers, cashmere, shoes and handbags were among the bestsellers in the period.

Scully also said J.Crew is “moving forward on a number of key strategic initiatives,” including growth internationally, in the direct channel, as well as in the full-line and factory outlet stores. The Madewell division is seen as an expansion vehicle.

The first women’s-only store outside the U.S. opened in Toronto on Aug. 18 and Scully said the company was “really pleased with the results in customer feedback so far.”

He said the firm will open nine new retail stores this year, including one Crewcuts unit. A men’s-only store will open at Columbus Circle in the fourth quarter. Eleven new outlet stores are planned for 2011.

“Our long-term plans remain to grow our factory square footage by approximately 10 percent a year over a three- to five-year horizon through a combination of new units and expansions in existing centers where we see potential upside,” Scully said.

It is interesting to see the repercussions of the acquisition negatively impact J.Crew's latest quarter. Although I doubt it will hurt them in the long run (especially since they will be privately held).

I love that J.Crew was able to turn things around for their Women's collection. If they only had listened to us JCAs from the beginning! ;)

I also love the quote about Canadian shoppers' feedback. Um? Did you read all of them? Because I am pretty sure most were disgruntled about the pricing structure before it got fixed. ;)

What are your thoughts on this latest news? Any points you found interesting?