West Marine Reports Third Quarter 2013 Results and Reaffirms 2013 Pre-Tax Earnings Guidance


WATSONVILLE, Calif., Oct. 24, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Marine, Inc. (Nasdaq:WMAR), the largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories in the United States, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 28, 2013.

  • Net revenues were $193.4 million, an increase of 0.7% compared to last year.
  • Comparable store sales increased by 0.9%.
  • Direct-to-Consumer sales were up 20.3%, driven by our strategic investments in eCommerce.
  • Sales in our merchandise expansion categories (which include footwear, apparel, clothing accessories, fishing products and paddle sports equipment) were up 11.0%, with core usage-related product sales down 0.8%, compared to last year.
  • Pre-tax income was $13.0 million, down 23.2% compared to pre-tax income of $17.0 million last year.
  • The company is reaffirming its 2013 full-year pre-tax guidance, with pre-tax income expected to be in the range of $15.5 million to $17.5 million, compared to pre-tax income of $24.3 million for 2012.
  • The company remained debt-free at quarter-end and has $105.9 million available on its revolving credit line at the end of the period.

Net revenues for the 13 weeks ended September 28, 2013 were $193.4 million, an increase of 0.7% compared to net revenues of $191.9 million for the 13 weeks ended September 29, 2012.

In line with our omni-channel focus, beginning in the first quarter, we changed the definition of comparable store sales to now include sales from our Direct-to-Consumer and wholesale channels. As before, store sales are included in comparable store sales in the fiscal period in which they commence their 14th full month of operations. Stores that were closed or substantially remodeled (i.e., resulting in an increase or decrease of 40% or more of selling square footage) are excluded. Using this new definition, comparable store sales for our third quarter increased by 0.9% over the same period last year. For the third quarter last year, we reported a 4.9% increase in comparable store sales. Using the new definition, our third quarter 2012 comparable store sales also increased by 4.9%.

Matt Hyde, West Marine's CEO, commented: "Sales showed modest improvement, driven primarily by higher growth from our strategies. During the third quarter we opened three Flagship stores, we achieved stronger sales in our merchandise expansion categories, and we experienced good momentum in our eCommerce business. These results reinforce our belief that we need to continue to invest in West Marine to deliver steady, profitable growth." 

Net income for the third quarter was $6.3 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, compared to net income of $10.3 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for the third quarter last year. Excluding the impact of the $1.5 million valuation allowance recorded during the third quarter of this year, which resulted from a California tax law change, net income for the third quarter would have been $7.9 million, or $0.32 per diluted share.

Net revenues for the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2013 were $544.4 million, a decrease of 2.3% compared to net revenues of $557.0 million for the 39 weeks ended September 29, 2012. Comparable store sales decreased by 2.3% for the first nine months of 2013 versus the same period last year. For the first nine months last year, we reported a 3.5% increase in comparable store sales. However, using the new definition, our first nine months 2012 comparable store sales would have increased by 3.2%.

Net income for the first nine months was $19.7 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, compared to net income of $26.6 million, or $1.12 per diluted share for the first nine months last year.

Total inventory at the end of the third quarter was $222.2 million, a $9.1 million, or 4.3%, increase versus the balance at September 29, 2012, and a 3.3% increase on an inventory per square foot basis. Inventory turns for 2013 were down 0.6% versus the first nine months of last year.

2013 Guidance

We are reaffirming our expectation for pre-tax income to be in a range of $15.5 million to $17.5 million. Excluding the impact of a California tax law change that required us to record a valuation allowance of $1.5 million, our diluted earnings per share is expected to be in the range of approximately $0.37 to $0.42. Our GAAP diluted earnings per share is expected to be in the range of $0.31 to $0.36. Comparable store sales for full-year 2013 are anticipated to be down 2.0% to 4.0% (using our new definition for comparable store sales outlined above), with total revenues expected to be in the range of $650 million to $660 million. We anticipate capital expenditures for fiscal 2013 to be in the range of $25 million to $29 million.

Share Repurchase Program

Under our previously-announced share repurchase program, we repurchased 48,859 shares of our common stock in open-market transactions for $0.5 million during the third quarter, at an average price of $11.21 per share. As of September 28, 2013, we had $9.5 million remaining under our current share repurchase authorization.  

Investor Conference Call

West Marine will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, October 24, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (EDT) to discuss its third quarter 2013 results. The live call will be webcast and available in real time on the Internet at westmarine.com under "Investor Relations." Participants may also dial (888) 756-1546 in the United States and Canada and (706) 634-1041 for international calls. Please be prepared to give the conference ID number 78669146.

An audio replay of the call will be available October 24, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. EDT through October 31, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. The replay number is (855) 859-2056 in the United States and Canada and (404) 537-3406 for international calls. The access code is 78669146.

About West Marine

West Marine, Inc. is the largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories in the United States, with 289 company-operated stores located in 38 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and five franchised stores located in Turkey. Founded in 1968 by a sailor, West Marine has grown to become a leading omni-channel retailer for boaters – from power cruisers and sailors to anglers and paddle sports enthusiasts – and offers gear, apparel and footwear for anyone who enjoys recreational time on or around the water. The company's wholesale channel is one of the largest distributors of marine equipment serving boat manufacturers, marine services, commercial vessel operators and government agencies. For more information on West Marine, Inc. its products and store locations, visit westmarine.com or call 1-800-BOATING (1-800-262-8464). West Marine's stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol WMAR.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking" information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), including statements that are predictive or express expectations that depend on future events or conditions that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, expectations related to our earnings and profitability, expectations and projections with respect to our ability to appropriately invest in, and execute on, our strategic growth strategies, expectations related to our ability to manage our assets, and our expectations for full-year 2013 results, as well as facts and assumptions underlying these expectations and projections. In addition, the results presented in this release are preliminary and unaudited, and may change as we finalize our financial statements. Actual results for the third quarter of 2013 and the current fiscal year may differ materially from the preliminary expectations expressed or implied in this release due to various risks, uncertainties or other factors, including the risk factors set forth in West Marine's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, as well as the discussion of critical accounting policies in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012. Except as required by applicable law, West Marine assumes no responsibility to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This release references certain financial information not calculated in accordance with GAAP, including adjusted net income and Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC"). We believe adjusted net income provides meaningful supplemental information for our investors regarding the performance of our business and facilitates comparisons with prior periods by removing the impact of the valuation allowance that resulted from a recent change in tax law. We believe that Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC"), as presented in the accompanying financial tables, is a meaningful measure of our efficient and effective use of capital. ROIC is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and may not be defined and calculated by other companies in the same manner. These non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management has reconciled both non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure in the tables set forth below.

West Marine, Inc.    
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets    
(Unaudited and in thousands, except share data)    
     
  September 28, 2013 September 29, 2012
ASSETS    
Current assets:    
Cash  $ 69,935  $ 68,283
Trade receivables, net 7,905 7,500
Merchandise inventories 222,227 213,117
Deferred income taxes 5,512  3,440
Assets Held for Sale  --   4,283
Other current assets 16,783 14,760
Total current assets  322,362  311,383
     
Property and equipment, net 69,918 58,850
Long-term deferred income taxes 5,567  7,126
Other assets 3,354 2,976
TOTAL ASSETS  $ 401,201  $ 380,335
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable  $ 31,428  $ 29,545
Accrued expenses and other  48,902  49,881
Total current liabilities  80,330  79,426
     
Deferred rent and other 16,470 14,339
Total liabilities  96,800  93,765
     
Stockholders' equity:    
Preferred stock, $.001 par value: 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding  --   -- 
Common stock, $.001 par value: 50,000,000 shares authorized; 24,434,419 shares issued and 24,354,670  
shares outstanding at September 28, 2013, and 23,451,455 shares issued and 23,420,565 shares outstanding at September 29, 2012.  24  23
Treasury stock  (934)  (385)
Additional paid-in capital  200,175  190,468
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (701)  (820)
Retained earnings  105,837  97,284
Total stockholders' equity  304,401  286,570
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $ 401,201  $ 380,335
         
West Marine, Inc.        
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations        
(Unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)        
         
  13 Weeks Ended
  September 28, 2013 September 29, 2012
Net revenues  $ 193,362 100.0%  $ 191,924 100.0%
Cost of goods sold 138,512 71.6%  131,628 68.6%
Gross profit  54,850 28.4%  60,296 31.4%
Selling, general and administrative expense  41,725 21.6%  43,121 22.5%
Restructuring costs 7 0.0% 4 0.0%
Income from operations   13,118 6.8%  17,171 8.9%
Interest expense 104 0.1% 217 0.1%
Income before taxes  13,014 6.7%  16,954 8.8%
Income taxes 6,677 3.4% 6,682 3.4%
Net income  $ 6,337 3.3%  $ 10,272 5.4%
         
Net income per common and common equivalent share:        
         
Basic  $ 0.26    $ 0.44  
Diluted  $ 0.26    $ 0.43  
         
Weighted average common and common equivalent         
shares outstanding:        
Basic 24,383   23,383  
Diluted 24,641   23,813  
         
         
  39 Weeks Ended
  September 28, 2013 September 29, 2012
Net revenues  $ 544,356 100.0%  $ 556,964 100.0%
Cost of goods sold 382,002 70.2%  381,315 68.5%
Gross profit  162,354 29.8%  175,649 31.5%
Selling, general and administrative expense  126,403 23.2%  130,439 23.4%
Restructuring costs 3 0.0% 159 0.0%
Income from operations   35,948 6.6%  45,051 8.1%
Interest expense 327 0.1% 661 0.1%
Income before taxes  35,621 6.5%  44,390 8.0%
Income taxes 15,956 2.9% 17,749 3.2%
 Net income  $ 19,665 3.6%  $ 26,641 4.8%
         
Net income per common and common equivalent share:        
         
Basic  $ 0.81    $ 1.15  
Diluted  $ 0.80    $ 1.12  
         
Weighted average common and common equivalent         
shares outstanding:        
Basic 24,193   23,215  
Diluted 24,531   23,706  
     
West Marine, Inc.    
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows    
(Unaudited and in thousands)    
     
  39 Weeks Ended
  September 28, 2013 September 29, 2012
     
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net income  $ 19,665  $ 26,641
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 11,117 11,513
Share-based compensation 2,511 2,372
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation  (874)  (412)
Deferred income taxes  2,902  4,669
Provision for doubtful accounts 10 106
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustments 1,519 1,466
Loss on asset disposals 105 60
Changes in assets and liabilities:    
Trade receivables (1,192) (1,834)
Merchandise inventories (29,414) (21,208)
Other current assets (422) (968)
Other assets 45 (188)
Accounts payable 11,100 3,060
Accrued expenses and other 8,755 8,859
Deferred items and other non-current liabilities 1,645 100
Net cash provided by operating activities 27,472 34,236
     
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:    
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 4,330 93
Purchases of property and equipment (22,255) (12,831)
Net cash used in investing activities (17,925) (12,738)
     
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
Borrowings on line of credit 3,552 4,767
Repayments on line of credit (3,552) (4,767)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 3,112 2,090
Proceeds from sale of common stock pursuant to Associates Stock Buying Plan 383 340
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation 874 412
Treasury shares acquired  (549)  -- 
Net cash provided by financing activities 3,820 2,842
     
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 26 (23)
     
NET INCREASE IN CASH 13,393 24,317
     
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 56,542 43,966
CASH AT END OF PERIOD  $ 69,935  $ 68,283
Other cash flow information:    
Cash paid for interest  $ 220  $ 452
Cash paid for income taxes 3,059 4,143
Non-cash investing activities:    
Property and equipment additions in accounts payable 1,745 357
   
West Marine, Inc.  
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures  
(Unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)  
   
  13 Weeks Ended
  September 28, 2013
   
GAAP Net income  $ 6,337
Valuation allowance  1,534
Non-GAAP Adjusted Net income  $ 7,871
   
   
  13 Weeks Ended
  September 28, 2013
   
GAAP Diluted net income per share  $ 0.26
Valuation allowance  0.06
Non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted net income per share  $ 0.32
   
   
  39 Weeks Ended
  September 28, 2013
   
GAAP Net income  $ 19,665
Valuation allowance  1,534
Non-GAAP Adjusted Net income  $ 21,199
   
   
  39 Weeks Ended
  September 28, 2013
   
GAAP Diluted net income per share  $ 0.80
Valuation allowance  0.06
Non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted net income per share  $ 0.86
         
West Marine, Inc.        
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information        
Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC")        
(Unaudited and in thousands)        
  52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
  September 28, 2013 September 29, 2012
GAAP net income reported for fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively    $ 15,529    $ 29,662
Add: Net income reported for first three quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively    19,665    26,641
Less: Net income reported for first three quarters of 2012 and 2011, respectively    26,641    43,614
GAAP net income for the 12-month period ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively    8,553    12,689
GAAP income tax (benefit) expense reported for fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively    8,800    (8,441)
Add: Income tax (benefit) expense reported for first three quarters 2013 and 2012, respectively    15,956    17,749
Less: Income tax (benefit) expense reported for first three quarters 2012 and 2011, respectively    17,749    (3,257)
Add back: Adjusted GAAP income tax (benefit)    7,007    12,565
Adjusted GAAP income before taxes    15,560    25,254
Less: income tax expense at 45.03%    7,007    11,372
Adjusted net income    $ 8,553    $ 13,882
         
Add back:        
Interest expense  507    913  
Rent expense (fixed)  47,481    46,015  
Total  47,988  26,380 1  46,928  25,797 1
         
Net income after adjustments and after-tax add backs (numerator)    $ 34,933    $ 39,679
         
Total Capital:        
         
Long-term debt 2    $ --     $ -- 
Operating leases capitalized at 8x annual rent expense    379,848    368,122
Total stockholder's equity 2    287,989    267,372
Less: Cash and cash equivalents 2    (52,610)    (39,134)
Total Capital (denominator: long-term debt + operating leases        
capitalized at 8x annual rent expense + total stockholders' equity --        
cash and cash equivalents)    $ 615,227    $ 596,360
         
ROIC   5.7%   6.7%
ROIC using GAAP amounts 3   5.7%   6.1%
         
1 Total after-tax add backs after applying an assumed tax rate of 45.03%.
2 Calculated as the average of the five most recent quarter-end results.
3 ROIC using GAAP amounts was derived as the quotient of GAAP net income with after-tax add backs divided by total capital.


            

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