- Generated $10.4 million of cash from operations in the third quarter; $53.9 million in year-to-date period
- Third quarter net sales down 3.4% on significant decline in fuel sales from lower gas prices, low inflation and closure of 27 in-store pharmacies
- Four acquired and new store openings during 2014 continues strategic growth plan
WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tops Holding II Corporation ("Tops" or the "Company"), the indirect parent of Tops Markets, LLC ("Tops Markets"), a leading supermarket retailer serving Upstate New York, Northern Pennsylvania and Vermont, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended October 3, 2015.
"Our inside sales and same store sales were flat for the quarter as top line growth for Tops and the supermarket industry in general is being constrained by historically low inflation which limits normal price-driven revenue growth," commented Frank Curci, Tops Chairman and CEO. "Despite this challenge, we are maintaining market share in our market area and continue to generate significant cash. When combined with excellent liquidity and the increased financial flexibility provided by our recent debt refinancing, we are positioned very well to continue investing in our stores and growing our business."
Mr. Curci added, "Our strategy of making fill-in acquisitions of independents and opening new stores in underserved markets, primarily contiguous to major urban markets where we operate, is delivering strong results with the four new stores opened in the last year performing at expectations. We have a good pipeline of stores that fit our profile for fill-in acquisitions and expect this strategy will be a strong driver of incremental future growth."
Fiscal 2015 Third Quarter Financial Results
Inside sales were $522.5 million in the third quarter, down 0.7%, or $3.7 million, from the prior-year period, which reflects a $5.1 million incremental contribution from four acquired and new supermarkets opened since September 2014, offset by an $8.3 million decrease in sales from 27 in-store pharmacies closed in January 2015. Same store sales, which exclude the sales of the 27 closed in-store pharmacies, were relatively flat in the third quarter of 2015.
Fuel sales were negatively impacted by a 30.3% decline in the average retail price per gallon. As a result, fuel sales were $38.3 million in the third quarter, a decrease of $16.3 million, or 29.8%, from the prior-year period.
Overall, net sales decreased $20.0 million, or 3.4%, from the 2014 third quarter to $560.7 million, primarily due to the significant decline in fuel sales and the loss of revenue from closed in-store pharmacies.
Gross profit for the third quarter was $165.4 million, or 29.5% of net sales, compared with $165.0 million, or 28.4% of net sales, in the 2014 third quarter. The 110 basis point increase in gross profit margin reflects higher profitability on fuel sales, combined with a shift in product mix given the smaller proportion of lower margin fuel sales. The improvement also reflects $1.6 million of savings associated with an amendment of our supply agreement with C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. effective April 1, 2015.
Total operating expenses were $151.6 million, a $2.9 million, or 2.0% increase, from $148.6 million in the prior-year period. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to the increase in the New York State minimum wage that took effect January 1, 2015 and higher performance-based bonus expense due to improved performance against bonus metrics. Operating income for the 2015 third quarter was $13.9 million compared with $16.4 million in the 2014 third quarter.
Interest expense for the quarter was flat at $18.6 million as a $0.6 million reduction from interest on long-term debt that resulted from the June 2015 debt refinancing was offset by a $0.6 million increase in capital lease interest.
Net loss for the 2015 third quarter was $5.2 million compared with a net loss of $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2014.
40-Week Results
Inside sales decreased slightly to $1.74 billion, reflecting the $24.9 million reduction in pharmacy sales attributable to the closure of 27 in-store pharmacies during January 2015. Partially offsetting this decline was the $13.5 million incremental contribution from acquired and new locations opened since July 2014. Same store sales were down 16 basis points excluding sales from the 27 closed in-store pharmacies in both periods. Fuel sales declined 30.5% to $125.8 million due to a 31.3% decrease in the average retail price per gallon, slightly offset by a 1.2% increase in the number of gallons sold. For the 40-week period ended October 3, 2015, net sales were $1.87 billion, down $64 million, or 3.3%, from the prior-year period.
Gross profit increased $3.7 million, or 0.7%, to $550.0 million, and was 29.4% of net sales, up 110 basis points over the comparable period in 2014. Operating income was $52.4 million, an increase of 8.0%, or $3.9 million, and included a gain of $11.0 million from the sale of scripts and inventory related to the January 2015 pharmacy closures. Interest expense of $63.4 million was consistent with the 2014 period. The Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $34.5 million in the 2015 second quarter in connection with its June debt refinancing. As a result, net loss for the 2015 40-week period was $46.8 million compared with a net loss of $10.0 million in the 2014 period.
Supplemental Reporting on EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
To provide investors with greater understanding of its operating performance, in addition to reporting results in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), Tops provides supplemental reporting on EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, both non-GAAP measures.
Third quarter 2015 EBITDA was $31.5 million compared with $32.8 million in the third quarter of 2014. Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes certain non-cash and non-recurring items, was $32.3 million in the third quarter of 2015 compared with $34.9 million in the prior-year period. The decrease reflects a $2.9 increase in bonus expense tied to achievement of performance targets, a non-cash item in the quarter.
For the first 40 weeks of 2015, Adjusted EBITDA was $102.3 million compared with $106.6 million in the 2014 period reflecting increased bonus expense of $7.8 million and increased workers' compensation expense of $1.7 million attributable to the most recent actuarial valuation of claims reserves, both of which were non-cash items during the year-to-date period. Adjusted EBITDA for the 2015 period excludes $34.5 million in debt extinguishment costs and an $11.0 million gain on the sale of scripts and inventory in connection with the pharmacy closures.
See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for a discussion of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, and the attached table for a reconciliation to GAAP net loss.
Liquidity
Cash and cash equivalents were $36.3 million at October 3, 2015, compared with $26.3 million at December 27, 2014. Cash provided by operating activities during the 40-week 2015 period was $53.9 million compared with $35.7 million during the 2014 period, a 51.2% increase. The increase results from $15.2 million of transaction costs related to the December 2013 management purchase that were paid during the 2014 period, and improved cash earnings.
Capital expenditures for the 2015 year-to-date period were $30.7 million compared with $30.4 million during the 2014 period and were largely related to new store openings, store remodels and maintenance activities. The Company anticipates investing between $34 million and $38 million in capital expenditures during 2015.
As of October 3, 2015, total debt excluding capital leases was $671.4 million compared with $651.1 million at 2014 year-end. Outstanding borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility were $31.5 million as of October 3, 2015, down $20.5 million from $52.0 million as of December 27, 2014. The unused availability under the revolving credit facility was $54.9 million after giving effect to the borrowing base calculation and $23.8 million of letters of credit outstanding. Tops expects that cash generated from operations and borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility will provide sufficient liquidity to fund debt service requirements, investments in working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other cash requirements for at least the next twelve months.
Conference Call Details
Tops will host a conference call on Tuesday, November 10, 2015, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. During the call, management will review the financial and operating results for the third quarter, and discuss Tops' corporate strategy and outlook. A question-and-answer session will follow. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (201) 689-8560.
A telephonic replay will be available from 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time the day of the teleconference until Tuesday, November 24, 2015. To listen to a replay of the call, dial (858) 384-5517 and enter replay pin number 13621143.
About Tops Holding II Corporation
Tops is the parent of Tops Holding LLC and the indirect parent of Tops Markets, LLC, which is headquartered in Williamsville, NY, and operates 161 corporate full-service supermarkets, 160 under the Tops banner and one under the Orchard Fresh banner, with an additional five supermarkets operated by franchisees under the Tops banner. With approximately 14,500 associates, Tops is a leading full-service grocery retailer in Upstate New York, Northern Pennsylvania and Vermont. Tops' strategy is to build on its solid market share in the areas it operates by continuing to differentiate itself from competitors by offering quality products at affordable prices with superior customer service and by remaining an integral part of the community.
For more information about Tops Markets, visit the company's website at www.topsmarkets.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
The information made available in this news release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally statements about future events, plans, objectives and performance. Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations, based on currently available information, and are not guarantees. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, these expectations could prove inaccurate as such statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our ability to control or predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties, or other risks or uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial, occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. Important factors relating to these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following:
- current economic conditions and the impact on consumer demand and spending and our pricing strategy
- pricing and market strategies, the expansion, consolidation and other activities of competitors, and our ability to respond to the promotional practices of competitors
- our ability to effectively increase or maintain our profit margins
- the success of our acquisition and remodel plans
- fluctuations in utility, fuel and commodity prices which could impact consumer spending and buying habits and the cost of doing business
- risks inherent in our fuel station operations
- our exposure to local economies and other adverse conditions due to our geographic concentration
- risks of natural disasters and severe weather conditions
- supply problems with our suppliers and vendors
- our relationships with unions and unionized employees, and the terms of future collective bargaining agreements or labor strikes
- increased operating costs resulting from increases in the minimum wage, rising employee benefit costs or pension funding obligations
- changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, laws and governmental regulations applicable to the operation of our pharmacy and other businesses
- the adequacy of our insurance coverage against claims of our customers in connection with our pharmacy services
- estimates of the amount and timing of payments under our self-insurance policies
- risks of liability under environmental laws and regulations
- our ability to maintain and improve our information technology systems
- events that give rise to actual or potential food contamination, drug contamination or food-borne illness or any adverse publicity relating to these types of concerns, whether or not valid
- threats or potential threats to security
- our ability to retain key personnel
- risks of data security breaches or losses of confidential customer information
- risks relating to our substantial indebtedness
- claims or legal proceedings against us, and
- other factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2014 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 12-week period ended October 3, 2015.
We caution that investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We disclaim any intention, obligation or duty to update or revise any forward- looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with GAAP, we provide information regarding EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. We define EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted to exclude certain non-cash items and items that are not indicative of our core operating performance. We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate our operating performance and liquidity and they are among the primary measures used by management for planning and forecasting for future periods. We believe the presentation of these measures is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view results in a manner similar to the method used by management and, with respect to EBITDA, makes it easier to compare our results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures. See the last page of this release for a quantitative reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, which we believe is net loss.
FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW.
|
TOPS HOLDING II CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) |
||||
| 12-week periods ended | ||||
| October 3, 2015 | October 4, 2014 | $ Change | % Change | |
| Net sales | $ 560,744 | $ 580,741 | $ (19,997) | (3.4)% |
| Cost of goods sold | (386,195) | (404,739) | 18,544 | 4.6% |
| Distribution costs | (9,125) | (10,969) | 1,844 | 16.8% |
| Gross profit | 165,424 | 165,033 | 391 | 0.2% |
| Operating expenses: | ||||
| Wages, salaries and benefits | (80,354) | (80,305) | (49) | (0.1)% |
| Selling and general expenses | (27,459) | (27,471) | 12 | 0.0% |
| Administrative expenses (inclusive of share-based compensation expense of $53 and $52) | (17,842) | (16,302) | (1,540) | (9.4)% |
| Rent expense, net | (6,292) | (6,233) | (59) | (0.9)% |
| Depreciation and amortization | (14,719) | (14,045) | (674) | (4.8)% |
| Advertising | (4,901) | (4,280) | (621) | (14.5)% |
| Total operating expenses | (151,567) | (148,636) | (2,931) | (2.0)% |
| Operating income | 13,857 | 16,397 | (2,540) | (15.5)% |
| Interest expense, net | (18,619) | (18,625) | 6 | 0.0% |
| Loss before income taxes | (4,762) | (2,228) | (2,534) | (113.7)% |
| Income tax (expense) benefit | (400) | 795 | (1,195) | (150.3)% |
| Net loss | $ (5,162) | $ (1,433) | $ (3,729) | (260.2)% |
|
TOPS HOLDING II CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) |
||||
| 40-week periods ended | ||||
| October 3, 2015 | October 4, 2014 | $ Change | % Change | |
| Net sales | $ 1,869,505 | $ 1,933,480 | $ (63,975) | (3.3)% |
| Cost of goods sold | (1,284,579) | (1,349,355) | 64,776 | 4.8% |
| Distribution costs | (34,948) | (37,801) | 2,853 | 7.5% |
| Gross profit | 549,978 | 546,324 | 3,654 | 0.7% |
| Operating expenses: | ||||
| Wages, salaries and benefits | (272,581) | (267,505) | (5,076) | (1.9)% |
| Selling and general expenses | (91,809) | (96,938) | 5,129 | 5.3% |
| Administrative expenses (inclusive of share-based compensation expense of $177 and $113) | (58,844) | (51,285) | (7,559) | (14.7)% |
| Rent expense, net | (20,863) | (20,506) | (357) | (1.7)% |
| Depreciation and amortization | (47,891) | (45,512) | (2,379) | (5.2)% |
| Advertising | (16,590) | (16,042) | (548) | (3.4)% |
| Gain on sale of assets | 11,014 | — | 11,014 | N/A |
| Total operating expenses | (497,564) | (497,788) | 224 | 0.0% |
| Operating income | 52,414 | 48,536 | 3,878 | 8.0% |
| Loss on debt extinguishment | (34,503) | — | (34,503) | N/A |
| Interest expense, net | (63,404) | (63,023) | (381) | (0.6)% |
| Loss before income taxes | (45,493) | (14,487) | (31,006) | (214.0)% |
| Income tax (expense) benefit | (1,342) | 4,461 | (5,803) | (130.1)% |
| Net loss | $ (46,835) | $ (10,026) | $ (36,809) | (367.1)% |
|
TOPS HOLDING II CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited) |
||
| October 3, 2015 | December 27, 2014 | |
| Assets | ||
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 36,261 | $ 26,316 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 70,364 | 64,130 |
| Inventory, net | 149,723 | 149,284 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 13,554 | 11,172 |
| Income taxes refundable | 43 | 43 |
| Current deferred tax assets | 3,456 | 3,456 |
| Total current assets | 273,401 | 254,401 |
| Property and equipment, net | 373,639 | 385,889 |
| Goodwill | 212,901 | 212,901 |
| Intangible assets, net | 175,355 | 184,159 |
| Total assets | $ 1,035,296 | $ 1,037,350 |
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Deficit | ||
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Accounts payable | $ 85,225 | $ 85,985 |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 104,232 | 82,110 |
| Current portion of capital lease obligations | 8,524 | 8,653 |
| Current portion of long-term debt | 2,052 | 1,983 |
| Total current liabilities | 200,033 | 178,731 |
| Capital lease obligations | 140,465 | 140,315 |
| Long-term debt, net | 669,303 | 649,097 |
| Other long-term liabilities | 35,980 | 33,591 |
| Non-current deferred tax liabilities | 46,716 | 45,383 |
| Total liabilities | 1,092,497 | 1,047,117 |
| Common stock ($0.001 par value; 300,000 authorized shares, 126,550 issued and 126,559 shares outstanding as of October 3, 2015 and 126,560 shares issued and outstanding as of December 27, 2014) | — | — |
| Treasury stock (at cost; 1 share as of October 3, 2015) | (1) | — |
| Paid-in capital | 7,856 | 8,454 |
| Accumulated deficit | (63,384) | (16,549) |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax | (1,672) | (1,672) |
| Total shareholders' deficit | (57,201) | (9,767) |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit | $ 1,035,296 | $ 1,037,350 |
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TOPS HOLDING II CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) |
||
| 40-week periods ended | ||
| October 3, 2015 | October 4, 2014 | |
| Cash flows provided by operating activities: | ||
| Net loss | $ (46,835) | $ (10,026) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | 57,179 | 53,322 |
| Loss on debt extinguishment | 34,503 | — |
| Gain on sale of assets | (11,014) | — |
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | 2,618 | 3,031 |
| Deferred income taxes | 1,334 | (4,502) |
| Straight-line rent adjustment | 775 | 1,754 |
| LIFO inventory valuation adjustments | 661 | 2,848 |
| Share-based compensation expense | 177 | 113 |
| Other | 490 | 692 |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||
| (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable | (6,234) | 2,661 |
| Increase in inventory, net | (1,341) | (13,614) |
| Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets | (2,382) | (4,701) |
| Decrease in income taxes refundable | -- | 41 |
| (Decrease) increase in accounts payable | (537) | 7,383 |
| Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 22,684 | (5,097) |
| Increase in other long-term liabilities | 1,846 | 1,761 |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 53,924 | 35,666 |
| Cash flows used in investing activities: | ||
| Cash paid for property and equipment | (30,692) | (30,422) |
| Cash proceeds from sale of assets | 11,255 | — |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (19,437) | (30,422) |
| Cash flows used in financing activities: | ||
| Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings | 560,000 | — |
| Repayments of long-term debt borrowings | (521,480) | (3,307) |
| Borrowings on 2017 ABL Facility | 353,966 | 315,600 |
| Repayments on 2017 ABL Facility | (374,466) | (323,800) |
| Debt extinguishment costs paid | (24,290) | — |
| Deferred financing costs paid | (10,593) | (637) |
| Principal payments on capital leases | (6,680) | (6,947) |
| Dividends to Tops MBO Corporation | (775) | (12,571) |
| Change in bank overdraft position | (223) | 98 |
| Purchase of treasury stock | (1) | — |
| Proceeds from sale leaseback financing transactions | — | 25,436 |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (24,542) | (6,128) |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 9,945 | (884) |
| Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period | 26,316 | 29,913 |
| Cash and cash equivalents-end of period | $ 36,261 | $ 29,029 |
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TOPS HOLDING II CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET LOSS TO EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) |
||||
| 12-week periods ended | 40-week periods ended | |||
| October 3, 2015 | October 4, 2014 | October 3, 2015 | October 4, 2014 | |
| Net loss | $ (5,162) | $ (1,433) | $ (46,835) | $ (10,026) |
| Depreciation and amortization | 17,685 | 16,423 | 57,179 | 53,322 |
| Interest expense | 18,619 | 18,625 | 63,404 | 63,023 |
| Income tax expense (benefit ) | 400 | (795) | 1,342 | (4,461) |
| EBITDA | 31,542 | 32,820 | 75,090 | 101,858 |
| LIFO inventory valuation adjustments(a) | 236 | 617 | 661 | 2,848 |
| Share-based compensation expense(b) | 53 | 52 | 177 | 113 |
| Loss on debt extinguishment(c) | — | — | 34,503 | — |
| Gain on sale of assets(d) | — | — | (11,014) | — |
| Other one-time expenses(e) | 495 | 1,410 | 2,922 | 1,827 |
| Total adjustments to EBITDA | 784 | 2,079 | 27,249 | 4,788 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ 32,326 | $ 34,899 | $ 102,339 | $ 106,646 |
| Notes: | ||||
| (a) Eliminates the non-cash impact of last-in, first-out ("LIFO") accounting, which represents the difference between certain inventories valued under the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") inventory method and the LIFO inventory method. | ||||
| (b) Compensation costs related to stock option grants. | ||||
| (c) Expenses incurred in connection with the Company's redemption of its 2017 Notes and $60.0 million of its 2018 Notes. | ||||
| (d) During January 2015, the Company sold pharmacy scripts and inventory related to 27 of its in-store pharmacy locations for cash proceeds of $14.9 million. A resulting gain on sale of assets of $11.0 million, net of the carrying value of sold inventory of $3.2 million and direct selling expenses of $0.7 million, was recognized. | ||||
| (e) The amount for the 40-week period ended October 3, 2015 includes $1.0 million of severance and other costs associated with the closure of 27 in-store pharmacies in January 2015. | ||||