Sport Chalet Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results


LOS ANGELES, Aug. 5, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sport Chalet, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPCHA) (Nasdaq:SPCHB) today announced financial results for its first quarter ended June 28, 2009.

First Quarter Results

Sales decreased 8.9% to $79.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 from $87.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Four new stores not included in same store sales contributed $4.0 million in sales for the quarter while same store sales decreased 14.7%. Same store sales were negatively impacted primarily by continued weak macro economic conditions.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company achieved EBITDA of $1.1 million compared to the minimum requirement of a negative $1.2 million EBITDA contained in the Company's current bank loan agreement. The $2.3 million achieved above the minimum EBITDA requirement in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 can be used to offset any future shortfalls during the remainder of fiscal 2010.

Craig Levra, Chairman and CEO of Sport Chalet, stated, "We continue to closely manage our business as we navigate this challenging economic climate. We are pleased with the progress we have made to date with the initiatives implemented in the last year which were outlined in our press release dated June 29, 2009. These initiatives, which are designed to lower our operating cost and enhance our execution, include:

  • amending our loan agreement;
  • improving inventory management;
  • renegotiating lease terms and agreements;
  • reducing expenses;
  • launching an enhanced ECommerce website;
  • and improving and expanding our customer relationship management initiative.

We remain focused on strengthening our balance sheet, improving our cash flow and reducing our leverage, despite ongoing pressure on our top line. Importantly, our commitment to offering a great product selection and 'expert' advice remains uncompromised. We are confident that we are taking the right steps in the near-term and, as we continue to execute our plan, we will be better positioned for positive results in the future."

Gross profit as a percent of sales increased to 26.4% for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 from 26.1% for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales decreased to 25.1% from 29.8% in the same period last year, primarily due to cost containment initiatives which resulted in savings of $7.1 million from decreases in salaries, advertising, professional fees, repairs and maintenance.

Net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 was $3.0 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $4.5 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 did not reflect any net tax benefit (because of tax valuation allowances), while the first quarter of fiscal 2009 reflected a net tax benefit of $3.0 million, or $0.21 per share. Without the tax benefit, the net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 would have been $7.5 million, or $0.53 per share.

About Sport Chalet, Inc.

Sport Chalet, founded in 1959 by Norbert Olberz, is a leading operator of full service specialty sporting goods stores in California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. The Company offers over 50 services for the serious sports enthusiast, including backpacking, canyoneering, and kayaking instruction, custom golf club fitting and repair, snowboard and ski rental and repair, SCUBA training and certification, SCUBA boat charters, team sales, racquet stringing, and bicycle tune-up and repair throughout its 55 locations. The address for Sport Chalet's web site is www.sportchalet.com.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including any statement concerning the Company's prospects or its ability to identify and implement opportunities to improve its results of operations or prospects. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks include, among other things, the negative effect of the economic downturn on the Company's sales, limitations on borrowing under the Company's bank credit facility, the Company's ability to reduce an adequate amount of operating expenses and control costs, the competitive environment in the sporting goods industry in general and in the Company's specific market areas, inflation, the challenge of maintaining its competitive position, changes in costs of goods and services, the weather and economic conditions in general and in specific market areas. These and other risks are more fully described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Discussion Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Disclosures

This release provides information about EBITDA as defined in the Company's current bank loan agreement. This non-GAAP measure of liquidity is included in this release solely to provide information concerning the Company's performance relative to benchmarks contained in the bank loan agreement.

                            SPORT CHALET, INC.
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                               (UNAUDITED)
                 (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                   Three months ended
                                                 ----------------------
                                                  June 28,    June 29,
                                                    2009        2008
                                                 ----------  ----------

 Net sales                                       $  79,403   $  87,120
 Cost of goods sold, buying and occupancy
  costs                                             58,413      64,412
                                                 ----------  ----------
 Gross profit                                       20,990      22,708

 Selling, general and administrative expenses       19,937      25,969
 Depreciation and amortization                       3,456       3,611
                                                 ----------  ----------
 Loss from operations                               (2,403)     (6,872)

 Interest expense                                      581         657
                                                 ----------  ----------
 Loss before taxes                                  (2,984)     (7,529)

 Income tax benefit                                     --      (3,003)
                                                 ----------  ----------
 Net loss                                        $  (2,984)  $  (4,526)
                                                 ==========  ==========

Loss per share:
   Basic                                         $   (0.21)  $   (0.32)
                                                 ==========  ==========
   Diluted                                       $   (0.21)  $   (0.32)
                                                 ==========  ==========

 Weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding:
   Basic                                            14,123      14,123
                                                 ==========  ==========
   Diluted                                          14,123      14,123
                                                 ==========  ==========
                              SPORT CHALET, INC.
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   (in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                  June 28,    
                                                    2009      March 29,
                                                 (Unaudited)    2009
                                                 ----------- ----------
                                                
 Assets

 Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                     $     290   $     290
   Accounts receivable, net                          2,724       1,434
   Merchandise inventories                          99,704      88,431
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets         1,206       2,178
   Income tax receivable                                 3       1,004
                                                -----------  ----------
     Total current assets                          103,927      93,337

 Fixed assets, net                                  54,470      57,718
                                                -----------  ----------
     Total assets                                $ 158,397   $ 151,055
                                                ===========  ==========

 Liabilities and stockholders' equity

 Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                              $  36,502   $  31,083
   Loan payable to bank                             49,789      39,140
   Salaries and wages payable                        2,719       4,150
   Other accrued expenses                           15,364      19,379
                                                -----------  ----------
     Total current liabilities                     104,374      93,752

 Deferred rent                                      24,830      25,217
 
Commitments and contingencies

 Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred stock, $.01 par value:
     Authorized shares - 2,000,000
     Issued and outstanding shares - none               --          --
   Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value:
     Authorized shares - 46,000,000
     Issued and outstanding shares -
      12,359,990 at June 28, 2009 and
      March 29, 2009                                   124         124
   Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value:
     Authorized shares - 2,000,000
     Issued and outstanding shares - 1,763,321
      at June 28, 2009 and March 29, 2009               18          18
   Additional paid-in capital                       34,549      34,458
   Accumulated deficit                              (5,498)     (2,514)
                                                ----------- ----------
 Total stockholders' equity                         29,193      32,086
                                                ----------- ----------
     Total liabilities and stockholders'
      equity                                     $ 158,397   $ 151,055
                                                =========== ===========
                           SPORT CHALET, INC.
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                              (UNAUDITED)

                                                   Three months ended
                                                 ----------------------
                                                  June 28,    June 29,
                                                   2009         2008
                                                 ----------  ----------
                                                      
 Operating activities

 Net loss                                        $  (2,984)  $  (4,526)
 Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
  provided by operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization                     3,456       3,611
   Share-based compensation                             91          72
   Deferred income taxes                                --      (4,418)
   Changes in operating assets and
    liabilities:
     Accounts receivable                            (1,290)     (1,149)
     Merchandise inventories                       (11,273)     (7,441)
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets         972       1,128
     Income tax receivable                           1,001       1,405
     Accounts payable                                2,327       9,063
     Salaries and wages payable                     (1,431)     (1,430)
     Other accrued expenses                         (4,015)      4,510
     Deferred rent                                    (387)       (188)
                                                 ----------  ----------
 Net cash (used in) provided by operating
  activities                                       (13,533)        637

 Investing activities

 Purchase of fixed assets                             (208)     (5,748)
 Net cash used in investing activities                (208)     (5,748)

 Financing activities

 Proceeds from bank borrowing                       99,405      30,121
 Repayments of bank borrowing                      (88,756)    (25,472)
 Checks drawn in excess of cash balances             3,092          --
 Tax benefit on employee stock options                  --          10
                                                 ----------  ----------
 Net cash provided by financing activities          13,741       4,659
                                                 ----------  ----------

 Decrease in cash and cash equivalents                  --        (452)
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
  period                                               290       3,894
                                                 ----------  ----------
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period      $     290   $   3,442
                                                 ==========  ==========

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
 Cash paid during the period for:
   Income taxes                                  $      --   $      --
   Interest                                            598         318


            

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