LE 2014.05.02 Earnings release



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 

FORM 8-K
 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): June 12, 2014

LANDS' END, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 
Delaware
 
001-09769
 
36-2512786
 
 
 
 
 
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
1 Lands’ End Lane
Dodgeville, Wisconsin
 
53595
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (608) 935-9341
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))







Item 2.02     Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
Lands’ End, Inc. (the “Company”) is furnishing herewith a press release issued on June 12, 2014 as Exhibit 99.1, which is included herein. This press release was issued to report the Company’s first quarter 2014 results.
Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit Number
 
Description
99.1
 
Press Release of Lands’ End, Inc. dated June 12, 2014











SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
LANDS' END, INC.
Date: June 12, 2014
By:
/s/ Michael P. Rosera
 
 
Michael P. Rosera
 
 
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)








EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
 
Description
99.1
 
Press Release of Lands’ End, Inc. dated June 12, 2014





LE 2014.05.02 Exhibit 99.1
Exhibit 99.1

Lands’ End Announces First Quarter of Fiscal 2014 Results
Dodgeville, WI - June 12, 2014 - Lands’ End, Inc. (NASDAQ: LE) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended May 2, 2014.

First Quarter Highlights:
The Lands’ End separation from Sears Holdings Corporation was completed on April 4, 2014.
Merchandise sales and services, net increased 3.6% to $330.5 million from the first quarter last year. This was comprised of an increase in the Direct segment of 4.8% to $276.0 million and a decrease in the Retail segment of 2.3% to $54.4 million; same store sales increased 3.4%.
Gross margin increased approximately 60 basis points to 49.0% from the first quarter last year.
Selling and administrative expenses increased 0.9% to $138.2 million and included approximately $1.0 million of stand-alone public company related costs as compared to the first quarter last year. As a percentage of Merchandise sales and services, net, Selling and administrative expenses decreased 110 basis points to 41.8% compared to the first quarter last year.
Operating income increased 57.1% to $18.8 million compared to $12.0 million last year.
Net income increased 48.1% to $10.9 million compared to $7.3 million last year.
Diluted earnings per share increased 48.1% to $0.34 from $0.23 last year.
Adjusted EBITDA1 increased 35.2% to $23.8 million compared to $17.6 million last year.

Edgar Huber, Lands’ End’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are very pleased with our first quarter results and our progress towards growing the business and building Lands’ End into a global lifestyle brand.  We are encouraged by the positive customer response to our merchandising and marketing strategies and remain focused on improving the contemporary relevance of the Lands’ End brand.  Despite a very challenging retail apparel environment, we drove strong earnings growth through an improved merchandise assortment architecture, more targeted promotions, improved inventory management and continued expense controls.   In the first quarter, merchandise sales and services revenue increased 3.6% to $330.5 million while gross margin improved approximately 60 basis points to 49.0% and operating income increased 57.1% to $18.8 million. We are excited to be operating, once again, as an independent public company and believe we are well positioned to execute against our strategic initiatives to drive sales and earnings growth.”

First Quarter Results
Merchandise sales and services, net increased 3.6% to $330.5 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $319.0 million in the first quarter of 2013. Merchandise sales and services, net in the Direct segment increased 4.8% to $276.0 million and was driven by growth in the U.S. consumer business. Merchandise sales and services, net in the Retail segment decreased 2.3% to $54.4 million driven by a decrease in the number of Lands’ End Shops at Sears and a decrease in Shop Your Way redemption credits resulting from the commercial agreements entered into with Sears Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries as part of the Company’s separation, partially offset by an increase in same store sales. Same store sales in the Retail segment increased 3.4%, driven by higher sales in the Company’s Lands’ End Shops at Sears. On May 2, 2014, the Company operated 251 Lands’ End Shops at Sears and 14 independent Inlet stores.

Gross margin increased 4.8% to $162.0 million and increased approximately 60 basis points to 49.0% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013. The increase in Gross margin was driven primarily by an increase in Gross margin in the Direct segment, which improved 160 basis points to 49.6%, and was fueled by significantly higher Gross margin in the U.S. consumer business attributable to improved merchandise assortment architecture and more targeted promotions. Gross margin in the Retail segment decreased approximately 450 basis points to 46.1% driven primarily by lower gross margins associated with an increased mix of clearance units and by incremental net costs associated with the Shop Your Way program.





Selling and administrative expenses increased 0.9% to $138.2 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013 primarily due to approximately $1.0 million of stand-alone public company related expenses. As a percentage of Merchandise sales and services, net, Selling and administrative expenses decreased 110 basis points to 41.8%.

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased 11.5% to $5.0 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $5.7 million in the first quarter of 2013 primarily attributable to an increase in fully depreciated assets.

As a result of the above factors, Operating income in the first quarter of 2014 increased 57.1% to $18.8 million compared to $12.0 million in the first quarter of 2013.

Interest expense was $1.9 million in the first quarter and was attributable to higher debt levels and costs related to the issuance of the term loan used to pay a $500 million dividend to a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation immediately prior to the separation.

Income tax expense was $6.1 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2013. The effective tax rate was 36.1% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 38.7% in the first quarter of 2013. The change in our effective tax rate was primarily due to decreased effective state tax rates and one-time separation related items.

Net income increased 48.1% to $10.9 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $7.3 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2013.

Adjusted EBITDA1 increased 35.2% to $23.8 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $17.6 million in the first quarter of 2013.

Cash flow generated from operating activities was $31.4 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $19.5 million in the first of quarter of 2013. The increase was primarily attributable to more efficient inventory management and an increase in Net income.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Cash was $65.0 million on May 2, 2014 compared to $21.8 million on May 3, 2013. The increase in cash was driven by our retention of cash beginning with our separation April 4, 2014 from Sears Holdings Corporation, more efficient inventory management and an increase in Net income.
The Company had $160.2 million of availability under its asset-based senior secured credit facility and had long-term debt of $509.9 million as of May 2, 2014. Inventory decreased 5.4% to $327.0 million and Accounts receivable increased 43.1% to $39.8 million on May 2, 2014 from Inventory of $345.6 million and Accounts receivable of $27.8 million on May 3, 2013. The increase in Accounts receivable was primarily related to amounts owed from Sears Holdings Corporation following the separation, and the timing of sales in the Lands’ End Business Outfitters business.

About Lands’ End, Inc.

Lands’ End® is a classic American lifestyle brand with a passion for quality, legendary service, real value and a simple two-word promise to stand behind everything it sells: Guaranteed. Period.® Lands’ End delivers timeless style for Men, Women, Kids and the Home at landsend.com, 1-800-800-5800, Lands’ End Shops at Sears, Lands’ End Inlets and around the world.  Lands’ End is publicly traded and listed on NASDAQ under the trading symbol (LE).

Forward-Looking Statements




Certain statements in this press release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements regarding the Company’s guidance, outlook, future financial and operating results and any other statements about the Company’s future expectations, beliefs or prospects expressed by management are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, but they involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Statements preceded or followed by, or that otherwise include, the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “project,” “estimates,” “plans,” “forecast,” “is likely to” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “may,” “would,” “should” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations are disclosed under the “Risk Factors” section of the 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2014, and in the Company’s Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2014. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made. While we believe that our forecasts and assumptions are reasonable, we caution that actual results may differ materially. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we projected. Consequently, actual events and results may vary significantly from those included in or contemplated or implied by our forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.






Contacts

ICR
John Rouleau / Rachel Schacter
203-682-8200
John.Rouleau@icrinc.com
Rachel.Schacter@icrinc.com

Lands’ End, Inc.
Michele Casper
Director of Public Relations
(608) 935-4633
Michele.Casper@landsend.com

Lands’ End, Inc.
Mike Rosera
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
(608) 935-9341




-Financial Tables Follow-

LANDS’ END, INC.
Condensed Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)
 
May 2,
2014
 
May 3,
2013
 
January 31, 2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash
 
$
64,976

 
$
21,755

 
$
22,411

Restricted cash
 
3,300

 
3,300

 
3,300

Accounts receivable, net
 
39,800

 
27,819

 
33,617

Inventories, net
 
326,973

 
345,606

 
369,928

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
29,663

 
28,217

 
21,993

Total current assets
 
464,712

 
426,697

 
451,249

Property and equipment
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land, buildings and improvements
 
105,266

 
103,043

 
104,812

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 
78,260

 
71,088

 
75,625

Computer hardware and software
 
64,942

 
62,724

 
65,810

Leasehold improvements
 
12,347

 
12,668

 
12,517

Gross property and equipment
 
260,815

 
249,523

 
258,764

Less accumulated depreciation
 
162,159

 
144,530

 
157,668

Total property and equipment, net
 
98,656

 
104,993

 
101,096

Goodwill
 
110,000

 
110,000

 
110,000

Intangible assets, net
 
530,683

 
533,314

 
531,342

Other assets
 
23,703

 
725

 
588

TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
1,227,754

 
$
1,175,729

 
$
1,194,275

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
76,091

 
$
70,967

 
$
115,387

Deferred tax liabilities
 
3,732

 
3,171

 
4,019

Other current liabilities
 
108,776

 
98,026

 
83,955

Total current liabilities
 
188,599

 
172,164

 
203,361

Long-term debt
 
509,850

 

 

Long-term deferred tax liabilities
 
168,349

 
195,579

 
195,534

Other liabilities
 
15,630

 
3,086

 
3,066

TOTAL LIABILITIES
 
882,428

 
370,829

 
401,961

Commitments and contingencies
 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $0.01- authorized: 480,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 31,956,521
 
320

 

 

Additional paid-in capital
 
340,176

 

 

Retained earnings
 
5,946

 

 

Net parent company investment
 

 
808,866

 
794,309

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(1,116
)
 
(3,966
)
 
(1,995
)
Total stockholders’ equity
 
345,326

 
804,900

 
792,314

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
$
1,227,754

 
$
1,175,729

 
$
1,194,275







LANDS’ END, INC.
Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Comprehensive Operations
(Unaudited)
 
 
13 Weeks Ended
(in thousands except per share data)
 
May 2, 2014
 
May 3, 2013
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales and services, net
 
$
330,483

 
$
319,035

COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)
 
168,461

 
164,447

Selling and administrative
 
138,206

 
136,976

Depreciation and amortization
 
5,002

 
5,652

Other operating expense, net
 
20

 

Total costs and expenses
 
311,689

 
307,075

Operating income
 
18,794

 
11,960

Interest expense
 
1,925

 

Other income, net
 
137

 
1

Income before income taxes
 
17,006

 
11,961

Income tax expense
 
6,138

 
4,625

NET INCOME
 
$
10,868

 
$
7,336

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
879

 
(805
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
$
11,747

 
$
6,531

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS
 
 
 
 
Basic:
 
$
0.34

 
$
0.23

Diluted:
 
$
0.34

 
$
0.23

 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding(a)
 
31,957

 
31,957

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding(a)
 
31,957

 
31,957

 
(a) On April 4, 2014, Sears Holdings Corporation distributed 31,956,521 shares of Lands' End common stock. The computation of basic and diluted shares for all periods through April 4, 2014 were calculated using the shares distributed on April 4, 2014.






Use and Definition of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
1Adjusted EBITDA-In addition to our Net income determined in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), for purposes of evaluating operating performance, we use an Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”), which is adjusted to exclude certain significant items as set forth below. Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the operating performance of our business, as well as for executive compensation metrics, for comparable periods. Adjusted EBITDA should not be used by investors or other third parties as the sole basis for formulating investment decisions as it excludes a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items.

While Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, management believes that it is an important indicator of operating performance, and useful to investors, because:
EBITDA excludes the effects of certain on-going financing and investing activities from earnings by eliminating the effects of interest and depreciation costs.
Other significant items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects comparability of results. We have adjusted our results for these items to make our statements more comparable and therefore more useful to investors as the items are not representative of our ongoing operations. For the 13 weeks ended May 2, 2014, we excluded the loss on disposal of property and equipment as management considers the gains or losses on disposal of assets to result from investing decisions rather than ongoing operations.

LANDS' END, INC.
Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
(Unaudited)
 
13 Weeks Ended
 
May 2, 2014
 
May 3, 2013
(in thousands)
$’s
 
% of
Net Sales
 
$’s
 
% of
Net Sales
Net income
$
10,868

 
3.3
%
 
$
7,336

 
2.3
%
Income tax expense
6,138

 
1.9
%
 
4,625

 
1.4
%
Other income, net
(137
)
 
%
 
(1
)
 
%
Interest expense
1,925

 
0.6
%
 

 
%
Operating income
18,794

 
5.7
%
 
11,960

 
3.7
%
Depreciation and amortization
5,002

 
1.5
%
 
5,652

 
1.8
%
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
20

 
%
 

 
%
Adjusted EBITDA
$
23,816

 
7.2
%
 
$
17,612

 
5.5
%






LANDS’ END, INC.
Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)

 
 
13 Weeks Ended
(in thousands)
 
May 2, 2014
 
May 3, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
10,868

 
$
7,336

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
5,002

 
5,652

Amortization of debt issuance costs
 
155

 

Loss on disposal of property and equipment
 
20

 

Deferred income taxes
 
2,774

 
(204
)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Inventories
 
44,135

 
31,972

Accounts payable
 
(39,543
)
 
(36,617
)
Other operating assets
 
(7,344
)
 
(3,102
)
Other operating liabilities
 
15,310

 
14,438

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
31,377

 
19,475

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment
 
(1,548
)
 
(818
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(1,548
)
 
(818
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Contributions from / (distributions to) parent company, net
 
8,784

 
(24,868
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
 
515,000

 

Debt issuance costs
 
(11,311
)
 

Dividend paid to a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation
 
(500,000
)
 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
12,473

 
(24,868
)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash
 
263

 
(291
)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
 
42,565

 
(6,502
)
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
 
22,411

 
28,257

CASH, END OF PERIOD
 
$
64,976

 
$
21,755

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Data:
 
 
 
 
Unpaid liability to acquire property and equipment
 
$
391

 
$
1,196

Income taxes paid
 
$
2,079

 
$
1,325







Financial information by segment is presented in the following tables for the 13 weeks ended May 2, 2014 and May 3, 2013.
SUMMARY OF SEGMENT DATA
LANDS' END, INC.
Segment Financial Information
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
Direct
 
Retail
 
Corporate/ Other
 
Total
13 Weeks Ended May 2, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales and services, net
 
$
276,041

 
$
54,430

 
$
12

 
$
330,483

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)
 
139,112

 
29,349

 

 
168,461

Selling and administrative
 
107,666

 
22,755

 
7,785

 
138,206

Depreciation and amortization
 
4,015

 
644

 
343

 
5,002

Other operating expense, net
 

 

 
20

 
20

Total costs and expenses
 
250,793

 
52,748

 
8,148

 
311,689

Operating income (loss)
 
25,248

 
1,682

 
(8,136
)
 
18,794

Interest expense
 

 

 
1,925

 
1,925

Other income, net
 

 

 
137

 
137

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
25,248

 
1,682

 
(9,924
)
 
17,006

Interest expense
 

 

 
1,925

 
1,925

Other income, net
 

 

 
137

 
137

Depreciation and amortization
 
4,015

 
644

 
343

 
5,002

Loss on disposal of property and equipment
 

 

 
20

 
20

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
29,263

 
$
2,326

 
$
(7,773
)
 
$
23,816

Total assets
 
$
1,077,769

 
$
66,808

 
$
83,177

 
$
1,227,754







LANDS' END, INC.
Segment Financial Information
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
Direct
 
Retail
 
Corporate/ Other
 
Total
13 Weeks Ended May 3, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales and services, net
 
$
263,322

 
$
55,700

 
$
13

 
$
319,035

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)
 
136,901

 
27,546

 

 
164,447

Selling and administrative
 
105,134

 
24,968

 
6,874

 
136,976

Depreciation and amortization
 
4,428

 
887

 
337

 
5,652

Total costs and expenses
 
246,463

 
53,401

 
7,211

 
307,075

Operating income (loss)
 
16,859

 
2,299

 
(7,198
)
 
11,960

Other income, net
 

 

 
1

 
1

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
16,859

 
2,299

 
(7,197
)
 
11,961

Other income, net
 

 

 
1

 
1

Depreciation and amortization
 
4,428

 
887

 
337

 
5,652

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
21,287

 
$
3,186

 
$
(6,861
)
 
$
17,612

Total assets
 
$
1,065,611

 
$
69,450

 
$
40,668

 
$
1,175,729