Indigo Reports Full Year Results: Record revenues and impressive comparable growth of 6.2%

TORONTO, May 29, 2018 /CNW/ - Indigo Books & Music Inc. (TSX: IDG), Canada's largest book, gift and specialty toy retailer reported revenue of $1,079.4 million for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. Total revenue increased by $59.6 million or 5.8% compared to the previous year. Total comparable sales, including both online sales and comparable store sales, increased by 6.2%.

Revenue growth was driven by continued double-digit growth in general merchandise, most notably lifestyle products and toys, while book sales experienced a slight decline cycling over the blockbuster release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child last year.

Commenting on the results, CEO Heather Reisman said: "We are happy to report the biggest year in our history and the eighteenth straight quarter of comparative growth – something we are extremely proud of, especially in light of the difficult retail climate. When we set out to create a book lover's cultural department store, our goal was to conceive a space that inspired and enriched customers. The enthusiasm and engagement we have seen from our customers as we have transformed our stores confirms that we are fully realizing that goal. We look forward to the year ahead as we continue to invest in our retail, online and supply chain operations, and we open our very first store in the US, where we are excited to bring our brand to the largest retail market in the world."

Indigo reported net earnings of $21.8 million ($0.81 net earnings per common share) compared to $20.9 million ($0.79 net earnings per common share) last year. The improvement in net earnings was driven by improved revenue, partially offset by lower margin rates as a result of a business shift to the online channel and increased operating, selling and administrative expenses. Higher costs were driven by higher volumes and investments in the Company's long-term growth, such as the continued redevelopment of its stores, as well as the expansion of its distribution centres and digital teams. A change in accounting estimates for breakage also contributed to earnings growth in fiscal 2018. Indigo ended the year in a very strong financial position with cash and short-term investments of $210.3 million and no debt.

Revenue for the fourth quarter was $215.3 million, up $5.8 million from the same quarter last year. Total comparable sales, including both online sales and comparable store sales, increased by 6.2% in the fourth quarter. Net loss for the quarter was $10.8 million compared to a net loss of $8.9 million last year. The improvement in revenue was offset by higher operating costs driven by the Ontario minimum wage increase and higher fixed costs due to expansion of the Company's distribution centres in Ontario and Alberta. 

The Company rolled out its new store concept to nine more stores in fiscal 2018.  The acceleration of the Company's retail transformation will continue in the coming year, including the opening of its first location in the U.S. Additionally, the Company expanded its online distribution facilities in Ontario and acquired a new facility in Alberta to support its growth and to provide faster, more efficient service to its customers across Canada.

In fiscal 2018, Indigo again reached record-high employee engagement and customer satisfaction scores with a 90% engagement level and Net Promoter Score of 75%. Indigo was also named the top Canadian retail employer brand, and number four Canadian employer brand overall, according to the annual award given by Randstad Canada, a staffing, recruitment, and HR company. Furthermore, Indigo was voted fourth best company to work for in Ontario by Indeed, a leading search engine for job-listings.

Also in May 2018, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation granted an additional $1.5 million to 30 high-needs elementary schools across Canada, bringing the total committed by the Foundation to $28 million since its inception in 2004.

Analyst/Investor Call

Indigo will host a conference call for analysts and investors to review these results at 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) today, May 29^th, 2018. The call can be accessed by dialing 416-764-8688 from within the Toronto area, or 1-888-390-0546 outside of Toronto. The eight digit participant code is 47198928.

A playback of the call will also be available by telephone until 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, June 5^th, 2018. The call playback can be accessed after 7:00 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, May 29^st, 2018, by dialing 416-764-8677 from within the Toronto area, or 1-888-390-0541 outside of Toronto. The six-digit replay passcode number is 198928#. The conference call transcript will be archived in the Investor Relations section of the Indigo website, www.indigo.ca.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements which involve risk and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Among the key factors that could cause such differences are: general economic, market or business conditions; competitive actions by other companies; changes in laws or regulations; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). In order to provide additional insight into the business, the Company has also provided non-IFRS data, including total comparable sales, in the press release above. This measure does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and is therefore specific to Indigo and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Total comparable sales is a key indicator used by the Company to measure performance against internal targets and prior period results. This measure is commonly used by financial analysts and investors to compare Indigo to other retailers.

Total comparable sales is based on comparable retail store sales and includes online sales for the same period. Comparable retail store sales are defined as sales generated by stores that have been open for more than 52-weeks.

About Indigo Books & Music Inc.

Indigo is a publicly traded Canadian company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (IDG). As the largest book, gift and specialty toy retailer in Canada, Indigo operates in all provinces under different banners including Indigo Books & Music; Indigospirit; Chapters; and Coles. The online channel, indigo.ca, offers a one-stop online shop with a robust selection of books, toys, home décor, stationery, and gifts.

Indigo founded the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation in 2004 to address the underfunding of public elementary school libraries.  Every year the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation provides grants to high-needs elementary schools so they can transform their libraries with the purchase of new books and educational resources. To date, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation has committed over $28 million to 3,000 elementary schools, benefitting more than 900,000 students.

To learn more about Indigo, please visit the Our Company section at indigo.ca.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The following table reconciles total comparable sales to revenue, the most comparable IFRS measure.

SOURCE Indigo Books & Music Inc.