Tailored Brands, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2016 Third Quarter And Nine Month Results

FREMONT, Calif., Dec. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Tailored Brands, Inc. (NYSE: TLRD) today announced consolidated financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended October 29, 2016.

Third quarter 2016 GAAP diluted earnings per share ("EPS") were $0.58, compared to a loss of $0.56 in the same period a year ago.  Third quarter 2016 adjusted diluted EPS⁽¹⁾ was $0.68 excluding certain items⁽¹⁾, compared to adjusted diluted EPS of $0.50 in the third quarter of 2015.

"Our improved profitability this quarter reflects solid progress on our cost reduction initiatives as we continue to navigate the turnaround of Jos. A. Bank and a choppy retail environment," said Doug Ewert, president and chief executive officer of Tailored Brands.

"Men's Wearhouse's 0.1% comparable sales increase reflects the softening traffic trend we initially saw after Father's Day, which has continued," said Ewert.  "While the retail environment remains challenging, we are pleased with the response to premium clothing, custom clothing and performance wear, including the recently launched Kenneth Cole AWEAR-TECH.  We plan to drive greater awareness of these innovative offerings and view them as significant growth drivers in 2017.  In addition, we continued to strengthen our omnichannel capabilities during the third quarter, which we believe will help drive additional traffic as we make it easy for customers to shop with us both online and in-store. 

"Our Jos. A. Bank turnaround is gaining traction.  We are pleased to report a better-than-expected comparable sales decline of 9.8% in the third quarter, particularly since we were up against last year's final "Buy-One-Get-Three Free" event in October.  While there is still work to be done, we are encouraged by the healthier trends we are seeing at Jos. A. Bank that reflect our investments in elevating the brand and customer experience through marketing, merchandising and a more engaging sales experience. 

"Based on our third quarter results and our outlook for the balance of the year, we are updating full year 2016 adjusted EPS expectations to $1.70 to $1.85 per diluted share from our previous range of $1.55 to $1.85 per diluted share.  Our updated full year guidance reflects our expectation for Jos. A. Bank comparable sales to be up mid-to-high-single-digits and Men's Wearhouse comparable sales to be down slightly in the fourth quarter. 

"We are on track to achieve our targeted $50 million of cost savings in fiscal 2016.  In addition, we continue to make progress on our store base rationalization initiative.  During the third quarter, we closed 83 stores, including 74 Men's Wearhouse and Tux stores, bringing our total year-to-date closures to 187 stores.  We expect to close approximately 63 stores in the fourth quarter for a total of approximately 250 store closures during fiscal 2016," said Ewert.

SALES REVIEW

The table that follows is a summary of total net sales for the third quarter and year-to-date period ended October 29, 2016.  The dollars shown are U.S. dollars in millions and, due to rounded numbers, may not sum.  Comparable sales exclude the net sales of a store for any month of one period if the store was not owned or open throughout the same month of the prior period and include e-commerce net sales.  The Moores comparable sales change is based on the Canadian dollar.  In addition, Jos. A. Bank comparable sales exclude sales from factory stores as these stores were running clearance sales in preparation for closing.  Fiscal 2015 comparable sales shown below for Jos. A. Bank are based on a comparison to Jos. A. Bank's fiscal 2014 sales, a portion of which was prior to the acquisition on June 18, 2014. 

Net sales for the third quarter at our largest brand, Men's Wearhouse, decreased 0.8% while comparable sales increased 0.1% from last year's third quarter.  The slight increase in comparable sales resulted primarily from higher rental services revenue while comparable sales for clothing decreased primarily due to decreases in both average transactions per store and units sold per transaction partially offset by an increase in average unit retails (net selling prices).  Comparable rental services revenue increased 4.9% in the third quarter of 2016.

Jos. A. Bank comparable sales for the third quarter decreased 9.8% primarily due to decreases in both average transactions per store and average unit retails partially offset by higher units sold per transaction and higher rental services revenue. 

K&G comparable sales decreased 3.0% primarily due to lower average transactions per store partially offset by an increase in average unit retails and units sold per transaction. 

Net sales for Moores, our Canadian retail brand, increased 1.2% primarily due to the impact of new stores.  Moores had a comparable sales decrease of 0.4% due to a decrease in average transactions per store driven by weak macro-economic conditions in Canada, partially offset by an increase in average unit retails with units per transaction essentially flat. 

The Corporate Apparel segment had a sales increase of 30.0% primarily driven by the rollout of a large new uniform program.

THIRD QUARTER GAAP RESULTS

Below is a comparison table and discussion of the condensed consolidated third quarter FY 2016 to third quarter FY 2015 operating results.

Total net sales decreased 2.1%, or $18.5 million, to $846.9 million.  Retail segment net sales decreased by 4.7%, or $37.7 million.  Corporate apparel sales increased by 30.0% or $19.2 million.

Total gross margin was $377.2 million, an increase of $4.2 million, or 1.1%, due primarily to the impact of the rollout of a large new uniform program partially offset by a decrease in retail segment net sales.  As a percent of retail sales, retail gross margin increased 161 basis points to 45.9% primarily as a result of anniversarying lower gross margins in last year's third quarter that resulted from the clearance of merchandise through the e-commerce channel, primarily at our Men's Wearhouse brand.

Advertising expense decreased $2.3 million to $45.7 million and decreased 15 basis points as a percent of total sales. 

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") decreased $0.8 million to $270.5 million but increased 59 basis points as a percent of total sales, primarily as a result of deleverage from lower sales.

Operating income for the third quarter was $61.1 million compared to an operating loss of $36.4 million last year, which included a tradename impairment charge of $90.1 million. 

Net interest expense for the third quarter was $25.4 million compared to $26.4 million in 2015.

The effective tax rate for the third quarter was 24.1% for 2016 and a benefit of (56.8)% for 2015. 

Net earnings for the quarter were $28.4 million compared to a net loss of $27.2 million last year.  Diluted EPS was $0.58 compared to diluted loss per share of $0.56 in the prior year quarter. 

THIRD QUARTER ADJUSTED RESULTS ⁽¹⁾

Below is a comparison table and discussion of adjusted operating metrics for the third quarter of FY 2016 and FY 2015.  Note that only the line items affected by adjustments are shown in the table.

Total gross margin increased $3.3 million and increased 134 basis points.  Retail gross margin dollars decreased $5.3 million primarily due to lower sales while the retail gross margin rate increased 149 basis points primarily due to anniversarying lower gross margins in last year's third quarter, that resulted from clearance activities in our e-commerce channel.  Excluding the impact of the factory/outlet stores last year, total gross margin increased 140 basis points and retail gross margin increased 155 basis points.

On a stand-alone basis, Jos. A. Bank retail clothing product selling margin excluding factory stores increased approximately 277 basis points due to lower product costs and increased average unit retails. 

Primarily due to the Company's cost reduction efforts, SG&A expenses decreased $6.7 million and decreased 13 basis points as a percent of total sales.  The decrease in SG&A expenses was partially offset by increased incentive compensation accruals.

Operating income increased $12.4 million or 20.3%.

The effective tax rate was 30.6%. 

Adjusted net earnings were $33.3 million, or $0.68 adjusted EPS compared to adjusted EPS of $0.50 in the last year's third quarter.

NINE MONTH GAAP RESULTS

Below is a comparison table and discussion of the condensed consolidated nine months of FY 2016 to nine months of FY 2015 operating results.

Total net sales decreased 3.2%, or $85.2 million, to $2,585.4 million.  Retail segment net sales decreased by 5.0%, or $124.5 million.  Corporate apparel sales increased by 21.1% or $39.3 million.

Total gross margin was $1,139.4 million, a decrease of $33.9 million, or 2.9% due primarily to the decrease in retail segment net sales.  As a percent of total sales, total gross margin increased 14 basis points. 

Advertising expense decreased $5.1 million to $138.5 million and decreased slightly by 2 basis points as a percent of total sales. 

SG&A increased $26.6 million to $849.1 million or 204 basis points, primarily due to costs associated with our store rationalization and profit improvement programs.

Operating income for the nine months was $151.7 million compared to operating income of $117.0 million last year. 

Net interest expense for the nine months was $77.8 million compared to $79.3 million in 2015.

The effective tax rate for the nine months was 27.3% for 2016 and a benefit of (24.0%) for 2015. 

Net earnings for the nine months were $55.0 million compared to net earnings of $31.0 million last year.  Diluted EPS was $1.13 compared to diluted EPS of $0.64 in the same period last year. 

NINE MONTH ADJUSTED RESULTS ⁽¹⁾

Below is a comparison table and discussion of adjusted operating metrics for the nine months of FY 2016 and FY 2015.  Note that only the line items affected by adjustments are shown in the table.

Total gross margin decreased $37.6 million but was flat as a percent of sales.  Retail gross margin decreased $56.9 million primarily due to lower sales and decreased 3 basis points as a percent of retail sales. Excluding the impact of the factory/outlet stores from both periods, total gross margin increased by 46 basis points and retail gross margin increased 47 basis points.

On a stand-alone basis, Jos. A. Bank retail clothing product selling margin excluding factory stores increased approximately 498 basis points due to lower product costs and an increase in the average unit retail. 

Primarily due to the Company's cost reduction efforts, SG&A expenses decreased $17.8 million yet deleveraged 30 basis points due to lower sales. The decrease in SG&A expenses was partially offset by increased incentive compensation accruals.

Operating income decreased $14.7 million or 6.3%.

The effective tax rate was 32.9%. 

Adjusted net earnings were $95.4 million, or $1.96 adjusted EPS compared to adjusted EPS of $2.11 in the same period last year.

BALANCE SHEET

Total debt at the end of the third quarter 2016 was approximately $1.6 billion.  The Company made its scheduled $1.8 million payment on its term loan during the third quarter.  In addition, as previously reported, during the third quarter, the Company repurchased and retired $18.5 million of its senior notes, resulting in a total of $25.0 million of its senior notes being repurchased and retired during 2016. There were no borrowings outstanding on our revolving credit facility at the end of the third quarter of 2016.

Inventories decreased $12.3 million to $1,047.9 million at the end of the third quarter 2016 from $1,060.2 million at the end of the prior year third quarter, primarily due to the weaker exchange rate from British pounds to U.S. dollars.  Excluding this foreign exchange translation impact, total inventories were a few million dollars higher than last year.  The Company expects inventories to be at or below prior-year levels at year end 2016, with Jos. A. Bank inventories already below prior-year levels.

Cash flow from operating activities through the third quarter 2016 was $176.9 million compared to $112.2 million in the same period last year.  The increase was primarily due to working capital items.

Capital expenditures through the third quarter 2016 were $80.6 million compared to $86.4 million in the prior year.

CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

At 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, December 8, 2016, management will host a conference call and real time webcast to discuss fiscal 2016 third quarter and nine month results.

To access the conference call at 9:00 a.m. Eastern on December 8^th, please dial 412-902-0030.  To access the live webcast, visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://ir.tailoredbrands.com.  A telephonic replay will be available through December 15, 2016, by calling 201-612-7415 and entering the access code of 13648633#, or a webcast archive will be available free on the website for approximately 90 days.

STORE INFORMATION

Tailored Brands, Inc. is a leading authority on helping men dress for work, special occasions and everyday life.  We serve our customers through an expansive omnichannel network that includes over 1,700 locations in the U.S. and Canada as well as our branded ecommerce websites.  Our brands include Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Joseph Abboud, Moores Clothing for Men and K&G Fashion Superstores.  We also operate a global corporate apparel and workwear group consisting of Twin Hill in the United States and Dimensions, Alexandra and Yaffy in the United Kingdom. 

For additional information on Tailored Brands, please visit the Company's websites at www.tailoredbrands.com, www.menswearhouse.com, www.josbank.com,  www.josephabboud.com, www.mooresclothing.com, www.kgstores.com, www.mwcleaners.com, www.twinhill.com, www.dimensions.co.uk and www.alexandra.co.uk.

This press release contains forward-looking information, including the Company's statements regarding its ability to drive traffic and growth through innovative product offerings and strengthened omnichannel capabilities, comparable sales expectations and adjusted earnings per share guidance, and inventory expectations.  In addition, statements containing words such as "guidance," "may," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "projections," "business outlook," and "estimate" or similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements..  The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and a variety of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated or expected results expressed in or suggested by these forward-looking statements.  Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:  actions by governmental entities, domestic and international macro-economic conditions, inflation or deflation, the loss of, or changes in, key personnel; success, or lack thereof, in executing our internal strategies and operating plans including new store and new market expansion plans, cost reduction initiatives, store rationalization plans, profit improvement plans, revenue enhancement strategies and the impact of opening tuxedo shops within Macy's stores, changes in demand for clothing, market trends in the retail business, customer confidence and spending patterns, changes in traffic trends in our stores, customer acceptance of our merchandise strategies, performance issues with key suppliers, disruptions in our supply chain, severe weather, foreign currency fluctuations, government export and import policies, advertising or marketing activities of competitors, and legal proceedings.

The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Except for the ongoing obligations of Tailored Brands to disclose material information under the federal securities laws, Tailored Brands undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.  Other factors that may impact the forward-looking statements are described in our latest annual report on Form 10-K and our filings on Form 10-Q. 

Contact:
Investor Relations
(281) 776-7575
ir@tailoredbrands.com  

Julie MacMedan, VP, Investor Relations
Tailored Brands, Inc.

TAILORED BRANDS, INC.
UNAUDITED NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to providing financial results in accordance with GAAP, we have provided adjusted information for the fiscal third quarter and nine months of 2016 and 2015 as well as our fiscal year ending January 28, 2017.  This non-GAAP financial information is provided to enhance the user's overall understanding of the Company's financial performance by removing the impacts of large, unusual or unique transactions that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results, primarily costs related to our store rationalization and profit improvement programs as well as certain items related to the acquisition and integration of Jos. A. Bank.  Management uses these adjusted results to assess the Company's performance, to make decisions about how to allocate resources and to develop expectations for future operating performance.  In addition, adjusted EPS is used as a performance measure in the Company's executive compensation program to determine the number of performance units that are ultimately earned.

The non-GAAP financial information should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or as being superior to, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Management strongly encourages investors and shareholders to review the Company's financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. 

Reconciliations of non-GAAP information to our actual results follow and amounts may not sum due to rounded numbers.  In addition, only the line items affected by adjustments are shown in the tables.