Barnes & Noble Reports Fiscal 2018 Third Quarter Financial Results

Company Outlines Strategic Turnaround Plan

NEW YORK--()--Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) today reported sales and earnings for its fiscal 2018 third quarter ended January 27, 2018. Additionally, the Company outlined elements of its strategic turnaround plan.

Total sales for the third quarter were $1.2 billion, declining 5.3% as compared to the prior year. Comparable store sales decreased 5.8% for the quarter, primarily due to lower traffic. Comparable store sales trends did improve in January, declining 3.5%.

“While we were disappointed with our holiday sales, comparable store sales trends did improve in January,” said Demos Parneros, Chief Executive Officer of Barnes & Noble, Inc. “We have initiated a strategic turnaround plan that is centered on growing the business and enhancing shareholder value. In the short term we are focused on stabilizing sales, improving productivity and reducing expenses. Achievement of our longer-term goals requires a significant multi-year transformation. We expect our plan to provide consistent improvement beginning in fiscal 2019 and beyond.”

Barnes & Noble announced that its long-term strategic plan is focused on the following four key elements: 1) strengthening the core business by enhancing the customer value proposition; 2) improving profitability through an aggressive expense management program, which will be used to fund growth initiatives; 3) accelerating execution through simplification; and 4) innovating for the future, which will position the company for long-term growth.

Beginning in February, Barnes & Noble implemented a companywide expense reduction plan. This plan includes a new store labor model that provides greater flexibility and better customer service by eliminating tasks and allowing booksellers to focus more on customers. The Company estimates that these actions will result in annual cost savings of approximately $40 million.

The consolidated third quarter net loss was $63.5 million, or $0.87 per share, as compared to prior year net earnings of $70.3 million, or $0.96 per share.

Third quarter results include a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $133.6 million, and a severance charge of $10.7 million associated with the Company’s transition to a new labor model.

Excluding non-recurring charges, third quarter EBITDA would have been $137.7 million.

Third quarter taxes include a $35.0 million non-cash valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets, partially offset by a benefit of $26.4 million due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act tax legislation.

The Company ended the third quarter with $60 million of borrowings under its $750 million credit facility.

Outlook

For fiscal 2018, the Company expects comparable store sales to decline in the mid-single digits and consolidated EBITDA to be in a range of $140 million to $160 million, excluding unusual or non-recurring items.

Conference Call

A conference call with Barnes & Noble, Inc.’s senior management will be webcast beginning at 10:00 A.M. ET on Thursday, March 1, 2018, and is accessible at investors.barnesandnobleinc.com.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. will report fiscal 2018 year end results on or about June 21, 2018.

About Barnes & Noble, Inc.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is the nation’s largest retail bookseller, and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products. The Company operates 630 Barnes & Noble bookstores in 50 states, and one of the Web’s premier e-commerce sites, BN.com (www.bn.com). The Nook Digital business offers a lineup of popular NOOK® tablets and eReaders and an expansive collection of digital reading and entertainment content through the NOOK Store®. The NOOK Store features more than 4.5 million digital books in the US (www.nook.com), plus periodicals and comics, and offers the ability to enjoy content across a wide array of popular devices through Free NOOK Reading Apps™ available for Android™, iOS® and Windows®.

General information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained by visiting the Company's corporate website at www.barnesandnobleinc.com.

BKS – Financial

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and information relating to Barnes & Noble that are based on the beliefs of the management of Barnes & Noble as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the management of Barnes & Noble. When used in this communication, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “forecasts,” “projections,” and similar expressions, as they relate to Barnes & Noble or the management of Barnes & Noble, identify forward-looking statements.

Such statements reflect the current views of Barnes & Noble with respect to future events, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks, including, among others, the general economic environment and consumer spending patterns, decreased consumer demand for Barnes & Noble’s products, low growth or declining sales and net income due to various factors, including store closings, higher-than-anticipated or increasing costs, including with respect to store closings, relocation, occupancy (including in connection with lease renewals) and labor costs, the effects of competition, the risk of insufficient access to financing to implement future business initiatives, risks associated with data privacy and information security, risks associated with Barnes & Noble’s supply chain, including possible delays and disruptions and increases in shipping rates, various risks associated with the digital business, including the possible loss of customers, declines in digital content sales, risks and costs associated with ongoing efforts to rationalize the digital business, risks associated with the eCommerce business, including the possible loss of eCommerce customers and declines in eCommerce sales, the risk that financial and operational forecasts and projections are not achieved, the performance of Barnes & Noble’s initiatives including but not limited to new store concepts and eCommerce initiatives, unanticipated adverse litigation results or effects, potential infringement of Barnes & Noble’s intellectual property by third parties or by Barnes & Noble of the intellectual property of third parties, and other factors, including those factors discussed in detail in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in Barnes & Noble’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2017, and in Barnes & Noble’s other filings made hereafter from time to time with the SEC.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned. Subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Barnes & Noble or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph. Barnes & Noble undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this communication.

 
BARNES & NOBLE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
           
                     
13 weeks ended 13 weeks ended 39 weeks ended 39 weeks ended
January 27, 2018   January 28, 2017 January 27, 2018   January 28, 2017
 
Sales $ 1,231,771 $ 1,300,908 $ 2,876,204 $ 3,073,338
Cost of sales and occupancy   831,745     864,107     1,994,002     2,103,623  
Gross profit   400,026     436,801     882,202     969,715  
Selling and administrative expenses 273,044 278,962 769,067 801,499
Depreciation and amortization 28,245 29,052 81,842 90,083
Goodwill impairment   133,612     -     133,612     -  
Operating income (loss) (34,875 ) 128,787 (102,319 ) 78,133
Interest expense, net   2,536     2,076     7,254     5,666  
Income (loss) before taxes (37,411 ) 126,711 (109,573 ) 72,467

Income tax provision (benefit)

  26,125     56,435     (5,165 )   37,016  
Net income (loss) $ (63,536 ) $ 70,276   $ (104,408 ) $ 35,451  
 

Income (loss) per common share:

       
Basic $ (0.87 ) $ 0.97   $ (1.44 ) $ 0.48  
Diluted $ (0.87 ) $ 0.96   $ (1.44 ) $ 0.48  
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic 72,649 71,581 72,566 72,232
Diluted 72,649 71,714 72,566 72,387
 
Dividends declared per common share $ 0.15 $ 0.15 $ 0.45 $ 0.45
 
Percentage of sales:
Sales 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Cost of sales and occupancy   67.5 %   66.4 %   69.3 %   68.4 %
Gross profit   32.5 %   33.6 %   30.7 %   31.6 %
Selling and administrative expenses 22.2 % 21.4 % 26.7 % 26.1 %
Depreciation and amortization 2.3 % 2.2 % 2.8 % 2.9 %
Goodwill impairment   10.8 %   0.0 %   4.6 %   0.0 %
Operating income (loss) -2.8 % 9.9 % -3.6 % 2.5 %
Interest expense, net   0.2 %   0.2 %   0.3 %   0.2 %
Income (loss) before taxes -3.0 % 9.7 % -3.8 % 2.4 %

Income tax provision (benefit)

  2.1 %   4.3 %   -0.2 %   1.2 %
Net income (loss) -5.2 % 5.4 % -3.6 % 1.2 %
 

 
BARNES & NOBLE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Segment Information
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                       
     
13 weeks ended 13 weeks ended 39 weeks ended 39 weeks ended
January 27, 2018 January 28, 2017 January 27, 2018 January 28, 2017
 
Sales  
Retail $ 1,210,417 $ 1,276,039 $ 2,810,162 $ 2,988,471
NOOK 30,930 38,434 86,394 114,524
Elimination   (9,576 )   (13,565 )   (20,352 )   (29,657 )
Total $ 1,231,771   $ 1,300,908   $ 2,876,204   $ 3,073,338  
 
Gross Profit
Retail $ 384,559 $ 422,251 $ 837,885 $ 919,473
NOOK   15,467     14,550     44,317     50,242  
Total $ 400,026   $ 436,801   $ 882,202   $ 969,715  
 
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Retail $ 259,198 $ 262,024 $ 727,149 $ 738,176
NOOK   13,846     16,938     41,918     63,323  
Total $ 273,044   $ 278,962   $ 769,067   $ 801,499  
 
Goodwill Impairment
Retail $ 133,612 $ - $ 133,612 $ -
NOOK   -     -     -     -  
Total $ 133,612   $ -   $ 133,612   $ -  
 
EBITDA
Retail $ (8,251 ) $ 160,227 $ (22,876 ) $ 181,297
NOOK   1,621     (2,388 )   2,399     (13,081 )
Total $ (6,630 ) $ 157,839   $ (20,477 ) $ 168,216  
 
Depreciation and Amortization
Retail $ (25,295 ) $ (25,236 ) $ (72,491 ) $ (74,756 )
NOOK   (2,950 )   (3,816 )   (9,351 )   (15,327 )
Total $ (28,245 ) $ (29,052 ) $ (81,842 ) $ (90,083 )
 
Operating Income (Loss)
Retail $ (33,546 ) $ 134,991 $ (95,367 ) $ 106,541
NOOK   (1,329 )   (6,204 )   (6,952 )   (28,408 )
Total $ (34,875 ) $ 128,787   $ (102,319 ) $ 78,133  
 
Net Income (Loss)
Operating income (loss) $ (34,875 ) $ 128,787 $ (102,319 ) $ 78,133
Interest expense, net (2,536 ) (2,076 ) (7,254 ) (5,666 )

Income tax provision (benefit)

  (26,125 )   (56,435 )   5,165     (37,016 )
Total $ (63,536 ) $ 70,276   $ (104,408 ) $ 35,451  
 
 
Percentage of sales:
 
Gross Margin
Retail 31.8 % 33.1 % 29.8 % 30.8 %
NOOK   72.4 %   58.5 %   67.1 %   59.2 %
Total 32.5 % 33.6 % 30.7 % 31.6 %
 
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Retail 21.4 % 20.5 % 25.9 % 24.7 %
NOOK   64.8 %   68.1 %   63.5 %   74.6 %
Total 22.2 % 21.4 % 26.7 % 26.1 %
 
Goodwill Impairment
Retail 11.0 % 0.0 % 4.8 % 0.0 %
NOOK   0.0 %   0.0 %   0.0 %   0.0 %
Total 10.8 % 0.0 % 4.6 % 0.0 %
 
EBITDA
Retail -0.7 % 12.6 % -0.8 % 6.1 %
NOOK   7.6 %   -9.6 %   3.6 %   -15.4 %
Total -0.5 % 12.1 % -0.7 % 5.5 %
 
Depreciation and Amortization
Retail -2.1 % -2.0 % -2.6 % -2.5 %
NOOK   -13.8 %   -15.3 %   -14.2 %   -18.1 %
Total -2.3 % -2.2 % -2.8 % -2.9 %
 
Operating Income (Loss)
Retail -2.8 % 10.6 % -3.4 % 3.6 %
NOOK   -6.2 %   -24.9 %   -10.5 %   -33.5 %
Total -2.8 % 9.9 % -3.6 % 2.5 %
 

 
BARNES & NOBLE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
           
    January 27, 2018   January 28, 2017
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,500 $ 11,628
Receivables, net 62,952 70,434
Merchandise inventories, net 975,055 1,010,343
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   79,175     62,164  
Total current assets   1,128,682     1,154,569  
 
Property and equipment:
Land and land improvements 2,541 2,541
Buildings and leasehold improvements 1,075,491 1,060,416
Fixtures and equipment   1,650,352     1,597,435  
2,728,384 2,660,392
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization   2,466,032     2,378,925  
Net property and equipment   262,352     281,467  
 
Goodwill 73,769 211,276
Intangible assets, net 309,757 310,369
Other non-current assets   13,285     11,275  
Total assets $ 1,787,845   $ 1,968,956  
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 490,886 $ 500,751
Accrued liabilities 285,598 319,145
Gift card liabilities   358,609     384,830  
Total current liabilities   1,135,093     1,204,726  
 
Long-term debt 59,805 18,200
Deferred taxes 58,118 54,290
Other long-term liabilities 91,712 105,212
 
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock; $0.001 par value; 300,000 shares authorized;
112,238 and 111,648 shares issued, respectively 112 112
Additional paid-in capital 1,747,478 1,743,562
Accumulated other comprehensive income 315 198
Retained earnings (183,064 ) (22,045 )
Treasury stock, at cost, 39,585 and 40,093 shares, respectively   (1,121,724 )   (1,135,299 )
Total Barnes & Noble, Inc. shareholders' equity   443,117     586,528  
Commitments and contingencies   -     -  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 1,787,845   $ 1,968,956  
 

 
BARNES & NOBLE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
                     
           
13 weeks ended 13 weeks ended 39 weeks ended 39 weeks ended
January 27, 2018   January 28, 2017   January 27, 2018   January 28, 2017
Numerator for basic income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) $ (63,536 ) $ 70,276 $ (104,408 ) $ 35,451
Less allocation of dividends to participating securities (21 ) (168 ) (59 ) (559 )
Less allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities   -     (948 )   -     (42 )
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ (63,557 ) $ 69,160   $ (104,467 ) $ 34,850  
 
Numerator for diluted income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ (63,557 ) $ 69,160 $ (104,467 ) $ 34,850
Allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities - 948 - 42
Less diluted allocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities   -     (946 )   -     (42 )
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ (63,557 ) $ 69,162   $ (104,467 ) $ 34,850  
 
Denominator for basic income (loss) per share:
Basic weighted average common shares 72,649 71,581 72,566 72,232
 
Denominator for diluted income (loss) per share:
Basic weighted average common shares 72,649 71,581 72,566 72,232
Average dilutive options - 68 - 77
Average dilutive non-participating securities   -     65     -     78  
Diluted weighted average common shares   72,649     71,714     72,566     72,387  
 
Income (loss) per common share:        
Basic $ (0.87 ) $ 0.97   $ (1.44 ) $ 0.48  
Diluted $ (0.87 ) $ 0.96   $ (1.44 ) $ 0.48  
 

 
BARNES & NOBLE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Non-GAAP Reconciliation & Forward-Looking Statement
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
           
     
Forward-Looking Fiscal 2018
 
EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA (a) $ 140 $ 160
Goodwill impairment 133 133
Severance 11

 

11
Strategic initiatives (b)   14     14  
EBITDA $ (18 ) $ 2  
 
Operating income (loss)
EBITDA $ (18 ) $ 2
Depreciation and amortization   (107 )   (107 )
Operating income (loss) $ (125 ) $ (105 )
(a)   Excludes any unusual or non-recurring items.
 
(b)

Costs associated with strategic initiatives, including strategic consulting and markdowns to clear certain non-returnable inventories.

   
13 weeks ended
January 27, 2018
EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA $ 137
Goodwill impairment 133
Severance   11  
EBITDA $ (7 )
 
Operating loss
EBITDA $ (7 )
Depreciation and amortization   (28 )
Operating income $ (35 )

Contacts

Media:
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Mary Ellen Keating, 212-633-3323
Senior Vice President
Corporate Communications
mkeating@bn.com
or
Investors:
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Andy Milevoj, 212-633-3489
Vice President
Investor Relations and Corporate Finance
amilevoj@bn.com

Contacts

Media:
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Mary Ellen Keating, 212-633-3323
Senior Vice President
Corporate Communications
mkeating@bn.com
or
Investors:
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Andy Milevoj, 212-633-3489
Vice President
Investor Relations and Corporate Finance
amilevoj@bn.com