Christopher & Banks Corporation Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results

• Press Release
• Source: Christopher & Banks Corporation
• On 4:02 pm EDT, Thursday September 24, 2009

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Christopher & Banks Corporation (NYSE: CBK - News), a specialty women’s apparel chain, today announced results for the second quarter ended August 29, 2009.

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Second Quarter Highlights

• Reports second quarter fiscal 2010 same store sales decline of 22%.
• Reports net loss per share from continuing operations of $0.06 on sales of $101.2 million.
• Realized SG&A cost reductions of $8.0 million.
• Ended the quarter with cash, cash equivalents and investments of $100 million, compared to $103 million at the end of second quarter fiscal 2009.
• Inventory, per store, at quarter-end down 24% from the prior year’s second quarter.

Second Quarter Results

Net sales were $101.2 million, as compared to $128.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. Comparable store sales from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 decreased 22%. Merchandise, buying and occupancy expense was $66.2 million or 65.4% of sales this fiscal quarter, compared to $78.7 million or 61.3% of sales in last year’s second quarter. SG&A for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 totaled $32.2 million or 31.8% of net sales, as compared to $40.2 million or 31.3% of net sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, with approximately $8.0 million in SG&A savings realized in the second quarter. The net loss from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 was $2.1 million or $0.06 per share. This compares to net income from continuing operations of $2.0 million or $0.06 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The net loss from discontinued operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 was $1.2 million or $0.03 per share.

Lorna Nagler, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “During the second quarter, we saw sequential improvement in our merchandise margin trend from the first quarter due to fewer markdowns. We also made considerable progress toward achieving our SG&A reduction goal and in improving our inventory levels. The same store sales decline of 22% was in line with our expectations given the planned lower level of clearance inventory and fewer receipts in June and July, coupled with a continuation of weak traffic trends.”

Ms. Nagler continued, “We continue to make significant progress on our key fiscal 2010 initiatives to position the Company for long-term sustained growth. Meanwhile, our balance sheet remains strong, providing us the flexibility to respond to any challenges or opportunities that may surface.”

Six Month Results

Total sales for the six months ended August 29, 2009 were $221.5 million compared to $283.8 million for the same six month period ended August 30, 2008. Same-store sales for the six months ended August 29, 2009 declined 23%. The net loss from continuing operations for the six months ended August 29, 2009 was $0.4 million or $0.01 per share compared to net income from continuing operations of $13.8 million or $0.39 per diluted share for the first six months of last fiscal year. The net loss from discontinued operations for the first six months of fiscal 2009 was $1.7 million or $0.05 per share.

The Company operated 811 stores as of August 29, 2009 as compared to 854 stores at August 30, 2008, 36 of which were Acorn stores.

Outlook

The Company continues to plan conservatively for fiscal 2010, given the economic environment, and is only providing guidance on certain key financial metrics.

• The Company expects a decline in comparable store sales in the low-to-mid teens for the third quarter of fiscal 2010.
• For the third quarter, total gross margin is expected to improve by a couple hundred basis points.
• SG&A expenses will continue to decrease as compared to last year, reflecting the success of the Company’s cost reduction program. The Company’s current SG&A reduction goal is now $17 million to $18 million for the full fiscal year.
• Inventory will continue to be managed conservatively. Per store inventory, which excludes e-Commerce, is expected to be down mid-to-high teens on a percentage basis at the end of the third quarter, as compared to last year’s third quarter.
• Capital expenditures are expected to be $8 to $9 million for the full fiscal year, in line with the Company’s original plan.
• The Company currently expects to be cash flow positive for fiscal 2010.

Conference Call Information

The Company will discuss its second quarter results in a conference call scheduled for today, September 24, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The conference call will be simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet at http://www.christopherandbanks.com. An online archive of the broadcast will be available within one hour of the completion of the call and will be accessible at http://www.christopherandbanks.com until October 1, 2009. In addition, an audio replay of the call will be available shortly after its conclusion and will be archived until October 1, 2009. This call may be accessed by dialing (888) 203-1112 and using passcode 7630084.

About Christopher & Banks

Christopher & Banks Corporation is a Minneapolis-based specialty retailer of women’s clothing. As of September 24, 2009, the Company operates 812 stores in 46 states consisting of 543 Christopher & Banks stores, 268 stores in their plus size clothing division CJ Banks and one dual-concept store. The Company also operates the www.ChristopherandBanks.com and www.CJBanks.com e-Commerce websites.

Keywords: Petites, Women’s Clothing, Plus Size Clothing, Christopher & Banks, CJ Banks.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements, made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements may use the words “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “intend”, “project”, “believe” and similar expressions and include statements (i) that the Company continues to make solid progress on its key fiscal 2010 initiatives which position the Company for long-term, sustained growth; (ii) that the Company’s balance sheet remains strong and provides it the flexibility to respond to any challenges or opportunities that may surface; (iii) that the Company expects a decline in comparable store sales in the low-to-mid teens; (iv) that for the third quarter, total gross margin is expected to improve by a couple hundred basis points; (v) that SG&A expenses will continue to decrease as compared to last year and that the Company’s SG&A reduction goal is now $17 to $18 million for fiscal 2010; (vi) that inventory will continue to be managed conservatively and per store inventory, which excludes e-Commerce, is expected to be down mid-to-high teens on a percentage basis at the end of the third quarter as compared to last year’s third quarter; (vii) that capital expenditures are expected to be $8 to $9 million for the full fiscal year; and (viii) that the Company currently expects to be cash flow positive for fiscal 2010. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the inherent difficulty in forecasting consumer buying and retail traffic patterns which may be affected by factors beyond our control, such as a weakness in overall consumer demand; adverse weather, economic or political conditions; and shifts in consumer tastes or spending habits that result in reduced sales; (ii) lack of acceptance of the Company’s fashions, including its seasonal fashions; (iii) the ability of the Company’s infrastructure and systems to adequately support our operations; (iv) effectiveness of the Company’s brand awareness and marketing programs; (v) the possibility that, because of poor customer response to our merchandise, management may determine it is necessary to sell merchandise at lower than expected margins or at a loss; (vi) the failure to successfully implement the Company’s strategic plans; (vii) general economic conditions and uncertainty in the financial and credit markets could lead to a reduction in store traffic and in consumer spending on women’s apparel; (viii) fluctuations in the levels of the Company’s sales, expenses or earnings; and (ix) risks associated with the performance and operations of the Company’s Internet operations.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement at any time for any reason.

Certain other factors that may cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements are included in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the Company’s website under “Investor Relations” and you are urged to carefully consider all such factors.

Christopher & Banks Corporation
Rodney Carter, 763-551-5000
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
or
ICR, Inc.
Joe Teklits/Jean Fontana
203-682-8200