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Gander Mountain Company Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2008 Results

April 28, 2009

News Release

 

Record Annual Revenues Exceed $1 Billion for the first time
    Record Fourth Quarter Revenues of $334 Million
    Record Fourth Quarter Cash Flows from Operations of $109 Million

     

 

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Gander Mountain Company (www.GanderMtn.com) (Nasdaq: GMTN), the nation’s largest retail network of stores for hunting, fishing, camping, and marine products and services and outdoor lifestyle apparel and footwear, today announced results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. In addition, a pre-recorded call offering additional comments on the quarter will be available to all investors on the company’s Website at www.GanderMtn.com, both as a webcast and in the form of a transcript. An archived webcast and transcript will remain available on the company’s Website for approximately 90 days.

Fourth Quarter 2008:

Gander Mountain’s fiscal fourth quarter 2008 results included record consolidated sales of $334.1 million compared to consolidated sales of $317.6 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, a 5.2 percent increase.

Retail segment sales for the fourth quarter were $322.0 million, an increase of $10.0 million or 3.2 percent, as compared to the fiscal 2007 fourth quarter. Direct segment sales were $12.1 million for the quarter, compared to $5.5 million for the same quarter last year. The increase in Direct segment sales resulted primarily from the startup of the new Gander Direct internet and catalog operations in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 and the inclusion of Overton’s, acquired in December 2007, for the full quarter in fiscal 2008.

Retail segment net income in the fourth quarter was $16.6 million, which includes a $6.5 million non-cash charge for impairment of goodwill in light of current market conditions. Excluding the non-cash impairment charge, retail segment net income in the fourth quarter was $23.1 million. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, retail net income was $7.0 million. The improvement resulted primarily from increased product margins and decreased SG&A costs. Direct segment net loss for the fourth quarter was $3.5 million, compared with a net loss of $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Consolidated net income improved to $13.0 million for the fiscal 2008 fourth quarter, including the $6.5 million non-cash charge for impairment of goodwill, compared to net income of $5.8 million for the same quarter last year. Excluding the non-cash impairment charge, consolidated net income for the fiscal 2008 fourth quarter was $19.6 million.

As reported, comparable store sales during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 were (0.2) percent, an improvement over (6.5) percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The firearms, ammunition, seasonal hunting and footwear categories all experienced strong sales performance during the quarter. Comparable store sales were a positive 2.7 percent during the quarter, excluding the (2.9) percent impact of boats, ATV sales and power sport services, which are categories the company is in the process of exiting.

Consolidated SG&A costs, as a percentage of sales, improved 168 basis points to 20.0 percent of sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.

2008 Fiscal Year:

For the fiscal year, the company reported record sales of $1.1 billion, an increase of 9.8 percent over the prior year. The company reported a net loss for the year of $15.5 million, or ($0.64) per share, compared with a net loss of $31.8 million, or ($1.52) per share for the 2007 fiscal year.

Retail segment results for the year were a net loss of $9.4 million compared with a net loss of $30.6 million in fiscal 2007. Comparable store sales declined 5.6 percent. Direct segment results were a net loss of $6.1 million compared with a net loss of $1.2 million in fiscal 2007 reflecting additional investment in the launch of Gander Direct in fiscal 2008.

Improvement in inventory management resulted in a decrease in Retail segment inventory of 18 percent per square foot, year-over-year, and a 23 percent decrease in Retail segment clearance inventory.

Record cash flows from operating activities for the year were $59.2 million, an improvement of approximately $90 million over fiscal year 2007. During the year, the Company reduced its total debt by approximately $38 million.

“Gander Mountain improved its performance through the year in total revenues, operating performance and cash generation as we applied a more disciplined approach to our operations, capital, and expense decisions,” said David C. Pratt, chairman and interim chief executive officer. “Thus far into 2009, in a difficult retail environment, we continue to see progress in operating performance. Our ongoing efforts to build the leadership team, improve operating margins, and reduce debt should continue the momentum we generated in the ‘New Gander Mountain’ this last fiscal year.”

About Gander Mountain Company:

Gander Mountain Company (Nasdaq: GMTN), headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is the nation’s largest retail network of stores for hunting, fishing, camping, marine, and outdoor lifestyle apparel and footwear, products and services. Established in 1960, the Gander Mountain brand has offered an expanding assortment of outdoor equipment, technical apparel and footwear, as well as gunsmith and archery services. The stores feature national, regional and local brands as well as the company’s owned brands. Focused on a “We Live Outdoors” culture, Gander Mountain dedicates itself to creating outdoor memories. There are 116 conveniently located Gander Mountain outdoor lifestyle stores in 23 states and three outlet stores. Customers may also shop at www.GanderMtn.com. For the nearest store location call 800-282-5993 or visit www.GanderMtn.com. Gander Mountain is also the parent company of Overton’s (www.overtons.com), a leading catalog and Internet based retailer of products for boating and other water sports enthusiasts.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements in this release that are not historical or current facts are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are described in the “Risk Factors” section of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2007 and other required reports, as filed with the SEC, which are available at http://www.GanderMtn.com and at the SEC’s Website at http://www.sec.gov.

                             Gander Mountain Company
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
                      (In thousands, except per share data)

                               13 Weeks Ended            52 Weeks Ended
                              ----------------          ----------------
                             January 31,  February 2, January 31,  February 2,
                                 2009         2008        2009          2008
                                 ----         ----        ----          ----
    Sales                    $334,114     $317,604  $1,064,569      $969,403
    Cost of goods sold        242,897      232,357     794,080       728,649
                              -------      -------     -------       -------
    Gross profit               91,217       85,247     270,489       240,754
    Operating expenses:
       Selling, general
        and
        administrative
        expenses               66,951       68,988     257,822       240,744
       Exit costs,
        impairment and
        other charges             927        4,285         907         6,493
       Goodwill impairment
        charge                  6,514            -       6,514             -
       Pre-opening
        expenses                   13           84       2,048         4,836
                                   --           --       -----         -----
    Income (loss) from
     operations                16,812       11,890       3,198       (11,319)
    Interest
     expense, net               3,707        5,696      18,008        19,745
                                -----        -----      ------        ------
    Income (loss) before
     income taxes              13,105        6,194     (14,810)      (31,064)
    Income tax provision           68          375         687           750
                                   --          ---         ---           ---
    Net Income (loss)         $13,037       $5,819    $(15,497)     $(31,814)
                              =======       ======    ========      ========

    Income (loss) per
     common share
        Basic                   $0.54        $0.25      $(0.64)       $(1.52)
        Diluted                 $0.54        $0.25      $(0.64)       $(1.52)

    Weighted average
     common shares
     outstanding
        Basic                  24,149       22,889      24,102        20,913
        Diluted                24,149       22,901      24,102        20,913

                              Gander Mountain Company
                            Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                  (In thousands)
                                                 January 31,       February 2,
                                                    2009               2008
                                                    ----               ----
      Assets
      Current assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents                 $1,655             $2,622
        Accounts receivable                       10,784             10,992
        Income tax receivable                         62                486
        Inventories                              358,127            403,683
        Prepaids and other current assets         12,132             15,987
                                                  ------             ------
      Total current assets                       382,760            433,770
      Property and equipment, net                162,180            168,685
      Goodwill                                    47,114             48,803
      Acquired intangible assets, net             19,130             25,098
      Other assets, net                            1,936              3,576
                                                   -----              -----
      Total assets                              $613,120           $679,932
                                                ========           ========

      Liabilities and shareholders'
       equity
      Current liabilities:
        Borrowings under credit facility        $204,514           $246,013
        Accounts payable                          63,863             72,563
        Accrued and other current
         liabilities                              55,456             60,606
        Notes payable - related parties           10,000                  -
        Current maturities of long
         term debt                                15,628              8,247
                                                  ------              -----
      Total current liabilities                  349,461            387,429

      Long term debt                              50,402             64,173
      Deferred income taxes                        5,954              7,113
      Other long term liabilities                 27,398             27,397

      Shareholders' equity:
        Preferred stock ($.01 par value,
         5,000,000 shares
          authorized; no shares issued and
           outstanding)                                -                  -
        Common stock ($.01 par value,
         100,000,000 shares authorized;
          24,195,736 and 24,049,064 shares
           issued and outstanding)                   242                241
        Additional paid-in-capital               278,691            277,110
        Accumulated deficit                      (99,028)           (83,531)
                                                 -------            -------
      Total shareholders' equity                 179,905            193,820
                                                 -------            -------
      Total liabilities and
       shareholders' equity                     $613,120           $679,932
                                                ========           ========

                              Gander Mountain Company
                       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                  (In thousands)
                                                        52 Weeks Ended
                                                       ----------------
                                                     January 31,   February 2,
      Operating activities                               2009          2008
                                                         ----          ----
      Net loss                                       $(15,497)     $(31,814)
      Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
       cash
         provided by (used in) operating
          activities:
         Depreciation and amortization                 31,046        27,589
        Exit costs, impairment and other charges         (533)        4,561
        Goodwill impairment charge                      6,514             -
        Stock-based compensation expense                1,175         1,587
        (Gain)/ loss on disposal of assets                (62)          289
         Change in operating assets and
          liabilities:
          Accounts receivable                             (72)          484
          Inventories                                  45,555       (36,324)
          Prepaids and other current assets             3,816        (3,947)
          Other assets                                   (236)       (2,046)
          Accounts payable and other liabilities      (12,910)        9,224
          Deferred income taxes                           384             -
                                                          ---           ---
      Net cash provided by (used in)
       operating activities                            59,180       (30,397)
                                                       ------       -------
      Investing activities
      Purchases of property and equipment             (18,513)      (46,549)
      Acquisition of business and related
       expenses                                          (172)      (76,493)
      Proceeds from insurance settlement                    -           726
      Proceeds from sale of assets                        101             -
                                                          ---           ---
      Net cash used in investing activities           (18,584)     (122,316)
                                                      -------      --------
      Financing activities
      (Repayments) borrowings under credit
       facility, net                                  (41,499)       77,528
      Proceeds from short term notes payable -
       related parties                                 10,000             -
      Proceeds from long term debt                          -        53,082
      Reductions in long term debt                    (10,471)       (3,874)
      Proceeds from sales of common stock,
       net of expenses                                      -        23,967
      Proceeds from exercise of stock options
       and employee stock purchases                       407         3,290
                                                          ---         -----
      Net cash (used in) provided by
       financing activities                           (41,563)      153,993
                                                      -------       -------

      Net (decrease) increase in cash                    (967)        1,280
      Cash, beginning of period                         2,622         1,342
                                                        -----         -----
      Cash, end of period                              $1,655        $2,622
                                                       ======        ======

    Non-cash investing activities: During the 52 weeks ended January 31,
    2009 and February 2, 2008, the Company acquired equipment totaling
    approximately $4.1 million and $3.6 million, respectively, that was
    financed through capital leases. These amounts are excluded from Purchases
    of property and equipment in this statement of cash flows.

                               Gander Mountain Company
                                Segment Information
                                   (In thousands)

    Statement of
     Operations
     data:                 13 Weeks Ended                 13 Weeks Ended
                          January 31, 2009               February 2, 2008
                          ----------------               ----------------
                    Retail    Direct      Total     Retail    Direct     Total
                    ------    ------      -----     ------    ------     -----
    Sales         $322,031   $12,083    $334,114  $312,064   $5,540  $317,604
    Depreciation
     and
     amortization    7,801       287       8,088     7,659      185     7,844
    Exit costs,
     impairment &
     other charges     927         -         927     4,285        -     4,285
    Goodwill
     impairment
     charge          6,514         -       6,514         -        -         -
    Income (loss)
     from
     operations     19,719    (2,907)     16,812    12,455     (565)   11,890
    Net
     income
     (loss)        $16,584   $(3,547)    $13,037    $7,025  $(1,206)   $5,819

                           52 Weeks Ended                 52 Weeks Ended
                          January 31, 2009               February 2, 2008
                          ----------------               ----------------
                    Retail    Direct      Total     Retail   Direct     Total
                    ------    ------      -----     ------   ------     -----
    Sales         $978,675   $85,894  $1,064,569  $963,863   $5,540  $969,403
    Depreciation
     and
     amortization   30,120     1,402      31,522    27,470      185    27,655
    Exit costs,
     impairment &
     other charges     907         -         907     6,493        -     6,493
    Goodwill
     impairment
     charge          6,514         -       6,514         -        -         -
    Income (loss)
     from
     operations      6,090    (2,892)      3,198   (10,754)    (565)  (11,319)
    Net
     income
     (loss)        $(9,357)  $(6,140)   $(15,497) $(30,608) $(1,206) $(31,814)

    Balance
     Sheet
     data:             As of January 31, 2009         As of February 2, 2008
                      ------------------------       ------------------------
                    Retail    Direct      Total     Retail    Direct     Total
                    ------    ------      -----     ------    ------     -----
    Total
     assets       $517,812   $95,308    $613,120  $587,320   $92,612  $679,932
    Inventories    334,868    23,259     358,127   384,510    19,173   403,683
    Goodwill &
     acquired
     intangible
     assets            400    65,844      66,244     7,083    66,818    73,901
    Long
     term
     debt          $20,402   $30,000     $50,402   $26,673   $37,500   $64,173

 

SOURCE Gander Mountain Company

CONTACT:
Investor Relations,
Bob Vold of
Gander Mountain Company, +1-651-325-4300;
or
Media,
David Ewald, +1-651-290-6276,
Cell, +1-612-490-2650,
for Gander Mountain Company
Web Site: http://www.gandermountain.com
http://www.overtons.com
(GMTN)

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