LAKEWOOD, Colo., May 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) today announced results for its second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2014 ended March 31, 2014 and updated its outlook for fiscal year 2014.

In addition to presenting the financial results of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) for the second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2014 and 2013 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Company has presented EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure.  The reconciliation from GAAP to this non-GAAP financial measure is provided at the end of this earnings release. 

Highlights for Second Quarter and First Half Fiscal Year 2014 Compared to Second Quarter and First Half Fiscal Year 2013

• Net sales increased 22.4% to $130.3 million in the second quarter and increased 24.0% to $250.9 million in the first half of fiscal 2014
• Daily average comparable store sales increased 5.7% in the second quarter and increased 8.1% in the first half of fiscal 2014
• Net income increased 24.3% to $4.0 million with diluted earnings per share of $0.18 in the second quarter and increased 27.3% to $6.9 million with diluted earnings per share of $0.31 in the first half of fiscal 2014
• EBITDA increased 28.4% to $11.2 million in the second quarter and increased 32.6% to $20.6 million in the first half of fiscal 2014

"Our sales increases and disciplined approach toward operating expenses have resulted in strong financial results this quarter which allowed us to continue our investments into growth," said Kemper Isely, Co-President. "Additionally, reflecting our commitment to our five founding principles, we are excited to announce that during the quarter we updated our dairy standards. Further distinguishing us from our competitors, we plan to sell only pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products.  We intend to substantially complete the implementation of these standards by April 2015. Our customers have provided positive feedback during this transition, as they appreciate our commitment to quality standards."

Operating Results — Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2014 Compared to Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2013

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, net sales increased $23.9 million, or 22.4% over the same period in fiscal year 2013 to $130.3 million due to a $16.6 million increase in sales from new stores and a $7.3 million, or 6.9%, increase in comparable store sales. Daily average comparable store sales increased 5.7% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared to a 10.6% increase in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013. The 5.7% increase in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 was driven by a 2.0% increase in daily average transaction count and a 3.7% increase in average transaction size. Daily average mature store sales increased 3.7% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014.

Gross profit during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 increased 21.8% over the same period in fiscal year 2013 to $38.8 million driven by positive comparable store sales and new store growth. Gross profit reflects earnings after both product and occupancy costs. Gross margin was 29.7% during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared to 29.9% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013. Gross margin decreased due to increases in occupancy costs partially offset by increases in product margin. The increases in product margin are due to increases in product margin across most departments, partially offset by a shift in sales mix towards products with lower margin. Additionally, gross margin benefited from operating efficiencies at the bulk food repackaging and distribution center. Occupancy costs as a percentage of sales increased during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared to the second quarter of last year primarily driven by increased average lease expenses at new stores ⁽¹⁾.

Store expenses as a percentage of sales decreased 20 basis points during the second quarter compared to the comparable period of fiscal year 2013 driven by a decrease in salary-related expenses as a percentage of sales at comparable stores as well as a decrease in advertising expense, primarily due to lower television advertising during the quarter. The decrease in store expenses was partially offset by an increase in depreciation expense and to a lesser extent an increase in utilities, all as a percentage of sales.

Administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased 40 basis points during the second quarter compared to the comparable period as a result of the Company's ability to support additional store investments and sales without proportionate increases in the cost of overhead.

Pre-opening and relocation expenses as a percentage of sales increased 20 basis points during the second quarter compared to the comparable period primarily due to the increased number of new store openings and the timing of new store openings. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 five new stores opened compared to four new stores opened during the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.

Interest expense increased $0.3 million in the second quarter compared to the comparable period, primarily due to interest expense related to capital and financing lease obligations.

Net income increased 24.3% to $4.0 million compared to the same period in fiscal year 2013 with diluted earnings per share of $0.18 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014.

EBITDA increased $2.5 million, or 28.4%, to $11.2 million, or 8.6% of sales, for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared to the same period in fiscal year 2013. 

Operating Results — First Half Fiscal Year 2014 Compared to First Half Fiscal Year 2013

During the first half of fiscal year 2014, net sales increased $48.6 million, or 24.0% over the same period in fiscal year 2013 to $250.9 million due to a $31.1 million increase in sales from new stores and a $17.5 million, or 8.7%, increase in comparable store sales. Daily average comparable store sales increased 8.1% in the first half of fiscal year 2014 compared to an 11.6% increase in the first half of fiscal year 2013. The 8.1% increase in the first half of fiscal year 2014 was driven by a 3.5% increase in daily average transaction count and a 4.4% increase in average transaction size. Daily average mature store sales increased 5.3% in the first half of fiscal year 2014.

Gross profit during the first half of fiscal year 2014 increased 24.3% over the same period in fiscal year 2013 to $74.1 million driven by positive comparable store sales and new store growth. Gross profit reflects earnings after both product and occupancy costs. Gross margin was 29.5% during the first half of fiscal year 2014 and the first half of fiscal year 2013. Gross margin was positively impacted by increases in product margin across almost all departments, partially offset by a shift in sales mix towards products with lower margin. Additionally, gross margin benefited from operating efficiencies at the bulk food repackaging and distribution center. Occupancy costs as a percentage of sales increased during the first half of fiscal year 2014 compared to the first half of last year primarily driven by increased average lease expenses at new stores ⁽¹⁾.

Store expenses as a percentage of sales decreased 20 basis points during the first half of fiscal year 2014 compared to the comparable period of fiscal year 2013 driven by a decrease in salary-related expenses as a percentage of sales at comparable stores partially offset by an increase in depreciation expense.

Administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased 30 basis points during the first half of fiscal year 2014 compared to the comparable period as a result of the Company's ability to support additional store investments and sales without proportionate increases in the cost of overhead.

Pre-opening and relocation expenses as a percentage of sales increased 10 basis points during the first half of fiscal year 2014 compared to the comparable period primarily due to the increased number of new store openings and the timing of new store openings. During the first half of fiscal year 2014 nine new stores opened compared to six new stores opened during the first half of fiscal year 2013.

Interest expense increased $0.8 million in the first half of fiscal year 2014 compared to the comparable period, primarily due to interest expense related to capital and financing lease obligations.

Net income increased 27.3% to $6.9 million compared to the same period in fiscal year 2013 with diluted earnings per share of $0.31 in the first half of fiscal year 2014.

EBITDA increased $5.1 million, or 32.6%, to $20.6 million, or 8.2% of sales, for the first half of fiscal year 2014 compared to the same period in fiscal year 2013. 

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $7.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and $95,000 in available-for-sale securities, and no amounts outstanding on the revolving credit facility.

During the first half of fiscal year 2014, the Company generated $15.6 million in cash from operations and invested $17.9 million in capital expenditures primarily for new stores.

Growth and Development

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company opened five new stores, bringing the total store count to 81 stores located in 13 states as of March 31, 2014.

The Company plans to open a total 15 stores in fiscal year 2014 and expects to remodel two existing stores. One of the remodels was completed in the first half of fiscal year 2014.

As of this release, the Company opened two of the three stores planned to open during the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, has signed leases for the remaining three stores it plans to open in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 and has four signed leases for stores planned to open in fiscal year 2015. Leases have been signed for locations in Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington.

Fiscal Year 2014 Outlook

The following table provides information on the Company's updated fiscal year 2014 outlook:

 

 

Earnings Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time (4:30 p.m. Eastern Time) to discuss this earnings release. The dial-in number is US: 1-877-870-4263; Canada: 1-855-669-9657 or International: 1-412-317-0790. The conference ID is "Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage." A simultaneous audio webcast will be available at http://Investors.NaturalGrocers.com and archived for a minimum of 30 days.

About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is a rapidly expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries and dietary supplements whose products must meet strict quality guidelines. Grocery products may not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. Natural Grocers' flexible small-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly retail environment. The Company provides extensive, free, science-based nutrition education programs to help customers make informed health and nutrition choices. The Company, founded in 1955, has 83 stores in 13 states as of the date of this earnings release.

Visit www.NaturalGrocers.com for more information and store locations.

Forward-Looking Statements

The following constitutes a "safe harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except for the historical information contained herein, statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" and are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements because of factors such as our industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning our market position, the economy, future operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources, other financial and operating information and other risks detailed in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 and our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this release and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with our business, please refer to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections of our SEC filings, including, but not limited to, our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 and our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting investor relations at 303-986-4600 or by visiting our website at http://Investors.NaturalGrocers.com.

 

 

 

 

NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE, INC.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure
(Unaudited)

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Company provides information regarding EBITDA which is not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP (i.e. non-GAAP measure). The Company defines EBITDA as net income before interest expense, provision for income tax and depreciation and amortization.

The Company believes EBITDA provides additional information about (i) operating performance, because it assists in comparing the operating performance of stores on a consistent basis, as it removes the impact of non-cash depreciation and amortization expense as well as items not directly resulting from core operations such as interest expense and income taxes and (ii) the performance and the effectiveness of operational strategies. Additionally, EBITDA performance is a measure in the Company's incentive compensation payments.   

Furthermore, some investors use EBITDA as a supplemental measure to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies in the industry. Management believes that some investors' understanding of performance is enhanced by including this non-GAAP financial measure as a reasonable basis for comparing ongoing results of operations. By providing this non-GAAP financial measure, together with a reconciliation from net income, the Company believes it is enhancing investors' understanding of the business and results of operations, as well as assisting investors in evaluating how well the Company is executing strategic initiatives.

The Company's competitors may define EBITDA differently, and as a result, the Company's measure of EBITDA may not be directly comparable to EBITDA of other companies. Items excluded from EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance.

EBITDA is a supplemental measure of operating performance that does not represent and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to, or substitute for net income or other financial statement data presented in the consolidated financial statements as indicators of financial performance. EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP. EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to the Company to invest in the growth of the business.

The following table reconciles net income to EBITDA, dollars in thousands:

 

 

SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.