LAKEWOOD, Colo., Nov. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) today announced results for its fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 (fiscal 2014) and provided its outlook for fiscal 2015.

In addition to presenting the financial results of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2014 and 2013 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Company is presenting 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 Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2013

• Net sales increased 17.8% to $135.7 million in the fourth quarter and increased 20.9% to $520.7 million in the fiscal year
• Daily average comparable store sales increased 3.7% in the fourth quarter and increased 5.6% in the fiscal year
• Net income increased 43.1% to $3.2 million with diluted earnings per share of $0.14 in the fourth quarter and increased 27.7% to $13.5 million with diluted earnings per share of $0.60 in the fiscal year
• EBITDA increased 22.5% to $10.3 million in the fourth quarter and increased 27.2% to $41.5 million in the fiscal year

"We are pleased with recent improvements in our sales trends, which reached the expectations we outlined on our last earnings call," said Kemper Isely, Co-President. "We remain focused on new store growth and have seen strong new store openings in the past few months. We believe these positive results stem from our directed sales initiatives. As we move into fiscal 2015, we expect to continue our 20% annual store growth and to expand both the top and bottom line through our continued focus on customer service and operational excellence."

Operating Results — Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2013

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, net sales increased $20.5 million, or 17.8% over the same period in fiscal 2013 to $135.7 million due to a $16.3 million increase in sales from new stores and a $4.3 million, or 3.7%, increase in comparable store sales. The 3.7% increase in comparable store sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 followed a 10.7% increase in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 and was driven by a 1.4% increase in daily average transaction count and a 2.3% increase in average transaction size. Daily average mature store sales increased 1.5% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. For fiscal 2014, mature stores include all stores open during or before 2009.

Gross profit during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 increased 15.7% over the same period in fiscal 2013 to $38.8 million, primarily driven by positive comparable store sales and an increase in the number of stores. Gross profit reflects earnings after both product and occupancy costs. Gross margin was 28.6% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to 29.1% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Gross margin decreased due to increases in occupancy costs, partially offset by increases in product margin, both as a percentage of sales. Product margin increased 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 Company's bulk food repackaging and distribution center. Occupancy costs as a percentage of sales increased during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, primarily driven by increased average lease expenses at newer stores ⁽¹⁾.

Store expenses as a percentage of sales decreased 30 basis points during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the comparable period of fiscal 2013, driven by decreases in salary-related expenses and advertising expenses and partially offset by increases in depreciation expense and, to a lesser extent, an increase in utilities.

Administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased 30 basis points during the fourth quarter compared to the comparable period of fiscal 2013 as a result of the Company's ability to support additional store investments and sales without proportionate increases in the cost of overhead.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, both store and administrative expenses were favorably impacted by lower incentive compensation and other discretionary benefits expense, reflecting the Company's pay-for-performance philosophy.   

Pre-opening and relocation expenses remained flat during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the comparable period of fiscal 2013, primarily due to the number and timing of new store openings. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, three new stores opened compared to four new stores during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

Interest expense decreased $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the comparable period of fiscal 2013, primarily due to an increase in capitalized interest expense.

Net income increased 43.1% to $3.2 million compared to the comparable period in fiscal 2013 with diluted earnings per share of $0.14 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. Net income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 included $0.1 million of pre-tax share-based compensation expense for the Chief Financial Officer and certain employees who are not named executive officers, compared to $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

EBITDA increased $1.9 million, or 22.5%, to $10.3 million, or 7.6% of sales, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the comparable period in fiscal 2013.

Operating Results — Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fiscal 2013

In fiscal 2014, net sales increased $90.0 million, or 20.9% over fiscal 2013, to $520.7 million due to a $66.0 million increase in sales from new stores and a $24.0 million, or 5.6%, increase in comparable store sales. Daily average comparable store sales increased 5.6% in fiscal 2014 following an 11.1% increase in fiscal 2013. The 5.6% increase in fiscal 2014 was driven by a 2.3% increase in daily average transaction count and a 3.2% increase in average transaction size. Daily average mature store sales increased 3.4% in fiscal 2014.

Gross profit in fiscal 2014 increased 20.5% over fiscal 2013 to $151.5 million, primarily driven by positive comparable store sales and an increase in the number of stores. Gross margin was 29.1% in fiscal 2014, compared to 29.2% in fiscal 2013. Gross margin decreased due to increases in occupancy costs, partially offset by increases in product margin, both as a percentage of sales. 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 Company's bulk food repackaging and distribution center. Occupancy costs as a percentage of sales increased in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, primarily driven by increased average lease expenses at newer stores ⁽¹⁾.

Store expenses as a percentage of sales remained flat in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, driven by a decrease in salary-related expenses and offset by an increase in depreciation expense, and, to a lesser extent, an increase in utilities.     

Administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased 30 basis points in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 as a result of the Company's ability to support additional store investments and sales without proportionate increases in the cost of overhead.

In fiscal 2014, both store and administrative expenses were favorably impacted by lower incentive compensation and other discretionary benefits expense, reflecting the Company's pay-for-performance philosophy.   

Pre-opening and relocation expenses increased $0.5 million in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, primarily due to the increased number of new store openings, the timing of new store openings and the lease classification for those stores that were opened. In fiscal 2014, the Company opened 15 new stores compared to 13 new stores in fiscal 2013.

Interest expense increased $0.3 million in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, primarily due to interest expense related to capital and financing lease obligations, partially offset by an increase in capitalized interest expense.

Net income increased 27.7% to $13.5 million compared to fiscal 2013 with diluted earnings per share of $0.60 in fiscal 2014. Net income in fiscal 2014 included $0.4 million of pre-tax share-based compensation expense for the Chief Financial Officer and certain employees who are not named executive officers, compared to $0.5 million in fiscal 2013.

EBITDA increased $8.9 million, or 27.2%, to $41.5 million, or 8.0% of sales, in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $5.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and no amounts outstanding under its credit facility. The Company expects to have amounts drawn under the line of credit at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2015 due to the timing of new store openings, including the Nature's Pantry transaction (described below), and annual income tax payments.

In fiscal 2014, the Company generated $31.7 million in cash from operations and invested $36.5 million in capital expenditures, primarily for new stores.

Growth and Development

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company opened three new stores, bringing the total store count as of September 30, 2014 to 87 stores located in 14 states. Additionally, the Company completed the remodel of two existing stores during fiscal 2014.

Since the start of fiscal 2015, the Company has opened three stores in Golden, CO, Reno, NV and Oklahoma City, OK. As of this release, the Company has five signed leases for stores planned to open in fiscal 2015 in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado and Kansas. Additionally, the Company recently agreed to purchase substantially all the assets and assume certain liabilities of natural foods retailer Nature's Pantry in Independence, Missouri. The transaction is expected to close on December 7, 2014, at which time the store will start to operate as a Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage store. The Independence store will be included as one of the 18 stores the Company expects to open during fiscal 2015.

Store Level Economics

The Company anticipates that in fiscal 2015, new stores will require an average upfront capital investment of approximately $2.2 million consisting of capital expenditures of approximately $1.7 million (net of tenant allowances), initial inventory of approximately $0.3 million (net of payables) and pre-opening expenses of approximately $0.2 million. The Company continues to target approximately four years to recoup the initial net cash investment and approximately 35% cash on cash returns by the end of the fifth year following the opening. 

Fiscal 2015 Outlook

For fiscal 2015 the Company expects:

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 1-888-347-6606 (US); 1-855-669-9657 (Canada); or 1-412-902-4289 (International). 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. The grocery products sold by Natural Grocers may not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. Natural Grocer's 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 90 stores in 15 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 changes in the Company's industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning the Company's 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  annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 and the Company's 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 the Company's business, please refer to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections of the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, our Form 10-K for the fiscal ended September 30, 2013 and the Company's subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Investor Relations at 303-986-4600 or by visiting the Company's website at http://Investors.NaturalGrocers.com.

SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.