Birks Group Inc. Reports Fiscal 2024 Results
Birks Group Inc. (NYSE American: BGI) reported financial results for fiscal 2024, ending March 30, 2024. The company achieved 13.7% year-over-year sales growth, with total net sales reaching $185.3 million. Comparable store sales increased by 7.5%, and gross profit improved by 8.2% to $73.6 million. The company reported a positive operating income of $1.2 million, a significant improvement from the previous year's loss.
Despite these improvements, Birks Group faced challenges, including a decrease in gross profit margin to 39.7% (down 200 basis points) due to sales mix favoring high-end third-party branded items. The company also reported a net loss of $4.6 million ($0.24 per share), although this was an improvement from the previous year's loss of $7.4 million.
- 13.7% increase in total net sales, reaching $185.3 million
- 7.5% growth in comparable store sales
- 8.2% improvement in gross profit, totaling $73.6 million
- Positive operating income of $1.2 million, a $5.0 million improvement from previous year
- EBITDA increased by $6.2 million to $10.0 million
- Reduction in SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales by 510 basis points
- Decrease in gross profit margin by 200 basis points to 39.7%
- Net loss of $4.6 million ($0.24 per share)
- Increase in interest and other financing costs by $2.4 million to $8.0 million
- Decrease in Birks product brand sales
Insights
The fiscal 2024 results for Birks Group indicate a significant year-over-year sales growth of 13.7% and a 7.5% increase in comparable store sales. This growth is particularly impressive given the challenging economic environment characterized by inflationary pressures and rising interest rates. Notably, the performance of third-party branded watches and jewelry was a key driver behind this growth. The increase in total net sales to $185.3 million and gross profit to $73.6 million demonstrates strong consumer demand and effective retail strategies.
However, it's important to consider the decrease in gross profit margin from 41.7% to 39.7%. This reduction can be attributed to the sales mix, which favored high-end third-party branded timepieces and jewelry that typically have lower margins. Additionally, higher product and packaging costs also played a role in squeezing margins. On a positive note, the SG&A expenses were well-managed, decreasing both in absolute terms and as a percentage of sales, which improved the overall efficiency of the company.
Despite improved operating income and EBITDA, the increase in interest and financing costs to $8.0 million due to higher borrowing rates is a concern. The net loss narrowed to $4.6 million from $7.4 million, but the company still needs to address its debt levels and financing costs to achieve more robust profitability. The retail sector's ongoing strength, particularly in luxury products, bodes well for future growth, but the company must maintain its focus on cost management and margin improvement.
For retail investors, these results suggest a company on the path to recovery, but the existing debt and financing costs pose risks that need to be monitored. The company's strategic initiatives and store renovations appear to be yielding positive results, indicating potential for sustained long-term growth.
Birks Group's fiscal 2024 results highlight a notable trend in the luxury retail market: the growing consumer preference for high-end branded timepieces and jewelry. The company's ability to increase net retail sales by $20.4 million and achieve a 7.5% increase in comparable store sales underscores the strength of its product offerings and customer base. It's also worth noting that the newly renovated stores in Chinook and Laval contributed significantly to the sales growth, demonstrating the effectiveness of strategic investments in physical retail infrastructure.
However, the decrease in sales of Birks' own product brand is a point of concern. The company's reliance on third-party brands for growth indicates a potential vulnerability if consumer preferences shift or if supply chain issues arise for these brands. Moreover, the decrease in gross profit margin reflects the competitive nature of the luxury goods market, where maintaining price points and managing costs are critical to sustaining profitability.
In the broader market context, the luxury retail sector has shown resilience despite economic challenges. Birks Group's performance aligns with industry trends, where affluent consumers continue to spend on high-quality, branded products. The company's focus on enhancing customer experience and its strategic initiatives appear to be paying off, suggesting a positive outlook for future performance. Retail investors should watch for continued growth in third-party branded products and any potential shifts in consumer behavior that could impact sales dynamics.
Highlights
All figures presented herein are in Canadian dollars.
For the year ended March 30, 2024 (“fiscal 2024”), the Company delivered year-over-year sales growth of
Mr. Jean-Christophe Bédos, President and Chief Executive Officer of Birks Group, commented: “During fiscal 2024, we achieved a
Mr. Bédos further commented: “Despite a challenging economic environment throughout the year including ongoing inflationary and interest rates pressure, the result achieved in fiscal 2024 is a testament to our team’s commitment to our customers. I am grateful for the unwavering efforts of all our employees and the excellent execution of our initiatives during this past year. While in the near-term we continue to run our business in an agile manner given the current economic environment, looking beyond, we remain committed to our long-term vision to generate sustainable, long-term shareholder value.”
Financial overview for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2024:
-
Total net sales for fiscal 2024 were
compared to$185.3 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of$163.0 million , or$22.3 million 13.7% . The increase in net sales in fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by the results of the Company’s retail channel. Net retail sales were higher than fiscal 2023, an increase primarily driven by the strong performance of third party branded timepieces and jewelry throughout the retail network, including at the newly renovated Chinook and$20.4 million Laval stores, partially offset by a decrease in the Birks product brand sales;
-
Comparable store sales increased by
7.5% in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, mainly driven by strong third party branded timepiece sales and by an increase in average sales transaction value, partially offset by a decrease in Birks product brand sales;
-
Total gross profit for fiscal 2024 was
, or$73.6 million 39.7% of net sales, compared to , or$68.0 million 41.7% of net sales in fiscal 2023. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by increased sales volume experienced during fiscal 2024 due to strong third party branded timepieces and jewelry sales, partially offset by higher product and packaging costs. The decrease of 200 basis points in gross margin percentage resulted primarily from the sales mix with increased sales from third party branded timepieces and jewelry, partially offset by lower promotions and discounts;
-
SG&A expenses in fiscal 2024 were
, or$65.7 million 35.5% of net sales, compared to , or$66.1 million 40.6% of net sales in fiscal 2023, a decrease of . The main drivers of the decrease in SG&A expenses in fiscal 2024 include lower marketing costs ($0.4 million ) and lower non-cash stock based compensation expense ($1.3 million ) due to the fluctuations in the Company’s stock price during the fiscal year, offset by higher compensation costs ($2.0 million ) primarily due to longer store opening hours compared to fiscal 2023, higher credit card costs ($1.5 million ) due to higher costs on private label credit cards and proprietary credit cards, higher occupancy costs ($1.1 million ) and higher general operating costs and variable costs ($0.4 million ). As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses in fiscal 2024 decreased by 510 basis points as compared to fiscal 2023;$0.3 million
-
The Company’s EBITDA(1) for fiscal 2024 was
, an increase of$10.0 million , compared to an EBITDA(1) of$6.2 million for fiscal 2023;$3.8 million
-
The Company’s reported operating income for fiscal 2024 was
, an increase of$1.2 million , compared to a reported operating loss of$5.0 million for fiscal 2023;$3.8 million
-
The Company’s recognized interest and other financing costs were
in fiscal 2024, an increase of$8.0 million , compared to recognized interest and other financing costs of$2.4 million in fiscal 2023. This increase is due to an increase in our average borrowing rate on our debt, an increase in the average amount outstanding on our revolver credit facility, and additional borrowings, partially offset by a foreign exchange gain of$5.6 million in fiscal 2024 compared to a foreign exchange loss of$0.2 million in fiscal 2023 on our$0.5 million U.S. dollar denominated debt;
-
The Company recognized a net loss for fiscal 2024 of
, or$4.6 million per share, compared to a net loss for fiscal 2023 of$0.24 , or$7.4 million per share.$0.40
(1) |
This is a non-GAAP financial measure defined below under “Non-GAAP Measures” and accompanied by a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. |
About Birks Group Inc.
Birks Group is a leading designer of fine jewelry, and an operator of luxury jewelry, timepieces and gifts retail stores in
NON-GAAP MEASURES
The Company reports financial information in accordance with
EBITDA
“EBITDA” is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations before interest expense and other financing costs, income taxes expense (recovery) and depreciation and amortization.
EBITDA (in thousands) |
|||||||
For the fiscal year ended |
|||||||
March 30, 2024 |
March 25, 2023 |
||||||
Net (loss) income ( |
$ |
(4,631 |
) |
$ |
(7,432 |
) |
|
as a % of net sales |
|
-2.5 |
% |
|
-4.6 |
% |
|
Add the impact of: |
|||||||
Interest expense and other financing costs |
|
8,007 |
|
|
5,581 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
6,639 |
|
|
5,673 |
|
|
EBITDA (non-GAAP measure) |
$ |
10,015 |
|
$ |
3,822 |
|
|
as a % of net sales |
|
5.4 |
% |
|
2.3 |
% |
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward- looking statements which can be identified by their use of words like “plans,” “expects,” “believes,” “will,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “planned,” “goal,” and other words of similar meaning. All statements that address expectations, possibilities or projections about the future, including without limitation, statements about anticipated economic conditions, generation of shareholder value, and our strategies for growth, performance drivers, expansion plans, sources or adequacy of capital, expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements.
Because such statements include various risks and uncertainties, actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward- looking statements and no assurance can be given that the Company will meet the results projected in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: (i) a decline in consumer spending or deterioration in consumer financial position; (ii) economic, political and market conditions, including the economies of
Information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially is set forth under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 16, 2024 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
BIRKS GROUP INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share amounts) |
||||||||
BIRKS GROUP INC. Consolidated Statements of Operations |
|
|
||||||
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
|||||||
|
March 30, 2024 |
March 25, 2023 |
||||||
Net sales |
$ |
185,275 |
|
$ |
162,950 |
|
||
Cost of sales |
|
111,720 |
|
|
94,990 |
|
||
Gross profit |
|
73,555 |
|
|
67,960 |
|
||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
65,705 |
|
|
66,095 |
|
||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
6,639 |
|
|
5,673 |
|
||
Total operating expenses |
|
72,344 |
|
|
71,768 |
|
||
Operating income (loss) |
|
1,211 |
|
|
(3,808 |
) |
||
Interest and other financial costs |
|
8,007 |
|
|
5,581 |
|
||
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of joint venture |
|
(6,796 |
) |
|
(9,389 |
) |
||
Income taxes (benefits) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
||
Equity in earnings of joint venture, net of taxes of |
|
2,165 |
|
|
1,957 |
|
||
Net (loss) income, net of tax |
$ |
(4,631 |
) |
$ |
(7,432 |
) |
||
|
|
|
||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
|
|
||||||
Basic |
|
19,058 |
|
|
18,692 |
|
||
Diluted
|
|
19,058 |
|
|
18,692 |
|
||
Net (loss) income per common share: |
|
|
||||||
Basic |
$ |
(0.24 |
) |
$ |
(0.40 |
) |
||
Diluted |
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
(0.40 |
) |
BIRKS GROUP INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) |
|||||||
As of |
|||||||
|
March 30, 2024 |
|
March 25, 2023 |
||||
Assets |
|
|
|
||||
Current Assets |
|
|
|
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
1,783 |
|
|
$ |
1,262 |
|
Accounts receivable and other receivables |
|
8,455 |
|
|
|
11,377 |
|
Inventories |
|
99,067 |
|
|
|
88,357 |
|
Prepaids and other current assets |
|
2,913 |
|
|
|
2,694 |
|
Total current assets |
|
112,218 |
|
|
|
103,690 |
|
Long-term receivables |
|
1,571 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
Equity investment in joint venture |
|
4,122 |
|
|
|
1,957 |
|
Property and equipment |
|
25,717 |
|
|
|
26,837 |
|
Operating lease right-of-use asset |
|
51,753 |
|
|
|
55,498 |
|
Intangible assets and other assets |
|
7,887 |
|
|
|
6,999 |
|
Total non-current assets |
|
91,050 |
|
|
|
93,291 |
|
Total assets |
$ |
203,268 |
|
|
$ |
196,981 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficiency) |
|
|
|
||||
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
||||
Bank indebtedness |
$ |
63,372 |
|
|
$ |
57,890 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
43,011 |
|
|
|
37,645 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
6,112 |
|
|
|
7,631 |
|
Current portion of long-term debt |
|
4,352 |
|
|
|
2,133 |
|
Current portion of operating lease liabilities |
|
6,430 |
|
|
|
6,758 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
123,277 |
|
|
|
112,057 |
|
Long-term debt |
|
22,587 |
|
|
|
22,180 |
|
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities |
|
59,881 |
|
|
|
62,989 |
|
Other long-term liabilities |
|
2,672 |
|
|
|
358 |
|
Total long-term liabilities |
|
85,140 |
|
|
|
85,527 |
|
Stockholders’ equity (deficiency): Class A common stock – no par value, unlimited shares authorized, issued and outstanding 11,447,999 (11,112,999 as of March 25, 2023) |
|
40,725 |
|
39,019 |
|||
Class B common stock – no par value, unlimited shares authorized, issued and outstanding 7,717,970 |
57,755 |
57,755 |
|||||
Preferred stock – no par value, unlimited shares authorized, none issued |
— |
— |
|||||
Additional paid-in capital |
|
21,825 |
|
|
|
23,504 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
(125,476 |
) |
|
|
(120,845 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
22 |
|
|
|
(36 |
) |
Total stockholders’ equity (deficiency) |
|
(5,149 |
) |
|
|
(603 |
) |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficiency) |
$ |
203,268 |
|
|
$ |
196,981 |
|
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240716697836/en/
Company Contact:
Katia Fontana
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(514) 397-2592
For all press and media inquiries, please contact:
Press@birks.com
Source: Birks Group Inc.
FAQ
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