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The Children’s Place Reports Second Quarter 2023 Results

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The Children's Place reports Q2 GAAP EPS of $(2.82) and Q2 Adjusted EPS of ($2.12). Expects Adjusted EPS in the Range of $5.00-$5.25 for the Back Half of 2023. Net sales decreased 9.3% to $345.6 million in Q2 2023. Gross profit decreased to $87.8 million. Operating loss was $36.9 million. Net loss was $35.4 million. Comparable retail sales decreased 9.0% for the quarter. The Company plans to close approximately 80-100 stores this year. Inventories were $537 million, a decrease of 12.9% versus last year. The Company had $19 million of cash and cash equivalents and $348 million outstanding on its revolving credit facility. Provides guidance for the back half of 2023 and third quarter of 2023, expecting net sales to decrease in the mid-single digit percentage range.
Positive
  • None.
Negative
  • Decreased net sales and gross profit in Q2 2023
  • Operating loss of $36.9 million in Q2 2023
  • Net loss of $35.4 million in Q2 2023
  • Decreased comparable retail sales by 9.0% in Q2 2023
  • Plans to close approximately 80-100 stores this year

Reports Q2 GAAP EPS of $(2.82) versus ($1.01) in Q2 2022
Reports Q2 Adjusted EPS of ($2.12) versus ($0.89) in Q2 2022
Expects Adjusted EPS in the Range of $5.00-$5.25 for the Back Half of 2023

SECAUCUS, N.J., Aug. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Children’s Place, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCE), an omni-channel children’s specialty portfolio of brands with an industry-leading digital-first model, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended July 29, 2023.

Jane Elfers, President and Chief Executive Officer said, “Our Q2 results exceeded our guidance on both the top- and bottom-lines. The top-line beat was the result of a strong digital performance fueled by a strong start to Back-to-School, driven by our successful First-to-Market Back-to-School digital marketing strategies, and our on-trend product assortments. In addition, our wholesale channel delivered another outstanding quarter driven by the strength of our Amazon partnership. The bottom-line beat was the result of our continued strong focus on expense management. With respect to monthly sales cadence, May was our weakest month, June improved significantly with the kickoff of our Back-to-School strategy and July was our strongest month of the quarter.”

Ms. Elfers continued, “Our ecommerce sales were up low single digits for both the month of June and the month of July, driven by a low double digit increase in ecommerce traffic for the quarter. Our ecommerce channel represented an industry-leading 51% of our retail sales in Q2 versus 47% last year and 30% in 2019.”

Ms. Elfers concluded, “We are a more resilient and streamlined Company today than we were pre-pandemic, and we will continue to grow stronger as we move through the balance of this year and beyond. It is early days, but our Back-to-School momentum has continued into Q3, and we are looking forward to capitalizing on our transformation to a digital-first operating model by delivering our back half outlook for our shareholders.”

Second Quarter 2023 Results
Net sales decreased $35.3 million, or 9.3%, to $345.6 million in the three months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $380.9 million in the three months ended July 30, 2022. The decrease in net sales compared to Q2 2022 was primarily due to the impact of a slowdown in consumer demand resulting from the unprecedented inflation impacting our customer, an increase in promotional activity across the sector, and the impact of permanent store closures. Comparable retail sales decreased 9.0% for the quarter.

Gross profit decreased $27.7 million to $87.8 million in the three months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $115.5 million in the three months ended July 30, 2022. Adjusted gross profit decreased $27.0 million to $87.8 million in the three months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $114.8 million in the comparable period last year. Adjusted gross margin deleveraged 480 basis points to 25.4% of net sales versus Q2 2022, primarily the result of lower merchandise margins due to the accelerated liquidation of seasonal inventory, the impact of a significantly larger wholesale business which operates at a lower gross margin rate but is accretive to operating margin, higher input and supply chain costs, and the deleverage of fixed expenses resulting from the decline in net sales. Adjusted gross margin of 25.4% in Q2 2023 compares to Q2 2022 adjusted gross margin of 30.2%.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $112.0 million in the three months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $114.7 million in the three months ended July 30, 2022. Adjusted SG&A was $101.7 million in the three months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $113.5 million in the comparable period last year. Adjusted SG&A levered by 40 basis points to 29.4% of net sales versus Q2 2022, primarily as a result of reductions in store expenses, home office payroll, and equity compensation expense partially offset by the deleverage of fixed expenses resulting from the decline in net sales and higher planned marketing spend.

Operating loss was $36.9 million in the three months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $13.8 million in the three months ended July 30, 2022. Adjusted operating loss was $25.0 million in the three months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $11.7 million in the comparable period last year. Q2 2023 adjusted operating loss deleveraged 410 basis points to (7.2%) of net sales versus Q2 2022.

Net interest expense was $7.6 million in the three months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $2.6 million in the three months ended July 30, 2022. The increase in interest expense versus Q2 2022 was driven by higher borrowings and higher average interest rates associated with the Company’s revolving credit facility and term loan due to continued market-based rate increases.

Net loss was $35.4 million, or ($2.82) per diluted share, in the three months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $13.3 million, or ($1.01) per diluted share, in the three months ended July 30, 2022. Adjusted net loss was $26.5 million, or ($2.12) per diluted share, compared to $11.7 million, or ($0.89) per diluted share, in the comparable period last year.

Fiscal Year-To-Date 2023 Results
Net sales decreased $76.0 million, or 10.2%, to $667.2 million in the six months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $743.2 million in the six months ended July 30, 2022. The decrease in net sales compared to year-to-date 2022 was primarily due to the impact of a slowdown in consumer demand resulting from the unprecedented inflation impacting our customer, an increase in promotional activity across the sector and the impact of permanent store closures. Comparable retail sales decreased 8.6% for the six months ended July 29, 2023. 

Gross profit decreased $73.2 million to $184.2 million in the six months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $257.4 million in the six months ended July 30, 2022. Adjusted gross profit decreased $72.5 million to $184.2 million in the six months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $256.7 million in the comparable period last year. Adjusted gross margin deleveraged 690 basis points to 27.6% of net sales versus year-to-date 2022, primarily the result of lower merchandise margins due to the accelerated liquidation of seasonal inventory, the impact of a significantly larger wholesale business which operates at a lower gross margin rate but is accretive to operating margin, higher input and supply chain costs, and the deleverage of fixed expenses resulting from the decline in net sales. Adjusted gross margin of 27.6% in year-to-date 2023 compares to year-to-date 2022 adjusted gross margin of 34.5%.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $224.9 million in the six months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $223.7 million in the six months ended July 30, 2022. Adjusted SG&A was $210.8 million in the six months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $221.7 million in the comparable period last year. Adjusted SG&A deleveraged 180 basis points to 31.6% of net sales versus year-to-date 2022, primarily as a result of the deleverage of fixed expenses resulting from the decline in net sales and higher planned marketing spend partially offset by reductions in store expenses, home office payroll, and equity compensation expense.

Operating loss was $67.0 million in the six months ended July 29, 2023, compared to operating income of $5.4 million in the six months ended July 30, 2022. Adjusted operating loss was $49.5 million in the six months ended July 29, 2023, compared to adjusted operating income of $8.9 million in the comparable period last year. Year-to-date 2023 adjusted operating loss deleveraged 860 basis points to (7.4%) of net sales versus year-to-date 2022, which was 1.2% of net sales.

Net interest expense was $13.5 million in the six months ended July 29, 2023, compared to $4.3 million in the six months ended July 30, 2022. The increase in interest expense versus year-to-date 2022 was driven by higher borrowings and higher average interest rates associated with the Company’s revolving credit facility and term loan due to continued market-based rate increases.

Net loss was $64.2 million, or ($5.16) per diluted share, in the six months ended July 29, 2023, compared to net income of $6.5 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, in the six months ended July 30, 2022. Adjusted net loss was $51.2 million, or ($4.12) per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $2.8 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in the comparable period last year.

Store Update 
The Company ended the second quarter of 2023 with 596 stores and square footage of 2.9 million, a decrease of 9% compared to the prior year. Consistent with the Company’s store fleet optimization initiative, the Company permanently closed 3 stores during the second quarter of 2023 and has permanently closed 603 stores since 2013 and decreased total square footage by 2.4 million square feet or approximately 45%. The Company is planning to close a total of approximately 80 - 100 stores this year.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
As of July 29, 2023, the Company had $19 million of cash and cash equivalents and $348 million outstanding on its revolving credit facility. Additionally, the Company used $38 million in operating cash flows in the three months ended July 29, 2023.

Inventories were $537 million as of July 29, 2023, a decrease of 12.9% versus last year due to the combination of the accelerated liquidation of seasonal inventory and reductions in average unit costs, compared to $616 million in the same period last year.

Outlook
The Company is providing guidance for the back half of 2023, the third quarter of 2023, and narrowing its previously provided guidance for the full year.

For the back half of 2023 (combined 3rd and 4th quarters) the Company continues to expect to deliver double-digit operating margin, driven by the combination of decreasing input and supply chain costs embedded in its inventory, the benefit from reduced inventory levels and strong expense discipline.

  • Net sales for the combined 3rd and 4th quarters are expected to be in the range of $910 million to $920 million, representing a decrease in the mid-single digit percentage range as compared to the prior fiscal year.
  • Adjusted operating income for the six-month period is expected to be approximately 10% of net sales.
  • Interest for the combined six-month period is expected to be approximately $13 million and the tax rate is expected to be approximately 20% to 21%.
  • Adjusted net income per diluted share for the six-month period is estimated to be in the range of $5.00 to $5.25 based upon an anticipated weighted average number of shares of 12.8 million.

For the third quarter of 2023, the Company expects:

  • Net sales in the range of $470 million to $475 million, representing an approximately 7% decrease as compared to the prior year third quarter.
  • Adjusted operating profit for the third quarter is expected to be approximately 13.5% of net sales.
  • Interest expense is expected to be approximately $7.0 million to $7.5 million for the third quarter and the tax rate is expected to be approximately 20% to 21%.
  • Adjusted net income per diluted share is estimated to be in the range of $3.55 to $3.65 based upon an anticipated weighted average number of shares of 12.7 million.

The Company is narrowing its previously provided guidance for the full year 2023 and now expects net sales for the full year to be in the range of $1.575 billion to $1.585 billion, adjusted operating profit is estimated to be in the range of 2.7% to 3.0% of net sales and net income per diluted share is estimated to be in the range of $1.00 to $1.25 based upon an anticipated weighted average number of shares of 12.6 million.

Additional details underlying the Company’s outlook for the second quarter and full year 2023 will be provided on the conference call and will also be available in the conference call transcript which will be posted on the Company’s website. An audio archive will also be available on the Company’s website. 

Non-GAAP Reconciliation
The Company’s results are reported in this press release on a GAAP and as adjusted, non-GAAP basis. Adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share, adjusted gross profit, adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses, and adjusted operating income (loss) are non-GAAP measures, and are not intended to replace GAAP financial information, and may be different from non-GAAP measures reported by other companies. The Company believes the expense items excluded as non-GAAP adjustments are not reflective of the performance of its core business, and that providing this supplemental disclosure to investors will facilitate comparisons of the past and present performance of its core business.

Please refer to the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information to GAAP” later in this press release, which sets forth the non-GAAP adjustments for the 13-week periods and 26-week periods ended July 29, 2023, and July 30, 2022.

Conference Call Information 
The Children’s Place will host a conference call on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its second quarter 2023 results.

The call will be broadcast live at http://investor.childrensplace.com. An audio transcript will be available on the Company’s website approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call.

About The Children’s Place
The Children’s Place is an omni-channel children’s specialty portfolio of brands with an industry-leading digital-first model. Its global retail and wholesale network includes four digital storefronts, more than 500 stores in North America, wholesale marketplaces and distribution in 16 countries through six international franchise partners. The Children’s Place is proud to be a women-led Company, including industry-leading gender diversity in senior management and throughout all levels of its workforce, and of its commitment to sustainable business practices that benefit its customers, associates, investors, suppliers and the communities it serves. The Children’s Place designs, contracts to manufacture, and sells fashionable, high-quality apparel, accessories and footwear predominantly at value prices, primarily under its proprietary brands: “The Children’s Place”, “Gymboree”, “Sugar & Jade”, and “PJ Place”. For more information, visit: www.childrensplace.com, www.gymboree.com, www.sugarandjade.com and www.pjplace.com, as well as the Company’s social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains or may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements relating to the Company’s strategic initiatives and results of operations, including adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the “Risk Factors” section of its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2023. Included among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially are the risk that the Company will be unsuccessful in gauging fashion trends and changing consumer preferences, the risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of the Company’s business and its dependence on consumer spending patterns, which may be affected by changes in economic conditions (including inflation), the risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business or the economy in general, the risk that the Company’s strategic initiatives to increase sales and margin are delayed or do not result in anticipated improvements, the risk of delays, interruptions, disruptions and higher costs in the Company’s global supply chain, including resulting from COVID-19 or other disease outbreaks, foreign sources of supply in less developed countries, more politically unstable countries, or countries where vendors fail to comply with industry standards or ethical business practices, including the use of forced, indentured or child labor, the risk that the cost of raw materials or energy prices will increase beyond current expectations or that the Company is unable to offset cost increases through value engineering or price increases, various types of litigation, including class action litigations brought under consumer protection, employment, and privacy and information security laws and regulations, the imposition of regulations affecting the importation of foreign-produced merchandise, including duties and tariffs, and the uncertainty of weather patterns. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact: Investor Relations (201) 558-2400 ext. 14500

(Tables to follow)

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 Second Quarter Ended Year-to-Date Ended
 July 29,
2023
 July 30,
2022
 July 29,
2023
 July 30,
2022
        
Net sales$345,599  $380,885  $667,239  $743,235 
Cost of sales 257,840   265,422   483,019   485,867 
Gross profit 87,759   115,463   184,220   257,368 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 111,965   114,672   224,895   223,708 
Depreciation and amortization 11,953   13,241   23,801   26,856 
Asset impairment charges 782   1,379   2,532   1,379 
Operating income (loss) (36,941)  (13,829)  (67,008)  5,425 
Interest expense, net (7,641)  (2,589)  (13,543)  (4,294)
Income (loss) before benefit for income taxes (44,582)  (16,418)  (80,551)  1,131 
Benefit for income taxes (9,227)  (3,120)  (16,363)  (5,402)
Net income (loss)$(35,355) $(13,298) $(64,188) $6,533 
        
        
Earnings (loss) per common share       
Basic$(2.82) $(1.01) $(5.16) $0.49 
Diluted$(2.82) $(1.01) $(5.16) $0.48 
        
Weighted average common shares outstanding       
Basic 12,522   13,147   12,448   13,384 
Diluted 12,522   13,147   12,448   13,532 
                


THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO GAAP
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 Second Quarter Ended Year-to-Date Ended
 July 29,
2023
 July 30,
2022
 July 29,
2023
 July 30,
2022
        
Net income (loss)$(35,355) $(13,298) $(64,188) $6,533 
        
Non-GAAP adjustments:       
Restructuring costs 9,659   194   9,928   229 
Accelerated depreciation 907   209   907   746 
Asset impairment charges 782   1,379   2,532   1,379 
Contract termination costs 546      2,962    
Fleet optimization 81   (177)  1,168   151 
Professional and consulting fees    122      610 
Provision for foreign settlement    375      375 
Aggregate impact of non-GAAP adjustments 11,975   2,102   17,497   3,490 
Income tax effect(1) (3,113)  (477)  (4,549)  (837)
Settlement of tax examination          (6,379)
Net impact of non-GAAP adjustments 8,862   1,625   12,948   (3,726)
        
Adjusted net income (loss)$(26,493) $(11,673) $(51,240) $2,807 
        
GAAP net income (loss) per common share$(2.82) $(1.01) $(5.16) $0.48 
        
Adjusted net income (loss) per common share$(2.12) $(0.89) $(4.12) $0.21 
                
(1) The tax effects of the non-GAAP items are calculated based on the statutory rate of the jurisdiction in which the discrete item resides.
 


 Second Quarter Ended Year-to-Date Ended
 July 29,
2023
 July 30,
2022
 July 29,
2023
 July 30,
2022
        
Operating income (loss)$(36,941) $(13,829) $(67,008) $5,425 
        
Non-GAAP adjustments:       
Restructuring costs 9,659   194   9,928   229 
Accelerated depreciation 907   209   907   746 
Asset impairment charges 782   1,379   2,532   1,379 
Contract termination costs 546      2,962    
Fleet optimization 81   (177)  1,168   151 
Professional and consulting fees    122      610 
Provision for foreign settlement    375      375 
Aggregate impact of non-GAAP adjustments 11,975   2,102   17,497   3,490 
        
Adjusted operating income (loss)$(24,966) $(11,727) $(49,511) $8,915 
                


THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO GAAP
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 Second Quarter Ended Year-to-Date Ended
 July 29,
2023
 July 30,
2022
 July 29,
2023
 July 30,
2022
          
Gross profit$87,759  $115,463  $184,220  $257,368 
          
Non-GAAP adjustments:         
Fleet optimization    (621)     (621)
Aggregate impact of non-GAAP adjustments    (621)     (621)
          
Adjusted gross profit$87,759  $114,842  $184,220  $256,747 
                


 Second Quarter Ended Year-to-Date Ended
 July 29,
2023
 July 30,
2022
 July 29,
2023
 July 30,
2022
        
Selling, general and administrative expenses$111,965  $114,672  $224,895  $223,708 
        
Non-GAAP adjustments:       
Restructuring costs (9,659)  (194)  (9,928)  (229)
Contract termination costs (546)     (2,962)   
Fleet optimization (81)  (444)  (1,168)  (772)
Provision for foreign settlement    (375)     (375)
Professional and consulting fees    (122)     (610)
Aggregate impact of non-GAAP adjustments (10,286)  (1,135)  (14,058)  (1,986)
        
Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses$101,679  $113,537  $210,837  $221,722 
                


THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 July 29,
2023
 January 28,
2023*

 July 30,
2022
Assets:       
Cash and cash equivalents$18,846  $16,689  $28,193 
Accounts receivable 33,073   49,584   44,445 
Inventories 536,980   447,795   616,436 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 65,108   47,875   59,383 
Total current assets 654,007   561,943   748,457 
        
Property and equipment, net 141,244   149,874   154,738 
Right-of-use assets 112,325   155,481   167,619 
Tradenames, net 70,491   70,891   71,292 
Other assets, net 45,018   48,092   32,352 
Total assets$1,023,085  $986,281  $1,174,458 
        
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:       
Revolving loan$347,546  $286,990  $283,931 
Accounts payable 262,369   177,147   303,776 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities 65,266   78,576   78,989 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 124,970   105,672   126,401 
Total current liabilities 800,151   648,385   793,097 
        
Long-term debt 49,785   49,752   49,718 
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities 63,714   96,482   112,386 
Other long-term liabilities 23,505   33,184   35,076 
Total liabilities 937,155   827,803   990,277 
        
Stockholders' equity 85,930   158,478   184,181 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$1,023,085  $986,281  $1,174,458 
            
* Derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2023.
 


THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 Year-to-Date Ended
 July 29,
2023
 July 30,
2022
    
Net income (loss)$(64,188) $6,533 
Non-cash adjustments 63,571   84,391 
Working capital (32,086)  (143,713)
Net cash used in operating activities (32,703)  (52,789)
    
Net cash used in investing activities (18,261)  (19,123)
    
Net cash provided by financing activities 52,969   45,714 
    
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 154   (396)
    
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2,157   (26,594)
    
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 16,689   54,787 
    
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$18,846  $28,193 

Children's Place, Inc.

NASDAQ:PLCE

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Apparel Manufacturing
Retail-family Clothing Stores
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United States of America
SECAUCUS