The Children’s Place Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results
- Strong digital performance and wholesale channel growth
- Ecommerce sales up low single digits, representing 57% of retail sales
- Top-line momentum from Q3 has accelerated into Q4, with consolidated retail sales running up low single digits quarter to date versus last year
- Decrease in net sales and gross profit
- Increased distribution costs impacting bottom-line results negatively
Reports Q3 GAAP EPS of
Reports Q3 Adjusted EPS of
Expects Adjusted EPS in the Range of
SECAUCUS, N.J., Nov. 16, 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 third quarter ended October 28, 2023.
Jane Elfers, President and Chief Executive Officer said, “Our Q3 results exceeded our expectations on the top line. The top line beat was driven by another quarter of industry-leading digital performance, fueled by a double digit increase in ecommerce traffic, with strong Back-to-School results in August and the success of our seasonal categories in September and October. And, our wholesale channel, led by Amazon, delivered another outstanding quarter. Importantly, our Q3 ending inventories were down
Ms. Elfers continued, “Our ecommerce sales were up low single digits for the quarter, driven by a double digit increase in ecommerce traffic. Our ecommerce channel represented an industry-leading
Ms. Elfers concluded, “While our core customer remains under significant pressure, we were pleased with our ability to drive top-line above our expectations throughout the third quarter. Our top-line momentum from Q3 has accelerated into Q4 as our customer is responding to our trend-right assortments and our enhanced marketing tactics. November is off to a strong start with consolidated retail sales running up low single digits quarter to date versus last year, driven by the continued strength of our digital business. Our accelerated digital transformation and fleet optimization strategies have positioned us to operate the company with less resources, including less stores, less inventory, less people, and less expense, allowing us to better service our customer on-line, where she prefers to shop, resulting in what we believe will translate into more consistent and sustainable results over time.”
Third Quarter 2023 Results
Net sales decreased
Gross profit and adjusted gross profit decreased by
Selling, general, and administrative expenses were
Operating income was
Net interest expense was
The Company's provision for income taxes reflects a benefit of
Net income was
Fiscal Year-To-Date 2023 Results
Net sales decreased
Gross profit decreased
Selling, general, and administrative expenses were
Operating loss was
Net interest expense was
The Company's provision for income taxes reflects a benefit of
Net loss was
Store Update
The Company ended the third quarter of 2023 with 591 stores and square footage of 2.8 million, a decrease of
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
As of October 28, 2023, the Company had
Inventories were
Outlook
The Company is providing updated guidance for the fourth quarter of 2023 and for the full year 2023. For the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company now expects:
- Net sales in the range of
$460 million to$465 million , representing a low single digit increase as compared to the prior year’s fourth quarter. - Adjusted operating profit for the fourth quarter is expected to be approximately
2.0% to3.0% of net sales. - Interest expense is expected to be approximately
$6.5 million for the fourth quarter. - The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter is expected to be approximately
27% , calculated by applying the discrete method. - Adjusted net income per diluted share is estimated to be in the range of
$0.25 t o$0.45 b ased upon an anticipated weighted average number of shares of 12.6 million.
The Company now expects net sales for the full year 2023, to be in the range of
The Company’s projections include the impact of the 53rd week in 2023, based upon its retail calendar. This week occurs during a low volume non-peak clearance period and as a result is expected to have a very modest impact on revenues and a negative impact on operating results.
Additional details underlying the Company’s outlook for the fourth 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 39 week periods ended October 28, 2023 and October 29, 2022.
Conference Call Information
The Children’s Place will host a conference call on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its third 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
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
Third Quarter Ended | Year-to-Date Ended | ||||||||||||||
October 28, 2023 | October 29, 2022 | October 28, 2023 | October 29, 2022 | ||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 480,234 | $ | 509,120 | $ | 1,147,474 | $ | 1,252,355 | |||||||
Cost of sales | 318,182 | 332,189 | 801,111 | 817,915 | |||||||||||
Gross profit | 162,052 | 176,931 | 346,363 | 434,440 | |||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 104,770 | 106,631 | 329,756 | 330,480 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 11,732 | 12,463 | 35,534 | 39,320 | |||||||||||
Asset impairment charges | 583 | — | 3,115 | 1,379 | |||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 44,967 | 57,837 | (22,042 | ) | 63,261 | ||||||||||
Interest expense, net | (7,939 | ) | (3,786 | ) | (21,481 | ) | (8,080 | ) | |||||||
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes | 37,028 | 54,051 | (43,523 | ) | 55,181 | ||||||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (1,454 | ) | 11,196 | (17,818 | ) | 5,794 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 38,482 | $ | 42,855 | $ | (25,705 | ) | $ | 49,387 | ||||||
Earnings (loss) per common share | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 3.07 | $ | 3.28 | $ | (2.06 | ) | $ | 3.72 | ||||||
Diluted | $ | 3.05 | $ | 3.26 | $ | (2.06 | ) | $ | 3.68 | ||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding | |||||||||||||||
Basic | 12,548 | 13,064 | 12,481 | 13,277 | |||||||||||
Diluted | 12,619 | 13,162 | 12,481 | 13,409 |
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO GAAP (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
Third Quarter Ended | Year-to-Date Ended | ||||||||||||||
October 28, 2023 | October 29, 2022 | October 28, 2023 | October 29, 2022 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 38,482 | $ | 42,855 | $ | (25,705 | ) | $ | 49,387 | ||||||
Non-GAAP adjustments: | |||||||||||||||
Restructuring costs | 756 | 966 | 10,683 | 1,195 | |||||||||||
Credit agreement amendment | 750 | — | 750 | — | |||||||||||
Asset impairment charges | 583 | — | 3,115 | 1,379 | |||||||||||
Accelerated depreciation | 454 | — | 1,361 | 746 | |||||||||||
Fleet optimization | 372 | 191 | 1,540 | 342 | |||||||||||
Contract termination costs | — | — | 2,961 | — | |||||||||||
Professional and consulting fees | — | 111 | — | 721 | |||||||||||
Provision for foreign settlement | — | — | — | 375 | |||||||||||
Aggregate impact of non-GAAP adjustments | 2,915 | 1,268 | 20,410 | 4,758 | |||||||||||
Income tax effect (1) | (760 | ) | (331 | ) | (5,310 | ) | (1,167 | ) | |||||||
Settlement of tax examination | — | — | — | (6,379 | ) | ||||||||||
Net impact of non-GAAP adjustments | 2,155 | 937 | 15,100 | (2,788 | ) | ||||||||||
Adjusted net income (loss) | $ | 40,637 | $ | 43,792 | $ | (10,605 | ) | $ | 46,599 | ||||||
GAAP net income (loss) per common share | $ | 3.05 | $ | 3.26 | $ | (2.06 | ) | $ | 3.68 | ||||||
Adjusted net income (loss) per common share | $ | 3.22 | $ | 3.33 | $ | (0.85 | ) | $ | 3.48 |
(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.
Third Quarter Ended | Year-to-Date Ended | |||||||||||
October 28, 2023 | October 29, 2022 | October 28, 2023 | October 29, 2022 | |||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 44,967 | $ | 57,837 | $ | (22,042 | ) | $ | 63,261 | |||
Non-GAAP adjustments: | ||||||||||||
Restructuring costs | 756 | 966 | 10,683 | 1,195 | ||||||||
Credit agreement amendment | 750 | — | 750 | — | ||||||||
Asset impairment charges | 583 | — | 3,115 | 1,379 | ||||||||
Accelerated depreciation | 454 | — | 1,361 | 746 | ||||||||
Fleet optimization | 372 | 191 | 1,540 | 342 | ||||||||
Contract termination costs | — | — | 2,961 | — | ||||||||
Professional and consulting fees | — | 111 | — | 721 | ||||||||
Provision for foreign settlement | — | — | — | 375 | ||||||||
Aggregate impact of non-GAAP adjustments | 2,915 | 1,268 | 20,410 | 4,758 | ||||||||
Adjusted operating income (loss) | $ | 47,882 | $ | 59,105 | $ | (1,632 | ) | $ | 68,019 |
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO GAAP (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
Third Quarter Ended | Year-to-Date Ended | |||||||||||
October 28, 2023 | October 29, 2022 | October 28, 2023 | October 29, 2022 | |||||||||
Gross profit | $ | 162,052 | $ | 176,931 | $ | 346,363 | $ | 434,440 | ||||
Non-GAAP adjustments: | ||||||||||||
Fleet optimization | — | — | — | (621 | ) | |||||||
Aggregate impact of non-GAAP adjustments | — | — | — | (621 | ) | |||||||
Adjusted gross profit | $ | 162,052 | $ | 176,931 | $ | 346,363 | $ | 433,819 |
Third Quarter Ended | Year-to-Date Ended | ||||||||||||||
October 28, 2023 | October 29, 2022 | October 28, 2023 | October 29, 2022 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 104,770 | $ | 106,631 | $ | 329,756 | $ | 330,480 | |||||||
Non-GAAP adjustments: | |||||||||||||||
Restructuring costs | (756 | ) | (966 | ) | (10,683 | ) | (1,195 | ) | |||||||
Credit agreement amendment | (750 | ) | — | (750 | ) | — | |||||||||
Fleet optimization | (372 | ) | (191 | ) | (1,540 | ) | (963 | ) | |||||||
Contract termination costs | — | — | (2,961 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Provision for foreign settlement | — | — | — | (375 | ) | ||||||||||
Professional and consulting fees | — | (111 | ) | — | (721 | ) | |||||||||
Aggregate impact of non-GAAP adjustments | (1,878 | ) | (1,268 | ) | (15,934 | ) | (3,254 | ) | |||||||
Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 102,892 | $ | 105,363 | $ | 313,822 | $ | 327,226 |
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) (Unaudited) | ||||||||
October 28, 2023 | January 28, 2023* | October 29, 2022 | ||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 13,522 | $ | 16,689 | $ | 19,244 | ||
Accounts receivable | 51,712 | 49,584 | 48,820 | |||||
Inventories | 462,411 | 447,795 | 548,719 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 69,710 | 47,875 | 48,012 | |||||
Total current assets | 597,355 | 561,943 | 664,795 | |||||
Property and equipment, net | 134,639 | 149,874 | 154,975 | |||||
Right-of-use assets | 127,863 | 155,481 | 160,041 | |||||
Tradenames, net | 70,291 | 70,891 | 71,091 | |||||
Other assets, net | 43,233 | 48,092 | 33,715 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 973,381 | $ | 986,281 | $ | 1,084,617 | ||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||
Revolving loan | $ | 358,679 | $ | 286,990 | $ | 265,000 | ||
Accounts payable | 182,594 | 177,147 | 221,432 | |||||
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 66,216 | 78,576 | 77,070 | |||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 98,253 | 105,672 | 120,166 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 705,742 | 648,385 | 683,668 | |||||
Long-term debt | 49,801 | 49,752 | 49,735 | |||||
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities | 76,641 | 96,482 | 104,073 | |||||
Other long-term liabilities | 23,126 | 33,184 | 34,965 | |||||
Total liabilities | 855,310 | 827,803 | 872,441 | |||||
Stockholders' equity | 118,071 | 158,478 | 212,176 | |||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 973,381 | $ | 986,281 | $ | 1,084,617 |
* 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 | |||||||
October 28, 2023 | October 29, 2022 | ||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (25,705 | ) | $ | 49,387 | ||
Non-cash adjustments | 92,913 | 127,044 | |||||
Working capital | (109,840 | ) | (193,396 | ) | |||
Net cash used in operating activities | (42,632 | ) | (16,965 | ) | |||
Net cash used in investing activities | (24,542 | ) | (31,614 | ) | |||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 64,042 | 14,010 | |||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (35 | ) | (974 | ) | |||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (3,167 | ) | (35,543 | ) | |||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 16,689 | 54,787 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 13,522 | $ | 19,244 |
FAQ
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