, /PRNewswire/ -- Kirkland's, Inc. (Nasdaq: KIRK) ("Kirkland's" or the "Company"), a specialty retailer of home décor and furnishings, announced financial results for the 13-week and 39-week periods ended November 2, 2024.

Third Quarter 2024 Summary

• Net sales of $114.4 million; Overall comparable sales decreased 3.0%, inclusive of comparable store growth of 1.6% compared to Q3 2023 despite approximately 1.0% headwind from hurricane disruptions across stores.
• Gross profit margin expanded 180 bps to 28.1% compared to Q3 2023.
• Operating loss of $2.4 million, a $4.3 million improvement compared to Q3 2023.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $0.5 million, a $3.7 million improvement compared to Q3 2023.
• Ended the quarter with 325 stores consistent with Q2 2024.
• Ended the period with a cash balance of $6.8 million and $80.4 million in outstanding debt, net of debt issuance and original issue discount costs.

Management Commentary

Amy Sullivan, CEO of Kirkland's, said, "The third quarter marked our fourth consecutive quarter of positive comparable store sales growth and significant year-over-year improvement in Adjusted EBITDA. I am immensely proud of our team's ability to deliver progress towards our initiatives of re-engaging our core customer, refocusing our product assortment and strengthening our omni-channel capabilities while we continued to conservatively deploy capital based on our near-term financial priorities."

Ms. Sullivan continued, "This quarter also marked a pivotal moment for Kirkland's as we entered into a strategic partnership with Beyond enabling us to strengthen our financial position and providing new avenues for growth as the exclusive licensee of Bed Bath & Beyond neighborhood stores. We are thrilled to leverage our merchandising and brick-and-mortar strengths while positioning Kirkland's as a multi brand retailer, with the first Bed Bath & Beyond neighborhood store opening next year. We believe in the opportunities that lie ahead as we build the foundation for growth and drive value for all stakeholders."

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Net sales in the third quarter of 2024 were $114.4 million, compared to $116.4 million in the prior year quarter. Comparable sales decreased 3.0% compared to the third quarter of 2023, including a 14.9% decline in e-commerce sales and a 1.6% increase in comparable store sales. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in consolidated average ticket and e-commerce conversion, partially offset by an increase in consolidated traffic and store conversion. Comparable sales performance in the quarter was also negatively impacted by approximately 1% related to hurricane disruptions across a significant portion of the store base.

Gross profit in the third quarter of 2024 was $32.1 million, or 28.1% of net sales, compared to $30.7 million, or 26.3% of net sales in the prior year quarter. The improvement as a percentage of net sales was primarily a result of lower distribution center and outbound freight costs, partially offset by the deleverage of store occupancy costs and lower merchandise margins.

Operating expenses in the third quarter of 2024 were $34.5 million, or 30.2% of net sales, compared to $37.3 million, or 32.0% of net sales in the prior year quarter. The decline in operating expenses was driven by reduced advertising costs, corporate salaries and asset impairment expenses.

Operating loss in the third quarter of 2024 was $2.4 million compared to operating loss of $6.7 million in the prior year quarter. The improvement was primarily a result of the aforementioned lower operating expenses and improved gross profit. Adjusted operating loss in the third quarter of 2024 was $1.9 million compared to adjusted operating loss of $6.0 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted operating loss removes the impact of stock-based compensation expense, severance charges, asset impairment, and any financing related legal or professional fees not subject to capitalization.

EBITDA in the third quarter of 2024 was a loss of $0.1 million compared to a loss of $3.6 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter of 2024 was income of $0.5 million compared to a loss of $3.2 million in the prior year quarter.

Loss on extinguishment of debt, related to the payoff of the "first-in, last-out" asset-based term loan (the "FILO Term Loan"), was $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2024, of which $2.6 million was for a prepayment penalty and the remainder was for the write off of the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs.

Net loss in the third quarter of 2024 was $7.7 million, or a loss of $0.59 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $6.4 million, or a loss of $0.50 per diluted share in the prior year quarter.

Adjusted net loss in the third quarter of 2024 was $3.8 million, or an adjusted loss of $0.29 per diluted share, compared to an adjusted net loss of $5.9 million, or an adjusted loss of $0.45 per diluted share in the prior year quarter. Adjusted net loss removes the impact of the loss on extinguishment of debt, stock-based compensation expense, severance charges, asset impairment and any financing related legal or professional fees not subject to capitalization.

Balance Sheet

As of November 2, 2024, inventory was $111.2 million, a 5.7% increase compared to the prior year quarter, mainly due to inventory being received later in the current year compared to the prior year period.

As of November 2, 2024, the Company had a cash balance of $6.8 million, with $65.0 million of outstanding debt under its $90.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility and $15.4 million in debt to Beyond, Inc. ("Beyond") related to a non-convertible term loan and a convertible term loan (collectively the "Beyond Credit Agreement") and a collaboration agreement fee liability, net of debt issuance and original issue discount costs. As of November 2, 2024, the Company had approximately $16.0 million available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility, after the minimum required excess availability covenant.

Availability under the Company's revolving credit facility fluctuates largely based on eligible inventory levels, and as eligible inventory increases in the second and third fiscal quarters in support of the Company's back-half sales plans, the Company's borrowing capacity increases correspondingly. The Company anticipates that cash flow from seasonal sales in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2024 will be used to reduce borrowing levels and increase liquidity.

Subsequent to November 2, 2024, the Company repaid a net $19.0 million under the revolving credit facility, and as of December 6, 2024, the Company had $46.0 million of outstanding debt under its revolving credit facility with availability of $35.0 million, after the minimum required excess availability covenant.

Strategic Partnership with Beyond, Inc.

The Company entered into a strategic partnership with Beyond on October 21, 2024, with the purpose of enabling cohesive collaboration between the companies and leveraging the strengths of each business to drive sustainable profitable growth and value for all stakeholders. As part of this partnership Beyond is investing $25 million in the Company through a combined debt and equity transaction. Proceeds of $17 million from the Beyond Credit Agreement were used by Kirkland's to repay its existing FILO Term Loan, including prepayment fees and transaction expenses, and to reduce borrowings under Kirkland's existing revolving credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. The $8 million equity purchase and the mandatory debt conversion are both subject to the approval of Kirkland's shareholders at the Company's special meeting of shareholders on December 23, 2024 ("Special Shareholders Meeting") in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rules and other customary closing conditions.

Conference Call

Kirkland's management will host a conference call to discuss its financial results for the third quarter ended November 2, 2024, followed by a question-and-answer period with President and CEO, Amy Sullivan, and EVP and CFO, Mike Madden.

Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Toll-free dial-in number: (855) 560-2577
International dial-in number: (412) 542-4163
Conference ID: 10191213

Please call the conference telephone number 10-15 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact ICR at KIRK@icrinc.com.

The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here and via the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.kirklands.com. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and continue for one year.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available after the conference call through December 13, 2024.

Toll-free replay number: (877) 344-7529
International replay number: (412) 317-0088
Replay ID: 4953504

About Kirkland's, Inc.

Kirkland's, Inc. is a specialty retailer of home décor and furnishings in the United States, currently operating 326 stores in 35 states as well as an e-commerce website, www.kirklands.com, under the Kirkland's Home brand. The Company provides its customers an engaging shopping experience characterized by a curated, affordable selection of home décor and furnishings along with inspirational design ideas. This combination of quality and stylish merchandise, value pricing and a stimulating in-store and online environment provides the Company's customers with a unique brand experience. More information can be found at www.kirklands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, certain statements in this release, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to the finalization of the Company's quarterly financial and accounting procedures. Forward-looking statements deal with potential future circumstances and developments and are, accordingly, forward-looking in nature. You are cautioned that such forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "seek," "may," "could," "strategy," and similar expressions, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the Company's control, which may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks associated with the ability to consummate all elements of the Beyond transaction and the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to consummation of the proposed transaction, including the ability to obtain the various synergies envisioned in the collaboration agreement with Beyond; the ability of Kirkland's to successfully open Bed Bath & Beyond stores; the ability to successfully market the Company's products to Beyond's customers and to implement the Company's plans, forecasts and other expectations with respect to its business after the completion of the transaction and realize additional opportunities for growth and innovation; the risk of Kirkland's shareholders not approving the proposed transaction; risks related to Beyond's optional conversion of the convertible note under the Beyond Credit Agreement; risks related to the collaboration agreement and the trademark license agreement entered into with Beyond; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on the Company's business relationships, operating results and business generally; risks related to the Special Shareholders Meeting diverting management's attention from ongoing business operations; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; potential litigation relating to the proposed transaction against Kirkland's or Kirkland's directors, managers or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; risks associated with the Company's liquidity including cash flows from operations and the amount of borrowings under the secured revolving credit facility and Beyond term loans, the Company's ability to successfully implement cost savings and other strategic initiatives intended to improve operating results and liquidity positions, the Company's actual and anticipated progress towards its short-term and long-term objectives including its brand strategy, the risk that natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks (such as COVID-19), global political events, war and terrorism could impact the Company's revenues, inventory and supply chain, the continuing consumer impact of inflation and countermeasures, including high interest rates, the effectiveness of the Company's marketing campaigns, risks related to changes in U.S. policy related to imported merchandise, particularly with regard to the impact of tariffs on goods imported from China and strategies undertaken to mitigate such impact, the Company's ability to retain its senior management team, continued volatility in the price of the Company's common stock, the competitive environment in the home décor industry in general and in the Company's specific market areas, inflation, fluctuations in cost and availability of inventory, increased transportation costs and potential interruptions in supply chain, distribution systems and delivery network, including our e-commerce systems and channels, the ability to control employment and other operating costs, availability of suitable retail locations and other growth opportunities, disruptions in information technology systems including the potential for security breaches of the Company's information or its customers' information, seasonal fluctuations in consumer spending, and economic conditions in general. Those and other risks are more fully described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2024 and subsequent reports. Forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the date of this release. Any changes in assumptions or factors on which such statements are based could produce materially different results. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), this earnings release and the related earnings conference call contain certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating loss, adjusted net loss and adjusted diluted loss per share. These measures are not in accordance with, and are not intended as alternatives to, GAAP financial measures. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures internally in analyzing our financial results and believes that they provide useful information to analysts and investors, as a supplement to GAAP financial measures, in evaluating the Company's operational performance.

The Company defines EBITDA as net loss before interest and the provision for income tax, which is equivalent to operating loss, adjusted for depreciation and asset impairment. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted to remove stock based compensation expense, due to the non-cash nature of this expense, to remove severance, as it fluctuates based on the needs of the business and does not represent a normal recurring operating expense, and to remove any financing related legal or professional fees not subject to capitalization. Adjusted operating loss is defined as adjusted EBITDA including depreciation. The Company defines adjusted net loss as net loss adjusted for stock compensation, severance, financing related legal or professional fees not subject to capitalization and the loss on extinguishment of debt, due to either the non-recurring or non-cash nature of these expenses and the related tax adjustments. The Company defines adjusted loss per diluted share as adjusted net income divided by weighted average diluted share count.

Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standard meanings prescribed by GAAP. Use of these terms may differ from similar measures reported by other companies. Each non-GAAP financial measure has its limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP.

The following table shows an unaudited non-GAAP measure reconciliation of operating loss to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating loss and a reconciliation of net loss and diluted loss per share to adjusted net loss and adjusted diluted loss per share (in thousands, except per share data) for the periods indicated:

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SOURCE Kirkland's, Inc.