Bakers Footwear Group, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: BKRS.OB), a leading specialty retailer of moderately priced fashion footwear for young women, with 234 stores, today announced results for the thirteen and thirty nine-weeks ended October 29, 2011.

For the third quarter, the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2011:

  • Net sales were $40.2 million, a decrease of 1.0% from $40.6 million for the thirteen-week period ended October 30, 2010;
  • Comparable store sales increased 1.0% following an increase of 5.9% in the prior-year period;
  • Gross profit was $4.9 million, or 12.3% of net sales, compared to $6.4 million, or 15.7% of net sales, in the third quarter last year. This decrease reflects increased markdowns on fall merchandise as the Company reacted to softening sales trends;
  • Selling, general and administrative expenses were $13.9 million, or 34.5% of net sales, compared to $13.4 million, or 33.0% of net sales, in the prior-year period;
  • Impairment expense was $933,000, reflecting non-cash charges associated with certain underperforming stores, compared to $1.4 million in the prior year period;
  • Operating loss was $9.9 million, compared to an operating loss of $8.5 million in the third quarter last year; and
  • Net loss was $10.2 million or $1.10 per share, compared to a net loss of $8.9 million, or $1.03 per share in the third quarter last year.

Peter Edison, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bakers Footwear Group commented, "Our third quarter results were disappointing reflecting a challenging dress boot season, which led to increased markdowns and operating losses compared to the prior year. On a positive note, our multi-channel sales remained strong, rising 37.4% in the quarter. The quarter included continued focus on our key growth objectives. To this point, we believe our exclusive product offerings that include our Bakers, H. by Halston and Wild Pair brands are allowing us to attract new customers to our stores, as we provide great fashion with brands that are differentiated versus mall peers and position our Company for improved long-term sales performance.

"As we begin the fourth quarter, the boot category has remained difficult, which has led to a 5.5% decrease in comparable store sales for the first six weeks of the quarter through December 10, 2011. We expect comparable sales to be down for the entire fourth quarter. That said, we believe that we entered the quarter with inventory levels that are aligned with our current sales expectations.

"Looking ahead to 2012, we are implementing a $10 million margin improvement and cost reduction program focused on improving cash flow and liquidity."

For the first nine months of fiscal 2011, the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2011:

  • Net sales increased to $131.5 million, from $127.4 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 30, 2010;
  • Comparable store sales increased 5.1%, compared to an increase of 1.3% in the first nine months of 2010;
  • Gross profit was $30.2 million, or 22.9% of net sales, compared to $29.0 million, or 22.8% of net sales in the first nine months of 2010;
  • Selling, general and administrative expenses were $42.3 million, or 32.2% of net sales, compared to $40.5 million, or 31.8% of net sales, in the first nine months of 2010;
  • Impairment expense was $933,000, reflecting non-cash charges associated with certain underperforming stores, compared to $1.4 million in the prior year period;
  • Operating loss was $13.1 million, compared to an operating loss of $13.0 million in the first nine months of 2010; and
  • Net loss was $14.3 million or $1.54 per share, compared to a net loss of $14.5 million, or $1.85 per share in the first nine months of 2010.

Based on the Company's revised business plan, including the anticipated impact of the margin improvement and cost reduction program, the Company believes it has adequate liquidity to fund anticipated working capital requirements and expects to be in compliance with its financial covenants throughout the remainder of 2011 and 2012. The Company's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed today, and the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K discuss the Company's business plan and disclose in detail the risks of the Company's current liquidity situation, including the risks associated with the Company's ability to successfully implement the margin improvement and cost reduction program, and its ability to comply with its financial covenants.

Conference Call

The Company announced that it will conduct a conference call to discuss its third quarter fiscal 2011 results today, Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 705-6003, approximately five minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be webcast live at http://viavid.net/dce.aspx?sid=00009148.

A replay of this call will be available until December 20, 2011 and can be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176, and entering PIN number 384217. The webcast will remain available for 30 days at the same web address following the conference call.

About Bakers Footwear Group, Inc.

Bakers Footwear Group, Inc. is a national, mall-based, specialty retailer of distinctive footwear and accessories for young women. The Company's merchandise includes private label and national brand dress, casual and sport shoes, boots, sandals and accessories. The Company currently operates 233 stores nationwide. Bakers' stores focus on women between the ages of 16 and 35. Wild Pair stores offer fashion-forward footwear to women between the ages of 17 and 29.

THIS PRESS RELEASE CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS (WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND SECTION 21(E) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934). BAKERS FOOTWEAR HAS NO DUTY TO UPDATE SUCH STATEMENTS. ACTUAL FUTURE EVENTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE SET FORTH IN THIS STATEMENT DUE TO VARIOUS FACTORS. FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE THESE CONDITIONS NOT TO BE SATISFIED INCLUDE INABILITY TO SATISFY DEBT COVENANTS, MATERIAL DECLINES IN SALES TRENDS AND LIQUIDITY, MATERIAL CHANGES IN CAPITAL MARKET CONDITIONS OR IN BAKERS FOOTWEAR'S BUSINESS, PROSPECTS, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OR FINANCIAL CONDITION, AND OTHER RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, INCLUDING THOSE DETAILED IN BAKERS FOOTWEAR'S MOST RECENT ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND OUR MOST RECENT QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q, INCLUDING THOSE DISCUSSED IN "RISK FACTORS," IN "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" AND IN NOTE 2 TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THESE REPORTS, AND IN ITS OTHER FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

                       

Bakers Footwear Group, Inc.

Thirteen Thirteen Thirty-nine Thirty-nine
Weeks Ended Weeks Ended Weeks Ended Weeks Ended
October 29, October 30, October 29, October 30,
Income Statement Data       2011       2010       2011       2010
(in thousands, except per share data) Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited
 
Net sales $ 40,202 $ 40,576 $ 131,518 $ 127,393
Cost of merchandise sold, occupancy, and buying expenses  

35,265

         

34,226

         

101,354

         

98,374

 
Gross profit 4,937 6,350 30,164 29,019
 
Operating expenses
Selling 10,010 9,571 30,105 29,000
General and administrative 3,873 3,831 12,201 11,525
Loss on disposal of property and equipment 11 7 31 67
Impairment of long-lived assets   933           1,416           933           1,416  
Operating loss (9,890 ) (8,475 ) (13,106 ) (12,989 )
 
Interest expense (485 ) (542 ) (1,390 ) (1,537 )
Other income, net   141           82           164           117  
Loss before income taxes (10,234 ) (8,935 ) (14,332 ) (14,409 )
 
Income tax expense

?

      ?       ?      

52

 

 
Net loss $ (10,234 )       $ (8,935 )       $ (14,332 )       $ (14,461 )
 
Net loss per common share $ (1.10 )       $ (1.03 )       $ (1.54 )       $ (1.85 )
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding 9,296 8,702 9,285 7,823
 
 
Cash Flow Data
Cash used in operating activities $ (5,226 ) $ (8,620 )
Cash used in investing activities (1,703 ) (849 )
Cash provided by financing activities 6,924 9,451
Net decrease in cash (5 ) (17 )
 
Supplemental Data
Comparable store sales increase 1.0 % 5.9 % 5.1 % 1.3 %
Gross profit percentage 12.3 % 15.7 % 22.9 % 22.8 %
Unused borrowing capacity at end of period $ 993 $ 2,814
Number of stores at end of period 233 236 233 236
 
             
Bakers Footwear Group, Inc. October 29, October 30,
Balance Sheet Data         2011       2010
(in thousands) Unaudited Unaudited
Cash $ 141 $ 137
Accounts receivable 1,759 1,903
Inventories 27,717 27,478
Other current assets   1,352           965  
Current assets 30,969 30,483
 
Property and equipment, net 15,274 19,586
Other assets   876           1,099  
$ 47,119         $ 51,168  
 
Accounts payable $ 23,185 $ 16,293
Revolving credit facility 17,374 17,496
Subordinated secured term loan ? 901
Subordinated convertible debentures - current 1,000 ?
Other current liabilities   10,616           10,817  
Current liabilities   52,175           45,507  
 
Accrued noncurrent rent liabilities 7,820 8,911
Subordinated convertible debentures 3,000 4,000
Subordinated debenture 4,169 4,000
 
Shareholders' deficit   (20,045 )         (11,250 )
$ 47,119         $ 51,168  

Company:
Bakers Footwear Group, Inc.
Charles R. Daniel, III, 314-621-0699
Chief Financial Officer
or
Investors:
ICR, Inc.
Allison Malkin, 203-682-8225
or
Rachel Schacter, 646-277-1243