Form 8-K

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 11, 2008

 

 

 

Commission File Number  

Registrant, State of Incorporation

Address and Telephone Number

 

I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.

333-42427     22-2894486

 

 

J.CREW GROUP, INC.

(Incorporated in Delaware)

770 Broadway New York, New York 10003 Telephone: (212) 209-2500

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

q Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

q Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

q Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

q Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 


Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On March 11, 2008, J.Crew Group, Inc. issued a press release announcing the Company’s financial results for the fourth quarter ended February 2, 2008. The Company is furnishing a copy of the press release hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Press Release issued by J.Crew Group, Inc. on March 11, 2008.

The information in this Current Report is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Act, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly stated by specific reference in such filing.

 

2


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

J.CREW GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ James S. Scully

Name:   James S. Scully
Title:   Executive Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer

Date: March 11, 2008

 

3

Press Release

EXHIBIT 99.1

     

Company Contact:

 

James Scully

Chief Financial Officer

(212) 209-8040

     

Investor Contact:

 

Allison Malkin/Chad Jacobs/Joe Teklits

Integrated Corporate Relations

(203) 682-8200

J. CREW GROUP, INC. ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL 2007 RESULTS

Fourth Quarter Diluted EPS of $0.39, including impact of severance charge of $0.02

Introduces Guidance for Fiscal 2008 Diluted EPS Range of $1.85 to $1.87

New York, NY – March 11, 2008 – J. Crew Group, Inc. [NYSE:JCG] today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 (fiscal 2007). The Company noted that the prior year, fiscal 2006, consisted of 53 weeks, resulting in a 14-week fiscal fourth quarter in the prior year. The 53 rd week is not included in comparable store sales calculations for fiscal 2006 periods.

For the three months ended February 2, 2008 (fourth quarter):

 

 

 

Revenues increased 9% to $399.9 million. Store sales (Retail and Factory) increased 8% to $260.6 million, with comparable store sales remaining flat. Realigning last year’s calendar weeks to be consistent with the current year retail calendar weeks would result in a comparable store sales increase of 4% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. Comparable store sales rose 7% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Direct sales (Internet and Catalog) rose by 11% to $126.0 million. Direct sales increased 43% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. The impact of the 53rd week of fiscal 2006 on Store and Direct sales was $8.2 million and $4.0 million, respectively.

 

   

Gross margin increased to 41.3% of revenues from 40.8% of revenues in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.

 

   

Operating income increased 16% to $43.3 million, or 10.8% of revenues, compared to $37.3 million, or 10.2% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Operating income in the fourth quarter of the current period includes the impact of the recognition of severance costs of $2.3 million. Operating income adjusted for severance costs increased 22% to $45.6 million, or 11.4% of revenues.

 

   

Net income available to common stockholders in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 was $25.0 million, or $0.39 per diluted share and includes the impact of the recognition of severance costs of approximately $0.02 per diluted share. The current year period reflects an effective tax rate of 39.8%.

 

   

Net income available to common stockholders in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 was $44.0 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, and includes a non-recurring tax benefit of $10.9 million related to the recognition of deferred tax assets that were previously reserved.

 

1


   

Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 totaled $26.3 million, or $0.41 per diluted share (see Exhibit 3), as compared to adjusted net income of $20.5 million, or $0.33 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 (see Exhibit 4).

 

   

A reconciliation of net income on a GAAP basis to adjusted net income is included in Exhibits (3) and (4) of this press release.

Millard Drexler, J. Crew’s Chairman and CEO stated: “We are very pleased with our fourth quarter and fiscal year results. It’s our mission that every single customer who shops with us knows the lengths we are willing to go in order to satisfy them. We couldn’t be happier with what our customers are saying about our quality, our design and their experience with us. At the end of the day, when they are happy we see the results.”

For the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 (fiscal 2007):

 

 

 

Revenues increased 16% to $1,334.7 million. Store sales (Retail and Factory) increased 13% to $914.8 million, with comparable store sales increasing 6%. Realigning last year’s calendar weeks to be consistent with the current year retail calendar weeks would result in a comparable store sales increase of 6% in fiscal 2007. Comparable store sales rose 13% in fiscal 2006. Direct sales (Internet and Catalog) increased 22% to $377.4 million. As previously noted, the impact of the 53rd week of fiscal 2006 on Store and Direct sales was $8.2 million and $4.0 million, respectively.

 

   

Gross margin increased to 44.1% of revenues from 43.4% of revenues in fiscal 2006.

 

   

Operating income increased 37% to $172.5 million, or 12.9% of revenues, compared to $125.6 million, or 10.9% of revenues, in fiscal 2006. Operating income in fiscal 2007 includes the impact of the recognition of severance costs of $2.3 million. Operating income adjusted for severance costs increased 39% to $174.7 million, or 13.1% of revenues.

 

   

Net income available to common stockholders for fiscal 2007 was $97.1 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, and includes the impact of the recognition of severance costs of approximately $0.02 per diluted share. The current year period reflects an effective tax rate of 39.8%.

 

   

Net income available to common stockholders for fiscal 2006 was $71.6 million, or $1.49 per diluted share and includes pre-tax charges of $10.0 million related to the refinancing of debt and a non-recurring tax benefit of $10.9 million related to the recognition of deferred tax assets that were previously reserved.

 

   

Adjusted net income for fiscal 2007 totaled $98.5 million, or $1.54 per diluted share (see Exhibit 3), as compared to adjusted net income of $65.2 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, for fiscal 2006 (see Exhibit 4).

 

   

A reconciliation of net income on a GAAP basis to adjusted net income is included in Exhibits (3) and (4) of this press release.

Balance Sheet highlights as of February 2, 2008:

 

   

Inventories were $158.5 million, reflecting the impact of 33 net stores opened since the end of fiscal 2006.

 

   

Long-term debt was reduced to $125 million, which reflects the Company’s voluntary principal prepayments of $75 million made during fiscal 2007.

 

2


Guidance

The Company’s long-term financial targets include comparable store sales growth in the mid single digit range, Direct sales growth in the high single digits, net square footage expansion in the 7% to 9% range, and diluted EPS growth in excess of 20%.

The Company currently expects fiscal 2008 diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.85 to $1.87.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to providing financial results in accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided non-GAAP adjusted interest expense, loss on refinancing of debt, income taxes, net income, preferred stock dividends and earnings per share information for the three months and fiscal year ended February 3, 2007 in this release. This information reflects, on a non-GAAP adjusted basis, the Company’s adjusted interest expense, loss on refinancing of debt, income taxes, net income, preferred stock dividends and earnings per share after excluding the effects of transactions which resulted from the Company’s initial public offering, refinancings and adjusted tax rates. The Company has provided non-GAAP adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses, operating income, income taxes, net income and earnings per share information for the three months and fiscal year ended February 2, 2008. This information reflects, on a non-GAAP adjusted basis, the Company’s adjusted SG&A, operating income, income taxes, net income and earnings per share after excluding the severance costs recorded in connection with the departure of a senior executive. This non-GAAP financial information is provided to enhance the user’s overall understanding of the Company’s current financial performance. Specifically, the Company believes the non-GAAP adjusted results provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding expenses that the Company believes are not indicative of the Company’s future results. The non-GAAP financial information should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or as being superior to, net income, earnings per share or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP information and a reconciliation of this information to GAAP amounts for the three months and fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 and the three months and fiscal year ended February 3, 2007 are included in Exhibits (3) and (4), respectively.

Conference Call Information

A conference call to discuss fourth quarter results is scheduled for today, March 11, 2008, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 407-0784 approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be webcast live at www.jcrew.com. A replay of this call will be available until March 26, 2008 and can be accessed by dialing (877) 660-6853 and entering account number 3055 and conference ID number 276618.

About J. Crew Group, Inc.

J. Crew Group, Inc. is a nationally recognized multi-channel retailer of women’s and men’s apparel, shoes and accessories. As of March 8, 2008, the Company operates 203 retail stores (including four Crewcuts and seven Madewell stores), the J. Crew catalog business, jcrew.com, and 63 factory outlet stores. Additionally, certain product, press release and SEC filing information concerning the Company are available at the Company’s website www.jcrew.com.

 

3


Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements herein are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations or beliefs concerning future events and actual results of operations may differ materially from historical results or current expectations. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including the strength of the economy, changes in the overall level of consumer spending or preferences in apparel, the performance of the Company’s products within the prevailing retail environment, trade restrictions, political or financial instability in countries where the Company’s goods are manufactured, postal rate increases, paper and printing costs, availability of suitable store locations at appropriate terms and other factors which are set forth in the Company’s Form 10-K and in all filings with the SEC made by the Company subsequent to the filing of the Form 10-K. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

4


Exhibit (1)

J. Crew Group, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)

   Three Months
Ended
February 2, 2008
(13 weeks)
    Three Months
Ended
February 3, 2007
(14 weeks)
    Fiscal Year
Ended
February 2, 2008
(52 weeks)
    Fiscal Year
Ended
February 3, 2007
(53 weeks)
 

Net sales

        

Stores

   $ 260,627     $ 241,832     $ 914,810     $ 808,542  

Direct

     126,020       113,233       377,444       308,611  
                                
     386,647       355,065       1,292,254       1,117,153  

Other

     13,288       11,605       42,469       34,947  
                                

Total Revenues

     399,935       366,670       1,334,723       1,152,100  

Costs of goods sold, buying and occupancy costs

     234,956       216,886       746,180       651,748  
                                

Gross Profit

     164,979       149,784       588,543       500,352  

As a percent of revenues

     41.3 %     40.8 %     44.1 %     43.4 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     121,678       112,463       416,064       374,738  

As a percent of revenues

     30.4 %     30.7 %     31.2 %     32.5 %
                                

Operating income

     43,301       37,321       172,479       125,614  

As a percent of revenues

     10.8 %     10.2 %     12.9 %     10.9 %

Interest expense, net

     1,847       3,965       11,224       43,993  

Loss on refinancing of debt

     —         —         —         10,039  
                                

Income before income taxes

     41,454       33,356       161,255       71,582  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     16,497       (10,600 )     64,180       (6,200 )
                                

Net income

     24,957       43,956       97,075       77,782  

Preferred stock dividends

     —         —         —         (6,141 )
                                

Net income applicable to common shareholders

   $ 24,957     $ 43,956     $ 97,075     $ 71,641  
                                

Income per share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.41     $ 0.75     $ 1.61     $ 1.61  

Diluted

   $ 0.39     $ 0.71     $ 1.52     $ 1.49  

Weighted average shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     60,752       58,328       60,346       44,558  

Diluted

     64,003       62,144       63,748       48,039  

 

5


Exhibit (2)

J. Crew Group, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands)

   February 2, 2008    February 3, 2007

Assets

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 131,510    $ 88,900

Inventories

     158,525      140,670

Prepaid expenses and other currents assets

     33,293      30,728

Refundable income taxes

     9,794      8,600

Deferred income taxes, net

     —        8,200
             

Total current assets

     333,122      277,098

Property and equipment, net

     168,292      121,814

Deferred income taxes, net

     20,188      15,600

Other assets

     13,994      13,554
             

Total assets

   $ 535,596    $ 428,066
             

Liabilities and Stockholders’ equity

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 101,277    $ 77,836

Other current liabilities

     91,414      76,666

Income taxes payable

     —        5,496

Deferred income taxes, net

     2,382      —  
             

Total current liabilities

     195,073      159,998

Long-term debt

     125,000      200,000

Deferred credits

     67,600      62,448

Other liabilities

     7,601      —  

Stockholders’ equity

     140,322      5,620
             

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 535,596    $ 428,066
             

 

6


Exhibit (3)

Reconciliation of net income on a GAAP basis to “Adjusted net income” – Fiscal 2007

 

     Three Months Ended February 2, 2008     Fiscal Year Ended February 2, 2008  

(In thousands, except percentages

and per share amounts)

   GAAP
Basis
    Adjustments     As
Adjusted
    GAAP
Basis
    Adjustments     As
Adjusted
 

Total Revenues

   $ 399,935       —       $ 399,935     $ 1,334,723       —       $ 1,334,723  

Cost of goods sold, buying and occupancy costs

     234,956       —         234,956       746,180       —         746,180  

Gross profit

     164,979       —         164,979       588,543       —         588,543  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     121,678       (2,300 )(a)     119,378       416,064       (2,300 )(a)     413,764  

As a percent of revenues

     30.4 %       29.8 %     31.2 %       31.0 %

Operating income

     43,301       2,300       45,601       172,479       2,300       174,779  

As a percent of revenues

     10.8 %       11.4 %     12.9 %       13.1 %

Interest expense, net

     1,847       —         1,847       11,224       —         11,224  
                                                

Income before income taxes

     41,454       2,300       43,754       161,255       2,300       163,555  

Provision for income taxes

     16,497       916 (b)     17,413       64,180       916 (b)     65,096  
                                                

Net income

     24,957       1,384       26,341       97,075       1,384       98,459  

Preferred stock dividends

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
                                                

Net income applicable to common shareholders

   $ 24,957     $ 1,384     $ 26,341     $ 97,075     $ 1,384     $ 98,459  
                                                

Earnings per share:

            

Basic

   $ 0.41     $ 0.02     $ 0.43     $ 1.61     $ 0.02     $ 1.63  

Diluted

   $ 0.39     $ 0.02     $ 0.41     $ 1.52     $ 0.02     $ 1.54  

Weighted average shares outstanding:

            

Basic

     60,752       —         60,752       60,346       —         60,346  

Diluted

     64,003       —         64,003       63,748       —         63,748  

 

(a) to adjust selling, general and administrative expenses for severance costs recorded in connection with the departure of a senior executive.
(b) to adjust provision for income taxes to reflect the tax impact of the adjustment described in (a) above.

 

7


Exhibit (4)

Reconciliation of net income on a GAAP basis to “Adjusted net income” – Fiscal 2006

 

     Three Months Ended February 3, 2007    Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2007

(In thousands, except percentages

and per share amounts)

   GAAP
Basis
    Adjustments     As
Adjusted
   GAAP
Basis
    Adjustments     As
Adjusted

Total Revenues

   $ 366,670       —       $ 366,670    $ 1,152,100       —       $ 1,152,100

Cost of goods sold, buying and occupancy costs

     216,886       —         216,886      651,748       —         651,748

Gross profit

     149,784       —         149,784      500,352       —         500,352

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     112,463       —         112,463      374,738       —         374,738

Operating income

     37,321       —         37,321      125,614       —         125,614

Interest expense, net

     3,965       —         3,965      43,993       (24,556 )(a)     19,437

Loss on refinancing of debt

     —         —         —        10,039       (10,039 )(b)     —  
                                             

Income before income taxes

     33,356       —         33,356      71,582       34,595       106,177

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (10,600 )     23,475 (c)     12,875      (6,200 )     47,184 (c)     40,984
                                             

Net income

     43,956       (23,475 )     20,481      77,782       (12,589 )     65,193

Preferred stock dividends

     —         —         —        (6,141 )     6,141 (d)     —  
                                             

Net income applicable to common shareholders

   $ 43,956     $ (23,475 )   $ 20,481    $ 71,641     $ (6,448 )   $ 65,193
                                             

Earnings per share:

             

Basic

   $ 0.75     $ (0.40 )   $ 0.35    $ 1.61     $ (0.48 )   $ 1.13

Diluted

   $ 0.71     $ (0.38 )   $ 0.33    $ 1.49     $ (0.44 )   $ 1.05

Weighted average shares outstanding:

             

Basic

     58,328       —         58,328      44,558       13,339 (e)     57,897

Diluted

     62,144       —         62,144      48,039       14,242 (e)     62,281

 

(a)

to adjust interest expense for (i) the redemption of all outstanding preferred stock, (ii) the conversion of the 5% notes payable into common stock, (iii) the redemption of $21.7 million of the 13 1/8% debentures, (iv) the repayment of $275.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9 3/4% notes with the proceeds of the $285.0 million senior term loan, (v) the repayment of $35.0 million of the senior term loan with the proceeds of the IPO completed in July 2006 and (vi) the amortization of deferred financing costs related to the term loan entered into in May 2006, assuming each of these transactions had been completed at the beginning of the fiscal year.

(b) to eliminate the loss on refinancing of debt.
(c) to adjust the provision (benefit) for income taxes which includes a one-time benefit related to the recognition of deferred tax assets that were previously reserved for and to reflect the Company’s estimated future ongoing effective tax rate of 38.6% as the effective tax rate in the three months and fiscal year ended February 3, 2007 is not representative of the Company’s ongoing effective tax rate.
(d) to reflect the redemption of $92.8 million of Series A preferred stock.
(e) to reflect the number of common shares outstanding after the IPO on a basic and diluted basis.

 

8


Exhibit (5)

Actual and Projected Store Count and Square Footage

Actual Fiscal 2007

 

Quarter

   Total stores open
at beginning of
the quarter
   Number of stores
opened during
the quarter
   Number of stores
closed during the
quarter
   Total stores
open at end of
the quarter

1st Quarter

   227    6    0    233

2nd Quarter

   233    7    2    238

3rd Quarter

   238    18    1    255

4th Quarter

   255    6    1    260

Actual Fiscal 2007

 

Quarter

   Total gross square
feet at beginning of
the quarter
   Gross square feet
for stores

opened or expanded
during the quarter
   Reduction of
gross square feet
for stores closed or
downsized
during the quarter
  Total gross square
feet at end of

the quarter

1st Quarter

   1,543,904    22,615    0   1,566,519

2nd Quarter

   1,566,519    33,961    (20,939)   1,579,541

3rd Quarter

   1,579,541    87,645    (6,662)   1,660,524

4th Quarter

   1,660,524    36,399    (8,907)   1,688,016

Projected Fiscal 2008

 

Quarter

   Total stores open
at beginning of
the quarter
   Number of stores
opened during
the quarter
   Number of stores
closed during the
quarter
   Total stores
open at end of
the quarter

1st Quarter

   260    8    0    268

2nd Quarter

   268    8    1    275

3rd Quarter

   275    14    0    289

4th Quarter

   289    13    0    302

Projected Fiscal 2008

 

Quarter

   Total gross square
feet at beginning of
the quarter
   Gross square feet
for stores

opened or expanded
during the quarter
   Reduction of
gross square feet
for stores closed or
downsized
during the quarter
  Total gross square
feet at end of

the quarter

1st Quarter

   1,688,016    43,712    (2,261)   1,729,467

2nd Quarter

   1,729,467    28,340    (16,368)   1,741,439

3rd Quarter

   1,741,439    69,271    0   1,810,710

4th Quarter

   1,810,710    69,307    0   1,880,017

 

9