bset20240124_8k.htm
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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) January 25, 2024
 

 
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 

 
Virginia
 
000-00209
 
54-0135270
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(Commission File No.)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
3525 FAIRYSTONE PARK HIGHWAY
BASSETT, Virginia
 
24055
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrants telephone number, including area code (276) 629-6000
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
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):
 
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol
 
Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock ($5.00 par value)
 
BSET
 
NASDAQ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Emerging growth company 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
 

 
 

 
Item 2.02.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On January 25, 2024, Bassett Furniture Industries issued a news release relating to the fourth quarter financial results for the fiscal year ending November 25, 2023. A copy of the news release announcing this information is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1.
 
 
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d) Exhibits
 
99.1
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document).
 
 

 
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.
 
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
Date: January 25, 2024
By:
/s/ J. Michael Daniel
J. Michael Daniel
Title:   Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
ex_619159.htm

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

https://cdn.kscope.io/6eb708096979fb205714a4f0b6b34730-ex_619159img001.jpg

 

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. 

P.O. Box 626

Bassett, VA 24055

J. Michael Daniel

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(276) 629-6614 – Investors

mdaniel@bassettfurniture.com

   
For Immediate Release

Peter D. Morrison

Vice President of Communications

(276) 629-6450 – Media

               

 

Bassett Furniture News Release

Bassett Announces Fiscal Fourth Quarter Results


 

(Bassett, Va.) – January 25, 2024 – Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: BSET) announced today its results of operations for its fourth quarter ended November 25, 2023.

 

Fiscal 2023 Fourth Quarter Highlights

(Dollars in millions)

 

   

Sales

   

Operating Income (Loss)

 
   

4th Qtr

   

Dollar

   

%

   

4th Qtr

   

% of

   

4th Qtr

   

% of

 
   

2023

   

2022

   

Change

   

Change

   

2023

   

Sales

   

2022

   

Sales

 

Consolidated (1)

  $ 94.7     $ 121.0     $ (26.3 )     -21.7 %   $ (4.5 )     -4.8 %   $ 6.7       5.5 %
                                                                 

Wholesale

  $ 60.6     $ 74.6     $ (14.0 )     -18.8 %   $ 8.4       13.9 %   $ 10.3       13.8 %
                                                                 

Retail

  $ 57.9     $ 74.5     $ (16.6 )     -22.3 %   $ 0.2       0.3 %   $ 5.5       7.4 %
                                                                 

Corporate & Other (2)

  $ 1.8     $ 2.0     $ (0.2 )     -10.0 %   $ (7.8 )     N/A     $ (9.4 )     N/A  

 

(1)

Our consolidated results include certain intercompany eliminations. See Table 4, “Segment Information” below for an illustration of the effects of these items on our consolidated sales and operating income.

   

(2)

Corporate and Other includes the operations of Noa Home Inc. for 2023 along with the shared Corporate costs that are benefiting both the Wholesale and Retail segments. This represents a change in our segment presentation from prior year periods. Previously, those shared Corporate costs had been included in the Wholesale segment and the operations of Noa Home Inc. were included in the Retail segment. Prior period results have been restated to conform to the current presentation.

 

 

 

The comparison to last year’s pandemic-fueled results plagued us again in our fourth quarter as consolidated sales fell by 21.7% resulting in considerably reduced operating results. Due to a noncash goodwill impairment charge discussed below, we recorded a loss for the quarter. Excluding the charge, the GAAP reported earnings per share of ($0.47) would have been $0.15 as compared to $0.61 in the fourth quarter of 2022. Year over year comparisons will be more favorable as 2024 unfolds but the difficult sales environment for home furnishings persists for the moment. That said, we improved our quarterly gross margin to 54.3% and produced an operating profit for the period if you exclude the goodwill impairment charge. We strengthened our balance sheet by virtue of generating $8.4 million of operating cash flow, ending the quarter with $70.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and no debt. We paid our regular quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share on November 24, 2023, and on January 11th our Board of Directors approved the next installment payable on March 1, 2024.

 

From a wholesale perspective, all categories experienced order declines although our Club Level, Bench Made domestic wood and domestic upholstery held up slightly better than the remaining product lines. Incoming wholesale orders were very similar for the final nine months of the year and appear to have stabilized, albeit at a relatively low level. We do sense that the massive inventory buildup at our open market accounts has finally begun to subside, which should provide new opportunities. Over the course of the year, we made necessary headcount adjustments to our domestic manufacturing footprint and remain vigilant as we match our backlogs with our production capacity. We ended the quarter and the year with $36.0 million of wholesale inventory, a 38.7% reduction compared to year end 2022. As expected, we did see a nice improvement in the overall margins compared to the third quarter of 2023 as we continue to cycle through excess Club Level inventory and imported wood product that both had the inflated container freight from 2022. We essentially cut the excess Club Level inventory in half over the course of the fourth quarter to approximately $3.5 million and expect to sell the remainder over the first two quarters of 2024. In spite of a 16.7% decrease in domestic upholstery sales from our Newton facility compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, we slightly increased our operating profit; a testament to the operational efficiencies of our associates in those facilities. We expect to continue to see margin improvement in our wholesale operations over the course of 2024.

 

On the back of improved gross margins, corporate retail operated profitably but significantly behind last year’s strong quarter as delivered sales fell by 22.2%. Close ratios were at all-time highs, our average order value improved, and design projects accounted for over 45% of sales. Our design staffs are doing a tremendous job of maximizing their opportunities and building bigger tickets. In short, the stores operated quite well under challenging circumstances. We believe that there is room to further improve our gross margins through new pricing and promotional strategies and by employing increased discipline in the disposition of our clearance merchandise. In late October, we completed an extensive remodeling of the first Bassett store, originally opened in Austin, Texas in 1997. We also completed the upfit of the location we purchased in Tampa, FL in 2022 with the doors opening for business in mid-January. Located in a heavily trafficked retail corridor, our fifth Florida location combines all of the elements behind the Bassett brand today. We also plan for one other opening in the Houston area later in the first quarter of 2024. After that, we will focus on refurbishing five to six of our legacy stores over the remainder of the year.

 

In the five quarters of ownership of Noa Home Inc., we have collaborated with the Noa team to open Western Canadian distribution, increase gross margins, better align advertising expenditures with sales, and establish a more disciplined financial reporting environment. In the next few months, we plan to exit the Australian e-commerce market, where we primarily sell mattresses, to concentrate on North America where we primarily sell furniture. However, the overall environment for e-commerce furniture sales has significantly softened since our purchase of Noa resulting in financial performance well below the original projections. Consequently, we recorded a noncash goodwill impairment charge of $5.4 million during the quarter.

 

 

 

We completed the migration to our new world class e-commerce platform just prior to the end of our third quarter in August of 2023. Since then, we have seen increased engagement as visitors are spending more time on our website as they view a greater number of pages. Our average order value has increased and more purchases are being made at the premium end of our line. Our ultimate goal is to provide a seamless omnichannel experience for our customers allowing them to shop on-line or in the store. We expect the more complicated projects will continue to use the talents of our design consultants as customers will need assistance in maneuvering through our options in our best-in-class custom furniture offerings. Additional enhancements to bassettfurniture.com are planned during 2024 that will improve brand engagement and customer visualization resulting in what we believe will be higher store and web sales.

 

Favorable demographics provide optimism for the future of home furnishings as millennial household formation unfolds. The post pandemic boom has led to a period of difficulty and disruption as witnessed by the bankruptcies of several prominent players in 2023. Although last year and early 2024 have been challenging, we have seen downturns before and we have a positive outlook on the future, perhaps with anticipated interest rate reductions later this year. In the meantime, we will focus our attention on product innovation, improving sales technology, updating our stores, enhancing margins, bringing in new talent, and prudently managing our balance sheet as we anticipate the inevitable upswing in the home furnishings space.

 

 

Robert H. Spilman, Jr., Chairman and CEO

 

 

About Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:BSET), is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality home furnishings. With 88 company- and licensee-owned stores at the time of this release, Bassett has leveraged its strong brand name in furniture into a network of corporate and licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories. Bassett’s retail strategy includes stylish, custom-built furniture that features the latest on-trend furniture styles, free in-home design visits, and coordinated decorating accessories. Bassett also has a traditional wholesale business with more than 700 accounts on the open market, across the United States and internationally and a logistics business specializing in home furnishings. For more information, visit the Company’s website at bassettfurniture.com. (BSET-E)

 

Certain of the statements in this release, particularly those preceded by, followed by or including the words believes, plans, expects, anticipates, intends, should, estimates, or similar expressions, or those relating to or anticipating financial results or changes in operations for periods beyond the end of the fourth fiscal quarter of 2023, constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. For those statements, Bassett claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In many cases, Bassett cannot predict what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Expectations included in the forward-looking statements are based on preliminary information as well as certain assumptions which management believes to be reasonable at this time. The following important factors affect Bassett and could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements: the effects of national and global economic or other conditions and future events on the retail demand for home furnishings and the ability of Bassetts customers and consumers to obtain credit; the success of marketing, logistics, retail and other initiatives; and the economic, competitive, governmental and other factors identified in Bassetts filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement that Bassett makes speaks only as of the date of such statement, and Bassett undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indication of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.

###

 

 

 

Table 1

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - unaudited

(In thousands, except for per share data)

 

   

Quarter Ended

   

Year Ended

 
   

November 25, 2023

   

November 26, 2022

   

November 25, 2023

   

November 26, 2022

 
           

Percent of

           

Percent of

           

Percent of

           

Percent of

 
   

Amount

   

Net Sales

   

Amount

   

Net Sales

   

Amount

   

Net Sales

   

Amount

   

Net Sales

 
                                                                 

Net sales of furniture and accessories

  $ 94,702       100.0 %   $ 121,019       100.0 %   $ 390,136       100.0 %   $ 485,601       100.0 %

Cost of furniture and accessories sold

    43,288       45.7 %     56,784       46.9 %     183,648       47.1 %     237,262       48.9 %

Gross profit

    51,414       54.3 %     64,235       53.1 %     206,488       52.9 %     248,339       51.1 %
                                                                 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    50,518       53.3 %     57,532       47.5 %     205,227       52.6 %     218,069       44.9 %

Goodwill impairment charge

    5,409       5.7 %     -       0.0 %     5,409       1.4 %     -       0.0 %

Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration

    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     1,013       0.3 %     -       0.0 %

Gain on sale of real estate

    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     4,595       8.9 %

Income (loss) from operations

    (4,513 )     -4.8 %     6,703       5.5 %     (3,135 )     -0.8 %     34,865       7.2 %
                                                                 

Interest income

    883       1.7 %     170       0.3 %     2,528       4.9 %     302       0.6 %

Other loss, net

    (500 )     -0.5 %     877       0.7 %     (1,881 )     -0.5 %     (1,105 )     -0.2 %

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

    (4,130 )     -4.4 %     7,750       6.4 %     (2,488 )     -0.6 %     34,062       7.0 %
                                                                 

Income tax expense (benefit)

    (28 )     0.0 %     2,197       1.8 %     683       0.2 %     8,702       1.8 %

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    (4,102 )     -4.3 %     5,553       4.6 %     (3,171 )     -0.8 %     25,360       5.2 %
                                                                 

Discontinued operations:

                                                               

Income from operations of logistical services

    -               -               -               1,712          

Gain on disposal (less adjustments)

    -               (528 )             -               52,534          

Income tax expense

    -               (1 )             -               14,261          
                                                                 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations - net of tax

    -               (527 )             -               39,985          
                                                                 

Net income (loss)

  $ (4,102 )           $ 5,026             $ (3,171 )           $ 65,345          
                                                                 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:

                                                               

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $ (0.47 )           $ 0.61             $ (0.36 )           $ 2.70          

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    -               (0.06 )             -               4.26          

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

  $ (0.47 )           $ 0.55             $ (0.36 )           $ 6.96          

 

 

 

Table 2

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

   

(Unaudited)

         

 

 

November 25, 2023

   

November 26, 2022

 
Assets                

Current assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 52,407     $ 61,625  

Short-term investments

    17,775       17,715  

Accounts receivable, net

    13,736       17,838  

Inventories, net

    62,982       85,477  

Recoverable income taxes

    2,574       2,353  

Other current assets

    8,480       11,487  

Total current assets

    157,954       196,495  
                 

Property and equipment, net

    83,981       77,001  
                 

Other long-term assets

               

Deferred income taxes, net

    4,645       5,528  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

    16,067       21,727  

Right of use assets under operating leases

    100,888       99,472  

Other

    6,889       6,050  

Total long-term assets

    128,489       132,777  

Total assets

  $ 370,424     $ 406,273  
                 

Liabilities and Stockholders Equity

               

Current liabilities

               

Accounts payable

  $ 16,338     $ 20,359  

Accrued compensation and benefits

    8,934       12,921  

Customer deposits

    22,788       35,963  

Current portion of operating lease obligations

    18,827       18,819  

Other accrued expenses

    11,003       12,765  

Total current liabilities

    77,890       100,827  
                 

Long-term liabilities

               

Post employment benefit obligations

    10,207       9,954  

Long-term portion of operating lease obligations

    97,357       97,477  

Other long-term liabilities

    1,529       2,406  

Total long-term liabilities

    109,093       109,837  
                 
                 

Stockholders equity

               

Common stock

    43,842       44,759  

Retained earnings

    139,354       150,800  

Additional paid-in-capital

    93       -  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    152       50  

Total stockholders' equity

    183,441       195,609  

Total liabilities and stockholders equity

  $ 370,424     $ 406,273  

 

 

 

Table 3

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - unaudited

(In thousands)

 

   

Year Ended

 
   

November 25, 2023

   

November 26, 2022

 

Operating activities:

               

Net income

  $ (3,171 )   $ 65,345  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    10,141       11,309  

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations

    -       (52,534 )

Gain on sale of property and equipment

    5       (4,595 )

Goodwill impairment charges

    5,409       -  

Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration

    (1,013 )     -  

Inventory valuation charges

    4,626       3,648  

Deferred income taxes

    831       (2,339 )

Other, net

    2,031       (302 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

               

Accounts receivable

    4,102       3,169  

Inventories

    17,869       (9,536 )

Other current and long-term assets

    1,773       5,944  

Right of use assets under operating leases

    18,680       20,531  

Customer deposits

    (13,175 )     (16,588 )

Accounts payable and other liabilities

    (9,188 )     (4,073 )

Obligations under operating leases

    (20,196 )     (22,949 )

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    18,724       (2,970 )
                 

Investing activities:

               

Purchases of property and equipment

    (17,489 )     (21,296 )

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

    500       8,226  

Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations, net

    1,000       84,534  

Cash paid for business acquisition, net of cash acquired

    -       (5,582 )

Other

    (1,774 )     (40 )

Net cash used in investing activities

    (17,763 )     65,842  
                 

Financing activities:

               

Cash dividends

    (5,982 )     (20,162 )

Other issuance of common stock

    318       424  

Repurchases of common stock

    (4,176 )     (15,122 )

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards

    (109 )     (19 )

Repayments of finance lease obligations

    (278 )     (684 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (10,227 )     (35,563 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

    48       (58 )

Change in cash and cash equivalents

    (9,218 )     27,251  

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

    61,625       34,374  
                 

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

  $ 52,407     $ 61,625  

 

 

 

Table 4

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Segment Information - unaudited

(In thousands)

 

   

Quarter Ended

   

Year Ended

 
   

November 25, 2023

   

November 26, 2022

   

November 25, 2023

   

November 26, 2022

 

Sales Revenue

                               

Wholesale sales of furniture and accessories

  $ 60,593     $ 74,624     $ 248,911     $ 324,569  

Less: Sales to retail segment

    (25,587 )     (29,913 )     (103,519 )     (125,889 )

Wholesale sales to external customers

    35,006       44,711       145,392       198,680  

Retail sales of furniture and accessories

    57,936       74,506       235,940       285,119  

Corporate & Other (1)

    1,760       1,802       8,804       1,802  

Consolidated net sales of furniture and accessories

  $ 94,702     $ 121,019     $ 390,136     $ 485,601  
                                 
                                 

Income from Operations

                               

Wholesale

  $ 8,360     $ 10,323     $ 30,699     $ 41,979  

Retail

    215       5,548       (536 )     19,352  

Net expenses - Corporate and other (1)

    (7,786 )     (9,364 )     (29,926 )     (30,997 )

Inter-company elimination

    107       196       1,024       (64 )

Goodwill impairment charge

    (5,409 )     -       (5,409 )        

Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration

    -       -       1,013       -  

Gain on sale of real estate

    -       -       -       4,595  

Consolidated

  $ (4,513 )   $ 6,703     $ (3,135 )   $ 34,865  

 

(1)

Corporate and Other includes the operations of Noa Home Inc. for 2023 along with the shared Corporate costs that are benefiting both the Wholesale and Retail segments. This represents a change in our segment presentation from prior year periods. Previously, those shared Corporate costs had been included in the Wholesale segment and the operations of Noa Home Inc. were included in the Retail segment. Prior period results have been restated to conform to the current presentation.