Release Details

BASSETT, Va., June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:BSET) announced today its results of operations for its fiscal quarter ended May 27, 2017.

Fiscal 2017 Second Quarter Highlights

• Consolidated sales were $114.1 million for the second quarter of 2017 compared to $106.7 million for the second quarter of 2016, an increase of 7.0%. 
• Operating income for the quarter was $7.6 million or 6.7% of sales as compared to $5.9 million or 5.5% of sales for the prior year quarter.
• Wholesale sales were $62.3 million for the second quarter of 2017 compared to $59.9 million for the second quarter of 2016, an increase of 4.0%.  Wholesale operating income for the quarter was $4.8 million or 7.7% of sales as compared to $4.3 million or 7.2% of sales for the prior year quarter.
• Company-owned store sales were $67.1 million for the second quarter of 2017 compared to $61.9 million for the second quarter of 2016, an increase of 8.4%. This included a comparable store sales increase of 6.3% compared to the prior year quarter. Comparable store operating income was $2.7 million or 4.2% of sales for the current year quarter as compared to $1.3 million or 2.1% of sales for the prior year quarter. Total retail operating income was $1.4 million or 2.0% of sales for the quarter as compared to $0.4 million or 0.6% of sales for the prior year quarter. Comparable store written sales for the quarter increased 4.2%.
• Revenue for Zenith was $24.6 million for the second quarter of 2017 compared to $23.8 million for the second quarter of 2016, a 3.4% increase.  Zenith's operating income for the quarter was $0.8 million or 3.2% of sales as compared to $0.7 million or 2.9% of sales for the prior year quarter.
• Net income for the quarter was $5.8 million or $0.54 per diluted share as compared to $3.4 million or $0.31 per diluted share for the prior year quarter. Included in the 2017 net income was a $3.3 million pre-tax gain on the sale of an equity investment and a $1.1 million pre-tax loss on the write down of a store property previously operated by a licensee. Excluding the effects of these items, net income would have been $4.5 million or $0.42 per diluted share.

"Solid performances in all three of our operating segments paved the way for our strong showing in the second quarter," commented Robert H. Spilman, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our 7.0% increase in consolidated sales provided the leverage for us to grow operating profit by 30% despite heavier investments in our digital platform and marketing in general. We have a number of new strategic initiatives currently underway that are designed to drive sales growth. Given that we are now in our seventh consecutive year of positive comparable store sales in our corporate store network, we believe that increasing consumer exposure to the Bassett brand via store expansion and robust marketing programs will enable us to build on this track record and to continue to generate top line revenue growth in the future."

Wholesale Segment

Net sales for the wholesale segment were $62.3 million for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to $59.9 million for the second quarter of 2016, an increase of $2.4 million or 4.0%. This increase was driven by a 3.5% increase in shipments to the Bassett Home Furnishings network as compared to the prior year period and a 6.3% increase in shipments to the open market (outside the Bassett Home Furnishings network). Gross margins for the wholesale segment were 33.8% for both the second quarter of 2017 and 2016. Margin improvements in the Upholstery operations were offset by margin decreases in the Wood operations. Wholesale SG&A for the second quarter of 2017 was $16.3 million as compared to $15.9 million for the prior year period. SG&A as a percentage of sales decreased to 26.1% as compared to 26.6% for the second quarter of 2016. This decrease in SG&A as a percentage of sales was primarily due to greater leverage of fixed costs from higher sales volumes. Operating income was $4.8 million or 7.7% of sales as compared to $4.3 million or 7.2% of sales in the prior year.

"Our domestically-produced customizable assortment again propelled our wholesale segment during the quarter," continued Spilman. "Consumers continue to gravitate to the array of finish and fabric options that characterize our Made in the USA product range with 76% of our quarterly wholesale sales mix shipped from a U.S. factory. Overall upholstery sales grew 11%. Investments in new frame cutting technology and automated fabric cutting equipment highlighted the quarter at our Newton, N.C. facility. We completed our multi-year plan of housing our Grand Prairie, Texas upholstery facility under the same roof as our southwest distribution center for our Zenith Logistics arm. We are currently recruiting to staff a second Texas production line in anticipation of the five new Bassett Home Furnishings stores slated to open in the region in the next nine months. Also noteworthy in our upholstery segment was the success of our Club Level by Bassett motion furniture product line at the April High Point Furniture Market. Club Level is targeted at independent furniture retailers outside of the Bassett store network and we expect to grow this business into a meaningful contribution to our wholesale segment."

"Results in our wood division were mixed as our domestic programs recorded double digit sales increases while sales of our import program declined," added Spilman. "The investment made earlier this year in our Martinsville, VA table plant began to pay off as our casual dining program grew by 22% and profits increased significantly. Our Bench Made program also generated strong year over year improvement. We are also encouraged by the reception to our new imported Bella Collection that debuted in High Point in April. Bella will hit our store floors in time for Labor Day sales events along with several other new introductions."

"Several new marketing programs have been part of our story in 2017," Spilman noted. "A weekly email marketing campaign began earlier this year and is designed to create a visceral connection for consumers to the Bassett brand through storytelling imagery. Accompanying this effort have been improvements to the navigation and load speed of our website. We are pleased to see the increases in traffic to BassettFurniture.com that we have experienced this year as a result. Finally, we have doubled the frequency of our direct mail offerings to work hand in hand with our digital programs. Supporting these strategies has been a corresponding escalation of our photography budget as these mediums require a constant supply of fresh settings of our products. We believe these investments are necessary to position Bassett as a leading national home furnishings brand in today's competitive marketplace."

Retail Segment

Net sales for the 62 Company-owned Bassett Home Furnishings stores were $67.1 million for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to $61.9 million for the second quarter of 2016, an increase of $5.2 million or 8.4%. The increase was due to a $3.7 million or 6.3% increase in comparable store sales along with a $1.5 million increase in non-comparable store sales. 

While the Company does not recognize sales until goods are delivered to the consumer, management tracks written sales (the retail dollar value of sales orders taken, rather than delivered) as a key store performance indicator. Written sales for comparable stores increased by 4.2% for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the second quarter of 2016. 

The consolidated retail operating profit for the second quarter of 2017 was $1.4 million as compared to $0.4 million for the second quarter of 2016, an increase of $1.0 million. The 56 comparable stores generated operating income of $2.7 million for the quarter, or 4.2% of sales, as compared to $1.3 million, or 2.1% of sales, for the prior year quarter. Gross margins for comparable stores were 50.6% for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to 49.5% for the second quarter of 2016. This increase is primarily due to a shift in the product introduction cycle as a significant product rollout occurred in the first quarter of 2017 as compared to the second quarter of 2016. Clearance activity is higher in the quarter when a product introduction occurs. SG&A expenses for comparable stores increased $1.1 million to $30.0 million or 46.4% of sales as compared to 47.4% of sales for the second quarter of 2016. The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of sales was primarily due to greater leverage of fixed costs due to higher sales volumes for the comparable stores. 

"Posting a 6.3% delivered comparable store sales increase underscores the vibrant store experience that we are presenting today," commented Spilman. "Our culture of continuous improvement foments a constant pursuit of new strategies to drive year over year sales increases. Prominent in this year's thinking is the expansion of our accessory line. Building on the success of our rug program, we have re-merchandised our lighting, window treatment, and wall décor assortments to both drive smaller ticket item sales and complement our in-home design capabilities. In May we added an e-commerce component to the mix that features direct-to-home shipping. We have also installed lighting fixtures and wall décor strike zones in 30 of our corporate stores to build authority in these categories. Early sales results and consumer engagement of these categories on our website have been encouraging."

"We continue to build new Bassett Home Furnishings stores while repositioning certain older locations to better real estate," continue Spilman. "King of Prussia, PA and Culver City, CA were new markets that we opened during the quarter. Plans currently include the opening of five new corporate stores and one licensed store over the next three quarters. We also plan to close three existing stores as their leases expire over that same period of time. Leveraging our investments in the Bassett brand over a larger geographical marketing area remains fundamental to our growth strategy."

Logistical Services Segment

Revenue for Zenith was $24.6 million for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to $23.8 million for 2016, an increase of $0.8 million or 3.4%. Increases in home delivery revenues were partially offset by decreases in freight and warehouse revenues. Revenues to both Bassett and non-Bassett customers were higher quarter over quarter. Zenith's operating expenses for the second quarter of 2017 were $23.8 million as compared to $23.1 million for the second quarter of 2016, an increase of $0.7 million or 3.0%. Higher fuel costs, increased fixed costs associated with the expansion and modernization of the transportation equipment fleet over the course of fiscal 2016 and higher other fleet costs were partially offset by lower purchased third-party freight and decreased personnel costs. This resulted in operating income of $0.8 or 3.2% of revenue for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to $0.7 million or 2.8% of revenue for the second quarter of 2016.

Other Items

In 1985, the Company acquired a minority interest in a privately-held, start-up provider of property and casualty insurance for $0.3 million. The Company accounted for this investment on the cost method and included it in other long-term assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. In April of 2017, the Company sold its interest for $3.6 million in cash, resulting in a $3.3 million gain for the quarter ended May 27, 2017.

The Company owns a building in Chesterfield County, Virginia that was formerly leased to a licensee for the operation of a BHF store. The building is subject to a ground lease that expires in 2020, but which has additional renewal options. Since 2012, the Company has leased the building to another party who is, as of recently, paying less than the full amount of the lease obligation, resulting in rental income insufficient to cover the ground lease obligation. Efforts to sell the Company's interest in the building have been unsuccessful so far. The Company also has concluded that absent a significant cash investment in the building the likelihood of locating another tenant for the building at a rent that would provide positive cash flow in excess of the ground lease expense is remote. In addition, the Company obtained an appraisal during the quarter ended May 27, 2017 which indicated that the value of the building had significantly decreased and was now minimal. Given these circumstances, the Company concluded in the current quarter that it is unlikely to renew the ground lease in 2020 and would therefore likely vacate the property at that time. Consequently, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $1.1 million in the quarter ended May 27, 2017 to write off the value of the building.

About Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.
Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:BSET), is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality, mid-priced home furnishings. With 91 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. The most significant growth opportunity for Bassett continues to be the Company's dedicated retail store program. Bassett's retail strategy includes affordable custom-built furniture that is ready for delivery in the home within 30 days. The stores also feature 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. 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," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "should," "estimates," or similar expressions, or those relating to or anticipating financial results for periods beyond the end of the second fiscal quarter of 2017, 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 Bassett's customers and consumers to obtain credit; and the economic, competitive, governmental and other factors identified in Bassett's 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.

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - unaudited
(In thousands, except for per share data)
	Quarter Ended												Six Months Ended
	May 27, 2017						May 28, 2016						May 27, 2017						May 28, 2016
				Percent of						Percent of						Percent of						Percent of
	Amount			Net Sales			Amount			Net Sales			Amount			Net Sales			Amount			Net Sales
Sales revenue:
Furniture and accessories	$	100,294					$	92,990					$	193,992					$	185,392
Logistics		13,831						13,677						26,025						28,148
Total sales revenue		114,125		100.0	%			106,667		100.0	%			220,017		100.0	%			213,540		100.0	%
Cost of furniture and accessories sold		44,981		39.4	%			42,419		39.8	%			86,879		39.5	%			84,405		39.5	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses excluding
new store pre-opening costs		61,075		53.5	%			58,088		54.5	%			119,599		54.4	%			117,045		54.8	%
New store pre-opening costs		469		0.4	%			307		0.3	%			1,275		0.6	%			446		0.2	%
Income from operations		7,600		6.7	%			5,853		5.5	%			12,264		5.6	%			11,644		5.5	%
Gain on sale of investment		3,267		2.9	%			-		0.0	%			3,267		1.5	%			-		0.0	%
Impairment of investment real estate		(1,084	)	-0.9	%			-		0.0	%			(1,084	)	-0.5	%			-		0.0	%
Other loss, net		(678	)	-0.6	%			(600	)	-0.6	%			(1,411	)	-0.6	%			(1,257	)	-0.6	%
Income before income taxes		9,105		8.0	%			5,253		4.9	%			13,036		5.9	%			10,387		4.9	%
Income tax provision		3,263		2.9	%			1,868		1.8	%			4,333		2.0	%			3,768		1.8	%
Net income	$	5,842		5.1	%		$	3,385		3.2	%		$	8,703		4.0	%		$	6,619		3.1	%
Basic earnings per share	$	0.55					$	0.31					$	0.82					$	0.61
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.54					$	0.31					$	0.81					$	0.61

 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
		(Unaudited)
Assets		May 27, 2017				November 26, 2016
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	29,798			$	35,144
Short-term investments			23,125				23,125
Accounts receivable, net			19,486				18,358
Inventories, net			58,093				53,215
Other current assets			8,599				10,727
Total current assets			139,101				140,569
Property and equipment, net			106,900				104,655
Other long-term assets
Deferred income taxes, net			8,112				8,071
Goodwill and other intangible assets			17,512				17,360
Other			5,471				7,612
Total long-term assets			31,095				33,043
Total assets		$	277,096			$	278,267
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	20,858			$	21,281
Accrued compensation and benefits			12,889				13,602
Customer deposits			22,649				25,181
Dividends payable			-				3,218
Current portion of long-term debt			3,346				3,290
Other accrued liabilities			11,847				10,441
Total current liabilities			71,589				77,013
Long-term liabilities
Post employment benefit obligations			13,714				12,760
Long-term debt			631				3,821
Other long-term liabilities			4,177				3,968
Total long-term liabilities			18,522				20,549
Stockholders' equity
Common stock			53,623				53,615
Retained earnings			135,947				129,388
Additional paid-in-capital			410				255
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(2,995	)			(2,553	)
Total stockholders' equity			186,985				180,705
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	277,096			$	278,267

 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - unaudited
(In thousands)
		Six Months Ended
		May 27, 2017				May 28, 2016
Operating activities:
Net income		$	8,703			$	6,619
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			6,706				5,611
Provision for asset impairment charge			1,084				-
Gain on sale of investment			(3,267	)			-
Tenant improvement allowances received from lessors			715				590
Deferred income taxes			318				1,198
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation			327				41
Other, net			960				697
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable			(904	)			2,436
Inventories			(4,535	)			5,062
Other current and long-term assets			2,128				(1,451	)
Customer deposits			(2,532	)			(3,867	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			(211	)			(5,926	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			9,492				11,010
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment			(9,172	)			(14,116	)
Proceeds from sale of retail  real estate and property and equipment			63				577
Proceeds from sale of investment			3,592				-
Acquisition of retail licensee store			(655	)			-
Other			223				-
Net cash used in investing activities			(5,949	)			(13,539	)
Financing activities:
Cash dividends			(5,363	)			(4,145	)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options			221				114
Other issuance of common stock			-				176
Repurchases of common stock			(82	)			(1,930	)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards			(474	)			-
Repayments of notes payable			(3,191	)			(4,920	)
Proceeds from equipment loans			-				6,692
Net cash used in financing activities			(8,889	)			(4,013	)
Change in cash and cash equivalents			(5,346	)			(6,542	)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period			35,144				36,268
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period		$	29,798			$	29,726

 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Segment Information - unaudited
(In thousands)
		Quarter Ended								Six Months Ended
		May 27, 2017				May 28, 2016				May 27, 2017				May 28, 2016
Net Sales
Wholesale		$	62,293			$	59,906			$	124,268			$	119,482
Retail - Company-owned stores			67,144				61,943				128,737				123,538
Logistical services			24,626				23,810				46,960				48,489
Inter-company eliminations:
Furniture and accessories			(29,143	)			(28,859	)			(59,013	)			(57,628	)
Logistical services			(10,795	)			(10,133	)			(20,935	)			(20,341	)
Consolidated		$	114,125			$	106,667			$	220,017			$	213,540
Operating Income
Wholesale		$	4,783			$	4,334			$	10,676			$	8,732
Retail			1,367				381				24				697
Logistical services			798				661				572				1,405
Inter-company elimination			652				477				992				810
Consolidated		$	7,600			$	5,853			$	12,264			$	11,644

 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Rollforward of BHF Store Count
		November 26,						May 27,
		2016	Opened*	Closed*		Transfers		2017
Company-owned stores		59	3	(1	)	1		62
Licensee-owned stores		31	-	(1	)	(1	)	29
Total		90	3	(2	)	-		91
* Does not include openings and closures due to relocation of existing stores within a market.

 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Retail Information--unaudited
(In thousands)
	56  Comparable Stores												56  Comparable Stores
	Quarter Ended						Quarter Ended						Six Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	May 27, 2017						May 28, 2016						May 27, 2017						May 28, 2016
				Percent of						Percent of						Percent of						Percent of
	Amount			Net Sales			Amount			Net Sales			Amount			Net Sales			Amount			Net Sales
Net sales	$	63,229		100.0	%		$	59,502		100.0	%		$	122,057		100.0	%		$	117,747		100.0	%
Cost of sales		31,214		49.4	%			30,032		50.5	%			61,094		50.1	%			59,225		50.3	%
Gross profit		32,015		50.6	%			29,470		49.5	%			60,963		49.9	%			58,522		49.7	%
Selling, general and administrative expense*		29,334		46.4	%			28,216		47.4	%			58,514		47.9	%			56,221		47.7	%
Income from operations	$	2,681		4.2	%		$	1,254		2.1	%		$	2,449		2.0	%		$	2,301		2.0	%
	All Other Stores												All Other Stores
	Quarter Ended						Quarter Ended						Six Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	May 27, 2017						May 28, 2016						May 27, 2017						May 28, 2016
				Percent of						Percent of						Percent of						Percent of
	Amount			Net Sales			Amount			Net Sales			Amount			Net Sales			Amount			Net Sales
Net sales	$	3,915		100.0	%		$	2,441		100.0	%		$	6,680		100.0	%		$	5,791		100.0	%
Cost of sales		1,858		47.5	%			1,609		65.9	%			3,437		51.5	%			3,731		64.4	%
Gross profit		2,057		52.5	%			832		34.1	%			3,243		48.5	%			2,060		35.6	%
Selling, general and administrative expense		2,902		74.1	%			1,398		57.3	%			4,393		65.8	%			3,218		55.6	%
Pre-opening store costs**		469		12.0	%			307		12.6	%			1,275		19.1	%			446		7.7	%
Loss from operations	$	(1,314	)	-33.6	%		$	(873	)	-35.8	%		$	(2,425	)	-36.3	%		$	(1,604	)	-27.7	%
*Comparable store SG&A includes retail corporate overhead and administrative costs.
**Pre-opening store costs include the accrual for straight-line rent recorded during the period between date of possession and store opening  date, employee payroll and training costs prior to store opening and other various expenses incurred prior to store opening.

J. Michael Daniel

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(276) 629-6614 - Investors



Jay S. Moore

Director of Communications

(276) 629-6450 - Media 

Source: Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.

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