bset20150929_8k.htm

 

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) October 1, 2015

 


 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

VIRGINIA

0-209

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)

 

Registrant’s 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))

 



 

 
 

 

  

Item 2.02.

Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On October 1, 2015 Bassett Furniture Industries issued a news release relating to, among other things, the third quarter financial results for the fiscal year ending November 28, 2015. A copy of the news release announcing this information is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.

  

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

  

Exhibit 99

News release issued by Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. on October 1, 2015.

 

 
 

 

 

 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: October 1, 2015                    

By:

/s/ J. Michael Daniel

 

 

J. Michael Daniel

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 
 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

Description

 

Exhibit No. 99         News release issued by Bassett Furniture Industries on October 1, 2015.

.

 

 

ex99.htm

Exhibit 99

 

 

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.

J. Michael Daniel 

P.O. Box 626

Senior Vice President and

Bassett, VA 24055 

Chief Financial Officer

  (276) 629-6614 – Investors
   
 

Jay S. Moore

  Director of Communications
For Immediate Release (276) 629-6450 – Media

 

 

 

Bassett Furniture News Release

Bassett Announces Fiscal Third Quarter Results


 

(Bassett, Va.) – October 1, 2015 – Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: BSET) announced today its results of operations for its fiscal quarter ended August 29, 2015.

 

Fiscal 2015 Third Quarter Highlights

 

Consolidated sales were $111.0 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $85.2 million for the third quarter of 2014, an increase of 30%. Excluding the sales from the acquisition of Zenith Freight Lines, LLC (“Zenith”), consolidated sales increased 14%.

 

Operating income for the quarter was $7.7 million or 6.9% of sales as compared to $3.4 million or 4.0% of sales for the prior year quarter. Excluding the effects of Zenith, operating income would have been $6.6 million or 6.8% of sales.

 

Wholesale sales were $62.2 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $56.1 million for the third quarter of 2014, an increase of 11%. Wholesale operating profit was $3.8 million or 6.1% of sales as compared to $3.2 million or 5.7% of sales for the prior year quarter.

 

Company-owned store sales increased 15%, including a comparable store sales increase of 14%, compared to the prior year quarter. Comparable store operating income was $2.2 million or 3.7% of sales for the current year quarter as compared to $0.4 million for the prior year quarter, a $1.8 million improvement. Total retail operating income was $2.0 million or 3.3% of sales for the quarter as compared to a loss of $0.2 million for the prior year quarter.

 

Zenith, acquired in the first quarter of 2015, generated operating income of $1.1 million on sales of $23.7 million or 4.6% of sales.

 

Net income for the quarter increased to $4.3 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, as compared to $2.3 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the prior year quarter, representing an 89% increase over the prior year quarter.

 

“We are very pleased to report a strong performance in our 2015 third quarter in what is shaping up to be a very good year for Bassett,” commented Robert H. Spilman, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer. “Consolidated sales grew by 30% and operating income more than doubled to $7.7 million, or 6.9% of sales, as our integrated strategy of dedicated distribution and open market sales once again combined to produce significant year-over-year improvement. Our product assortment, manufacturing efficiency, in-store retail experience, and logistics expertise are working synchronously to provide the consumer with a highly personalized home furnishings solution that continues to drive gains in market share for the Company. We enter the historically strong fall selling season with positive energy and a focus on sustaining our track record of enhanced operating results.”

 

 
 

 

 

Wholesale Segment

 

Net sales for the wholesale segment were $62.2 million for the third quarter of 2015 as compared to $56.1 million for the third quarter of 2014, an increase of $6.1 million or 11%. This sales increase was driven by a 7.8% increase in shipments to the Bassett Home Furnishings store network and a 15% increase in open market shipments (outside the Bassett Home Furnishings store network). Gross margins for the wholesale segment increased to 33.5% for the third quarter of 2015 as compared to 32.5% for the third quarter of 2014 due primarily to improved pricing strategies with respect to the upholstery offerings and improved margins in our domestic wood operations. Wholesale SG&A increased $2.0 million to $17.0 million for the third quarter of 2015 as compared to $15.0 million for the third quarter of 2014. SG&A as a percentage of sales increased to 27.4% as compared to 26.8% for the third quarter of 2014 primarily due to higher bad debt costs and increased incentive compensation. Operating income was $3.8 million or 6.1% of sales as compared to $3.2 million or 5.7% of sales in the prior year.

 

“Wholesale sales grew by 11% for the quarter,” continued Spilman. “Once again, all of our growth came from our domestically produced custom dining and custom upholstery programs. In addition to our legacy custom casual dining program, our recently introduced Bench★Made premium dining program performed very well in the period and presents us an exciting opportunity to expand this product range going forward. Domestic upholstery continued to anchor our assortment with a 17% increase in sales. We are in the midst of rolling out our HGTV Design Studio by Bassett program into the independent furniture retail arena and will kick off with a nationally advertised HGTV Custom Event in October. This effort is designed to extend the success that we have enjoyed with our custom upholstery products in the Bassett store network and will be our primary open market growth initiative in the future. Although our imported furniture sales declined slightly during the period, our new Provence bedroom and Artisanal occasional introductions quickly rose to be top sellers this summer after their Memorial Day debut. We believe that the unique blend of domestically manufactured products and imported items designed by our merchandising staff have propelled our growth over the past few years. Building on this success, we are excited about the upcoming product introductions that are coming this fall.”

 

Retail Segment

 

Net sales for the 59 Company-owned Bassett Home Furnishings stores were $62.0 million for the third quarter of 2015 as compared to $54.0 million for the third quarter of 2014, an increase of $8.0 million or 15%. The increase was primarily due to a $7.4 million or 14% increase in comparable store sales coupled with a $0.6 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 4.4% for the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the third quarter of 2014. Written sales were affected by the timing of the Labor Day holiday which caused approximately half of the Labor Day promotional period to occur during the fourth quarter of 2015, whereas most of the promotional period occurred during the third quarter for 2014. Comparable store written sales for the entire two week Labor Day promotion increased 14% as compared to the prior year.

 

 
 

 

 

The consolidated retail operating profit for the third quarter of 2015 was $2.0 million as compared to a loss of $0.2 million for the third quarter of 2014, an improvement of $2.2 million. The 58 comparable stores generated operating income of $2.2 million for the quarter, or 3.7% of sales, as compared to $0.4 million, or 0.8% of sales, for the prior year quarter. Gross margins for comparable stores were 50.2% for the third quarter of 2015 compared to 50.1% for the third quarter of 2014. SG&A expenses for comparable stores increased $2.0 million to $27.9 million or 46.5% of sales as compared to 49.3% of sales for the third quarter of 2014. The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of sales is primarily due to greater leverage of fixed costs due to higher sales volumes for the comparable stores.

 

“The 14% sales growth recorded by our corporate retail division marked the fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit comparable store sales increases,” said Spilman. “We are on a five year run of comparable store sales growth which has been the key to the Company’s improvement trend over the same period of time. In the third quarter alone, corporate retail profitability improved by $2.2 million. While we plan to continue to grow our business at a healthy rate and to invest capital where appropriate in order to further expand our retail store network, we do not expect to be able to sustain the double digit comp store sales increases we have seen to date. Accordingly, we will base our near term financial and capital plans on a more moderate rate of sales and profitability growth to ensure we maintain a solid balance sheet for the future. Our current plans primarily include adding stores to fill out existing underpenetrated markets. We plan to more fully communicate our intended rate of store expansion early in 2016.”

 

Currently, the Company and certain licensees are actively engaged in site selection and lease negotiations for several new stores. One new corporate store in Woodland Hills, California is expected to open in early October 2015 with another new store in Sterling, Virginia scheduled to open during the first half of fiscal 2016. One licensee store opened in September 2015 with another expected to open during the first half of fiscal 2016. The Company also expects to relocate the Newport News, Virginia store during the first quarter of 2016.

 

 

 

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 93 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, more than 1,000 upholstery fabrics, free in-home design visits, and coordinated decorating accessories. Bassett is also growing its traditional wholesale business with more than 600 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 third fiscal quarter of 2015, 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

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

August 29, 2015

   

August 30, 2014

   

August 29, 2015

   

August 30, 2014

         
           

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

  $ 97,107             $ 85,186             $ 286,122             $ 246,018          

Logistics

    13,904               -               29,250               -          

Total sales revenue

    111,011       100.0 %     85,186       100.0 %     315,372       100.0 %     246,018       100.0 %
                                                                 

Cost of furniture and accessories sold

    44,824       40.4

%*

    40,168       47.2 %     133,676       42.4

%*

    115,434       46.9 %
                                                                 

Selling, general and administrative expenses excluding new store pre-opening costs

    58,303       52.5

%*

    41,510       48.7 %     163,203       51.7

%*

    120,991       49.2 %

New store pre-opening costs

    192       0.2 %     109       0.1 %     236       0.1 %     1,217       0.5 %

Lease exit costs

    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     419       0.1 %     -       0.0 %

Asset impairment charges

    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     106       0.0 %     -       0.0 %

Management restructuring costs

    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     449       0.1 %     -       0.0 %

Income from operations

    7,692       6.9 %     3,399       4.0 %     17,283       5.5 %     8,376       3.4 %
                                                                 

Remeasurement gain on acquisition of affiliate

    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     7,212       2.3 %     -       0.0 %

Income from Continued Dumping & Subsidy Offset Act

    -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     1,066       0.3 %     -       0.0 %

Other loss, net

    (472 )     -0.4 %     (65 )     -0.1 %     (1,692 )     -0.5 %     (52 )     0.0 %

Income before income taxes

    7,220       6.5 %     3,334       3.9 %     23,869       7.6 %     8,324       3.4 %
                                                                 

Income tax provision

    2,954       2.7 %     1,078       1.3 %     9,118       2.9 %     2,674       1.1 %

Net income

  $ 4,266       3.8 %   $ 2,256       2.6 %   $ 14,751       4.7 %   $ 5,650       2.3 %
                                                                 

Basic earnings per share

  $ 0.39             $ 0.22             $ 1.38             $ 0.54          
                                                                 

Diluted earnings per share

  $ 0.39             $ 0.21             $ 1.36             $ 0.53          

 

* Because it is a service company, all operating costs for Zenith are included in consolidated Selling, general and administrative expenses. The acquisition of Zenith has the effect of reducing consolidated Cost of furniture and accessories sold as a percentage of sales and increasing Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales as compared to the prior year. For comparative purposes only, Cost of furniture and accessories sold would have been 46.2% and 46.7% and Selling, general and adminstrative expenses would have been 47.0% and 47.7% of sales for the quarter and nine months ended August 29, 2015, respectively, excluding the effects of Zenith.

 

 
 

 

 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

   

(Unaudited)

         
   

August 29, 2015

   

November 29, 2014

 
Assets            

Current assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 20,600     $ 26,673  

Short-term investments

    23,125       23,125  

Accounts receivable, net

    19,545       15,228  

Inventories, net

    65,437       57,272  

Deferred income taxes, net

    5,378       5,268  

Other current assets

    8,313       7,796  

Total current assets

    142,398       135,362  
                 

Property and equipment, net

    96,579       74,812  
                 

Other long-term assets

               

Deferred income taxes, net

    5,813       9,701  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

    17,762       1,730  

Other

    8,065       19,141  

Total long-term assets

    31,640       30,572  

Total assets

  $ 270,617     $ 240,746  
                 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

               

Current liabilities

               

Accounts payable

  $ 21,609     $ 22,251  

Accrued compensation and benefits

    12,014       8,931  

Customer deposits

    19,006       22,202  

Dividends payable

    -       2,102  

Current portion of long-term debt

    4,476       316  

Other accrued liabilities

    11,734       10,971  

Total current liabilities

    68,839       66,773  
                 

Long-term liabilities

               

Post employment benefit obligations

    11,353       11,498  

Long-term debt

    10,360       1,902  

Other long-term liabilities

    3,986       3,741  

Total long-term liabilities

    25,699       17,141  
                 
                 

Stockholders’ equity

               

Common stock

    54,681       52,467  

Retained earnings

    118,386       106,339  

Additional paid-in-capital

    4,876       -  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (1,864 )     (1,974 )

Total stockholders' equity

    176,079       156,832  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 270,617     $ 240,746  

 

 
 

 

 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - unaudited

(In thousands)

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

August 29, 2015

   

August 30, 2014

 

Operating activities:

               

Net income

  $ 14,751     $ 5,650  

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

               

Depreciation and amortization

    7,302       5,428  

Equity in undistributed income of investments and unconsolidated affiliated companies

    (220 )     (534 )

Provision for restructuring and asset impairment charges

    106       -  

Non-cash portion of lease exit costs

    419       -  

Re-measurement gain on acquisition of affiliate

    (7,212 )     -  

Tenant improvement allowances received from lessors

    933       2,119  

Deferred income taxes

    3,778       882  

Collateral deposited with insurance carrier

    -       (1,150 )

Other, net

    1,445       (165 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

               

Accounts receivable

    (751 )     19  

Inventories

    (8,165 )     (1,151 )

Other current and long-term assets

    (21 )     732  

Customer deposits

    (3,196 )     3,870  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    2,158       2,570  

Net cash provided by operating activities

    11,327       18,270  
                 

Investing activities:

               

Purchases of property and equipment

    (11,283 )     (15,210 )

Proceeds from sale of retail real estate and property and equipment

    2,952       5,157  

Cash paid for business acquisition, net of cash acquired

    (7,323 )     -  

Capital contribution to affiliate

    (1,345 )     -  

Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments

    -       5,000  

Proceeds from sale of interest in affiliate

    -       2,348  

Other

    -       246  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (16,999 )     (2,459 )
                 

Financing activities:

               

Cash dividends

    (4,806 )     (4,316 )

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

    4,018       33  

Other issuance of common stock

    254       242  

Repurchases of common stock

    (1,374 )     (4,621 )

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards

    (178 )     (489 )

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

    2,008       257  

Repayments of notes payable

    (1,630 )     (208 )

Proceeds from equipment loans

    1,307       -  

Net cash used in financing activities

    (401 )     (9,102 )

Change in cash and cash equivalents

    (6,073 )     6,709  

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

    26,673       12,733  

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

  $ 20,600     $ 19,442  

 

 
 

 

  

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Segment Information - unaudited

(In thousands)

 

   

Quarter Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

August 29, 2015

   

August 30, 2014

   

August 29, 2015

   

August 30, 2014

 

Net Sales

                               

Wholesale

  $ 62,165     $ 56,069     $ 187,675     $ 163,339  

Retail - Company-owned stores

    62,009       53,987       183,113       154,401  

Logistical services

    23,650       -       51,607       -  

Inter-company eliminations:

                               

Furniture and accessories

    (27,067 )     (24,870 )     (84,666 )     (71,722 )

Logistical services

    (9,746 )     -       (22,357 )     -  

Consolidated

  $ 111,011     $ 85,186     $ 315,372     $ 246,018  
                                 

Operating Income (Loss)

                               

Wholesale

  $ 3,795     $ 3,216     $ 11,518     $ 9,821  

Retail

    2,037       (167 )     3,967       (2,605 )

Logistical services

    1,070       -       2,089       -  

Inter-company elimination

    790       350       683       1,160  

Management restructuring costs

    -       -       (449 )     -  

Lease exit costs

    -       -       (419 )     -  

Asset impairment charges

    -       -       (106 )     -  

Consolidated

  $ 7,692     $ 3,399     $ 17,283     $ 8,376  

 

 
 

 

 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Rollforward of BHF Store Count

 

   

November 30,

                   

August 29,

 
   

2014

   

Opened*

   

Closed*

   

2015

 
                                 

Company-owned stores

    60       -       (1 )     59  

Licensee-owned stores

    34       -       (1 )     33  
                                 

Total

    94       -       (2 )     92  

 

* Does not include openings and closures due to relocation of existing stores within a market. Subsequent to quarter end, one new Licensee store was opened.

 

 
 

 

 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Supplemental Retail Information--unaudited

(In thousands)

 

   

58 Comparable Stores

   

53 Comparable Stores

 
   

Quarter Ended

   

Quarter Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

August 29, 2015

   

August 30, 2014

   

August 29, 2015

   

August 30, 2014

 
           

Percent of

           

Percent of

           

Percent of

           

Percent of

 
   

Amount

   

Net Sales

   

Amount

   

Net Sales

   

Amount

   

Net Sales

   

Amount

   

Net Sales

 
                                                                 

Net sales

  $ 60,096       100.0 %   $ 52,702       100.0 %   $ 165,757       100.0 %   $ 142,988       100.0 %
                                                                 

Cost of sales

    29,924       49.8 %     26,318       49.9 %     82,858       50.0 %     71,661       50.1 %
                                                                 

Gross profit

    30,172       50.2 %     26,384       50.1 %     82,899       50.0 %     71,327       49.9 %
                                                                 

Selling, general and administrative expense*

    27,936       46.5 %     25,965       49.3 %     77,995       47.1 %     71,203       49.8 %
                                                                 

Income from operations

  $ 2,236       3.7 %   $ 419       0.8 %   $ 4,904       2.9 %   $ 124       0.1 %

 

 

   

All Other Stores

   

All Other Stores

 
   

Quarter Ended

   

Quarter Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

August 29, 2015

   

August 30, 2014

   

August 29, 2015

   

August 30, 2014

 
           

Percent of

           

Percent of

           

Percent of

           

Percent of

 
   

Amount

   

Net Sales

   

Amount

   

Net Sales

   

Amount

   

Net Sales

   

Amount

   

Net Sales

 
                                                                 

Net sales

  $ 1,913       100.0 %   $ 1,285       100.0 %   $ 17,356       100.0 %   $ 11,413       100.0 %
                                                                 

Cost of sales

    944       49.3 %     736       57.3 %     8,574       49.4 %     5,686       49.8 %
                                                                 

Gross profit

    969       50.7 %     549       42.7 %     8,782       50.6 %     5,727       50.2 %
                                                                 

Selling, general and administrative expense

    976       51.0 %     1,026       79.8 %     9,483       54.6 %     7,239       63.4 %

Pre-opening store costs**

    192       10.0 %     109       8.5 %     236       1.4 %     1,217       10.7 %
                                                                 

Loss from operations

  $ (199 )     -10.3 %   $ (586 )     -45.6 %   $ (937 )     -5.4 %   $ (2,729 )     -23.9 %

 

*

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 possesion and store opening date, employee payroll and training costs prior to store opening and other various expenses incurred prior to store opening.