GlobeNewswire Inc | Aug 25, 2020 07:00AM EDT

August 25, 2020

Reports Q2 GAAP Loss per Diluted Share of ($3.19) versusGAAP Earnings per Diluted Share of $0.10 in Q2 2019

Reports Q2 Adjusted Loss per Diluted Share of ($1.48) versusAdjusted Earnings per Diluted Share of $0.19 in Q2 2019

SECAUCUS, N.J., Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Childrens Place, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCE),the largest pure-play childrens specialty apparel retailer in North America, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended August 1, 2020.

Jane Elfers, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, Second quarter digital sales increased 118 percent. We have clearly benefited from our $50 million digital transformation investment, which provided us with the omni-channel capabilities necessary to fulfill our strong online demand. Since the temporary store closures in March, we have increased new customers to our digital file by approximately 175 percent, converted our store-only customers to omni-channel customers at a rate approximately 3 times the pre-pandemic rate and increased our app downloads by nearly 115 percent. Combined, these provide a strong foundation for continued digital growth as digital adoption, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to drive online sales to an increasingly greater share of total sales and provides us with a long-term market share opportunity.

Elfers continued, We opened the majority of our stores during the last two weeks of June and, as of August 1, 2020, we had 771 stores open, representing 94 percent of our total fleet. We remain on track to close 300 stores by the end of fiscal 2021 with a target of 200 store closures in fiscal 2020, inclusive of the 102 stores that we permanently closed in the first half of 2020, and 100 closures in fiscal 2021.

Elfers concluded, Due to the large majority of schools adopting remote or hybrid learning models for the start of the school year, our back to school sales have been significantly impacted and we anticipate a meaningful negative impact on our Q3 results.

Second Quarter 2020 ResultsNet sales decreased 12.3% to $368.9 million in the three months ended August 1, 2020 from $420.5 million in the three months ended August 3, 2019, primarily as a result of the impact of temporary store closures, along with a decrease in back to school sales beginning in mid-July, partially offset by increased digital sales.

Net loss was ($46.6) million, or ($3.19) per diluted share, in the three months ended August 1, 2020, compared to net income of $1.5 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the three months ended August 3, 2019. Adjusted net loss was ($21.7) million, or ($1.48) per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $3.0 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, in the comparable period last year.

Gross profit was $67.1 million in the three months ended August 1, 2020, compared to $138.8 million in the three months ended August 3, 2019. Adjusted gross profit was $93.8 million in the three months ended August 1, 2020, compared to $138.8 million in the comparable period last year, and deleveraged 760 basis points to 25.4% of net sales, primarily as a result of higher fulfillment costs related to meaningfully higher levels of ship-from-store activity related to strong digital demand.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $114.3 million in the three months ended August 1, 2020, compared to $116.4 million in the three months ended August 3, 2019. Adjusted SG&A was $103.5 million in the three months ended August 1, 2020, compared to $115.5 million in the comparable period last year, and deleveraged 60 basis points to 28.1% of net sales, primarily as a result of the deleverage of fixed expenses resulting from the decline in sales, partially offset by a reduction in operating expenses associated with actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operating loss was ($64.5) million in the three months ended August 1, 2020, compared to operating income of $3.8 million in the three months ended August 3, 2019. Adjusted operating loss was ($25.2) million in the three months ended August 1, 2020, compared to adjusted operating income of $5.8 million in the comparable period last year, and deleveraged 820 basis points to (6.8%) of net sales.

Fiscal Year-To-Date 2020 ResultsNet sales decreased 25.1% to $624.1 million in the six months ended August 1, 2020 from $832.9 million in the six months ended August 3, 2019, primarily as a result of temporary store closures, partially offset by increased digital sales.

Net loss was ($161.4) million, or ($11.04) per diluted share, in the six months ended August 1, 2020, compared to net income of $6.0 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, in the six months ended August 3, 2019. Adjusted net loss was ($50.3) million, or ($3.44) per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $8.8 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, in the comparable period last year.

Gross profit was $47.4 million in the six months ended August 1, 2020, compared to $290.8 million in the six months ended August 3, 2019. Adjusted gross profit was $162.1 million in the six months ended August 1, 2020, compared to $290.3 million in the comparable period last year, and deleveraged 890 basis points to 26.0% of net sales, primarily as a result of higher fulfillment costs related to meaningfully higher levels of ship-from-store activity related to strong digital demand.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $212.8 million in the six months ended August 1, 2020, compared to $244.4 million in the six months ended August 3, 2019. Adjusted SG&A was $191.7 million in the six months ended August 1, 2020, compared to $242.6 million in the comparable period last year, and deleveraged 160 basis points to 30.7% of net sales, primarily as a result of the deleverage of fixed expenses resulting from the decline in sales, partially offset by a reduction in operating expenses associated with actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operating loss was ($237.6) million in the six months ended August 1, 2020, compared to operating income of $8.9 million in the six months ended August 3, 2019. Adjusted operating loss was ($62.8) million in the six months ended August 1, 2020, compared to adjusted operating income of $12.5 million in the comparable period last year, and deleveraged 1,160 basis points to (10.1%) of sales.

Non-GAAP ReconciliationThe Companys results are reported in this press release on a GAAP and as adjusted, non-GAAP basis. Adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share, adjusted gross profit (loss), adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses, and adjusted operating income (loss) are non-GAAP measures, and are not intended to replace GAAP financial information and may be different from non-GAAP measures reported by other companies. The Company believes the income and expense items excluded as non-GAAP adjustments are not reflective of the performance of its core business and that providing this supplemental disclosure to investors will facilitate comparisons of the past and present performance of its core business.

For the three months ended August 1, 2020, the Companys adjusted results exclude net expenses of approximately $39.2 million, primarily related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including occupancy charges for rent at our stores temporarily closed and incremental COVID-19 operating expenses, including incentive pay and personal protective equipment for our associates.

The total impact on income taxes for the above items was $14.3 million, including a benefit of $3.9 million, primarily resulting from the changes in operating loss carryback rules as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

For the six months ended August 1, 2020, the Company recorded an inventory provision of $63.2 million and $37.6 million of impairment charges, including the right-of-use assets recorded in connection with the adoption of the new lease accounting standard. The inventory provision relates to the adverse business disruption resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including the store closures. The impairment charges were primarily a result of decreased net revenue and cash flow projections resulting from the COVID-19 disruption.

In addition to the inventory provision and impairment charges, the Companys adjusted results exclude net expenses of approximately $66.6 million, primarily related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including occupancy charges for rent at our stores temporarily closed; incremental COVID-19 operating expenses, including incentive pay and personal protective equipment for our associates; and payroll and benefits for certain store employees during the period our stores were closed, net of a payroll tax credit benefit resulting from the CARES Act.

Additionally, the Company excluded net costs of $7.4 million, primarily related to restructuring costs.

The total impact on income taxes for the above items was $63.7 million, including a benefit of $17.4 million, primarily resulting from the changes in operating loss carryback rules as a result of the CARES Act.

Store UpdateOn March 18, 2020, the Company suspended all store operations in the U.S. and Canada due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Childrens Place started reopening stores on May 19, 2020 in 10 states and reopened the majority of its remaining stores during the last two weeks of June. As of August 1, 2020, the Company had 771 of its 824 stores open to the public in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, with the majority of the closed stores located in California.

Consistent with the Companys store fleet optimization initiative, the Company opened two stores and permanently closed 98 stores in the three months ended August 1, 2020. The Company ended the quarter with 824 stores and square footage of 3.9 million, a decrease of 13.2% compared to the prior year. Since our fleet optimization initiative was announced in 2013, the Company has closed 373 stores.

The flexibility provided by its lease actions allows the Company to target 200 store closures in fiscal 2020, including 102 stores closed in the first half of fiscal 2020, and 100 additional closures in fiscal 2021.

Balance Sheet and Cash FlowAs of August 1, 2020, the Company had approximately $36.1 million of cash and cash equivalents with no long-term debt, and $250.8 million outstanding on its revolving credit facility. The Company used approximately $42.7 million in operating cash flow in the three months ended August 1, 2020.

OutlookAs a result of the continued uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company is not providing financial guidance.

Conference Call Information The Childrens Place will host a conference call on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its second quarter fiscal 2020 results.

The call will be broadcast live at http://investor.childrensplace.com. An audio archive will be available on the Companys website approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call. A conference call transcript will also be posted on our website.

About The Childrens PlaceThe Childrens Place is the largest pure-play childrens specialty apparel retailer in North America. The Company designs, contracts to manufacture, sells at retail and wholesale, and licenses to sell fashionable, high-quality merchandise predominantly at value prices, primarily under the proprietary The Childrens Place, Place, Baby Place, and Gymboree brand names. As of August 1, 2020, the Company had 824 stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, online stores at www.childrensplace.comandwww.gymboree.com, and the Companys international franchise partners had 276 international points of distribution in 19 countries.

Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains or may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements relating to the Companys strategic initiatives and adjusted net income per diluted share. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by use of terms such as may, will, should, plan, project, expect, anticipate, estimate and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Risk Factors section of its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020 and supplemented by the Risk Factors section of its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended May 2, 2020. Included among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially are the risk that the Company will be unsuccessful in gauging fashion trends and changing consumer preferences, the risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of the Companys business and its dependence on consumer spending patterns, which may be affected by changes in economic conditions, the risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business or the economy in general (including decreased customer traffic, schools adopting a remote learning model, closures of businesses and other activities causing decreased demand for our products and negative impacts on our customers spending patterns due to decreased income or actual or perceived wealth, and the impact of the CARES Act and other legislation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and any changes to the CARES Act or such other legislation), the risk that the Companys strategic initiatives to increase sales and margin are delayed or do not result in anticipated improvements, the risk of delays, interruptions and disruptions in the Companys global supply chain, including resulting from COVID-19 or other disease outbreaks, foreign sources of supply in less developed countries or more politically unstable countries, the risk that the cost of raw materials or energy prices will increase beyond current expectations or that the Company is unable to offset cost increases through value engineering or price increases, various types of litigation, including class action litigations brought under consumer protection, employment, and privacy and information security laws and regulations, the imposition of regulations affecting the importation of foreign-produced merchandise, including duties and tariffs, and the uncertainty of weather patterns. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact: Anthony Attardo, CFA, Director, Investor Relations, (201) 453-6693

(Tables follow)

THE CHILDREN?S PLACE, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(In thousands, except per share amounts)(Unaudited) Second Quarter Ended Year-To-Date Ended August 1, August 3, August 1, August 3, 2020 2019 2020 2019Net sales $ 368,923 $ 420,470 $ 624,130 $ 832,851 Cost of sales 301,843 281,624 576,723 542,030 Gross profit 67,080 138,846 47,407 290,821 Selling, general andadministrative 114,312 116,417 212,803 244,423 expensesAsset impairment 544 121 37,635 469 chargesDepreciation and 16,708 18,472 34,596 37,056 amortizationOperating income (64,484 ) 3,836 (237,627 ) 8,873 (loss)Interest expense (2,639 ) (2,278 ) (4,479 ) (3,989 )Income (loss) before (67,123 ) 1,558 (242,106 ) 4,884 taxesProvision (benefit) (20,484 ) 35 (80,657 ) (1,128 )for income taxesNet income (loss) $ (46,639 ) $ 1,523 $ (161,449 ) $ 6,012 Earnings (loss) per common shareBasic $ (3.19 ) $ 0.10 $ (11.04 ) $ 0.38 Diluted $ (3.19 ) $ 0.10 $ (11.04 ) $ 0.38 Weighted averagecommon shares outstandingBasic 14,634 15,818 14,623 15,832 Diluted 14,634 15,859 14,623 15,983

THE CHILDREN?S PLACE, INC.RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO GAAP(In thousands, except per share amounts)(Unaudited) Second Quarter Ended Year-To-Date Ended August 1, August 3, August 1, August 3, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net income (loss) $ (46,639 ) $ 1,523 $ (161,449 ) $ 6,012 Non-GAAP adjustments: Occupancy charges 23,932 - 47,058 - Incremental COVID-19 9,840 - 12,214 - operating expensesRestructuring costs 3,030 362 6,421 683 Accelerated depreciation 1,203 922 1,344 1,890 Fleet optimization 650 207 650 (28 )Asset impairment charges 544 121 37,635 469 Accounts receivables 38 - 1,081 - Inventory provision - - 63,247 - Store payroll andbenefits, net of CARES - - 4,242 - Act retention creditGymboree integration - 380 640 574 costsLegal reserve - - 302 - Aggregate impact of 39,237 1,992 174,834 3,588 Non-GAAP adjustmentsIncome tax effect^(1) (10,395 ) (528 ) (46,308 ) (951 )Prior year uncertain tax - - - 135 positions^(2)Impact of CARES Act (3,901 ) - (17,378 ) - Net impact of Non-GAAP 24,941 1,464 111,148 2,772 adjustments Adjusted net income $ (21,698 ) $ 2,987 $ (50,301 ) $ 8,784 (loss) GAAP net income (loss) $ (3.19 ) $ 0.10 $ (11.04 ) $ 0.38 per common share Adjusted net income $ (1.48 ) $ 0.19 $ (3.44 ) $ 0.55 (loss) per common share (1) The tax effects of the non-GAAP items are calculated based on the statutoryrate of the jurisdiction in which the discrete item resides. (2) Prior year tax related to uncertain tax positions. Second Quarter Ended Year-To-Date Ended August 1, August 3, August 1, August 3, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Operating income (loss) $ (64,484 ) $ 3,836 $ (237,627 ) $ 8,873 Non-GAAP adjustments: Occupancy charges 23,932 - 47,058 - Incremental COVID-19 9,840 - 12,214 - operating expensesRestructuring costs 3,030 362 6,421 683 Accelerated depreciation 1,203 922 1,344 1,890 Fleet optimization 650 207 650 (28 )Asset impairment charges 544 121 37,635 469 Accounts receivables 38 - 1,081 - Inventory provision - - 63,247 - Store payroll andbenefits, net of CARES - - 4,242 - Act retention creditGymboree integration - 380 640 574 costsLegal reserve - - 302 - Aggregate impact of 39,237 1,992 174,834 3,588 Non-GAAP adjustments Adjusted operating income $ (25,247 ) $ 5,828 $ (62,793 ) $ 12,461 (loss)

THE CHILDREN?S PLACE, INC.RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO GAAP(In thousands, except per share amounts)(Unaudited) Second Quarter Ended Year-To-Date Ended August 1, August 3, August 1, August 3, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Gross profit $ 67,080 $ 138,846 $ 47,407 $ 290,821 Non-GAAP adjustments: Occupancy charges 23,932 - 47,058 - Incremental COVID-19 2,745 - 4,435 - operating expensesInventory provision - - 63,247 - Fleet optimization - - - (550 )Aggregate impact of 26,677 - 114,740 (550 )Non-GAAP adjustments Adjusted Gross profit $ 93,757 $ 138,846 $ 162,147 $ 290,271 Second Quarter Ended Year-To-Date Ended August 1, August 3, August 1, August 3, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Selling, general and $ 114,312 $ 116,417 $ 212,803 $ 244,423 administrative expenses Non-GAAP adjustments: Incremental COVID-19 (7,095 ) - (7,779 ) - operating expensesRestructuring costs (3,030 ) (362 ) (6,421 ) (691 )Fleet optimization (650 ) (207 ) (650 ) (514 )Accounts receivables (38 ) - (1,081 ) - Store payroll andbenefits, net of CARES - - (4,242 ) - Act retention creditGymboree integration - (380 ) (640 ) (574 )costsLegal reserve - - (302 ) - Aggregate impact of (10,813 ) (949 ) (21,115 ) (1,779 )Non-GAAP adjustments Adjusted Selling,general and $ 103,499 $ 115,468 $ 191,688 $ 242,644 administrative expenses

THE CHILDREN?S PLACE, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(In thousands)(Unaudited)

August 1, February 1, August 3, 2020 2020* 2019Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 36,119 $ 68,487 $ 65,357Accounts receivable 29,634 32,812 39,638Inventories 381,022 327,165 386,174Other current assets 23,085 21,416 30,258Total current assets 469,860 449,880 521,427 Property and equipment, net 200,963 236,898 248,777Right-of-use assets 319,796 393,820 430,145Tradenames, net 72,892 73,291 73,456Other assets, net 104,428 27,508 29,732Total assets $ 1,167,939 $ 1,181,397 $ 1,303,537 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity: Revolving loan $ 250,818 $ 170,808 $ 196,352Accounts payable 279,014 213,115 236,619Current lease liabilities 160,932 121,868 127,695Accrued expenses and other current 118,778 89,216 113,531liabilitiesTotal current liabilities 809,542 595,007 674,197 Long-term lease liabilities 254,187 311,908 341,828Other liabilities 42,695 39,295 38,256Total liabilities 1,106,424 946,210 1,054,281 Stockholders' equity 61,515 235,187 249,256 Total liabilities and stockholders' $ 1,167,939 $ 1,181,397 $ 1,303,537equity * Derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in theCompany's Annual Report on Form 10-Kfor the fiscal year ended February 1,2020.

THE CHILDREN?S PLACE, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS(In thousands)(Unaudited)

26 Weeks 26 Weeks Ended Ended August 1, August 3, 2020 2019 Net income (loss) $ (161,449 ) $ 6,012 Non-cash adjustments 54,857 117,861 Working Capital 23,388 (100,578 )Net cash provided by (used in) operating (83,204 ) 23,295 activities Net cash used in investing activities (14,109 ) (97,468 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 64,565 69,306 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 380 1,088 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (32,368 ) (3,779 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 68,487 69,136 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 36,119 $ 65,357