Bassett Announces 6.3% 3rd Quarter Sales Decline

Furniture World Magazine

Bassett Furniture Industries Inc. announced earnings for its fiscal quarter ended August 26, 2006. Sales for the third quarter of 2006 were $77.6 million, down 6.3% from third quarter 2005 levels. The Company reported net income of $.4 million or $.04 per share as compared to net income of $1.9 million or $.16 per share in the third quarter of 2005. Net income for the third quarter of 2005 included a $1.1 million or $.09 per share after-tax charge related to the acquisition of seven Bassett Furniture Direct (BFD) stores in Atlanta and upstate New York. (See below and the attached chart for a discussion of the Company’s results by segment.) A reconciliation of net income and earnings per share calculations has been set forth below. Year-to-date, sales were $251.7 million, up 2.1% from the prior year. Gross margins increased 3.6 percentage points as compared to 2005. The Company reported net income of $5.6 million or $.47 per diluted share as compared to net income of $5.3 million or $.44 per diluted share in 2005. Net income for the first nine months of 2005 included a $2.6 or $.22 per share after-tax charge related to the acquisition of the 15 BFD stores in Dallas, Atlanta and upstate New York. This increase in sales and gross margins from 2005 is due to the increase in the number of Company-owned stores and an improved mix of imported product. The Bassett Furniture Direct retail store program had 135 stores (109 licensed and 26 Company-owned) in operation at the end of the third quarter. Licensees opened three stores during the quarter and closed two. As previously announced, two Company-owned stores were closed in the quarter. Also, Bassett expects to open one new Company-owned BFD store in the fourth quarter of 2006. “This was a tough quarter for the Company,” said Robert H. Spilman, Bassett president and chief executive officer. “As we previously released, retail conditions continue to be challenging and our focus remains on improving the store program and building the Bassett brand. Last month, we launched our first-ever catalog targeted directly toward consumers. The 84-page book was shipped to 1.2 million households. In addition to the catalog, the Company has several other marketing and merchandising initiatives underway including a new quick delivery program, new product introductions centered around the Company’s core middle price point category and the development of a new store prototype to open in the spring of 2007. The combination of these initiatives should drive more traffic into our stores and better position us for future sales growth.” Wholesale Segment On a wholesale basis, net sales were $67.2 million for the third quarter of 2006, 8.3% below the $73.3 sales level attained in the third quarter of 2005. For the third quarter of 2006, 72% of wholesale shipments were to BFDs compared to 68% in the third quarter of 2005. Additionally, approximately 44% of wholesale shipments were imported products as compared to 35% in the third quarter of 2005. Upholstery operating earnings continued to improve due to the retail acceptance of our custom programs and the new fabrics introduced over the past several years. Year-to-date, wholesale sales were $218.9, 2.3% below sales levels attained in the first nine months of 2005. For the first nine months of 2006, 70% of wholesale shipments were to BFDs compared to 67% in the first nine months of 2005. Gross margins for the first nine months of 2006 increased 2.4 percentage points compared to the first nine months of 2005 and year-to-date operating earnings increased $4.1 million. These improvements were primarily driven by an improved mix of imported products and the performance of the upholstery division. Retail Segment Retail sales for the third quarter of 2006 were $20.1 million, basically flat with third quarter of 2005. For the year, sales were $62.9 million, up $16.2 million from 2005. The increase in sales for the first nine months of 2006 is due to the stores acquired during 2005. Bassett’s 26 corporate stores continued to experience relatively soft conditions at retail and incurred an operating loss of $3.8 million for the third quarter of 2006, compared to near breakeven results for the third quarter of 2005 when Bassett’s retail segment included only 20 stores. The third quarter 2006 losses relate primarily to the 15 stores acquired from three licensees in 2005. During the second quarter of 2006, Bassett made the decision to close two of its corporate stores, one in Texas and one in Georgia. Clearance events conducted at these stores during the third quarter of 2006 negatively impacted earnings by approximately $.9 million. Net sales and margins were lower than planned primarily due to the overall soft retail conditions, selling of selected products at clearance prices in order to prepare for the arrival of new products and featured catalog products, and the discounting related to the clearance events at the two stores that were closed. As previously discussed, changes being made to drive more traffic, improve staffing, standardize pricing and streamline operations are taking longer than anticipated to implement. Balance Sheet and Cash Flow The Company repaid $3 million of debt during the quarter. For the year the Company has borrowed a net $4.8 million, and sold $6.5 million of its investment portfolio, primarily to fund increases in accounts receivable and inventories. The Company received a $3.7 million dividend from an affiliate and paid its regular quarterly dividend to shareholders during the quarter. Accounts receivable have increased $3.9 million for the year, due to the slower pace of collections from certain BFD licensees related in part to the overall retail environment. Inventories have increased $2 million for the year, due primarily to an increase in the amount of imported products. Inventories did, however, decrease $2 million during the third quarter largely in response to the lower business levels. Bassett also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.20 per share payable on December 1, 2006, to shareholders of record on November 15, 2006. Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality, mid-priced home furnishings. With more than 130 Bassett Furniture Direct stores, Bassett has leveraged its brand name in furniture with a network of licensed and Company-owned stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly and professional environment for buying furniture and accessories. The Company continues to sell its products to other retailers, in addition to the Company’s dedicated retail store program. Bassett’s retail strategy promotes 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. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.bassettfurniture.com.