BASSETT, Va., June 30, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:BSET) announced today its results of operations for its fiscal quarter ended May 28, 2016.

Fiscal 2016 Second Quarter Highlights

• Consolidated sales were $106.7 million for the second quarter of 2016 compared to $111.6 million for the second quarter of 2015, a decrease of 4.4%. 
• Operating income for the quarter was $5.9 million or 5.5% of sales as compared to $6.7 million or 6.0% of sales for the prior year quarter. 
• Wholesale sales were $59.9 million for the second quarter of 2016 compared to $66.7 million for the second quarter of 2015, a decrease of 10%.  Wholesale operating profit for the quarter was $4.3 million or 7.3% of sales as compared to $4.8 million or 7.2% of sales for the prior year quarter.
• Company-owned store sales were $61.9 million for the second quarter of 2016 compared to $63.9 million for the second quarter of 2015, a decrease of 3.1%.  This included a comparable store sales decrease of 3.6%, compared to the prior year quarter, with the twelve Texas stores accounting for over 70% of the decrease. Comparable store operating income was $1.2 million or 2.0% of sales for the current year quarter as compared to $2.3 million or 3.7% of sales for the prior year quarter.  Total retail operating income was $0.4 million or 0.6% of sales for the quarter as compared to $2.0 million or 3.1% of sales for the prior year quarter.  Comparable store written sales for the quarter decreased 3.9%.  However, comparable store written sales for the 12-day Memorial Day promotional period increased 24% as compared to the 2015 promotional period.
• Revenue for Zenith was $23.8 million for the second quarter of 2016 compared to $22.0 million for the second quarter of 2015, an 8.4% increase.  Zenith’s operating profit for the quarter was $0.7 million or 2.8% of sales as compared to $1.0 million or 4.7% of sales for the prior year quarter.
• Net income for the quarter was $3.4 million or $0.31 per diluted share as compared to $4.5 million or $0.42 per diluted share for the prior year quarter, which included income of $1.1 million related to the Continued Dumping & Subsidy Offset Act (“CDSOA”). Excluding the CDSOA income, net income for the second quarter of 2015 would have been $3.9 million, or $0.36 per diluted share.

“The year over year sales growth that we have generated in 15 of the past 16 quarters stalled for our quarter ended May 28, 2016,” commented Robert H. Spilman, Jr., Chairman and CEO.  “Although we saw decreases in our consolidated, wholesale, and retail sales for the quarter, we remain optimistic about our prospects for the future as we continue to open new stores, remodel older ones, and close the remaining handful of underperformers.  Against the backdrop of last year’s 31% sales increase, sales fell 4.4%.  Operating income declined to $5.9 million compared to the $6.7 million that we produced last year.  Much of our efforts in the first half of the year have been pointed toward the large product rollout that we executed in preparation for this year’s Memorial Day sales event and we were extremely pleased with the sales that our new products produced, as the net result for the 12-day promotional period produced comparable store written sales that were 24% higher compared to the 2015 promotional period.  Amidst the choppy sales environment that has characterized the past few months in our sector, we are encouraged by the performance of our new assortment and will focus on additional enhancements as the remainder of 2016 unfolds.”

Wholesale Segment 

Net sales for the wholesale segment were $59.9 million for the second quarter of 2016 as compared to $66.7 million for the second quarter of 2015, a decrease of $6.8 million or 10%.  This decrease was driven by lower shipments to both the Bassett Home Furnishings store network and the open market (outside the Bassett Home Furnishings network). The decrease in sales to the Bassett Home Furnishings store network and the open market, was primarily due to general softness at retail.  In addition, sales to the open market were impacted by lower sales of the HGTV Home Collection brand that was discontinued in late 2015.  Gross margins for the wholesale segment increased to 33.8% for the second quarter of 2016 from 32.8% for the second quarter of 2015, driven largely by higher margins in the imported wood operation from favorable ocean freight and lower impact of discounting in 2016, as the Company was exiting the open market HGTV Home Collection brand in 2015.  In addition, gross margins in the upholstery operation improved due to improved pricing strategies coupled with favorable raw material costs. Wholesale SG&A for the second quarter of 2016 was $15.9 million as compared to $17.1 million for the prior year period. SG&A as a percentage of sales increased to 26.5% as compared to 25.6% for the second quarter of 2015. This increase in SG&A as a percentage of sales was primarily driven by reduced leverage of fixed costs from lower sales levels partially offset by lower bad debt costs and incentive compensation expenses.  Operating income was $4.3 million or 7.3% of sales as compared to $4.8 million or 7.2% of sales in the prior year.

“Both our wood and upholstery divisions suffered sales declines in the quarter,” continued Spilman.  “Only our domestically produced Bench Made product range generated revenue growth.  In reviewing the quarter’s results, it has been difficult to pinpoint specific macro factors that slowed our sales momentum.  Closer to home, however, we can cite the closure of three Bassett stores, the discontinuation of our open market HGTV product line, temporary disruptions in our imported motion supply chain, and the comparatively weak performance of our stores in the energy-related economy of Texas, as the primary contributors to our down quarter.  Despite this, we were able to hold our wholesale margins intact, albeit on less volume.  Our Grand Prairie, Texas upholstery facility was modestly profitable in its first full quarter of operation, further showcasing the portability of our cellular manufacturing model.  Once again, we are building on the success of our recent product launch with the upcoming additions of several new product collections that will hit our stores this fall.”

Retail Segment

Net sales for the 58 Company-owned Bassett Home Furnishings stores were $61.9 million for the second quarter of 2016 as compared to $63.9 million for the second quarter of 2015, a decrease of $2.0 million or 3.1%. The decrease was due to a $2.2 million or 3.6% decrease in 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 decreased by 3.9% for the second quarter of 2016 as compared to the second quarter of 2015. 

The consolidated retail operating profit for the second quarter of 2016 was $0.4 million as compared to $2.0 million for the second quarter of 2015, a decline of $1.6 million.  The 56 comparable stores generated operating income of $1.2 million for the quarter, or 2.0% of sales, as compared to $2.3 million, or 3.7% of sales, for the prior year quarter. Gross margins for comparable stores were 49.4% for the second quarter of 2016 compared to 49.9% for the second quarter of 2015.  Lower gross margins were due primarily to increased discounting of clearance items in preparation for a significant product rollout for the Memorial Day holiday promotion. SG&A expenses for comparable stores decreased $0.3 million to $28.0 million or 47.4% of sales as compared to 46.2% of sales for the second quarter of 2015. This increase in SG&A as a percentage of sales was primarily driven by reduced leverage of fixed costs from lower sales levels. 

“Comparable store delivered sales decreased by 3.6% compared to last year’s 17% increase resulting in a $1.6 million decline in retail operating profit,” said Spilman.  “Over 70% of our comparable store decline was attributable to our twelve Texas stores where local economies have been impacted by volatility in oil prices.  Our Houston market was particularly hard hit with a sales decline in excess of 20%. On the other hand, store sales have been strong since the end of the quarter.  We are especially pleased with the strides we have made in staffing our stores and with our recruitment strategies in general.  In keeping with our ongoing store portfolio improvement program, three underperforming stores with expiring leases were closed during the period, resulting in losses of $(0.4) million.  We also incurred preopening expenses from our new Sterling, Virginia store that opened at the end of the quarter.  Looking ahead, we are under construction with a new store in Hunt Valley, Maryland and have three more signed leases for units that are set to open at the end of fiscal 2016 or at the beginning of next year.”

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 90 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 2016, 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 28, 2016							May 30, 2015							May 28, 2016							May 30, 2015
				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	$	92,990						$	99,467						$	185,392						$	189,015
Logistics		13,677							12,086							28,148							15,345
Total sales revenue		106,667			100.0	%			111,553			100.0	%			213,540			100.0	%			204,360			100.0	%
Cost of furniture and accessories sold		42,419			39.8	%			46,921			42.1	%			84,405			39.5	%			88,851			43.5	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses excluding
new store pre-opening costs		58,088			54.5	%			57,425			51.5	%			117,045			54.8	%			104,900			51.3	%
New store pre-opening costs		307			0.3	%			44			0.0	%			446			0.2	%			44			0.0	%
Lease exit costs		-			0.0	%			-			0.0	%			-			0.0	%			419			0.2	%
Asset impairment charges		-			0.0	%			-			0.0	%			-			0.0	%			106			0.1	%
Management restructuring costs		-			0.0	%			449			0.4	%			-			0.0	%			449			0.2	%
Income from operations		5,853			5.5	%			6,714			6.0	%			11,644			5.5	%			9,591			4.7	%
Remeasurement gain on acquisition of affiliate		-			0.0	%			-			0.0	%			-			0.0	%			7,212			3.5	%
Income from Continued Dumping & Subsidy Offset Act		-			0.0	%			1,066			1.0	%			-			0.0	%			1,066			0.5	%
Other loss, net		(600	)		-0.6	%			(597	)		-0.5	%			(1,257	)		-0.6	%			(1,220	)		-0.6	%
Income before income taxes		5,253			4.9	%			7,183			6.4	%			10,387			4.9	%			16,649			8.1	%
Income tax provision		1,868			1.8	%			2,654			2.4	%			3,768			1.8	%			6,164			3.0	%
Net income	$	3,385			3.2	%		$	4,529			4.1	%		$	6,619			3.1	%		$	10,485			5.1	%
Basic earnings per share	$	0.31						$	0.42						$	0.61						$	0.99
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.31						$	0.42						$	0.61						$	0.98

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
		(Unaudited)
Assets		May 28, 2016				November 28, 2015
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	29,726			$	36,268
Short-term investments			23,125				23,125
Accounts receivable, net			18,987				21,197
Inventories, net			54,834				59,896
Other current assets			8,249				6,798
Total current assets			134,921				147,284
Property and equipment, net			104,075				96,104
Other long-term assets
Deferred income taxes, net			12,205				13,471
Goodwill and other intangible assets			17,521				17,682
Other			7,525				8,002
Total long-term assets			37,251				39,155
Total assets		$	276,247			$	282,543
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	20,198			$	20,916
Accrued compensation and benefits			11,614				14,345
Customer deposits			20,132				23,999
Dividends payable			-				2,184
Current portion of long-term debt			6,438				5,273
Other accrued liabilities			10,907				13,133
Total current liabilities			69,289				79,850
Long-term liabilities
Post employment benefit obligations			12,654				12,694
Long-term debt			9,220				8,500
Other long-term liabilities			4,151				4,133
Total long-term liabilities			26,025				25,327
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock			54,525				54,580
Retained earnings			125,563				120,904
Additional paid-in-capital			3,409				4,560
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(2,564	)			(2,678	)
Total stockholders' equity			180,933				177,366
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	276,247			$	282,543

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - unaudited
(In thousands)
		Six Months Ended
		May 28, 2016				May 30, 2015
Operating activities:
Net income		$	6,619			$	10,485
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
(used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			5,611				4,729
Equity in undistributed income of investments and unconsolidated
affiliated companies			-				(220	)
Non-cash asset impairment charges			-				106
Non-cash portion of lease exit costs			-				419
Remeasurement gain on acquisition of affiliate			-				(7,212	)
Tenant improvement allowances received from lessors			590				330
Deferred income taxes			1,198				4,212
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation			41				1,032
Other, net			697				1,018
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable			2,436				(1,490	)
Inventories			5,062				(5,706	)
Other current and long-term assets			(1,451	)			(2,121	)
Customer deposits			(3,867	)			763
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			(5,926	)			3,882
Net cash provided by operating activities			11,010				10,227
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment			(14,116	)			(7,942	)
Proceeds from sale of retail  real estate and property and equipment			577				2,952
Cash paid for business acquisition, net of cash acquired			-				(7,323	)
Capital contribution to affiliate			-				(1,345	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(13,539	)			(13,658	)
Financing activities:
Cash dividends			(4,145	)			-3,777
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options			114				2,993
Other issuance of common stock			176				171
Repurchases of common stock			(1,930	)			(255	)
Repayments of notes payable			(4,920	)			(1,214	)
Proceeds from equipment loans			6,692				1,307
Net cash used in financing activities			(4,013	)			(775	)
Change in cash and cash equivalents			(6,542	)			(4,206	)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period			36,268				26,673
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period		$	29,726			$	22,467

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Segment Information - unaudited
(In thousands)
		Quarter Ended								Six Months Ended
		May 28, 2016				May 30, 2015				May 28, 2016				May 30, 2015
Net Sales
Wholesale		$	59,906			$	66,705			$	119,482			$	125,510
Retail - Company-owned stores			61,943				63,921				123,538				121,104
Logistical services			23,810				21,958				48,489				27,957
Inter-company eliminations:
Furniture and accessories			(28,859	)			(31,159	)			(57,628	)			(57,600	)
Logistical services			(10,133	)			(9,872	)			(20,341	)			(12,611	)
Consolidated		$	106,667			$	111,553			$	213,540			$	204,360
Operating Income
Wholesale		$	4,334			$	4,796			$	8,732			$	7,723
Retail			381				1,971				697				1,929
Logistical services			661				1,027				1,405				1,019
Inter-company elimination			477				(631	)			810				(106	)
Lease exit costs			-				-				-				(419	)
Asset impairment charges			-				-				-				(106	)
Management restructuring costs			-				(449	)			-				(449	)
Consolidated		$	5,853			$	6,714			$	11,644			$	9,591

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Rollforward of BHF Store Count
		November 28,					May 28,
		2015	Opened*	Closed*			2016
Company-owned stores		60	1		(3	)	58
Licensee-owned stores		33	-		(1	)	32
Total		93	1		(4	)	90
* 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 28, 2016							May 30, 2015							May 28, 2016							May 30, 2015
				Percent of							Percent of							Percent of							Percent of
	Amount			Net Sales				Amount			Net Sales				Amount			Net Sales				Amount			Net Sales
Net sales	$	59,003			100.0	%		$	61,192			100.0	%		$	117,054			100.0	%		$	115,965			100.0	%
Cost of sales		29,834			50.6	%			30,633			50.1	%			58,977			50.4	%			57,773			49.8	%
Gross profit		29,169			49.4	%			30,559			49.9	%			58,077			49.6	%			58,192			50.2	%
Selling, general and administrative expense*		27,963			47.4	%			28,269			46.2	%			55,736			47.6	%			55,616			48.0	%
Income from operations	$	1,206			2.0	%		$	2,290			3.7	%		$	2,341			2.0	%		$	2,576			2.2	%
	All Other Stores														All Other Stores
	Quarter Ended							Quarter Ended							Six Months Ended							Six Months Ended
	May 28, 2016							May 30, 2015							May 28, 2016							May 30, 2015
				Percent of							Percent of							Percent of							Percent of
	Amount			Net Sales				Amount			Net Sales				Amount			Net Sales				Amount			Net Sales
Net sales	$	2,940			100.0	%		$	2,729			100.0	%		$	6,484			100.0	%		$	5,139			100.0	%
Cost of sales		1,807			61.5	%			1,531			56.1	%			3,979			61.4	%			2,791			54.3	%
Gross profit		1,133			38.5	%			1,198			43.9	%			2,505			38.6	%			2,348			45.7	%
Selling, general and administrative expense		1,651			56.2	%			1,473			54.0	%			3,703			57.1	%			2,951			57.4	%
Pre-opening store costs**		307			10.4	%			44			1.6	%			446			6.9	%			44			0.9	%
Loss from operations	$	(825	)		-28.1	%		$	(319	)		-11.7	%		$	(1,644	)		-25.4	%		$	(647	)		-12.6	%
*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