/EINPresswire.com/ -- MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Dec 9, 2016) - Le Château Inc. (TSX:CTU.A), today reported that sales for the third quarter ended October 29, 2016 amounted to $55.4 million as compared with $57.6 million for the third quarter ended October 31, 2015, a decrease of 3.8%, with 22 fewer stores in operation. Comparable store sales increased 1.8% for the third quarter as compared to last year, with comparable regular store sales increasing 4.6% and comparable outlet store sales decreasing 6.7% (see non-GAAP measures below). For the past two quarters, comparable store sales for regular stores have trended positively reflecting the traction of our merchandise selection, marketing and rebranding efforts.

Included in comparable store sales are online sales which increased 55.1% for the third quarter. At the end of September, our new e-commerce warehouse and distribution facility became operational following an initial investment of $1.1 million. This investment has greatly enhanced our ability to service our customers more quickly and more efficiently. The continued success with our online sales is consistent with the shift in consumer shopping habits and supports our strategy of rightsizing our retail network of stores.

Earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, write-off and/or impairment of property and equipment ("Adjusted EBITDA") (see non-GAAP measures below) for the third quarter of 2016 amounted to $(3.3) million, compared to $(7.2) million for the same period last year. The improvement of $3.9 million in adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was primarily attributable to the decrease of $5.5 million in selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A"), offset by the decrease of $1.6 million in gross margin dollars. The decrease in SG&A expenses reflects largely the non-recurrence of the advertising campaign conducted across Canada in the third quarter last year, for which we continue to accrue the benefits of the "Le Château de Montréal" rebrand. The decrease of $1.6 million in gross margin dollars was the result of the decline in gross margin percentage to 63.6% from 63.9% in 2015 due to increased promotional activity primarily in outlet stores and in stores scheduled to be closed, combined with the 3.8% overall sales decline for the third quarter. As for the regular stores, they reported a slight increase in gross margin dollars when compared with the same period last year, despite the pressure of the weaker Canadian dollar on the cost of merchandise purchased.

Net loss for the third quarter ended October 29, 2016 amounted to $8.0 million or $(0.27) per share compared to a net loss of $12.5 million or $(0.42) per share for the same period last year.

Nine-month Results

Sales for the nine months ended October 29, 2016 amounted to $164.0 million as compared with $171.7 million last year, a decrease of 4.5%, with 22 fewer stores in operation. Comparable store sales were flat versus the same period a year ago, with comparable regular store sales increasing 2.0% and comparable outlet store sales decreasing 7.0%. Included in comparable store sales are online sales which increased 50.6% for nine months ended October 29, 2016.

Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended October 29, 2016 amounted to $(13.4) million, compared to $(12.1) million last year. The decrease of $1.3 million in adjusted EBITDA for the first nine months of 2016 was primarily attributable to the decrease of $7.9 million in gross margin dollars, offset by the reduction in SG&A expenses of $6.6 million due in part to the non-recurrence of the advertising campaign as indicated above. The decrease of $7.9 million in gross margin dollars was the result of the decline in gross margin percentage to 63.3% from 65.0% in 2015 due to increased promotional activity primarily in outlet stores and in stores scheduled to be closed, combined with the 4.5% overall sales decline for the first nine months of 2016.

Net loss for the nine-month period ended October 29, 2016 amounted to $28.5 million or $(0.95) per share compared to a net loss of $28.9 million or $(0.96) per share the previous year.

The retail landscape has evolved and consumer shopping habits have changed significantly with e-commerce. In light of this evolution, the high concentration of stores in large urban markets - a successful model in the pre-digital world - is no longer required. Consequently, our strategy is to continue to review our retail network and close underperforming stores.

During the first nine months of 2016, the Company opened one store, renovated one existing location and, as planned, closed 16 underperforming stores. As at October 29, 2016, the Company operated 196 stores (including 63 fashion outlet stores) compared to 218 stores (including 68 fashion outlet stores) as at October 31, 2015. Total square footage for the Le Château network as at October 29, 2016 amounted to 1,079,000 square feet (including 422,000 square feet for fashion outlet stores), compared to 1,192,000 square feet (including 475,000 square feet for fashion outlet stores) as at October 31, 2015. For the balance of 2016, the Company is planning to close six additional stores and expects its total square footage to decline to approximately 1,035,000 square feet.

Fourth Quarter of 2016

For the fourth quarter up to December 3, 2016, total retail sales decreased 3.9%, with 22 fewer stores in operation. Comparable store sales increased 1.2% compared to the same period last year, with comparable regular store sales increasing 0.8% and comparable outlet store sales increasing 2.6%. Included in comparable store sales are online sales which increased 44.4%.

Profile

Le Château is a leading Canadian brand in specialty retailing, offering a broad array of contemporary fashion apparel, accessories and footwear for style-conscious women and men. The Le Château brand is sold exclusively through the Company's 196 retail stores located in Canada. The Company's retail locations are primarily found in major urban shopping malls, as well as street-front locations with high pedestrian traffic. In addition, Le Château's web-based marketing is further broadening the Company's customer base among internet shoppers in both Canada and the United States. With its 57-year tradition of vertical integration, emphasizing a design and manufacturing approach to retailing, Le Château is unique among Canadian fashion merchants.

Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to discussing earnings measures in accordance with IFRS, this press release provides adjusted EBITDA as a supplementary earnings measure, which is defined as earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, write-off and/or impairment of property and equipment. Adjusted EBITDA is provided to assist readers in determining the ability of the Company to generate cash from operations and to cover financial charges. It is also widely used for valuation purposes for public companies in our industry.

The following table reconciles adjusted EBITDA to loss before income taxes for the three and nine-month periods ended October 29, 2016 and October 31, 2015:

(Unaudited)	For the three months ended						For the nine months ended
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)	October 29, 2016			October 31, 2015			October 29, 2016			October 31, 2015
Loss before income taxes	$	(7,994	)	$	(12,478	)	$	(28,476	)	$	(28,858	)
Depreciation and amortization		3,326			3,849			10,633			12,582
Write-off and impairment of property and equipment		104			351			576			1,240
Finance costs		1,304			1,037			3,828			2,909
Finance income		-			(2	)		(4	)		(9	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	(3,260	)	$	(7,243	)	$	(13,443	)	$	(12,136	)

The Company also discloses comparable store sales which are defined as sales generated by stores that have been open for at least one year on a comparable week basis. Comparable store sales exclude sales from stores converted to outlet or clearance stores during the year of conversion.

The following table reconciles comparable store sales to total sales disclosed in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of loss for the three and nine-month periods ended October 29, 2016 and October 31, 2015:

(Unaudited)	For the three months ended				For the nine months ended
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)	October 29, 2016		October 31, 2015		October 29, 2016		October 31, 2015
Comparable store sales - Regular stores	$	41,186	$	39,387	$	122,827	$	120,467
Comparable store sales - Outlet stores		11,738		12,582		32,930		35,390
Total comparable store sales		52,924		51,969		155,757		155,857
Non-comparable store sales		2,497		5,671		8,210		15,821
Total sales	$	55,421	$	57,640	$	163,967	$	171,678

The above measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements relating to the Company and/or the environment in which it operates that are based on the Company's expectations, estimates and forecasts. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and/or are beyond the Company's control. A number of factors may cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed. These factors also include those set forth in other public filings of the Company. Therefore, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and the Company disavows any intention or obligation to update or revise any such statements as a result of any event, circumstance or otherwise except to the extent required under applicable securities law.

Factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: the ability of the Company to successfully implement its business initiatives and whether such business initiatives will yield the expected benefits; competitive conditions in the businesses in which the Company participates; changes in consumer spending; general economic conditions and normal business uncertainty; seasonality and weather patterns; changes in the Company's relationship with its suppliers; credit facility renewal; lease renewals; information technology security and loss of customer data; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; interest rate fluctuations; liquidity risk and changes in laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company. The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect our results.

The Company's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the third quarter ended October 29, 2016 are available online at www.sedar.com.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited) (In thousands of Canadian dollars)	As at October 29, 2016			As at October 31, 2015		As at January 30, 2016
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash	$	1,014		$	850	$	-
Accounts receivable		1,302			1,642		1,180
Income taxes refundable		399			494		569
Inventories		110,385			122,048		113,590
Prepaid expenses		1,480			1,638		1,385
Total current assets		114,580			126,672		116,724
Deposits		621			-		621
Property and equipment		41,036			52,188		48,332
Intangible assets		3,188			2,348		2,813
	$	159,425		$	181,208	$	168,490
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Bank indebtedness	$	-		$	-	$	545
Current portion of credit facility		65,998			23,737		12,944
Trade and other payables		15,540			14,214		17,865
Deferred revenue		2,649			2,752		3,216
Current portion of provision for onerous leases		780			666		620
Current portion of long-term debt		-			1,124		848
Total current liabilities		84,967			42,493		36,038
Credit facility		-			38,522		31,962
Long-term debt		31,908			22,595		29,170
Provision for onerous leases		1,491			1,545		1,453
Deferred lease credits		8,582			9,946		9,513
Total liabilities		126,948			115,101		108,136
Shareholders' equity
Share capital		47,967			47,967		47,967
Contributed surplus		9,154			7,421		8,555
Retained earnings (deficit)		(24,644	)		10,719		3,832
Total shareholders' equity		32,477			66,107		60,354
	$	159,425		$	181,208	$	168,490

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of Canadian dollars,		For the three months ended						For the nine months ended
except per share information)		October 29, 2016			October 31, 2015			October 29, 2016			October 31, 2015
Sales		$ 55,421			$ 57,640			$ 163,967			$ 171,678
Cost of sales and expenses
Cost of sales			20,177			20,789			60,249			60,072
Selling			33,716			40,173			104,038			112,534
General and administrative			8,218			8,121			24,332			25,030
			62,111			69,083			188,619			197,636
Results from operating activities			(6,690	)		(11,443	)		(24,652	)		(25,958	)
Finance costs			1,304			1,037			3,828			2,909
Finance income			-			(2	)		(4	)		(9	)
Loss before income taxes			(7,994	)		(12,478	)		(28,476	)		(28,858	)
Income tax recovery			-			-			-			-
Net loss		$	(7,994	)	$	(12,478	)	$	(28,476	)	$	(28,858	)
Net loss per share
	Basic	$	(0.27	)	$	(0.42	)	$	(0.95	)	$	(0.96	)
	Diluted		(0.27	)		(0.42	)		(0.95	)		(0.96	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding ('000)			29,964			29,964			29,964			29,964

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)	For the three months ended						For the nine months ended
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)	October 29, 2016			October 31, 2015			October 29, 2016			October 31, 2015
SHARE CAPITAL	$	47,967		$	47,967		$	47,967		$	47,967
CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS
Balance, beginning of period	$	9,088		$	7,318		$	8,555		$	4,439
Fair value adjustment for long-term debt		-			-			347			2,560
Stock-based compensation expense		66			103			252			422
Balance, end of period	$	9,154		$	7,421		$	9,154		$	7,421
RETAINED EARNINGS (DEFICIT)
Balance, beginning of period	$	(16,650	)	$	23,197		$	3,832		$	39,577
Net loss		(7,994	)		(12,478	)		(28,476	)		(28,858	)
Balance, end of period	$	(24,644	)	$	10,719		$	(24,644	)	$	10,719
Total shareholders' equity	$	32,477		$	66,107		$	32,477		$	66,107

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)		For the three months ended						For the nine months ended
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)		October 29, 2016			October 31, 2015			October 29, 2016			October 31, 2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss		$	(7,994	)	$	(12,478	)	$	(28,476	)	$	(28,858	)
Adjustments to determine net cash from operating activities
	Depreciation and amortization		3,326			3,849			10,633			12,582
	Write-off and impairment of property and equipment		104			351			576			1,240
	Amortization of deferred lease credits		(484	)		(395	)		(1,156	)		(1,440	)
	Deferred lease credits		225			-			225			32
	Stock-based compensation		66			103			252			422
	Provision for onerous leases		(72	)		(18	)		198			60
	Finance costs		1,304			1,037			3,828			2,909
	Interest paid		(564	)		(840	)		(2,276	)		(2,212	)
			(4,089	)		(8,391	)		(16,196	)		(15,265	)
Net change in non-cash working capital items related to operations			156			(6,828	)		(821	)		(9,846	)
Income taxes refunded			-			-			300			350
Cash flows related to operating activities			(3,933	)		(15,219	)		(16,717	)		(24,761	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase in credit facility			5,257			17,118			20,912			13,894
Financing costs			-			(10	)		-			(442	)
Proceeds of long-term debt			-			-			2,500			20,000
Repayment of long-term debt			(286	)		(430	)		(848	)		(1,730	)
Cash flows related to financing activities			4,971			16,678			22,564			31,722
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property and equipment and intangible assets			(1,733	)		(2,223	)		(4,288	)		(7,306	)
Cash flows related to investing activities			(1,733	)		(2,223	)		(4,288	)		(7,306	)
Increase (decrease) in cash			(695	)		(764	)		1,559			(345	)
Cash (bank indebtedness), beginning of period			1,709			1,614			(545	)		1,195
Cash, end of period		$	1,014		$	850		$	1,014		$	850