Financial Release
08/24/06 | Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2006 Results
| PRESS RELEASE WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC. 3250 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94109 |
CONTACT: |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Second Quarter Net Revenues Increase 6.4% to $825.5 Million GAAP EPS Increases 15.4% to $0.30 Including $0.01 Per Diluted Share Net Benefit from Unusual Business Events and New Accounting Pronouncements; Excluding These Items, Non-GAAP EPS Increases 11.5% to $0.29
San Francisco, CA, August 24, 2006 -- Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) today announced operating results for the second quarter ended July 30, 2006. Net revenues for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 6.4% to $825.5 million versus $776.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2005. Excluding Hold Everything (see Note 1 of Exhibit 1), net revenues for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 8.1%. Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 15.4% to $0.30 per diluted share versus $0.26 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal year 2005. Excluding a $0.01 per diluted share net benefit from unusual business events and new accounting pronouncements (see reconciliation below), diluted earnings per share on a non-GAAP basis for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 11.5% to $0.29 per diluted share versus $0.26 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal year 2005.
(See Exhibit 1 for Notes 1 through 7)
| Q2 2006 Actual |
Q2 2005 Actual |
% YOY Increase |
|
| GAAP Diluted EPS * | $0.30 | $0.26 | 15.4% |
| Impact of Hold Everything Transition Charge (Note 1) | $0.005 | - | - |
| Impact of CEO Departure Charge (Note 2) | $0.023 | - | - |
| Benefit of Unredeemed Gift Certificate Income (Note 3) | ($0.065) | - | - |
| Benefit of VISA/MasterCard Litigation Settlement (Note 4) | ($0.011) | - | - |
| Subtotal of Unusual Business Events | ($0.048) | - | - |
| Non-GAAP Diluted EPS Excluding Unusual Business Events (Note 7) * | $0.25 | $0.26 | (3.8%) |
| Impact of FAS 123R (Note 5) | $0.035 | - | - |
| Impact of FSP FAS 13-1 (Note 6) | $0.004 | - | - |
| Subtotal of New Accounting Pronouncements | $0.039 | - | - |
| Non-GAAP Diluted EPS Excluding Unusual Business Events and New Accounting Pronouncements (Note 7) * |
$0.29 | $0.26 | 11.5% |
*Due to rounding to the nearest cent per diluted share, totals may not equal the sum of the line items in the table above.
Also during the second quarter of fiscal year 2006, the company repurchased and retired 2,000,000 shares of its common stock at a weighted average cost of $32.33 per share and an aggregate cost of approximately $64.7 million.
Howard Lester, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "While we were extremely pleased with our earnings performance in the second quarter, we, like many retailers, began to see a softening in consumer demand late in the quarter - principally in our Pottery Barn brand. When we last updated our guidance in mid-July, we believed that the softness we were seeing was specific to the execution of our Pottery Barn summer merchandising strategy. Today, however, after five weeks in home with our new Pottery Barn fall catalog, we believe there is a greater macro-economic issue also affecting this business. To-date, the consumer response in Pottery Barn is continuing to trend well below our expectations, causing us to approach the third and fourth quarters with an extremely cautious outlook."
Mr. Lester continued, "Based on this outlook, and our concern that the macro-economic environment could also affect our other brands, we are staying intently focused on the things we can control - customer service, inventory management, and operational execution. And, we are aggressively capitalizing on the marketing opportunities that we believe exist with our multi-channel strategy - including changes in catalog circulation, electronic direct marketing and retail store events. We are also remaining extremely flexible in our decisions and controlling our expenses to mitigate the impact on the bottom line."
"Despite these potential opportunities, however, we believe that it is only prudent to reduce our third and fourth quarter guidance to reflect the trends that we are seeing today - predominantly in Pottery Barn, our largest brand. Therefore, we are reducing our fiscal year 2006 revenue guidance from $3.832 to $3.902 billion to $3.754 to $3.804 billion and our fiscal year 2006 GAAP diluted earnings per share guidance from $1.97 to $2.01 to $1.87 to $1.94 per diluted share."
SECOND QUARTER 2006 -- RESULTS FOR THE 13 WEEKS ENDED JULY 30, 2006
Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 15.4% to $35.6 million or $0.30 per diluted share versus $30.8 million or $0.26 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal year 2005. Excluding the pre-tax net benefit of $1.6 million ($1.0 million after tax) or $0.01 per diluted share from unusual business events and the implementation of new accounting pronouncements as described in Exhibit 1, net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 12.1% to $34.6 million or $0.29 per diluted share.
Net revenues for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 6.4% to $825.5 million versus $776.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2005. Excluding the impact of the Hold Everything transition, net revenues for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 8.1% versus the second quarter of fiscal year 2005.
Retail net revenues in the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 6.7% to $463.4 million versus $434.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2005. Excluding Hold Everything, retail net revenues for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 7.8% versus the second quarter of fiscal year 2005. This increase was primarily driven by a year-over-year increase in retail leased square footage of 7.5%, including 14 net new stores, and a comparable store sales increase of 1.2%. Net revenues generated in the West Elm, Pottery Barn Kids, Williams-Sonoma, Williams-Sonoma Home and Pottery Barn brands were the primary contributors to the year-over-year revenue increase, partially offset by the late 2005 and first quarter 2006 closures of the Hold Everything stores. Second quarter year-over-year comparable store sales by retail concept are shown in the table below.
| 13-Weeks Ended | ||
| Retail Concept | 7/30/06 | 7/31/05 |
| Williams-Sonoma | 2.3% | (0.2%) |
| Pottery Barn | (0.2%) | 5.6% |
| Pottery Barn Kids | 8.1% | 4.1% |
| Outlets | (8.6%) | 12.8% |
| Hold Everything ** | - | (17.6%) |
| Total | 1.2% | 3.7% |
*Comparable stores are defined as those stores in which gross square footage did not change by more than 20% in the previous 12 months and which have been open for at least 12 consecutive months without closure for seven or more consecutive days. Comparable stores exclude new retail concepts until such time as we believe that comparable store results in those concepts are meaningful to evaluating the performance of the retail strategy. In fiscal year 2006, the company expects to exclude West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home. In fiscal year 2005, West Elm was excluded.
**Hold Everything stores are excluded from the 2006 comparable store sales calculation as its remaining eight stores were closed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006.
Direct-to-customer net revenues (comprised of both catalog and Internet revenues) in the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 5.9% to $362.2 million versus $342.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2005. This increase was primarily driven by net revenues generated in the Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn, PBteen, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma brands. All brands in the direct-to-customer channel delivered positive growth during the quarter, with the exception of the Williams-Sonoma Home and Hold Everything brands. Excluding Hold Everything, direct-to-customer net revenues for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 8.4% versus the second quarter of fiscal year 2005. Internet revenues in the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 23.7% to $213.8 million versus $172.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2005. Excluding Hold Everything, Internet revenues for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 increased 26.9% versus the second quarter of fiscal year 2005. Although the amount of Internet revenues that are incremental to our direct-to-customer channel cannot be identified precisely, we estimate that approximately 45% of our company-wide non-gift registry Internet revenues are incremental to the direct-to-customer channel and approximately 55% are driven by customers who recently received a catalog.
Gross margin expressed as a percentage of net revenues in the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 was 38.1%. Excluding the $1.6 million or approximately 20 basis point impact of the implementation of FSP FAS 13-1 and the Hold Everything transition charge, gross margin expressed as a percentage of net revenues in the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 was 38.3% versus 38.0% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2005. This 30 basis point increase as a percentage of net revenues was primarily driven by a year-over-year improvement in cost of merchandise across all core brands, partially offset by higher occupancy and customer shipping costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 were $260.3 million or 31.5% of net revenues. Excluding the $3.2 million credit or approximately 40 basis point net benefit from unusual business events and the implementation of FAS 123R, selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 were $263.6 million or 31.9% of net revenues versus $245.6 million or 31.6% of net revenues in the second quarter of fiscal year 2005. This 30 basis point increase as a percentage of net revenues was primarily driven by higher advertising and employment costs, partially offset by reductions in other general expenses. Higher advertising costs as a percentage of net revenues were primarily driven by reduced catalog productivity in the Pottery Barn brand. Increased employment costs as a percentage of net revenues were primarily driven by the ongoing investment in the growth of the West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home brands.
FISCAL 2006 YEAR-TO-DATE -- RESULTS FOR THE 26 WEEKS ENDED JULY 30, 2006
Net earnings for the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2006 increased 2.9% to $58.7 million or $0.50 per diluted share versus $57.0 million or $0.48 per diluted share in the 26 weeks ended July 31, 2005. Excluding the pre-tax impact of $10.0 million ($6.2 million after tax) or $0.05 per diluted share from unusual business events and new accounting pronouncements as described in Exhibit 1, net earnings for the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2006 increased 13.7% to $64.8 million or $0.55 per diluted share.
Diluted earnings per share for the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2006 increased 4.2% to $0.50 per diluted share versus $0.48 per diluted share for the 26 weeks ended July 31, 2005. Excluding a $0.05 per diluted share impact from unusual business events and new accounting pronouncements (see reconciliation below), diluted earnings per share on a non-GAAP basis for the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2006 increased 14.6% to $0.55 per diluted share.
(See Exhibit 1 for Notes 1 through 7)
| 26 Weeks Ended July 30, 2006 |
26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2005 |
% YOY Increase |
|
| GAAP Diluted EPS * | $0.50 | $0.48 | 4.2% |
| Impact of Hold Everything Transition Charge (Note 1) | $0.022 | - | - |
| Impact of CEO Departure Charge (Note 2) | $0.023 | - | - |
| Benefit of Unredeemed Gift Certificate Income (Note 3) | ($0.065) | - | - |
| Benefit of VISA/MasterCard Litigation Settlement (Note 4) |
($0.011) | - | - |
| Subtotal of Unusual Business Events | ($0.031) | - | - |
| Non-GAAP Diluted EPS Excluding Unusual Business Events (Note 7) * | $0.47 | $0.48 | (2.1%) |
| Impact of FAS 123R (Note 5) | $0.077 | - | - |
| Impact of FSP FAS 13-1 (Note 6) | $0.007 | - | - |
| Subtotal of New Accounting Pronouncements | $0.084 | - | - |
| Non-GAAP Diluted EPS Excluding Unusual Business Events and New Accounting Pronouncements (Note 7) * |
$0.55 | $0.48 | 14.6% |
*Due to rounding to the nearest cent per diluted share, totals may not equalthe sum of the line items in the table above.
Net revenues for the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2006 increased 8.2% to $1.620 billion versus $1.497 billion for the 26 weeks ended July 31, 2005. Excluding Hold Everything, net revenues for the 26 weeks ended July 30, 2006 increased 9.0% versus the 26 weeks ended July 31, 2005. Fiscal 2006 year-to-date comparable store sales increased 1.3% versus an increase of 4.3% for the same period of fiscal year 2005. Year-to-date comparable store sales by retail concept are shown in the table below.
| 26-Weeks Ended | ||
| Retail Concept | 7/30/06 | 7/31/05 |
| Williams-Sonoma | 2.1% | (0.4%) |
| Pottery Barn | 0.4% | 5.8% |
| Pottery Barn Kids | 5.7% | 7.0% |
| Outlets | (6.4%) | 16.0% |
| Hold Everything ** | - | (17.2%) |
| Total | 1.3% | 4.3% |
*Comparable stores are defined as those stores in which gross square footage did not change by more than 20% in the previous 12 months and which have been open for at least 12 consecutive months without closure for seven or more consecutive days. Comparable stores exclude new retail concepts until such time as we believe that comparable store results in those concepts are meaningful to evaluating the performance of the retail strategy. In fiscal year 2006, the company expects to exclude West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home. In fiscal year 2005, West Elm was excluded.
**Hold Everything stores are excluded from the 2006 comparable store sales calculation as its remaining eight stores were closed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006.
STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
As announced in a separate press release this morning, our Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire up to 5,000,000 shares of our outstanding common stock. Stock repurchases under this program may be made through open market and privately negotiated transactions at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements and other market conditions. The stock repurchase program does not have an expiration date and may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice.
Our Board of Directors had previously authorized a stock repurchase program in March 2006 to acquire up to 2,000,000 shares of our outstanding common stock. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2006, we repurchased and retired all 2,000,000 shares of our common stock under this program at a weighted average cost of $32.33 per share and an aggregate cost of approximately $64.7 million.
THIRD QUARTER 2006 FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
Net Revenues
- Net revenues are projected to be in the range of $855.0 million to $875.0 million, versus previous guidance in the range of $900.0 million to $921.0 million. This represents a projected increase in net revenues in the range of 3.3% to 5.7% versus $827.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005. Excluding Hold Everything, net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006 are projected to increase in the range of 5.5% to 8.0%.
- Retail net revenues are projected to be in the range of $472.0 million to $482.0 million, versus previous guidance in the range of $485.0 million to $495.0 million. This represents a projected increase in retail net revenues in the range of 6.1% to 8.4% versus $444.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005. Excluding Hold Everything, retail net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006 are projected to increase in the range of 7.4% to 9.7%.
- Comparable store sales growth is projected to be in the range of 0.0% to 2.0%, versus previous guidance in the range of 2.0% to 4.0%. This compares to comparable store sales growth in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005 of 4.4%. Comparable stores exclude new retail concepts until such time as the company believes that comparable store results in those concepts are meaningful to evaluating the performance of the retail strategy. For fiscal year 2006, the company expects to exclude West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home. Hold Everything will also be excluded, as its remaining eight stores were closed during the first quarter of fiscal year 2006.
- Retail leased square footage is projected to increase in the range of 7.0% to 8.0%. Selling square footage is projected to increase in the range of 6.0% to 7.0%. This compares to retail leased and selling square footage growth in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005 of 10.6% and 9.8%, respectively.
- Direct-to-customer net revenues (comprised of both catalog and Internet revenues) are projected to be in the range of $383.0 million to $393.0 million, versus previous guidance in the range of $415.0 million to $426.0 million. This represents no change in direct-to-customer net revenues at the low end of the range and a projected increase of 2.6% at the high end of the range versus $382.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005. Excluding Hold Everything, direct-to-customer net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006 are projected to increase in the range of 3.3% to 6.0%.
- Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006, including the implementation of FSP FAS 13-1 and the impact of the Hold Everything transition charge, is expected to be in the range of 37.9% to 38.2%. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005 was 39.4%. This represents a projected decrease in the gross margin rate in the range of 120 to 150 basis points.
- Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006, excluding the implementation of FSP FAS 13-1 and the impact of the Hold Everything transition charge, is expected to be in the range of 38.1% to 38.4%. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005 was 39.4%. This represents a projected decrease in the gross margin rate on a comparable year-over-year basis in the range of 100 to 130 basis points. This is a non-GAAP comparison.
- Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006, including the impact of FAS 123R, are expected to be in the range of 33.1% to 33.3%. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005 were 32.2%. This represents a projected increase in the SG&A expense rate of 90 to 110 basis points.
- Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006, excluding the impact of FAS 123R, are expected to be in the range of 32.3% to 32.5%. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005 were 32.2%. This represents a projected increase in the SG&A expense rate on a comparable year-over-year basis of 10 to 30 basis points. This is a non-GAAP comparison.
- Interest <Income> Expense - Net in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006 is projected to be interest income in the range of $1.6 million to $1.9 million. This compares to interest income in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005 of $0.6 million.
- The income tax rate in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006 is projected to be in the range of 35.0% to 35.2%. This compares to an income tax rate in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005 of 38.1%.
- Diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006, including the impact of the Hold Everything transition charge and new accounting pronouncements, are expected to be in the range of $0.22 to $0.26, versus previous guidance in the range of $0.33 to $0.35. Diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005 were $0.31. This represents a projected decrease in diluted earnings per share of 16.1% to 29.0%.
- Diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006, excluding the impact of the Hold Everything transition charge and new accounting pronouncements, are expected to be in the range of $0.27 to $0.31, versus previous guidance in the range of $0.38 to $0.40. Diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005 were $0.31. This represents a projected decrease in diluted earnings per share on a comparable year-over-year basis of 12.9% at the low end of the range and no change at the high end of the range. This is a non-GAAP comparison.
- See Exhibit 1 for a reconciliation of 2006 and 2005 GAAP to non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, which includes and excludes the impact of the Hold Everything transition charge and new accounting pronouncements. This reconciliation is being provided to facilitate a meaningful evaluation of the Company's quarterly and fiscal year 2006 diluted earnings per share guidance on a comparable basis with our 2005 quarterly and fiscal year results.
- Merchandise inventories at the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2006 are projected to be in the range of $640.0 million to $650.0 million. Merchandise inventories at the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2005 were $587.4 million. This represents a projected increase in merchandise inventories in the range of 9.0% to 10.7%.
- Depreciation and amortization expense in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006 is projected to be approximately $35.0 million. This compares to depreciation and amortization expense of $30.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005.
- Amortization of deferred lease incentives in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006 is projected to be approximately $7.0 million. This compares to amortization of deferred lease incentives of $6.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005.
FISCAL YEAR 2006 FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
Net Revenues
- Net revenues are projected to be in the range of $3.754 billion to $3.804 billion, versus previous guidance in the range of $3.832 billion to $3.902 billion. This represents a projected increase in net revenues in the range of 6.1% to 7.5% versus $3.539 billion in fiscal year 2005. Excluding Hold Everything, net revenues in fiscal year 2006 are projected to increase in the range of 7.5% to 8.9%.
- Retail net revenues are projected to be in the range of $2.169 billion to $2.197 billion, versus previous guidance in the range of $2.198 billion to $2.233 billion. This represents a projected increase in retail net revenues in the range of 6.7% to 8.1% versus $2.033 billion in fiscal year 2005. Excluding Hold Everything, retail net revenues in fiscal year 2006 are projected to increase in the range of 7.5% to 8.9%.
- Comparable store sales growth is projected to be in the range of 0.5% to 2.0%, versus previous guidance in the range of 2.0% to 3.5%. This compares to comparable store sales growth in fiscal year 2005 of 4.9%. Comparable stores exclude new retail concepts until such time as the company believes that comparable store results in those concepts are meaningful to evaluating the performance of the retail strategy. For fiscal year 2006, the company expects to exclude West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home. Hold Everything will also be excluded, as its remaining eight stores were closed during the first quarter of fiscal year 2006.
- Retail leased square footage is projected to increase in the range of 8.0% to 8.5%, versus previous guidance in the range of 8.5% to 9.0%. Selling square footage is projected to increase in the range of 7.0% to 7.5%, versus previous guidance in the range of 7.5% to 8.0%. This compares to retail leased and selling square footage growth in fiscal year 2005 of 8.6% and 7.9%, respectively.
| Q4 2005 Actual |
Q1 and Q2 2006 Actual |
Q3 2006 Guidance |
Q4 2006 Guidance |
FY 2006 Guidance |
|||||||||
| Concept | Total | Open | Close | End | Open | Close | End | Open | Close | End | Open | Close | |
| Williams-Sonoma | 254 | 10 | (8) | 256 | 4 | (7) | 253 | 6 | (3) | 256 | 20 | (18)* | |
| Pottery Barn | 188 | 7 | (4) | 191 | 5 | (2) | 194 | 2 | (1) | 195 | 14 | (7)* | |
| Pottery Barn Bed+Bath | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Pottery Barn Kids | 89 | 2 | 0 | 91 | 0 | 0 | 91 | 2 | (1) | 92 | 4 | (1)* | |
| West Elm | 12 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 10 | 0 | |
| Williams-Sonoma Home | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 0 | |
| Hold Everything | 8 | 0 | (8) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (8) | |
| Outlets | 16 | 1 | (1) | 16 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | (1)* | |
| Total | 570 | 24 | (21) | 573 | 17 | (9) | 581 | 14 | (5) | 590 | 55 | (35) | |
*Fiscal year 2006 total store opening and closing numbers for Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and Outlets include 16 stores, 6 stores and 1 store, respectively, for temporary closures due to remodeling. Fiscal year 2006 total store opening numbers for Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids include 1 store, 1 store and 1 store, respectively, in the New Orleans area that reopened during the first quarter and 1 Pottery Barn store that reopened in the second quarter after having been temporarily closed in August 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina. Remodeled stores are defined as those stores temporarily closed and subsequently reopened due to square footage expansion, store modification, or relocation. Consistent with our definition of comparable stores, stores to be remodeled are removed from the comparable store base upon temporary closure if the gross square footage is to change by more than 20% or if the store is to be closed for seven or more consecutive days.
- Direct-to-customer net revenues (comprised of both catalog and Internet revenues) are projected to be in the range of $1.585 billion to $1.607 billion, versus previous guidance in the range of $1.634 billion to $1.669 billion. This represents a projected increase in direct-to-customer net revenues in the range of 5.2% to 6.7% versus $1.506 billion in fiscal year 2005. Excluding Hold Everything, direct-to-customer net revenues in fiscal year 2006 are projected to increase in the range of 7.5% to 9.0%.
- Catalog circulation is projected to increase in the range of <0.5% />to 0.5% with pages circulated projected to increase in the range of 5.0% to 6.0%, unchanged from previous guidance. This compares to an approximate 4.6% increase in catalog circulation and a 9.7% increase in pages circulated in fiscal year 2005. Excluding the circulation for the Hold Everything catalog in fiscal years 2005 and 2006, catalog and page circulation in fiscal year 2006 is expected to increase in the range of 3.5% to 4.5% and 7.5% to 8.5%, respectively.
(All Amounts in Millions, Except Percentages)
| Q1 2006 Actual |
Q2 2006 Actual |
Q3 2006 Guidance |
Q4 2006 Guidance |
FY 2006 Guidance |
|
| Net Retail Revenue | $434 | $463 | $472-$482 | $800-$818 | $2,169-$2,197 |
| Net Direct-to-Customer Revenue | $360 | $362 | $383-$393 | $480-$492 | $1,585-$1,607 |
| Total Net Revenue | $794 | $825 | $855-$875 | $1,280-$1,310 | $3,754-$3,804 |
| Year-Over-Year % Increase | 10.2% | 6.4% | 3.3%-5.7% | 5.4%-7.9% | 6.1%-7.5% |
| Year-Over-Year % Increase Excluding Hold Everything* | 10.1% | 8.1% | 5.5%-8.0% | 7.0%-9.5% | 7.5%-8.9% |
| Comparable Store Sales % Change | 1.3% | 1.2% | 0.0%-2.0% | 0.0%-2.5% | 0.5%-2.0% |
*See Note 1 of Exhibit 1
Gross Margin- Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues in fiscal year 2006, including the impact of the Hold Everything transition charge and implementation of FSP FAS 13-1, is expected to be in the range of 40.0% to 40.2%, versus previous guidance in the range of 40.6% to 40.8%. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues in fiscal year 2005 was 40.6%, including the fiscal year 2005 impact of the Hold Everything charge. This represents a projected decrease in the gross margin rate of 40 to 60 basis points.
- Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues in fiscal year 2006, excluding the impact of the Hold Everything transition charge and the implementation of FSP FAS 13-1, is expected to be in the range of 40.2% to 40.4%, versus previous guidance in the range of 40.8% to 41.0%. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues in fiscal year 2005, excluding the Hold Everything transition charge, was 40.7%. This represents a projected decrease in the gross margin rate on a comparable year-over-year basis in the range of 30 to 50 basis points. This is a non-GAAP comparison.
Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses
- Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues in fiscal year 2006, including the impact of the unusual business events and the implementation of FAS 123R (see Exhibit 1), are expected to be in the range of 30.8% to 30.9%, versus previous guidance in the range of 30.9% to 31.1%. Selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal year 2005 were 30.8%, including the fiscal year 2005 impact of the Hold Everything transition charge. This represents no change in the SG&A expense rate at the low end of the range and a projected increase of 10 basis points at the high end of the range.
- Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues in fiscal year 2006, excluding the impact of the unusual business events and the implementation of FAS 123R (see Exhibit 1), are expected to be in the range of 30.3% to 30.4%, versus previous guidance in the range of 30.3% to 30.5%. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues in fiscal year 2005, excluding the Hold Everything transition charge, were 30.6%. This represents a projected decrease in the SG&A expense rate on a comparable year-over-year basis of 20 to 30 basis points. This is a non-GAAP comparison.
- Interest <Income> Expense - Net for fiscal year 2006 is projected to be interest income in the range of $11.2 million to $11.7 million, versus previous guidance in the range of $10.5 million to $11.5 million. This compares to interest income in fiscal year 2005 of $3.7 million.
- The income tax rate for fiscal year 2006 is projected to be in the range of 38.1% to 38.3%, versus previous guidance in the range of 38.6% to 38.8%. This compares to an income tax rate in fiscal year 2005 of 38.4%.
- Diluted earnings per share in fiscal year 2006, including the impact of unusual business events and new accounting pronouncements (see Exhibit 1), are expected to be in the range of $1.87 to $1.94, versus previous guidance in the range of $1.97 to $2.01. Diluted earnings per share in fiscal year 2005 were $1.81. This represents a projected increase in diluted earnings per share of 3.3% to 7.2%.
- Diluted earnings per share in fiscal year 2006, excluding the impact of unusual business events and new accounting pronouncements (see Exhibit 1), are expected to be in the range of $2.01 to $2.08, versus previous guidance in the range of $2.15 to $2.19. This represents a projected increase in diluted earnings per share on a comparable year-over-year basis of 6.9% to 10.6% versus fiscal year 2005. Diluted earnings per share in fiscal year 2005, excluding the $0.07 per diluted share Hold Everything transition charge, were $1.88. This is a non-GAAP comparison.
- See Exhibit 1 for a reconciliation of 2006 and 2005 GAAP to non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, which includes and excludes the impact of unusual business events and new accounting pronouncements. This reconciliation is being provided to facilitate a meaningful evaluation of the company's quarterly and fiscal year 2006 diluted earnings per share guidance on a comparable basis with our 2005 quarterly and fiscal year results.
- Merchandise inventories at the end of fiscal year 2006 are projected to be in the range of $575.0 million to $585.0 million, versus previous guidance in the range of $562.0 million to $573.0 million. Merchandise inventories at the end of fiscal year 2005 were $520.3 million. This represents a projected increase in merchandise inventories in the range of 10.5% to 12.4%.
- Fiscal year 2006 capital spending is projected to be in the range of $185.0 million to $205.0 million, versus previous guidance of $190.0 million to $210.0 million. This compares to capital spending of $151.8 million in fiscal year 2005.
- Depreciation and amortization expense in fiscal year 2006 is projected to be in the range of $135.0 million to $137.0 million, unchanged from previous guidance. This compares to depreciation and amortization expense of $123.2 million in fiscal year 2005.
- Amortization of deferred lease incentives in fiscal year 2006 is projected to be in the range of $28.0 million to $29.0 million, unchanged from previous guidance. This compares to amortization of deferred lease incentives of $24.9 million in fiscal year 2005.
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will host a live conference call today, August 24, 2006, at 6:30 A.M. (PT). The call, hosted by Howard Lester, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will be open to the general public via a live webcast and can be accessed through the Internet at www.williams-sonomainc.com/webcast. A replay of the webcast will be available at www.williams-sonomainc.com/webcast.
SEC REGULATION G -- NON-GAAP INFORMATION
This press release includes non-GAAP net revenue and revenue growth percentages, non-GAAP gross margin percentages, non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses, and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of the implementation of FAS 123R and FSP FAS 13-1, the impact of the CEO departure charge, the benefit of unredeemed gift certificate income, and the benefit of the VISA/MasterCard litigation settlement in fiscal year 2006 and the impact of the Hold Everything consolidation charge in fiscal years 2005 and 2006. We have reconciled these non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the text of this release and in Exhibit 1. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information for investors regarding the performance of our business and facilitate comparisons between historical operating results and our 2006 quarterly and fiscal year guidance. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in order to have comparable financial results to analyze changes in our underlying business from quarter to quarter. These non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to our future financial guidance and results, and the stock repurchase program.
The risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include accounting adjustments as we close our books for the second quarter of 2006; new interpretations of current accounting rules; our ability to successfully transition the Hold Everything merchandise strategies; changes to current accounting rules; changes in tax laws applicable to cash dividends or share repurchases; our ability to anticipate consumer preferences and buying trends; dependence on timely introduction and customer acceptance of our merchandise; construction and other delays in store openings; competition from companies with concepts or products similar to our concepts and products; timely and effective sourcing of merchandise from our foreign and domestic vendors and delivery of merchandise through our supply chain to our stores and customers; effective inventory management commensurate with customer demand; our ability to anticipate and manage customer returns; successful catalog management, including timing, sizing and merchandising; uncertainties in Internet marketing, infrastructure and regulation; changes in consumer spending based on weather, economic, political, competitive and other conditions beyond our control; construction delays on infrastructure projects based on weather or other events; multi-channel and multi-brand complexities; our ability to introduce new brands and brand extensions; dependence on external funding sources for operating capital; our ability to control employment, occupancy and other operating costs; our ability to improve and control our systems and processes; changes to our information technology infrastructure; general political, economic and market conditions and events, including war, conflict or acts of terrorism; and other risks and uncertainties described more fully in our public announcements, reports to shareholders and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2006 and all subsequent current reports on Form 8-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
ABOUT WILLIAMS-SONOMA
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is a nationwide specialty retailer of high quality products for the home. These products, representing six distinct merchandise strategies - Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home - are marketed through 573 stores, seven mail order catalogs and six e-commerce websites.