At Home Group Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021 Financial Results

March 23, 2021March 25, 2021 0 Comments

PLANO, Texas–At Home Group Inc. (NYSE: HOME), the home décor superstore, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 30, 2021, both of which contained one additional week (“53^rd week”).

Lee Bird, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “The fourth quarter was a very strong finish to a transformational year for At Home. We delivered comps of nearly 31% for the quarter, leading to record-setting full year comps above 19% and free cash flow improvement of more than $400 million. We achieved these results despite unprecedented challenges during the year, including mandated store closures and inventory constraints, a clear testament to our compelling value proposition, competitive positioning and incredibly dedicated team members. Our unmatched breadth and depth of assortment at everyday low prices, low-cost structure and omnichannel focus remain key differentiators for us.”

Mr. Bird continued, “As we look forward, we have never been more confident in our ability to capture the large opportunity ahead. We are in the early innings of many exciting initiatives, and we remain focused on delivering strong and consistent results. We are prioritizing our efforts in three key areas: new customer retention and growth, optimizing our inventory position, and the enhanced execution of our At Home 2.0 strategy. With the resumption of new store openings, we have reignited a key growth engine on our long-term journey to 600+ stores. We believe the tailwinds of strong home sales, nesting and de-urbanization are likely to continue over the foreseeable future, and we are excited to be a key player taking share in a large and growing industry.”

For the Fourteen Weeks Ended January 30, 2021

The Company opened no new stores in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and ended the quarter with 219 stores in 40 states. The Company opened a net seven stores since the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, representing a 3.3% increase.
Net sales increased 41.3% to $562.0 million from $397.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 primarily due to comparable store sales growth and the favorable impact of the 53^rd week. Excluding the impact of the 53^rd week, fourth quarter fiscal 2021 net sales increased 33.4%. Comparable store sales increased 30.8% driven by strong demand and the continued rollout of our strategic initiatives.
Net sales in the 53^rd week of fiscal 2021 were $31.4 million. The Company estimates that the 53^rd week contributed $15.9 million to gross profit, $11.6 million to operating income and Adjusted EBITDA¹, and $0.14 of EPS to the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2021.
Gross profit increased 91.5% to $218.4 million from $114.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Gross margin increased 1,020 basis points to 38.9% from 28.7% in the prior year period primarily driven by product margin expansion, leverage on our occupancy costs and depreciation expense as a result of increased sales, and lower freight expenses incurred when stores were closed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) increased 56.9% to $115.9 million from $73.8 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A increased 200 basis points to 20.6% from 18.6%, primarily due to increased incentive compensation and advertising expenses year over year, partially offset by operating leverage on higher sales.
Operating income was $100.3 million compared to a $209.1 million operating loss in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, which included a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $250.0 million. Adjusted operating income¹ increased to $100.3 million from $38.2 million in the prior year period. Adjusted operating margin¹ increased 830 basis points to 17.9% from 9.6% driven by the gross margin and SG&A factors described above, including an estimated 120 basis point favorable impact from the 53^rd week.
Interest expense increased to $7.6 million from $7.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, primarily due to the interest incurred on our long-term debt, including our 8.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”), partially offset by the repayment of our term loan and significantly lower borrowings under our revolving credit facility (the “ABL Facility”).
Income tax expense was $20.0 million, and the effective tax rate was 21.6%. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, income tax expense was $7.6 million, and the effective tax rate was (3.5)%.
Net income was $72.7 million compared to a $224.1 million net loss in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted Net Income¹ was $72.6 million compared to $23.9 million in the prior year period.
EPS was $1.08 compared to $(3.50) in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Pro forma adjusted EPS¹ was $1.08 compared to $0.37 in the prior year period.
Adjusted EBITDA¹ increased 94.4% to $119.6 million compared to $61.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.

For the Fiscal Year Ended January 30, 2021

Net sales increased 27.3% to $1,737.1 million from $1,365.0 million in fiscal 2020, primarily driven by comparable store sales growth and the net increase in open stores. Excluding the impact of the 53^rd week in fiscal 2021, net sales increased 25.0%. Comparable store sales increased 19.4% driven by strong demand and the continued rollout of our strategic initiatives, partially offset by lost sales due to mandated store closures related to COVID-19 during the first half of fiscal 2021.
Gross profit increased 55.1% to $601.6 million from $388.0 million in fiscal 2020. Gross margin increased 620 basis points to 34.6% from 28.4% in fiscal 2020 primarily due to leverage on our occupancy costs and depreciation expense as a result of increased sales, product margin expansion and lower freight expenses and distribution center costs incurred when stores were closed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SG&A increased 15.2% to $348.2 million compared to $302.3 million in fiscal 2020. Adjusted SG&A¹ increased 15.5% to $346.8 million from $300.1 million. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased 210 basis points and adjusted SG&A¹ decreased 200 basis points to 20.0% primarily due to lower preopening expenses, reduced spending during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and operating leverage, partially offset by increased incentive compensation expense.
Operating loss improved to $75.2 million from $159.5 million in fiscal 2020. Operating losses in both years were primarily driven by non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $319.7 million and $250.0 million recognized in fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. Adjusted operating income¹ increased to $246.1 million from $80.2 million in fiscal 2020. Adjusted operating margin¹ increased 830 basis points to 14.2% from 5.9% driven by the gross margin and adjusted SG&A¹ factors described above, including an estimated 50 basis point favorable impact from the 53^rd week.
Interest expense decreased 10.4% to $28.5 million from $31.8 million in fiscal 2020 due to reduced average borrowings under our ABL Facility and the repayment of our term loan in full, partially offset by interest incurred on our long-term debt, including our 2025 Notes.
Income tax expense was $42.8 million compared to $23.2 million in fiscal 2020. The effective tax rate was (40.1)% compared to (12.1)% in fiscal 2020. The fiscal 2021 effective tax rate differed from the statutory rate primarily due to the tax impact of the non-cash goodwill impairment charge and net operating loss carryback provisions under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES” Act).
Net loss improved to $149.7 million from $214.4 million in fiscal 2020. Adjusted Net Income¹ was $173.6 million compared to $36.9 million in fiscal 2020.
EPS was $(2.32) compared to $(3.35) in fiscal 2020. Pro forma adjusted EPS¹ was $2.68 compared to $0.57 in fiscal 2020.
Adjusted EBITDA¹ increased 104.4% to $358.4 million from $175.3 million in fiscal 2020.

Balance Sheet Highlights as of January 30, 2021

The Company had $125.8 million of cash and no borrowings outstanding under the ABL Facility compared to $12.1 million of cash and $235.7 million of borrowings as of January 25, 2020. Borrowing availability under the ABL Facility was $312.6 million, inclusive of $35 million of minimum required availability, compared to $150.7 million as of January 25, 2020.
Net inventories decreased 12.8% to $364.5 million from $417.8 million as of January 25, 2020, primarily due to strong demand for our products and reduced inventory purchases during the time our stores were temporarily closed earlier this year related to COVID-19.
Long-term debt decreased to $314.3 million from $334.3 million as of January 25, 2020.

Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. For additional information about non-GAAP measures, including, where applicable, reconciliations to the most directly comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP, please see “Non-GAAP Measures” below. Refer to “Terminology” section for the Company’s non-GAAP definitions.

Outlook & Key Assumptions

Given the unprecedented and continued uncertainty related to COVID-19, the Company is not providing formal guidance at this time.

Conference Call Details

A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter fiscal 2021 financial results is scheduled for today, March 23, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 1-877-407-0789 (international callers please dial 1-201-689-8562) approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A live audio webcast of the conference call along with related materials will be available online at investor.athome.com.

A recorded replay of the conference call will be available within two hours of the conclusion of the call and can be accessed online at investor.athome.com for 90 days.

Terminology

We define certain terms used in this release as follows:

“Adjusted EBITDA” means net income (loss) before net interest expense, income tax provision and depreciation and amortization, adjusted for the impact of certain other items as defined in our debt agreements, including certain legal settlements and consulting and other professional fees, stock-based compensation expense, impairment charges, loss on extinguishment of debt, (gain) loss on sale-leaseback, non-cash rent and other adjustments.

“Adjusted Net Income” means net income (loss), adjusted for impairment charges, (gain) loss on sale-leaseback, loss on extinguishment of debt, payroll tax expenses and the income tax associated with initial public offering non-cash stock-based compensation expense (the “IPO Grant”), costs associated with the restructuring of our merchandising department, the deferred tax expense related to the cancellation of the one-time CEO grant and other adjustments.

“Adjusted operating income” means operating income (loss), adjusted for impairment charges, (gain) loss on sale-leaseback, payroll tax expenses associated with IPO Grant stock option exercises, costs associated with the restructuring of our merchandising department and other adjustments.

“Adjusted operating margin” means adjusted operating income divided by net sales.

“Adjusted SG&A” means selling, general and administrative expenses adjusted for certain expenses, including payroll tax expenses associated with IPO Grant stock option exercises, costs associated with the restructuring of our merchandising department and other adjustments.

“Comparable store sales” means, for any reporting period, the change in period-over-period net sales for the comparable store base. A store is included in the comparable store sales calculation on the first day of the sixteenth full fiscal month following the store’s opening, which is when we believe comparability is achieved. When a store is being relocated or remodeled, we exclude sales from that store in the calculation of comparable store sales until the first day of the sixteenth full fiscal month after it reopens. Sales resulting from our omnichannel initiatives occur at the store level and are included in the calculation of comparable store sales. Comparable store sales for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2021 are reported on a 13- and 52-week basis, respectively.

“EPS” means diluted earnings per share.

“Free cash flow” means net cash provided by operating activities, less net cash used in investing activities.

“GAAP” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

“Leverage ratio” means Net Debt divided by Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months.

“Net Debt” includes long-term debt, borrowing under the ABL revolving credit facility, and current portion of long-term debt and financing obligations, less unamortized deferred debt issuance cost and cash and cash equivalents. Net Debt excludes operating lease liabilities recognized in accordance with ASC 842 Leases.

“Pro forma Adjusted EPS” means Adjusted Net Income divided by pro forma diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

“Pro forma diluted weighted average shares outstanding” means diluted share count on a pro forma basis.

“Store-level Adjusted EBITDA” means Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted further to exclude the impact of costs associated with new store openings and certain corporate overhead expenses that we do not consider in our evaluation of the ongoing operating performance of our stores from period to period.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to and within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate”, “are confident”, “assume”, “believe”, “continue”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “look ahead”, “look forward”, “may”, “might”, “on track”, “outlook”, “plan”, “potential”, “predict”, “reaffirm”, “seek”, “should”, “trend”, “will”, or “vision” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology regarding future events or conditions. In particular, forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation, statements about our financial and operating performance, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition, inventory, the markets in which we operate, expected new store openings, our real estate strategy, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, growth targets, potential growth opportunities, market share, competition, the impact of expected stock option exercises and future capital expenditures, estimates of expenses we may incur in connection with equity incentive awards to management, customer and macroeconomic trends, and other statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, objectives, prospects, assumptions, or future events or performance.

Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations, which we believe are reasonable. However, forward-looking statements are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements in future periods to differ materially from those assumed, projected or contemplated in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following factors: the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and related challenges, risks and uncertainties, including historical and potential future measures taken by governmental and regulatory authorities (such as requiring store closures), which have significantly disrupted our business, employees, customers and global supply chain, and for a period of time, adversely impacted our financial condition (including resulting in goodwill impairment) and financial performance, and which disruption and adverse impacts may continue in the future; the recent and ongoing direct and indirect adverse impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic to the global economy and retail industry; the eventual timing and duration of economic stabilization and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which depends largely on future developments; general economic conditions in the Unites States and globally, including consumer confidence and spending, and any changes to current favorable macroeconomic trends of strong home sales, nesting and de-urbanization (which were enhanced and accelerated due to COVID-19, and may not continue upon a successful vaccine rollout in significant numbers that impacts consumer behavior); our indebtedness and our ability to increase future leverage, as well as limitations on future sources of liquidity, including debt covenant compliance; our ability to implement our growth strategy of opening new stores, which was suspended for fiscal 2021 (with the exception of stores that were at or near completion) and will be limited in the near term; our ability to effectively obtain, manage and allocate inventory, and satisfy changing consumer preferences; increasing freight and transportation costs (including the adverse effects of international equipment shortages and shipping delays) and increasing commodity prices; reliance on third-party vendors for a significant portion of our merchandise, including supply chain disruption matters and international trade regulations (including tariffs) that have, and may continue to, adversely impact many international vendors; the loss or disruption to operating our distribution network; significant competition in the fragmented home décor industry, including increasing e-commerce; the implementation and execution of our At Home 2.0 and omnichannel strategies and related investments; natural disasters and other adverse impacts on regions in the United States where we have significant operations; our success in obtaining favorable lease terms and of our sale-leaseback strategy; our reliance on the continuing growth and utility of our loyalty program; our ability to attract, develop and retain employee talent and to manage labor costs; the disproportionate impact of our seasonal sales activity to our overall results; risks related to the loss or disruption of our information systems and data and our ability to prevent or mitigate breaches of our information security and the compromise of sensitive and confidential data; our ability to comply with privacy and other laws and regulations, including those associated with entering new markets; and the significant volatility of the trading price of our common stock.

Additional information about these and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements in future periods to differ materially from those assumed, projected or contemplated in the forward-looking statements may be found in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 25, 2020, those factors that will be described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021, and subsequent reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included herein, which speak only as of the date hereof or the date otherwise specified herein. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About At Home Group Inc.

At Home (NYSE:HOME), the home decor superstore, offers more than 50,000 on-trend home products to fit any budget or style, from furniture, mirrors, rugs, art and housewares to tabletop, patio and seasonal decor. At Home is headquartered in Plano, Texas, and currently operates 225 stores in 40 states. For more information, please visit us online at investor.athome.com.

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