Pier 1 Imports 8-K Pier 1 Imports, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2014 Second Quarter Results

Exhibit 99.1

Pier 1 Imports, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2014 Second Quarter Results

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September 19, 2013--Pier 1 Imports, Inc. (NYSE:PIR) today reported financial results for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 31, 2013.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2014 Financial Highlights

• Total sales increased 7.6%
• Comparable store sales increased 3.5%
• Gross profit of 40.8% of sales
• Earnings per share of $0.17 (GAAP) versus $0.24 (GAAP) and $0.19 (non-GAAP) for the same period in fiscal 2013 (see reconciliation below of earnings per share to non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share in Financial Disclosure Advisory)

Alex W. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “For each of the last 15 quarters we’ve prided ourselves on our ability to deliver consistent short-term results while building out our ‘1 Pier 1’ omni-channel strategy. During the second quarter, the efforts focused around our short- and long-term goals fell slightly out of balance. In particular, our marketing initiatives did not include appropriate messaging around clearance and promotional activity in our stores, or customer acquisition generally, which contributed to lower than expected store traffic. We should also have done a better job of flowing new product to the stores and reflecting those items in the floor set.”

“On the other hand we continue to make great progress with ‘1 Pier 1’ and are very pleased with online sales during the period. We are enjoying increases in traffic to Pier1.com and conversion rates are steadily moving upward. Indeed, in August our online business achieved a new high water mark of 5% of total sales – a great way to celebrate the first anniversary of our new e-Commerce enabled web site. We also completed the installation of our new point-of-sale system in all 1,066 store locations, another important milestone for our Company.”

Mr. Smith concluded, “We’ve entered the third quarter with a very clean inventory position and a terrific assortment of fall product newly set in the stores. Customers are responding favorably to both regular and seasonal merchandise. We’re confident in our plans for the holiday season, including a stepped up marketing campaign which will see our return to advertising on network TV. We believe the business is well-positioned for the second half of the year and expect to return to our historical levels of quarterly sales and profit growth. Additionally, we remain solidly on track to achieve the goals laid out under our Three-Year Growth Plan. We look forward to giving more details on this morning’s call.”

Second Quarter Fiscal 2014 Results

For the second quarter ended August 31, 2013, the Company reported net income of $17.8 million, or $0.17 per share, compared to $26.2 million, or $0.24 per share a year ago. Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) for the second quarter last year, as described below under Financial Disclosure Advisory, was $20.7 million, or adjusted earnings per share of $0.19. Total sales for the second quarter were $395.6 million, a 7.6% increase versus $367.6 million in the year-ago quarter. Comparable store sales increased 3.5% during the second quarter compared to last year’s comparable store sales gain of 6.7%.

Gross profit for the quarter increased to $161.3 million versus $151.5 million in the second quarter of last year. As a percentage of sales, gross profit was 40.8% compared to 41.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2013.

Second quarter selling, general and administrative expenses were $122.6 million, or 31.0% of sales, compared to $112.0 million, or 30.5% of sales, in the second quarter of last year. Depreciation and amortization for the period was $9.6 million, or 2.5% of sales, versus $7.2 million, or 2.0% of sales in the second quarter of last year.

Operating income for the second quarter decreased to $29.1 million, or 7.3% of sales, compared to $32.3 million or 8.8% of sales, last year.

Year-to-Date Results

For the 26-week period ended August 31, 2013, the Company reported net income of $38.2 million, or $0.35 per share, compared to $44.1 million, or $0.40 per share, in the same period last year. The Company’s adjusted net income (non-GAAP) for the 26-weeks ended August 25, 2012, as described below under Financial Disclosure Advisory, was $38.7 million, or adjusted earnings per share of $0.35. Total sales for the 26-week period ended August 31, 2013 increased 8.5% to $790.5 million compared to $728.7 million in the year-ago period. Comparable store sales for the 26-week period increased 4.7% versus a comparable store sales increase of 7.0% for the 26-week period ended August 25, 2012.

Gross profit for the first half of fiscal 2014 improved slightly to $328.9 million, or 41.6% of sales, from $301.8 million, or 41.4% of sales in the same period last year. Gross profit primarily benefitted from the leveraging of store occupancy costs.

Fiscal 2014 year-to-date selling, general and administrative expenses were $248.1 million, or 31.4% of sales, compared to $228.4 million, or 31.3% of sales, in the same period last year.

Depreciation and amortization in the first half of fiscal 2014 was $18.5 million, or 2.3% of sales, versus $13.7 million, or 1.9% of sales in the year ago period. The increase is attributable to the Company’s ongoing investments in both its stores and e-Commerce business, including the recently completed installation of the Company’s new point-of-sale system in the second quarter.

Operating income for the 26-weeks ended August 31, 2013 was $62.3 million, or 7.9% of sales, compared to $59.7 million, or 8.2% of sales for the same period in fiscal 2013.

Balance Sheet and Share Repurchase Program

As of August 31, 2013, the Company remained in strong financial condition with $124.9 million of cash and cash equivalents. Inventory totaled $444.7 million, an increase of 5.7% compared to $420.8 million a year ago, in line with management’s expectations. Capital expenditures totaled $28.0 million for the quarter and were primarily used for new store openings, existing store improvements, and infrastructure and technology development, including the completion of the rollout of the Company’s new point-of-sale system and enhancements to its e-Commerce platform.

During the second quarter, the Company repurchased 1,866,800 shares of its common stock at an average cost of $22.84 per share and a total cost of approximately $42.6 million. Subsequent to the end of the second quarter, the Company repurchased an additional 544,200 shares of its common stock at an average cost of $22.52 per share and a total cost of approximately $12.3 million. To date the Company has repurchased 3,138,400 shares of common stock under its current $100.0 million share repurchase program at an average cost of $22.91 per share and a total cost of approximately $71.9 million and $28.1 million remains available for repurchase under the plan. As of September 19, 2013, approximately 105.2 million shares of the Company’s common stock were outstanding.

Fiscal 2014 Financial Guidance

The Company provided the following updated financial guidance for fiscal year 2014 on a comparable 52-week basis:

• Total sales growth in the high single-digit range
• Comparable store sales growth in the mid single-digit range
• EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) growth in the range of 12% to 16%, versus previous guidance of 15% to 18%
• Depreciation and amortization of approximately $38 million compared to $31 million in FY13
• Effective annual income tax rate of approximately 38% compared to 35.6% in FY13
• Earnings per share in the range of $1.23 to $1.29, representing year-over-year growth of 5% to 10%, compared to prior guidance of $1.27 to $1.32
• Capital expenditures of approximately $75 million

Second Quarter Results Conference Call

The Company will host a live conference call to discuss fiscal 2014 second quarter financial results at 10:00 a.m. Central Time today, September 19, 2013. Investors will be able to connect to the call through the Company’s website at www.pier1.com. The conference call can be accessed by linking through to the “Investor Relations” page to the “Events” page, or you can listen to the conference call by dialing 1-800-498-7872, or if international, 1-706-643-0435. The conference ID number is 46565710.

A replay will be available after 12:00 p.m. Central Time for a 24-hour period and the replay can be accessed by dialing 1-855-859-2056, or if international, 1-404-537-3406 using conference ID number 46565710.

Financial Disclosure Advisory

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This press release references non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share.

The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release allow management and investors to understand and compare earnings per share results in a more consistent manner for the 13-week second quarter and 26-week period ended August 31, 2013 and the 13-week second quarter and 26-week period ended August 25, 2012. Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share should be considered supplemental and not a substitute for the Company’s net income and earnings per share results that will be recorded in accordance with GAAP for the periods presented. A reconciliation of prior year GAAP net income and earnings per share to non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share is shown below for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 25, 2012 (in millions except per share amounts).

	Fiscal Year 2013
	13-Weeks Ended			26-Weeks Ended
	August 25, 2012			August 25, 2012
Net Income (GAAP)	$	26.2		$	44.1
Add back: Income Tax Provision (GAAP)		8.6			18.8
Income Before Income Taxes (GAAP)		34.9			62.9
Interest Expense Adjustment Related to Uncertain Tax Positions		(2.8	)		(2.8	)
Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes (non-GAAP)		32.1			60.1
Adjusted Income Tax Provision at Estimated 35.6% Annual Effective Tax Rate		11.4			21.4
Adjusted Net Income (non-GAAP)	$	20.7		$	38.7
Diluted Earnings per Share (GAAP)	$	0.24		$	0.40
Interest Expense Adjustment Related to Uncertain Tax Positions		(0.02	)		(0.02	)
Difference of Income Tax Provision at Estimated 35.6% Annual Effective Tax Rate		(0.03	)		(0.03	)
Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share (non-GAAP)	$	0.19		$	0.35

EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Management believes EBITDA is a meaningful indicator of the Company’s performance that provides useful information to investors regarding its financial condition and results of operations. Management uses EBITDA, together with financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, to assess the Company’s operating performance, to enhance its understanding of core operating performance and to compare the Company’s operating performance to other retailers. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation or used as an alternative to GAAP financial measures and does not purport to be an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance. A reconciliation of net income to EBITDA is shown below for the periods indicated (in millions).

	13-Weeks Ended					26-Weeks Ended
	August 31, 2013		August 25, 2012			August 31, 2013		August 25, 2012
Net Income (GAAP)	$	17.8	$	26.2		$	38.2	$	44.1
Add Back: Income Tax Provision		10.9		8.6			23.4		18.8
Interest Expense (Income), net		0.4		(2.3	)		1.0		(1.6	)
Depreciation and Amortization		9.6		7.2			18.5		13.7
EBITDA (non-GAAP)	$	38.8	$	39.8		$	81.1	$	75.0

Management’s expectations and assumptions regarding future results are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this press release. Any forward-looking projections or statements should be considered in conjunction with the cautionary statements and risks contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Refer to the Company’s most recent SEC filings for any updates concerning these and other risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company’s operations and performance. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied will not be realized.

Pier 1 Imports, Inc. is the original global importer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts. Information about the Company is available on www.pier1.com.

Pier 1 Imports, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	August 31,			% of		August 25,			% of
	2013			Sales		2012			Sales
Net sales	$	395,641		100.0	%	$	367,615		100.0	%
Cost of sales		234,342		59.2	%		216,066		58.8	%
Gross Profit		161,299		40.8	%		151,549		41.2	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		122,609		31.0	%		112,021		30.5	%
Depreciation and amortization		9,629		2.5	%		7,214		1.9	%
Operating income		29,061		7.3	%		32,314		8.8	%
Nonoperating expense and (income):
Interest, investment income and other		(272	)				(443	)
Interest expense (income)		569					(2,107	)
		297		0.0	%		(2,550	)	-0.7	%
Income before income taxes		28,764		7.3	%		34,864		9.5	%
Income tax provision		10,930		2.8	%		8,633		2.4	%
Net income	$	17,834		4.5	%	$	26,231		7.1	%
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.17				$	0.25
Diluted	$	0.17				$	0.24
Dividends declared per share:	$	0.05				$	0.04
Average shares outstanding during period:
Basic		105,745					105,786
Diluted		107,249					107,447

Pier 1 Imports, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
	Six Months Ended
	August 31,			% of		August 25,			% of
	2013			Sales		2012			Sales
Net sales	$	790,495		100.0	%	$	728,734		100.0	%
Cost of sales		461,598		58.4	%		426,911		58.6	%
Gross Profit		328,897		41.6	%		301,823		41.4	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		248,079		31.4	%		228,351		31.3	%
Depreciation and amortization		18,542		2.3	%		13,745		1.9	%
Operating income		62,276		7.9	%		59,727		8.2	%
Nonoperating expense and (income):
Interest, investment income and other		(624	)				(1,871	)
Interest expense (income)		1,318					(1,293	)
		694		0.1	%		(3,164	)	-0.4	%
Income before income taxes		61,582		7.8	%		62,891		8.6	%
Income tax provision		23,401		3.0	%		18,835		2.6	%
Net income	$	38,181		4.8	%	$	44,056		6.0	%
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.36				$	0.41
Diluted	$	0.35				$	0.40
Dividends declared per share:	$	0.10				$	0.08
Average shares outstanding during period:
Basic		105,867					107,192
Diluted		107,819					109,154

Pier 1 Imports, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands except share amounts)
(unaudited)
	August 31,			March 2,			August 25,
	2013			2013			2012
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents, including temporary investments
of $83,184, $191,568 and $75,536, respectively	$	124,853		$	231,556		$	115,138
Accounts receivable, net		22,205			22,309			21,736
Inventories		444,661			356,053			420,801
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		56,364			49,016			24,799
Total current assets		648,083			658,934			582,474
Properties, net		171,023			150,615			125,659
Other noncurrent assets		47,157			47,666			71,714
	$	866,263		$	857,215		$	779,847
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	103,067		$	58,701		$	91,430
Gift cards and other deferred revenue		53,109			51,740			48,544
Accrued income taxes payable		6,984			25,249			10,859
Other accrued liabilities		101,454			112,437			98,882
Total current liabilities		264,614			248,127			249,715
Long-term debt		9,500			9,500			9,500
Other noncurrent liabilities		66,921			62,457			60,647
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par, 500,000,000 shares authorized,
125,232,000 issued		125			125			125
Paid-in capital		228,521			233,518			229,002
Retained earnings		601,866			574,206			498,248
Cumulative other comprehensive loss		(4,986	)		(4,828	)		(3,687	)
Less -- 19,601,000, 18,906,000 and 19,244,000
common shares in treasury, at cost, respectively		(300,298	)		(265,890	)		(263,703	)
		525,228			537,131			459,985
	$	866,263		$	857,215		$	779,847

Pier 1 Imports, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
	Six Months Ended
	August 31,			August 25,
	2013			2012
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income	$	38,181		$	44,056
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		21,944			17,649
Stock-based compensation expense		7,271			5,989
Deferred compensation		3,840			3,312
Amortization of deferred gains		(1,464	)		(5,461	)
Change in reserve for uncertain tax positions		648			(7,352	)
Other		796			(1,807	)
Changes in cash from:
Inventories		(88,608	)		(98,319	)
Proprietary credit card receivables		(2,039	)		(2,130	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(7,054	)		(6,680	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		34,479			11,476
Accrued income taxes payable, net of payments		(18,435	)		(9,546	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(10,441	)		(48,813	)
Cash flow from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(42,022	)		(37,858	)
Proceeds from disposition of properties		4,298			38
Proceeds from sale of restricted investments		425			1,176
Purchase of restricted investments		(2,154	)		(2,784	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(39,453	)		(39,428	)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Cash dividends		(10,521	)		(8,559	)
Purchases of treasury stock		(59,639	)		(79,281	)
Proceeds from stock options exercised,
stock purchase plan and other, net		14,485			3,351
Debt issuance costs		(1,134	)		-
Net cash used in financing activities		(56,809	)		(84,489	)
Change in cash and cash equivalents		(106,703	)		(172,730	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		231,556			287,868
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	124,853		$	115,138

CONTACT:
Pier 1 Imports, Inc.
Cary Turner, 817-252-8400