EXHIBIT 99.1 PRESS RELEASE 99(CENT) ONLY STORES(R) REPORTS EARNINGS PER SHARE OF $0.19 FOR THE THIRD QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002, COMPARED TO $0.16 IN 2001. CITY OF COMMERCE, CA -- October 22, 2002 -- 99(cent) Only Stores(R) (NYSE:NDN) reported net income of $13.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 up 18.7% from $11.2 million in the third quarter of 2001. Net income in the third quarter of 2002 was 7.7% of sales. Earnings per share was $0.19 in the third quarter of 2002, compared with earnings per share of $0.16 in the third quarter of 2001, a 18.8% increase. Total sales in the third quarter 2002 increased 19.6% to $172.3 million compared to net sales of $144.0 million in the third quarter of 2001. Retail sales for the third quarter were $160.4 million, up $29.6 million or 22.6% from sales of $130.8 million in 2001. Same-store-sales in the third quarter were 1.1%. Earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 increased 19.6% to $0.55 compared to $0.46 in 2001. Total sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 increased 24.1%. Same-store-sales for the first nine months of 2002 increased 3.7%. Gross margin for the third quarter of 2002 was 39.9% versus 39.1% in the third quarter of 2001. Retail gross margin for the quarter was 41.3% versus 41.1% in 2001. This improvement in gross margin is due to favorable buys of both close-out and re-orderable product. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 27.9% of sales, compared with 27.4% in 2001. The increase in expenses was principally due to increases in depreciation and in labor costs due to the January 2002 California minimum wage increase. Operating income for the third quarter of 2002 was 12.0% compared with 11.7% for 2001. Pre-tax net income for the third quarter of this year was 12.6%. Eric Schiffer, President of the Company said, "We are pleased to announce strong earnings per share of $0.19. We continue to expect to grow earnings per share by 20% per annum. We are pleased with our customer's positive reaction to recent merchandising initiatives including milk and our newly introduced gourmet food section. We are excited about how our new stores outside of Southern California are performing. We expect to open 7 stores in the fourth quarter and to increase our square footage by at least 25% this year and into the future." 99(cent) Only Stores(R), the nation's oldest existing one-price retailer, operates 146 retail stoRES IN Southern and Central California, Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona and a wholesale division called Bargain Wholesale. 99(cent) Only Stores(R) emphasizes name-brand consumables, priced at an excellent valuE, IN attractively merchandised stores. This press release contains forward-looking statements, as referenced in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Forward-looking statements are inherently unreliable and actual results may differ. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, changes in the competitive market place, general economic conditions, factors affecting the retail industry in general, the timing of new store openings, the ability of the Company to identify and obtain leases for new stores, the ability of the Company to acquire inventory at favorable costs and other factors discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. PAGE 1 99(cent) ONLY STORES STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Amounts in thousands except per share amounts) Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 ------------ ------------ 2002 2001 2002 2001 ---- ---- ---- ---- Net sales: 99(cent)Only Stores $160,424 93.1% $130,799 90.8% $465,507 92.5% $363,534 89.7% Bargain Wholesale 11,839 6.9% 13,223 9.2% 37,722 7.5% 41,831 10.3% -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ 172,263 100.0% 144,022 100.0% 503,229 100.0% 405,365 100.0% Cost of sales 103,509 60.1% 87,751 60.9% 302,668 60.1% 247,845 61.1% -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ Gross Profit 68,754 39.9% 56,271 39.1% 200,561 39.9% 157,520 38.9% Selling, general and Administrative expenses 48,147 27.9% 39,508 27.4% 139,609 27.8% 109,688 27.1% -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ Operating Income 20,607 12.0% 16,763 11.7% 60,952 12.1% 47,832 11.8% Other income (expense) Interest income, net 775 0.4% 937 0.7% 2,350 0.5% 3,364 0.8% Other 360 0.2% 360 0.2% 1,080 0.2% 1,080 0.3% -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ 1,135 0.6% 1,297 0.9% 3,430 0.7% 4,444 1.1% Income before income taxes 21,742 12.6% 18,060 12.6% 64,382 12.8% 52,276 12.9% Provision for income taxes 8,487 4.9% 6,892 4.8% 25,139 5.0% 20,215 5.0% -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------ Net Income $ 13,255 7.7% $ 11,168 7.8% $ 39,243 7.8% $ 32,061 7.9% ======== ====== ======== ====== ======== ====== ======== ====== Basic earnings per share Net income $0.19 $0.16 $0.56 $0.47 ======== ======== ======== ======== Diluted earnings per share Net income $0.19 $0.16 $0.55 $0.46 ======== ======== ======== ======== Weighted average number of Common shares outstanding: Basic 70,043 68,995 69,830 68,635 Diluted 71,217 70,369 71,139 69,684 PAGE 2 99(cent) ONLY STORES BALANCE SHEETS (Amounts in thousands) September 30, December 31, September 30, 2002 2001 2001 ------------- ------------ ------------- ASSETS: Cash $ 3,292 $ 232 $ 10,783 Short-term investments 112,162 147,566 122,469 Receivables, net 3,590 3,523 5,430 Income tax receivable 5,342 1,384 - Inventories 83,823 66,528 68,215 Other current assets 3,212 3,886 4,051 -------- -------- -------- Total current assets 211,421 223,119 210,948 Property and Equipment, net 118,169 103,639 90,388 Long term investments in marketable 42,959 533 - securities Other assets 27,018 24,867 22,428 -------- -------- -------- Total assets $399,567 $352,158 $323,764 ======== ======== ======== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Current portion of capitalized lease $ 41 $ 40 $ - Accounts payable 9,850 15,244 10,178 Accrued expenses 13,881 11,878 7,829 Income tax payable - - 6,960 Due to shareholder - 1,655 - -------- -------- -------- Total current liabilities 23,772 28,817 24,967 Deferred compensation 950 - - Deferred rent 2,150 2,061 2,232 Capitalized lease obligation 1,627 1,637 - -------- -------- -------- 4,727 3,698 2,232 Shareholders' equity 371,068 319,643 296,565 -------- -------- -------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $399,567 $352,158 $323,764 ======== ======== ======== PAGE 3 99(cent) ONLY STORES STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Amounts in thousands) NINE MONTHS ENDED September 30, 2002 2001 -------- -------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income....................................................... $39,243 $32,061 Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization.................................. 12,769 8,703 Other.......................................................... (18) (191) Tax benefit from exercise of non-qualified employee stock 3,925 options...................................................... 3,500 Changes in assets and liabilities associated with operating activities: Accounts receivable............................................ (67) (1,861) Inventories.................................................... (17,295) (4,522) Other assets................................................... 674 (3,836) Accounts payable............................................... (5,393) (2,444) Accrued expenses............................................... 1,518 (1,220) Worker's compensation.......................................... 486 613 Income taxes................................................... (3,958) 6,408 Deferred rent.................................................. 90 90 Due to shareholder............................................. (1,655) - Net cash provided by operating activities.................... 29,894 37,726 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of property and equipment.............................. (27,281) (31,498) Reduction of short-term investments.............................. 35,403 (13,039) Purchases of long-term investments and other .................... (42,426) 1,514 Purchases of other assets........................................ (1,201) - Net cash (used) in investing activities...................... (35,505) (43,023) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Payments of capital lease obligation............................. (10) - Proceeds from exercise of stock options.......................... 8,681 7,046 Net cash provided by financing activities.................... 8,671 7,046 NET INCREASE IN CASH................................................ 3,060 1,749 CASH, beginning of period........................................... 232 9,034 CASH, end of period................................................. $3,292 $10,783 Note to Editors: 99(cent)Only Stores(R)news releases and information available on the World Wide Web AT htpp://www.99only.com CONTACT: 99(cent)Only Stores(R), City of Commerce, California, Andy Farina, CFO, 323/881-9933 PAGE 4