SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
/X/ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 26, 1999
OR
/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _________ TO ___________
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-24543
COST-U-LESS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Washington 91-1615590
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation (I.R.S. Employer
or organization) Identification No.)
12410 SE 32/ND/ STREET
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON 98005
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
(425) 644-4241
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. /X/ YES / /NO.
The registrant had 3,576,858 common shares, par value $0.001, outstanding
at September 26, 1999.
COST-U-LESS, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS............................................... 1
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ............................... 10
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK......... 15
PART 2 - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.................................................. 15
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.......................... 15
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K................................... 15
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Cost-U-Less, Inc.'s (the "Company" or "Cost-U-Less") unaudited condensed
consolidated balance sheet as of September 26, 1999, and the condensed
consolidated balance sheet as of December 27, 1998, unaudited condensed
consolidated statements of income for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 26,
1999, and September 27, 1998 and the unaudited condensed consolidated statements
of cash flows for the 39 weeks then ended are included below. Also, included
below are notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
The Company reports on a 52/53-week fiscal year, consisting of four thirteen-
week periods and ending on the Sunday nearest to the end of December. Fiscal
1999 is a 52-week year with period four ending on December 26, 1999.
-1-
COST-U-LESS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
September 26, 1999 December 27, 1998
--------------------------------------
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets $ 1,829 $ 4,289
Cash and cash equivalents 1,709 1,696
Receivables, net 22,291 16,685
Inventories, net 1,507 878
Other current assets --------- -------
Total current assets 27,336 23,548
Property and equipment, net 13,327 12,712
Deposits and other assets 1,037 957
--------- -------
Total assets $ 41,700 $37,217
========= =======
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 13,670 $11,420
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 1,965 1,832
Line of credit 1,939 -
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations 1,127 1,055
--------- -------
Total current liabilities 18,701 14,307
Deferred rent 379 524
Long-term debt less current portion 1,730 2,036
Capital lease obligations, less current portion 198 754
--------- -------
Total liabilities 21,008 17,621
Total shareholders' equity 20,692 19,596
--------- -------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 41,700 $37,217
========= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
-2-
COST-U-LESS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
13 WEEKS ENDED 39 WEEKS ENDED
-------------------------------------------------
Sept. 26, Sept. 27, Sept. 26, Sept. 27,
1999 1998 1999 1998
-------------------------------------------------
Net sales $ 41,221 $ 32,958 $ 120,435 $ 96,163
Merchandise costs 34,438 27,501 100,397 80,211
Gross profit 6,783 5,457 20,038 15,952
Operating expenses:
Store 4,529 3,769 13,303 10,958
General and administrative 1,377 1,089 4,087 2,960
Store opening 294 83 712 547
Store closing 0 0 0 244
-------------------------------------------------
Total operating expenses 6,200 4,941 18,102 14,709
-------------------------------------------------
Operating income 583 516 1,936 1,243
Other income (expense):
Other expense 0 (10) (57) (10)
Interest income 2 57 73 57
Interest expense (85) (126) (308) (260)
-------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 500 437 1,644 1,030
Income tax provision 180 149 572 354
-------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 320 $ 288 $ 1,072 $ 676
=================================================
Earnings per common share:
Basic $ 0.09 $ 0.09 $ 0.30 $ 0.28
Diluted 0.09 0.09 0.30 0.27
Weighted average common shares
outstanding 3,566,999 3,116,884 3,551,433 2,372,269
=================================================
Weighted average common shares
outstanding, assuming dilution 3,622,935 3,226,655 3,614,665 2,501,252
=================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
-3-
COST-U-LESS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
39 WEEKS ENDED
-------------------------------
September 26, September 27,
1999 1998
-------------------------------
Operating activities
Net income $ 1,072 $ 676
Adjustments to reconcile net income loss to net
cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation 1,176 777
Writedown of property and equipment 203
Deferred tax benefit (276) (20)
Stock compensation 75
Reserve for bad debts 96
Write-off of accounts receivable (82) (7)
Cash provided by (used in) changes in operating
assets and liabilities: 69 (474)
Receivables
Refundable income taxes 179
Inventories (5,606) (4,189)
Prepaid expenses (352) (408)
Deposits and other assets (79) (200)
Accounts payable 2,250 2,510
Accrued expenses 500 603
Income tax payable (368) (141)
Deferred rent (145) 43
---------------------------
Net cash used in operating activities (1,841) (277)
Investing activity - purchases of property and equipment (1,791) (5,682)
Financing activities
Net borrowings under line of credit 1,939 (376)
Proceeds from long-term debt 3,000
Principal payments on long-term debt (474) (562)
Payments on capital lease obligations (316) (299)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock 107 8,671
Foreign currency translation loss (83) (46)
---------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 1,173 10,388
---------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (2,459) 4,429
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 4,289 1,028
---------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 1,829 $ 5,457
===========================
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 294 $ 241
Income taxes $ 983 $ 335
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
-4-
COST-U-LESS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Business
Cost-U-Less, Inc. (the "Company") operates mid-sized warehouse club-style
stores in "island" markets in U.S. territories and foreign markets throughout
the Pacific and the Caribbean. At September 26, 1999, the Company operated
eleven stores located in Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa,
Fiji, Netherlands Antilles and California.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial reporting and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC). The financial information includes all
adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that the Company
considers necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position at such
dates and the operations and cash flows for the periods then ended. The balance
sheet at December 27, 1998 has been derived from the audited financial
statements at that date. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally
included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC
rules and regulations. Operating results for the 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended
September 26, 1999, are not necessarily indicative of results that may be
expected for the entire year. All quarterly periods reported consist of 13
weeks. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes
included in the Company's 10-K filed on March 26, 1999.
Principles of Consolidation
The Company operates wholly owned subsidiaries in Guam, U.S. Virgin
Islands, American Samoa, Nevada, Republic of Fiji, New Zealand, and the
Netherlands Antilles. All significant intercompany balances and transactions
have been eliminated in consolidation.
The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for all locations, except for
Fiji, New Zealand and Netherlands Antilles, which uses those countries' local
currency.
Fiscal Year
The Company's fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December. The year
ending December 26, 1999 represents a 52-week fiscal year.
-5-
COST-U-LESS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Comprehensive Income
Statement No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income requires the Company's
foreign currency translation adjustments to be included in other comprehensive
income. For the 13 weeks ended September 26, 1999 and September 27, 1998, total
comprehensive income amounted to $242,000 and $261,000, respectively. For the 39
weeks ended September 26, 1999 and September 27, 1998, total comprehensive
income amounted to $988,000 and $630,000, respectively.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed on weighted average shares
outstanding. Diluted earnings per share includes the effect of dilutive
securities (options and warrants) except where inclusion is antidilutive.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 1998, the AICPA issued SOP 98-1, Accounting for the Costs of
Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use. The Company adopted
the SOP on December 28, 1998. The SOP requires the capitalization of certain
costs incurred after the date of adoption in connection with developing or
obtaining software for internal use. The adoption of the SOP did not have a
material impact on consolidated results of operations, financial position, or
cash flows.
In April 1998, the AICPA issued SOP 98-5, Reporting on the Costs of Start-
Up Activities. The Company adopted the SOP on December 28, 1998. The SOP
requires that the costs of start-up activities be expensed as incurred. Start-up
activities include those one-time activities related to opening a new store or
conducting business in a new territory. The adoption of the SOP did not have
any impact on consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash
flows.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
-6-
COST-U-LESS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
2. Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted
earnings per share:
13 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 26, September 27, September 26, September 27,
1999 1998 1999 1998
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands except per-share data)
Numerator:
Net income $ 320 $ 288 $ 1,072 $ 676
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per
share - weighted average shares 3,566,999 3,116,884 3,551,433 2,372,269
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and warrants 55,936 109,771 63,232 128,983
Denominator for diluted earnings per
share - adjusted weighted average
shares and assumed conversion of
stock options and warrants 3,622,935 3,226,655 3,614,665 2,501,252
Basic earnings per common share $ 0.09 $ 0.09 $ 0.30 $ 0.28
Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.09 $ 0.09 $ 0.30 $ 0.27
-7-
3. Segment Information
Island Mainland
Stores Stores Other Totals
------------ -------------- ----------- -------------
(In Thousands)
39 Weeks Ended September 26, 1999
Net sales $ 111,683 $ 5,225 $ 3,527 $ 120,435
Contribution (loss) 5,997 (122) 861 6,736
Store opening expense 712 - - 712
Store operating profit (loss) 5,285 (122) 861 6,024
Segment inventories 15,748 850 16,598
Segment total assets 32,497 1,360 - 33,857
39 Weeks Ended September 27, 1998
Net sales $ 89,850 $ 5,002 $ 1,311 $ 96,163
Contribution (loss) 4,626 (59) 427 4,994
Store opening expense 547 - - 547
Store closing expense 244 - - 244
Store operating profit (loss) 3,835 (59) 427 4,203
Segment inventories 11,356 771 - 12,127
Segment total assets 23,019 1,327 - 24,346
13 Weeks Ended September 26, 1999
Net sales 37,429 1,782 2,010 41,221
Contribution (loss) 2,035 (70) 289 2,254
Store opening expense 294 - - 294
Store operating profit (loss) 1,741 (70) 289 1,960
13 Weeks Ended September 27, 1998
Net sales 30,926 1,756 276 32,958
Contribution (loss) 1,497 (17) 208 1,688
Store opening expense 83 - - 83
Store closing expense - -
Store operating profit (loss) 1,414 (17) 208 1,605
-8-
Reconciliation of Income Contribution to Consolidated Income before Tax
39 Weeks Ended 13 Weeks Ended
-------------------------------- -------------------------------
September 26, September 27, September 26, September 27,
1999 1998 1999 1998
------------- -------------- -------------- -------------
(In Thousands)
Total contribution for reportable
segments $ 6,736 $ 4,994 $ 2,254 $ 1,688
Administrative expense not
allocated to segments (4,087) (2,960) (1,377) (1,089)
Store opening/closing expense (712) (791) (294) (83)
Other income / expense (58) (10) 0 (10)
Net interest expense (235) (203) (83) (69)
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Consolidated income before tax $ 1,644 $ 1,030 $ 500 $ 437
=========== =========== ============ ============
Reconciliation of Significant Items
At September 26, 1999 Segment Consolidated
Totals Corporate Totals
-------- -------------- ------------
(In Thousands)
Inventories $16,598 $5,693 $22,291
Total assets $33,857 $7,843 $41,700
4. Income Tax Provision
The effective income tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 1999 was
36.0% compared to a 34.1% effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal
1998. The fluctuation in rate was primarily due to state income tax expense and
varying profits in international locations where tax rates differ from U.S.
rates.
-9-
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the
Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes
thereto appearing in Item 1 of this report. In addition to historical
information, this Form 10-Q contains and may incorporate by reference statements
which may constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
predicted results. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "estimate,"
"anticipate," "continue," or similar terms, variations of such terms or the
negative of those terms, but the absence of such terms does not mean that a
statement is not forward looking. Factors that could affect the Company's actual
results include, but are not limited to: (i) transportation difficulties; (ii)
isolation of store operations from corporate management; (iii) weather and other
risks associated with island operations, (iv) dependence on expansion outside
the U.S.; (v) dependence on key personnel and local managers; (iv) reliance on
computer systems; (v) risks associated with significant growth; and (vi)
competition. More information about factors that could affect the Company's
financial results is included in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the
Company's 10-K for the year ended December 27, 1998 and filed on March 26, 1999
with the Securities Exchange Commission.
Overview
During the third quarter ended September 26, 1999, the Company operated
eleven retail stores located in Guam (2), American Samoa (1), Hawaiian Islands
(2); U.S. Virgin Islands (2); Fiji (2); Netherlands Antilles (1) and California
(1). Although the Company's stores are patterned after the warehouse club
concept, the stores (i) are smaller (averaging 29,300 square feet vs. large
format warehouse clubs of approximately 130,000 square feet), (ii) target niche
markets, including foreign island countries (and U.S. Territories and states)
where demographics do not support large format warehouse clubs, (iii) carry a
wide assortment of local and ethnic food items and (iv) do not charge a
membership fee. Although the Company does not have large seasonal fluctuations
in sales, the fourth quarter is typically the highest sales quarter due to the
additional holiday sales.
-10-
Comparison of the 13 Weeks Ended September 26, 1999 and September 27, 1998
Net Sales: Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 1999 increased 25.1%
to $41,221,000 from $32,958,000 during the third quarter of fiscal 1998,
primarily due to a new store in Fiji which opened November 12, 1998, a new store
in Curacao that opened March 2, 1999, and a comparable-store sales increase of
6.1% (stores open for a full 13 months). The increase in comparable-store sales
was primarily due to continued improvement in product mix and a strong demand
for high quality merchandise at a low cost.
Gross Profit: Gross profit in the third quarter of fiscal 1999 increased to
$6,783,000 from $5,457,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 1998. Gross profit
margin at 16.5% of sales for the third quarter of fiscal 1999, was consistent
with a gross profit margin of 16.6% for the third quarter of fiscal 1998.
Operating Expenses: Store expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 1999
increased 20.2% to $4,529,000 from $3,769,000 during the third quarter of fiscal
1998. As a percentage of net sales, store expenses decreased to 11.0% for the
third quarter of 1999 compared to 11.4% for the third quarter of 1998 due to
increased operating efficiencies.
General and administrative expenses increased $288,000, or 26.5%, to
$1,377,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 1999 from $1,089,000 for the third
quarter of fiscal 1998. General and administrative expenses were 3.3% as a
percentage of net sales in third quarter of fiscal year 1999, the same as third
quarter of fiscal year 1998. The dollar increases were primarily due to costs
associated with the Company's expansion program and expenses related to public
company activities. The Company completed its initial public offering in July
1998.
Store opening expenses were $294,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 1999
compared to $83,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 1998. There were no closing
expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 1998 or 1999. Opening expenses were
higher in the third quarter of 1999 due to the planned opening of two stores in
New Zealand in fourth quarter of fiscal 1999, and a new store in St. Maarten in
first quarter of fiscal 2000. In third quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company
incurred opening expenses for two stores, Suva , Fiji, and Curacao in the
Netherlands Antilles.
Other Income (expense): Interest income of $2,000 for the third quarter of
fiscal 1999 was generated from interest on operating funds, compared to $57,000
in the third quarter of fiscal 1998. The interest income in the third quarter of
fiscal 1998 was due to interest on the net proceeds from the initial public
offering completed on July 23, 1998.
Interest expense decreased to $85,000 for the third quarter of 1999 from
$126,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 due primarily to lower long-term
debt and line of credit borrowings.
Income Tax Provision: The effective income tax rate in the third quarter of
fiscal 1999 was 36.0% compared with 34.1% for the third quarter of fiscal 1998.
Net Income: Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 1999 increased to
$320,000 or $0.09 per share (diluted), compared to net income of $288,000 or
$0.09 per share (diluted), for the third quarter of fiscal 1998. Weighted
average diluted common shares outstanding increased to 3,622,935 in the third
quarter of 1999 from 3,226,655 for the third quarter of fiscal 1998, primarily
as a result of the shares sold in the Company's initial public offering and a
concurrent private placement in July 1998.
Shares outstanding at the end of the third quarter were 3,566,999 compared
to 3,116,884 shares outstanding at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 1998.
-11-
Comparison of the 39 Weeks Ended September 26, 1999 and September 27, 1998
Net Sales: Net sales for the first three quarters of fiscal 1999 increased
25.2% to $120,435,000 from $96,163,000 during the first three quarters of fiscal
1998, primarily due to two new stores in Fiji which opened July 2 and November
12 of 1998, a new store in Curacao that opened March 2, 1999, and a strong
comparable-store sales increase of 9.1% (stores open for a full 13 months). The
increase in comparable-store sales was primarily due to continued improvement in
product mix and a strong demand for high quality merchandise at a low cost.
Gross Profit: Gross profit in the first three quarters of fiscal 1999
increased to $20,038,000 from $15,952,000 in the first three quarters of fiscal
1998. Gross profit margin at 16.6% of sales for first three quarters of fiscal
1999, was consistent with a gross profit margin of 16.6% for the first three
quarters of fiscal 1998.
Operating Expenses: Store expenses for the first three quarters of fiscal
1999 increased 21.4% to $13,303,000 from $10,958,000 during the first three
quarters of fiscal 1998. As a percentage of net sales, store expenses decreased
to 11.0% for the first three quarters of 1999 compared to 11.4% for the first
three quarters of 1998 due to increased operating efficiencies.
General and administrative expenses increased $1,127,000 or 38.1%, to
$4,087,000 for the first three quarters of fiscal 1999 from $2,960,000 for the
first three quarters of fiscal 1998. General and administrative expenses
increased as a percentage of net sales to 3.4% for the first three quarters of
fiscal 1999 compared to 3.1% for the first three quarters of fiscal year 1998.
These increases were primarily due to costs associated with the Company's
expansion program and expenses related to public company activities. The Company
completed its initial public offering in July 1998.
Store opening expenses were $712,000 in the first three quarters of fiscal
1999 compared to $547,000 in the first three quarters of fiscal 1998. Store
opening expenses in the first three quarters of 1999 were for expenses related
to the opening of the store in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, which opened on
March 2, 1999 and expenses incurred in advance of the planned store openings in
the fourth quarter of 1999, and first quarter of 2000. Opening expenses in the
first three quarters of 1998 were impacted by three store openings, including
the opening of the new St. Thomas store and expenses related to the opening of
the store in Nadi, Fiji, which opened on July 2, 1998, and the store in Suva,
Fiji, which opened November 12, 1998. There were no closing expenses in the
first three quarters of 1999 compared to $244,000 closing expenses in the first
three quarters of 1998. The closing expenses in the first three quarters of 1998
related to the relocation of the store on the island of St. Thomas.
Other Income (expense): Interest income of $73,000 for the first three
quarters of fiscal 1999 and $57,000 for the same period in fiscal 1998 was
generated primarily from interest bearing deposits from the net proceeds from
the initial public offering completed on July 23, 1998.
Interest expense increased to $308,000 for the first three quarters of 1999
from $260,000 for the first three quarters of fiscal 1998 due primarily to
interest on the long-term debt secured by the new St. Thomas store facility that
opened June 25, 1998.
Other expense was $57,000 in the first three quarters of fiscal 1999
compared to $10,000 for the first three quarters of fiscal 1998. The increase is
due to the cost of a preferred stock rights offering in first quarter of fiscal
1999.
Income Tax Provision: The effective income tax rate in the first three
quarters of fiscal 1999 was 34.8% compared with 34.4% for the first three
quarters of fiscal 1998.
-12-
Net Income: Net income for the first three quarters of fiscal 1999
increased to $1,072,000 or $0.30 per share (diluted), compared to net income of
$676,000 or $0.27 per share (diluted), for the first three quarters of fiscal
1998. Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding increased to 3,614,665
in the first three quarters of 1999 from 2,501,252 for the first three quarters
of fiscal 1998, primarily as a result of the shares sold in the Company's
initial public offering and a concurrent private placement in July 1998.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The discussion below contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties, and should be read in conjunction with the disclosure in the
Company's 10-K for the year ended December 27, 1998, filed on March 26, 1999.
Actual results may differ materially.
The Company has historically financed its operations with internally
generated funds, the Company's credit facilities and private equity
transactions. In July 1998, the Company raised $8.7 million in net proceeds
from its initial public offering and a concurrent private placement.
Net cash used in operations was $1,841,000 and $277,000 for the first three
quarters of 1999 and 1998, respectively. In the first three quarters of 1999
cash was used primarily to supply inventories for the new store in Curacao that
opened March, 2 1999, the new stores in New Zealand to be opened in fourth
quarter 1999, and an increase in seasonal merchandise. In the first three
quarters of 1998, cash was used primarily to supply inventories for the new
stores that opened in St. Thomas USVI at the end of the second quarter, and Fiji
that opened July 2, 1998.
Net cash used in investing activities was $1,791,000 and $5,682,000 for the
first three quarters of 1999 and 1998, respectively. In the first three quarters
of 1999, the investments were primarily purchases of equipment for Curacao, and
the planned new stores in New Zealand and St. Maarten. In the first three
quarters of 1998, the Company invested in building and equipment for the new
store in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and acquired equipment for Nadi, Fiji,
and Suva, Fiji, resulting in a significantly higher investment.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $1,173,000 and $10,388,000
for the first three quarters of 1999 and 1998, respectively. In the first three
quarters of 1999, borrowings under the Company's line of credit were partially
offset by principal payments on long term debt and capital lease payments. For
the first three quarters of 1998 cash provided by financing activities resulted
from proceeds from the Company's initial public offering, and long term
financing related to the new St. Thomas store.
In April 1999, the Company renewed and increased its line of credit with
Bank of America to $8.0 million, which expires May 1, 2000. Borrowings under
the credit facility bear interest at the bank's prime rate or at LIBOR plus
1.5%. The collateral for the line of credit consists of inventories, equipment
and trade accounts receivable. Borrowings under the line of credit as of
September 26, 1999 were $1,939,000. The Company expects to utilize the credit
facilities as a result of new store openings.
In 1998, the Company entered into a loan agreement and borrowed $2.0
million from Banco Popular de Puerto Rico ("Banco Popular") payable with
interest at the bank's prime rate plus 1.0% (9.25% at September 26, 1999)
maturing on June 1, 2013. As of September 26, 1999, the Company owed $1,844,000
on the note. The note is secured by a first priority leasehold mortgage on the
St. Thomas store and is governed by a loan agreement containing certain
covenants applicable to the Company's subsidiary that owns such store. The
subsidiary is currently in compliance with such covenants.
In 1998, the Company entered into a loan agreement and borrowed $1.0
million from Bank of America, payable with interest at 7.77%, maturing on April
30, 2000 and is secured by the same collateral
-13-
securing the line of credit with Bank of America. As of September 26, 1999, the
Company owed $395,000 on the note.
The Company is currently negotiating a $2.0 million credit facility for the
construction of its store in St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles and anticipates
that the terms and conditions will be similar to the loan agreement with Banco
Popular secured by the St. Thomas store.
The Company estimates that its total cash outlay for opening a typical
island store will be approximately $1.8 million. The Company plans to open two
stores in New Zealand in 1999 in addition to the Curacao store that opened on
March 2, 1999. The New Zealand stores are expected to open in fourth quarter
1999. The Company plans to open a store in St. Maarten in first quarter 2000,
and is currently evaluating future new store opportunities. The Company also
recognizes that its ability to open these stores is subject to considerable risk
and that delays in store openings could occur as a result of weather and other
factors outside of the Company's control. When opening a new store, as well as
on an on-going basis, the Company expects to finance a substantial portion of
its merchandise inventory cost by using a combination of vendor and bank
financing. However, there can be no assurance that this level of financing will
be available in the future on terms acceptable to the Company.
The Company believes that the amounts available on its current credit
facility, existing cash available for working capital purposes, new credit
facilities for the construction of the St. Maarten store, and cash flow from
future operations will be sufficient to open the stores planned in its expansion
in 1999 and 2000. Beyond the St. Maarten store opening, the Company expects
additional increases in the Company's existing line of credit and additional
long term debt financing for both new store construction and equipment will be
obtainable as needed. However, there are no assurances that such financing will
be available when the Company needs it.
Year 2000 Compliance
The Company believes that all of its material systems are Year 2000-
compliant, and expects that its total costs to make all its systems Year 2000-
compliant will be less than $100,000. The Company has contacted all of its
inventory suppliers plus other vendors and suppliers with which its systems
interface and exchange data or upon which it business depends, such as banks,
security alarm monitoring providers, refrigeration equipment suppliers and
maintenance providers and other service suppliers. These efforts are designed
to minimize the extent to which the Company's business will be vulnerable in the
event of the failure of these third parties to remedy their own Year 2000
issues.
The Company's core business systems are now Year 2000 compliant. All
programming changes for Year 2000 compliance were completed by July 1, 1999. A
final test of the core systems was completed in third quarter of fiscal 1999.
In addition, the backroom software at the Company's stores runs on stand alone
personal computers running in a DOS environment that requires modifications to
be Year 2000 compliant. These stand alone systems at the Company's stores are
currently being replaced with systems that bring them on line with the Corporate
system. This process is scheduled to be completed by November 30, 1999.
Contingency plans are in place to modify the existing backroom software and
hardware should the upgrade not be completed before Year 2000.
Management believes that sourcing product from alternative vendors that are
Year 2000 compliant will minimize any potential interruption in product, if one
or more vendors are not able to deliver product in accordance with terms of any
purchase order. The availability of power is considered a significant concern by
management. Although most of the local power companies servicing the islands
that the Company operates have acknowledged Year 2000 compliance, the Company's
back-up generators can provide a secondary source of power. The Company has
experienced disruption in power for extended periods of time
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on numerous occasions as a result of hurricanes and believes that the backup
generators will allow the stores to continue to operate should any power outages
occur as a result of Year 2000 problems. There can be no assurances, however,
that disruptions resulting from Year 2000 issues will not adversely affect the
Company's results of operations or financial position.
ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not Applicable.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits
11.1 Computation of Earnings Per Share*
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
The Company filed a report on Form 8-K dated March 15, 1999, reporting on
Items 5 and 7, relating to the declaration by the Board of Directors of the
Company of a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each
outstanding share of common stock of the Company, in connection with a
Shareholder Rights Agreement entered into between the Company and
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as rights agent.
* See Note 2 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
COST-U-LESS, INC.
(Registrant)
Date 11/10/99 /s/ J. Jeffrey Meder
----------------------- ----------------------------------------
J. Jeffrey Meder
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Date 11/10/199 /s/ Roy W. Sorensen
----------------------- ----------------------------------------
Roy W. Sorensen
Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number Description
- -------------- -----------
11.1 Computation of Earnings Per Share*
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
________________
* See Note 2 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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