(Source: Business Wire)

Cache Inc., (NASDAQ:CACH), a specialty chain of women's apparel stores,
reported results for the thirteen ("third quarter") and thirty-nine week
periods ("first nine months") ended September 26, 2009.
For the 13-week period ended September 26, 2009:
Net sales decreased 22.7% to $44.9 million from $58.1 million in the
third quarter of fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales decreased 21.7%,
as compared to a decrease of 3.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2008;
Net loss totaled $6.8 million or ($0.53) per share, including $0.10
per share in separation agreement costs. This compares to a net loss
of $1.6 million or ($0.12) per share, including $0.02 per share in
store closure costs, in the third quarter of fiscal 2008;
Adjusted net loss for the 13-week period in fiscal 2009 was $5.5
million or ($0.43) per share, excluding separation agreement costs,
compared to an adjusted net loss of $1.4 million or ($0.10) per share,
excluding store closure costs, for the 13-week period in fiscal 2008.
Thomas Reinckens, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We
were disappointed with our third quarter results, which reflected lower
than expected sales and our decision to accelerate markdowns in
anticipation of our new fall and holiday assortments. On a positive
note, we maintained a strong balance sheet and generated significant
cost savings, while implementing merchandise strategies to position
Cache for improved sales and profitability during the fourth quarter. In
November, we expect to launch a new expanded assortment to meet more of
our existing customers lifestyle needs, as well as to attract new
customers."
"We are pleased with the progress we made to reposition our Company,"
continued Mr Reinckens. "During the quarter, we intensified our value
pricing initiative, which is allowing us to broaden our customer reach
and continued to maintain a strong balance sheet and stringent financial
discipline. At quarter end, cash and marketable securities totaled $34.2
million, up 33.6% from the prior year and inventory at cost declined by
39.5% from the prior year. We also generated $5 million in expense
savings during the quarter and remain on track to deliver $23 million in
cost reductions this year."
"As we look ahead, we are encouraged about our opportunities in the
fourth quarter given our current and upcoming assortments that include
compelling fashion, increased value and broader appeal," Mr. Reinckens
stated. "Increasing our confidence in our ability to generate better
results in the fourth quarter is the improvement in our sales trend thus
far in October. We also expect to strengthen our gross profit margin
given the acceleration in markdowns to the third quarter, which has
allowed us to increase the newness on our selling floor. Finally, we
have planned our holiday promotions to be more impactful and maximize
the natural increase in mall traffic during the season. Combined, we
believe our efforts position Cache to return to profitability in the
fourth quarter."
For the 39-week period ended September 26, 2009:
Net sales decreased 22.5% to $154.8 million from $199.8 million in the
first nine months of fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales decreased
21.8% following a 1% gain in the first nine months of fiscal 2008;
Net loss was $7.5 million or ($0.59) per share, including $1.3 million
or $0.10 per diluted share in separation agreement costs, net of
taxes. This compares to a net loss of $1.6 million or ($0.12) per
share, including charges, net of taxes, of: $1.7 million or $0.13 per
diluted share related to store closures and $388,000 or $0.03 per
diluted share related to the management change during the first nine
months of fiscal 2008; and
Adjusted net loss for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was $6.2
million or ($0.48) per share, excluding separation agreement costs, as
compared to net income of $531,000 or $0.04 per diluted share,
excluding store closure and management change costs, in the first nine
months of fiscal 2008.
Gross profit for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was $14.2 million, or
31.6% of net sales, compared to $25.6 million, or 44.1% of net sales, in
the third quarter of fiscal 2008. For the first nine months of fiscal
2009, gross profit was $61.2 million, or 39.6% of net sales, compared to
$88.2 million, or 44.2% of net sales, in the first nine months of fiscal
2008. The decline in gross profit margin for the third quarter and first
nine months of fiscal 2009 was primarily driven by increased markdowns
and lower sales which did not offset fixed occupancy costs.
In total, operating expenses were $25.1 million, or 55.8% of net sales,
as compared to $28.3 million, or 48.7% of net sales, in the third
quarter of fiscal 2008. For the first nine months of fiscal 2009, total
operating expenses were $73.3 million, or 47.3% of net sales, compared
to $91.2 million, or 45.6% of net sales, in the first nine months of
fiscal 2008. Operating expenses for the 13-week period and first nine
months of fiscal 2009 included $2.1 million in separation agreement
costs. Operating expenses for the 13-week period in fiscal 2008 included
$449,000 in store closure costs. Operating expenses for the first nine
months of fiscal 2008 included $3.4 million of charges, primarily
related to store closures. The decrease in operating expenses for the
quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009 was primarily driven by a
reduction in store payroll, depreciation and advertising costs, lower
general and administrative costs and the effect of the above-mentioned
one-time charges incurred during the first nine months of fiscal 2008,
partially offset by costs associated with the separation agreement taken
in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.
At September 26, 2009, cash and marketable securities totaled $34.2
million and compares to $25.6 million in cash and marketable securities
at September 27, 2008. Total inventory at cost decreased 39.5% at
quarter end, from the prior-year period. Working capital decreased by
$6.0 million to $40.6 million from $46.6 million at September 27, 2008.
A table summarizing financial results follows:
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended
Sept. 26,2009 Sept. 27,2008 Sept. 26,2009 Sept.