G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. reported that net sales for the fourth quarter ended January 31 declined 27.7% to $34.5 million, compared to $47.7 million during the same period last year. The Company reported a net loss of $3.1 million, or ($0.44) per share, for the three-month period, compared to a net loss of $4.5 million, or ($0.66) per share, during the same period last year.
The results for the three and twelve-month periods ended January 31, 2003 included charges aggregating $4.1 million ($3.4 million on an after-tax basis) in connection with the closing of the Company's manufacturing facility in Indonesia. In addition, included in the results for the prior year are after-tax operating losses at our Indonesian facility, prior to its closedown, of approximately $1.8 million.
Morris Goldfarb, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, “We are pleased with our results for the full year. The primary driver of the results was a strong performance of our sports apparel, but we were also pleased with the performance of a number of our other brands, particularly Sean Jean and Cole Haan. While the retail environment remained challenging, we achieved our financial plan and ended the year with a strong balance sheet.”
For the full year, gross profit percentage improved to 27.6% from 24.3% in the prior year due to increased sales of higher margin sports apparel. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales during the fourth quarter decreased to 12.9% from 20.2% in the fourth quarter of last year due to lower levels of regular price sales and increased allowances and markdowns.
For the first quarter ending April 30, 2004, the Company is forecasting a net loss per share of between ($0.55) and ($0.60). In last year's first quarter, the net loss was ($0.38) per share.
Mr. Goldfarb concluded, “In the upcoming year we expect to continue to grow our core sports apparel, and pursue new opportunities in fashion. We believe that with our multi-channel mix of distribution, that there are numerous opportunities for us to further diversify our business.”
G-III APPAREL GROUP, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Twelve Months
Ended Ended
1/31/04 1/31/03 1/31/04 1/31/03
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net sales $34,503 $47,654 $224,061 $202,651
Cost of sales 30,045 38,046 162,229 153,367
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Gross profit 4,458 9,608 61,832 49,284
Selling, general and
administrative
Expenses 10,651 11,403 47,039 41,551
Costs associated with the
close down of
Indonesian Facility 3,556 3,556
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating profit (loss) (6,193) (5,351) 14,793 4,177
Interest and financing
charges, net 318 533 1,179 1,907
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income (loss) before
income taxes (6,511) (5,884) 13,614 2,270
Income tax expense
(benefit) (3,416) (1,364) 5,238 1,888
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income (loss) $(3,095) $(4,520) $8,376 $382
========== ========== ========== ==========
Income (loss) per common
share:
Basic $(0.44) $(0.66) $1.21 $0.06
========== ========== ========== ==========
Diluted $(0.44) $(0.66) $1.14 $0.05
