-- FY09 Revenues Increased 55% to $247.6 Million --
-- FY09 Gross Profit Increased 35% to $41.0 Million --
-- FY09 Non GAAP Net Income Increased 21% to $10.8 Million --
-- Adjusted EBITDA Increased 21% to $17.2 Million --
-- Opened Seven New Supermarkets in 2009 and Two New Supermarkets in 1Q10 -
-- Earnings Conference Call Scheduled for Tuesday, April 6th --
DAQING, China, April 2 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- QKL Stores Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq: QKLS), a leading regional supermarket chain in Northeastern China with 36 supermarkets and two department stores, today announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Full Year 2009 Financial Results
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, revenue increased 55% to $247.6 million from $160.1 million in 2008. Revenue performance reflected the growth of 18 comparable stores, which are stores that have been opened for at least one year before January 1, 2008, generating approximately $134.5 million sales in 2009, an increase of $7.5 million, or 5.9% compared with $127.0 million sales in 2008 as well as sales from the opening of 16 new stores since January 1, 2008. In 2009, the Company deliberately slowed down its expansion of new stores in response to management's strategy of building a new distribution center, establishing logistics and training systems in preparation to support new stores in the future.
Mr. Zhuangyi Wang, Chairman and CEO, said, "We are pleased to announce solid full year 2009 financial results. We opened six new stores in 2009 including three in the fourth quarter. These three new stores included one hypermarket and two supermarkets for an average size of 3,100 sq. meters, which was a 17% increase over our average store size. New stores are skewing larger due to our greater assortment of grocery, fresh food and non-food items. As our growing base of customers become more selective about food freshness and demand greater product variety, our stores provide a unique experience for our customers' growing product needs. We believe our efforts can result in increased sales and higher gross margins for each store unit over time.
"We continue to make excellent progress building out our infrastructure to enhance overall scalability. We have accomplished a great deal in 2009 including breaking ground on a new distribution center, growing the number of available products in our grocery, fresh food, non-food and private label categories, enhancing our customer marketing initiatives and improving specialized employee training efforts. These actions have propelled QKL Stores into a leading retailer in the Northeastern China region, a position which we hope to expand upon in the coming months and years ahead."
Gross profit increased 35% year on year from $30.4 million, or 19% of total revenue, to $41.0 million, or 16.5% of total revenue, in 2009. The decrease in gross margin reflected the Company's ongoing expansion of new stores, which tend to be less profitable during their early months of operation, as well as increased number of product promotions in order to increase market share and long-term sales volume.
Additionally, fourth quarter gross margin performance reflected classification of certain items based on the suggestion of its new independent auditor, BDO China Li Xin Da Hua CPA, CO, Ltd effective October 16, 2009. The reclassified items include: distribution cost from selling expenses to cost of sales; ii) rental income from renting spaces in our supermarkets from revenue to directly offsetting with rental expense, and iii) marketing income from revenue to directly offsetting with promoting expenses. The full year gross margin before the reclassifications was approximately 18.7%. Going forward, the Company believes that gross margin will be in the range of 17%-19% over the next few quarters, which takes into account these line item reclassifications.
Operating income was flat at $14.5 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 66.7% to $26.5 million from $15.9 million in the prior year, reflecting the increase of new labor cost associated with new store openings, and the fees related to the public offering in November 2009. Adjusted EBITDA increased 21% from $14.3 million in 2008 to $17.2 million in 2009.
Net Income for full year 2009 was $(24.6) million, which included a one-time non-cash charge in 2009 of $35.5 million. Non-GAAP net income, which excluded the non-cash charge, was $10.8 million, or $0.34 per diluted share for the full year of 2009, up 21% from $9.0 million, or $0.29 per diluted share in 2008. The non-cash charge was not related to the Company's operation in any way and resulted solely from the change in fair value of warrants issued to investors in conjunction with Company's issuance of convertible Preferred Stock in March 2008, pursuant to provisions of FASB ASC Topic 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"). The accounting treatment of the Warrants resulted from a provision providing anti-dilution protection to the warrant holders, which provision has been waived by the warrant holders permanently as of March 30, 2010. As such, the Company believes that the non-cash charges will no longer be applied after December 31, 2009.
The following table represents the non-GAAP financial disclosure to provide a quantitative analysis of the impact of the non-cash charge resulting from the change in fair value of warrants for the year ended December 31, 2009 on the Company's net income:
2008 2009
Net Income (US GAAP) $8,997,068 ($24,643,438)
Change in fair value of warrants
(non-cash) -- $35,492,017
Net income (Non-GAAP) $8,997,068 $10,848,579
Adjusted EBITDA increased 21% from $14.3 million in 2008 to $17.2 million in 2009
2008 2009
Net Income $8,997,068 $(24,643,438)
Depreciation $1,727,668 $2,721,636
Amortization $26,679 $27,967
Change in fair value of warrants $-- $35,492,017
Interest income $(272,551) $(222,007)
Interest expense $240,330 $23,734
Provision for income tax $3,556,474 $3,807,794
Adjusted EBITDA $14,275,668 $17,207,703
The Company uses adjusted EBITDA as a measure of the Company's operating trends. Investors are cautioned that adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of liquidity or of financial performance under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The adjusted EBITDA numbers presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA, while providing useful information, should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income or cash flows as determined under GAAP. Consistent with Regulation G under the U.S. federal securities laws, the non-GAAP measures in this press release have been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measure.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $45.9 million of cash, compared to $26.7 million, as of September 30, 2009 and $19.3 million as of December 31, 2008. The cash balance reflected the Company's follow-on offering of 6,900,000 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $5.75 per share, which raised net proceeds of approximately $37.4 million on November 27, 2009. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had no debt or bank loans.
Net cash flow from operating activities was $10.4 million for the full year of 2009 compared to $17.9 million for the full year of 2008. The decrease in net cash from operating activities is mainly due to increases in inventory as well as other receivables, which resulted from lending money to vendors during the fourth quarter of 2009 in the amount of $7.3 million to ensure adequate levels of merchandise during the peak Chinese new year season. Net cash flow used by investing activities was $19.0 million for the full year of 2009, compared to $23.8 million used for the full year of 2008. Net cash flow provided by financing activities was $35.2 million for the full year of 2009, compared to $12.6 million for the full year of 2008.
Retail Store Update
The Company opened its 35th supermarket on March 24th, 2010 in the city of Tangyuan, Heilongjiang, which has a population of approximately 95,000. The store occupies an area of 6,200 square meters and carries items across all three of the Company's core categories.
The Company opened its 36th supermarket on March 31th, 2010 in the city of Daqing, Heilongjiang. The store occupies an area of 2,655 square meters, and carries items across all three of the Company's core categories.
Mr. Wang continued, "We remain highly encouraged with our opportunities in 2010. We plan to open 20 new stores having an aggregate of 100,000 sq. meters of new store space this year. We opened our first store of the year in March and believe our store opening schedule will rapidly accelerate as we head into the warmer weather months as well as open our second distribution center. This second distribution center, to be located in Harbin, is scheduled to open in April. Having a second distribution center will allow us to better support our retail locations with fresher products and greater selection, strengthen supplier relationships and lower our cost of goods sold thereby enhancing gross margin. We have a tremendous market opportunity to further expand our business and ensure that we enhance our position as the leading supermarket and hypermarket retail chain serving tier 2 and tier 3 cities in the northeast China region. We are well capitalized to achieve our store growth targets this year and look forward to achieving many positive developments in 2010."
Conference Call
The Company will conduct a conference call to discuss its 2009 results on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 8:30am ET. Listeners may access the call by dialing 1-719-457-2086. To listen to the live webcast of the event, please go to http://www.viavid.net . Listeners may access the call replay, which will be available through April 20th, 2010, by dialing 1-719-457-0820; conference ID: 1445018.
About QKL Stores Inc.:
Based in Daqing, China, QKL Stores, Inc. is a leading regional supermarket chain company operating in Northeast China. QKL Stores sells a broad selection of merchandise, including groceries, fresh food, and non-food items, through its retail supermarkets, hypermarkets and department stores; the company also has its own distribution centers that service its supermarkets. For more information, please access the Company's website at: http://www.qklstoresinc.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this release and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding future events and developments and our future performance, as well as management's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. The forward looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including market acceptance of the Company's services and projects and the Company's continued access to capital and other risks and uncertainties. The actual results the Company achieves may differ materially from those contemplated by any forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on our current expectations and speak only as of the date of such statements.
For more information, please contact:
QKL Stores, Inc.
In U.S.:
Crystal L. Chen, CFO
Tel: +1-909-895-6516
In China:
Mike Li, Investor Relations
Tel: +86-459-460-7987
ICR, Inc.
In U.S.:
Bill Zima
Tel: +1-203-682-8200
In China:
Wei-Jung Yang
Tel: +86-10-6599-7968
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, December 31,
2009 2008
ASSETS
Cash $45,912,798 $19,285,021
Pledged deposits 181,836 293,149
Accounts receivable, net of allowance
for doubtful accounts of nil and nil,
respectively 283,929 793,352
Inventories 24,691,156 14,544,341
Other receivables 13,980,572 4,189,140
Prepaid expenses 2,993,191 1,862,591
Advances to suppliers 2,965,139 3,342,756
Deferred income tax assets 417,788 --
Total current assets 91,426,409 44,310,350
Property, plant equipment, net 29,402,630 12,960,303
Land use rights, net 753,226 776,259
Goodwill 19,280,509 18,878,823
Other assets 408,391 787,741
Total assets $141,271,165 $77,713,476
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Short-term bank loans $-- $2,188,439
Accounts payable 29,244,923 21,283,818
Cash card and coupon liabilities 7,721,630 3,858,514
Customer deposits received 3,862,890 2,901,205
Accrued expenses and other payables 6,656,089 2,362,077
Income taxes payable 1,154,229 1,252,336
Total current liabilities 48,639,761 33,846,389
Warrant liabilities 44,304,034 --
Total liabilities 92,943,795 33,846,389
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $.001 par value per
Share, authorized 100,000,000, shares,
Issued and outstanding 29,475,983 and
20,882,353 at December 31, 2009 and
December 31, 2008, respectively 29,476 20,882
Series A convertible preferred stock,
par value $0.01, 10,000,000 shares
authorized, 7,548,346 and 9,117,647
shares outstanding at December 31, 2009
and 2008, respectively 75,483 91,176
Additional paid-in capital 53,191,217 21,783,477
Retained earnings - appropriated 4,913,072 3,908,247
Retained earnings 14,236,111 14,204,169
Accumulated other comprehensive income 4,354,233 3,859,136
Total stockholders' equity 48,327,370 43,867,087
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $141,271,165 $77,713,476
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years Ended December 31,
2009 2008
Net sales $247,594,272 $160,129,600
Cost of sales 206,639,561 129,739,748
Gross profit 40,954,711 30,389,852
Selling expenses 21,680,096 12,639,565
General and administrative expenses 4,802,262 3,249,506
Income from operations 14,472,353 14,500,781
Other expenses 14,253 1,979,460
Changes in fair value of warrants 35,492,017
Interest income (222,007) (272,551)
Interest expense 23,734 240,330
Income before income tax (20,835,644) 12,553,542
Income tax expense 3,807,794 3,556,474
Net income $(24,643,438) $8,997,068
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding
Basic 21,885,423 20,882,353
Diluted 31,922,995 31,137,642
Earnings per share
Basic $(1.13) $0.43
Diluted (0.77) 0.29
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31,
2009 2008
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
Net income $(24,643,438) $8,997,068
Depreciation 2,721,636 1,727,668
Amortization 27,967 26,679
Deferred income tax (416,944) --
Loss on disposal of property,
plant and equipment 36,938 --
Change in fair value of warrants 35,492,017
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Accounts receivable 512,692 (781,040)
Inventories (10,047,537) (5,265,816)
Other receivables (9,749,527) (771,775)
Prepaid expenses (327,811) (874,300)
Advances to suppliers 1,686,988 (2,234,224)
Accounts payable 7,829,738 12,699,697
Cash card and coupon liabilities 3,834,412 1,892,717
Customer deposits received 944,028 1,938,371
Accrued expenses and other payables 3,069,863 467,163
Income taxes payable (104,692) 839,059
Net cash provided by operating
activities 10,866,330 18,661,267
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and
equipment (19,566,327) (4,595,461)
Acquisition of business, net -- (19,640,200)
Increase(Decrease) pledged deposits 111,313 (293,149)
Net cash used in investing
activities (19,455,014) (24,528,810)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of Common
stock 37,406,389 --
Proceeds from issuance of Series A
convertible preferred stock 15,500,000
Repayment of bank loan (2,195,872) (2,872,635)
Net cash provided by financing
activities 35,210,517 12,627,365
Net increase in cash 26,621,833 6,759,822
Effect of foreign currency
translation 5,944 1,783,135
Cash at beginning of period 19,285,021 10,742,064
Cash at end of period $45,912,798 $19,285,021
Supplemental disclosures of cash
flow
information:
Interest paid 23,734 240,330
Income taxes paid $4,120,045 $2,472,229
