Sport Chalet Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results


LOS ANGELES, Nov. 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sport Chalet, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPCHA) (Nasdaq:SPCHB) today announced financial results for its second quarter ended September 27, 2009. In addition, the Company announced that for the first half of fiscal 2010, it achieved EBITDA of $4.0 million compared to the minimum requirement of $0.8 million EBITDA contained in the Company's current bank loan agreement. The bank requirement measures cumulative EBITDA on a year-to-date basis each month; accordingly, the $3.2 million achieved above the minimum EBITDA requirement in the first half of fiscal 2010 can be used to offset any future shortfalls during the remainder of fiscal 2010.

Second Quarter Results

Sales decreased 7.9% to $88.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 from $96.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2009. Three new stores not included in same store sales contributed $2.3 million in sales for the quarter while same store sales decreased 12.4%. Same store sales were negatively impacted primarily by continued weak macro economic conditions.

Gross profit as a percent of sales increased to 28.0% for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to 26.5% for the second quarter of fiscal 2009. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales decreased to 24.8% from 29.6% in the same period last year, primarily due to cost containment initiatives which resulted in savings of $7.3 million from decreases in salaries, advertising, professional fees, utilities, repairs and maintenance.

Net loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 was $1.2 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $4.2 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The net loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 did not reflect any net tax benefit (because of tax valuation allowances), while the second quarter of fiscal 2009 reflected a net tax benefit of $2.8 million, or $0.20 per share. Without the tax benefit, the net loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 would have been $7.0 million, or $0.49 per share.

Six-Month Results

For the six months ended September 27, 2009, sales decreased 8.4% to $168.2 million from $183.6 million for the first six months of the prior year. Sales from four new stores not included in same store sales contributed $6.1 million to total sales for the first six months of fiscal 2010. Same store sales decreased 13.6% for the six-month period. Gross profit as a percent of sales was 27.2% for the six months ended September 27, 2009 compared to 26.3% in the same period last year. The increase was primarily a result of decreased markdowns and rent. SG&A as a percent of sales for the six-month period was 25.0% compared to 29.7% in the same period of fiscal 2009, because the cost containment initiatives more than offset the decline in sales.

Net loss for the six months ended September 27, 2009 was $4.2 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $8.7 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, for the six months ended September 28, 2008. The net loss for the six months ended September 27, 2009 did not reflect any net tax benefit (because of tax valuation allowances), while the six months ended September 28, 2008 reflected a net tax benefit of $5.8 million, or $0.41 per share. Without the tax benefit, the net loss for the six months ended September 28, 2008 would have been $14.5 million, or $1.03 per share.

Craig Levra, Chairman and CEO, concluded, "We are pleased with our ability to execute our business plan in what continues to be a challenging economic environment. We remain focused on effectively managing our inventory and expense levels. Our recent results reflect the steps we have taken over the last year to strengthen our liquidity by reducing expenses and improving efficiency and we are cautiously optimistic as we head into our most important holiday season. Though global economic conditions continue to be very challenging, we remain committed to our strategy of providing 'expert' advice and customer service and be first to market with performance, technology and lifestyle merchandise."

About Sport Chalet, Inc.

Sport Chalet, founded in 1959 by Norbert Olberz, is a leading operator of full service specialty sporting goods stores in California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. The Company offers over 50 services for the serious sports enthusiast, including backpacking, canyoneering, and kayaking instruction, custom golf club fitting and repair, snowboard and ski rental and repair, SCUBA training and certification, SCUBA boat charters, team sales, racquet stringing, and bicycle tune-up and repair throughout its 55 locations. The address for Sport Chalet's web site is www.sportchalet.com.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including any statement concerning the Company's prospects or its ability to identify and implement opportunities to improve its results of operations or prospects. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks include, among other things, the negative effect of the economic downturn on the Company's sales, limitations on borrowing under the Company's bank credit facility, the Company's ability to reduce an adequate amount of operating expenses and control costs, the competitive environment in the sporting goods industry in general and in the Company's specific market areas, inflation, the challenge of maintaining its competitive position, changes in costs of goods and services, the weather and economic conditions in general and in specific market areas. These and other risks are more fully described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Discussion Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Disclosures

This release provides information about EBITDA as defined in the Company's current bank loan agreement. This non-GAAP measure of liquidity is included in this release solely to provide information concerning the Company's performance relative to benchmarks contained in the bank loan agreement.



                           SPORT CHALET, INC.
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                               (UNAUDITED)

                                   13 weeks ended     26 weeks ended
                                  ----------------  ------------------
                                   Sept.    Sept.     Sept.     Sept.
                                    27,      28,       27,       28,
                                   2009     2008      2009      2008
                                  -------  -------  --------  --------
                                  (in thousands, except share amounts)
 Net sales                        $88,811  $96,457  $168,214  $183,577
 Cost of goods sold, buying and
  occupancy costs                  63,980   70,861   122,393   135,273
                                  -------  -------  --------  --------
 Gross profit                      24,831   25,596    45,821    48,304

 Selling, general and
  administrative expenses          22,066   28,506    42,003    54,475
 Depreciation and amortization      3,274    3,656     6,730     7,267
                                  -------  -------  --------  --------
 Loss from operations                (509)  (6,566)   (2,912)  (13,438)

 Interest expense                     703      422     1,284     1,079
                                  -------  -------  --------  --------
 Loss before taxes                 (1,212)  (6,988)   (4,196)  (14,517)

 Income tax benefit                    --   (2,767)       --    (5,770)
                                  -------  -------  --------  --------
 Net loss                         $(1,212) $(4,221) $ (4,196) $ (8,747)
                                  =======  =======  ========  ========

 Loss per share:
   Basic                          $ (0.09) $ (0.30) $  (0.30) $  (0.62)
                                  =======  =======  ========  ========
   Diluted                        $ (0.09) $ (0.30) $  (0.30) $  (0.62)
                                  =======  =======  ========  ========

 Weighted average number of
  common shares outstanding:
   Basic                           14,123   14,123    14,123    14,123
                                  =======  =======  ========  ========
   Diluted                         14,123   14,123    14,123    14,123
                                  =======  =======  ========  ========


                        SPORT CHALET, INC.
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                  Sept. 27,   March 29,
                                                    2009        2009
                                                  --------    --------
                                                 (Unaudited)
 Assets                                               (in thousands,
                                                  except share amounts)
 Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                      $    499    $    290
   Accounts receivable, net                          4,248       1,434
   Merchandise inventories                          93,970      88,431
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets         1,193       2,178
   Income tax receivable                                 3       1,004
                                                  --------    --------
     Total current assets                           99,913      93,337

 Fixed assets, net                                  51,349      57,718
                                                  --------    --------
     Total assets                                 $151,262    $151,055
                                                  ========    ========

 Liabilities and stockholders' equity
 Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                               $ 29,706    $ 31,083
   Loan payable to bank                             49,124      39,140
   Salaries and wages payable                        4,169       4,150
   Other accrued expenses                           15,236      19,379
                                                  --------    --------
     Total current liabilities                      98,235      93,752

 Deferred rent                                      24,943      25,217
 Commitments and contingencies

 Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred stock, $.01 par value:
     Authorized shares - 2,000,000
     Issued and outstanding shares - none               --          --
   Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value:
     Authorized shares - 46,000,000
     Issued and outstanding shares - 12,359,990
     at September 27, 2009 and March 29, 2009          124         124
   Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value:
     Authorized shares - 2,000,000
     Issued and outstanding shares - 1,763,321
     at September 27, 2009 and March 29, 2009           18          18
   Additional paid-in capital                       34,652      34,458
   Accumulated deficit                              (6,710)     (2,514)
                                                  --------    --------
 Total stockholders' equity                         28,084      32,086
                                                  --------    --------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $151,262    $151,055
                                                  ========    ========


                          SPORT CHALET, INC.
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                          (UNAUDITED)

                                                      26 weeks ended
                                                 ---------------------
                                                 Sept. 27,    Sept. 28,
                                                   2009         2008
                                                 ---------    ---------
                                                      (in thousands)
 Operating activities
 Net loss                                        $  (4,196)   $ (8,747)
 Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
  (used in) provided by operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization                     6,730       7,267
   Loss on disposal of equipment                        --         179
   Share-based compensation                            194         189
   Deferred income taxes                                --      (5,780)
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
     Accounts receivable                            (2,814)     (3,465)
     Merchandise inventories                        (5,539)    (15,573)
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets         985         883
     Income tax receivable                           1,001          --
     Accounts payable                               (1,377)     18,136
     Salaries and wages payable                         19         308
     Other accrued expenses                         (4,143)      5,065
     Deferred rent                                    (274)      1,781
                                                 ---------    --------
 Net cash (used in) provided by operating
  activities                                        (9,414)        243

 Investing activities
 Purchase of fixed assets                             (361)    (11,536)
                                                 ---------    --------
 Net cash used in investing activities                (361)    (11,536)

 Financing activities
 Proceeds from bank borrowing                      188,794      77,309
 Repayments of bank borrowing                     (178,810)    (65,286)
 Tax benefit on employee stock options                  --          10
                                                 ---------    --------
 Net cash provided by financing activities           9,984      12,033
                                                 ---------    --------

 Increase in cash and cash equivalents                 209         740
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
  period                                               290       3,894
                                                 ---------    --------
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period      $     499    $  4,634
                                                 =========    ========

 Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow
  Information 
 Cash paid during the period for:
   Income taxes                                  $      --    $     --
                                                 =========    ========
   Interest                                      $   1,291    $    591
                                                 =========    ========


            

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