Bed Bath & Beyond Inc (BBBY) 2008 Q1 法說會逐字稿

And welcome to the Bed Bath & Beyond First Quarter of Fiscal 2008 results conference call.

(OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS).

All participants are in a listen only mode for the duration of the call.

This call is being recorded.

A rebroadcast of the conference call will be available beginning on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 6:30 PM Eastern time through 6:30 PM Eastern time on Friday, June 27, 2008.

To access the rebroadcast, you may dial 1-888-203-1112, with a passcode ID of 4567146.

Now at this time it is my pleasure to turn the conference over to Ron Curwin, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations of Bed Bath & Beyond.

Thank you and good afternoon.

Welcome to Bed Bath & Beyond's First Quarter of Fiscal 2008 conference call.

Within the past hour we issued a press release covering Bed Bath & Beyond's results for the three month period ended May 31, 2008.

During this call we will comment on some of the quarter's highlights and update guidance for the fiscal second quarter and for all of fiscal 2008, a 52-week year ending on February 28, 2009.

Before proceeding, I will read the following statement, and I quote: "Bed Bath & Beyond's fiscal first quarter press release and comments made during this call may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Many of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as may, will, expect, anticipate, estimate, assume, continue, project, plan, and similar words and phrases.

The Company's actual results and future financial condition may differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements as a result of many factors that may be outside the Company's control.

Please refer to Bed Bath & Beyond's SEC filings, including its Form 10-K, for the year ended March 1, 2008.

The Company does not undertake any obligation to update its forward-looking statements."

Warren Eisenberg, Co-Chairman of Bed Bath & Beyond, leads off today's call.

Steven Temares, Chief Executive Officer, and a Member of the Board of Directors, will follow Warren.

An update of our earnings guidance for the fiscal second quarter ending on August 30, 2008 and for all of fiscal 2008, and some additional financial commentary, will conclude today's call.

I'm now very pleased to introduce Warren Eisenberg.

Warren...

Good afternoon.

Our press release, issued within the past hour, showed that our Company earned $0.30 per share in the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2008, compared with earnings of $0.38 per share in the comparable period a year ago.

These results, which were at the upper end of our April 9th guidance range, continue to reflect the challenging macroeconomic environment, to which, as we have previously pointed out, we are not immune.

The retail sector for home-related products continues to be affected by the macroeconomic environment including the slowdown in housing, particularly in certain parts of the country such as Arizona, California, Florida, and Nevada, tight credit markets, high energy costs and ongoing consolidation.

In these challenging times, we will maintain focus on our customers, and, in so doing, seek to further distance ourselves from our competitors.

As always, we base our actions on what is prudent under the circumstances and what is in the best interests of our Company, our customers and our shareholders.

As we have said before, despite the challenges, we will take advantage of the opportunity to further expand our market share by capitalizing on the unique strengths of our decentralized culture, by investing in our infrastructure to achieve our long-term goals and, most importantly, by providing a superior shopping experience for our customers.

We opened nine new Bed Bath & Beyond Stores during the fiscal first quarter, ending the period with 890 stores in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Also as of May 31, 2008, we operated 41 Christmas Tree Shops, 10 buybuy BABY stores (one of which was opened during the fiscal first quarter), and 40 stores under the names Harmon and Harmon Face Values.

Consolidated store space at May 31, 2008 was approximately 30.4 million square feet.

As previously reported, in the fourth quarter of last year we also commenced operations of a new state-of-the-art Christmas Tree Shops distribution center as well as a new e-service fulfillment center, which will facilitate the growth in our online sales.

In addition, we purchased a building adjacent to our corporate offices in Union, New Jersey to support our continuing growth.

In fiscal 2008, we expect to open approximately 50 to 55 new Bed Bath & Beyond stores throughout the United States and Canada.

We have signed or are in the final documentation for approximately a dozen additional sites in Canada, and are actively negotiating another dozen or so as we look to expand aggressively, in our effort to become the first choice for the home in Canada.

In the United States, we continue to target in excess of 1300 Bed Bath & Beyond stores.

Underscoring our long-standing interest in exploring other international opportunities, we are excited to have recently entered into a joint venture in Mexico, which currently operates two stores in the Mexico City market and is well positioned for future growth.

We also plan to accelerate the growth of our Christmas Tree Shops and buybuy BABY store concepts, and to continue to open new Harmon Face Values stores.

Approximately 12 Christmas Tree Shops stores and several buybuy BABY stores are planned to open prior to the end of fiscal '08.

As part of an ongoing program to increase the productivity of our stores, we will also add Fine China departments in many Bed Bath & Beyond stores; Harmon Face Values departments within a number of Bed Bath & Beyond and Christmas Tree Shops stores, and expand, renovate and/or remodel many other stores.

Through the efforts of our approximately 39,000 associates who breathe life into Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, buybuy BABY, Harmon and Harmon Face Values stores everyday, we fully expect to improve our relative position in the marketplace and expand our market share, not only in fiscal 2008, but for years in the future.

And now I'll turn the call over to Steven Temares.

Steve...

Thank you, Warren.

Good afternoon everyone and thank you for participating in this conference call.

As Warren said, our fiscal first quarter results were accomplished in a challenging macroeconomic environment for retailers in general, and home-related retailers, specifically.

Our results reflect the considerable strength of our decentralized organization and demonstrate what can be accomplished through the talents and dedication of our associates, despite the difficult business conditions.

We remain focused on our Company's long-term goals and fully expect, over time, to benefit from the opportunities provided by the current environment to widen the gap between us and our competitors.

We continue to test new merchandise initiatives throughout our stores, and consistently strive to increase productivity of existing stores.

Our bridal and gift registry business, as well as our online sales activities afford us an important opportunity to attract new shoppers to the Bed Bath & Beyond experience.

We are continuing to add associates in key areas throughout our organization and implement new systems at Christmas Tree Shops and buybuy BABY.

Also, as Warren said, we recently opened a new state-of-the-art distribution center and a new e-service fulfillment center.

We continue to expand our business prudently, while simultaneously focusing on controlling costs throughout our organization.

Through a combination of broad merchandise assortments at everyday low prices, superior customer service, merchandising innovations, information technology enhancements and ongoing human resources development, we remain focused on continuing to increase our leadership position in home goods retailing; an industry that we believe will continue to experience consolidation.

We continue to take the long-term approach to building the Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, buybuy BABY and Harmon Face Values concepts, by making the necessary investments in our infrastructure, and we remain enthusiastic about our long-term prospects.

We believe that 2008 will afford us the opportunity to take advantage of these times, to be in a superior and stronger position with an enhanced ability to serve our customers' needs, and to compete more effectively than ever, when the environment improves.

We are confident that we will be able to look back at this period as one affording exceptional opportunity to gain market share and improve our competitive position.

Warren commented earlier about our fiscal first quarter store openings and on our fiscal 2008 store opening program.

As he said, we expect to open approximately 50 to 55 new Bed Bath & Beyond stores in the United States and Canada in fiscal 2008.

We also expect to expand in new and existing markets by opening approximately 12 Christmas Tree Shops and grow our buybuy BABY and Harmon Face Values operations.

While the number of new store openings in these concepts will be growing, we are planning the number of Bed Bath & Beyond store openings to decrease versus prior years, affording us the flexibility to take advantage of real estate opportunities for additional stores that might arise from further retail consolidation, if we so choose.

Our new state-of-the-art distribution facility and new e-service fulfillment center are now both operational, and we are in an improved position to support the growth of our business.

We strongly believe in, and are passionate about, the strong growth potential provided by the merchandise offering across all our retail concepts and the ability it provides for us to do more with our customers in the years ahead.

Also, as Warren touched on, we believe the Canadian market has outstanding growth potential for us.

The aggressive expansion program that we have initiated in Canada is intended to position Bed Bath & Beyond as the Country's premiere retailer of goods for the home.

Turning now to the financial highlights of our fiscal first quarter, our Company earned $0.30 per share compared with $0.38 per share earned in the first quarter a year ago.

While we believe our recent operating results indicate that we continue to outperform others in the home furnishings industry, we are not satisfied and we continue to work hard to achieve improved results over time and we remain focused on building an even more successful business over the long term.

Net sales for the fiscal first quarter were approximately $1.6 billion, about 6.1% higher than in the corresponding fiscal 2007 period.

First quarter comps were up 0.8%.

In last year's first quarter, comps were up 1.6%.

Net sales and comp sales were negatively affected by the economic slowdown, in general, and by issues specific to the housing and mortgage industries in particular.

In those areas of the Country that have been reported as being the most significantly affected by these issues, notably Arizona, California, Florida, and Nevada, comp sales were noticeably weaker than in less affected areas.

The gross profit margin decreased by approximately 180 basis points for the quarter primarily due to an increase in coupon redemptions associated with a heightened promotional environment, an increase in inventory acquisition costs and the shift in the mix of merchandise sold, as we continue to experience a higher percentage of sales of hardlines.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal first quarter were about $537 million or 32.6% of net sales, compared with approximately $492 million, or 31.7% of net sales, in the corresponding quarter a year ago.

SG&A, as a percentage of net sales, increased by approximately 90 basis points for the quarter, primarily due to increases in advertising expenses as a result of our increased distribution of advertising pieces in response to the heightened promotional environment and relative increases in occupancy costs including rent, real estate taxes and depreciation.

As you are aware, historically, first quarter net sales are the lowest of any quarter, so relatively, fixed costs and expenses tend to deleverage SG&A more than in any of the three succeeding quarters when net sales have historically been higher.

Reflecting the movements in the gross profit margin and SG&A expenses, the operating profit margin for the first quarter was lower by approximately 270 basis points.

Interest income in this year's fiscal first quarter of $4.5 million versus $9.9 million a year ago is a result of lower cash balances, reflecting share repurchases, and lower interest rates from a year ago.

We continue to plan capital spending for all of fiscal 2008 to be approximately $265 million.

We'd like to re-emphasize that in today's challenging economic environment, while others in our industry might be unable to invest in their infrastructure and are, in fact, curtailing operations or limiting growth, we have the resources, and are committed, to investing in our Company's future and in providing our customers with a better shopping experience for years to come.

The widening gap between us and our competitors creates a significant opportunity for our Company to continue to increase our share of the home furnishings, and other markets that we serve.

Again, by taking a long-term approach to building the Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, buybuy BABY and Harmon Face Values concepts, and by making the investments in our infrastructure, we expect that all aspects of our business will continue to contribute to the achievement of our goals in the years ahead.

Since becoming a public company, through reinvesting in our business, we have grown from 34 stores in nine states, doing approximately $168 million in net sales to, ending fiscal 2007 with over 970 stores in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada, doing approximately $7 billion in net sales.

In addition, we recently announced the formation of a joint venture with Home & More, a privately held home products retailer operating two stores in Mexico.

We are excited to be entering Mexico with the strong management team of Home & More as our partners.

So to recap, Bed Bath & Beyond's fiscal first quarter produced earnings of approximately $0.30 per share, on an approximately 6.1% increase in net sales, and a 0.8% gain in same store sales.

With our Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 3, 2008, we would like to thank our shareholders, in advance, for supporting the recommendations of our Board of Directors with respect to the proxy proposals.

We encourage shareholders who have not yet voted to take advantage of electronic voting, either via the internet or by telephone.

Please feel free to call Ron or Ken Frankel with any questions you may have.

Our Company has never been stronger or better positioned to compete, and despite the business climate, we are confident that we will achieve our 2008 objectives.

I will now turn the call back to Ron.

Ron...

Thanks Steve.

As you heard from Warren and Steve, our fiscal first quarter results were at the upper end of our April 9th guidance range.

In reflecting upon the balance of our fiscal year, we believe it is prudent to assume that the challenging economic environment will persist.

We will continue to assess our prospects as the year develops and may reflect any changes in our outlook in future quarterly guidance.

As of today, these are our major planning assumptions for fiscal 2008 -

1.

We expect to open approximately 50 to 55 new Bed Bath & Beyond stores throughout the U.S.

and Canada.

Also, in order to enhance their productivity, we plan to expand, renovate or remodel a significant number of Bed Bath & Beyond stores.

We also plan to open approximately 12 new Christmas Tree Shops and several new buybuy BABY stores, as well as open Harmon Face Values stores.

Additional Harmon Face Values departments within Bed Bath & Beyond and Christmas Tree Shops stores, and Fine China departments within Bed Bath & Beyond stores will also be introduced.

New store openings will occur throughout the year, with most in our fiscal second half.

2.

We continue to model relatively flat to slightly negative consolidated comparable store sales for both the fiscal second quarter and for all of fiscal 2008.

3.

Consolidated net sales are expected to increase by approximately 4 to 6% in the fiscal second quarter, and by a slightly higher percentage for all of fiscal 2008.

4.

We expect that our gross profit margin will deleverage from a year ago due to increased merchandise acquisition costs stemming from higher landed costs of goods sourced overseas and other factors.

The other factors include increases in coupons redeemed, due, in part, to the ongoing promotional environment, increases in energy costs, and a continuation of a shift in the mix of sales in favor of hardlines.

5.

Assuming relatively flat to slightly negative consolidated comparable store sales, SG&A expenses are expected to deleverage from a year ago as a result of increases in advertising expense including higher postal and paper costs, and other expenses with projected increases.

6.

Fiscal 2008 interest income is expected to be significantly lower than the $27 million earned a year ago due to lower cash balances principally resulting from share repurchases and lower interest rates than a year ago.

7.

The full year tax provision is estimated to be in the mid to high 30's percentage range, with continuing variability of as much as 200 to 300 basis points in quarterly tax rates as taxable events occur.

8.

We expect to make significant investments in support of several promising long-term growth initiatives including the introduction of our newer store concepts into additional markets.

Internationally, we have entered Canada with an aggressive growth plan and our recently announced joint venture in Mexico affords us entry into that important market.

Capital expenditures for fiscal 2008, principally for new stores, existing stores refurbishment and information technology enhancements, are presently being planned at approximately $265 million, compared with capex of approximately $358 million in fiscal 2007.

The latter included the new distribution facility and e-service fulfillment center.

Our 2008 spending plan is expected to support our efforts to strengthen our competitive advantage over other retailers specializing in merchandise for the home.

9.

Depreciation for fiscal 2008 is estimated to be approximately $175 million versus approximately $158 million in fiscal 2007.

10.

We expect to continue to entirely fund our operations from internally-generated sources.

11.

Our ongoing share repurchase program will continue to be influenced by current economic and market conditions, including, among other factors, the liquidity of the auction rate securities market.

Based on these, and other planning assumptions, our assessment of the current and perspective business environment, and our fiscal first quarter results, we continue to forecast, as we did on April 9th ,that net earnings per share for all of fiscal 2008 will show a low double-digit to a mid-teens percentage decline from the $2.10 net earnings per share reported for fiscal 2007.

Also, based on the previously mentioned factors, net earnings per share for the fiscal second quarter ending August 30, 2008, are forecasted to be in a range of from $0.43 to $0.48 per share, compared with the $0.55 per share reported in the comparable period a year ago.

In arriving at these earnings per share forecasts for both the fiscal second quarter, and for all of fiscal 2008, we are aware of ongoing actions being taken by competitors, as the industry consolidation to which we have referred continues to play itself out.

We are confident that the long-term effects of the industry consolidation will prove to be quite positive for our Company.

However, due to the wide range of possible effects of such consolidation activities in the short-term, we believe that any impact on our fiscal 2008 results can not, at this time, be reasonably quantified.

Therefore, our fiscal 2008 financial model, at this time, does not take into account the effects, if any, resulting from industry consolidation.

Before concluding this afternoon's call, a few additional comments relative to our fiscal first quarter -

1.

Cash and cash equivalents, and investment securities as of May 31, 2008 approximated $563 million.

This includes approximately $322 million par value of auction rate securities less an estimated temporary valuation adjustment of approximately $7 million to reflect the current lack of liquidity of these investments.

Since this valuation adjustment is deemed to be temporary, it did not affect the Company's earnings for the fiscal first quarter.

As we stated in our Form 10-K filing on April 30th, due to current market conditions, these investments have experienced failed auctions beginning in mid-February 2008.

These failed auctions result in a lack of liquidity in the securities, but do not affect the underlying collateral of the securities.

We believe that given the high credit quality of these investments, we will ultimately recover at par all amounts invested in these securities.

We do not anticipate that any potential lack of liquidity in these auction rate securities, even for an extended period of time, will affect our ability to finance our operations, including our expansion program and planned capital expenditures.

It would appear at this time that, financial markets are starting to find alternative means for restoring liquidity at par for these investments.

During the fiscal first quarter, we had redemptions of $4.8 million at par, and expect at least an additional $15 million to be redeemed at par in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

We also anticipate continuing to receive additional redemptions at par throughout the remainder of the year.

These investments are classified primarily as non-current assets until we get better visibility as to when their liquidity will be restored.

The classification and valuation of these securities will be reviewed quarterly.

2.

Inventories continue to be tailored by store to meet the anticipated demands of our customers, and are in good shape going into the summer selling season, which includes the important back-to-school period.

As of May 31, 2008 inventories were on plan at approximately $1.7 billion, or about $57 per consolidated square foot.

3.

Consolidated shareholders' equity at May 31, 2008 approximated $2.7 billion.

At quarter-end, the balance remaining of the share repurchase program authorized in September 2007 was approximately $953 million.

We continue to strive to maintain the capital structure that will enable us to take advantage of opportunities as they may arise.

4.

Consolidated capital expenditures in our fiscal first quarter were approximately $52 million, mostly for new and existing stores, information technology, and supply chain costs.

Depreciation for the period amounted to approximately $44 million.

Despite our forecast of lower than a year ago net earnings per share results, we reiterate our belief, as Warren and Steve have both said, that fiscal 2008 provides an opportunity for us to both strengthen our position as the sector leader, and to expand our market share.

We remain dedicated to providing our customers with a superior shopping experience.

As a reminder, our next conference call, to review operating results for the second fiscal quarter ending August 30, 2008, will be on Wednesday, September 24, 2008.

If you have any questions, Ken and I will be in our offices this evening, June 25, to take your calls.

As always, we very much appreciate your interest in Bed Bath & Beyond.

Thank you all for listening and have a pleasant evening.

Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's conference call.

Thank you for listening.

You may now disconnect.