News Release

BELLEVILLE, Wis., Sept. 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Duluth Holdings Inc. (dba, Duluth Trading Company) (“Duluth Trading” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: DLTH), a lifestyle brand of men’s and women’s casual wear, workwear and accessories, today announced its financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended July 29, 2018.

Highlights for the Second Quarter Ended July 29, 2018

• Net sales increased 28.3% to $110.7 million compared to $86.2 million in the prior-year second quarter
• Gross margin decreased 50 basis points to 56.2% compared to 56.7% in the prior-year second quarter
• Operating income increased 33.9% to $9.9 million compared to operating income of $7.4 million in the prior-year second quarter
• Net income increased 48.9% to $6.4 million, or $0.20 per diluted share compared to net income of $4.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share in the prior-year second quarter
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ increased 38.6% to $13.1 million compared to $9.5 million in the prior-year second quarter
• The Company opened six retail stores in Colorado Springs, CO; Lubbock, TX; Denton, TX; Portland, OR; Columbus, OH and Arlington, TX, totaling approximately 92,000 gross square feet
• 34^th consecutive quarter of increased net sales year-over-year

¹See Reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA in the accompanying financial tables.

Management Commentary

“We posted strong results for the second quarter and achieved our 34^th consecutive quarter of increased net sales year-over-year. Our 28% top-line growth was fueled by new stores, a growing contribution from our women’s business and customer demand for our spring and summer products,” said Stephanie Pugliese, Chief Executive Officer of Duluth Trading.

“Our team achieved some significant milestones this quarter. We opened six stores, bringing our total store count to eight new stores this year. Three of the stores opened this quarter were in the state of Texas, one of our top three direct states. All six stores opened strong and we are on track to open seven more stores during the remainder of the year, for a total of 15 new stores in fiscal 2018 as planned. We also successfully implemented two major IT projects. Our order management system went live in May and our ecommerce platform was launched to our customers the first week of August.”

“These results demonstrate the strength of the Duluth Trading brand and validate the investments we have made in building our omnichannel presence over the past few years. For the balance of the year, we plan to focus on product innovation, digital marketing, opening the remaining seven stores, and the completion of key technology and infrastructure projects to prepare us for our peak selling season. We are pleased with our first half results and optimistic about the rest of the year. We expect to deliver on our fiscal 2018 guidance.”

Operating Results for the Second Quarter Ended July 29, 2018

Net sales increased 28.3% to $110.7 million, compared to $86.2 million in the same period a year ago. The net sales increase was driven by a 5.5% growth in direct net sales and a 74.4% growth in retail net sales, with growth in virtually all product categories and in both men’s and women’s business. The increase in retail net sales was primarily due to having 16 more stores during the second quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period a year ago.

Gross profit increased 27.2% to $62.2 million, or 56.2% of net sales, compared to $48.9 million, or 56.7% of net sales, in the corresponding prior-year period. The 50 basis point decrease in gross margin was primarily attributable to a slight increase in product margin, which was more than offset by a decline in shipping revenues and an increase in freight cost.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 26.0% to $52.3 million, compared to $41.5 million in the same period a year ago. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 90 basis points to 47.3%, compared to 48.2% in the corresponding prior-year period. As a percentage of net sales, advertising and marketing costs decreased 310 basis points to 14.3% compared to 17.4% in the corresponding prior-year period, primarily due to a decrease in catalog expense due to a planned decrease in catalog spend as a percentage of net sales, coupled with leverage gained from a higher mix of retail sales. As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses increased 60 basis points to 14.7%, compared to 14.1% in the corresponding prior-year period, primarily due to an increase in customer service expense as a result of growth in the number of retail stores, partially offset by leverage in shipping expenses due to increased retail net sales. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses increased 160 basis points to 18.3% compared to 16.7% in the corresponding prior-year period, primarily due to depreciation and occupancy expenses due to growth in the business.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

The Company ended the quarter with a cash balance of approximately $2.4 million, with net working capital of $73.9 million, and $35.0 million outstanding on its $80.0 million revolving line of credit.

Fiscal 2018 Outlook

The Company reiterated its previously issued fiscal 2018 outlook. Its fiscal 2018 outlook is provided on a 53-week period, compared to a 52-week period in fiscal 2017.

• Net sales in the range of $555.0 million to $575.0 million
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ in the range of $51.0 million to $54.0 million
• EPS in the range of $0.79 to $0.84 per diluted share, with an effective tax rate of 26%
• Capital expenditures, net of proceeds from finance lease obligations, of $45.0 million to $55.0 million²
• 15 new store openings, adding approximately 250,000 of additional gross square footage

¹See Reconciliation of forecasted net income to forecasted EBITDA and forecasted EBITDA to forecasted Adjusted EBITDA in the accompanying financial tables.

²Fiscal 2018 capital expenditures primarily include the Company’s plan to open 15 retail stores, investments in technology and infrastructure improvements.

The table below recaps the Company’s fiscal 2018 stores opened and signed new store leases and the anticipated opening timeframe.

¹Gross square footage includes space used for direct-to-customer fulfillment

Conference Call Information

A conference call and audio webcast with analysts and investors will be held on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 9:30 am Eastern Time, to discuss the results and answer questions.

• Live conference call: 844-875-6915 (domestic) or 412-317-6711 (international)
• Conference call replay available through September 19, 2018: 877-344-7529 (domestic) or 412-317-0088 (international)
• Replay access code: 10123240
• Live and archived webcast: ir.duluthtrading.com              

The Company is enabling investors to pre-register for the earnings conference call so that they can expedite their entry into the call and avoid the need to wait for a live operator. In order to pre-register for the call, investors can visit http://dpregister.com/10123240 and enter in their contact information. Investors will then be issued a personalized phone number and pin to dial into the live conference call. Individuals can pre-register any time prior to the start of the conference call.

About Duluth Trading

Duluth Trading is a rapidly growing lifestyle brand for the Modern, Self-Reliant American. Based in Belleville, Wisconsin, we offer high quality, solution-based casual wear, workwear and accessories for men and women who lead a hands-on lifestyle and who value a job well-done. We provide our customers an engaging and entertaining experience.  Our marketing incorporates humor and storytelling that conveys the uniqueness of our products in a distinctive, fun way, and our products are sold exclusively through our content-rich website, catalogs, and “store like no other” retail locations. We are committed to outstanding customer service backed by our “No Bull Guarantee” - if it’s not right, we’ll fix it. Visit our website at www.duluthtrading.com

Non-GAAP Measurements

Management believes that non-GAAP financial measures may be useful in certain instances to provide additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. Within this release, including the tables attached hereto, reference is made to adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).  See attached Table “Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA,” for a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended July 29, 2018, versus the three and six months ended July 30, 2017. See also attached Table “Reconciliation of Forecasted Net Income to Forecasted EBITDA and Forecasted EBITDA to Forecasted Adjusted EBITDA,” for a reconciliation of forecasted net income to forecasted EBITDA and forecasted EBITDA to forecasted adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending February 3, 2019. Adjusted EBITDA is a metric used by management and frequently used by the financial community, which provides insight into an organization’s operating trends and facilitates comparisons between peer companies, since interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization can differ greatly between organizations as a result of differing capital structures and tax strategies. Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain items that are unusual in nature or not comparable from period to period.  The Company provides this information to investors to assist in comparisons of past, present and future operating results and to assist in highlighting the results of on-going operations.  While the Company’s management believes that non-GAAP measurements are useful supplemental information, such adjusted results are not intended to replace the Company’s GAAP financial results and should be read in conjunction with those GAAP results.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts included in this press release, including statements concerning Duluth Trading's plans, objectives, goals, beliefs, business strategies, future events, business conditions, its results of operations, financial position and its business outlook, business trends and certain other information herein are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding Duluth Trading’s ability to execute on its growth strategies, statements under the heading “Fiscal 2018 Outlook” and the forecasted results of operations in the Table “Reconciliation of Forecasted Net Income to Forecasted EBITDA and Forecasted EBITDA to Forecasted Adjusted EBITDA.” You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” ”might,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “target,” “predict,” “intend,” “future,” “budget,” “goals,” “potential,” “continue,” “design,” “objective,” “forecasted,” “would” and other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon Duluth Trading's current expectations, beliefs, estimates, and projections, and various assumptions, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond Duluth Trading's control. Duluth Trading's expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith, and Duluth Trading believes there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs, estimates, and projections will be achieved and actual results may vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, including, among others, the risks, uncertainties, and factors set forth under Part 1, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 21, 2018, and other factors as may be periodically described in Duluth Trading’s subsequent filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. Duluth Trading assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent events or circumstances or other changes affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

Investor Contacts:
Donni Case (310) 622-8224
Johan Yokay (310) 622-8241
Financial Profiles, Inc.
Duluth@finprofiles.com

(Tables Follow)

DULUTH HOLDINGS INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
 (Amounts in thousands)

DULUTH HOLDING INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share figures)

DULUTH HOLDINGS INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)

DULUTH HOLDINGS INC.
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)

DULUTH HOLDINGS INC.
Segment Information
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)

DULUTH HOLDINGS INC.
Net Sales by Business
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)

DULUTH HOLDINGS INC.
Reconciliation of Forecasted Net Income to Forecasted EBITDA and Forecasted EBITDA to Forecasted Adjusted EBITDA
For the Fiscal Year Ending February 3, 2019
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)

Source: Duluth Trading Company