Dollarama reports strong results for fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2017

24% increase in quarterly diluted net earnings per common share

10% increase in quarterly cash dividend to $0.11 per common share

Long-term Dollarama store target in Canada raised from 1,400 to 1,700

Credit card payments through Visa, Mastercard and American Express will be accepted in all stores in the second quarter of Fiscal 2018

MONTREAL, March 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Dollarama Inc. (TSX: DOL) ("Dollarama" or the "Corporation") today reported an increase in sales, net earnings and earnings per share for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 29, 2017.

Financial and Operating Highlights

 

All comparative figures that follow are for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 29, 2017 compared to the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 31, 2016.  All financial information presented in this press release has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada ("GAAP") as set out in the CPA Canada Handbook – Accounting under Part I, which incorporates International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). Throughout this press release, EBITDA, EBITDA margin, total debt and net debt, which are referred to as "non-GAAP measures", are used to provide a better understanding of the Corporation's financial results. For a full explanation of the Corporation's use of non-GAAP measures, please refer to footnote 1 of the "Selected Consolidated Financial Information" section of this press release.

 

Throughout this press release, all references to "Fiscal 2016" are to the Corporation's fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, to "Fiscal 2017" are to the Corporation's fiscal year ended January 29, 2017, and to "Fiscal 2018" are to the Corporation's fiscal year ending January 28, 2018.

 

Compared to the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2016

 

Sales increased by 11.5% to $854.5 million;

Comparable store sales(2) grew 5.8%, over and above a 7.9% growth the previous year;

Gross margin(3) was 41.4% of sales, compared to 40.8% of sales;

EBITDA(1) grew 19.1% to $226.2 million, or 26.5% of sales, compared to 24.8% of sales;

Operating income grew 19.1% to $210.7 million, or 24.7% of sales, compared to 23.1% of sales; and

Diluted net earnings per common share increased by 24.0%, from $1.00 to $1.24.

The Corporation opened 26 net new stores during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017 compared to 25 net new stores during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

 

Compared to Fiscal 2016

 

Sales increased by 11.8% to $2,963.2 million;

Comparable store sales(2) grew 5.8%, over and above 7.3% growth the previous year;

Gross margin(3) was 39.2% of sales, compared to 39.0% of sales;

EBITDA(1) grew 17.7% to $703.3 million, or 23.7% of sales, compared to 22.5% of sales;

Operating income grew 17.5% to $645.5 million, or 21.8% of sales, compared to 20.7% of sales; and

Diluted net earnings per common share increased by 23.7%, from $3.00 to $3.71.

The Corporation opened 65 net new stores during Fiscal 2017.

 

"Our financial and operating results for Fiscal 2017 reflect the strength of our business strategy and our execution. We realized a particularly strong fourth quarter with solid comparable store sales reflecting, in part, the continued customer appeal of our product offering, with gross margin also ahead of guidance," stated Neil Rossy, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Thanks to outstanding execution by our operational and real estate teams, we opened 26 net new stores during our busiest quarter. Also, following a review of the market potential for Dollarama stores across Canada, we have revised our long-term target from 1,400 to 1,700 stores. This provides Dollarama with several years of additional footprint growth."

 

Long-Term Store Target

 

In March 2017, the Corporation completed a study to re-evaluate the market potential for Dollarama stores across Canada. The study took into consideration, among other factors, the 2016 census and household income data published in early 2017, the current competitive retail landscape in all markets across Canada, the rates of per capita store penetration, the performance of comparable and new stores and the targeted payback period expected by Dollarama on new store openings. The results of this study support management's confidence in the Corporation's ability to continue to expand the store network beyond the previously disclosed threshold of 1,400 stores, up to approximately 1,700 stores over the next eight to ten years. While cannibalization is expected to increase as the total store count gets closer to 1,700, management does not expect this to have a significant impact on the current average capital payback period of approximately two years.

 

Acceptance of Credit Cards

 

In early 2016, Dollarama launched a credit card pilot program to evaluate the impact and feasibility of accepting credit cards as a payment method in all its stores. Dollarama began accepting credit cards in its stores in British Columbia in January 2016 and later extended the pilot to stores located in Alberta and New Brunswick. Based on the results of the one-year pilot program, the Corporation has concluded that the incremental impact of increased sales offsets the additional costs associated with accepting credit cards as a method of payment. While the Corporation expects the financial impact to be neutral, this additional payment method will provide customers with additional convenience. The Corporation plans to accept credit cards as a payment method in all stores across Canada in the second quarter of Fiscal 2018.

 

New Warehouse in Montreal

 

The construction of the Corporation's new 500,000 square foot warehouse in the Lachine borough of Montreal, Québec was completed on time and under budget. On a square footage basis, the new warehouse has added approximately 40% more warehousing capacity, thereby accommodating the Corporation's future growth as it continues to expand its store network.

 

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

 

Sales for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017 increased by 11.5% to $854.5 million, compared to $766.5 million in the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. The increase in sales was driven by (i) continued organic sales growth fuelled by comparable store sales growth of 5.8%, over and above comparable store sales growth of 7.9% in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016, and (ii) the growth in the total number of stores since the end of the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016.

 

Comparable store sales growth for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017 consisted of a 7.8% increase in the average transaction size and a 1.9% decrease in the number of transactions. The decrease in the number of transactions is mainly a result of the comparative fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016 having been very strong with a 4.2% increase as well as higher than expected average transaction size for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017 of 7.8%.

 

In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017, 64.3% of our sales originated from products priced higher than $1.25 compared to 59.4% in the corresponding quarter last year. Debit card penetration also increased, as 51.4% of sales were paid with debit cards this quarter compared to 49.2% in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

 

Gross margin was 41.4% of sales in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017, compared to 40.8% of sales in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016. The increase is mainly attributable to slightly higher product margins, the positive scaling impact of strong comparable store sales and lower logistics costs as a percentage of sales.

 

SG&A for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017 was $127.2 million, a 3.3% increase over $123.1 million for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016. The increase is primarily related to the continued growth in the total number of stores.

 

SG&A for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017 represented 14.9% of sales, compared to 16.1% of sales for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016. The improvement of 1.2% in SG&A as a percentage of sales is mainly the result of store labour productivity improvements, cost reduction initiatives at store level, and the positive scaling impact of strong comparable store sales.

 

Financing costs increased by $4.6 million, from $6.0 million for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016 to $10.6 million for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017. The increase is mainly due to increased borrowings on long-term debt.

 

Net earnings increased to $146.1 million, or $1.24 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017, compared to $124.8 million, or $1.00 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016. The increase in net earnings is mainly the result of an 11.5% increase in sales and lower SG&A as a percentage of sales. Earnings per share were also positively impacted by the repurchase of shares through the Corporation's normal course issuer bid.

 

Fiscal 2017 Financial Results

 

Sales in Fiscal 2017 increased by 11.8%, to $2,963.2 million, compared to $2,650.3 million in Fiscal 2016. The increase in sales was driven by (i) continued organic sales growth fuelled by comparable store sales growth of 5.8%, over and above comparable store sales growth of 7.3% in Fiscal 2016, including strong seasonal sales, and (ii) the growth in the total number of stores over the past twelve months, from 1,030 stores on January 31, 2016 to 1,095 stores on January 29, 2017.

 

Comparable store sales growth for Fiscal 2017 consisted of a 5.5% increase in the average transaction size and a 0.2% increase in the number of transactions.

 

In Fiscal 2017, 63.4% of our sales originated from products priced higher than $1.25 compared to 58.7% in Fiscal 2016. Debit card penetration also increased, as 49.2% of sales in Fiscal 2017 were paid with debit cards, compared to 47.0% of sales in Fiscal 2016.

 

Gross margin was 39.2% of sales for Fiscal 2017, compared to 39.0% of sales for Fiscal 2016. This increase is mainly attributable to the positive scaling impact of strong comparable store sales as well as slightly lower logistics costs as a percentage of sales. Gross margin for Fiscal 2017 is generally consistent with the guidance provided by management in December 2016, only slightly above the higher end of the range.

 

SG&A for Fiscal 2017 was $458.0 million, a 5.1% increase over $435.8 million for Fiscal 2016. The increase is primarily related to the continued growth in the total number of stores.

 

SG&A for Fiscal 2017 represented 15.5% of sales, compared to 16.4% of sales for Fiscal 2016. The improvement of 0.9% in SG&A as a percentage of sales is mainly the result of store labour productivity improvements, cost reduction initiatives at store level, and the positive scaling impact of strong comparable store sales.

 

Financing costs increased by $11.7 million, from $21.4 million for Fiscal 2016 to $33.1 million for Fiscal 2017. The increase is mainly due to increased borrowings on long-term debt.

 

Net earnings increased to $445.6 million, or $3.71 per diluted common share, for Fiscal 2017, compared to $385.1 million, or $3.00 per diluted common share, for Fiscal 2016. The increase in net earnings is mainly the result of an 11.8 % increase in sales and lower SG&A as a percentage of sales. Earnings per share were also positively impacted by the repurchase of shares through the Corporation's normal course issuer bid.

 

Dividend Increase

 

On March 30, 2017, the Corporation announced that its board of directors had approved a 10.0 % increase of the quarterly cash dividend for holders of common shares, from $0.10 per common share to $0.11 per common share. This increased quarterly dividend will be paid on May 3, 2017 to shareholders of record as at the close of business on April 21, 2017 and is designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian tax purposes.

 

Normal Course Issuer Bid

 

On June 8, 2016, the Corporation announced that the Board of Directors had approved the renewal of the normal course issuer bid and that the Corporation had received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") to purchase for cancellation up to 5,975,854 common shares (representing 5.0% of the common shares issued and outstanding as at the close of markets on June 7, 2016) during the 12‑month period from June 17, 2016 to June 16, 2017 (the "2016-2017 NCIB").

 

The total number of common shares repurchased for cancellation under the 2016-2017 NCIB and the previous normal course issuer bid in effect during Fiscal 2017 amounted to 7,420,168 common shares, at a weighted average price of $95.07 per common share, for a total cash consideration of $705.4 million.

 

As part of the 2016-2017 NCIB, the Corporation entered into a specific share repurchase program with a third party on January 10, 2017 to repurchase common shares through daily purchases, subject to the conditions of an issuer bid exemption order issued by the Ontario Securities Commission. The price that the Corporation paid for the common shares was negotiated by the Corporation and the third party, and represented a discount to the volume weighted average trading price of the common shares on the Canadian markets on the date of each purchase. A total of 1,120,040 common shares were repurchased through this specific program, representing all available holdings of common shares of the third party, for an aggregate purchase price of $110.4 million. The program officially ended on March 13, 2017.

 

Outlook         

 

 

These guidance ranges are based on a number of assumptions, including:

• the number of signed offers to lease and store pipeline for the next 12 months;
• comparable store sales growth for Fiscal 2018 in the range of 4.0% to 5.0%;
• positive customer response to our product offering, value proposition and in-store merchandising;
• the active management of our product margins, including by refreshing between 25% to 30% of our offering on an annual basis;
• the absence of significant increases in occupancy costs, wages and transportation costs;
• the entering into of foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge the majority of forecasted purchases of merchandise in U.S. dollars against fluctuations of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar;
• the continued execution of in‑store productivity initiatives, including, without limitation, the efficient use of advanced scheduling and the realization of cost savings and benefits aimed at improving operating expenses;
• ongoing cost monitoring;
• the capital budget for Fiscal 2018 for: new store openings, maintenance capital expenditures, and transformational capital expenditures (the latter being mainly related to information technology projects);
• the successful execution of our business strategy;
• the absence of a significant shift in economic conditions or material changes in the retail competitive environment; and
• the absence of unusually adverse weather, especially in peak seasons around major holidays and celebrations.

Many factors could cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks related to: future increases in operating and merchandise costs, inability to sustain assortment and replenishment of merchandise, increase in the cost or a disruption in the flow of imported goods, failure to maintain brand image and reputation, disruption of distribution infrastructure, inventory shrinkage, inability to renew store, warehouse, distribution center and head office leases on favourable terms, seasonality, market acceptance of private brands, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, competition in the retail industry, current economic conditions, failure to attract and retain quality employees, disruption in information technology systems, unsuccessful execution of the growth strategy, adverse weather, product liability claims and product recalls, litigation and regulatory compliance.

This guidance, including the various underlying assumptions, is forward-looking and should be read in conjunction with the cautionary statement on forward-looking statements.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release about our current and future plans, expectations and intentions, results, levels of activity, performance, goals or achievements or any other future events or developments constitute forward-looking statements. The words "may", "will", "would", "should", "could", "expects", "plans", "intends", "trends", "indications", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "likely" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words or other comparable words or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and on estimates and assumptions made by us regarding, among other things, general economic conditions and the competitive environment within the retail industry in Canada, in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Many factors could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of the Corporation's management's discussion and analysis for Fiscal 2017 (available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com).

These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect us; however, they should be considered carefully. The purpose of the forward-looking statements is to provide the reader with a description of management's expectations regarding the Corporation's financial performance and may not be appropriate for other purposes; readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements made herein. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at March 30, 2017 and we have no intention and undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

About Dollarama

Dollarama is a Canadian dollar store operator offering a broad assortment of everyday consumer products, general merchandise and seasonal items. Our 1,095 locations across the country provide customers with compelling value in convenient locations, including metropolitan areas, mid-sized cities and small towns. Our quality merchandise is sold in individual or multiple units at select, fixed price points up to $4.00.

 

 

 

 

 

www.dollarama.com