Birks Group Inc. (the “Company” or “Birks Group”) (NYSE
American: BGI), reported its sales results for the 8 week interim
sales period ended December 30th, 2023 (the “FY2024 Holiday
Period”) resulting in an increase of 8.1% in net sales as compared
to the same period in FY2023. Comparable store sales for the FY2024
Holiday Period increased by 3.0% as compared to the same period in
FY2023.
The 8.1% increase in net sales for the FY2024 Holiday Period, as
compared to the same period in FY2023, was driven primarily by a
strong sales performance in the retail sector where third-party
branded watches outperformed the sales during the comparable period
in FY2023, the greater performance of our Chinook and Laval stores
which were renovated in FY2023, and e-commerce sales growth. The
3.0% increase in comparable store sales in the FY2024 Holiday
Period versus the same period in FY2023, was mainly attributable to
the performance of both branded watches and Birks Fine
Jewellery.
Mr. Jean-Christophe Bédos, President and Chief Executive Officer
of Birks Group, commented: “Our sales teams have delivered
remarkable results this holiday period, including significant sales
growth over last year. This important achievement is a testament
not only to our determination and commitment to our customers, but
also to the continued implementation of our strategic plan. We
remain focused on delivering excellence in customer service,
growing our sales in the high-end luxury watch and jewellery market
in Canada, and building on the success of our Birks product brand.
I am pleased with our Holiday Sales results and would like to
sincerely thank all our employees for their continued perseverance
and dedication.”
Comparable Store Sales
We use comparable store sales as a key performance measure for
our business. Comparable store sales include stores open in the
same period in both the current and prior period. We include
e-commerce sales in our comparable store sales calculations. Stores
enter the comparable store calculation in their thirteenth full
month of operation under our ownership. Stores that have been
resized or relocated are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to
determine if they are functionally the same store or a new store
and then are included or excluded from comparable store sales,
accordingly. Comparable store sales measure the percentage change
in net sales for comparable stores in a period compared to the
corresponding period in the previous year. If a comparable store is
not open for the entirety of both periods, comparable store sales
measure the change in net sales for the portion of time that such
store was open in both periods. We believe that this measure
provides meaningful information on our performance and operating
results. However, readers should know that this financial measure
has no standardized meaning and may not be comparable to similar
measures presented by other companies.
About Birks Group Inc.
Birks Group is a leading designer of fine jewellery, and
operator of luxury jewellery, timepieces and gifts retail stores in
Canada. The Company operates 21 stores under the Maison Birks brand
in most major metropolitan markets in Canada, one retail location
in Calgary under the Brinkhaus brand, one retail location in
Vancouver operated under the Graff brand, one retail location in
Vancouver under the Patek Philippe brand, and one retail location
in Laval under the Breitling brand. Birks brand fine jewellery
collections are also available through select SAKS Fifth Avenue
stores in Canada and the U.S., select Mappin & Webb and
Goldsmiths locations in the United Kingdom, in Mayors stores in the
United States, in W. Kruk stores in Poland as well as several
jewellery retailers across North America. Birks was founded in 1879
and has become Canada’s premier retailer and designer of fine
jewellery, timepieces and gifts. Additional information can be
found on Birks’ web site, www.birks.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward- looking statements which
can be identified by their use of words like “plans,” “expects,”
“believes,” “will,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,”
“estimates,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “planned,” “goal,”
“continue,” “strategy,” “focus” and other words of similar meaning.
All statements that address expectations, possibilities or
projections about the future are forward-looking statements,
including without limitation, statements about anticipated economic
conditions, and our strategies for growth, performance drivers,
expansion plans, sources or adequacy of capital, expenditures and
financial results, , as well as statements regarding our continued
focus on delivering excellence in customer service, growing our
sales in the high-end luxury watch and jewellery market in Canada,
and building on the success of our Birks product brand.
Because such statements include various risks and uncertainties,
actual results might differ materially from those projected in the
forward- looking statements and no assurance can be given that the
Company will meet the results projected in the forward-looking
statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to the following: (i) a decline in consumer spending or
deterioration in consumer financial position; (ii) economic,
political and market conditions, including the economies of Canada
and the U.S., which could adversely affect the Company’s business,
operating results or financial condition, including its revenue and
profitability, through the impact of changes in the real estate
markets, changes in the equity markets and decreases in consumer
confidence and the related changes in consumer spending patterns,
the impact on store traffic, tourism and sales; (iii) the impact of
fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, inflation, increases in
commodity prices and borrowing or operating costs, or other pricing
environment factors and their related impact on the Company’s costs
and expenses; (iv) changes in interest rates; (v) the Company’s
ability to maintain and obtain sufficient sources of liquidity to
fund its operations, to achieve planned sales, gross margin and net
income, to keep costs low, to implement its business strategy,
maintain relationships with its primary vendors, to mitigate
fluctuations in the availability and prices of the Company’s
merchandise, to compete with other jewelers, to succeed in its
marketing initiatives (including with respect to Birks branded
products), and to have a successful customer service program; (vi)
the Company’s plan to evaluate the productivity of existing stores,
close unproductive stores and open new stores in prime retail
locations, and invest in its website and e-commerce platform; (vii)
the Company’s ability to continue to borrow under the Amended
Credit Facility and Amended Term Loan; (viii) the Company’s ability
to maintain profitable operations, as well as maintain specified
excess availability levels under the Amended Credit Facility, make
scheduled payments of principal and interest, and fund capital
expenditures; (ix) the Company’s ability to execute its strategic
vision; (x) the geopolitical environment and increased political
uncertainty; (xi) the impact of weather-related incidents, natural
disasters, strikes, protests, riots or terrorism, acts of war or
another public health crisis or disease outbreak, epidemic or
pandemic on the Company’s business; and (xii) the Company’s ability
to continue as a going concern.
Information concerning factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially is set forth under the captions “Risk Factors”
and “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and elsewhere in
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on June 23, 2023 and subsequent filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes
no obligation to update or release any revisions to these
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after
the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events, except as required by law.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240111608251/en/
Company: Katia Fontana Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer (514) 397-2592
For all press and media inquiries, please contact:
OverCat Communications Audrey Hyams Romoff, ahr@overcat.com, (647)
223-9970 Chelsea Brooks, cb@overcat.com, (289) 221-6006
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