EX-99.1 2 exhibit1.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

(KIRKLAND’S LOGO)

News Release

Contact: Mike Madden
Vice President & CFO (731) 668-2444

KIRKLAND’S REPORTS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

JACKSON, Tenn. (June 1, 2007) — Kirkland’s, Inc. (NASDAQ: KIRK) today reported financial results for the 13-week period ended May 5, 2007.

Net sales for the 13-week period ended May 5, 2007, were $82.3 million compared with $92.6 million for the 13-week period ended April 29, 2006. Comparable store sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 decreased 18.8%. The Company reported a 5.1% comparable store sales decrease in the prior-year quarter. Comparable store sales in mall stores declined 20.9% for the first quarter while comparable store sales in off-mall stores declined 16.8%. The Company opened 10 stores and closed 12 stores during the quarter.

The Company reported a net loss of $7.5 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2007, compared with a net loss of $3.0 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the prior-year period.

Robert Alderson, Kirkland’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “Consistent with our sales announcement in May, we reported earnings results outside our previously issued range due to fixed cost deleveraging and a shift in our effective tax rate. Traffic trends were once again very challenging and reflect continued softness in the home décor retail sector. Customer reaction to certain merchandise themes we introduced during the quarter has been mixed, and we are refining the way we execute our presentation and marketing to deliver more focus on key items and value. Inventories were lean at year end. We made an effort to build up inventories during the quarter and are comfortable with our inventory levels as we enter the second quarter.”

Second Quarter and Fiscal 2007 Outlook
The Company issued guidance for the second quarter ending August 4, 2007, of a net loss of $0.35 to $0.40 per diluted share, including approximately $0.05 per share in costs associated with the opening of a store support office in Nashville, Tennessee during the quarter, compared with a net loss of $0.29 per diluted share in the prior-year period. Net sales are expected to be $85 million to $88 million, with a comparable store sales decrease of 12% to 15% compared with net sales of $91.0 million and a comparable store sales decrease of 9.0% in the prior-year period. The Company expects to open approximately 12 stores and close 6 stores in the second quarter. For the full year, the Company expects to open approximately 35 to 40 new stores and close approximately 40 to 50 stores.

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805 N. Parkway ¦ Jackson, Tennessee 38305 ¦ (731) 668-2444

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KIRK Reports First Quarter Results
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June 1, 2007

The Company also announced that due to persistently adverse sector trends and the Company’s ongoing turnaround efforts, it has elected to issue guidance for one quarter in advance and discontinue the practice of issuing annual sales and earnings guidance at this time.

Mr. Alderson added, “While our assortment now presents a more updated and broadened style, results were mixed. During the quarter, we overly focused on visually presenting and marketing these style changes within themes and collections and strayed from our value message. Going forward, we intend to focus intently on key items and value – the core strength of Kirkland’s. These merchandising efforts, improved execution in the stores under new leadership, continued tight inventory management, and added emphasis on expense control are our priorities for the remainder of 2007. The industry and sector challenges remain, and it is difficult to predict a better retail environment near-term, but we do expect improvement in our results as the year progresses.”

Investor Conference Call and Web Simulcast
Kirkland’s will host a conference call on June 1, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss its results of operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2007. The number to call for this interactive teleconference is (913) 981-4900. A replay of the conference call will be available through June 8, 2007, by dialing (719) 457-0820 and entering the confirmation number, 8654274.

The live broadcast of Kirkland’s quarterly conference call will be available online at the Company’s website, www.kirklands.com, or at http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=38947 on June 1, 2007, beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and continue through June 8, 2007.

Kirkland’s, Inc. was founded in 1966 and is a leading specialty retailer of home décor in the United States.  Although originally focused in the Southeast, the Company has grown beyond that region and currently operates over 347 stores in 37 states.  The Company’s stores present a broad selection of distinctive merchandise, including framed art, mirrors, candles, lamps, picture frames, accent rugs, garden accessories and artificial floral products.  The Company’s stores also offer an extensive assortment gifts, as well as seasonal merchandise.  More information can be found at www.kirklands.com.

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. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause Kirkland’s actual results to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the competitive environment in the home décor industry in general and in Kirkland’s specific market areas, inflation, product availability and growth opportunities, seasonal fluctuations, and economic conditions in general. Those and other risks are more fully described in Kirkland’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on May 2, 2007. Kirkland’s disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

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KIRK Reports First Quarter Results
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June 1, 2007

KIRKLAND’S, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                 
    13 Week Period Ended
    May 5,   April 29,
    2007   2006
Net sales
  $ 82,314     $ 92,605  
Cost of sales
    60,083       64,763  
 
               
Gross profit
    22,231       27,842  
Operating expenses:
               
Other operating expenses
    29,639       28,845  
Depreciation and amortization
    5,017       4,285  
Store impairment charge
    273        
 
               
Operating loss
    (12,698 )     (5,288 )
Interest expense
    27       28  
Interest income
    (179 )     (108 )
Other income
    (58 )     (80 )
 
               
Loss before income taxes
    (12,488 )     (5,128 )
Income tax benefit
    (4,989 )     (2,103 )
 
               
Net loss
  $ (7,499 )   $ (3,025 )
 
               
Earnings per share:
               
Basic
  $ (0.38 )   $ (0.16 )
 
               
Diluted
  $ (0.38 )   $ (0.16 )
 
               
Shares used to calculated earnings per share:
               
Basic
    19,483       19,383  
 
               
Diluted
    19,483       19,383  
 
               

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KIRK Reports First Quarter Results
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June 1, 2007

KIRKLAND’S, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)

                 
    May 5, 2007   February 3, 2007
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 293     $ 25,358  
Inventories, net
    49,221       44,790  
Other current assets
    13,172       8,072  
 
               
Total current assets
    62,686       78,220  
Property and equipment, net
    69,547       71,314  
Other long-term assets
    2,727       1,932  
 
               
Total assets
  $ 134,960     $ 151,466  
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Revolving line of credit
  $ 1,442     $  
Accounts payable
    15,985       20,572  
Other current liabilities
    21,764       26,792  
 
               
Total current liabilities
    39,191       47,364  
Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities
    35,160       36,120  
 
               
Total liabilities
    74,351       83,484  
 
               
Net shareholders’ equity
    60,609       67,982  
 
               
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 134,960     $ 151,466  
 
               

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