iMedia Brands Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results

iMedia Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMBI) today announced results for the fourth quarter ended February 1, 2020 and full fiscal year 2019. 

Fourth Quarter 2019 Summary & Recent Highlights

• Q4 net sales of $124 million declined 22% compared to prior year. Half of this decline was expected and attributable to the company’s recent customer file decline. Three one-time events drove the additional decline: (i) scheduling conflicts in December with top two beauty brands; (ii) reduction in consumer electronic (CE) products due to the largest CE vendors requiring “cash in advance” payment terms; and (iii) reduction in watch revenues resulting from management’s strategy to reverse its five-plus year customer file decline by reducing the average selling price to capture more new customers.
• Successfully flattened a five-plus year continuous viewership decline on ShopHQ in November.
• Successfully launched Bulldog Shopping Network in November, the first of its kind focused on men.
• Learning to Cook with Shaq premiered in March 2020 and posted highest weekday viewership in ten months.
• Reestablished compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements.
• Completed acquisition of Float Left Interactive, a leading technology provider delivering Over-The-Top (OTT) content and TV-everywhere solutions to media companies seeking to reach audiences through the OTT and smart TV distribution models.
• Completed acquisition of J.W. Hulme, an iconic, 114-year-old American brand offering artisan-crafted accessories and apparel via e-commerce, catalogs and one flagship retail store in St. Paul, Minnesota.
• Consolidated net loss of $18.4 million compared to $10.0 million last year driven primarily by a $4.1 million increase in transaction, settlement and integration, restructuring and rebranding costs for ShopHQ, and a $2.0 million increased loss in the company’s emerging business segment.
• ShopHQ Adjusted EBITDA of ($7.0 million) compared to ($5.2 million) for same period last year. Emerging Business Adjusted EBITDA of ($2.2 million) compared to ($0.2 million) for same period last year.
• $4 million private investment led by Eyal Lalo, Invicta’s CEO and iMedia Vice Chairman, entered into on April 14, further strengthening the company’s working capital.

CEO Commentary “First and foremost, in terms of the COVID-19 situation and these uncertain and stressful times, iMedia continues to be focused on taking every necessary step to keep its employees, vendors, customers, guests, and their families safe,” said Tim Peterman, CEO of iMedia Brands. “We are also focused on continuing to provide our customers with the products and services they love, and we feel very fortunate our company remains operational and relevant so we can continue to build value for our shareholders.”

Peterman continued, “In terms of Q4 performance, from a ShopHQ revenue perspective, it was a mixed report card. We achieved significant viewership, customer file, and product assortment successes, but we also absorbed revenue pressure from three unplanned events. With that being said, I’m proud of how our teams reacted to reduce the probability of reoccurrence.

“Financially, our turnaround continues. In our first nine months since May 2019 when I rejoined as CEO, we materially reduced the company’s adjusted EBTIDA loss compared to the prior nine months.

“Strategically, Q4 is when we really began to demonstrate our plan to grow our portfolio of engaging niche television networks, niche national advertisers and complementary media services. We launched Bulldog and our membership service, ShopHQ VIP. We acquired two important new businesses that will further accelerate our evolution into a profitable, growing interactive media company.”

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results

SUMMARY RESULTS AND KEY OPERATING METRICS
($ Millions, except average selling price and EPS)
		Q4 20192/1/2020				Q4 20182/2/2019				Change			F'192/1/2020				F'182/2/2019				Change
Net Sales		$	123.6			$	157.6			(21.6	%)		$	501.8			$	596.6			(15.9	%)
Gross Margin %			30.0	%			29.5	%		50 bps				32.6	%			34.7	%		(210 bps	)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	(9.1	)		$	(5.4	)		(70	%)		$	(18.4	)		$	(2.4	)		(660	%)
Net Income (Loss)		$	(18.4	)		$	(10.0	)		(84	%)		$	(56.3	)		$	(22.2	)		(154	%)
EPS		$	(2.30	)		$	(1.50	)		(53	%)		$	(7.54	)		$	(3.35	)		(125	%)
Net Shipped Units (000s)			1,645				2,408			(32	%)			6,872				9,235			(26	%)
Average Selling Price (ASP)		$	67			$	60			12	%		$	65			$	58			12	%
Return Rate %			18.4	%			18.4	%		0 bps				19.4	%			19.0	%		40 bps
Digital Net Sales %			53.9	%			54.9	%		(100 bps	)			52.8	%			53.1	%		(30 bps	)
Total Customers - 12 Month Rolling (000s)			1,041				1,205			(14	%)			N/A				N/A			N/A
% of ShopHQ Net Merchandise Sales by Category
Jewelry & Watches			41	%			35	%						44	%			38	%
Home & Consumer Electronics			32	%			33	%						23	%			25	%
Beauty & Wellness			15	%			17	%						18	%			19	%
Fashion & Accessories			12	%			15	%						15	%			18	%
Total			100	%			100	%						100	%			100	%

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of February 1, 2020, total unrestricted cash was $10.3 million compared to $16.6 million at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company also had an additional $5.6 million of unused availability on its revolving credit facility.

Also, as announced in a press release today, iMedia entered into a financing agreement to sell $4 million of common stock priced at market to investors that include, among others, Invicta Media Investments, an affiliate of Eyal Lalo, the Company’s Vice Chair, as well as current director Michael Friedman. Proceeds will be used for general working capital purposes.

In light of the macro economic conditions and COVID-19, the Company is closely monitoring any impact to its operations, supply chain, liquidity or financial results.

Outlook

In terms of our outlook, because of COVID-19, we are not providing guidance currently. We believe that television retailing will be less impacted than other businesses because we serve our customers without them ever leaving their homes.

Conference Call

The company will hold a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time to discuss its fourth quarter 2019 results.

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2020Toll-free dial-in number: [phone]International dial-in number: [phone]Conference ID: 13700243

Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Investor Relations at [phone].

The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here and via the investor relations section of the iMedia Brands website at www.imediabrands.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available after 11:30 a.m. Eastern time on the same day through April 29, 2020.

Toll-free replay number: [phone]International replay number: [phone]Replay ID: 13700243

About iMedia Brands, Inc.

iMedia Brands, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMBI) is a leading interactive media company that manages a growing portfolio of niche lifestyle television networks, niche advertisers and complementary media services in North America. Its brand portfolio spans multiple business models and product categories and includes ShopHQ, Bulldog Shopping Network, Float Left Interactive, J.W. Hulme and iMedia 3PL Services. Please visit www.imediabrands.com for more investor information.

Contacts:

Investors:Gateway Investor RelationsCody [e-mail][phone]

Media:[e-mail][phone]

BRANDS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands except share and per share data)
		February 1,				February 2,
			2020				2019
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash		$	10,287			$	20,485
Restricted cash equivalents			-				450
Accounts receivable, net			63,594				81,763
Inventories			78,863				65,272
Prepaid expenses and other			8,196				9,053
Total current assets			160,940				177,023
Property and equipment, net			47,616				51,118
Other assets			4,187				1,846
Total Assets		$	212,743			$	229,987
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	83,659			$	56,157
Accrued liabilities			40,250				37,374
Current portion of long term credit facility			2,714				2,488
Current portion of operating lease liabilities			704				-
Deferred revenue			141				35
Total current liabilities			127,468				96,054
Other long term liabilities			335				50
Long term credit facilities			66,246				68,932
Total liabilities			194,049				165,036
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 40,000 shares authorized;
zero shares issued and outstanding			-				-
Common stock, $.01 par value, 14,960,000 and 9,960,000 shares authorized;
8,208,227 and 6,791,934 shares issued and outstanding			82				68
Additional paid-in capital			452,833				442,808
Accumulated deficit			(434,221	)			(377,925	)
Total shareholders' equity			18,694				64,951
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity		$	212,743			$	229,987

iMEDIA BRANDS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
		For the Three-Month Periods Ended								For the Twelve-Month Periods Ended
		February 1,				February 2,				February 1,				February 2,
			2020				2019				2020				2019
Net sales		$	123,639			$	157,619			$	501,822			$	596,637
Cost of sales			86,607				111,052				338,185				389,790
Gross profit			37,032				46,567				163,637				206,847
Margin %			30.0	%			29.5	%			32.6	%			34.7	%
Operating expense:
Distribution and selling			41,870				47,744				170,587				191,917
General and administrative			7,795				6,429				25,611				25,883
Depreciation and amortization			1,823				1,562				8,057				6,243
Restructuring costs			2,485				-				9,166				-
Executive and management transition costs			313				661				2,741				2,093
Gain on sale of television station			-				(665	)			-				(665	)
Total operating expense			54,286				55,731				216,162				225,471
Operating loss			(17,254	)			(9,164	)			(52,525	)			(18,624	)
Other income (expense):
Interest income			2				6				17				34
Interest expense			(1,169	)			(811	)			(3,777	)			(3,502	)
Total other expense			(1,167	)			(805	)			(3,760	)			(3,468	)
Loss before income taxes			(18,421	)			(9,969	)			(56,285	)			(22,092	)
Income tax benefit (provision)			33				(5	)			(11	)			(65	)
Net loss		$	(18,388	)		$	(9,974	)		$	(56,296	)		$	(22,157	)
Net loss per common share		$	(2.30	)		$	(1.50	)		$	(7.54	)		$	(3.35	)
Net loss per common share
---assuming dilution		$	(2.30	)		$	(1.50	)		$	(7.54	)		$	(3.35	)
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding:
Basic			7,990,381				6,657,092				7,462,380				6,607,321
Diluted			7,990,381				6,657,092				7,462,380				6,607,321

iMEDIA BRANDS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
PERFORMANCE MEASURES BY SEGMENT
(Unaudited)
($ in Millions)
		For the Three-Month Period Ended												For the Three-Month Period Ended
		February 1, 2020												February 2, 2019
		ShopHQ				Emerging				Consolidated				ShopHQ				Emerging				Consolidated
Net Sales		$	120.5			$	3.1			$	123.6			$	156.2			$	1.5			$	157.6
Operating Loss			(14.6	)			(2.6	)			(17.3	)			(8.5	)			(0.6	)			(9.2	)
Net Loss			(15.8	)			(2.6	)			(18.4	)			(9.4	)			(0.6	)			(10.0	)
Adjusted EBITDA			(7.0	)			(2.2	)			(9.1	)			(5.2	)			(0.2	)			(5.4	)
		For the Twelve-Month Period Ended												For the Twelve-Month Period Ended
		February 1, 2020												February 2, 2019
		ShopHQ				Emerging				Consolidated				ShopHQ				Emerging				Consolidated
Net Sales		$	496.1			$	5.7			$	501.8			$	590.2			$	6.4			$	596.6
Operating Loss			(47.0	)			(5.6	)			(52.5	)			(17.2	)			(1.5	)			(18.6	)
Net Loss			(50.7	)			(5.6	)			(56.3	)			(20.7	)			(1.5	)			(22.2	)
Adjusted EBITDA			(14.9	)			(3.5	)			(18.4	)			(1.5	)			(0.9	)			(2.4	)

iMEDIA BRANDS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA:
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
		For the Three-Month Period Ended													For the Three-Month Period Ended
		February 1, 2020													February 2, 2019
		ShopHQ					Emerging				Consolidated				ShopHQ					Emerging				Consolidated
Net loss		$	(15,764			)	$	(2,624	)		$	(18,388	)		$	(9,353	)			$	(621	)		$	(9,974	)
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization			2,698					124				2,822				2,473					24				2,497
Interest income			(2	)				-				(2	)			(6	)				-				(6	)
Interest expense			1,169					-				1,169				811					-				811
Income taxes			(33	)				-				(33	)			5					-				5
EBITDA (as defined)		$	(11,932			)	$	(2,500	)		$	(14,432	)		$	(6,070	)			$	(597	)		$	(6,667	)
A reconciliation of EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
EBITDA (as defined)		$	(11,932			)	$	(2,500	)		$	(14,432	)		$	(6,070	)			$	(597	)		$	(6,667	)
Adjustments:
Restructuring costs			2,389					96				2,485				-					-				-
Executive and management transition costs			313					-				313				661					-				661
Rebranding costs			473					-				473				-					-				-
Transaction, settlement and integration costs, net (a)			1,282					216				1,498				63					338				401
Gain on sale of television station			-					-				-				(665	)				-				(665	)
Non-cash share-based compensation expense			521					-				521				858					26				884
Adjusted EBITDA		$	(6,954	)			$	(2,188	)		$	(9,142	)		$	(5,153	)			$	(233	)		$	(5,386	)
		For the Twelve-Month Period Ended													For the Twelve-Month Period Ended
		February 1, 2020													February 2, 2019
		ShopHQ					Emerging				Consolidated				ShopHQ					Emerging				Consolidated
Net loss		$	(50,727			)	$	(5,569	)		$	(56,296	)		$	(20,706			)	$	(1,451	)		$	(22,157	)
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization			11,395					619				12,014				10,065					99				10,164
Interest income			(17	)				-				(17	)			(34	)				-				(34	)
Interest expense			3,777					-				3,777				3,502					-				3,502
Income taxes			11					-				11				65					-				65
EBITDA (as defined)		$	(35,561			)	$	(4,950	)		$	(40,511	)		$	(7,108	)			$	(1,352	)		$	(8,460	)
A reconciliation of EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
EBITDA (as defined)		$	(35,561			)	$	(4,950	)		$	(40,511	)		$	(7,108	)			$	(1,352	)		$	(8,460	)
Adjustments:
Restructuring costs			8,228					938				9,166				-					-				-
Executive and management transition costs			2,741					-				2,741				2,093					-				2,093
Rebranding costs			1,265					-				1,265				-					-				-
Inventory Impairment write-down			6,050					-				6,050				-					-				-
Transaction, settlement and integration costs, net (b)			266					428				694				1,142					407				1,549
Gain on sale of television station			-					-				-				(665	)				-				(665	)
Non-cash share-based compensation expense			2,152					52				2,204				3,038					26				3,064
Adjusted EBITDA		$	(14,859			)	$	(3,532	)		$	(18,391	)		$	(1,500	)			$	(919	)		$	(2,419	)

1. Transaction, settlement and integration costs, net, for the quarter ended February 1, 2020 of $1.5 million includes contract settlement costs, costs incurred to effect a reverse stock split and business acquisition and integration-related costs. Transaction, settlement and integration costs, net, for the quarter ended February 2, 2019 includes business development and expansion costs of $401,000.
2. Transaction, settlement and integration costs, net, for year ended February 1, 2020 of $0.7 million includes $2.2 million of costs for contract settlement costs, business acquisition and integration-related costs to acquire Float Left and J.W. Hulme; costs incurred related to the implementation of our ShopHQ VIP customer program and our third-party logistics service offerings and costs incurred to effect a reverse stock split, partially offset by a $1.5 million gain for the sale of our claim related to the Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation class action lawsuit. Transaction, settlement and integration costs, net, for year ended February 2, 2019 includes business development and expansion costs of $796,000 and contract termination costs of $753,000.

Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA represents net income (loss) for the respective periods excluding depreciation and amortization expense, interest income (expense) and income taxes. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA excluding non-operating gains (losses); executive and management transition costs; restructuring costs; rebranding costs; non-cash impairment charges and write downs; transaction, settlement, and integration costs, net; gain on sale of television station and non-cash share-based compensation expense. The Company has included the “Adjusted EBITDA” measure in its EBITDA reconciliation in order to adequately assess the operating performance of its television and online businesses and in order to maintain comparability to its analyst's coverage and financial guidance, when given. Management believes that the Adjusted EBITDA measure allows investors to make a meaningful comparison between its business operating results over different periods of time with those of other similar companies. In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a metric to evaluate operating performance under the Company’s management and executive incentive compensation programs. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to operating income (loss), net income (loss) or to cash flows from operating activities as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be construed as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly entitled measures reported by other companies. The Company has included a reconciliation of the comparable GAAP measure, net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA in this release. 

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This document may contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact, including statements regarding rebranding, savings from cost reductions, expected changes in the merchandise mix and its impact, expectations arising from our partnership with Shaquille O’Neal, plans for LaVenta, expected advantages to pursue restructuring and operational changes, guidance, industry prospects, or future results of operations or financial position are forward-looking. The Company often use words such as anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, intends, seeks, predicts, hopes, should, plans, will and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and accordingly are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from the expectations contained herein due to various important factors, including (but not limited to): variability in consumer preferences, shopping behaviors, spending and debt levels; the general economic and credit environment, including COVID-19; interest rates; seasonal variations in consumer purchasing activities; the ability to achieve the most effective product category mixes to maximize sales and margin objectives; competitive pressures on sales and sales promotions; pricing and gross sales margins; the level of cable and satellite distribution for the Company’s programming and the associated fees or estimated cost savings from contract renegotiations; the Company’s ability to establish and maintain acceptable commercial terms with third-party vendors and other third parties with whom the Company has contractual relationships, and to successfully manage key vendor and shipping relationships and develop key partnerships and proprietary and exclusive brands; the ability to manage operating expenses successfully and the Company’s working capital levels; the ability to remain compliant with the Company’s credit facilities covenants; customer acceptance of the Company’s branding strategy and its repositioning as a video commerce company; the ability to respond to changes in consumer shopping patterns and preferences, and changes in technology and consumer viewing patterns; changes to the Company’s management and information systems infrastructure; challenges to the Company’s data and information security; changes in governmental or regulatory requirements; including without limitation, regulations of the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission, and adverse outcomes from regulatory proceedings; litigation or governmental proceedings affecting the Company’s operations; significant events (including disasters, weather events or events attracting significant television coverage) that either cause an interruption of television coverage or that divert viewership from its programming; disruptions in the Company’s distribution of its network broadcast to customers; the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights; our ability to obtain and retain key executives and employees; the Company’s ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers; changes in shipping costs; expenses related to the actions of activist or hostile shareholders; the Company’s ability to offer new or innovative products and customer acceptance of the same; changes in customer viewing habits of television programming; and the risks identified under Item 1A(Risk Factors) in the Company’s most recently filed Form 10-K and any additional risk factors identified in its periodic reports since the date of such Form 10-K. More detailed information about those factors is set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. the Company’s is under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.