Restoration Hardware swings to loss in Q4, but edges forecasts

Corte Madera, Calif. -- Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc. reported Friday a loss of $28.4 million for the quarter ended Feb. 2, compared with a profit of $24 million in the year-ago period. Results, impacted by costs associated with the company’s November 2012 IPO, edged analysts’ expectations.



Revenue surged 30% to $398.1 million from $305.2 million last year, beating Wall Street’s forecast of $390.5 million. Same-store sales advanced a hefty 26%.



The company has rebranded itself as RH and has moved its focus from Americana goods to high-end furnishings – a move the retailer says will pay off.



"We are well positioned to continue to gain market share and further disrupt the highly fragmented home furnishings marketplace," said Carlos Alberini, CEO.



For the year, net loss totaled $12.8 million, compared with a profit of $20.6 million in the prior year. Revenue rose 25% to $1.19 billion.



Looking forward, the company expects a loss in the first quarter, but is forecasting a profit for the fiscal year.