Build-A-Bear Workshop narrows its loss in Q2, plans new stores

While Build-A-Bear Workshop continues to navigate amid declining store traffic, the company continues to open new stores.



The specialty retailer will return to Manhattan this fall, opening a location next to the Empire State Building. The new store, which is near where Build-A-Bear previously operated a temporary location, is expected to draw from both the local shoppers and tourists that frequent the area.



However, it is the chain’s smaller format concourse locations that are paying off in a challenging retail environment. Called concourse shops, these smaller stores require less capital, shorter term leases and, at approximately 200 sq. ft., they are driving “higher sales per square foot than at traditional mall stores,” Build-A-Bear CEO Sharon Price John said in an earnings call with analysts Thursday.



Despite these gains, the company had a net loss of $1.5 million, or $0.10 per share for the second quarter ended July 1. This was compared to a net loss of $4.3 million, or $0.28 per share, in the fiscal 2016 second quarter. The adjusted net loss was $2.3 million, or $0.15 per share, compared to an adjusted net loss of $3.7 million, or $0.24 per share, in the fiscal 2016 second quarter.



Total revenues were $77.2 million, an increase of 2.8%, compared to $75.1 million in the fiscal 2016 second quarter. Consolidated comparable sales declined 0.9%. This included a 1.5% decrease in North America, and a 2.2% increase in Europe. Consolidated comparable e-commerce sales increased 13.3%, following an 11.7% increase in the fiscal 2016 second quarter.



During the second quarter, the company opened 23 new stores, closed six locations and remodeled or reformatted 16 stores. The company also added 17 concourse locations in the second quarter. As of July 1, the company operated 353 company-owned stores — including 93 Discovery format stores — with 293 locations in North America, 59 in Europe and 1 in China. The company’s international franchisees ended the period with 88 stores in 11 countries.



“We are pleased to report top line growth as well as expansion in merchandise margin and gross profit margin enabling us to narrow the pre-tax loss in this year’s second quarter,” Price John said.



“While we had a marginal decline in consolidated comparable sales, primarily due to continuing retail traffic challenges, this was more than offset through the successful implementation of our diversification strategies, including the positive impact of the opening of more productive Discovery format stores and a new, innovative concourse shop model, as well as revenue from alternative sources, including experiential wholesale, international franchising and outbound licensing,” she added. “We expect the continued disciplined execution of our stated strategies to move us toward our long term goal of sustainable profitable growth.”