Big Dog Holdings, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2008 Financial Results and Company Name Change to The Walking Company Holdings, Inc.
SANTA BARBARA, CA--(Marketwire - May 06, 2008) - Big Dog Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BDOG) (www.bigdogs.com, www.thewalkingcompany.com), a developer and retailer of branded, lifestyle consumer products, today reported its Company name change to The Walking Company Holdings, Inc. and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008.
Corporate Name Change
The Company's Board of Directors has approved the change of the Company's name to "The Walking Company Holdings, Inc." The Company's NASDAQ symbol will also be changed from BDOG to WALK. The change is expected to be effected within the next few days.
Financial Results
For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, consolidated net sales were $46,378,000, a 5% increase, as compared with $44,224,000 in the first quarter 2007. Our consolidated net sales increased primarily due to the addition of 41 net new The Walking Company ("TWC") stores. The Company had a total of 291 stores open (191 TWC stores and 100 Big Dogs stores) at the end of the period, as compared with 295 stores open on March 31, 2007 (150 TWC stores and 145 Big Dogs stores.) Comparable retail store sales decreased 1.9% for the quarter (0.5% decline for TWC chain and 6.6% decline for the Big Dogs chain.) Total consolidated gross profit for the quarter decreased to 50.3% of net sales or $23,335,000 as compared with 52.7% of net sales or $23,300,000 in the first quarter 2007. Gross margins for TWC and Big Dogs decreased to 50.7% and 48.7% compared to 52.0% and 54.5%, respectively, for the same period last year.
Consolidated operating expenses in the first quarter 2008 were $29,962,000 or 64.6% of sales compared to $29,210,000 or 66.0% in 2007. Consolidated operating loss for the first quarter 2008 was $6,627,000 compared to $5,910,000 for the first quarter 2007. The consolidated net loss per share for the first quarter 2008 increased to $.52 per share, as compared with a consolidated net loss per share of $.44 per share for the first quarter 2007.
Andrew Feshbach, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our corporate name change reflects the main focus of our business, which is the development and growth of the Walking Company operations. TWC is now more than twice as large as Big Dogs in sales and number of stores. Our 1st quarter results reflect a 15% increase in our TWC sales, all accomplished while reducing our corporate overhead expenses as compared to last year. Our consolidated gross margin was lower than last year due to a substantial shift of revenue from Big Dogs to TWC, as well as a one-time adjustment reflected in our prior year margin which related to the Steve's Shoes acquisition. So far our 2nd quarter TWC business is trending stronger than our 1st quarter, and we remain cautiously optimistic about the 2nd quarter and summer selling season."
Today's Conference Call
Today the Company will host a conference call at 1:30PM PDT to discuss financial results for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2008. Dial in information is as follows: U.S. Toll Free: 1-800-434-1335. Participant code (to be given to the operator): 62679333. In the event you are unable to attend a recordable copy will be available two (2) hours after the call has ended. Dial in information to listen to the recorded call is as follows: 1-800-750-4065, Participant code: 75472226.
Big Dog Holdings, Inc. consists of The Walking Company and Big Dogs. The Walking Company is a leading independent specialty retailer of high quality, technically designed comfort walk wear and accessories that features premium brands such as ECCO, Mephisto, Dansko, Keen and MBT among many others. These products have particular appeal to one of the largest and most rapidly growing demographics in the nation. The Walking Company operates 199 stores in premium malls across the nation. Big Dogs develops, markets and retails a branded, lifestyle collection of unique, high-quality, popular-priced consumer products, including activewear, casual sportswear, accessories and gifts. The BIG DOGSŪ brand image is one of quality, value and fun. The BIG DOGSŪ brand is designed to appeal to people of all ages and demographics, particularly baby boomers and their kids, big and tall customers, and pet owners. In addition to its 100 retail stores, Big Dogs markets its products through its catalogs, corporate sales accounts and Internet sales.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Act 1995 -- With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are forward looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual future sales and other results of the Company could differ significantly from those statements. Further information on the Company's risk factors is contained in the Company's quarterly and annual reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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For Further Information:
Big Dog Holdings, Inc.
121 Gray Avenue
Santa Barbara, California 93101
www.bigdogs.com
www.thewalkingcompany.com
CONTACT:
Investor Information
(805) 963-8727, ext. 1360
alexisd@bigdogs.com
