Gander Mtn. expects record 4Q consolidated sales
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gander Mountain Company, the nation’s largest retail network of stores for hunting, fishing, camping, marine and outdoor lifestyle apparel and footwear, expects record fiscal 2008 fourth quarter consolidated sales, the company reported in a release this week.
Based on unaudited preliminary results, Gander Mountain said it expects record fiscal 2008 fourth quarter consolidated sales of approximately $333 million compared to consolidated sales of $318 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, a 4.9 percent increase.
The company said retail segment sales were approximately $321 million, an increase of $9 million or 2.9 percent, as compared to the fiscal 2007 fourth quarter. Direct segment sales were approximately $12.1 million for the quarter, compared to $5.5 million for the same quarter last year.
Comparable store sales during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 were (0.2) percent, an improvement over (6.5) percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The firearms, ammunition, seasonal hunting and footwear categories all experienced strong sales performance during the quarter. Comparable store sales were a positive 2.7 percent during the quarter, excluding the (2.9) percent impact of boat and ATV sales and power sport services.
The increase in Direct segment sales resulted primarily from the inclusion of Overton’s, acquired in December 2007, for the full quarter in fiscal 2008 and the startup of the new Gander Direct Internet and catalog operations in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the company said.
Record retail segment net income was approximately $23 million compared to net income of $7 million for the fourth quarter last year, an improvement of $16 million. The improvement resulted primarily from increased product margins and decreased SG&A costs.
“Record retail segment net income, improved cash flows from operations and reduced debt reflect a second consecutive quarter of progress at the ‘New Gander Mountain.’ We continue to apply a more disciplined approach to our operations, capital, and expense decisions,” said David C. Pratt, chairman and interim chief executive officer. “Heading into 2009, the retail environment is as difficult as any in memory. We believe that our ongoing efforts to build the leadership team, manage costs, improve operating margins, increase cash flows and reduce debt will continue the momentum we generated this last fiscal year.”
The preliminary results are subject to the completion of the customary year-end audit procedures by the company’s independent auditors. Gander Mountain will report final fiscal fourth quarter and year-end results in March.
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