![Promos key to Natural Grocers' 2016 financial outlook Promos key to Natural Grocers' 2016 financial outlook](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/bltf605953fda508b95/64d6aca36beed92478fd4376/natural-grocers-596.jpg?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=95&format=jpg&disable=upscale)
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's (NYSE: NGVC) comparable store sales came in below analyst expectations, yet the company outlook for fiscal 2016 remains firm, according to earnings released Thursday.
The Colorado-based health food store chain’s leadership cited increased competition and a softening economy, particularly in oil-producing states, for financial results and noted that they expect the second quarter to perform below the outlook range.
First-quarter highlights for Natural Grocers' fiscal year 2016 included:
Net sales increased 15 percent to $167.8 million.
Daily average comparable store sales increased 3.6 percent.
Net income increased 5.2 percent to $3.7 million, with diluted earnings per share of 17 cents.
EBITDA increased 11.5 percent to $12.7 million.
Four new stores opened, resulting in unit growth rate of 17.6 percent for the 12-month period ended Dec. 31.
Promotion plans boost Co-President Kemper Isely’s positivity for the year. Natural Grocers began experimenting with a loyalty program and personalized offers in December that have resulted in significant basket size growth among users. The program will roll out more widely.
The health food retailer also has adopted a companywide promo calendar with special events planned each month. A spa day can result in 20 percent sales lift, Isely said.
Meanwhile, the company remains committed to nutrient education, which Isely noted as key to supplement sales. Even with competition and media scrutiny of the category growing, comparable store sales for supplements remained flat. Isely said he has not heard customer concern about recent media reports the supplement industry has considered negative and reported that education efforts in fact grow sales. Nutrients that are the focus of an education promotion see 200 percent growth in the quarter and as much as 100 percent the following quarter, he said.
The reiterated 2016 fiscal outlook is:
New stores: 23.
Relocations: 4.
Remodels: 2.
Daily average comparable store sales growth: 5-7 percent.
EBITDA as a percent of sales: 7.8-8 percent.
Net income as a percent of sales: 2.3-2.5 percent.
Diluted earnings per share: 79-83 cents.
Capital expenditures: $54 million-$56 million.
About the Author
You May Also Like