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Christopher & Banks Corporation Reports Fiscal 2009 Second Quarter Results

MINNEAPOLIS-(Business Wire)-September 25, 2008 - Christopher & Banks Corporation (NYSE: CBK) today reported results for its fiscal 2009 second quarter ended August 30, 2008.

Second Quarter Highlights

Second Quarter Results

Total sales for the quarter ended August 30, 2008 were $131.6 million compared to $141.1 million for the quarter ended September 1, 2007. Same-store sales for the quarter ended August 30, 2008 were down 13 percent compared to the quarter ended September 1, 2007.

Merchandise buying and occupancy expense was $81.5 million or 61.9% of sales this quarter compared to $90.6 million or 64.2% of sales in last year’s second quarter. Merchandise margins improved by 480 basis points. This improvement was partially offset by deleveraging of buying and occupancy costs as a result of a 13 percent decline in same-store sales during the quarter.

Second quarter selling, general and administrative (“SG&Aâ€) expenses were $41.4 million, or 31.5% of sales this fiscal quarter, compared to $40.6 million or 28.8% of sales in the second quarter of last year. The increase in SG&A as a percent of sales was primarily due to a general deleveraging across most expense categories as a result of the 13 percent decline in same-store sales during the quarter.

Depreciation and amortization was $8.0 million in the second quarter this year compared to $5.5 million in the second quarter last year. Depreciation and amortization this year includes approximately $1.2 million in long-lived asset impairment charges at the Company’s Acorn division.

The Company’s second quarter net income was $0.8 million or $0.02 per diluted share. In last year’s second quarter, the Company had net income of $3.4 million or $0.09 per diluted share.

At the end of the fiscal quarter, the Company had $84.0 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. The Company also had approximately $18.5 million in long-term investments consisting of auction rate securities. This compares to $90.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of the end of the comparable quarter last year. Last year the Company’s auction rate securities were classified as short-term investments.

Six Month Results

Total sales for the six months ended August 30, 2008 were $291.3 million compared to $290.5 million for the same six month period ended September 1, 2007. Same-store sales for the six months ended August 30, 2008 declined six percent. Net income for the six months ended August 30, 2008 was $12.1 million or $0.34 per diluted share compared to $15.1 million or $0.42 per diluted share for the first six months of last year.

The Company operated 854 stores as of August 30, 2008 as compared to 807 stores at September 1, 2007.

Lorna Nagler, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We expect the extremely challenging economic and retail environment to continue to adversely impact our near-term sales and earnings. However, we believe that the progress we continue to make with our merchandise assortment and on our strategic initiatives in e-Commerce, planning and allocation, marketing and sourcing will position us for stronger performance when the economy improves.â€

Third Quarter Guidance

For the third quarter of fiscal 2009, assuming the percentage decline in same-store sales will be similar to the decline that occurred during the second quarter, the Company currently estimates that operating earnings per diluted share, prior to the operating results and closing costs associated with the Acorn division, will range from $0.10 to $0.13. As previously announced, the Company anticipates pre-tax expenses associated with the closing of its Acorn division to range in total from $7 million to $10 million, with the charges being incurred in the second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2009. During the second quarter, the Company incurred $1.2 million of long-lived asset impairment charges associated with the closing of the Acorn division. The Company’s outlook for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 reflects management’s expectation that the current economic and retail environment will remain difficult.

Conference Call Information

The Company will discuss its second quarter results in a conference call scheduled for today, September 25, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The conference call will be simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet at http://www.christopherandbanks.com. An online archive of the broadcast will be available within one hour of the completion of the call and will be accessible at http://www.christopherandbanks.com until October 7, 2008. In addition, an audio replay of the call will be available shortly after its conclusion and will be archived until October 2, 2008. This call may be accessed by dialing (888) 203-1112 and using password 6484300.

About Christopher & Banks Corporation

Christopher & Banks Corporation is a Minneapolis-based specialty retailer of women’s clothing. As of September 25, 2008, the Company operated 854 stores in 46 states consisting of 551 Christopher & Banks stores, 268 stores in their plus size clothing division CJ Banks and 35 Acorn stores. The Company also operates the www.ChristopherandBanks.com and www.CJBanks.com e-commerce websites.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements, made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements may use the words “expectâ€, “anticipateâ€, “planâ€, “intendâ€, “projectâ€, “believe†and similar expressions and include the statements regarding (i) the negative impact on sales and earnings due to the challenging economic and retail environment; (ii) the effect and impact of the Company’s progress related to its merchandise assortment and strategic initiatives when the economy improves; (iii) the Company’s anticipated third quarter same-store sales performance; (iv) the Company’s anticipated third quarter earnings per diluted share; and (v) the Company’s estimated expenses associated with closing its Acorn division and the timing of such expenses. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the inherent difficulty in forecasting consumer buying and retail traffic patterns which may be affected by factors beyond our control, such as a weakness in overall consumer demand; adverse weather, economic or political conditions; and shifts in consumer tastes or spending habits that result in reduced sales; (ii) competitive influences, including promotional and pricing competition and the lack of acceptance of the Company’s merchandise offerings; (iii) the ability of the Company’s infrastructure and systems to adequately support our operations; (iv) effectiveness of the Company’s brand awareness and marketing programs and the ability to maintain the value of its brands; (v) the possibility that, because of poor customer response to our merchandise, management may determine it is necessary to sell merchandise at lower than expected margins or at a loss; (vi) the failure to successfully implement the Company’s strategic plans; (vii) general economic conditions, including the impact of higher fuel, energy and food prices, and uncertainty in the financial and credit markets could lead to a reduction in store traffic and in consumer spending on women’s apparel; (viii) fluctuations in the levels of the Company’s sales, expenses or earnings; (ix) risks associated with the performance and operations of the Company’s Internet operations; (x) risks associated with a failure by independent manufacturers to comply with or meet the Company’s quality, product standards or social practice requirements; (xi) our ability to open and operate stores successfully and the potential lack of availability of suitable store locations on acceptable terms; and (xii) other risks and uncertainties described in our documents filed with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. You are urged to carefully consider all such factors.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not assume or undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement at any time for any reason.

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION
UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE QUARTERS AND SIX MONTHS ENDED
AUGUST 30, 2008 AND SEPTEMBER 1, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
           
 
 
Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
August 30, September 1, August 30, September 1,
2008 2007 2008 2007
 
Net sales $ 131,637 $ 141,128 $ 291,279 $ 290,499
 
Costs and expenses:
Merchandise, buying and occupancy 81,454 90,595 171,926 177,511
Selling, general and administrative 41,414 40,627 86,227 79,706
Depreciation and amortization   7,967   5,510   14,425   10,805
Total costs and expenses   130,835   136,732   272,578   268,022
 
Operating income 802 4,396 18,701 22,477
 
Interest income   586   1,160   1,412   2,219
 
Income before income taxes 1,388 5,556 20,113 24,696
 
Income tax provision   552   2,167   8,005   9,631
 
Net income $ 836 $ 3,389 $ 12,108 $ 15,065
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
Net income $ 0.02 $ 0.09 $ 0.35 $ 0.42
 
Basic shares outstanding   35,099   35,847   35,086   35,900
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income $ 0.02 $ 0.09 $ 0.34 $ 0.42
 
Diluted shares outstanding   35,122   35,949   35,112   36,010
 
 
Dividends per share $ 0.06 $ 0.06 $ 0.12 $ 0.12

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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION
UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE BALANCE SHEET
(in thousands)
       
 
 
August 30, September 1,
2008 2007
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 84,037 $ 47,421
Short-term investments - 43,450
Merchandise inventories 51,532 50,165
Other current assets   22,708     25,498  
Total current assets   158,277     166,534  
 
Property, equipment and improvements, net   131,772     132,583  
 
Other assets:
Long-term investments 18,535 -
Goodwill - 3,587
Other   6,681     3,066  
Total other assets   25,216     6,653  
 
Total assets $ 315,265   $ 305,770  
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 11,290 $ 12,408
Accrued liabilities   36,549     28,206  
Total current liabilities   47,839
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