NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kirkland's, Inc. (NASDAQ: KIRK) today reported financial results for the 13-week and 52-week periods ended January 28, 2017.

Net sales for the 13 weeks ended January 28, 2017, increased 2.1% to $203.2 million compared with $199.0 million for the 13 weeks ended January 30, 2016. Comparable store sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, including e-commerce sales, decreased 4.6% compared with an increase of 1.3% in the prior-year quarter. Kirkland's opened four stores and closed one during the fourth quarter of 2016, bringing the total number of stores to 404 at quarter end.

Net sales for the 52 weeks ended January 28, 2017, increased 5.8% to $594.3 million compared with $561.8 million for the 52 weeks ended January 30, 2016. Comparable store sales, including e-commerce sales, decreased 2.9% for the 52 weeks ended January 28, 2017, compared with an increase of 2.9% in the prior-year period. Kirkland's opened 42 stores and closed 14 during the 52-week period.

Net income for the 13 weeks ended January 28, 2017 was $14.5 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, compared with $16.6 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, for the 13 weeks ended January 30, 2016. Results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 included an approximate $0.07 per diluted share benefit related to a reduction in our workers' compensation and general liability reserves. Net income for the 52 weeks ended January 28, 2017, was $11.0 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, compared with $16.6 million, or $0.94 per diluted share, for the 52 weeks ended January 30, 2016. 

"Customers responded well to our seasonal assortment during the fourth quarter, and our e-Commerce channel continued its strong momentum," said Mike Madden, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We managed our operating expenses well during the quarter and inventory ended the year in good position. While store traffic was challenging, we made solid progress in 2016 to strengthen our management team, improve our supply chain and advance our omni-channel model."    

"We ended the year in strong financial position to support further changes we are effecting in the business," continued Mr. Madden. "These include customer focused initiatives to drive more newness in our assortment and differentiate our brand. We are taking aggressive action to improve execution and remain confident about the long-term outlook for the business."  

Fiscal 2017 Outlook

Kirkland's is introducing its outlook for fiscal 2017 as follows:

This performance outlook is based on current information as of March 10, 2017.  The information on which this outlook is based is subject to change, and the Company may update its full year business outlook or any portion thereof at any time for any reason.

Investor Conference Call and Web Simulcast

Kirkland's will host a conference call later today at 11:00 a.m. ET. The number to call for the interactive teleconference is (412) 542-4163. A replay of the conference call will be available through Friday, March 17, 2017, by dialing (412) 317-0088 and entering the confirmation number, 10100654.

A live broadcast of Kirkland's quarterly conference call will be available online at ir.kirklands.com or https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/957/19538 beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET today. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and continue for one year.

About Kirkland's, Inc.

Kirkland's, Inc. was founded in 1966 and is a specialty retailer of home décor in the United States. Although originally focused in the Southeast, the Company has grown beyond that region and currently operates 396 stores in 36 states.  The Company's stores present a broad selection of distinctive merchandise, including framed art, mirrors, candles, lamps, picture frames, accent rugs, garden accessories and artificial floral products.  The Company's stores also offer an extensive assortment of gifts, as well as seasonal merchandise.  More information can be found at www.kirklands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause Kirkland's actual results to differ materially from forecasted results.  Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the competitive environment in the home décor industry in general and in Kirkland's specific market areas, inflation, possibility of new tax legislation, fluctuations in cost and availability of products, interruptions in supply chain and distribution systems, the ability to control employment, and other operating costs, availability of suitable retail locations and other growth opportunities, disruptions in information technology systems including the potential for security breaches of Kirkland's or its customers' information, seasonal fluctuations in consumer spending, and economic conditions in general.  Those and other risks are more fully described in Kirkland's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 8, 2016 and subsequent reports.  Kirkland's disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

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SOURCE Kirkland's, Inc.