Books-A-Million's fiscal Q2 loss narrowed to US$0.9M from US$2.9M a year ago as sales climbed 14.9% to US$120.4M, comparable-store sales grew 0.5%; CEO credits new store openings, solid performance in books, general merchandise, kids and teens

Cindy Allen

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama , August 22, 2012 (press release) – Books-A-Million, Inc. (NASDAQ:BAMM) today announced financial results for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended July 28, 2012. Net sales for the 13-week period ended July 28, 2012 increased 14.9% to $120.4 million compared with sales of $104.8 million in the year-earlier period. Comparable store sales for the second quarter increased 0.5%, compared with the 13-week period in the prior year. Net loss from continuing operations for the second quarter was $0.9 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared with net loss from continuing operations of $2.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, in the year-earlier period.

For the 26-week period ended July 28, 2012, net sales increased 12.7% to $233.5 million from net sales of $207.2 million in the year-earlier period. Comparable store sales declined 1.8% compared with the same period in the prior year. For the 26-week period ended July 28, 2012, the Company reported net loss from continuing operations of $2.8 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared with net loss from continuing operations of $6.3 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, in the year-earlier period.

Commenting on the results, Terrance G. Finley, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, "Results for the quarter reflect the contribution from our new stores that opened in the 4th quarter, the phenomenal success of the Fifty Shades of Grey series, and continued solid performance in kids, teen and general merchandise. Our team remains focused on diversifying our store assortments and adjusting our store layouts to support our core business and new categories as we prepare for the upcoming holiday season.”

The Company also announced today that the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a program to repurchase up to $5 million in shares of its common stock. Stock may be purchased on the open market or through private transactions from time to time through March 31, 2014, dependent upon market conditions. The plan does not obligate the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be suspended at any time at management’s discretion. The Company currently has 16.0 million shares of common stock outstanding.

ABOUT BOOKS-A-MILLION, INC.

Books-A-Million, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading book retailers and also sells on the Internet at www.booksamillion.com. The Company presently operates 258 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia. The Company operates large superstores under the names Books-A-Million (BAM!), Books & Co. and 2nd & Charles and traditional bookstores operating under the names Bookland and Books-A-Million. The common stock of Books-A-Million, Inc. is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol BAMM. For more information, visit the Company’s corporate website at www.booksamillioninc.com.

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