Indigo Books posts narrower fiscal Q4 loss of C$8.2M, down from C$10.7M a year ago, as revenues fall to C$183.8M from C$195.9M; for full year, company swings to earnings of C$4.3M from loss of C$27.8M, revenue falls 4.4% to C$892.5M

Cindy Allen

TORONTO , May 29, 2013 (press release) – Improved Net Earnings from Continuing Operations

Indigo Books & Music Inc. (TSX: IDG), Canada's largest book, gift and specialty toy retailer reported full year gross profit $2.7 million higher than last year due to a 2.2% improvement in margin rate. The improvement in margin rate was a result of a shift in product mix to higher margin products, lower sales discounts, fewer markdowns and shipping more product through the Company's distribution center.
Net earnings from continued operations attributable to shareholders of the Company for the year were $4.3 million, compared to a net loss of $27.8 million last year. The improvement in earnings was primarily due to improved margins and no goodwill impairment charges being recognized in fiscal 2013.

Revenue for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2013 was $893 million compared to $934 million last year, a decline of 4.4%. The decline was primarily due to lower physical book and eReader sales. Additionally, the Company operated nine fewer small format stores.

The revenue decline was partially offset by double-digit growth in lifestyle, paper and toy sales and an increase in revenue from the Kobo revenue-sharing agreement due to the growth in digital reading.

On a comparable store basis, Indigo and Chapters superstore revenue decreased 4.6%, while Coles and IndigoSpirit small format store revenue decreased 2.4%. Online sales grew 1%.

Revenue for the fourth quarter was $185 million, down $11 million from the previous year against the blockbuster Hunger Games Trilogy in the fourth quarter last year. Net loss from continuing operations attributable to shareholders of the Company for the quarter was $8.2 million compared to a net loss of $10.7 million last year. The increase in earnings was due to a 2.4% improvement in margin rate and lower operating and selling and administrative expenses due to the Company's on-going focus on its Galileo productivity improvement initiative.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements which involve risk and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Among the key factors that could cause such differences are: general economic, market or business conditions in Canada; competitive actions by other companies; changes in laws or regulations; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures
The Company prepares its unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and International Accounting Standards 34, "Interim Financial Reporting." In order to provide additional insight into the business, the Company has also provided non-IFRS data, including comparative store sales growth, in the press release above. This measure does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and is therefore specific to Indigo and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Comparative store sales growth is a key indicator used by the Company to measure performance against internal targets and prior period results. This measure is commonly used by financial analysts and investors to compare Indigo to other retailers. Comparable store sales are defined as sales generated by stores that have been open for more than 12 months on a 52-week basis.

About Indigo Books & Music Inc.

Indigo is a publicly traded Canadian company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (IDG). As the largest book, gift and specialty toy retailer in Canada, Indigo operates in all provinces under different banners including Indigo Books & Music; Indigo Books, Gifts, Kids; IndigoSpirit; Chapters; The World's Biggest Bookstore; and Coles. The online channel, indigo.ca, offers a one-stop online shop with a robust selection of books, toys, home décor, stationery and gifts.

In 2004, Indigo founded the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation, a registered charity that provides new books and education materials to high-needs Canadian elementary schools, to address the literacy crisis in Canada. To date the Foundation, as well as the Indigo "Adopt A School" program, have contributed $13.5 million—equating to close to two million books— to high-needs elementary schools across Canada. Visit loveofreading.org for more information.

To learn more about Indigo, please visit the Our Company section at indigo.ca.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

	As at	As at
	March 30,	March 31,
(thousands of Canadian dollars)	2013	2012
ASSETS
Current
Cash and cash equivalents	211,701	207,601
Accounts receivable	7,180	12,627
Inventories	216,916	229,706
Prepaid expenses	4,235	3,695
Total current assets	440,032	453,629

Property, plant and equipment	59,319	67,464
Intangible assets	22,164	22,810
Deferred tax assets	48,731	48,633
Total assets	570,246	592,536
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	151,283	174,201
Unredeemed gift card liability	47,169	42,711
Provisions	2,168	232
Deferred revenue	13,733	11,234
Income taxes payable	11	65
Current portion of long-term debt	773	1,060
Total current liabilities	215,137	229,503
Long-term accrued liabilities	4,004	5,800
Long-term provisions	78	460
Long-term debt	705	1,141
Total liabilities	219,924	236,904
Equity
Share capital	203,805	203,373
Contributed surplus	8,128	7,039
Retained earnings	138,389	145,220
Total equity	350,322	355,632
Total liabilities and equity	570,246	592,536

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

		13-week	13-week	52-week	52-week
		period ended	period ended	period ended	period ended
		March 30,	March 31,	March 30,	March 31,
(thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share data)		2013	2012	2013	2012

Revenues		184,814	195,879	892,458	933,990
Cost of sales		(102,968)	(113,889)	(500,681)	(544,924)
Gross profit		81,846	81,990	391,777	389,066
Operating, selling and administrative expenses		(93,252)	(97,710)	(390,080)	(418,701)
Operating earnings (loss)		(11,406)	(15,720)	1,697	(29,635)
Interest on long-term debt and financing charges		(27)	(36)	(116)	(153)
Interest income on cash and cash equivalents		765	420	2,609	460
Earnings (loss) before income taxes		(10,668)	(15,336)	4,190	(29,328)
Income tax recovery (expense)
	Current	-	(71)	-	(71)
	Deferred	2,421	4,681	98	1,572
Earnings (loss) and comprehensive earnings (loss) for the period from continuing operations		(8,247)	(10,726)	4,288	(27,827)
Earnings and comprehensive earnings for the period from discontinued operations (net of tax)		-	135,695	-	94,016
Net earnings (loss) and comprehensive earnings (loss) for the period		(8,247)	124,969	4,288	66,189

Net earnings (loss) and comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to:
Shareholders of Indigo		(8,247)	131,527	4,288	92,664
Non-controlling interest		-	(6,558)	-	(26,475)

Net earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations
Basic		$(0.33)	$(0.43)	$0.17	$(1.10)
Diluted		$(0.33)	$(0.43)	$0.17	$(1.10)

Net earnings per common share from discontinued operations
Basic		$ -	$5.64	$ -	$4.78
Diluted		$ -	$5.58	$ -	$4.73

Net earnings (loss) per common share
Basic		$(0.33)	$5.21	$0.17	$3.68
Diluted		$(0.33)	$5.16	$0.17	$3.64

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

		13-week	13-week	52-week	52-week
		period ended	period ended	period ended	period ended
		March 30,	March 31,	March 30,	March 31,
(thousands of Canadian dollars)		2013	2012	2013	2012

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations for the period		(8,247)	(10,726)	4,288	(27,827)
Add (deduct) items not affecting cash
	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	4,363	4,590	17,838	18,416
	Amortization of intangible assets	2,691	1,977	10,245	8,243
	Net impairment of capital assets	-	-	250	3,956
	Impairment of goodwill	-	-	-	25,416
	Loss on disposal of capital assets	21	59	65	124
	Stock-based compensation	174	175	743	1,041
	Directors' compensation	116	116	446	500
	Deferred tax assets	(2,421)	(4,681)	(98)	(1,572)
	Other	(25)	(248)	(443)	(205)
Net change in non-cash working capital balances related to continuing operations		(91,394)	(68,695)	1,408	16,925
Interest on long-term debt and financing charges		27	36	116	153
Interest income on cash and cash equivalents		(765)	(420)	(2,609)	(460)
Income taxes received (paid)		(13)	(325)	32	(325)
Operating cash flows of discontinued operations		-	11,809	-	(56,878)
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities		(95,473)	(66,333)	32,281	(12,493)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of non-capital tax losses		-	-	-	(10,559)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(2,572)	(1,611)	(9,521)	(12,141)
Addition of intangible assets		(2,745)	(2,513)	(9,621)	(8,553)
Interest received		796	276	2,676	526
Cash disposal resulting from sale of subsidiary		-	(33,033)	-	(33,033)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary		-	148,941	-	148,941
Investing cash flows of discontinued operations		-	(948)	-	(8,884)
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities		(4,521)	111,112	(16,466)	76,297

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Notes payable		-	(5,280)	-	-
Repayment of long-term debt		(236)	(320)	(1,200)	(1,367)
Interest paid		(33)	(104)	(160)	(245)
Proceeds from share issuances		52	7	332	585
Dividends paid		(2,783)	(2,775)	(11,119)	(11,090)
Purchase of shares in subsidiary		-	-	-	(3,009)
Financing cash flows of discontinued operations		-	(263)	-	74,819
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities		(3,000)	(8,735)	(12,147)	59,693

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		3	511	432	443

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period		(102,991)	36,555	4,100	123,940
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		314,692	171,046	207,601	83,661
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		211,701	207,601	211,701	207,601

SOURCE: Indigo Books & Music Inc.

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