Duane Reade announces Q4 earnings, implementing cost savings program
NEW YORK Duane Reade announced on Tuesday that in light of the current economic conditions, it is implementing a cost savings program that includes hiring and wage freezes. The news comes as the Manhattan-based retailer posted a fourth-quarter net loss of $17.4 million and a 2.4% boost in total same-store sales for the quarter.
"We are encouraged by our solid performance in 2008, despite increasingly difficult economic conditions during the latter months of the year. Due to these conditions, we are taking steps to reduce our cost structure in 2009 and will continue to assess the impact of macro factors on our business," said John Lederer, chairman and CEO, who noted that the company remains "cautiously optimistic" in its 2009 outlook.
In an effort to curb costs, the 251-store company is implementing a cost savings program that includes hiring and wage freezes in administrative and certain other areas of the business, as well as the implementation of a number of strategic cost savings initiatives to improve efficiency and eliminate non-value added activities. The moves are expected to result in a cost savings of between $7 million and $10 million in 2009.
For the fourth quarter, total net sales rose 7.6% to $464.5 million from $431.6 million in the year-ago period. Net retail store sales, which exclude pharmacy resale activity, increased 3.4% to $428.6 million. Total same-store sales increased 2.4%, with a front-end same-store sales increase of 1.5%. Pharmacy same-store sales increased 3.6%.
Net loss for the quarter totaled $17.4 million compared with $15.1 million in the previous year.
Operating loss for the quarter totaled $3.6 million compared with operating income of $1.2 million in the year-ago period. The current quarter includes a $3.5 million litigation settlement charge and an increase in other expenses.
As previously reported by Drug Store News, the company is testing new ideas for store layout and design in various locations throughout the city, which includes more modern-looking signage, wider aisles, improved lighting, a fresh food offering, and a repositioned pharmacy department.
By year-end, the company expects to have about 30 new or renovated stores.
From a signage standpoint, it will begin to rebrand the bulk of the chain in the coming months in a "cost efficient" manner to project more continuity.