Third quarter sales growth of 32.5% to C$36.3 million; comparable sales increase of 6.3%

Third quarter adjusted EBITDA growth of 50% to C$1.5 million

Third quarter adjusted net loss of C$(0.8) million or C$(0.03) per fully diluted share

Raises FY15 outlook to reflect Q3 outperformance; expects FY15 adjusted fully diluted EPS of C$0.37-C$0.39

MONTREAL, Dec. 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DAVIDsTEA Inc. (Nasdaq:DTEA) today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2015.

For the three months ended October 31, 2015:

• Sales increased by 32.5% to C$36.3 million from C$27.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Comparable sales increased by 6.3%.
• Gross profit increased by 25.0% to C$18.0 million while gross profit as a percent of sales decreased to 49.6% from 52.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. The decrease in gross profit as a percent of sales was driven primarily by the adverse impact from the stronger U.S. dollar on U.S. dollar denominated purchases. On a constant currency basis, gross profit as a percent of sales was flat at 52.4%.
• Selling, general and administration expenses ("SG&A") increased to C$18.9 million from C$17.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Excluding one-time costs in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, SG&A increased to C$18.9 million from C$15.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. As a percent of sales, SG&A excluding these one-time costs, decreased to 52.1% from 56.2%, due primarily to leveraging of fixed expenses.
• Results from operating activities were C$(0.9) million as compared to C$(2.9) million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Excluding one-time costs in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, results from operating activities improved to C$(0.9) million from C$(1.0) million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
• The Company opened 18 new stores in the third quarter and ended the quarter with a total of 183 stores in Canada and the U.S. This represents an increase of 28% from the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
• Adjusted EBITDA was C$1.5 million compared to C$1.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Adjusted EBITDA excludes IPO-related and other non-cash or one-time costs (see Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA table).
• Net loss was C$(0.9) million compared to C$(0.2) million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Adjusted net loss, which excludes IPO-related and other one-time income or expenses (see Reconciliation of IFRS basis to Adjusted net loss table), was C$(0.8) million compared to C$(1.7) million for the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
• Fully diluted loss per common share was C$(0.04) compared to C$(0.02) in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Adjusted fully diluted loss per common share, which is adjusted net loss on an adjusted fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding basis (see Reconciliation of fully diluted weighted average common shares outstanding table), was C$(0.03) per share compared to C$(0.07) per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Sylvain Toutant, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We are pleased with our third quarter top- and bottom-line performance, highlighted by a 32.5% increase in sales and comparable sales growth of 6.3%. Our strong top-line performance was fueled by continued strength from new and existing stores, and our thriving e-commerce business, as customers responded to our innovative merchandise offering and compelling marketing message."

Mr. Toutant continued, "We are well-positioned for the upcoming holiday season with our exciting product assortment and steady stream of newness that we believe will resonate with our customers. Given our strong third quarter performance we are raising our outlook for the year. Looking ahead, we remain focused on building our unique brand, expanding our store base and e-commerce footprint, driving profitability and realizing the significant potential that we believe exists for DAVIDsTEA."

For the nine months ended October 31, 2015:

• Sales increased by 31.0% to C$104.9 million from C$80.1 million in the comparable period in fiscal 2014. Comparable sales increased by 6.5%.
• Gross profit increased by 24.3% to C$53.2 million while gross profit as a percent of sales decreased to 50.7% from 53.4% in the comparable period in fiscal 2014. The decrease in gross profit as a percent of sales was driven primarily by the adverse impact from the stronger U.S. dollar on U.S. dollar denominated purchases in the nine months ended October 31, 2015. On a constant currency basis, gross profit as a percent of sales was 53.2%.
• SG&A increased to C$58.2 million from C$44.3 million in the comparable period in fiscal 2014. Excluding one-time costs, SG&A increased to C$53.8 million from C$42.5 million in the comparable period in fiscal 2014. As a percent of sales, SG&A, excluding these one-time costs, decreased to 51.3% from 53.1%, due primarily to leveraging of fixed expenses.
• Results from operating activities were C$(5.0) million as compared to C$(1.5) million in the comparable period in fiscal 2014. Excluding one-time costs, results from operating activities decreased to C$(0.6) million from C$0.3 million in the comparable period in fiscal 2014.
• The Company opened 29 net new stores in the nine months ended October 31, 2015 and ended the period with a total of 183 stores in Canada and the U.S. This represents an increase of 28% from the comparable period in fiscal 2014.
• Adjusted EBITDA was C$5.7 million compared to C$5.4 million in the comparable period in 2014. Adjusted EBITDA excludes IPO-related and other non-cash or one-time costs (see Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA table).
• Net loss was C$(146.2) million compared to C$(1.5) million in the comparable period in fiscal 2014. The decrease in net income in fiscal 2015 is due to a $140.9 million non-cash loss in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 associated with the embedded derivative on Series A, A-1 and A-2 preferred shares. In conjunction with the IPO transaction, all preferred shares were converted into common shares. As a result, this charge will not reoccur. Adjusted net loss, which excludes IPO-related and other one-time costs for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 (see Reconciliation of IFRS basis to Adjusted net loss table), was C$(1.2) million compared to C$(1.7) million for the comparable period in fiscal 2014.
• Fully diluted loss per common share was C$(7.91) compared to C$(0.12) in the comparable period in fiscal 2014. Adjusted fully diluted loss per common share, which is adjusted net loss on an adjusted fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding basis (see Reconciliation of fully diluted weighted average common shares outstanding table), improved to C$(0.05) per share compared to C$(0.07) per share in the comparable period in fiscal 2014.

Balance sheet highlights as of October 31, 2015:

• Cash: C$48.3 million.
• Total liquidity (cash plus availability on a C$20.0 million revolving facility): C$68.3 million.

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Outlook:

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, sales are expected to be in the range of C$70.0 million to C$72.0 million based on opening 10 new stores and assuming a comparable sales increase slightly above the mid-single digit range. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of C$18.0 million to C$19.0 million. Adjusted net income, which excludes IPO-related costs and other one-time costs, is expected to be in the range of C$11.0 million to C$11.5 million, with an adjusted fully diluted income per common share range of C$0.42 to C$0.44 on approximately 26.3 million adjusted fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

For fiscal 2015, sales are expected to be in the range of C$175.0 million to C$177.0 million based on opening 39 net new stores for the full year and assuming a comparable sales increase slightly above the mid-single digit range. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of C$23.5 million to C$24.5 million. Adjusted net income, which excludes IPO-related and other one-time costs, is expected to be in the range of C$9.7 million to C$10.2 million, or C$0.37 to C$0.39 per share on approximately 26.3 million adjusted fully diluted common shares outstanding.

Conference Call Information:

A conference call to discuss the third quarter fiscal 2015 financial results is scheduled for today, December 10, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The conference call will be webcast and may be accessed via the Company's Investor Relations section of its website at www.davidstea.com. An online archive of the webcast will be available within two hours of the conclusion of the call and will remain available for one year.

Non-IFRS Information:

This press release includes non-IFRS measures including Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income(loss), and Adjusted fully diluted income(loss) per share. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income(loss) and Adjusted fully diluted income(loss) per share are not presentations made in accordance with IFRS, and the use of the terms Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income(loss) and Adjusted fully diluted income(loss) per share may differ from similar measures reported by other companies. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income(loss) and Adjusted fully diluted income(loss) per share provide investors with useful information with respect to our historical operations. We present Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income(loss) and Adjusted fully diluted income(loss) per share as supplemental performance measures because we believe they facilitate a comparative assessment of our operating performance relative to our performance based on our results under IFRS, while isolating the effects of some items that vary from period-to-period. Specifically, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income(loss) and Adjusted fully diluted income(loss) per share allow for an assessment of our operating performance and our ability to service or incur indebtedness without the effect of non-cash charges of the period or other one-time charges, such as depreciation, amortization, impairment costs, costs related to onerous contracts or contracts where we expect the costs of the obligations to exceed the economic benefit and non-recurring expenses relating to our initial public offering. These measures also function as benchmarks to evaluate our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income (loss), and Adjusted fully diluted income(loss) per share are not measurements of our financial performance under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net income, net cash provided by operating, investing or financing activities or any other financial statement data presented as indicators of financial performance or liquidity, each as presented in accordance with IFRS. We understand that although Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income(loss), and Adjusted fully diluted income(loss) per share are frequently used by securities analysts, lenders and others in their evaluation of companies, they have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under IFRS. Some of these limitations are:

• Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income(loss), and Adjusted fully diluted income(loss) per share do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; and
   
• Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.

Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income(loss), and Adjusted fully diluted income(loss) per share should not be considered as discretionary cash available to us to reinvest in the growth of our business or as a measure of cash that will be available to us to meet our obligations.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "expect," "plan," "could," "may," "will," "believe," "estimate," "forecast," "goal," "project," and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements address various matters including management's beliefs about the Company's sales and growth prospects for the coming fiscal quarter and fiscal year. The Company cannot assure investors that future developments affecting the Company will be those that it has anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to risks including: the Company's ability to maintain and enhance its brand image, particularly in new markets; the Company's ability to compete in the specialty tea and beverage category; the Company's ability to expand and improve its operations; levels of foot traffic in locations in which the Company's stores are located; changes in consumer trends and preferences; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; general economic conditions and consumer confidence; the importance of the Company's fourth fiscal quarter to results of operations for the entire fiscal year; and other risks set forth in the Company's prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 4, 2015. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if any of the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, the Company's actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this release speak only as of the date on which the Company makes it. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws.

About DAVIDsTEA:

DAVIDsTEA is a fast-growing branded beverage company, offering a differentiated selection of proprietary loose-leaf teas, pre-packaged teas, tea sachets and tea-related gifts and accessories. As of October 31, 2015, the Company owned and operated 183 DAVIDsTEA stores throughout the United States and Canada. The Company is headquartered in Montréal, Canada.

CONTACT: Investor Contact
         ICR Inc.Farah Soi/Rachel Schacter
         (203)-682-8200
         investors@davidstea.com

         Media Contact:
         ICR, Inc.Jessica Liddell/Julia Young
         203-682-8200
         pr@davidstea.com