TOANO, VA  --  Lumber Liquidators, the largest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring in the U.S., today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2011 and updated its outlook for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Third Quarter Results

Net sales increased 16.8% to $172.0 million in the third quarter of 2011 from $147.2 million in the third quarter of 2010. Comparable store net sales increased 3.0% for the third quarter of 2011, in comparison to a decrease of 5.7% for the third quarter of the prior year. Net sales at non-comparable stores increased $20.3 million over the prior year period. The Company has opened 33 new store locations in 2011, including six opened during the third quarter.

Gross margin was 35.6% in the third quarter of 2011, an increase from 35.2% in the third quarter of 2010. Gross margin benefited from the continued implementation of sourcing initiatives, partially offset by net sales mix shifts and higher net transportation costs.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $50.3 million, or 29.3% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2011 compared to $44.9 million, or 30.5% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2010. The decrease in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales for the third quarter of 2011 is primarily due to improved operating productivity relative to the third quarter of 2010 when the Company implemented its integrated information technology solution. In addition, SG&A as a percentage of net sales in the third quarter of 2011 benefited from leverage of the Company's national advertising expenditures, partially offset by the costs of store base expansion and infrastructure investments.

As the Company previously announced, it recently entered into an agreement to acquire certain assets of Sequoia Floorings ("Sequoia") relating to Sequoia's quality control and assurance, product development and logistics operations in China. As a part of the transaction, the Company established a representative office in Shanghai in October 2011, and assumed direct control of sourcing previously managed by Sequoia. Acquisition costs of approximately $0.5 million are included in SG&A expenses for the third quarter of 2011.

Net income increased 57.2% to $6.7 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $4.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the third quarter of the prior year. The effective tax rate was 39.2% in the third quarter of 2011 and 38.7% in the third quarter of 2010, with the increase in 2011 primarily due to increases in certain reserves, higher state income taxes and certain non-deductible acquisition expenses.

First Nine Months Results

Net sales increased 8.6% to $507.1 million in the first nine months of 2011 from $467.1 million in the first nine months of 2010. Comparable store net sales decreased 3.3% for the first nine months of 2011, compared to an increase of 2.4% for the first nine months of the prior year. Non-comparable store net sales increased $55.5 million over the prior year. As of September 30, 2011, the Company operated 256 stores in 46 states and Canada.

Gross profit increased 9.1% to $178.8 million as gross margin increased to 35.3% in the first nine months of 2011 from 35.1% in the same period of 2010. SG&A expenses increased 14.4% to $149.8 million, or 29.5% of net sales, for the first nine months of 2011 compared to $131.0 million, or 28.0% of net sales, for the prior year period.

Net income decreased 12.5% to $17.8 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2011 compared to $20.3 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Net income for the first nine months of 2011 reflects an effective tax rate of 39.1% compared to 38.7% in the first nine months of 2010.

Jeffrey W. Griffiths, chief executive officer, commented, "We made good progress on our strategic initiatives in the third quarter, despite a difficult macroeconomic environment which has caused our customers to remain cautious and price sensitive with regard to large-ticket discretionary purchases. During the quarter, we further laid the foundation for the Company's long-term success by continuing our investment in our sourcing initiatives. Specifically, with the recent acquisition of certain of Sequoia's assets, we further strengthened our direct relationships with mills in China, allowing us to more efficiently and effectively control the quality and costs of products sourced in this region. We believe these enhancements will enable us to strengthen the value proposition to our customer, ultimately expanding our operating margins over the longer-term."

Company Outlook

The Company has updated its outlook for fiscal 2011 and now expects the following:

• Net sales for the full year in the range of $674 million to $681 million, from the previous range of $673 million to $686 million, with fourth quarter net sales in the range of $167 million to $174 million, from the previous range of $170 million to $180 million.
• The opening of seven to nine new store locations in the fourth quarter of the year, for a total of 40 to 42 new store locations in 2011.
• Earnings per diluted share for the full year 2011 in the range of approximately $0.96 to $1.02, from the previous range of approximately $1.00 to $1.08, each based on a diluted share count of approximately 28.5 million shares, with fourth quarter earnings per diluted share in the range of approximately $0.33 to $0.39, from the previous range of $0.39 to $0.44.
• The opening of seven to nine new store locations in the fourth quarter of the year, for a total of 40 to 42 new store locations in 2011.

Supply Chain Team Addition

The Company also announced that Carl R. Daniels has joined as its senior vice president, supply chain, effective Oct. 31, 2011. In this position, Daniels will oversee the Company's international and domestic logistics, warehousing and distribution operations. He will report directly to Robert M. Lynch, president and chief operating officer. Daniels most recently served as senior vice president of supply chain and operations at Harbor Freight Tools, where he was responsible for all organizational operations including distribution, transportation, international consolidations and procurement. Daniels also served in executive level logistics positions at Michaels, Inc., Retail Ventures Services, Inc. and Midas International, Inc., among other retailers.

Griffiths said, "As we look to the remainder of the year, we believe wood flooring customers will remain cautious and price sensitive. However, we expect continued gross margin improvement in the coming months from the benefits of our sourcing initiatives. As Carl joins our team, we are pleased to add a leader with more than 30 years of extensive on-the-ground experience who will be an integral part of further developing world-class supply chain capability at Lumber Liquidators. We have a strong team in place, a unique value proposition, a profitable store model and a focus on long-term growth to deliver value to our customers and shareholders. Overall, we are well positioned to compete effectively in a highly fragmented market and excited about the future opportunities."

About Lumber Liquidators:

With over 255 locations, Lumber Liquidators is North America's largest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring. The Company features more than 340 first quality flooring varieties, including solid and engineered hardwood, bamboo, cork, laminate and resilient vinyl. Every location is staffed with flooring experts who can provide advice and useful information about Lumber Liquidators low priced product, much of which is in-stock and ready for delivery.

Named one of Forbes' 100 Most Trustworthy Companies of 2010, the Company's quality products--such as Bellawood Prefinished Hardwood and Morning Star Bamboo--regularly appear on popular television shows, such as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and HGTV's Dream Home.

For more information, please visit LumberLiquidators.com or call 1.800.HARDWOOD.