Tiffany's Paris Flagship Property For Sale

The property that houses Tiffany & Co.’s flagship Paris boutique has been placed on the market for more than 30 million euros ($40 million). However, the luxury retail jeweler will not be leaving the space.

Commercial real estate services firm, CBRE, said in a statement that it has been instructed to sell what it calls “a trophy retail asset” located at the entrance to Place Vendome at 6 rue de la Paix. The 8,230-square-foot space is being sold in behalf of a private owner. It contains two retail jewelers, the second store being Kornmesser, a private Austrian luxury jewelry and porcelain retailer.

Both tenants recently committed to new long term leases, CBRE said.

Rue de la Paix is one of the most prestigious addresses in the French capital. Known as the centre of luxury retail in the city, jewelry brands in the area include Bulgari, Van Cleef, Hermes and Cartier. Luxury brands moving into the area include Louis Vuitton, which plans to open its flagship Parisian store on Place Vendôme, and luxury Swiss watch brand, Breguet, which will be opening its world’s largest store.

"Prime retail properties of this quality and with this strength of tenant are rare,” said Larry Young, International Investment, CBRE Capital Markets Paris.

Initial offers are being sought in late March, he said.

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Tiffany's Soft Q4 Doesn't Tarnish Sparkling Year

Tiffany & Co. said Tuesday that worldwide net sales for the fourth quarter increased 8 percent, year-over-year, to $1.2 billion. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, worldwide net sales rose 7 percent and comparable store sales rose 5 percent.

Net earnings declined 2 percent for the period, ended January 31, to $178 million, due to higher costs.

Meanwhile, worldwide net sales for fiscal 2011 rose 18 percent to $3.6 billion. On a constant-exchange-rate basis that excludes the effect of translating foreign-currency-denominated sales into U.S. dollars, worldwide net sales and comparable store sales rose 15 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

Net earnings increased 19 percent to $439 million. Net earnings increased 24 percent excluding nonrecurring items, including the recent move of Tiffany’s headquarters staff in New York. Net earnings as a percentage of net sales rose to 12.1 percent, from 11.9 percent in the prior year.

“Tiffany exceeded the goals that we had set at the start of 2011 for both sales and earnings growth, although we concluded the year with softer-than-expected results,” said Michael J. Kowalski, Tiffany chairman and chief executive officer.

In its outlook for 2012, Tiffany said it expects worldwide net sales to increase by approximately 10 percent, primarily driven by sales growth in Asia-Pacific and the Americas. The New York-based company plans to open 24 stores in 2012—nine in the Americas, seven in Asia-Pacific, three in Europe—while beginning the operation of five stores in the United Arab Emirates.

The luxury retail jeweler reported annual double-digit growth in all regions. Unsurprisingly, the Asia-Pacific region reported the strongest growth.

Sales by region are as follows:

* In the Americas, sales increased 15 percent to $1.8 billion in fiscal 2011 and rose 5 percent to $605 million in the fourth quarter. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total Americas sales rose 14 percent in fiscal 2011 and 5 percent in the fourth quarter, largely due to comparable store sales increasing 13 percent in the year and 3 percent in the fourth quarter. On that basis, comparable branch store sales in the Americas increased 11 percent in the year and 3 percent in the fourth quarter, while sales in the New York flagship store increased 20 percent for the year and 2 percent in the fourth quarter. Combined Internet and catalog sales in the Americas rose 6 percent in fiscal 2011 and declined 4 percent in the fourth quarter.

* In Asia-Pacific, sales rose 36 percent to $748 million in the full year and increased 19 percent to $225 million in the fourth quarter. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales and comparable store sales rose 31 percent and 27 percent, respectively, in the year, and rose 18 percent and 13 percent in the fourth quarter, due to increased sales in most countries.

* In Japan, sales increased 13 percent to $617 million in fiscal 2011 and rose 12 percent to $204 million in the fourth quarter. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales in Japan rose 3 percent in the year and 5 percent in the fourth quarter and comparable store sales increased 4 percent in both periods.

* In Europe, sales increased 17 percent to $421 million in the fiscal year and 3 percent to $142 million in the fourth quarter. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales in Europe rose 12 percent in the year and 3 percent in the fourth quarter while comparable store sales increased 6 percent in the year and declined 2 percent in the fourth quarter. Throughout the fourth quarter and year, sales growth in Continental Europe was relatively stronger than results in the U.K., the company said.

Tiffany currently operates about 247 stores (102 in the Americas, 58 in Asia-Pacific, 55 in Japan and 32 in Europe.

Other sales declined 5 percent to $51 million in the fiscal year and fell 22 percent to $12 million in the fourth quarter due to declines in wholesale sales of rough diamonds in both periods as well as lower wholesale sales of finished products to independent distributors in the fourth quarter.

Other financial highlights:

* Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of net sales) of 59.0% in the fiscal year compared with 59.1% a year ago, reflecting both higher product costs and shifts in product sales mix toward higher-priced jewelry that achieves a lower gross margin being largely offset by sales leverage on fixed costs. Gross margin in the fourth quarter was 60.4 percent, versus 60.9 percent in the prior year for generally similar reasons except for a lack of sales leverage on fixed costs.

* SG&A (selling, general and administrative) expenses increased 18 percent in the fiscal year and 10 percent in the fourth quarter, with both increases affected by nonrecurring costs related to the relocation of Tiffany's New York headquarters staff. Excluding the nonrecurring costs in all periods, SG&A expenses rose 16 percent in the fiscal year and 11 percent in the fourth quarter primarily due to increased store occupancy, labor and marketing costs.

* The company repurchased approximately 2.6 million shares of its Common Stock in the fiscal year at a total cost of $174 million, or an average cost of $66.23 per share. In the fourth quarter, the Company spent $35 million to repurchase approximately 525,000 shares at an average cost of $67.26 per share. At January 31, 2012 approximately $218 million was available for future repurchases under the currently authorized plan which expires in January 2013.

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Tiffany’s Q4 and Full-Year Sales Up 4%

Tiffany & Co. said Friday net sales in the fourth quarter increased 4 percent to $1.2 billion year-over-year and net earnings rose 1 percent to $180 million. On a constant-exchange-rate basis that excludes the effect of translating foreign-currency-denominated sales into U.S. dollars, worldwide net sales rose 5 percent, for the period ended Jan. 31, due to growth in all regions and comparable store sales equaled the prior year.

For the year, also ended January 31, worldwide net sales increased 4 percent to $3.8 billion, year-over-year, while net earnings declined 5 percent to $416 million. Earnings fell 11 percent when excluding nonrecurring items in the prior year.

“These quarterly sales results were consistent with the holiday trends we had issued in early January,” said Michael J. Kowalski, Tiffany chairman and CEO. “While financial results in fiscal 2012 were disappointing due to lower-than-expected sales growth and pressures on gross margin, we continued to maintain a longer-term focus on strengthening global awareness of the Tiffany & Co. brand and on further developing compelling product offerings.”

Kowalski took an optimistic tone for Tiffany’s 2013 outlook. “We will be pursuing important growth opportunities in 2013, with plans including exciting new jewelry collections, enhanced customer communications through print and digital media, and expansion of our global base with additional stores,” he said. “Tiffany is well positioned to achieve net earnings growth of 6 percent – 9 percent and healthy free cash flow.”

Net sales highlights are as follows:

* Total sales in the Americas region increased 2 percent to $620 million in the fourth quarter and 2 percent to $1.8 billion in the full year (representing 48 percent of 2012 worldwide sales). On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales increased 2 percent in both the quarter and full year; on that basis, comparable store sales declined 2 percent in both the quarter and full year. Sales in the New York flagship store fell 3 percent in both the quarter and full year, while comparable branch store sales were 2 percent below both prior-year periods with no meaningful geographical differences in the U.S.). Internet and catalog sales rose 6 percent and 4 percent in the fourth quarter and full year.

* In the Asia-Pacific region, total sales rose 13 percent to $254 million in the fourth quarter and 8% to $810 million, or 21% of worldwide sales, in the full year. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales rose 10% in the fourth quarter due to sales growth in Greater China and in other markets and rose 8% in the full year; on that basis, comparable store sales rose 6% in the quarter and 2% in the full year.

* Total sales in Japan declined 6 percent to $192 million in the fourth quarter, reflecting a weaker Japanese yen versus the U.S. dollar. Sales for the full year increased 4 percent to $639 million, or 17 percent. However, on a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales rose 2 percent in the quarter and 6 percent. Comparable store sales rose 2 percent and 7 percent in the quarter and full year.

* In Europe, total sales increased 3 percent to $146 million in the fourth quarter due to mixed performances by country and also rose 3% to $432 million, or 11% of worldwide sales, in the full year. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales increased 3% and 7% in the quarter and full year and comparable store sales were unchanged in the quarter and rose 2% in the full year.

* Sales categorized “Other,” nearly doubled to $24 million in the fourth quarter and rose 41 percent to $73 million in the full year. The strong growth in both periods reflected the conversion in July of five Tiffany & Co. stores in the United Arab Emirates from independently-operated distribution to company-operated retail stores.

* Tiffany added 28 company-operated stores in the full year: 13 in the Americas with four in the U.S., six in Canada (including four department-store boutiques in Canada that were converted to company-operated locations), two in Mexico and one in Brazil; eight in Asia-Pacific including six in China, one in Australia and one in Singapore; two in Europe including one in France and one in the Czech Republic; and the five stores in the U.A.E. The company currently operates 275 stores (115 in the Americas, 66 in Asia-Pacific, 55 in Japan, 34 in Europe and five in the U.A.E.), compared with 247 stores a year ago.

Tiffany’s other financial highlights:

* Gross margins (gross profit as a percentage of net sales) of 59.1 percent in the fourth quarter and 57 percent for the full year were below margins of 60.4 percent and 59 percent in the respective prior-year periods. The declines largely reflected pressures from precious metal and diamond costs; a shift in sales mix toward higher-priced, lower margin products; and reduced sales leverage on fixed costs.

* SG&A (selling, general and administrative) expenses increased 2 percent in the fourth quarter. In the full year, SG&A expenses increased 2 percent; however, if nonrecurring costs related to the 2011 relocation of Tiffany's New York headquarters staff were excluded, SG&A expense would have increased 5 percent (see "Non-GAAP Measures" schedule) in the full year due to store occupancy costs related to new and existing stores, increased marketing spending and higher labor costs.

* Other expenses, net were $14 million and $54 million in the fourth quarter and full year, compared with $13 million and $43 million in the respective prior-year periods. Increased average borrowing levels have resulted in higher interest expense in both periods.

* Net inventories of $2.2 billion at January 31 were 8 percent higher than the prior year-end, reflecting 13 percent growth in finished goods inventory and 2 percent growth in combined raw materials and work-in-process, all to support new store openings and expanded product assortments.

* Capital expenditures of $220 million in 2012 were modestly lower than $239 million in the prior year; 2011 had included expenditures for the relocation of Tiffany's headquarters staff.

* In the full year, the company spent $54 million to repurchase approximately 813,000 shares of its Common Stock at an average cost of $66.54 per share, but did not repurchase shares in the fourth quarter. Approximately $164 million remains available for repurchases under the currently authorized program which expires in January 2014.

In its outlook, the company expects worldwide net sales to grow 6 percent to 8 percent in U.S dollars. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, an expected high-single-digit percentage increase in worldwide net sales includes sales growth in all regions, ranging from a mid-teens percentage increase in Asia-Pacific to a low-single-digit increase in Japan.

The company said it plans to open 15 new company-operated stores including five in the Americas, seven in Asia-Pacific, three in Europe; while closing one in Japan. It also plans  and to refurbish a number of existing locations around the world.

It expects net earnings from operations increasing 6 percent to 9 percent to a range of $3.43-$3.53 per diluted share. Net earnings from operations are expected to decline approximately 15 percent- 20 percent in the first quarter due to gross margin pressure and higher marketing-related costs, to be followed by earnings growth in all subsequent quarters. In addition, this forecast excludes $0.05 per diluted share of expected first quarter charges for staffing and occupancy adjustments.


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