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Kirkland's Reports Second Quarter Results

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kirkland's, Inc. (Nasdaq: KIRK):

Highlights:

    --  Comparable store sales increase 6.1%
    --  Reports EPS of $0.17 versus loss of $0.09 a year ago
    --  Raises guidance assumptions for fiscal 2009 on first half performance

    --  Strong cash flow raises cash on balance sheet to $38.5 million

Kirkland's, Inc. (Nasdaq: KIRK) today reported financial results for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 1, 2009.

Net sales for the 13-week period ended August 1, 2009, were $87.7 million compared with $87.7 million for the 13-week period ended August 2, 2008. During the quarter, the Company operated 34 fewer stores on average than in the prior year. Comparable store sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 6.1% compared with an increase of 2.8% in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales in off-mall stores increased 6.3% for the second quarter, and comparable store sales in mall stores increased 5.5%. The Company opened 5 stores and closed 6 stores during the quarter to end the period with 291 stores.

Net sales for the 26-week period ended August 1, 2009, were $171.0 million compared with $171.8 million for the 26-week period ended August 2, 2008. Comparable store sales for the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2009 increased 5.7% compared with an increase of 3.5% in the prior year period. Comparable store sales in off-mall stores increased 5.3% for the period, and comparable store sales in mall stores increased 6.8%. The Company opened 8 stores and closed 16 stores during the 26-week period.

The Company reported net income of $3.4 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the 13-week period ended August 1, 2009, compared with a net loss of $1.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the 13-week period ended August 2, 2008. For the 26-week period, the Company reported net income of $6.9 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $4.2 million, or $0.22 per diluted share in the prior-year period.

Robert Alderson, Kirkland's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased with the continuation of the positive trends in the business. Our product offering resonated well with our customers during the quarter, resulting in improved merchandise margins and increased traffic counts. A favorable operating cost environment, primarily from continued declines in freight expense and occupancy costs, enabled us to leverage our sales momentum and generate another strong quarter.

"Considering the tougher comparisons from a year ago, we are encouraged by our second quarter performance. Our semi-annual Big Sale in July was very successful with promotions featuring compelling merchandise and less clearance activity due to clean inventories. Given the first half results and similar early third quarter trends, we have become more positive in our outlook assumptions for the year, but annual results will still depend heavily upon the success of the fourth quarter holiday selling season."

Fiscal 2009 Outlook More Positive on First Half Results

Based on the Company's better-than-expected first half performance compared with its initial targets and expectations for fiscal 2009, the Company has revised its assumptions for several key metrics as noted below. These assumptions discount the likelihood of a return to the severe economic conditions of last fall, but do allow for the potential that the current recession could negatively impact the holiday selling season.

Store Base: The Company started fiscal 2009 with 299 stores compared with 335 stores a year ago. For fiscal 2009, the store base is expected to average approximately 30 stores less per quarter than the comparable quarters of fiscal 2008. In accordance with the Company's plan to reposition its store base, closings from natural lease expirations are expected to be approximately 35 to 40 stores. New store openings are expected to be 15 to 18 stores in fiscal 2009, with the remaining openings occurring in the late third and early fourth quarters.

Net Sales: Full year sales are expected to be equal to or moderately below fiscal 2008 despite a smaller store base throughout the year.

Margins: Full year merchandise and operating margins are expected to be above fiscal 2008 levels. If second half comparable store sales trends remain positive, we would expect strong year-over-year improvement in margins, but not to the levels experienced in the first half of fiscal 2009. Should comparable store sales begin to moderate in the second half of the year, we still would expect improvement in merchandise and operating margins for fiscal 2009.

Earnings: Full year pre-tax earnings, which will continue to be the most relevant measurement of business performance in fiscal 2009, are expected to be significantly above the $10.1 million achieved in fiscal 2008. The magnitude of the improvement will be largely determined by the comparable sales growth and margin trends in the second half of the year. The Company's income tax rate will remain difficult to model in fiscal 2009 due to the remaining valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and the accounting rules that govern the timing of any changes to the amount of the valuation allowance. Our current expectation is for a full year effective tax rate of approximately 22%.

Cash Flow: The Company expects to generate positive cash flow for the year with no borrowings expected on its revolving line of credit. Through the first half of fiscal 2009, the Company has generated $6.7 million in cash flow from operations and raised its cash balance from $36.4 million at fiscal year end to $38.5 million as of August 1, 2009. Capital expenditures are estimated to range between $9 and $10 million, primarily to fund new store construction and information technology projects. We expect to continue to fund these capital investments through cash generated from operations.

Investor Conference Call and Web Simulcast

Kirkland's will host a conference call today, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss its results of operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The number to call for this interactive teleconference is (212) 231-2902. A replay of the conference call will be available through September 2, 2009, by dialing (402) 977-9140 and entering the confirmation number, 21431738.

The live broadcast of Kirkland's quarterly conference call will be available online at the Company's website, www.kirklands.com, or at http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=60444 on August 26, 2009, beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and continue for one year.

Kirkland's, Inc. was founded in 1966 and is a specialty retailer of home decor in the United States. Although originally focused in the Southeast, the Company has grown beyond that region and currently operates 292 stores in 32 states. The Company's stores present a broad selection of distinctive merchandise, including framed art, mirrors, candles, lamps, picture frames, accent rugs, garden accessories and artificial floral products. The Company's stores also offer an extensive assortment of gifts, as well as seasonal merchandise. More information can be found at www.kirklands.com.

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause Kirkland's actual results to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the competitive environment in the home decor industry in general and in Kirkland's specific market areas, inflation, product availability and growth opportunities, seasonal fluctuations, and economic conditions in general. Those and other risks are more fully described in Kirkland's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 20, 2009. Kirkland's disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.


                               KIRKLAND'S, INC.
           UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                  13 Weeks        13 Weeks
                                                    Ended           Ended
                                                  August 1,       August 2,
                                                    2009            2008
                                                 ----------      ----------

    Net sales                                     $87,688         $87,684
    Cost of sales                                  54,119          59,815
                                                 ----------      ----------
        Gross profit                               33,569          27,869

    Operating expenses:
      Other operating expenses                     25,115          25,132
      Depreciation and amortization                 3,678           4,473
                                                 ----------      ----------
        Operating income (loss)                     4,776          (1,736)

    Interest expense                                   30              29
    Interest income                                     -             (16)
    Other income                                      (63)            (64)
                                                 ----------      ----------
        Income (loss) before income taxes           4,809          (1,685)
    Income tax provision                            1,365               9
                                                 ----------      ----------
        Net income (loss)                          $3,444         $(1,694)
                                                 ==========      ==========
    Earnings (loss) per share:
      Basic                                         $0.18          $(0.09)
                                                 ==========      ==========
      Diluted                                       $0.17          $(0.09)
                                                 ==========      ==========
    Shares used to calculate earnings
     (loss) per share:
      Basic                                        19,682          19,623
                                                 ==========      ==========
      Diluted                                      20,204          19,623
                                                 ==========      ==========



                               KIRKLAND'S, INC.
           UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                 26 Weeks        26 Weeks
                                                   Ended           Ended
                                                  August 1,       August 2,
                                                    2009            2008
                                                 ----------      ----------

    Net sales                                    $171,008        $171,761
    Cost of sales                                 105,265         116,984
                                                 ----------      ----------
        Gross profit                               65,743          54,777

    Operating expenses:
      Other operating expenses                     49,453          50,182
      Depreciation and amortization                 7,486           9,156
                                                 ----------      ----------
        Operating income (loss)                     8,804          (4,561)

       Interest expense                                68              59
       Interest income                                  -             (47)
       Other income                                  (134)           (336)
                                                 ----------      ----------
        Income (loss) before income taxes           8,870          (4,237)
    Income tax provision                            1,948               9
                                                 ----------      ----------
        Net income (loss)                          $6,922         $(4,246)
                                                 ==========      ==========

    Earnings (loss) per share:
      Basic                                         $0.35          $(0.22)
                                                 ==========      ==========
      Diluted                                       $0.34          $(0.22)
                                                 ==========      ==========

    Shares used to calculate earnings
     (loss) per share:
      Basic                                        19,672          19,614
                                                 ==========      ==========
      Diluted                                      20,106          19,614
                                                 ==========      ==========



                            KIRKLAND'S, INC.
             UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                         (dollars in thousands)


                             August 1, 2009 January 31, 2009 August 2, 2008
                             -------------- ---------------- --------------
    ASSETS

    Current assets:
      Cash and cash
       equivalents                 $38,491          $36,445         $4,699
      Inventories, net              38,605           38,686         42,718
      Prepaid expenses and
       other current assets          7,944            6,191          6,646
      Land and building
       - held for sale                 -                -            2,938
                             -------------- ---------------- --------------
        Total current assets        85,040           81,322         57,001

    Property and
     equipment, net                 38,826           41,826         51,250
    Other assets                     4,674            3,616          1,162
                             -------------- ---------------- --------------

    Total assets                  $128,540         $126,764       $109,413
                             ============== ================ ==============

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Accounts payable               $17,077          $13,501        $13,834
    Accrued expenses
     and other                      22,548           30,330         22,393
                             -------------- ---------------- --------------
         Total current
          liabilities               39,625           43,831         36,227

    Deferred rent                   26,493           27,534         31,721
    Other long-term
     liabilities                     2,456            3,048          2,957
                             -------------- ---------------- --------------
         Total liabilities          68,574           74,413         70,905

    Net shareholders' equity        59,966           52,351         38,508
                             -------------- ---------------- --------------

    Total liabilities and
     shareholders' equity         $128,540         $126,764       $109,413
                             ============== ================ ==============



                            KIRKLAND'S, INC.
        UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                        (dollars in thousands)

                                           26 Week Period Ended
                                           ---------------------
                                            August 1,  August 2,
                                              2009       2008
                                           ---------- ----------
      Net cash provided by (used in):

       Operating activities                   $6,651      $(155)
       Investing activities                   (4,735)    (1,013)
       Financing activities                      130         47
                                           ---------- ----------

     Cash and cash equivalents:
       Net increase (decrease)                $2,046    $(1,121)
       Beginning of the period                36,445      5,820
                                           ---------- ----------
       End of the period                     $38,491     $4,699
                                           ========== ==========

SOURCE Kirkland's, Inc.

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