8100 Denmark Road
(704) 554-8510
enhanced cleaning and product handling procedures to make our stores as safe as possible in light of
For the quarter, gross margin decreased to 26.7% from 37.4% of sales the prior year due to a
reduction in merchandise contribution, combined with the effects of deleveraging from the sales
decline.
SG&A expenses as a percent of sales increased to 34.8% from 34.2% during the quarter
primarily due to the effects of deleveraging, and an impairment charge of $2.3 million, partially offset
by company-wide expense reductions and reduction of incentive compensation compared to prior
year.
A pre-tax loss and the beneficial effects of the CARES Act resulted in $9.7 million of tax benefit
versus $0.1 million of expense in the prior year.
The Company ended the quarter with unrestricted
cash and short-term investments of $151.4 million and full availability of its $35 million revolving line
Year
-to-date gross margin decreased to 21.4% of sales from 38.7% the prior year primarily due to a
reduction in merchandise contribution combined with the effects of deleveraging resulting from the
sales decline.
The year-to-date SG&A rate was 35.8% versus 31.2% last year primarily due to the
effects of deleveraging and impairment charges of $7.6 million, partially offset by company-wide
expense reductions and the reduction of incentive compensation.
Income tax benefit for the nine
months was $22.7 million compared to an expense of $6.5 million last year.
During the third quarter ended October 31, 2020, the Company opened 16 new stores, which had
leases prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and permanently closed 2 stores.
As of October 31, 2020,
the Company operated 1,347 stores in 33 states, compared to 1,298 stores in 31 states as of August
3, 2019.
The Cato Corporation is a leading specialty retailer of value-priced fashion apparel and accessories
operating three concepts, “Cato,” “Versona” and “It’s
Fashion.”
The Company’s Cato stores offer
exclusive merchandise with fashion and quality comparable to mall specialty stores at low prices
every day.
The Company also offers exclusive merchandise found in its Cato stores at
www.catofashions.com.
Versona is a unique fashion destination offering apparel
and accessories
including jewelry, handbags and
shoes at exceptional prices every day.
Select Versona merchandise
can also be found at www.shopversona.com.
It’s Fashion offers fashion with a focus on the latest
trendy styles for the entire family at low prices every day.