Press Release Details

--Top Line Growth of 11% Led by Tommy Bahama and Lilly Pulitzer--
--Earnings in Line with Company's Expectations--
--Expect Fourth Quarter Adjusted EPS of $0.96 - $1.06 Compared to Prior Year Adjusted EPS of $0.89--
--Revised Full Year Adjusted EPS to $2.85 - $2.95, GAAP EPS to $2.75 - $2.85--

ATLANTA, Dec. 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM) today announced financial results for its fiscal 2014 third quarter, which ended November 1, 2014. Consolidated net sales increased 11% to $219.5 million compared to $197.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. In line with the Company's guidance, adjusted earnings per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 were $0.01 compared to $0.10 in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. On a GAAP basis, earnings per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 were breakeven compared to $0.05 in the same period of the prior year. For reference, tables reconciling GAAP to adjusted measures are included at the end of this release.

Thomas C. Chubb III, CEO and President, commented, "We are pleased to have delivered a solid increase to our top line and to have met our earnings expectations in the difficult environment we faced in the third quarter. Looking forward, although the retail environment has continued to be heavily promotional and traffic remains soft, we believe we are successfully navigating the holiday season and expect to report solid results. We expect to have positive comps in the fourth quarter, although not at the level originally planned, and anticipate that some early spring wholesale shipments may shift from January into February.   Given this backdrop, we expect fourth quarter adjusted EPS in a range of $0.96 to $1.06 compared to $0.89 last year and, for the full year, adjusted EPS of $2.85 - $2.95. 

Mr. Chubb continued, "While the current environment is challenging, we remain confident in the strength and market position of our brands and the capability of our management team. We remain focused across our organization on growth and the creation of value for our shareholders." 

Operating Results

Tommy Bahama  Net sales at Tommy Bahama increased 10% year-over-year to $125.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Growth was driven by increased wholesale sales, an e-commerce flash clearance sale, sales from additional retail stores and a comparable store sales increase of 2%. At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2014, Tommy Bahama operated 150 stores consisting of 96 full-price stores, 14 restaurant-retail locations and 40 outlets. This compares to 137 stores at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2013. 

Tommy Bahama's adjusted operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was $0.8 million compared to $1.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. On a GAAP basis, Tommy Bahama's operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was $0.4 million compared to $1.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to higher SG&A and lower gross margin, partially offset by the increased net sales. The higher SG&A reflects higher costs to support the growing Tommy Bahama business including infrastructure and operating costs associated with new stores. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to a larger proportion of net sales from the wholesale channel of distribution, outlet stores and e-commerce flash clearance sales.

Lilly Pulitzer  Lilly Pulitzer's net sales increased 19% year-over-year to $36.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. The net sales increase was primarily due to higher sales at the semi-annual e-commerce flash sale, sales from additional retail stores and a comparable store sales increase of 7%. At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2014, Lilly Pulitzer operated 28 stores compared to 22 stores at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2013.  

Lilly Pulitzer's adjusted operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was $4.2 million compared to $4.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, reflecting higher sales and an increase in gross margin, partially offset by the increase in SG&A to support the growing Lilly Pulitzer business. On a GAAP basis, operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was $4.1 million compared to $3.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

Lanier Clothes  Net sales at Lanier Clothes increased to $35.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from $30.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. The net sales increase was due to the impact of a large, private label warehouse club program, which more than offset decreases in other programs. Operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was comparable with the same period last year at $3.4 million, reflecting lower gross margin on higher sales. Gross margin declined as the private label business, which generally carries a lower gross margin than Lanier's branded businesses, represented a greater proportion of net sales in the quarter.

Ben Sherman  Net sales at Ben Sherman were $18.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to $18.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, primarily due to decreased wholesale sales. Ben Sherman's operating loss was $2.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to an operating loss of $1.9 million in the same period last year.  

Corporate and Other  For the third quarter of fiscal 2014, Corporate and Other had an adjusted operating loss of $3.6 million compared to an adjusted operating loss of $2.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, primarily due to higher corporate expenses and lower Oxford Golf sales. On a GAAP basis, Corporate and Other reported an operating loss of $3.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to an operating loss of $1.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

Consolidated Operating Results

Net Sales  For the third quarter of fiscal 2014, consolidated net sales were $219.5 million compared to $197.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 primarily due to net sales increases at Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer and Lanier Clothes.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin  For the third quarter of fiscal 2014, consolidated gross profit increased to $112.9 million from $104.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Gross margin in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 decreased to 51.5% from 53.1% in the prior year period primarily due to a change in sales mix.

SG&A  In the third quarter of fiscal 2014, SG&A was $115.0 million, or 52.4% of net sales, compared to $104.4 million, or 52.9% of net sales, in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. The increase in SG&A was primarily due to investments in infrastructure, incremental costs associated with operating additional retail stores and increased compensation expense.

Royalties and Other Income  Royalties and other income were $4.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to $4.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 with royalty income increases in both Tommy Bahama and Lilly Pulitzer. 

Operating Income  For the third quarter of fiscal 2014, consolidated operating income was $2.6 million compared to $4.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

Interest Expense  For the third quarter of fiscal 2014, interest expense was $0.8 million compared to $1.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 primarily due to lower borrowing rates and lower average borrowings during the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Income Taxes  The effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was 104.1% compared to 73.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. The rate in both periods was unfavorably impacted by the Company's inability to recognize a tax benefit for losses in foreign jurisdictions in a low earnings quarter.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

Total inventories at the close of the third quarter of fiscal 2014 were $145.8 million, compared to $124.0 million at the close of the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Inventory levels increased to support anticipated fourth quarter sales growth, primarily for additional stores and comparable store sales growth. 

As of November 1, 2014, the Company had $147.6 million of aggregate borrowings outstanding and $85.9 million of aggregate availability under its revolving credit agreements. 

The Company's capital expenditures for fiscal 2014, including $36.5 million incurred during the first nine months of fiscal 2014, are expected to be approximately $55 million. These expenditures consist primarily of costs associated with both new and remodeled retail stores and restaurants. The Company will also continue to invest in information technology and e-commerce capabilities and make certain enhancements to its facilities.

Fiscal 2014 Outlook

For fiscal 2014, the Company expects adjusted earnings per share in a range of $2.85 to $2.95 and net sales in a range of $990 million to $1 billion. On a GAAP basis, the Company expects earnings per share in a range of $2.75 to $2.85 for the year. This compares with fiscal 2013 earnings per share of $2.81 on an adjusted basis and $2.75 on a GAAP basis on net sales of $917.1 million. 

For the fourth quarter, ending on January 31, 2015, the Company expects net sales in a range of $267 million to $277 million and earnings per share in a range of $0.96 to $1.06 on an adjusted basis and $0.93 to $1.03 on a GAAP basis. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, earnings per share were $0.89 on an adjusted basis and $0.91 on a GAAP basis on net sales of $250.4 million.

The Company's effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 43% for the 2014 fiscal year.

Dividend

The Company announced that its Board of Directors has approved a cash dividend of $0.21 per share payable on January 30, 2015 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 16, 2015. The Company has paid dividends every quarter since it became publicly owned in 1960.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call with senior management to discuss its financial results at 4:30 p.m. ET today. A live web cast of the conference call will be available on the Company's website at www.oxfordinc.com. A replay of the call will be available through December 24, 2014 by dialing (858) 384-5517, access code 9020566. 

About Oxford

Oxford Industries, Inc. is a global apparel company which designs, sources, markets and distributes products bearing the trademarks of its owned and licensed brands. Oxford's brands include Tommy Bahama^®, Lilly Pulitzer^®, Ben Sherman^®, Oxford Golf^®, and Billy London^®. The Company operates retail stores, internet websites and restaurants. The Company also has license arrangements with select third parties to produce and sell certain product categories under its Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer and Ben Sherman brands. The Company holds exclusive licenses to produce and sell certain product categories under the Kenneth Cole^®, Geoffrey Beene^®, Dockers^® and Ike Behar^® labels. Oxford's wholesale customers include department stores, specialty stores, national chains, Internet retailers, and warehouse clubs. Oxford's stock has traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1964 under the symbol OXM. For more information, please visit Oxford's website at www.oxfordinc.com.

Comparable Store Sales

The Company's disclosures about comparable store sales include sales from its full-price stores and e-commerce sites, excluding sales associated with e-commerce flash clearance sales. Definitions and calculations of comparable store sales differ among companies in the retail industry, and therefore comparable store metrics disclosed by the Company may not be comparable to the metrics disclosed by other companies.

Safe Harbor

This press release may include statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. We intend for all forward-looking statements contained herein or on our website, and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf, to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (which Sections were adopted as part of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Important assumptions relating to these forward-looking statements include, among others, assumptions regarding the impact of economic conditions on consumer demand and spending, particularly in light of general economic uncertainty that continues to prevail, demand for our products, timing of shipments requested by our wholesale customers, labor disputes at key shipping ports, expected pricing levels, competitive conditions, retention of and disciplined execution by key management, the timing and cost of store openings and of planned capital expenditures, weather, costs of products as well as the raw materials used in those products, costs of labor, acquisition and disposition activities, expected outcomes of pending or potential litigation and regulatory actions, access to capital and/or credit markets and the impact of foreign losses on our effective tax rate. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations, based on currently available information, and are not guarantees of performance. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, these expectations could prove inaccurate as such statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our ability to control or predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties, or other risks or uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial, materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. Important factors relating to these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Part I, Item 1A. contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended February 1, 2014 under the heading "Risk Factors" and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the SEC.

CONTACT: Anne M. Shoemaker

         Telephone: (404) 653-1455

         Fax: (404) 653-1545

         E-mail: InvestorRelations@oxfordinc.com

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