ViSalus Expect To Open Europe In 2013
According to Blyth's Inc. Updates 2012 Earnings Guidance, ViSalus expect to open Europe in the first half of 2013:
GREENWICH, Conn., Nov. 6, 2012 Blyth, Inc. (NYSE: BTH), a direct to consumer company and leading designer and marketer of candles, accessories for the home, and health and wellness products sold through the direct selling and direct marketing channels, today commented on its outlook for the year ending December 31, 2012. Reported earnings per share is expected to be $2.28 – $2.43 for the year ending December 31, 2012 compared to prior guidance of reported earnings per share of $2.47 – $2.62.
Robert B. Goergen, Blyth's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, commented, Our updated guidance for 2012 reflects lower sales and profits than previously anticipated, due in large part to the difficult global macroeconomic environment which continues to make forecasting the demand for discretionary consumer products challenging.
Reduced consumer discretionary spending in North America and Europe is challenging for all our business units, particularly PartyLite Europe and, to a lesser extent, PartyLite North America. In addition, now that ViSalus has grown to be a substantial size business, we understand better the seasonality of weight management products, which are stronger in the first half of the year due to the post-holiday and pre-summer focus on weight management. As such, we have moderated our second half sales and earnings projections, which represent strong double-digit growth versus the prior year.
Ryan Blair, CEO of ViSalus noted further that, Our belief in the North American growth opportunity was reinforced by the record Promoter attendance at last weekend's National Success Training in St. Louis. Moreover, we expect to enter Europe, our first market outside North America, in the first half of 2013. We believe international expansion offers a significant growth opportunity for ViSalus since most larger multi-level marketing companies derive at least 75% of their sales outside North America.
Moreover, we believe the European marketplace is an opportune environment for ViSalus as our European neighbors are equally challenged by the obesity epidemic that is targeted so effectively by both the Body by Vi™ 90 Day Challenge and ViSalus' product offering.
Mr. Blair added that he would be prepared to outline the specifics of ViSalus' international expansion plan in early 2013 and that the ViSalus Founders remain committed to working with our colleagues at Blyth to build ViSalus into a global household brand. We have successfully recruited a world-class management team that is equally committed to the long-term relationship with Blyth that will facilitate accomplishing this vision.
Moreover, as significant Blyth shareholders, we look forward to formalizing the extension of our agreements with Blyth that allow us to participate in the growth and earnings potential of ViSalus while affording Blyth the opportunity to share in the cash flow generated by this rapidly growing and profitable business.
Mr. Goergen added, We remain committed to maintaining a very healthy balance sheet and, with no net debt and strong cash flow, are in an excellent position to deploy our cash in the manner that will best serve our shareholders' interests, whether that is best accomplished by investing further in our existing business, such as bringing technology-based solutions to re-invigorate PartyLite, or through acquisitions, dividends, share repurchases or debt retirement.
Reported earnings per share include the following:
- ViSalus equity incentive plan charge of $0.30
- Restructuring charge related to PartyLite's North American operations of $0.08
- Fees related to the ViSalus IPO, which was withdrawn on September 26th, of $0.12
- An intangible impairment charge of $0.03 in the Catalog & Internet segment, and
- Gain related to the sale and income from discontinued operations of Sterno totaling $0.41.
Therefore, on a normalized basis, earnings per share is expected to be $2.40 to $2.55 for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to prior guidance of $3.00 to $3.15.
Cash flow from operations for 2012 is expected to be approximately $65 million versus prior guidance of $85 million reflecting the impact of lower projected sales and IPO related fees. Capital spending is anticipated to be approximately $20 million.
Blyth, Inc., headquartered in Greenwich, CT, USA, is a direct to consumer business focused on direct selling and direct marketing channels. We design and market home fragrance products and decorative accessories, as well as weight management products, nutritional supplements and energy drink mixes. These products are sold through Direct Selling utilizing both home party plan and network marketing. The Company also designs and markets household convenience items and personalized gifts through the catalog/Internet channel.
The Company manufactures most of its candles and sources nearly all of its other products. Its products are sold direct to the consumer under the PartyLite®, Two Sisters Gourmet by PartyLite® and ViSalus Sciences® brands and to consumers in the catalog/Internet channel under the As We Change®, Miles Kimball®, Exposures®, Walter Drake® and Easy Comforts® brands. In Europe, Blyth's products are also sold under the PartyLite brand.