New Look Vision Group Inc. Reports Strong Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2021

Revenues rose to $86.6 million, up 27.3% y-o-y

Comparable store sales up 24.5% y-o-y

Adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders up 50.2% and on a per diluted share basis up by 48.0% y-o-y

MONTRÉAL, May 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Look Vision Group Inc. ("New Look Vision" or the "Company") (TSX: BCI), a leader in the Canadian retail optical industry with stores across Canada and in Florida, reported financial results today for the 13 week periods ended March 27, 2021 (“Q1 2021”), and provided updates on actions in response to COVID-19, store re-openings, on omnichannel and facility consolidation. This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s management discussion and analysis and consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2020, which are available on the Company’s website at www.newlookvision.ca/investors and under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Q1 2021 highlights, excluding the impact of IFRS 16, where applicable are:

• Revenues increased by 27.3% compared to the first quarter of last year to reach $86.6 million as a result of comparable store sales, revenues from newly acquired stores and COVID-19 temporary store closures in March 2020 as opposed to essential services exempted lockdown in 2021.
• Comparable store sales were up 24.5% as a result of enhanced store operating procedures and a shift in customer behavior.
• Adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders reached $17.1 million, a 72.2% increase over the first quarter of last year.
• Net earnings attributed to shareholders reached $4.2 million, a 2,195.7% increase compared to the first quarter of last year or 2,600.0% on a per diluted share basis.
• Adjusted net earnings attributed to shareholders increased by 352.1% compared to the first quarter of last year (358.3% on a per diluted share basis) to $8.7 million.
• Compared to the first quarter of last year, cash flows related to operating activities reached $9.2 million, an increase of 14.6% or 13.7% on a per diluted share basis.
• Strong cash position at quarter end of $57.2 million coupled with available credit of $49.4 million.
• Net debt was $169.1 million compared to $175.5 million as of Q1 2020.
• The Company actively continued to pursue its significant pipeline of acquisition opportunities in Canada and the United States and acquired 6 stores in the quarter.
  

President & CEO's comments

Antoine Amiel, the President and CEO of New Look Vision, stated that: “New Look Vision carried forward its momentum from the second half of 2020 into 2021 with comparable sales growth rising to 24.5% despite the extended COVID-19 restrictions during the quarter. We continued consolidating the fragmented Canadian retail optical market, with six stores acquired since the beginning of the year. More importantly, we’d like to take this time to thank the dedication of the team in the face of the ongoing challenging environment."

COVID-19 and Store re-opening

During Q1 2021, the Company faced renewed COVID-19 regional restrictions in the market in which it operates despite the Company posted another strong quarter in spite of the ongoing impact of COVID-19. In advance of reopening its stores, the Company issued stringent health and safety procedures, undertook extensive training in the form of in-store rehearsals and is providing each location with prescribed personal protection equipment.

COVID-19 has significantly altered the way optical retailers operate on both brick and mortar and eCommerce levels. As consumers increasingly move online, New Look Vision’s investments in omnichannel experience and anticipation of the evolving consumer journey complements and enhances its physical retail presence. This approach increases accessibility to differentiated, customized and precise eyecare, while ensuring safety for consumers across Canada. Our central lens processing facility pivoted to begin producing safety eyewear for use in health care facilities.

Status of Dividend

Effective March 19, 2020, the Company's Board of Directors suspended the regular quarterly dividend and the corresponding dividend reinvestment plan until further notice, due to the pending impact of the pandemic on the Company's business and liquidity.

The decision to declare a dividend is made quarterly when the financial statements for a quarter or a financial year are made available to the Board of Directors. Although there is no guarantee that a dividend will be declared in the future, New Look Vision and its predecessor, Benvest New Look Income Fund, have regularly paid a dividend or distribution since 2005 through 2019.

As at April 30, 2021, New Look Vision had 15,660,199 Class A common shares issued and outstanding.

Arrangement Agreement to be Acquired

On March 18, 2021, the Company announced that it had entered into an arrangement agreement to be acquired by NL1 AcquireCo Inc., an entity created by a group composed of funds managed by FFL Partners, LLC, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, and the Dr. H. Doug Barnes Family. The Shareholders meeting is scheduled to be held as a virtual-only meeting conducted by live audio webcast at https://web.lumiagm.com/238565705 on May 14, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

Attachments

• Table A - Highlights
• Table B - Impact of IFRS 16
• Table C - Consolidated Statement of Earnings
• Table D - Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Attributed to Shareholders
• Table E - Reconciliation of Net Earnings Attributed to Shareholders to Adjusted Net Earnings Attributed to Shareholders
• Table F - Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Cash Flows Related to Operating Activities

a) EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders, adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings attributed to shareholders, free cash flow and adjusted cash flows related to operating activities are not recognized measures under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities.

About New Look Vision Group Inc. New Look Vision is a leader in the eye care industry in Canada with a network of 408 stores, as at May 11, 2021, operating mainly under the New Look Eyewear, Vogue Optical, Greiche & Scaff, Iris, Edward Beiner banners (in the US) and The Vision Clinic in addition to, laboratory facility using state-of-the-art technologies. Tax information regarding payments to shareholders is available at www.newlookvision.ca in the Investors section.

All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future financial position, business strategy, projected costs and plans and objectives of, or involving New Look Vision. Readers can identify many of these statements by looking for words such as “believe”, “expects”, “will”, “intends”, “projects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “plans”, “may”, “would” or similar words or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although management of New Look Vision believes that the plans, intentions or expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Some of the factors which could affect future results and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained herein include: pending and proposed legislative or regulatory developments, competition from established competitors and new market entrants, technological change, interest rate fluctuations, general economic conditions, acceptance and demand for new products and services, and fluctuations in operating results, as well as other risks included in New Look Vision’s current Annual Information Form (AIF) which can be found at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and New Look Vision undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as provided by law.

For additional information please see our website at www.newlookvision.ca. For enquiries, please contact Lise Melanson [phone].

TABLE A

NEW LOOK VISION GROUP INC.
Highlights
For the years ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020

In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts

	Mar. 27, 2021		Mar. 28, 2020		Mar. 27, 2021 (excl. IFRS 16)		Mar. 28, 2020 (excl. IFRS 16)
Revenues	$86,583		$68,034		$86,583		$68,034
Variance %	27.3 %				27.3 %
Variance in comparable store sales orders(a)	24.5 %		2.1 %		24.5 %		2.1 %
Adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders(b)	$23,134		$15,403		$17,130		$9,950
Variance %	50.2 %				72.2 %
% of revenues	26.7 %		22.6 %		19.8 %		14.6 %
Per share (diluted)	$1.45		$0.98		$1.08		$0.64
Variance %	48.0 %				68.8 %
Net earnings (loss) attributed to shareholders	$3,674		($317	)	$4,224		$184
Variance %	1,259.0 %				2,195.7 %
% of revenues	4.2 %		(0.5 %	)	4.9 %		0.3 %
Net earnings (loss) per share
Per share (diluted)	$0.23		($0.02	)	$0.27		$0.01
Variance %	1,250.0 %				2,600.0 %
Adjusted net earnings attributed to shareholders(b)	$8,194		$1,433		$8,744		$1,934
Variance %	471.8 %				352.1 %
% of revenues	9.5 %		2.1 %		10.1 %		2.8 %
Per share (diluted)	$0.51		$0.09		$0.55		$0.12
Variance %	466.7 %				358.3 %
Cash flows related to operating activities	$14,190		$13,477		$9,196		$8,024
Variance %	5.3 %				14.6 %
Per share (diluted)	$0.89		$0.86		$0.58		$0.51
Variance %	3.5 %				13.7 %
Free cash flow(b)(c)	$12,002		$9,922		$7,008		$4,469
Variance %	21.0 %				56.8 %
Per share (diluted)	$0.75		$0.63		$0.44		$0.29
Variance %	19.0 %				51.7 %
Total debt(c)	$226,239		$186,401		$226,239		$186,401
Net debt / Adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders(b)(e)	1.93		2.96		2.64		3.25
Number of stores(d)	406		393		406		393

a)	Comparable stores are stores which have been operating for at least 12 months. Revenues are recognized at time of delivery of goods to customers, however management measures the comparable store performance on the basis of sales orders, whether delivered or not.
b)	Adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders, adjusted net earnings attributed to shareholders, free cash flow and comparable store sales orders are not recognized measures under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities. Refer to Table D and Table E for the reconciliations of these measures to net earnings, and to Table F for the reconciliation of cash flows.
c)	Free cash flow is defined as operating cash flows less acquisitions of property, plant and equipment.
d)	Total debt is defined as long-term debt excluding IFRS 16 lease liabilities.
e)	Net debt is defined as total debt less cash. Adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders represents the amount over the last four rolling quarters.
f)	The increase in the number of stores in the last twelve months reflects the acquisition of 25 stores net of 1 planned merger, 9 planned closures and the sale of one clinic.

TABLE B

NEW LOOK VISION GROUP INC.
Impact of IFRS 16
For the years ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020

In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts

The Company has adopted IFRS 16 Leases effective Q1 2020. This standard replaces IAS 17 Leases. The Company has applied a modified retrospective approach; the operating results of previous fiscal periods have not been restated. The adoption of this standard has impacted the Company’s financial results since 2020. Certain occupancy-related expenses previously recorded under the caption other operating expenses are now recorded as depreciation and interest expense.

This change has resulted in a reduction to Other operating expenses with a corresponding increase in EBITDA when compared to the same metrics under IAS 17. Depreciation and financial expenses have increased as a result of the application of the standard.

The impact of IFRS 16 on the key metrics in the first quarters ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020 are summarized in the table below:

	2021		Impact of IFRS 16			2021 (excl. IFRS 16)		2020			Impact of IFRS 16			2020 (excl. IFRS 16)		Change (excl. IFRS 16)
	$		$			$		$			$			$		$
Adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders(a)	$23,134		($6,004		)	$17,130		$15,403			($5,453		)	$9,950		$7,180
% of revenues	26.7 %		(6.9 %		)	19.8 %		22.6 %			(8.0 %		)	14.6 %		5.2 %
Per share (diluted)	$1.45		$(0.37		)	$1.08		$0.98			$(0.35		)	$0.63		$0.45
Net earnings (loss) attributed to shareholders	$3,674		$550			$4,224		($317		)	$501			$184		$4,040
% of revenues	4.2 %		0.6 %			4.9 %		(0.5 %		)	0.7 %			0.2 %		4.7 %
Per share (diluted)	$0.23		$0.04			$0.27		$(0.02		)	$0.03			$0.01		$0.26
Adjusted net earnings attributed to shareholders(a)	$8,194		$550			$8,744		$1,433			$501			$1,934		$6,810
% of revenues	9.5 %		0.6 %			10.1 %		2.1 %			0.7 %			2.8 %		7.3 %
Per share (diluted)	$0.51		$0.03			$0.55		$0.09			$0.03			$0.12		$0.43
Cash flows related to operating activities	$14,190		($4,994		)	$9,196		$13,477			($5,453		)	$8,024		$1,172
Per share (diluted)	$0.89		$(0.31		)	$0.58		$0.86			$(0.35		)	$0.51		$0.07
Free cash flow(a)	$12,002		($4,994		)	$7,008		$9,922			($5,453		)	$4,469		$2,539
Per share (diluted)	$0.75		($0.31		)	$0.44		$0.63			($0.35		)	$0.28		$0.16

a) Adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders, adjusted net earnings attributed to shareholders and free cash flow are not recognized measures under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities. Refer to Table D and Table E for the reconciliations of these measures to net earnings, and to Table F for the reconciliation of cash flows.

TABLE C

NEW LOOK VISION GROUP INC.
Consolidated Statement of Earnings
For the years ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020

In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts

	2021		2020
	$		$
Revenues	86,583		68,034
Materials consumed	19,747		15,638
Employee remuneration expenses	29,317		23,617
Other operating expenses	18,402		14,300
Earnings before depreciation, amortization, loss on disposal, financial expenses, and income from investments in joint ventures and associates	19,117		14,479
Depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal	10,683		9,313
Financial expenses, net of interest revenue	3,892		5,629
Earnings (loss) before income from investments in joint ventures and associates and income taxes	4,542		(463	)
Income from investments in joint ventures and associates	898		185
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	5,440		(278	)
Income taxes
Current	1,063		972
Deferred	415		(978	)
Total income taxes	1,478		(6	)
Net earnings (loss)	3,962		(272	)
Net earnings (loss) attributed to:
Non-controlling interest	288		45
Shareholders of New Look Vision	3,674		(317	)
	3,962		(272	)
Net earnings (loss) per share
Basic	0.23		(0.02	)
Diluted	0.23		(0.02	)

TABLE D

NEW LOOK VISION GROUP INC.
Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Attributed to Shareholders
For the years ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020

In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts

	2021		2020		2021 (excl. IFRS 16)		2020 (excl. IFRS 16)
	$		$		$		$
Net earnings (loss)	3,962		(272	)	4,532		229
Depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal	10,683		9,313		5,570		4,603
Financial expenses, net of interest revenue	3,892		5,629		2,322		4,195
Income taxes	1,478		(6	)	1,681		184
EBITDA(a)	20,015		14,664		14,105		9,211
Equity-based compensation(b)	414		168		414		168
Acquisition-related costs(c)	701		432		701		432
Other non-comparable items(d)	2,362		170		2,362		170
Adjusted EBITDA(a)	23,492		15,434		17,582		9,981
Variance in $	8,058				7,601
Variance in %	52.2 %				76.2 %
% of revenues	27.1 %		22.7 %		20.3 %		14.7 %
Per share (basic)	1.50		0.99		1.12		0.64
Per share (diluted)	1.48		0.99		1.10		0.64

The following table represents the adjusted EBITDA available to New Look Vision shareholders, which takes into consideration the investments in joint ventures and associates.

	2021		2020		2021 (excl. IFRS 16)		2020 (excl. IFRS 16)
	$		$		$		$
Adjusted EBITDA(a)	23,492		15,434		17,582		9,981
Income from investments in joint ventures and associates	(898	)	(185	)	(921	)	(185	)
EBITDA from investments in joint ventures and associates	1,313		397		1,104		397
EBITDA attributed to non-controlling interest	(773	)	(243	)	(635	)	(243	)
Adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders(a)	23,134		15,403		17,130		9,950

1. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders are not recognized measures under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities. New Look Vision believes that EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders are useful financial metrics as they assist in determining the ability to generate cash from operations. Investors should be cautioned that EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings or cash flows as determined under IFRS.
2. Equity-based compensation represents the fair value of New Look Vision stock options vested in the period.
3. Acquisition-related costs are composed of wages and professional fees specifically incurred in the business acquisition process, whether an acquisition is completed or not.
4. Other non-comparable items include one-time expenses (income) connected with restructuring and transition related matters.

TABLE E

NEW LOOK VISION GROUP INC.
Reconciliation of Net Earnings Attributed to Shareholders to Adjusted Net Earnings Attributed to Shareholders
For the years ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020

In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts

	2021			2020		2021 (excl. IFRS 16)			2020 (excl. IFRS 16)
	$			$		$			$
Net earnings (loss) attributed to shareholders	3,674			(317	)	4,224			184
Amortization of acquired intangibles	2,257			1,648		2,257			1,648
Acquisition-related costs	701			432		701			432
Equity-based compensation	414			168		414			168
Other non-comparable items	2,362			170		2,362			170
Related income taxes	(1,214		)	(668	)	(1,214		)	(668	)
Adjusted net earnings attributed to shareholders(a)	8,194			1,433		8,744			1,934
Variance in $	6,761					6,810
Variance in %	471.8 %					352.1 %
% of revenues	9.5 %			2.1 %		10.1 %			2.8 %
Per share amount
Basic	0.52			0.09		0.56			0.12
Diluted	0.51			0.09		0.55			0.12

a) Adjusted net earnings attributed to shareholders are not a recognized measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities. New Look Vision believes that this disclosure provides useful information as it allows the comparison of net results excluding amortization of acquired intangibles, acquisition-related costs, equity-based compensation, other non-comparable items and related income taxes, which may vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Investors should be cautioned that adjusted net earnings should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings as determined under IFRS.

TABLE F

NEW LOOK VISION GROUP INC.
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Cash Flows Related to Operating Activities
For the years ended March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020

In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts

	2021		2020		2021 (excl. IFRS 16)		2020 (excl. IFRS 16)
	$		$		$		$
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	5,440		(278	)	6,213		413
Adjustments:
Depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal	10,683		9,313		5,570		4,603
Equity-based compensation	414		168		414		168
Financial expenses	4,070		5,772		2,500		4,338
Interest revenue	(178	)	(143	)	(178	)	(143	)
Other	528		(712	)	528		(712	)
Income from investments in joint ventures and associates	(898	)	(185	)	(921	)	(185	)
Income taxes paid	(1,575	)	(1,173	)	(1,575	)	(1,173	)
Cash flows related to operating activities, before changes in working capital items	18,484		12,762		12,551		7,309
Changes in working capital items	(4,294	)	715		(3,355	)	715
Cash flows related to operating activities	14,190		13,477		9,196		8,024

Free cash flow

	2021		2020		2021 (excl. IFRS 16)		2020 (excl. IFRS 16)
	$		$		$		$
Cash flows related to operating activities	14,190		13,477		9,196		8,024
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment	(2,188	)	(3,555	)	(2,188	)	(3,555	)
Free cash flow(a)	12,002		9,922		7,008		4,469

a)

Free cash flow is not a recognized measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities. New Look Vision believes that this disclosure provides useful information as it provides insight on operating cash flows available after considering necessary capital investments. Investors should be cautioned that free cash flow should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows related to operating activities as determined under IFRS.

Adjusted cash flows related to operating activities

	2021		2020		2021 (excl. IFRS 16)		2020 (excl. IFRS 16)
	$		$		$		$
Cash flows related to operating activities	14,190		13,477		9,196		8,024
Income taxes paid	1,575		(1,173	)	1,575		(1,173	)
Changes in working capital items	4,294		(715	)	3,355		(715	)
Acquisition-related costs	701		432		701		432
Other non-comparable items	2,362		170		2,362		170
Adjusted cash flows related to operating activities(a)	23,122		12,191		17,189		6,738

a)

Adjusted cash flows related to operating activities are not a recognized measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities. New Look Vision believes that this disclosure provides useful information as it allows the comparison of net operating cash flows excluding income taxes paid, changes in working capital items, acquisition-related costs and other non-comparable items, which may vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Certain occupancy-related expenses previously recorded in the cash flows related to operating activities are now presented in the cash flows related to financing activities. Investors should be cautioned that adjusted cash flows related to operating activities should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows related to operating activities as determined under IFRS.