Great Universal Essentials Indigo's comparable store sales increase 6.2% in Q2 Operating Earnings* Double TORONTO, October 31, 2002 - Indigo Books & Music Inc.(TSX: IDG), Canada's largest book retailer, reported strong sales results for the second consecutive quarter due to significant inventory and merchandising improvements. Both superstores and traditional format stores showed strong comparable sales growth in the second quarter continuing the first quarter sales trends. Comparative stores sales at Chapters and Indigo superstores, including The World's Biggest Bookstore, increased 6.2% while comparative store sales at Coles increased 5.0% during the quarter. Year to date, comparable store sales are 7.0% and 4.8% at superstores and mall stores respectively. "I am extremely pleased to see the trend we started in the first quarter is continuing," said Heather Reisman, CEO of Indigo. "Our strategy of careful product selection, improved merchandising, working closely with publishers and other suppliers, as well as the tremendous efforts of our store teams, have clearly put us on the right track going into the all-important holiday season." Total consolidated revenues for the second quarter ended September 28, 2002 grew 9.8% or $15.3 million to $171.2 million from $155.9 million in the second quarter last year. The increase was due in part to the operation of 12 additional superstores for the full quarter, offset by sales decreases from closing nine mall stores. Second quarter sales at Chapters and Indigo superstores, including The World's Biggest Bookstore, grew 13.2% to $118.2 million compared to sales of $104.5 million in the same period last year. Total mall store revenues declined to $36.4 million in the second quarter, a decrease of $1.0 million or 2.7% in comparison to $37.4 million in the second quarter last year, due to the closure of nine stores. The total number of superstores at September 28, 2002 was 89 as compared to 92 superstores at the end of the second quarter last year. The total number of mall stores at the end of the quarter was 181, compared to 190 last year. The store closures are part of the Company's ongoing initiative to streamline the real estate portfolio and close under-performing locations. Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, restructuring charges, amortization and non-controlling interest ("operating earnings") in the second quarter was $2.3 million compared to $1.0 million in the second quarter last year, representing an increase in operating earnings of $1.3 million. The increase is due to improved performance across all areas of the business stemming from higher sales and lower operating costs. The consolidated net loss for the second quarter was $7.6 million ($0.36 per share) as compared to a net loss of $31.3 million ($2.12 per share) in the same period last year, an improvement of $23.7 million ($1.76 per share). The consolidated net loss in the second quarter last year included restructuring and other charges of $21.2 million ($1.43 per share) due to store closures and acquisition of all shares of Indigo Books & Music, Inc ("Old Indigo"). Excluding restructuring and other charges, the consolidated net loss improved $2.5 million over the prior year. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements which involve risk and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Among the key factors that could cause such differences are: general economic, market or business conditions in Canada; competitive actions by other companies; changes in laws or regulations; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. About Indigo Books & Music Inc. Indigo is a Canadian company and the largest book retailer in Canada, operating bookstores in all provinces under the names Indigo Books Music & more, Chapters, The World's Biggest Bookstore and Coles . Indigo operates www.chapters.indigo.ca, an online retailer of books, gifts, videos, and DVDs. Indigo is a publicly traded company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the stock symbol IDG. To learn more about Indigo, please visit the About Our Company section of www.chapters.indigo.ca. For further information: Tracy Nesdoly Indigo Books & Music Inc. 416-263-5025 * Defined as consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, restructuring charges, amortization and non-controlling interest. Indigo Books & Music Inc. Consolidated Statements of Earnings Unaudited [in thousands of dollars] 13-week period ended September 28, 2002 13-week period ended September 29, 2001 26-week period ended September 28, 2002 26-week period ended September 29, 2001 Revenue 171,207 155,870 327,543 291,155 Cost of product, purchasing, selling and administration 168,926 154,852 328,115 291,830 2,281 1,018 (572) (675) Amortization of capital assets 5,978 7,801 11,952 15,102 Amortization of pre-opening store costs 14 190 28 385 Amortization of goodwill - 250 - 500 Loss before the undernoted items (3,711) (7,223) (12,552) (16,662) Restructuring charges - 21,152 - 21,152 Interest on long-term debt and financing charges 2,383 2,011 4,623 2,989 Interest on current debt 1,385 1,503 3,336 2,665 Loss before income tax and non-controlling interest (7,479) (31,889) (20,511) (43,468) Income tax expense (recovery) 150 150 300 (3,652) Loss before non-controlling interest (7,629) (32,039) (20,811) (39,816) Non-controlling interest - (769) - (1,589) Net loss for the period $ (7,629) $ (31,270) $ (20,811) $ (38,227) Basic net loss per common share $ (0.36) $ (2.12) $ (0.99) $ (2.62) Diluted net loss per common share $ (0.36) $ (2.12) $ (0.99) $ (2.62) Weighted average common shares outstanding 21,344 14,761 21,052 14,597 Indigo Books & Music Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets Figures as at September 28, 2002 and September 29, 2001 are unaudited [in thousands of dollars] As at September 28, 2002 As at September 29, 2001 As at March 30, 2002 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ - $ 1,329 $ 677 Accounts receivable 11,182 13,484 12,817 Inventories 239,060 255,687 223,467 Income taxes receivable 202 4,845 4,950 Prepaid expenses 5,531 5,211 4,338 Future income tax assets 6,538 2,921 6,538 Total current assets 262,513 283,477 252,787 Capital assets, net 107,832 137,139 115,041 Future income taxes assets 4,145 11,714 4,145 Goodwill 64,570 54,333 64,570 Deferred financing fees, net of accumulated amortization of $1,632 [September 29, 2001- $117; March 30, 2002 - $886] 2,543 3,733 3,289 Total assets 441,603 490,396 439,832 Liabilities and shareholders' equity Bank indebtedness 48,679 67,089 57,254 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 197,892 225,782 198,746 Deferred revenue 7,527 6,089 6,625 Current portion long-term debt 31,000 20,000 31,000 Total current liabilities 285,098 318,960 293,625 Accrued benefit obligations 1,306 1,666 1,306 Long-term debt 53,000 84,000 53,000 Convertible debentures 29,259 26,629 28,071 Non-controlling interest - 127 28,071 Total liabilities 368,663 431,382 376,002 Shareholders' equity Share capital 193,426 149,004 163,505 Equity portion of convertible debentures 1,903 1,903 1,903 Deficit (122,389) (91,893) (101,578) Total shareholders' equity 72,940 59,014 63,830 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 441,603 $ 490,396 $ 439,832 Retail Corporate Profile Management SEDAR Filings News Releases Online Corporate Profile Management News Releases Info Desk iREWARDS Program About Our Company Affiliate Opportunities Careers Contact Us Corporate Sales Gift Certificates Privacy Policy Shipping Rates Store Locations Wish List chapters.indigo.ca: home Shopping Bag | Account Centre | Wish List | Help iREWARDS Program | Corporate Sales | Store Locations All Products Books DVD Video Gifts Books Advanced Search Search Tips Browse Books Art and Architecture Audiobooks Biography & Memoir Business and Finance Children's Books Computers View all Categories Browse DVD Action & Adventure Comedies Dramas Foreign Films Horror & Suspense Kids & Family View all Categories Browse Video Action & Adventure Comedies Dramas Foreign Films Horror & Suspense Kids & Family View all Categories . 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