The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and the Securities and Futures Commission take no responsibility for the contents of this Application Proof, make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this Application Proof. Application Proof of FUJIAN WANCHEN FOOD GROUP CO., LTD. 福建萬辰食品集團股份有限公司 (the "Company") (A joint stock company incorporated in the Peopl ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales increased by 19% to $614 million, driven by new store openings and comparable store sales growth [18] - Comparable store sales rose by 3.3%, supported by a mid-single-digit increase in transactions, partially offset by a decrease in average ticket price [18] - Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share increased by 29% to $46 million and $0.75, respectively [19] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 22% to $73 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin increase of 30 basis points to 11.9% [19] - Total cash and investments rose by 42% to $432 million, with no meaningful long-term debt [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company opened 32 new stores in Q3, totaling 645 stores, representing an 18% year-over-year growth [17] - Membership in the Ollie's Army loyalty program increased by 12% to 16.6 million members, driven by new customer acquisition [17] - The top five performing categories were food, seasonal, hardware, stationery, and lawn and garden [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted strength in higher-income consumers, particularly those with household incomes above $100,000, while lower-income consumers showed some softness [31] - The company is benefiting from a challenging retail environment, which has led to increased deal flow and customer acquisition [31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The long-term target is to reach 1,300 stores, with a commitment to a minimum of 10% annual unit growth [7] - The company is focusing on customer acquisition and loyalty through the Ollie's Army program, which has seen a 30% year-over-year increase in new memberships [9] - The marketing strategy is shifting towards a digital-first approach, reallocating resources from traditional print to digital media [14][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's positioning, citing strong deal flow, expanding customer base, and widening price gaps [26] - The company raised its full-year sales and earnings outlook based on better-than-expected Q3 results and a strong start to Q4 [6][17] - Management acknowledged the challenges in the retail environment but emphasized the opportunities for growth and market share capture [15] Other Important Information - The company plans to expand its Texas distribution center by 150,000 sq ft and increase service capacity by approximately 50 stores [15] - Capital expenditures totaled $31 million for the quarter, primarily for new store openings and the build-out of acquired stores [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you frame out the state of your consumer in light of your basket commentary? - Management noted strength in higher-income consumers and some softness in lower-income consumers, potentially due to external factors like government shutdowns [31] Question: Could you elaborate on the components of the third-quarter comp? - Management reported a positive 3.3% comp, with mid-single-digit positive transaction trends and a decline in average ticket price [37][38] Question: Can you talk about customer acquisition trends? - Management highlighted strong customer acquisition, particularly among younger demographics, and noted good retention rates in the Ollie's Army program [46] Question: What are your thoughts on SG&A levers? - Management indicated a focus on leveraging SG&A through operational efficiencies and anticipated benefits from new store openings [53] Question: How are new stores performing, particularly those in bankruptcy locations? - New store performance has been strong, with many stores outperforming expectations, especially those near closed Big Lots locations [71] Question: What are the margin implications of direct sourcing versus closeout? - Management confirmed that seasonal gifts are a mix of direct sourcing and closeouts, with direct sourcing generally yielding better margins [78]