SPAR Group Announces Third Quarter 2013 Revenue Increase to $27.8 Million

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Nov. 14, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPAR Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGRP) ("we", the "Company" or "SPAR Group"), a leading supplier of retail merchandising and other marketing services throughout the United States and internationally, today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine months ending September 30, 2013.

Company Highlights

-- Third Quarter 2013

• Revenue increased 9% to $27.8 million
• International revenue increased 15% to $16.4 million
• Net income was $331,000 or $0.02 per diluted share

-- Nine months of 2013

• Net revenues increased 16% to $80.2 million
• Domestic revenues increased $1.2 million to $32.4 million
• International revenues increased 26% to $47.8 million
• Net income was $244,000 or $0.01 per diluted share

Gary Raymond, Chief Executive Officer of SPAR Group, commented, "Management is pleased with the overall revenue growth that the Company has achieved throughout the third quarter and nine month period ended September 30, 2013. SPAR's top line success continues to be driven by our international business, most notably the integration of the acquisitions in South Africa and India and the organic growth of our operations in China and Mexico. Domestically, we completed the integration of the MFI transaction which is now providing profitable revenue to our bottom-line."

Mr. Raymond continued, "Going forward management will continue to implement stringent cost reduction initiatives in order to reduce operating expenditures and increase margins throughout all business operations. The Company's balance sheet remains strong, which will allow us to leverage our proven growth strategy of targeting and acquiring immediately accretive acquisitions. Management expects to capitalize on the numerous growth opportunities ahead as we increase overall profitability during the fourth quarter, traditionally our strongest period." 

Financial Results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

As of August 31, 2013, the Company divested its interests in its Romanian subsidiary. As a result, the table above and attached financial statements reflect accounting for that subsidiary as a discontinued operation.

Consolidated net revenue for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, increased 9% and 16%, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2012. The increases in net revenue were primarily due to a strong performance from our subsidiaries in South Africa, India, China, Mexico and Japan. Continued growth in SPAR Group's domestic operations also contributed to the increase and was primarily due to incremental revenue from the recent acquisition of general merchandising and in-store audit services from Market Force Information, which was partially offset by a decrease in syndicated service and other project work.

Consolidated gross profit for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, were slightly ahead of last year's levels. The Company's gross profit margins were 24% for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 compared to 25% and 27% for the same periods in 2012. Gross profit margins domestically were 30% and 31% for the three and nine month periods, ended September 30, 2013, respectively as compared to 29% and 32% for the same periods in 2012. The Company continues to focus on managing the mix of project work compared to syndicated work on a year-over-year basis. International gross profit margins were 19% for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 compared to 21% and 22% for the same periods in 2012. The decrease in international gross margin percentages were primarily due to higher cost margin business in the new markets of Turkey, India and the unfavorable mix of business in Australia, Japan and China.

Net income attributable to SPAR Group decreased 43% and 85% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, respectively, when compared to the same period a year ago. The decreases in net income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, were driven primarily by increased spending in our domestic operations partially offset by improved international operations.

Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013

As of September 30, 2013, cash and cash equivalents were $3.1 million. Working capital was $8.6 million and the Company's current ratio was 1.6 to 1. Total current assets and total assets were $23 million and $29.9 million, respectively. Total current liabilities and total liabilities were $14.4 million and $14.6 million, respectively. Shareholders' equity was $15.4 million at September 30, 2013.

Later today, the Company plans to file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission and will host a shareholder conference call on Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. eastern time during which time Mr. Gary Raymond, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. James Segreto, Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the Company's third quarter 2013 financial results and provide a shareholder update on recent business developments.

Conference Call Details:
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2013
Time: 11:00 a.m. ET
TOLL-FREE: 1-877-941-4774
TOLL/INTERNATIONAL: 1-480-629-9760

It is recommended that participants dial in approximately 5 to 10 minutes prior to the start of the 11:00 a.m. call. A telephonic replay of the conference call may be accessed approximately three hours after the call through November 21, 2013 by dialing 1-877-870-5176, or 1-858-384-5517 for international callers, and entering the replay pin number 4649005.

There will also be a simultaneous audio feed webcast and archived recording of the conference call available at http://www.sparinc.com under the "Investor Relations" menu section and "News Releases" sub-menu of the website, or you may use the link audio feed and archived recording of the conference call available at http://www.viavid.net/.

About SPAR Group

SPAR Group, Inc. is a diversified international merchandising and marketing services Company and provides a broad array of services worldwide to help companies improve their sales, operating efficiency and profits at retail locations.  The Company provides merchandising and other marketing services to manufacturers, distributors and retailers worldwide, primarily in mass merchandiser, office supply, grocery, drug, independent, convenience, electronics, toy and specialty stores, as well as providing furniture and other product assembly services, audit services, in-store events, technology services and marketing research. The Company has supplied these project and product services in the United States since certain of its predecessors were formed in 1979 and internationally since the Company acquired its first international subsidiary in Japan in May of 2001. Product services include restocking and adding new products, removing spoiled or outdated products, resetting categories "on the shelf" in accordance with client or store schematics, confirming and replacing shelf tags, setting new sale or promotional product displays and advertising, replenishing kiosks, providing in-store event staffing and providing assembly services in stores, homes and offices. Audit services include price audits, point of sale audits, out of stock audits, intercept surveys and planogram audits. Other merchandising services include whole store or departmental product sets or resets (including new store openings), new product launches, in-store demonstrations, special seasonal or promotional merchandising, focused product support and product recalls. The Company operates throughout the United States and internationally in 10 of the most populated countries, including China and India. For more information, visit the SPAR Group's website at http://www.sparinc.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release and made in the update conference call are forward-looking, including (without limitation) expectations or guidance respecting continuing balance sheet strength, customer contract expansion, growing revenues and becoming profitable through organic growth and acquisitions, attracting new business that will increase SPAR Group's revenues, improving product mix, continuing to maintain or reduce costs and consummating any transactions. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements because the matters they describe are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control.  The Company's actual results, performance and trends could differ materially from those indicated or implied by such statements as a result of various factors, including (without limitation) the continued strengthening of SPAR Group's selling and marketing functions, continued customer satisfaction and contract renewal, new product development, continued availability of capable dedicated personnel, continued cost management, the success of its international efforts, success and availability of acquisitions, availability of financing and other factors, as well as by factors applicable to most companies such as general economic, competitive and other business and civil conditions. Information regarding certain of those factors and other risk factors and cautionary statements that could affect future results, performance or trends are discussed in SPAR Group's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.  All of the Company's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements.

CONTACT: James R. Segreto
         Chief Financial Officer
         SPAR Group, Inc.
         (914) 332-4100
         
         Investors:
         Chris Camarra
         Alliance Advisors, LLC
         (212) 398-3487
         ccamarra@allianceadvisors.net