Supercuts 2009 Annual Report Download - page 8

Table of Contents
strength, successful salon operations and international recognition. In evaluating specific locations for both company-owned and
franchise salons, the Company seeks conveniently located, visible sites which allow customers adequate parking and quick and easy
location access. Various other factors are considered in evaluating sites, including area demographics, availability and cost of space, the
strength of the major retailers within the area, location and strength of competitors, proximity of other company-owned and franchise
salons, traffic volume, signage and other leasehold factors in a given center or area.
Because the Company's various salon concepts target slightly different mass market customer groups, more than one of the
Company's salon concepts may be located in the same real estate development without impeding sales of either concept. As a result, there
are numerous leasing opportunities for all of its salon concepts.
While same-store sales growth plays an important role in the Company's organic growth strategy, it is not critical to achieving the
Company's long-term revenue growth objectives. However, same-
store sales growth is important to achieving improved annual operating
profit. New salon construction and salon acquisitions (described below) are expected to generate low single-digit annual revenue growth.
The recent trend has been declining visitation patterns due to the current global economic condition and increasing average ticket price
resulting in negative to low single-digit same-store sales growth. The Company expects fiscal year 2010 same-store sales to be in the
range of negative 3.0 to positive 1.0 percent.
Pricing is a factor in same-store sales growth. The Company actively monitors the prices charged by its competitors in each market
and makes every effort to maintain prices which remain competitive with prices of other salons offering similar services. Price increases
are considered on a market-by-market basis and are established based on local market conditions.
Salon Acquisition Growth. In addition to organic growth, another key component of the Company's growth strategy is the
acquisition of salons. With an estimated two percent worldwide market share, management believes the opportunity to continue to make
selective acquisitions exists.
Over the past 15 years, the Company has acquired 8,020 salons, expanding in both North America and internationally. When
contemplating an acquisition, the Company evaluates the existing salon or salon group with respect to the same characteristics as
discussed above in conjunction with site selection for constructed salons (conveniently located, visible, strong retailers within the area,
etc.). The Company generally acquires mature strip center locations, which are systematically integrated within the salon concept that it
most clearly emulates.
In addition to adding new salon locations each year, the Company has an ongoing program of remodeling its existing salons, ranging
from redecoration to substantial reconstruction. This program is implemented as management determines that a particular location will
benefit from remodeling, or as required by lease renewals. A total of 280 and 186 salons were remodeled in fiscal years 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
Recent Salon Additions. During fiscal year 2009, the Company constructed 275 new salons (182 company-owned and 93
franchise). Additionally, the Company acquired 177 company-owned salons, including 83 franchise salon buybacks.
During fiscal year 2008, net of closures and relocations, the Company added approximately 486 salons through new construction
and acquisitions. The Company constructed 504 new salons (325 company-owned and 179 franchise). Additionally, the Company
acquired 475 company-owned salons, including 150 franchise salon buybacks.
Salon Closures. The Company evaluates its salon performance on a regular basis. Upon evaluation, the Company may close a
salon for operational performance or real estate issues. In
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