Groupe Bikini Village inc. Delivers Steady Sales and Increased its Profitability by 30 % in its 2009 Fourth Quarter

SAINTE-JULIE, QUEBEC, Apr 22 (MARKET WIRE) --
Groupe Bikini Village inc. (TSX: GBV) ("Groupe Bikini Village"
or the "Company") today released its financial results for both
the fourth quarter and full fiscal 2009, both of which ended January 30,
2010 and reflected the positive impacts of the Company's flexible
operating strategies adapted to match market realities.

While the Canadian travel industry generally reported reduced volumes in
the fourth quarter of 2009, Groupe Bikini Village's results for the
quarter reflect stable sales volumes. They also show an overall increase
in gross margins, tight control on direct and indirect expenses, and a
disciplined approach to inventory management. Together, these factors led
to an increased profitability, a material reduction in the Company's
inventory levels and an improved cash situation by the end of the quarter.

"Clearly, our increased focus on expense control and inventory
management - the key element of our strategy in 2009, as we adapted to
match market realities - served us well," said President and CEO,
Yves Simard. "As a result of this, in addition to our renewed and
expanded retail network, modern merchant systems and efficient
distribution centre, we now stand in an excellent position to capitalize
on rebounding consumer markets down the line."

Fourth quarter 2009 results

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $13 million, unchanged from
the $13 million posted in the fourth quarter of 2008. Comparable sales
decreased by 1.9% over the same period.

Groupe Bikini Village delivered EBITDA(1) of $1.8 million, or 13.7%, in
the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to EBITDA(1) of $1.4 million, or
11%, for the fourth quarter of 2008. This $0.4 million increase in
operating income resulted primarily from the positive impact of its
strategy to tightly manage inventories, focus on full-price selling, and
control costs - which, together, led to stronger overall gross margins
and improved store contribution.

For the quarter ended January 30, 2010, the Company's net earnings were
$796,000 (nil per basic and diluted share), as compared to net earnings
of $615,000 (nil per basic and diluted share) for the same quarter in the
previous year.

2009 Year end results

Net sales for the Company's fiscal year ended January 30, 2010, at $41
million, increased by 0.4%, as compared to $40.8 million in fiscal 2008.
Comparable sales decreased by 4% year-over-year.

"While our improved performance in the last six months of fiscal
2009 was encouraging and enabled us to regain some ground," said Mr.
Simard, "it was unable to fully make up for the challenges we faced
in the first half of the year. Consequently, EBITDA(1) for the year ended
January 30, 2010 totalled $487,000 or 1.2%, compared to $1.3 million, or
3.1%, in the previous year."

For fiscal 2009, Groupe Bikini Village's net loss totalled $1.5 million
(($0.01) per share, basic and diluted), as compared to a net loss of
$440,000 (nil per share, basic and diluted) in fiscal 2008.

Outlook (2)

There are a number of factors suggesting an improvement in Groupe Bikini
Village's prospects for fiscal 2010: among them, recent improvements in
market conditions, increasing consumer confidence, and the success of the
Company's strategy to fine-tune its operations in a changing market.
However, Mr. Simard points out in the Company's annual report, Groupe
Bikini Village is disciplined, and remains prepared for a continued
challenging retail environment in the near future. "While our
improved performance in the last six months was certainly encouraging, we
recognize that the market rebound is ahead of us yet," he said.

"Given the continuing difficult conditions, we remain committed to
our strategy to adapt our operations to suit market realities: we
strongly believe this strategy will best position us for success as
economic conditions improve. In particular, we will focus on managing
working capital, inventories, supply risk, capital expenditures and debt
level, as well as direct and indirect costs."

Despite challenging markets over the last two years, Groupe Bikini
Village has continued to push forward with significant enhancements to
its retail network, which it believes will improve its performance as
economic conditions recover. The Company has:

-- undertaken renovations in stores that are likely to deliver improved
results
-- closed stores that haven't performed as management had hoped
-- exited expiring leases where it has identified opportunities to achieve
sales objectives more efficiently, in smaller locations in higher-
traffic areas of malls
-- upgraded its systems and supply chain, to make its operations more
effective and efficient.

"In 2010, we will continue to execute on these smart strategies,
and sharpen our focus on store-level execution and performance, as a
means of unlocking our full business potential," said Mr. Simard.

"In fiscal 2010, we will persist in our work to build shareholder
value, by continuing to push for operational improvements, by ensuring
our actions remain appropriate for the times, by capitalizing on
opportunities that may present themselves, by addressing our capital
requirements and capital structure in order to create our own
opportunities, including pursuing strategic alternatives, wherever we
can," he said.

Groupe Bikini Village inc.'s full 2009 Annual Report, as well as previous
shareholder reports and other information of interest to investors, is
available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on the Company's website at
www.bikinivillage.com.

About Groupe Bikini Village

Groupe Bikini Village inc., serving Canadians for almost a
quarter-century, is a leading swimwear retailer with a network of new and
renovated boutiques across Eastern Canada. In its bright and inviting
stores with comfortable change rooms and knowledgeable staff, Groupe
Bikini Village helps its customers choose from among Canada's widest
selection of swimsuits, beach accessories, and cruisewear, in the most
popular brands the industry has to offer and in styles to suit every
figure. The newest addition to its retail network, Lanai, offers the most
popular clothing brands for young girls in Brossard, Quebec.
Headquartered in Sainte-Julie, Quebec, Groupe Bikini Village inc.
operates 64 stores and employs approximately 500 people; its securities
trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the stock symbol GBV. For more
information about Groupe Bikini Village inc., please visit our website at
www.bikinivillage.com.

Notes

(1) The term EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation,
amortization and reorganization fees and unusual items) does not have any
standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles ("GAAP") and may not be comparable to similar
measures presented by other companies. Please refer to the section of
Groupe Bikini Village inc.'s MD&A for the year ended January 30, 2010,
dated April 22, 2010, entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
It is available on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com.

(2) To be read in conjunction with "Forward-looking Statements"
below.

Forward-looking statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning
Groupe Bikini Village inc.'s future operations, economic performance,
financial conditions and financing plans. These statements are based on
certain assumptions and analyses made by management in light of their
experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions
and expected future developments, as well as other factors they believe
are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results
and developments will conform to management's expectations and
predictions is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and
assumptions. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in
this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there
can be no assurance that the results or developments anticipated by
management will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they
will have the expected consequences or effects on the Company. Management
undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable
law.

GROUPE BIKINI VILLAGE INC.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands of dollars
except per share amounts)

Three months ended Year ended
January 30, January 31, January 30, January 31,
2010 2009 2010 2009
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) (audited)
Restated 3 Restated 3
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

Operating revenue$ 13,042 $ 12,988 $ 41,022 $ 40,844

Cost of goods
sold, operating
and
administrative
expenses 11,251 11,565 40,535 39,559
-------------------------------------------------------

Operating
earnings -
EBITDA1 1,791 1,423 487 1,285

Interest 184 178 766 446

Amortization 413 344 1,590 1,385
-------------------------------------------------------

Earnings (loss)
before income
taxes 1,194 901 (1,869) (546)

Income taxes
(recovery) 398 286 (392) (106)
-------------------------------------------------------

NET EARNINGS
(LOSS) AND
COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME (LOSS) $ 796 $ 615 $ (1,477) $ (440)
-------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------

EARNINGS (LOSS)
PER SHARE, basic
and diluted - - (0.01) -
-------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------

Weighted average
number of shares
outstanding,
basic and
diluted 167,678,115 170,128,064 167,678,115 171,996,196

(3) Certain figures for the quarter and year ended January 31, 2009 were
restated as a result of the Company's adoption of CICA Section 3064 -
Goodwill and Intangible Assets effective February 1, 2009.

Contacts:
Groupe Bikini Village Inc.
Yves Simard
President and Chief Executive Officer
450-449-1310 ext 4797
ysimard@bikinivillage.com

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