FIVE BELOW, INC (FIVE)

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion together with “Selected Financial Data,” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The statements in this discussion regarding expectations of our future performance, liquidity and capital resources and other non-historical statements are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements.

We operate on a fiscal calendar widely used by the retail industry that results in a given fiscal year consisting of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31 of the following year. References to "fiscal year 2025" or "fiscal 2025" refer to the period from February 2, 2025 to January 31, 2026, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2024" or "fiscal 2024" refer to the period from February 4, 2024 to February 1, 2025, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2023" or "fiscal 2023" refer to the period from January 29, 2023 to February 3, 2024, which consists of a 53-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2022" or "fiscal 2022" refer to the period from January 30, 2022 to January 28, 2023, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2021" or "fiscal 2021" refer to the period from January 31, 2021 to January 29, 2022, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2020" or "fiscal 2020" refer to the period from February 2, 2020 to January 30, 2021, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year.

Overview

Five Below, Inc. (collectively referred to herein with its wholly owned subsidiaries as "we," "us," or "our") is a rapidly growing specialty value retailer offering a broad range of trend-right, high-quality merchandise targeted at the tween and teen customer. We offer a dynamic, edited assortment of exciting products, with most priced at $5 and below, including select brands and licensed merchandise across our category worlds. In fiscal 2019, we rolled out new pricing to our full chain, increasing prices on certain products over $5. Most of our products remain at $5 and below. As of February 1, 2025, we operated 1,771 stores in 44 states.

We also offer our merchandise on the internet, through our fivebelow.com e-commerce website and mobile app, offering home delivery and the option to buy online and pick up in store. Additionally, we sell merchandise through on-demand third-party delivery services to enable our customers to shop online and receive convenient delivery. All e-commerce sales, which includes shipping and handling revenue, are included in net sales and are included in comparable sales. Our e-commerce expenses will have components classified as both cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses (including depreciation and amortization).

We believe that our business model has resulted in strong financial performance when considered in light of the economic environment. Our comparable sales decreased by 2.7% in fiscal 2024, increased by 2.8% in fiscal 2023, and decreased by 2.0% in fiscal 2022. We expanded our store base from 1,340 stores at the end of fiscal 2022 to 1,771 stores at the end of fiscal 2024 and we plan to open approximately 150 new stores in fiscal 2025. Between fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2024, our net sales increased from $3,076.3 million to $3,876.5 million, representing a compounded annual growth rate of 12.3%. Over the same period, our operating income decreased from $345.0 million to $323.8 million.

We expect to continue our strong growth in the future. By offering trend-right merchandise at differentiated price points, our stores have been successful in varying geographic regions, population densities and real estate settings. As of February 1, 2025, we operated stores in 44 states throughout the United States. We are primarily located in power, community and lifestyle shopping centers across a variety of urban, suburban and semi-rural markets with trade areas including at least 100,000 people in the specified market. We continue to believe we have the opportunity to expand our store base in the United States from 1,771 locations as of February 1, 2025 to more than 3,500 locations over time. Our ability to open profitable new stores depends on many factors, including our ability to identify suitable markets and sites; negotiate leases with acceptable terms; achieve brand awareness in the new markets; efficiently source and distribute additional merchandise; and achieve sufficient levels of cash flow and financing to support our expansion.

We have a proven and profitable store model that has produced consistent financial results and returns, and our new stores have achieved average payback period of approximately one year. Our new store model assumes a store size of approximately 9,500 square feet that achieves annual sales of approximately $2 million in the first full year of operation. Our new store model also assumes an average new store investment of approximately $0.4 million. Our new store investment includes our store build-out (net of tenant allowances), inventory (net of payables) and cash pre-opening expenses.

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Our planned store expansion will place increased demands on our operational, managerial, administrative and other resources. Managing our growth effectively will require us to continue to maintain adequate distribution capacity, enhance our store management systems, financial and management controls, information systems and other operational system capabilities. In addition, we will be required to hire, train and retain store management and other qualified personnel. For further information, see Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors-Risk Relating to our Business and Industry.”

We have invested a significant amount of capital in infrastructure and systems necessary to support our future growth and we expect to incur additional capital expenditures to expand, upgrade, and develop our infrastructure and systems in future periods. In fiscal 2024, we invested in a new ERP, Oracle Fusion, which is designed to enhance functionality and provide timely information to our management team related to the operation of the business. In fiscal 2021, we invested in a new enterprise wide human capital management system which is designed to manage our workforce by providing a comprehensive suite of tools for human resources, talent management, payroll, time tracking, benefits administration and workforce planning. In fiscal 2020, we launched our e-commerce website and invested in a new Retail Merchandising System, which is designed to manage, control, and perform seamless execution of day-to-day merchandising activities, including purchasing, distribution, order fulfillment, and financial close. In fiscal 2015, we opened a shipcenter in Pedricktown, New Jersey and currently occupy approximately 1,000,000 square feet, having expanded from 800,000 square feet in September 2018. In fiscal 2016, we signed a 15-year lease for a new corporate headquarters location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and currently occupy approximately 230,000 square feet of office space. In March 2019, we completed the purchase of an approximately 700,000 square foot shipcenter in Forsyth, Georgia for approximately $42 million, and currently occupy approximately 1,100,000 square feet after expanding in the first half of 2024. In August 2019, we acquired land in Conroe, Texas, to build an approximately 860,000 square foot shipcenter for approximately $56 million. In July 2020, we acquired land in Buckeye, Arizona, to build an approximately 860,000 square foot shipcenter for approximately $65 million, and currently occupy approximately 1,200,000 square feet after expanding in the second half of 2024. In March 2021, we acquired land in Indianapolis, Indiana, to build an approximately 1,030,000 square foot shipcenter for approximately $60 million.

We continuously assess ways to maximize the productivity and efficiency of our existing facilities, infrastructure and systems. The timing and amount of investments in our facilities, infrastructure and systems could affect the comparability of our results of operations in future periods. The completion date and ultimate cost of future projects could differ significantly from initial expectations due to construction-related or other reasons.

We believe our business strategy will continue to offer significant opportunity, but it also presents risks and challenges. These risks and challenges include, but are not limited to, that we may not be able to effectively identify and respond to changing trends and customer preferences, that we may not be able to find desirable locations for new stores and that we may not be able to effectively manage our future growth. In addition, our financial results can be expected to be directly impacted by substantial increases in product costs due to commodity cost increases or general inflation which could lead to a reduction in our sales as well as greater margin pressure as costs may not be able to be passed on to consumers. To date, changes in commodity prices and general inflation have not materially impacted our business. In response to increasing commodity prices or general inflation, we seek to minimize the impact of such events by sourcing our merchandise from different vendors and changing our product mix. See Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” for a description of these and other important factors that could adversely impact us and our results of operations.

How We Assess the Performance of Our Business and Non-GAAP Measures

In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a variety of performance and financial measures. These key measures include net sales, comparable sales, cost of goods sold and gross profit, selling, general and administrative expenses (including depreciation and amortization) and operating income.

Net Sales

Net sales constitute gross sales net of merchandise returns for damaged or defective goods. Net sales consist of sales from comparable stores, non-comparable stores, and e-commerce, which includes shipping and handling revenue. Revenue from the sale of gift cards is deferred and not included in net sales until the gift cards are redeemed to purchase merchandise or as breakage revenue in proportion to the pattern of redemption of the gift cards by the customer.

Our business is seasonal and as a result, our net sales fluctuate from quarter to quarter. Net sales are usually highest in the fourth fiscal quarter due to the year-end holiday season.

Comparable Sales

Comparable sales include net sales from stores that have been open for at least 15 full months from their opening date, and e-commerce sales. Comparable stores include the following:

•Stores that have been remodeled while remaining open;

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•Stores that have been relocated within the same trade area, to a location that is not significantly different in size, in which the new store opens at about the same time as the old store closes; and

•Stores that have expanded, but are not significantly different in size, within their current locations.

For stores that are relocated or expanded, the following periods are excluded when calculating comparable sales:

•The period beginning when the closing store receives its last merchandise delivery from one of our shipcenters through:

▪the last day of the fiscal year in which the store was relocated or expanded (for stores that increased significantly in size); or

▪the last day of the fiscal month in which the store re-opens (for all other stores); and

•The period beginning on the first anniversary of the date the store received its last merchandise delivery from one of our shipcenters through the period ending on the first anniversary of the date the store re-opened.

Comparable sales exclude the 53rd week of sales for 53-week fiscal years. In the 52-week fiscal year subsequent to a 53-week fiscal year, we exclude the sales in the non-comparable week from the same-store sales calculation. Due to the 53rd week in fiscal 2023, comparable sales for the year ended February 1, 2025 are reported on a restated calendar basis. Reference to the "restated calendar” is based on using the National Retail Federation's restated calendar comparing similar weeks, which are the fifty-two weeks from February 4, 2024 to February 1, 2025 as compared to the fifty-two weeks from February 5, 2023 to February 3, 2024.

There may be variations in the way in which some of our competitors and other retailers calculate comparable or “same store” sales. As a result, data in this Annual Report regarding our comparable sales may not be comparable to similar data made available by other retailers. Non-comparable sales are comprised of new store sales, sales for stores not open for a full 15 months, and sales from existing store relocation and expansion projects that were temporarily closed (or not receiving deliveries) and not included in comparable sales.

Measuring the change in fiscal year-over-year comparable sales allows us to evaluate how we are performing. Various factors affect comparable sales, including:

•consumer preferences, buying trends and overall economic trends;

•our ability to identify and respond effectively to customer preferences and trends;

•our ability to provide an assortment of high-quality, trend-right and everyday product offerings that generate new and repeat visits to our stores;

•the customer experience we provide in our stores and online;

•the level of traffic near our locations in the power, community and lifestyle centers in which we operate;

•competition;

•changes in our merchandise mix;

•pricing;

•our ability to source and distribute products efficiently;

•the timing of promotional events and holidays;

•the timing of introduction of new merchandise and customer acceptance of new merchandise;

•our opening of new stores in the vicinity of existing stores;

•the number of items purchased per store visit; and

•weather conditions; and

•the impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including closures of our stores, adverse impacts on our operations, and consumer sentiment regarding discretionary spending.

Opening new stores is an important part of our growth strategy. As we continue to pursue our growth strategy, we expect that a significant percentage of our net sales will continue to come from new stores not included in comparable sales. Accordingly, comparable sales are only one measure we use to assess the success of our growth strategy.

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Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

Gross profit is equal to our net sales less our cost of goods sold. Gross margin is gross profit as a percentage of our net sales. Cost of goods sold reflects the direct costs of purchased merchandise and inbound freight and tariffs, as well as shipping and handling costs, store occupancy, distribution and buying expenses. Shipping and handling costs include internal fulfillment and shipping costs related to our e-commerce operations. Store occupancy costs include rent, common area maintenance, utilities and property taxes for all store locations. Distribution costs include costs for receiving, processing, warehousing and shipping of merchandise from our shipcenters and between store locations. Buying costs include compensation expense and other costs for our internal buying organization, including our merchandising and product development team and our planning and allocation group. These costs are significant and can be expected to continue to increase as our Company grows.

The components of our cost of goods sold may not be comparable to the components of cost of goods sold or similar measures of our competitors and other retailers. As a result, data in this Annual Report regarding our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to similar data made available by our competitors and other retailers.

The variable component of our cost of goods sold is higher in higher volume quarters because the variable component of our cost of goods sold generally increases as net sales increase. We regularly analyze the components of gross profit, a non-GAAP financial measure, as well as gross margin as it provides a useful and relevant measure to analyze our financial performance. Any inability to obtain acceptable levels of initial markups, a significant increase in our use of markdowns, and a significant increase in inventory shrinkage or inability to generate sufficient sales leverage on the store occupancy, distribution and buying components of cost of goods sold could have an adverse impact on our gross profit and results of operations. In addition, current global supply chain disruptions, the cost of freight and constraints on shipping capacity to transport inventory may have an adverse impact on our gross profit and results of operations, as well as our sales. Changes in the mix of our products may also impact our overall cost of goods sold.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (including Depreciation and Amortization)

Selling, general and administrative (including depreciation and amortization), or SG&A, expenses are composed of payroll and other compensation, marketing and advertising expense, depreciation and amortization expense and other selling and administrative expenses. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales are usually higher in lower sales volume quarters and lower in higher sales volume quarters.

The components of our SG&A expenses may not be comparable to those of other retailers. We expect that our SG&A expenses will increase in future periods due to our continuing store growth. Variability in performance-based compensation expense related to our business performance may cause SG&A expenses to be higher or lower than comparable periods. In addition, any increase in future share-based awards, modifications, or forfeitures will impact our share-based compensation expense included in SG&A expenses.

Operating Income

Operating income equals gross profit less SG&A expenses. Operating income excludes interest expense or income, other expense or income, and income tax expense or benefit. We use operating income as an indicator of the productivity of our business and our ability to manage SG&A expenses. Operating margin measures operating income as a percentage of our net sales.

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Results of Consolidated Operations

The following tables summarize key components of our results of consolidated operations for the periods indicated, both in dollars and as a percentage of our net sales. Refer to Item 7 "Results of Consolidated Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2024 for a comparison of fiscal years 2023 and 2022.

(1)Components may not add to total due to rounding.

(2)Only includes stores open before the beginning of the fiscal year.

(3)Gross margin is equal to our net sales less our cost of goods sold as a percentage of our net sales.

Fiscal Year 2024 Compared to Fiscal Year 2023

Net Sales

Net sales increased to $3,876.5 million in fiscal year 2024 from $3,559.4 million in fiscal year 2023, an increase of $317.1 million, or 8.9%. The increase was the result of a non-comparable sales increase of $407.6 million, partially offset by a comparable sales decrease of $90.5 million. The increase in non-comparable sales was primarily driven by new stores that opened in fiscal 2024, and the number of stores that opened in fiscal 2023 but have not been open for 15 full months.

Comparable sales decreased 2.7%. This decrease resulted from a decrease of approximately 2.7% in the number of transactions.

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Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

Cost of goods sold increased to $2,523.9 million in fiscal year 2024 from $2,285.5 million in fiscal year 2023, an increase of $238.4 million, or 10.4%. The increase in cost of goods sold was primarily the result of an increase in the merchandise costs of goods resulting from an increase in net sales and included the impact of a non-recurring inventory write-off. Also contributing to the increase in costs of goods sold was an increase in store occupancy costs primarily resulting from new store openings.

Gross profit increased to $1,352.7 million in fiscal year 2024 from $1,273.8 million in fiscal year 2023, an increase of $78.9 million, or 6.2%. Gross margin decreased to 34.9% in fiscal year 2024 from 35.8% in fiscal year 2023, a decrease of approximately 90 basis points. The decrease in gross margin was primarily the result of an increase as a percentage of net sales in store occupancy costs, partially offset by a decrease as a percentage of net sales in distribution costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (including Depreciation and Amortization)

Selling, general and administrative expenses (including depreciation and amortization) increased to $1,028.8 million in fiscal year 2024 from $888.3 million in fiscal year 2023, an increase of $140.5 million, or 15.8%. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses (including depreciation and amortization) increased approximately 150 basis points to 26.5% in fiscal year 2024 compared to 25.0% in fiscal year 2023. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses (including depreciation and amortization) was the result of an increase of $126.1 million in store-related expenses primarily to support new store growth. Also contributing to the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses (including depreciation and amortization) was an increase of $14.4 million in corporate-related expenses, which included the impact of retention awards, partially offset by lower compensation expenses and the impact of a non-recurring stock compensation benefit.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense decreased to $85.1 million in fiscal year 2024 from $100.0 million in fiscal year 2023, a decrease of $14.9 million, or 14.9%. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to a $62.4 million decrease in pre-tax net income and non-deductible expenses, partially offset by discrete items, which includes the impact of share-based accounting.

Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2024 was 25.1% compared to 24.9% in fiscal year 2023. The increase in our effective tax rate was primarily driven by discrete items, which includes the impact of share-based accounting, partially offset by non-deductible expenses.

Net Income

As a result of the foregoing, net income decreased to $253.6 million in fiscal year 2024 from $301.1 million in fiscal year 2023, a decrease of approximately $47.5 million, or 15.8%.

Seasonality

Our business is seasonal in nature with the highest level of net sales and net income generated in the fourth fiscal quarter due to the year-end holiday season and, therefore, operating results for any fiscal quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year. To prepare for the holiday season, we must order and keep in stock more merchandise than we carry during other parts of the year. We expect inventory levels, along with an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses, generally to reach their highest levels in the third and fourth fiscal quarters in anticipation of the increased net sales during the year-end holiday season. As a result of this seasonality, and generally because of variation in consumer spending habits, we experience fluctuations in net sales, net income and working capital requirements during the year.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Cash capital expenditures typically vary depending on the timing of new store openings and infrastructure-related investments. We plan to make cash capital expenditures of approximately $210 million to $230 million in fiscal 2025, which exclude the impact of tenant allowances, and which we expect to fund from cash generated from operations, cash on-hand, investments and, as needed, borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. We expect to incur approximately $120 million of our cash capital expenditure budget in fiscal 2025 to construct and open approximately 150 new stores, with the remainder projected to be spent on our store relocations and remodels, corporate infrastructure and shipcenter facilities.

Our primary working capital requirements are for the purchase of store inventory and payment of payroll, rent, other store operating costs and distribution costs. Our working capital requirements fluctuate during the year, rising in the third and fourth fiscal quarters as we take title to increasing quantities of inventory in anticipation of our peak, year-end holiday shopping season in the fourth fiscal quarter. Fluctuations in working capital are also driven by the timing of new store openings.

Historically, we have funded our capital expenditures and working capital requirements during the fiscal year with cash on hand, net cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, which expires in September 2027, as needed, and we expect that funding to continue. When we have used our Revolving Credit Facility, the amount of indebtedness outstanding under it has tended to be the highest in the beginning of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. To the extent that we have drawn on the facility, we have paid down the borrowings before the end of the fiscal year with cash generated during our peak selling season in the fourth quarter. As of February 1, 2025, we did not have any direct borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility and had approximately $225 million available on the line of credit.

On November 27, 2023, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program for up to $100 million of our common stock through November 27, 2026. In fiscal 2024, we purchased 266,997 shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $40.0 million, or average price of $149.79 per share.

Since approval of the share repurchase program in March 2018, we have purchased approximately 1.9 million shares for an aggregate cost of approximately $270 million. There can be no assurances that any additional repurchases will be completed, or as to the timing or amount of any repurchases. The share repurchase program may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Based on our growth plans, we believe that our cash position which includes our cash equivalents and short-term investments, net cash provided by operating activities and availability under our Revolving Credit Facility, which expires in September 2027, will be adequate to finance our planned capital expenditures, authorized share repurchases and working capital requirements over the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future thereafter. If cash flows from operations and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility are not sufficient or available to meet our requirements, then we will be required to obtain additional equity or debt financing in the future. There can be no assurance that equity or debt financing will be available to us when we need it or, if available, that the terms will be satisfactory to us and not dilutive to our then-current shareholders.

Cash Flows

A summary of our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities is presented in the following table (in millions):

(1) Components may not add to total due to rounding.

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2024 was $430.6 million, a decrease of $69.0 million compared to fiscal 2023. The decrease was primarily due to changes in working capital, a decrease in operating cash flows from store performance and an increase in income taxes paid.

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Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2024 was $232.9 million, a decrease of $323.4 million compared to fiscal 2023. The decrease was primarily due an increase in net sales, maturities, and redemptions of investment securities and a decrease in capital expenditures.

Cash Used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for fiscal year 2024 was $45.7 million, a decrease of $50.1 million compared to fiscal 2023. The decrease was primarily the result of decreases in the repurchase and retirement of common stock and common shares withheld for taxes.

Line of Credit

On September 16, 2022, we entered into a Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (the "Second Amendment") which amended the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2020, as previously amended by that certain First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of January 27, 2021 (the "First Amendment"; the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as amended by the First Amendment and the Second Amendment, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Company, 1616 Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("1616 Holdings" and together with the Company, the "Loan Parties"), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent (the "Agent"), and other lenders party thereto (the "Lenders").

The Credit Agreement provides for a secured asset-based revolving line of credit in the amount of up to $225 million (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). Advances under the Revolving Credit Facility are tied to a borrowing base consisting of eligible credit card receivables and inventory, as reduced by certain reserves in effect from time to time. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, inventory appraisals and certain other diligence items are deferred, with reduced advance rates during the period that such appraisals have not been delivered. Pursuant to the Second Amendment, the Revolving Credit Facility expires on the earliest to occur of (i) September 16, 2027 or (ii) an event of default.

The Second Amendment also replaced the existing LIBOR (the "London Interbank Offered Rate") provisions with SOFR (the "Secured Overnight Financing Rate") provisions which converted then outstanding LIBOR loans into SOFR loans and additionally makes a number of other revisions to other provisions of the Credit Agreement. Giving effect to the Second Amendment, outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility would accrue interest at floating rates plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.12% to 1.50% for SOFR loans and 0.125% to 0.50% for base rate loans, and letter of credit fees range from 1.125% to 1.50%, in each case based on the average availability under the Revolving Credit Facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility may be increased by up to an additional $150.0 million, subject to certain conditions, including obtaining commitments from one or more Lenders (the "Accordion"). Pursuant to the First Amendment, we obtained commitments from the Lenders that would allow us at our election (subject only to satisfaction of certain customary conditions such as the absence of any Event of Default), to increase the amount of the Revolving Credit Facility by an aggregate principal amount up to $50 million within the Accordion (the "Committed Increase"). The entire amount of the Revolving Credit Facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit and allows for swingline loans.

The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants that limit, absent lender approval, the ability of the Company and certain of its affiliates to, among other things, pay cash dividends, incur debt, create liens and encumbrances, redeem or repurchase stock, enter into certain acquisition transactions with affiliates, merge, dissolve, repay certain indebtedness, change the nature of our business, enter sale or leaseback transactions, make investments or dispose of assets. In some cases, these restrictions are subject to certain negotiated exceptions or permit us to undertake otherwise restricted activities if it satisfies certain conditions. In addition, we will be required to maintain availability of not less than (i) 12.5% of the lesser of (x) aggregate commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility and (y) the borrowing base (the "loan cap") during the period that inventory appraisals have not been delivered as described above and (ii) at all other times 10.0% of the loan cap.

If there exists an event of default or availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is less than 15% of the loan cap, amounts in any of the Loan Parties' or subsidiary guarantors' designated deposit accounts will be transferred daily into a blocked account held by the Agent and applied to reduce outstanding amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility (the "Cash Dominion Event"), so long as (i) such event of default has not been waived and/or (ii) until availability has exceeded 15% of the loan cap for sixty (60) consecutive calendar days (provided that such ability to discontinue the Cash Dominion Event shall be limited to two times during the term of the Credit Agreement).

The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default including, among other things, failure to pay obligations when due, initiation of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, defaults on certain other indebtedness, change of control, incurrence of certain material judgments that are not stayed, satisfied, bonded or discharged within 30 days, certain ERISA events, invalidity of the credit documents, and violation of affirmative and negative covenants or breach of representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement. Amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility may become due upon events of default (subject to any applicable grace or cure periods).

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All obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by 1616 Holdings and secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and 1616 Holdings. As of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024, we were in compliance with the covenants applicable to us under the First Amendment and the Revolving Credit Facility.

As of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024, we had approximately $225 million and $216 million, respectively, available in the Revolving Credit Facility.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and understanding of our consolidated results of operations. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations are discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results. Our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, require us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 1 in our annual consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Inventories

Inventories consist of finished goods purchased for resale, including freight and tariffs, and are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value, at the individual product level. Cost is determined on a weighted average cost method. The market value used in the lower of cost or market analysis is subject to the effects of consumer demands, customer preferences and the broader economy. The effects of the previously listed criteria are not controllable by management. Our management reviews inventory levels in order to identify obsolete and slow-moving merchandise as these factors can indicate a decline in the market value of inventory on hand. Inventory cost is reduced when the selling price less costs of disposal is below cost. We accrue an estimate for inventory shrink for the period between the last physical count and the balance sheet date. The shrink estimate can be affected by changes in merchandise mix and changes in actual shrink trends. These estimates are derived using available data and our historical experience. Our estimates may be impacted by changes in certain underlying assumptions and may not be indicative of future activity.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Assets are grouped and evaluated for impairment at the lowest level of which there are identifiable cash flows, which is generally at a store level. Assets are reviewed for impairment using factors including, but not limited to, our future operating plans and projected cash flows. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, then an impairment charge is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Fair value is based on discounted future cash flows of the asset using a discount rate commensurate with the risk. In the event of a store closure, we will record an impairment charge, if appropriate, or accelerate depreciation over the revised useful life of the asset. Based on the analysis performed, our management believes that there was no impairment of long-lived assets for each of the 2024, 2023 and 2022 fiscal years. The impairment loss analysis requires management to apply judgment and make estimates.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset-and-liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.

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We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when uncertainty regarding their realizability exists. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, our management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Our management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See "Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 "Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K, for a detailed description of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes, as of February 1, 2025, our minimum rental commitments under operating lease agreements including assumed extensions, minimum payments for long-term debt and other obligations in future periods:

(1)Our store leases generally have initial lease terms of 10 years and include renewal options on substantially the same terms and conditions as the original lease. Also included in operating leases are our leases for the corporate office, shipcenters and other.

(2)Purchase obligations are primarily for materials that will be used in the construction of new stores and purchase commitments for infrastructure and systems that will be used by the corporate office and shipcenters.

From February 2, 2025 to March 20, 2025, we committed to 13 new leases with terms of 10 years that have future minimum lease payments of approximately $24.0 million.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion together with “Selected Financial Data,” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The statements in this discussion regarding expectations of our future performance, liquidity and capital resources and other non-historical statements are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements.

We operate on a fiscal calendar widely used by the retail industry that results in a given fiscal year consisting of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31 of the following year. References to "fiscal year 2024" or "fiscal 2024" refer to the period from February 4, 2024 to February 1, 2025, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2023" or "fiscal 2023" refer to the period from January 29, 2023 to February 3, 2024, which consists of a 53-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2022" or "fiscal 2022" refer to the period from January 30, 2022 to January 28, 2023, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2021" or "fiscal 2021" refer to the period from January 31, 2021 to January 29, 2022, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2020" or "fiscal 2020" refer to the period from February 2, 2020 to January 30, 2021, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to “fiscal year 2019” or “fiscal 2019” refer to the period from February 3, 2019 to February 1, 2020, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year.

Overview

Five Below, Inc. (collectively referred to herein with its wholly owned subsidiaries as "we," "us," or "our") is a rapidly growing specialty value retailer offering a broad range of trend-right, high-quality merchandise targeted at the tween and teen customer. We offer a dynamic, edited assortment of exciting products, with most priced at $5 and below, including select brands and licensed merchandise across our category worlds. In fiscal 2019, we rolled out new pricing to our full chain, increasing prices on certain products over $5. Most of our products remain at $5 and below. As of February 3, 2024, we operated 1,544 stores in 43 states.

We also offer our merchandise on the internet, through our fivebelow.com e-commerce website, offering home delivery and the option to buy online and pick up in store. Additionally, we sell merchandise through on-demand third-party delivery services to enable our customers to shop online and receive convenient delivery. All e-commerce sales, which includes shipping and handling revenue, are included in net sales and are included in comparable sales. Our e-commerce expenses will have components classified as both cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses (including depreciation and amortization).

We believe that our business model has resulted in strong financial performance when considered in light of the economic environment. Our comparable sales increased by 2.8% in fiscal 2023, decreased by 2.0% in fiscal 2022, and increased by 30.3% in fiscal 2021. Between fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2023, our net sales increased from $2,848.4 million to $3,559.4 million, representing a compounded annual growth rate of 11.8%. Over the same period, our operating income increased from $379.9 million to $385.6 million, representing a compounded annual growth rate of 0.7%. In addition, we expanded our store base from 1,190 stores at the end of fiscal 2021 to 1,544 stores at the end of fiscal 2023 and we plan to open between 225 and 235 new stores in fiscal 2024.

We expect to continue our strong growth in the future. By offering trend-right merchandise at differentiated price points, our stores have been successful in varying geographic regions, population densities and real estate settings. As of February 3, 2024, we operated stores in 43 states throughout the United States. We are primarily located in power, community and lifestyle shopping centers across a variety of urban, suburban and semi-rural markets with trade areas including at least 100,000 people in the specified market. We continue to believe we have the opportunity to expand our store base in the United States from 1,544 locations as of February 3, 2024 to more than 3,500 locations over time. Our ability to open profitable new stores depends on many factors, including our ability to identify suitable markets and sites; negotiate leases with acceptable terms; achieve brand awareness in the new markets; efficiently source and distribute additional merchandise; and achieve sufficient levels of cash flow and financing to support our expansion.

We have a proven and highly profitable store model that has produced consistent financial results and returns, and our new stores have achieved average payback period of less than one year. Our new store model assumes a store size of approximately 9,500 square feet that achieves annual sales of approximately $2 million in the first full year of operation. Our new store model also assumes an average new store investment of approximately $0.4 million. Our new store investment includes our store build-out (net of tenant allowances), inventory (net of payables) and cash pre-opening expenses.

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Our planned store expansion will place increased demands on our operational, managerial, administrative and other resources. Managing our growth effectively will require us to continue to maintain adequate distribution capacity, enhance our store management systems, financial and management controls, information systems and other operational system capabilities. In addition, we will be required to hire, train and retain store management and other qualified personnel. For further information, see Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors-Risk Relating to our Business and Industry.”

Over the past nine years, we have invested a significant amount of capital in infrastructure and systems necessary to support our future growth and we expect to incur additional capital expenditures related to expansion of our infrastructure and systems in future periods. In fiscal 2015, we invested in a new ERP and began the multi-year implementation of the ERP, which is designed to enhance functionality and provide timely information to the Company's management team related to the operation of the business. In fiscal 2020, we invested in a new Retail Merchandising System and began the multi-year implementation of the Retail Merchandising System, which is designed to manage, control, and perform seamless execution of day-to-day merchandising activities, including purchasing, distribution, order fulfillment, and financial close. In fiscal 2015, we opened a shipcenter in Pedricktown, New Jersey. We occupy approximately 1,000,000 square feet at this shipcenter, having expanded from 800,000 square feet in September 2018. In fiscal 2016, we signed a 15-year lease for a new corporate headquarters location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We currently occupy approximately 230,000 square feet of office space with multiple options to expand in the future. In March 2019, we completed the purchase of an approximately 700,000 square foot shipcenter in Forsyth, Georgia. We began operating the shipcenter in April 2019 and will expand to approximately 1,000,000 square feet in the first half of 2024. The total construction cost of the expansion is expected to be approximately $21 million. In August 2019, we acquired land in Conroe, Texas, to build an approximately 860,000 square foot shipcenter for approximately $56 million. We began operating the shipcenter in July 2020. In July 2020, we acquired land in Buckeye, Arizona, to build an approximately 860,000 square foot shipcenter for approximately $65 million. We began operating the shipcenter in August 2021 and will expand to approximately 1,200,000 square feet in the second half of 2024. The total construction costs of the expansion is expected to be approximately $26 million. In March 2021, we acquired land in Indianapolis, Indiana, to build an approximately 1,030,000 square foot shipcenter for approximately $60 million. We began operating the shipcenter in June 2022. As a result of the significant expansion of our network of distribution facilities over the last several years, including the opening in the first half of fiscal 2022 of our Indianapolis, Indiana shipcenter, we ceased operations at our shipcenters in Olive Branch, Mississippi and Cincinnati, Ohio in the first half of fiscal 2022 as well as the e-commerce operations in our Pedricktown, New Jersey shipcenter in the first half of fiscal 2023.

We continuously assess ways to maximize the productivity and efficiency of our existing facilities, infrastructure and systems. The timing and amount of investments in our facilities, infrastructure and systems could affect the comparability of our results of operations in future periods. The completion date and ultimate cost of future projects could differ significantly from initial expectations due to construction-related or other reasons.

We believe our business strategy will continue to offer significant opportunity, but it also presents risks and challenges. These risks and challenges include, but are not limited to, that we may not be able to effectively identify and respond to changing trends and customer preferences, that we may not be able to find desirable locations for new stores and that we may not be able to effectively manage our future growth. In addition, our financial results can be expected to be directly impacted by substantial increases in product costs due to commodity cost increases or general inflation which could lead to a reduction in our sales as well as greater margin pressure as costs may not be able to be passed on to consumers. To date, changes in commodity prices and general inflation have not materially impacted our business. In response to increasing commodity prices or general inflation, we seek to minimize the impact of such events by sourcing our merchandise from different vendors and changing our product mix. See Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” for a description of these and other important factors that could adversely impact us and our results of operations.

How We Assess the Performance of Our Business and Non-GAAP Measures

In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a variety of performance and financial measures. These key measures include net sales, comparable sales, cost of goods sold and gross profit, selling, general and administrative expenses (including depreciation and amortization) and operating income.

Net Sales

Net sales constitute gross sales net of merchandise returns for damaged or defective goods. Net sales consist of sales from comparable stores, non-comparable stores, and e-commerce, which includes shipping and handling revenue. Revenue from the sale of gift cards is deferred and not included in net sales until the gift cards are redeemed to purchase merchandise or as breakage revenue in proportion to the pattern of redemption of the gift cards by the customer.

Our business is seasonal and as a result, our net sales fluctuate from quarter to quarter. Net sales are usually highest in the fourth fiscal quarter due to the year-end holiday season.

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Comparable Sales

Comparable sales include net sales from stores that have been open for at least 15 full months from their opening date, and e-commerce sales. Comparable stores include the following:

•Stores that have been remodeled while remaining open;

•Stores that have been relocated within the same trade area, to a location that is not significantly different in size, in which the new store opens at about the same time as the old store closes; and

•Stores that have expanded, but are not significantly different in size, within their current locations.

For stores that are relocated or expanded, the following periods are excluded when calculating comparable sales:

•The period beginning when the closing store receives its last merchandise delivery from one of our shipcenters through:

▪the last day of the fiscal year in which the store was relocated or expanded (for stores that increased significantly in size); or

▪the last day of the fiscal month in which the store re-opens (for all other stores); and

•The period beginning on the first anniversary of the date the store received its last merchandise delivery from one of our shipcenters through the first anniversary of the date the store re-opened.

Comparable sales exclude the 53rd week of sales for 53-week fiscal years. Therefore, Fiscal 2023 comparable sales were calculated using a 52-week comparable period through the week ending January 27, 2024. In the 52-week fiscal year subsequent to a 53-week fiscal year, we exclude the sales in the non-comparable week from the same-store sales calculation on a restated calendar basis using the National Retail Federation's restated calendar comparing similar weeks

There may be variations in the way in which some of our competitors and other retailers calculate comparable or “same store” sales. As a result, data in this Annual Report regarding our comparable sales may not be comparable to similar data made available by other retailers. Non-comparable sales are comprised of new store sales, sales for stores not open for a full 15 months, and sales from existing store relocation and expansion projects that were temporarily closed (or not receiving deliveries) and not included in comparable sales.

Measuring the change in fiscal year-over-year comparable sales allows us to evaluate how we are performing. Various factors affect comparable sales, including:

•consumer preferences, buying trends and overall economic trends;

•our ability to identify and respond effectively to customer preferences and trends;

•our ability to provide an assortment of high-quality, trend-right and everyday product offerings that generate new and repeat visits to our stores;

•the customer experience we provide in our stores and online;

•the level of traffic near our locations in the power, community and lifestyle centers in which we operate;

•competition;

•changes in our merchandise mix;

•pricing;

•our ability to source and distribute products efficiently;

•the timing of promotional events and holidays;

•the timing of introduction of new merchandise and customer acceptance of new merchandise;

•our opening of new stores in the vicinity of existing stores;

•the number of items purchased per store visit; and

•weather conditions; and

•the impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including closures of our stores, adverse impacts on our operations, and consumer sentiment regarding discretionary spending.

Opening new stores is an important part of our growth strategy. As we continue to pursue our growth strategy, we expect that a significant percentage of our net sales will continue to come from new stores not included in comparable sales. Accordingly, comparable sales are only one measure we use to assess the success of our growth strategy.

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Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

Gross profit is equal to our net sales less our cost of goods sold. Gross margin is gross profit as a percentage of our net sales. Cost of goods sold reflects the direct costs of purchased merchandise and inbound freight and tariffs, as well as shipping and handling costs, store occupancy, distribution and buying expenses. Shipping and handling costs include internal fulfillment and shipping costs related to our e-commerce operations. Store occupancy costs include rent, common area maintenance, utilities and property taxes for all store locations. Distribution costs include costs for receiving, processing, warehousing and shipping of merchandise from our shipcenters and between store locations. Buying costs include compensation expense and other costs for our internal buying organization, including our merchandising and product development team and our planning and allocation group. These costs are significant and can be expected to continue to increase as our Company grows.

The components of our cost of goods sold may not be comparable to the components of cost of goods sold or similar measures of our competitors and other retailers. As a result, data in this Annual Report regarding our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to similar data made available by our competitors and other retailers.

The variable component of our cost of goods sold is higher in higher volume quarters because the variable component of our cost of goods sold generally increases as net sales increase. We regularly analyze the components of gross profit, a non-GAAP financial measure, as well as gross margin as it provides a useful and relevant measure to analyze our financial performance. Any inability to obtain acceptable levels of initial markups, a significant increase in our use of markdowns, and a significant increase in inventory shrinkage or inability to generate sufficient sales leverage on the store occupancy, distribution and buying components of cost of goods sold could have an adverse impact on our gross profit and results of operations. In addition, current global supply chain disruptions, the cost of freight and constraints on shipping capacity to transport inventory may have an adverse impact on our gross profit and results of operations, as well as our sales. Changes in the mix of our products may also impact our overall cost of goods sold.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (including Depreciation and Amortization)

Selling, general and administrative (including depreciation and amortization), or SG&A, expenses are composed of payroll and other compensation, marketing and advertising expense, depreciation and amortization expense and other selling and administrative expenses. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales are usually higher in lower sales volume quarters and lower in higher sales volume quarters.

The components of our SG&A expenses may not be comparable to those of other retailers. We expect that our SG&A expenses will increase in future periods due to our continuing store growth. In addition, any increase in future share-based grants or modifications will impact our share-based compensation expense included in SG&A expenses.

Operating Income

Operating income equals gross profit less SG&A expenses. Operating income excludes interest expense or income, other expense or income, and income tax expense or benefit. We use operating income as an indicator of the productivity of our business and our ability to manage SG&A expenses. Operating income percentage measures operating income as a percentage of our net sales.

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Results of Consolidated Operations

The following tables summarize key components of our results of consolidated operations for the periods indicated, both in dollars and as a percentage of our net sales. Refer to Item 7 "Results of Consolidated Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2023 for a comparison of fiscal years 2022 and 2021.

(1)Components may not add to total due to rounding.

(2)Only includes stores open before the beginning of the fiscal year.

(3)Gross margin is equal to our net sales less our cost of goods sold as a percentage of our net sales.

Fiscal Year 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year 2022

Net Sales

Net sales increased to $3,559.4 million in fiscal year 2023 from $3,076.3 million in fiscal year 2022, an increase of $483.1 million, or 15.7%. The increase was the result of a non-comparable sales increase of $400.7 million and a comparable sales increase of $82.4 million. In fiscal year 2023, we opened 204 net new stores compared to 150 new stores in fiscal year 2022. The increase in non-comparable sales was primarily driven by new stores that opened in fiscal 2023, and the number of stores that opened in fiscal 2022 but have not been open for 15 full months and includes approximately $48.1 million of sales contributed by the 53rd week in fiscal 2023.

Comparable sales increased 2.8%. This increase resulted from an increase of approximately 3.9% in the number of transactions, partially offset by a decrease of approximately 1.0% in the average dollar value of transactions.

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Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

Cost of goods sold increased to $2,285.5 million in fiscal year 2023 from $1,980.8 million in fiscal year 2022, an increase of $304.7 million, or 15.4%. The increase in cost of goods sold was primarily the result of increases in the merchandise costs of goods resulting from increases in net sales and inventory shrinkage, and store occupancy costs primarily resulting from new store openings.

Gross profit increased to $1,273.8 million in fiscal year 2023 from $1,095.5 million in fiscal year 2022, an increase of $178.3 million, or 16.3%. Gross margin increased to 35.8% in fiscal year 2023 from 35.6% in fiscal year 2022, an increase of approximately 20 basis points. The increase in gross margin was primarily the result of a decrease as a percentage of net sales in distribution costs. Also contributing to the increase in gross margin was a decrease in merchandise cost of goods sold, which includes the impact of higher inventory shrinkage.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (including Depreciation and Amortization)

Selling, general and administrative expenses (including depreciation and amortization) increased to $888.3 million in fiscal year 2023 from $750.4 million in fiscal year 2022, an increase of $137.8 million, or 18.4%. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses (including depreciation and amortization) increased approximately 60 basis points to 25.0% in fiscal year 2023 compared to 24.4% in fiscal year 2022. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses (including depreciation and amortization) was the result of an increase of $107.1 million in store-related expenses to support new store growth and $30.7 million of corporate-related expenses.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense increased to $100.0 million in fiscal year 2023 from $86.0 million in fiscal year 2022, an increase of $14.0 million, or 16.3%. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to a $53.6 million increase in pre-tax net income, partially offset by discrete items, which includes the impact of ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" with respect to the requirements to recognize excess income tax benefits or deficiencies as income tax benefit or expense in the consolidated statements of operations rather than as additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheets.

Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2023 was 24.9% compared to 24.7% in fiscal year 2022. The increase in our effective tax rate was primarily driven by changes in the mix of pretax income across state jurisdictions and non-deductible expenses, partially offset by discrete items, which includes the impact of ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.

Net Income

As a result of the foregoing, net income increased to $301.1 million in fiscal year 2023 from $261.5 million in fiscal year 2022, an increase of approximately $39.6 million, or 15.1%.

Seasonality

Our business is seasonal in nature with the highest level of net sales and net income generated in the fourth fiscal quarter due to the year-end holiday season and, therefore, operating results for any fiscal quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year. To prepare for the holiday season, we must order and keep in stock more merchandise than we carry during other parts of the year. We expect inventory levels, along with an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses, generally to reach their highest levels in the third and fourth fiscal quarters in anticipation of the increased net sales during the year-end holiday season. As a result of this seasonality, and generally because of variation in consumer spending habits, we experience fluctuations in net sales, net income and working capital requirements during the year.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Cash capital expenditures typically vary depending on the timing of new store openings and infrastructure-related investments. We plan to make cash capital expenditures of approximately $365 million in fiscal 2024, which exclude the impact of tenant allowances, and which we expect to fund from cash generated from operations, cash on-hand, investments and, as needed, borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. We expect to incur approximately $170 million of our cash capital expenditure budget in fiscal 2024 to construct and open between 225 and 235 new stores, with the remainder projected to be spent on our store relocations and remodels, distribution facilities, which includes the expansion of two facilities, and our corporate infrastructure.

Our primary working capital requirements are for the purchase of store inventory and payment of payroll, rent, other store operating costs and distribution costs. Our working capital requirements fluctuate during the year, rising in the third and fourth fiscal quarters as we take title to increasing quantities of inventory in anticipation of our peak, year-end holiday shopping season in the fourth fiscal quarter. Fluctuations in working capital are also driven by the timing of new store openings.

Historically, we have funded our capital expenditures and working capital requirements during the fiscal year with cash on hand, net cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, which expires in September 2027, as needed, and we expect that funding to continue. When we have used our Revolving Credit Facility, the amount of indebtedness outstanding under it has tended to be the highest in the beginning of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. To the extent that we have drawn on the facility, we have paid down the borrowings before the end of the fiscal year with cash generated during our peak selling season in the fourth quarter. As of February 3, 2024, we did not have any direct borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility and had approximately $216 million available on the line of credit.

On March 20, 2018, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to $100 million of our common stock through March 31, 2021, on the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. This program expired on March 31, 2021.

On March 9, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program for up to $100 million of our common stock through March 31, 2024. In fiscal 2021, we purchased 368,699 shares under this program at an aggregate cost of approximately $60.0 million, or an average price of $162.75 per share. In fiscal 2022, we purchased 247,132 shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $40.0 million, or an average price of $161.88 per share. We have exhausted repurchases under this program.

On June 14, 2022, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program for up to $100 million of our common stock through June 30, 2025. In fiscal 2023, we purchased 504,369 shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $80.0 million, or average price of $158.63 per share. On November 27, 2023, our Board of Directors retired this share repurchase program.

On November 27, 2023, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program for up to $100 million of our common stock through November 27, 2026.

Since approval of the share repurchase program in March 2018, we have purchased approximately 1.6 million shares for an aggregate cost of approximately $230 million. There can be no assurances that any additional repurchases will be completed, or as to the timing or amount of any repurchases. The share repurchase program may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Based on our growth plans, we believe that our cash position which includes our cash equivalents and short-term investments, net cash provided by operating activities and availability under our Revolving Credit Facility, which expires in September 2027, will be adequate to finance our planned capital expenditures, authorized share repurchases and working capital requirements over the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future thereafter. If cash flows from operations and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility are not sufficient or available to meet our requirements, then we will be required to obtain additional equity or debt financing in the future. There can be no assurance that equity or debt financing will be available to us when we need it or, if available, that the terms will be satisfactory to us and not dilutive to our then-current shareholders.

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Cash Flows

A summary of our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities is presented in the following table (in millions):

(1) Components may not add to total due to rounding.

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2023 was $499.6 million, an increase of $184.7 million compared to fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily due to changes in working capital, an increase in operating cash flows from store performance and a decrease in income taxes paid.

Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2023 was $556.3 million, an increase of $552.4 million compared to fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily due an increase in net purchases of investment securities and other investments and an increase in capital expenditures. The increase in capital expenditures was primarily for our new store construction and our corporate infrastructure.

Cash Used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for fiscal year 2023 was $95.9 million, an increase of $52.2 million compared to fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily the result of increases in the repurchase and retirement of common stock and common shares withheld for taxes.

Line of Credit

On September 16, 2022, we entered into a Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (the "Second Amendment") which amended the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2020, as previously amended by that certain First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of January 27, 2021 (the "First Amendment"; the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as amended by the First Amendment and the Second Amendment, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Company, 1616 Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("1616 Holdings" and together with the Company, the "Loan Parties"), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent (the "Agent"), and other lenders party thereto (the "Lenders").

The Credit Agreement provides for a secured asset-based revolving line of credit in the amount of up to $225 million (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). Advances under the Revolving Credit Facility are tied to a borrowing base consisting of eligible credit card receivables and inventory, as reduced by certain reserves in effect from time to time. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, inventory appraisals and certain other diligence items are deferred, with reduced advance rates during the period that such appraisals have not been delivered. Pursuant to the Second Amendment, the Revolving Credit Facility expires on the earliest to occur of (i) September 16, 2027 or (ii) an event of default.

The Second Amendment also replaced the existing LIBOR (the "London Interbank Offered Rate") provisions with SOFR (the "Secured Overnight Financing Rate") provisions which converted then outstanding LIBOR loans into SOFR loans and additionally makes a number of other revisions to other provisions of the Credit Agreement. Giving effect to the Second Amendment, outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility would accrue interest at floating rates plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.12% to 1.50% for SOFR loans and 0.125% to 0.50% for base rate loans, and letter of credit fees range from 1.125% to 1.50%, in each case based on the average availability under the Revolving Credit Facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility may be increased by up to an additional $150.0 million, subject to certain conditions, including obtaining commitments from one or more Lenders (the "Accordion"). Pursuant to the First Amendment, we obtained commitments from the Lenders that would allow us at our election (subject only to satisfaction of certain customary conditions such as the absence of any Event of Default), to increase the amount of the Revolving Credit Facility by an aggregate principal amount up to $50 million within the Accordion (the "Committed Increase"). The entire amount of the Revolving Credit Facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit and allows for swingline loans.

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The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants that limit, absent lender approval, the ability of the Company and certain of its affiliates to, among other things, pay cash dividends, incur debt, create liens and encumbrances, redeem or repurchase stock, enter into certain acquisition transactions with affiliates, merge, dissolve, repay certain indebtedness, change the nature of our business, enter sale or leaseback transactions, make investments or dispose of assets. In some cases, these restrictions are subject to certain negotiated exceptions or permit us to undertake otherwise restricted activities if it satisfies certain conditions. In addition, we will be required to maintain availability of not less than (i) 12.5% of the lesser of (x) aggregate commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility and (y) the borrowing base (the "loan cap") during the period that inventory appraisals have not been delivered as described above and (ii) at all other times 10.0% of the loan cap.

If there exists an event of default or availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is less than 15% of the loan cap, amounts in any of the Loan Parties' or subsidiary guarantors' designated deposit accounts will be transferred daily into a blocked account held by the Agent and applied to reduce outstanding amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility (the "Cash Dominion Event"), so long as (i) such event of default has not been waived and/or (ii) until availability has exceeded 15% of the loan cap for sixty (60) consecutive calendar days (provided that such ability to discontinue the Cash Dominion Event shall be limited to two times during the term of the Credit Agreement).

The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default including, among other things, failure to pay obligations when due, initiation of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, defaults on certain other indebtedness, change of control, incurrence of certain material judgments that are not stayed, satisfied, bonded or discharged within 30 days, certain ERISA events, invalidity of the credit documents, and violation of affirmative and negative covenants or breach of representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement. Amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility may become due upon events of default (subject to any applicable grace or cure periods).

All obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by 1616 Holdings and secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and 1616 Holdings. As of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, we were in compliance with the covenants applicable to us under the First Amendment and the Revolving Credit Facility.

As of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, we had approximately $216 million and $192 million, respectively, available in the Revolving Credit Facility.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and understanding of our consolidated results of operations. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations are discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results. Our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, require us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 1 in our annual consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Inventories

Inventories consist of finished goods purchased for resale, including freight and tariffs, and are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value, at the individual product level. Cost is determined on a weighted average cost method. The market value used in the lower of cost or market analysis is subject to the effects of consumer demands, customer preferences and the broader economy. The effects of the previously listed criteria are not controllable by management. Our management reviews inventory levels in order to identify obsolete and slow-moving merchandise as these factors can indicate a decline in the market value of inventory on hand. Inventory cost is reduced when the selling price less costs of disposal is below cost. We accrue an estimate for inventory shrink for the period between the last physical count and the balance sheet date. The shrink estimate can be affected by changes in merchandise mix and changes in actual shrink trends. These estimates are derived using available data and our historical experience. Our estimates may be impacted by changes in certain underlying assumptions and may not be indicative of future activity.

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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Assets are grouped and evaluated for impairment at the lowest level of which there are identifiable cash flows, which is generally at a store level. Assets are reviewed for impairment using factors including, but not limited to, our future operating plans and projected cash flows. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, then an impairment charge is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Fair value is based on discounted future cash flows of the asset using a discount rate commensurate with the risk. In the event of a store closure, we will record an impairment charge, if appropriate, or accelerate depreciation over the revised useful life of the asset. Based on the analysis performed, our management believes that there was no impairment of long-lived assets for each of the 2023, 2022 and 2021 fiscal years. The impairment loss analysis requires management to apply judgment and make estimates.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset-and-liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.

We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when uncertainty regarding their realizability exists. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, our management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Our management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See "Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 "Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K, for a detailed description of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes, as of February 3, 2024, our minimum rental commitments under operating lease agreements including assumed extensions, minimum payments for long-term debt and other obligations in future periods:

(1)Our store leases generally have initial lease terms of 10 years and include renewal options on substantially the same terms and conditions as the original lease. Also included in operating leases are our leases for the corporate office, shipcenters and other.

(2)Purchase obligations are primarily for materials that will be used in the construction of new stores and purchase commitments for infrastructure and systems that will be used by the corporate office and shipcenters.

From February 4, 2024 to March 21, 2024, we committed to 25 new leases with terms of 10 years that have future minimum lease payments of approximately $52.2 million.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion together with “Selected Financial Data,” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The statements in this discussion regarding expectations of our future performance, liquidity and capital resources and other non-historical statements are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements.

We operate on a fiscal calendar widely used by the retail industry that results in a given fiscal year consisting of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31 of the following year. References to "fiscal year 2023 or "fiscal 2023" refer to the period from January 29, 2023 to February 3, 2024, which consists of a 53-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2022" or "fiscal 2022" refer to the period from January 30, 2022 to January 28, 2023, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2021" or "fiscal 2021" refer to the period from January 31, 2021 to January 29, 2022, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2020" or "fiscal 2020" refer to the period from February 2, 2020 to January 30, 2021, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to “fiscal year 2019” or “fiscal 2019” refer to the period from February 3, 2019 to February 1, 2020, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to “fiscal year 2018” or “fiscal 2018” refer to the period from February 4, 2018 to February 2, 2019, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period and results for any interim period may not necessarily be indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year.

Overview

Five Below, Inc. (collectively referred to herein with its wholly owned subsidiary as "we," "us," or "our") is a rapidly growing specialty value retailer offering a broad range of trend-right, high-quality merchandise targeted at the tween and teen customer. We offer a dynamic, edited assortment of exciting products, with most priced at $5 and below, including select brands and licensed merchandise across our category worlds. In fiscal 2019, we rolled out new pricing to our full chain, increasing prices on certain products over $5. Most of our products remain at $5 and below. As of January 28, 2023, we operated 1,340 stores in 42 states.

We also offer our merchandise on the internet, through our fivebelow.com e-commerce website as well as with an on demand third party delivery service to enable our customers to shop online and receive convenient same day delivery. All e-commerce sales, which includes shipping and handling revenue, are included in net sales and are included in comparable sales. Our e-commerce expenses will have components classified as both cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses.

We believe that our business model has resulted in strong financial performance when considered in light of the economic environment. Our comparable sales decreased by 2.0% in fiscal 2022, increased by 30.3% in fiscal 2021, and decreased by 5.5% in fiscal 2020. Between fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2022, our net sales increased from $1,962.1 million to $3,076.3 million, representing a compounded annual growth rate of 25.2%. Over the same period, our operating income increased from $154.8 million to $345.0 million, representing a compounded annual growth rate of 49.3%. In addition, we expanded our store base from 1,020 stores at the end of fiscal 2020 to 1,340 stores at the end of fiscal 2022 and we plan to open 200 new stores in fiscal 2023.

We expect to continue our strong growth in the future. By offering trend-right merchandise at a differentiated price points, our stores have been successful in varying geographic regions, population densities and real estate settings. As of January 28, 2023, we operated stores in 42 states throughout the United States. We are primarily located in power, community and lifestyle shopping centers across a variety of urban, suburban and semi-rural markets with trade areas including at least 100,000 people in the specified market. We continue to believe we have the opportunity to expand our store base in the United States from 1,340 locations as of January 28, 2023 to more than 3,500 locations over time. Our ability to open profitable new stores depends on many factors, including our ability to identify suitable markets and sites; negotiate leases with acceptable terms; achieve brand awareness in the new markets; efficiently source and distribute additional merchandise; and achieve sufficient levels of cash flow and financing to support our expansion.

We have a proven and highly profitable store model that has produced consistent financial results and returns, and our new stores have achieved average payback periods of less than one year. Our new store model assumes a store size of approximately 9,500 square feet that achieves annual sales of approximately $2 million in the first full year of operation. Our new store model also assumes an average new store investment of approximately $0.4 million. Our new store investment includes our store build-out (net of tenant allowances), inventory (net of payables) and cash pre-opening expenses.

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Our planned store expansion will place increased demands on our operational, managerial, administrative and other resources. Managing our growth effectively will require us to continue to maintain adequate distribution capacity, enhance our store management systems, financial and management controls, information systems and other operational system capabilities. In addition, we will be required to hire, train and retain store management and other qualified personnel. For further information, see Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors-Risk Relating to our Business and Industry.”

Over the past five years, we have invested a significant amount of capital in infrastructure and systems necessary to support our future growth and we expect to incur additional capital expenditures related to expansion of our infrastructure and systems in future periods. In fiscal 2015, we invested in a new ERP and began the multi-year implementation of the ERP, which is designed to enhance functionality and provide timely information to the Company's management team related to the operation of the business. In fiscal 2020, we invested in a new Retail Merchandising System and began the multi-year implementation of the Retail Merchandising System, which is designed to manage, control, and perform seamless execution of day-to-day merchandising activities, including purchasing, distribution, order fulfillment, and financial close. In fiscal 2015, we opened a shipcenter in Pedricktown, New Jersey. We occupy approximately 1,000,000 square feet at this shipcenter, having expanded from 800,000 square feet in September 2018. In fiscal 2016, we signed a 15-year lease for a new corporate headquarters location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We currently occupy approximately 230,000 square feet of office space with multiple options to expand in the future. In March 2019, we completed the purchase of an approximately 700,000 square foot shipcenter in Forsyth, Georgia. We began operating the shipcenter in April 2019. In August 2019, we acquired land in Conroe, Texas, to build an approximately 860,000 square foot shipcenter for approximately $56 million. We began operating the shipcenter in July 2020. In July 2020, we acquired land in Buckeye, Arizona, to build an approximately 860,000 square foot shipcenter for approximately $65 million. We began operating the shipcenter in August 2021. In March 2021, we acquired land in Indianapolis, Indiana, to build an approximately 1,030,000 square foot shipcenter for approximately $60 million. We began operating the shipcenter in June 2022. As a result of the significant expansion of our network of distribution facilities over the last several years, including the opening in the first half of fiscal 2022 of our Indianapolis, Indiana shipcenter, we ceased operations at our shipcenters in Olive Branch, Mississippi and Cincinnati, Ohio in the first half of fiscal 2022.

We continuously assess ways to maximize the productivity and efficiency of our existing facilities, infrastructure and systems. The timing and amount of investments in our facilities, infrastructure and systems could affect the comparability of our results of operations in future periods. The completion date and ultimate cost of future projects could differ significantly from initial expectations due to construction-related or other reasons.

We believe our business strategy will continue to offer significant opportunity, but it also presents risks and challenges. These risks and challenges include, but are not limited to, that we may not be able to effectively identify and respond to changing trends and customer preferences, that we may not be able to find desirable locations for new stores and that we may not be able to effectively manage our future growth. In addition, our financial results can be expected to be directly impacted by substantial increases in product costs due to commodity cost increases or general inflation which could lead to a reduction in our sales as well as greater margin pressure as costs may not be able to be passed on to consumers. To date, changes in commodity prices and general inflation have not materially impacted our business. In response to increasing commodity prices or general inflation, we seek to minimize the impact of such events by sourcing our merchandise from different vendors and changing our product mix. See Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” for a description of these and other important factors that could adversely impact us and our results of operations.

How We Assess the Performance of Our Business

In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a variety of performance and financial measures. These key measures include net sales, comparable sales, cost of goods sold and gross profit, selling, general and administrative expenses and operating income.

Net Sales

Net sales constitute gross sales net of merchandise returns for damaged or defective goods. Net sales consist of sales from comparable stores, non-comparable stores, and e-commerce, which includes shipping and handling revenue. Revenue from the sale of gift cards is deferred and not included in net sales until the gift cards are redeemed to purchase merchandise or as breakage revenue in proportion to the pattern of redemption of the gift cards by the customer.

Our business is seasonal and as a result, our net sales fluctuate from quarter to quarter. Net sales are usually highest in the fourth fiscal quarter due to the year-end holiday season.

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Comparable Sales

Comparable sales include net sales from stores that have been open for at least 15 full months from their opening date, and e-commerce sales. Comparable stores include the following:

•Stores that have been remodeled while remaining open;

•Stores that have been relocated within the same trade area, to a location that is not significantly different in size, in which the new store opens at about the same time as the old store closes; and

•Stores that have expanded, but are not significantly different in size, within their current locations.

For stores that are relocated or expanded, the following periods are excluded when calculating comparable sales:

•The period beginning when the closing store receives its last merchandise delivery from one of our shipcenters through:

▪the last day of the fiscal year in which the store was relocated or expanded (for stores that increased significantly in size); or

▪the last day of the fiscal month in which the store re-opens (for all other stores); and

•The period beginning on the first anniversary of the date the store received its last merchandise delivery from one of our shipcenters through the first anniversary of the date the store re-opened.

Comparable sales exclude the 53rd week of sales for 53-week fiscal years. In the 52-week fiscal year subsequent to a 53-week fiscal year, we exclude the sales in the non-comparable week from the same-store sales calculation. Due to the 53rd week in fiscal 2017, the period from January 29, 2017 to February 3, 2018, all comparable sales related to any reporting period during the year ended February 2, 2019 are reported on a restated calendar basis using the National Retail Federation's restated calendar comparing similar weeks.

There may be variations in the way in which some of our competitors and other retailers calculate comparable or “same store” sales. As a result, data in this Annual Report regarding our comparable sales may not be comparable to similar data made available by other retailers. Non-comparable sales are comprised of new store sales, sales for stores not open for a full 15 months, and sales from existing store relocation and expansion projects that were temporarily closed (or not receiving deliveries) and not included in comparable sales.

Measuring the change in fiscal year-over-year comparable sales allows us to evaluate how we are performing. Various factors affect comparable sales, including:

•consumer preferences, buying trends and overall economic trends;

•our ability to identify and respond effectively to customer preferences and trends;

•our ability to provide an assortment of high-quality, trend-right and everyday product offerings that generate new and repeat visits to our stores;

•the customer experience we provide in our stores and online;

•the level of traffic near our locations in the power, community and lifestyle centers in which we operate;

•competition;

•changes in our merchandise mix;

•pricing;

•our ability to source and distribute products efficiently;

•the timing of promotional events and holidays;

•the timing of introduction of new merchandise and customer acceptance of new merchandise;

•our opening of new stores in the vicinity of existing stores;

•the number of items purchased per store visit; and

•weather conditions; and

•the impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including closures of our stores, adverse impacts on our operations, and consumer sentiment regarding discretionary spending.

Opening new stores is an important part of our growth strategy. As we continue to pursue our growth strategy, we expect that a significant percentage of our net sales will continue to come from new stores not included in comparable sales. Accordingly, comparable sales is only one measure we use to assess the success of our growth strategy.

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Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

Gross profit is equal to our net sales less our cost of goods sold. Gross margin is gross profit as a percentage of our net sales. Cost of goods sold reflects the direct costs of purchased merchandise and inbound freight and tariffs, as well as shipping and handling costs, store occupancy, distribution and buying expenses. Shipping and handling costs include internal fulfillment and shipping costs related to our e-commerce operations. Store occupancy costs include rent, common area maintenance, utilities and property taxes for all store locations. Distribution costs include costs for receiving, processing, warehousing and shipping of merchandise from our shipcenters and between store locations. Buying costs include compensation expense and other costs for our internal buying organization, including our merchandising and product development team and our planning and allocation group. These costs are significant and can be expected to continue to increase as our Company grows.

The components of our cost of goods sold may not be comparable to the components of cost of goods sold or similar measures of our competitors and other retailers. As a result, data in this Annual Report regarding our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to similar data made available by our competitors and other retailers.

The variable component of our cost of goods sold is higher in higher volume quarters because the variable component of our cost of goods sold generally increases as net sales increase. We regularly analyze the components of gross profit as well as gross margin. Any inability to obtain acceptable levels of initial markups, a significant increase in our use of markdowns, and a significant increase in inventory shrinkage or inability to generate sufficient sales leverage on the store occupancy, distribution and buying components of cost of goods sold could have an adverse impact on our gross profit and results of operations. In addition, current global supply chain disruptions, the cost of freight and constraints on shipping capacity to transport inventory may have an adverse impact on our gross profit and results of operations, as well as our sales. Changes in the mix of our products may also impact our overall cost of goods sold.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative, or SG&A, expenses are composed of payroll and other compensation, marketing and advertising expense, depreciation and amortization expense and other selling and administrative expenses. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales are usually higher in lower sales volume quarters and lower in higher sales volume quarters.

The components of our SG&A expenses may not be comparable to those of other retailers. We expect that our SG&A expenses will increase in future periods due to our continuing store growth. In addition, any increase in future share-based grants or modifications will increase our share-based compensation expense included in SG&A expenses.

Operating Income

Operating income equals gross profit less SG&A expenses. Operating income excludes interest expense or income, other expense or income, and income tax expense or benefit. We use operating income as an indicator of the productivity of our business and our ability to manage SG&A expenses. Operating income percentage measures operating income as a percentage of our net sales.

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Results of Consolidated Operations

The following tables summarize key components of our results of consolidated operations for the periods indicated, both in dollars and as a percentage of our net sales. Refer to Item 7 "Results of Consolidated Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2022 for a comparison of fiscal years 2021 and 2020.

(1)Components may not add to total due to rounding.

(2)Only includes stores open before the beginning of the fiscal year.

Fiscal Year 2022 Compared to Fiscal Year 2021

Net Sales

Net sales increased to $3,076.3 million in fiscal year 2022 from $2,848.4 million in fiscal year 2021, an increase of $227.9 million, or 8.0%. The increase was the result of a non-comparable sales increase of $281.7 million, partially offset by a comparable sales decrease of $53.8 million. In fiscal year 2022, we opened 150 new stores compared to 170 net new stores in fiscal year 2021. The increase in non-comparable sales was primarily driven by new stores that opened in fiscal 2022 and the number of stores that opened in fiscal 2021 but have not been open for 15 full months.

Comparable sales decreased 2.0%. This decrease resulted from decreases of approximately 1.9% in the average dollar value of transactions and approximately 0.1% in the number of transactions.

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Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

Cost of goods sold increased to $1,980.8 million in fiscal year 2022 from $1,817.9 million in fiscal year 2021, an increase of $162.9 million, or 9.0%. The increase in cost of goods sold was primarily the result of an increase in the merchandise costs of goods resulting from an increase in net sales. Also contributing to the increase in cost of goods sold was an increase in store occupancy costs resulting from new store openings.

Gross profit increased to $1,095.5 million in fiscal year 2022 from $1,030.4 million in fiscal year 2021, an increase of $65.1 million, or 6.3%. Gross margin decreased to 35.6% in fiscal year 2022 from 36.2% in fiscal year 2021, a decrease of approximately 60 basis points. The decrease in gross margin was primarily the result of an increase as a percentage of net sales in store occupancy costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $750.4 million in fiscal year 2022 from $650.6 million in fiscal year 2021, an increase of $99.8 million, or 15.3%. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately 160 basis points to 24.4% in fiscal year 2022 compared to 22.8% in fiscal year 2021. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was the result of an increase of $80.7 million in store-related expenses to support new store growth and $19.1 million of corporate-related expenses.

Interest Income (Expense) and Other Income (Expense), net

Interest income and other, net increased to $2.5 million in fiscal year 2022 from interest expense and other, net of $13.2 million in fiscal year 2021, an increase of $15.7 million. The increase in interest income and other, net was primarily driven by an other than temporary impairment related to an equity method investment in fiscal year 2021.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense decreased to $86.0 million in fiscal year 2022 from $87.9 million in fiscal year 2021, a decrease of $1.9 million, or approximately 2.1%. This decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to a $19.2 million decrease in pre-tax net income, partially offset by discrete items, which includes the impact of ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting," with respect to the requirements to recognize excess income tax benefits or deficiencies as income tax benefit or expense in the consolidated statements of operations rather than as additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheets.

Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2022 was 24.7% compared to 24.0% in fiscal year 2021. The increase in our effective tax rate was primarily driven by discrete items, which includes the impact of ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting."

Net Income

As a result of the foregoing, net income decreased to $261.5 million in fiscal year 2022 from $278.8 million in fiscal year 2021, a decrease of approximately $17.3 million, or 6.2%.

Seasonality

Our business is seasonal in nature with the highest level of net sales and net income generated in the fourth fiscal quarter due to the year-end holiday season and, therefore, operating results for any fiscal quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year. To prepare for the holiday season, we must order and keep in stock more merchandise than we carry during other parts of the year. We expect inventory levels, along with an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses, generally to reach their highest levels in the third and fourth fiscal quarters in anticipation of the increased net sales during the year-end holiday season. As a result of this seasonality, and generally because of variation in consumer spending habits, we experience fluctuations in net sales, net income and working capital requirements during the year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

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Overview

Cash capital expenditures typically vary depending on the timing of new store openings and infrastructure-related investments. We plan to make cash capital expenditures of approximately $325 million in fiscal 2023, which exclude the impact of tenant allowances, and which we expect to fund from cash generated from operations, cash on-hand, investments and, as needed, borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. We expect to incur approximately $145 million of our cash capital expenditure budget in fiscal 2023 to construct and open 200 new stores, with the remainder projected to be spent on our store relocations and remodels, distribution facilities and our corporate infrastructure.

Our primary working capital requirements are for the purchase of store inventory and payment of payroll, rent, other store operating costs and distribution costs. Our working capital requirements fluctuate during the year, rising in the third and fourth fiscal quarters as we take title to increasing quantities of inventory in anticipation of our peak, year-end holiday shopping season in the fourth fiscal quarter. Fluctuations in working capital are also driven by the timing of new store openings.

Historically, we have funded our capital expenditures and working capital requirements during the fiscal year with cash on hand, net cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, as needed, and we expect that funding to continue. When we have used our Revolving Credit Facility, the amount of indebtedness outstanding under it has tended to be the highest in the beginning of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. To the extent that we have drawn on the facility, we have paid down the borrowings before the end of the fiscal year with cash generated during our peak selling season in the fourth quarter. As of January 28, 2023, we did not have any direct borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility and had approximately $192 million available on the line of credit.

On March 20, 2018, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to $100 million of our common stock through March 31, 2021, on the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. This program expired on March 31, 2021.

On March 9, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program for up to $100 million of our common stock through March 31, 2024. In fiscal 2021, we purchased 368,699 shares under this program at an aggregate cost of approximately $60.0 million, or an average price of $162.75 per share. In fiscal 2022, we purchased 247,132 shares at an aggregate costs of approximately $40.0 million, or an average price of $161.88 per share. We have exhausted repurchases under this program.

On June 14, 2022, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program for up to $100 million of our common stock through June 30, 2025. As of January 28, 2023, we have not made any repurchases under this program.

Since approval of the share repurchase program in March 2018, we have purchased approximately 1,100,000 shares for an aggregate cost of approximately $150 million. There can be no assurances that any additional repurchases will be completed, or as to the timing or amount of any repurchases. The share repurchase program may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Based on our growth plans, we believe that our cash position which includes our cash equivalents and short-term investments, net cash provided by operating activities and availability under our Revolving Credit Facility, which expires in September 2027, will be adequate to finance our planned capital expenditures, authorized share repurchases and working capital requirements over the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future thereafter. If cash flows from operations and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility are not sufficient or available to meet our requirements, then we will be required to obtain additional equity or debt financing in the future. There can be no assurance that equity or debt financing will be available to us when we need it or, if available, that the terms will be satisfactory to us and not dilutive to our then-current shareholders.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our business operations and results of operations, including our net sales, earnings and cash flows, were materially impacted in fiscal 2020 as a result of the temporary closures of our stores in the first half of 2020, and decreased customer traffic in stores, as the result of limitations on the number of persons permitted in stores at one time by certain local and state regulations. Our ability to operate improved beginning in the second half of fiscal 2020 and extending into fiscal 2021.

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Cash Flows

A summary of our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities is presented in the following table (in millions):

(1) Components may not add to total due to rounding.

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2022 was $314.9 million, a decrease of $13.0 million compared to fiscal 2021. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in income taxes paid.

Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2022 was $3.9 million, a decrease of $461.7 million compared to fiscal 2021. The decrease was primarily due an increase in net sales, maturities, and redemptions of investment securities and a decrease in capital expenditures.

Cash Used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for fiscal year 2022 was $43.6 million, a decrease of $22.5 million compared to fiscal 2021. The decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in the repurchase and retirement of common stock.

Line of Credit

On September 16, 2022, we entered into a Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (the "Second Amendment") which amended the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2020, as previously amended by that certain First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of January 27, 2021 (the "First Amendment"; the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as amended by the First Amendment and the Second Amendment, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Company, 1616 Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("1616 Holdings" and together with the Company, the "Loan Parties"), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent (the "Agent"), and other lenders party thereto (the "Lenders").

The Credit Agreement provides for a secured asset-based revolving line of credit in the amount of up to $225 million (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). Advances under the Revolving Credit Facility are tied to a borrowing base consisting of eligible credit card receivables and inventory, as reduced by certain reserves in effect from time to time. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, inventory appraisals and certain other diligence items are deferred, with reduced advance rates during the period that such appraisals have not been delivered. Pursuant to the Second Amendment, the Revolving Credit Facility expires on the earliest to occur of (i) September 16, 2027 or (ii) an event of default.

The Second Amendment also replaced the existing LIBOR rate provisions with SOFR rate provisions which converted then outstanding LIBOR loans into SOFR loans and additionally makes a number of other revisions to other provisions of the Credit Agreement. Giving effect to the Second Amendment, outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility would accrue interest at floating rates plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.12% to 1.50% for SOFR loans and 0.125% to 0.50% for base rate loans, and letter of credit fees range from 1.125% to 1.50%, in each case based on the average availability under the Revolving Credit Facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility may be increased up to $150.0 million, subject to certain conditions, including obtaining commitments from one or more Lenders (the "Accordion"). Pursuant to the First Amendment, we obtained commitments from the Lenders that would allow us at our election (subject only to satisfaction of certain customary conditions such as the absence of any Event of Default), to increase the amount of the Revolving Credit Facility by an aggregate principal amount up to $50 million within the Accordion (the "Committed Increase"). The entire amount of the Revolving Credit Facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit and allows for swingline loans.

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The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants that limit, absent lender approval, the ability of the Company and certain of its affiliates to, among other things, pay cash dividends, incur debt, create liens and encumbrances, redeem or repurchase stock, enter into certain acquisition transactions with affiliates, merge, dissolve, repay certain indebtedness, change the nature of our business, enter sale or leaseback transactions, make investments or dispose of assets. In some cases, these restrictions are subject to certain negotiated exceptions or permit us to undertake otherwise restricted activities if it satisfies certain conditions. In addition, we will be required to maintain availability of not less than (i) 12.5% of the lesser of (x) aggregate commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility and (y) the borrowing base (the "loan cap") during the period that inventory appraisals have not been delivered as described above and (ii) at all other times 10.0% of the loan cap.

If there exists an event of default or availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is less than 15% of the loan cap, amounts in any of the Loan Parties' or subsidiary guarantors' designated deposit accounts will be transferred daily into a blocked account held by the Agent and applied to reduce outstanding amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility (the "Cash Dominion Event"), so long as (i) such event of default has not been waived and/or (ii) until availability has exceeded 15% of the loan cap for sixty (60) consecutive calendar days (provided that such ability to discontinue the Cash Dominion Event shall be limited to two times during the term of the Credit Agreement).

The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default including, among other things, failure to pay obligations when due, initiation of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, defaults on certain other indebtedness, change of control, incurrence of certain material judgments that are not stayed, satisfied, bonded or discharged within 30 days, certain ERISA events, invalidity of the credit documents, and violation of affirmative and negative covenants or breach of representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement. Amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility may become due upon events of default (subject to any applicable grace or cure periods).

All obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by 1616 Holdings, and secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and 1616 Holdings. As of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, we were in compliance with the covenants applicable to us under the First Amendment and the Revolving Credit Facility.

As of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, we had approximately $192 million and $153 million, respectively, available in the Revolving Credit Facility.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and understanding of our consolidated results of operations. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations are discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results. Our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, require us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 1 in our annual consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Inventories

Inventories consist of finished goods purchased for resale, including freight and tariffs, and are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value, at the individual product level. Cost is determined on a weighted average cost method. The market value used in the lower of cost or market analysis is subject to the effects of consumer demands, customer preferences and the broader economy. The effects of the previously listed criteria are not controllable by management. Our management reviews inventory levels in order to identify obsolete and slow-moving merchandise as these factors can indicate a decline in the market value of inventory on hand. Inventory cost is reduced when the selling price less costs of disposal is below cost. We accrue an estimate for inventory shrink for the period between the last physical count and the balance sheet date. The shrink estimate can be affected by changes in merchandise mix and changes in actual shrink trends. These estimates are derived using available data and our historical experience. Our estimates may be impacted by changes in certain underlying assumptions and may not be indicative of future activity.

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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Assets are grouped and evaluated for impairment at the lowest level of which there are identifiable cash flows, which is generally at a store level. Assets are reviewed for impairment using factors including, but not limited to, our future operating plans and projected cash flows. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, then an impairment charge is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Fair value is based on discounted future cash flows of the asset using a discount rate commensurate with the risk. In the event of a store closure, we will record an impairment charge, if appropriate, or accelerate depreciation over the revised useful life of the asset. Based on the analysis performed, our management believes that there was no impairment of long-lived assets for each of the 2022, 2021 and 2020 fiscal years. The impairment loss analysis requires management to apply judgment and make estimates.

Leases

Leases are accounted for in accordance with the guidance in “Leases" (Topic 842). We are required to recognize an operating lease asset and an operating lease liability for all of our leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). The liability is equal to the present value of lease payments using an estimated incremental borrowing rate, on a collateralized basis over a similar term, that we would have incurred to borrow the funds necessary to purchase the leased asset. The asset is based on the liability, subject to certain adjustments, such as for initial direct costs. For income statement purposes, leases are required to be classified as either operating or finance leases. Operating leases result in straight-line expense while finance leases result in a front-loaded expense pattern.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset-and-liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.

We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when uncertainty regarding their realizability exists. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, our management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Our management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See "Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 "Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K, for a detailed description of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

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Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes, as of January 28, 2023, our minimum rental commitments under operating lease agreements including assumed extensions, minimum payments for long-term debt and other obligations in future periods:

(1)Our store leases generally have initial lease terms of 10 years and include renewal options on substantially the same terms and conditions as the original lease. Also included in operating leases are our leases for the corporate office, shipcenters and other.

(2)Purchase obligations are primarily for materials that will be used in the construction of new stores and purchase commitments for infrastructure and systems that will be used by the corporate office and shipcenters.

From January 29, 2023 to March 16, 2023, we committed to 26 new leases with terms of 10 years that have future minimum lease payments of approximately $50.4 million.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion together with “Selected Financial Data,” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The statements in this discussion regarding expectations of our future performance, liquidity and capital resources and other non-historical statements are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements.

We operate on a fiscal calendar widely used by the retail industry that results in a given fiscal year consisting of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31 of the following year. References to "fiscal year 2022" or "fiscal 2022" refer to the period from January 30, 2022 to January 28, 2023, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2021" or "fiscal 2021" refer to the period from January 31, 2021 to January 29, 2022, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2020" or "fiscal 2020" refer to the period from February 2, 2020 to January 30, 2021, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to "fiscal year 2019" or "fiscal 2019" refer to the period from February 3, 2019 to February 1, 2020, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to “fiscal year 2018” or “fiscal 2018” refer to the period from February 4, 2018 to February 2, 2019, which consists of a 52-week fiscal year. References to “fiscal year 2017” or “fiscal 2017” refer to the period from January 29, 2017 to February 3, 2018, which consists of a 53-week fiscal year. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period and results for any interim period may not necessarily be indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year.

Overview

Five Below, Inc. (collectively referred to herein with its wholly owned subsidiary as "we," "us," or "our") is a rapidly growing specialty value retailer offering a broad range of trend-right, high-quality merchandise targeted at the tween and teen customer. We offer a dynamic, edited assortment of exciting products, with most priced at $5 and below, including select brands and licensed merchandise across our category worlds. As of January 29, 2022, we operated 1,190 stores in 40 states. In addition, in fall 2019, we rolled out new pricing to our full chain, increasing prices on certain products over $5. Most of our products remain at $5 and below.

We also offer our merchandise on the internet, through our fivebelow.com e-commerce website. We launched our e-commerce operation as an additional channel to service our customers. During fiscal 2020, we entered into a partnership with an on demand third party delivery service to enable our customers to shop online and receive convenient same day delivery. All e-commerce sales, which includes shipping and handling revenue, are included in net sales and are included in comparable sales. Our e-commerce expenses will have components classified as both cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses.

We believe that our business model has resulted in strong financial performance when considered in light of the economic environment. Our comparable sales increased by 30.3% in fiscal 2021, and decreased by 5.5% in fiscal 2020 and increased by 0.6% in fiscal 2019. Between fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2021, our net sales increased from $1,846.7 million to $2,848.4 million, representing a compounded annual growth rate of 24.2%. Over the same period, our operating income increased from $217.3 million to $379.9 million, representing a compounded annual growth rate of 32.2%. In addition, we expanded our store base from 900 stores at the end of fiscal 2019 to 1,190 stores at the end of fiscal 2021 and we plan to open approximately 375 to 400 new stores over the next two fiscal years including approximately 160 new stores in fiscal 2022.

We expect to continue our strong growth in the future. By offering trend-right merchandise at a differentiated price points, our stores have been successful in varying geographic regions, population densities and real estate settings. As of January 29, 2022, we operated stores in 40 states throughout the United States. We are primarily located in power, community and lifestyle shopping centers across a variety of urban, suburban and semi-rural markets with trade areas including at least 100,000 people in the specified market. We continue to believe we have the opportunity to expand our store base in the United States from 1,190 locations as of January 29, 2022 to more than 3,500 locations over time. Our ability to open profitable new stores depends on many factors, including our ability to identify suitable markets and sites; negotiate leases with acceptable terms; achieve brand awareness in the new markets; efficiently source and distribute additional merchandise; and achieve sufficient levels of cash flow and financing to support our expansion.

We have a proven and highly profitable store model that has produced consistent financial results and returns, and our new stores have achieved average payback periods of less than one year. Our new store model assumes a store size of approximately 9,000 square feet that achieves annual sales of approximately $2.0 million in the first full year of operation. Our new store model also assumes an average new store investment of approximately $0.4 million. Our new store investment includes our store build-out (net of tenant allowances), inventory (net of payables) and cash pre-opening expenses.

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Our planned store expansion will place increased demands on our operational, managerial, administrative and other resources. Managing our growth effectively will require us to continue to maintain adequate distribution capacity, enhance our store management systems, financial and management controls, information systems and other operational system capabilities. In addition, we will be required to hire, train and retain store management and other qualified personnel. For further information, see Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors-Risk Relating to our Business and Industry.”

Over the past five years, we have invested a significant amount of capital in infrastructure and systems necessary to support our future growth and we expect to incur additional capital expenditures related to expansion of our infrastructure and systems in future periods. In fiscal 2015, we invested in a new ERP and began the multi-year implementation of the ERP, which is designed to enhance functionality and provide timely information to the Company's management team related to the operation of the business. In fiscal 2020, we invested in a new Retail Merchandising System and began the multi-year implementation of the Retail Merchandising System, which is designed to manage, control, and perform seamless execution of day-to-day merchandising activities, including purchasing, distribution, order fulfillment, and financial close. In fiscal 2015, we opened a distribution center in Pedricktown, New Jersey. We occupy approximately 1,000,000 square feet at this distribution center, having expanded from 800,000 square feet in September 2018. In fiscal 2016, we signed a 15-year lease for a new corporate headquarters location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We currently occupy approximately 190,000 square feet of office space with multiple options to expand in the future. In March 2019, we completed the purchase of an approximately 700,000 square foot distribution center in Forsyth, Georgia. We began operating the distribution center in April 2019. In August 2019, we acquired land in Conroe, Texas, to build an approximately 860,000 square foot distribution center for approximately $56 million. We began operating the distribution center in July 2020. In July 2020, we acquired land in Buckeye, Arizona, to build an approximately 860,000 square foot distribution center for approximately $65 million. We began operating the distribution center in August 2021. In March 2021, we acquired land in Indianapolis, Indiana, to build an approximately 1,030,000 square foot distribution center for approximately $61 million. We expect to occupy the distribution center in fiscal 2022. As a result of the significant expansion of our network of distribution facilities over the last several years, including the planned opening in the first half of fiscal 2022 of our Indianapolis, Indiana distribution center, we expect to cease operations at our distribution centers in Olive Branch, Mississippi and Cincinnati, Ohio in the first half of fiscal 2022, and expect the costs incurred to be immaterial to our consolidated statements of operations.

We continuously assess ways to maximize the productivity and efficiency of our existing facilities, infrastructure and systems. The timing and amount of investments in our facilities, infrastructure and systems could affect the comparability of our results of operations in future periods. The completion date and ultimate cost of future projects could differ significantly from initial expectations due to construction-related or other reasons.

We believe our business strategy will continue to offer significant opportunity, but it also presents risks and challenges. These risks and challenges include, but are not limited to, that we may not be able to effectively identify and respond to changing trends and customer preferences, that we may not be able to find desirable locations for new stores and that we may not be able to effectively manage our future growth. In addition, our financial results can be expected to be directly impacted by substantial increases in product costs due to commodity cost increases or general inflation which could lead to a reduction in our sales as well as greater margin pressure as costs may not be able to be passed on to consumers. To date, changes in commodity prices and general inflation have not materially impacted our business. In response to increasing commodity prices or general inflation, we seek to minimize the impact of such events by sourcing our merchandise from different vendors and changing our product mix. See Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” for a description of these and other important factors that could adversely impact us and our results of operations.

How We Assess the Performance of Our Business

In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a variety of performance and financial measures. These key measures include net sales, comparable sales, cost of goods sold and gross profit, selling, general and administrative expenses and operating income.

Net Sales

Net sales constitute gross sales net of merchandise returns for damaged or defective goods. Net sales consist of sales from comparable stores, non-comparable stores, and e-commerce, which includes shipping and handling revenue. Revenue from the sale of gift cards is deferred and not included in net sales until the gift cards are redeemed to purchase merchandise or as breakage revenue in proportion to the pattern of redemption of the gift cards by the customer.

Our business is seasonal and as a result, our net sales fluctuate from quarter to quarter. Net sales are usually highest in the fourth fiscal quarter due to the year-end holiday season.

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Comparable Sales

Comparable sales include net sales from stores that have been open for at least 15 full months from their opening date, and e-commerce sales. Comparable stores include the following:

•Stores that have been remodeled while remaining open;

•Stores that have been relocated within the same trade area, to a location that is not significantly different in size, in which the new store opens at about the same time as the old store closes; and

•Stores that have expanded, but are not significantly different in size, within their current locations.

For stores that are relocated or expanded, the following periods are excluded when calculating comparable sales:

•The period beginning when the closing store receives its last merchandise delivery from one of our distribution centers through:

▪the last day of the fiscal year in which the store was relocated or expanded (for stores that increased significantly in size); or

▪the last day of the fiscal month in which the store re-opens (for all other stores); and

•The period beginning on the first anniversary of the date the store received its last merchandise delivery from one of our distribution centers through the first anniversary of the date the store re-opened.

Comparable sales exclude the 53rd week of sales for 53-week fiscal years. In the 52-week fiscal year subsequent to a 53-week fiscal year, we exclude the sales in the non-comparable week from the same-store sales calculation. Due to the 53rd week in fiscal 2017, all comparable sales related to any reporting period during the year ended February 2, 2019 are reported on a restated calendar basis using the National Retail Federation's restated calendar comparing similar weeks.

There may be variations in the way in which some of our competitors and other retailers calculate comparable or “same store” sales. As a result, data in this Annual Report regarding our comparable sales may not be comparable to similar data made available by other retailers. Non-comparable sales are comprised of new store sales, sales for stores not open for a full 15 months, and sales from existing store relocation and expansion projects that were temporarily closed (or not receiving deliveries) and not included in comparable sales.

Measuring the change in fiscal year-over-year comparable sales allows us to evaluate how we are performing. Various factors affect comparable sales, including:

•consumer preferences, buying trends and overall economic trends;

•our ability to identify and respond effectively to customer preferences and trends;

•our ability to provide an assortment of high-quality, trend-right and everyday product offerings that generate new and repeat visits to our stores;

•the customer experience we provide in our stores and online;

•the level of traffic near our locations in the power, community and lifestyle centers in which we operate;

•competition;

•changes in our merchandise mix;

•pricing;

•our ability to source and distribute products efficiently;

•the timing of promotional events and holidays;

•the timing of introduction of new merchandise and customer acceptance of new merchandise;

•our opening of new stores in the vicinity of existing stores;

•the number of items purchased per store visit; and

•weather conditions; and

•the impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including closures of our stores, adverse impacts on our operations, and consumer sentiment regarding discretionary spending.

Opening new stores is an important part of our growth strategy. As we continue to pursue our growth strategy, we expect that a significant percentage of our net sales will continue to come from new stores not included in comparable sales. Accordingly, comparable sales is only one measure we use to assess the success of our growth strategy.

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Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

Gross profit is equal to our net sales less our cost of goods sold. Gross margin is gross profit as a percentage of our net sales. Cost of goods sold reflects the direct costs of purchased merchandise and inbound freight and tariffs, as well as shipping and handling costs, store occupancy, distribution and buying expenses. Shipping and handling costs include internal fulfillment and shipping costs related to our e-commerce operations. Store occupancy costs include rent, common area maintenance, utilities and property taxes for all store locations. Distribution costs include costs for receiving, processing, warehousing and shipping of merchandise to or from our distribution centers and between store locations. Buying costs include compensation expense and other costs for our internal buying organization, including our merchandising and product development team and our planning and allocation group. These costs are significant and can be expected to continue to increase as our Company grows.

The components of our cost of goods sold may not be comparable to the components of cost of goods sold or similar measures of our competitors and other retailers. As a result, data in this Annual Report regarding our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to similar data made available by our competitors and other retailers.

The variable component of our cost of goods sold is higher in higher volume quarters because the variable component of our cost of goods sold generally increases as net sales increase. We regularly analyze the components of gross profit as well as gross margin. Any inability to obtain acceptable levels of initial markups, a significant increase in our use of markdowns, and a significant increase in inventory shrinkage or inability to generate sufficient sales leverage on the store occupancy, distribution and buying components of cost of goods sold could have an adverse impact on our gross profit and results of operations. In addition, current global supply chain disruptions, the cost of freight and constraints on shipping capacity to transport inventory may have an adverse impact on our gross profit and results of operations, as well as our sales. Changes in the mix of our products may also impact our overall cost of goods sold.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative, or SG&A, expenses are composed of payroll and other compensation, marketing and advertising expense, depreciation and amortization expense and other selling and administrative expenses. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales are usually higher in lower sales volume quarters and lower in higher sales volume quarters.

The components of our SG&A expenses may not be comparable to those of other retailers. We expect that our SG&A expenses will increase in future periods due to our continuing store growth. In addition, any increase in future share-based grants or modifications will increase our share-based compensation expense included in SG&A expenses.

Operating Income

Operating income equals gross profit less SG&A expenses. Operating income excludes interest expense or income, other expense or income, and income tax expense or benefit. We use operating income as an indicator of the productivity of our business and our ability to manage SG&A expenses. Operating income percentage measures operating income as a percentage of our net sales.

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Results of Consolidated Operations

The following tables summarize key components of our results of consolidated operations for the periods indicated, both in dollars and as a percentage of our net sales. Refer to Item 7 "Results of Consolidated Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2021 for a comparison of fiscal years 2020 and 2019.

(1)Components may not add to total due to rounding.

(2)Only includes stores open before the beginning of the fiscal year.

Fiscal Year 2021 Compared to Fiscal Year 2020

Net Sales

Net sales increased to $2,848.4 million in fiscal year 2021 from $1,962.1 million in fiscal year 2020, an increase of $886.3 million, or 45.2%. The increase was the result of a comparable sales increase of $566.6 million and a non-comparable sales increase of $319.7 million. In fiscal year 2021, we opened 170 net new stores compared to 120 net new stores in fiscal year 2020. The increase in non-comparable sales was primarily driven by new stores that opened in fiscal 2021 and the number of stores that opened in fiscal 2020 but have not been open for 15 full months.

Comparable sales increased 30.3%. The increase was primarily the result of the impact of COVID-19 during fiscal year 2020 as we temporarily closed all of our stores as of March 20, 2020, began reopening our stores at the end of April 2020, and had reopened substantially all of our stores by the end of June 2020.

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Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

Cost of goods sold increased to $1,817.9 million in fiscal year 2021 from $1,309.8 million in fiscal year 2020, an increase of $508.1 million, or 38.8%. The increase in cost of goods sold was primarily the result of an increase in the merchandise costs of goods resulting from an increase in net sales and due to the impact of COVID-19 in fiscal 2020.

Gross profit increased to $1,030.4 million in fiscal year 2021 from $652.3 million in fiscal year 2020, an increase of $378.1 million, or 58.0%. Gross margin increased to 36.2% in fiscal year 2021 from 33.2% in fiscal year 2020, an increase of approximately 300 basis points. The increase in gross margin was primarily the result of a decrease as a percentage of net sales in store occupancy costs due to the impact of COVID-19 in fiscal year 2020 as we temporarily closed all of our stores while still incurring rent expense.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $650.6 million in fiscal year 2021 from $497.5 million in fiscal year 2020, an increase of $153.1 million, or 30.8%. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased approximately 260 basis points to 22.8% in fiscal year 2021 compared to 25.4% in fiscal year 2020. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was the result of an increase of $107.0 million in store-related expenses to support new store growth and due to the impact of COVID-19 during fiscal year 2020, which included the temporary closure of all of our stores, furloughing of employees, and other non-payroll expense reductions. This increase was also driven by an increase of $46.1 million of corporate-related expenses, which included both the benefit related to the CARES Act and the reversal of certain compensation related accruals in fiscal year 2020.

Interest (Expense) Income and Other (Expense) Income, net

Interest expense and other, net increased to $13.2 million in fiscal year 2021 from $1.7 million in fiscal year 2020, an increase of $11.5 million. The increase in interest expense and other, net was primarily driven by an other than temporary impairment related to an equity method investment.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense increased to $87.9 million in fiscal year 2021 from $29.7 million in fiscal year 2020, an increase of $58.2 million, or approximately 195.9%. This increase in income tax expense was primarily due to a $213.6 million increase in pre-tax net income and discrete items, which includes the impact of the CARES Act in fiscal year 2020 and the impact of ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting," with respect to the requirements to recognize excess income tax benefits or deficiencies as income tax benefit or expense in the consolidated statements of operations rather than as additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheets.

Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2021 was 24.0% compared to 19.4% in fiscal year 2020. The increase in our effective tax rate was primarily driven by discrete items, which includes the impact of ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" and the impact of the CARES Act in fiscal year 2020.

Net Income

As a result of the foregoing, net income increased to $278.8 million in fiscal year 2021 from $123.4 million in fiscal year 2020, an increase of approximately $155.4 million, or 126.0%.

Seasonality

Our business is seasonal in nature with the highest level of net sales and net income generated in the fourth fiscal quarter due to the year-end holiday season and, therefore, operating results for any fiscal quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year. To prepare for the holiday season, we must order and keep in stock more merchandise than we carry during other parts of the year. We expect inventory levels, along with an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses, generally to reach their highest levels in the third and fourth fiscal quarters in anticipation of the increased net sales during the year-end holiday season. As a result of this seasonality, and generally because of variation in consumer spending habits, we experience fluctuations in net sales, net income and working capital requirements during the year.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Cash capital expenditures typically vary depending on the timing of new store openings and infrastructure-related investments. We plan to make cash capital expenditures of approximately $220 million in fiscal 2022, which exclude the impact of tenant allowances, and which we expect to fund from cash generated from operations, cash on-hand, investments and, as needed, borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. We expect to incur approximately $85 million of our cash capital expenditure budget in fiscal 2022 to construct and open approximately 160 new stores of the planned 375 to 400 new stores over the next two fiscal years, with the remainder projected to be spent on our store relocations and remodels, distribution facilities and our corporate infrastructure.

Our primary working capital requirements are for the purchase of store inventory and payment of payroll, rent, other store operating costs and distribution costs. Our working capital requirements fluctuate during the year, rising in the third and fourth fiscal quarters as we take title to increasing quantities of inventory in anticipation of our peak, year-end holiday shopping season in the fourth fiscal quarter. Fluctuations in working capital are also driven by the timing of new store openings.

Historically, we have funded our capital expenditures and working capital requirements during the fiscal year with cash on hand, net cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, as needed, and we expect that funding to continue. When we have used our Revolving Credit Facility, the amount of indebtedness outstanding under it has tended to be the highest in the beginning of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. To the extent that we have drawn on the facility, we have paid down the borrowings before the end of the fiscal year with cash generated during our peak selling season in the fourth quarter. Although it is not possible to reliably estimate the duration or severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting financial impact on our results of operations, financial position and liquidity, we have the ability to draw down on our Revolving Credit Facility if and as needed. As of January 29, 2022, we did not have any direct borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility and had approximately $153 million available on the line of credit.

On March 20, 2018, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to $100 million of our common stock through March 31, 2021, on the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. On March 9, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program for up to $100 million of our common stock through March 31, 2024. In fiscal 2018, we purchased 21,810 shares under this program at an aggregate cost of approximately $2.0 million, or an average price of $91.07 per share. In fiscal 2019, we purchased 337,552 shares under this program at an aggregate cost of approximately $36.9 million, or an average price of $109.27 per share. In fiscal 2020, we purchased 137,023 shares under this program at an aggregate cost of approximately $12.7 million, or an average price of $92.42 per share. In fiscal 2021, we purchased 368,699 shares under this program at an aggregate cost of approximately $60.0 million, or an average price of $162.75 per share. Since March 2018, we have purchased approximately 865,000 shares for an aggregate cost of approximately $112 million. There can be no assurances that any additional repurchases will be completed, or as to the timing or amount of any repurchases. The share repurchase program may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Based on our growth plans, we believe that our cash position which includes our cash equivalents and short-term investments, net cash provided by operating activities and availability under our Revolving Credit Facility will be adequate to finance our planned capital expenditures, authorized share repurchases and working capital requirements over the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future thereafter. If cash flows from operations and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility are not sufficient or available to meet our requirements, then we will be required to obtain additional equity or debt financing in the future. There can be no assurance that equity or debt financing will be available to us when we need it or, if available, that the terms will be satisfactory to us and not dilutive to our then-current shareholders.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our business operations and results of operations, including our net sales, earnings and cash flows, were materially impacted in fiscal 2020 as a result of the temporary closures of our stores in the first half of 2020, and decreased customer traffic in stores, as the result of limitations on the number of persons permitted in stores at one time by certain local and state regulations. The Company's ability to operate improved beginning in the second half of fiscal 2020 and extending into fiscal 2021.

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Cash Flows

A summary of our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities is presented in the following table (in millions):

(1) Components may not add to total due to rounding.

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2021 was $327.9 million, a decrease of $38.1 million compared to fiscal 2020. The decrease was primarily due to changes in working capital and an increase in income taxes paid, partially offset by an increase in operating cash flows from store performance due to the impact of COVID-19 as we temporarily closed all of our stores in March 2020 and had reopened substantially all of our stores as of the end of June 2020. During fiscal 2021, we added 170 net new stores.

Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2021 was $465.6 million, an increase of $178.7 million compared to fiscal 2020. The increase was primarily due to increases in net purchases of investment securities and other investments and capital expenditures. The increase in capital expenditures was primarily for our distribution centers, new store construction and corporate infrastructure.

Cash Used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for fiscal year 2021 was $66.1 million, an increase of $53.3 million compared to fiscal 2020. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in the repurchase and retirement of common stock.

Line of Credit

On January 27, 2021, we entered into a First Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”) which amended the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended by the Fifth Amendment, the "Credit Agreement") dated April 24, 2020 among the Company, 1616 Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("1616 Holdings" and together with the Company, the "Loan Parties"), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent (the "Agent"), and other lenders party thereto (the "Lenders").

The Credit Agreement provides for a secured asset-based revolving line of credit in the amount of up to $225 million (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). Advances under the Revolving Credit Facility are tied to a borrow base consisting of eligible credit card receivables and inventory, as reduced by certain reserves in effect from time to time. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, inventory appraisals and certain other diligence items are deferred, with reduced advance rates during the period that such appraisals have not been delivered. The Revolving Credit Facility expires on the earliest to occur of (i) April 24, 2023 or (ii) an event of default.

The Revolving Credit Facility may be increased up to $150.0 million, subject to certain conditions, including obtaining commitments from one or more Lenders (the "Accordion"). Pursuant to the First Amendment, we obtained commitments from the Lenders that would allow us at our election (subject only to satisfaction of certain customary conditions such as the absence of any Event of Default), to increase the amount of the Revolving Credit Facility by an aggregate principal amount up to $50 million within the Accordion (the "Committed Increase"). The entire amount of the Revolving Credit Facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit and allows for swingline loans.

The Credit Agreement provides that the interest rate payable on borrowings shall be, at our option, a per annum rate equal to (a) a base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75%, or (b) a LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75%. Letter of credit fees range from 1.25% to 1.75%. The interest rate and letter of credit fees under the Credit Agreement are subject to an increase of 2.00% per annum upon an event of default.

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The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants that limits, absent lender approval, the ability of the Company and certain of its affiliates to, among other things, pay cash dividends, incur debt, create liens and encumbrances, redeem or repurchase stock, enter into certain acquisition transactions with affiliates, merge, dissolve, repay certain indebtedness, change the nature of our business, enter sale or leaseback transactions, make investments or dispose of assets. In some cases, these restrictions are subject to certain negotiated exceptions or permit us to undertake otherwise restricted activities if it satisfies certain conditions. In addition, we will be required to maintain availability of not less than (i) 12.5% of the lesser of (x) aggregate commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility and (y) the borrowing base (the "loan cap") during the period that inventory appraisals have not been delivered as described above and (ii) at all other times 10.0% of the loan cap.

If there exists an event of default or availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is less than 15% of the loan cap, amounts in any of the Loan Parties' or subsidiary guarantors' designated deposit accounts will be transferred daily into a blocked account held by the Agent and applied to reduce outstanding amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility (the "Cash Dominion Event"), so long as (i) such event of default has not been waived and/or (ii) until availability has exceeded 15% of the loan cap for sixty (60) consecutive calendar days (provided that such ability to discontinue the Cash Dominion Event shall be limited to two times during the term of the Credit Agreement).

The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default including, among other things, failure to pay obligations when due, initiation of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, defaults on certain other indebtedness, change of control, incurrence of certain material judgments that are not stayed, satisfied, bonded or discharged within 30 days, certain ERISA events, invalidity of the credit documents, and violation of affirmative and negative covenants or breach of representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement. Amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility may become due upon events of default (subject to any applicable grace or cure periods).

All obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by 1616 Holdings, and secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and 1616 Holdings. As of January 29, 2022 and January 30, 2021, we were in compliance with the covenants applicable to us under the First Amendment and the Revolving Credit Facility.

As of January 29, 2022 and January 30, 2021, we had approximately $153 million and $191 million, respectively, available in the Revolving Credit Facility.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and understanding of our consolidated results of operations. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations are discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results. Our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, require us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 1 in our annual consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Inventories

Inventories consist of finished goods purchased for resale, including freight and tariffs, and are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value, at the individual product level. Cost is determined on a weighted average cost method. The market value used in the lower of cost or market analysis is subject to the effects of consumer demands, customer preferences and the broader economy. The effects of the previously listed criteria are not controllable by management. Our management reviews inventory levels in order to identify obsolete and slow-moving merchandise as these factors can indicate a decline in the market value of inventory on hand. Inventory cost is reduced when the selling price less costs of disposal is below cost. We accrue an estimate for inventory shrink for the period between the last physical count and the balance sheet date. The shrink estimate can be affected by changes in merchandise mix and changes in actual shrink trends. These estimates are derived using available data and our historical experience. Our estimates may be impacted by changes in certain underlying assumptions and may not be indicative of future activity.

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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Assets are grouped and evaluated for impairment at the lowest level of which there are identifiable cash flows, which is generally at a store level. Assets are reviewed for impairment using factors including, but not limited to, our future operating plans and projected cash flows. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, then an impairment charge is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Fair value is based on discounted future cash flows of the asset using a discount rate commensurate with the risk. In the event of a store closure, we will record an impairment charge, if appropriate, or accelerate depreciation over the revised useful life of the asset. Based on the analysis performed, our management believes that there was no impairment of long-lived assets for each of the 2021, 2020 and 2019 fiscal years. The impairment loss analysis requires management to apply judgment and make estimates.

Leases

Leases are accounted for in accordance with the guidance in “Leases" (Topic 842). We are required to recognize an operating lease asset and an operating lease liability for all of our leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). The liability is equal to the present value of lease payments using an estimated incremental borrowing rate, on a collateralized basis over a similar term, that we would have incurred to borrow the funds necessary to purchase the leased asset. The asset is based on the liability, subject to certain adjustments, such as for initial direct costs. For income statement purposes, leases are required to be classified as either operating or finance leases. Operating leases result in straight-line expense while finance leases result in a front-loaded expense pattern.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset-and-liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.

We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when uncertainty regarding their realizability exists. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, our management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Our management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See "Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 "Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K, for a detailed description of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes, as of January 29, 2022, our minimum rental commitments under operating lease agreements including assumed extensions, minimum payments for long-term debt and other obligations in future periods:

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(1)Our store leases generally have initial lease terms of 10 years and include renewal options on substantially the same terms and conditions as the original lease. Also included in operating leases are our leases for the corporate office, distribution centers and other.

(2)Purchase obligations are primarily for materials that will be used in the construction of new stores and purchase commitments for infrastructure and systems that will be used by the corporate office and distribution centers.

From January 30, 2022 to March 30, 2022, we committed to 28 new leases with terms of 10 years that have future minimum lease payments of approximately $62.1 million.