INTERPARFUMS INC (IPAR) Risk Factors

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

You should carefully consider these material risk factors before you decide to purchase or sell shares of our common stock. These factors could cause our future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements made by us. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

We are dependent upon the continuation and renewal of various licenses and other agreements for a significant portion of our sales, and the loss of one or more licenses or agreements could have a material adverse effect on us.

All of our rights relating to prestige fragrance brands, other than Off-White, Lanvin, Goutal and Rochas, are derived from licenses or other agreements from unaffiliated third parties, and our business is dependent upon the continuation and renewal of such licenses and other agreements on terms favorable to us. Each license or agreement is for a specific term and may have additional optional terms. Generally, each license is subject to us making required royalty payments (which are subject to certain minimums), minimum advertising and promotional expenditures and meeting minimum sales requirements. Other agreements are generally subject to meeting minimum sales requirements. Just as the loss of a license or other significant agreement may have a material adverse effect on us, a renewal on less favorable terms may also negatively impact us.

If we are unable to acquire or license additional brands or obtain the required financing for these agreements and arrangements, then the growth of our business could be impaired.

Our future expansion through acquisitions or new product license or distribution arrangements, if any, will depend upon the capital resources and working capital available to us. Further, we may be unable to obtain financing or credit that we may require for additional licenses, acquisitions or other transactions. We may be unsuccessful in identifying, negotiating, financing and consummating such acquisitions or arrangements on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which could hinder our ability to increase revenues and build our business. Just as the loss of a license or other significant agreement may have a material adverse effect on us, our failure to acquire rights to new brands may also negatively impact us.

We may engage in future acquisitions that we may not be able to successfully integrate or manage. These acquisitions may dilute our stockholders and cause us to incur debt and assume contingent liabilities.

We continuously review acquisition prospects that would complement our current product offerings, increase our size and geographic scope of operations or otherwise offer growth and operating efficiency opportunities. The financing, if available, for any of these acquisitions could significantly dilute our stockholders and/or result in an increase in our indebtedness. We may acquire or make investments in businesses or products in the future, and such acquisitions may entail numerous integration risks and impose costs on us, including:

Our failure to successfully complete the integration of any acquired business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

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Joint arrangements or strategic alliances in geographic markets in which we have limited, or no prior experience may expose us to additional risks.

We review, and from time to time may establish arrangements and strategic alliances that we believe would complement our current product offerings, increase the size and geographic scope of our operations or otherwise offer growth and operating efficiency opportunities. These business relationships may require us to rely on the local expertise of our partners with respect to market development, sales, local regulatory compliance and other matters. Further, there may be challenges with ensuring that such arrangements or strategic alliances implement the appropriate internal controls to ensure compliance with the various laws and regulations applicable to us as a U.S. public company. Accordingly, in addition to commercial and operational risk, these arrangements and strategic alliances may entail risks such as reputational risk and regulatory compliance risk. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will be able to identify suitable alliances or candidates, that we will be able to consummate any such alliances or arrangements on favorable terms, or that we will realize the anticipated benefits of entering into any such alliances or arrangements.

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, specifically trademarks and brand names, our ability to compete could be negatively impacted.

The market for our products depends to a significant extent upon the value associated with trademarks and brand names that we license, use or own. We have licenses or other rights to use or own the material trademark and brand name rights in connection with the packaging, marketing and distribution of our major products both in the United States and in other countries where such products are principally sold. Therefore, trademark and brand name protection are important to our business. Although most of the brand names we license, use or own are registered in the United States and in certain foreign countries in which we operate, we may not be successful in asserting trademark or brand name protection. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. The costs required to protect our trademarks and brand names may be substantial.

If our intangible assets, such as trademarks and licenses, become impaired, we may be required to record a significant non-cash charge to earnings which would negatively impact our results of operations.

Under United States generally accepted accounting principles, we review our intangible assets, including our trademarks and licenses, for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of our intangible assets may not be fully recoverable. The carrying value of our intangible assets may not be recoverable due to factors such as reduced estimates of future cash flows, including those associated with the specific brands to which intangibles relate, or slower growth rates in our industry. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a long-term financial outlook of our operations and the specific brands to which the intangible assets relate. However, actual performance in the near-term or long-term could be materially different from these forecasts, which could impact future estimates and the recorded value of the intangibles. Any significant impairment to our intangible assets would result in a significant charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which the impairment is determined to exist.

The illegal distribution and sale by third parties of counterfeit versions of the Company’s products or the unauthorized diversion by third parties of the Company’s products could have an adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and a negative impact on the Company’s reputation and business.

Third parties may illegally distribute and sell counterfeit versions of the Company’s products. These counterfeit products may be inferior in terms of quality and other characteristics compared to the Company’s authentic products and/or the counterfeit products could pose safety risks that the Company’s authentic products would not otherwise present to consumers. Consumers could confuse counterfeit products with the Company’s authentic products, which could damage or diminish the image, reputation and/or value of the Company’s brands and cause consumers to refrain from purchasing the Company’s products in the future. In addition, the sale of the Company’s prestige products through non-authorized “grey market” channels could damage or diminish the image, reputation and/or value of the Company’s brands and could adversely affect the Company’s revenues and have a negative impact on the Company’s reputation.

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Our success depends on our ability to operate our business without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the trademarks, patents, copyrights and proprietary rights of other parties.

Our commercial success depends at least in part on our ability to operate without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the trademarks, patents, copyrights and other proprietary rights of others. However, we cannot be certain that the conduct of our business does not and will not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate such rights. Many companies have employed intellectual property litigation as a way to gain a competitive advantage, and to the extent we gain greater visibility and market exposure, we may also face a greater risk of being the subject of such litigation. For these and other reasons, third parties may allege that our products, services or activities infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate their trademark, patent, copyright or other proprietary rights. Defending against allegations and litigation could be expensive, take significant time, divert management’s attention from other business concerns, and delay getting our products to market. In addition, if we are found to be infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating third party trademark, patent, copyright or other proprietary rights, we may need to obtain a license, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or redesign or rebrand our products, which may not be possible. We may also be required to pay substantial damages or be subject to a court order prohibiting us and our customers from selling certain products or engaging in certain activities. Our inability to operate our business without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the trademarks, patents, copyrights and proprietary rights of others could therefore have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Although we weathered the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects to date, if this pandemic reemerges or another pandemic emerges, any pandemic may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

The public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, its variants and the measures being taken by governments and businesses, including us, our suppliers, our distributors, retailers and the public, to limit COVID-19’s spread, previously had certain negative impacts on our business. Any reemergence of COVID-19, or a new pandemic, could have certain negative impacts on our business, including but not limited to, the following:

The extent and potential short and long-term impact of a reemergence of COVID-19 variants or any other pandemic on the Company’s operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, our customers’ willingness to travel and purchase our products, and the impact on our supply chain and the financial markets, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.

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Consumers may reduce discretionary purchases of our products as a result of a general economic downturn.

We believe that a high degree of global economic uncertainty could have a further negative effect on consumer confidence, demand and spending. In addition, we believe that consumer spending on beauty products is influenced by general economic conditions and the availability of discretionary income. Accordingly, we may experience sustained periods of declines in sales during periods of economic downturn as it may affect consumer purchasing patterns. In addition, a further general economic downturn may result in further reduced traffic in our customers’ stores which may, in turn, result in reduced net sales to our retail store customers. Any further material reduction in our sales could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

We are subject to risks related to our foreign operations, and a disruption in our operations or supply chain could adversely affect our business and financial results.

We operate on a global basis, with a substantial portion of our net sales and net income generated outside the United States, and we anticipate for the foreseeable future that a substantial portion of our net sales and net income will be generated outside the United States. A substantial portion of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments that result from these earnings remain outside the United States. As a company engaged in manufacturing and distribution on a global scale, we are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including:

These risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Associated with Changes in International Trade Policies, Tariffs and Cross-Border Operations

The US government has indicated its intent to adopt a new approach to trade policy and in some cases to renegotiate, or potentially terminate, certain existing bilateral or multi-lateral trade agreements. It has initiated or is considering the imposition of tariffs on certain foreign goods, including fragrances and fragrance related products. Changes in US trade policy could result in one or more of US trading partners adopting responsive trade policies making it more difficult or costly for us to export our products to those countries. As an example, on February 1, 2025, the U.S. government announced a 25% tariff on product imports from certain countries, including Mexico and Canada, and 10% tariffs on product imports from certain countries, including China. However, a recent Supreme Court decision determined that the previously announced tariffs were not validly authorized, and a new global 15% tariff was instituted. Our business operations, financial condition, and results of operations could be significantly affected by these measures and the potential expansion of existing tariffs or implementation of new tariffs, trade restrictions, or retaliatory measures by China, Mexico, or Canada that could disrupt our established supply chain, increase costs of goods sold into the United States and this in turn could require us to increase prices to our customers which may reduce demand, or, if we are unable to increase prices, result in lowering our margin on products sold.

We cannot predict future trade policy or the terms of any renegotiated trade agreements and their impact on our business. The adoption and expansion of trade restrictions, the occurrence of a trade war, or other governmental action related to tariffs or trade agreements or policies has the potential to adversely impact demand for our products, our costs, our customers, our suppliers, and the US economy, which in turn could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Terrorist attacks, acts of war or military actions, other civil unrest or natural disasters may adversely affect territories in which we operate, and therefore affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

Terrorist attacks such as those that have previously occurred in Paris, France where we have our European headquarters, among other locations, and attempted terrorist attacks, military responses to terrorist attacks, other military actions, or governmental action in response to or in anticipation of a terrorist attack, or civil unrest as occurring in the Middle East and Africa or natural disasters, such as the recent wild fires in southern California,  may adversely affect prevailing economic conditions. These events could result in work stoppages, reduced consumer spending or reduced demand for our products. These developments subject our worldwide operations to increased risks and, depending on their magnitude, could reduce net sales and therefore could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

The loss of or disruption in our distribution facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

We currently have several distribution facilities in Europe, China and the United States. The loss of any of those facilities, as well as the inventory stored in those facilities, would require us to find replacement facilities and assets. In addition, terrorist attacks or acts of God, such as extreme weather conditions, natural disasters and the like, could disrupt our distribution operations. If we cannot replace our distribution capacity and inventory in a timely, cost-efficient manner, then such failure could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Changes in foreign tax provisions, the adoption of new tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities could affect our profitability and cash flows.

In addition to being subject to taxation in the United States, we are subject to income and other taxes in other foreign jurisdictions. Our effective tax rate in the future could be adversely affected by changes to our operating structure, changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in tax laws and the discovery of new information in the course of our tax return preparation process. From time to time, tax proposals are introduced or considered by the United States Congress or the legislative bodies in foreign jurisdictions that could also affect our tax rate, the carrying value of our deferred tax assets, or our other tax liabilities. Our tax liabilities are also affected by the amounts we charge for inventory, services, licenses, funding, cross-jurisdictional transfer pricing, and other items in intercompany transactions. A negative determination or ultimate disposition in any tax audit, changes in tax laws or tax rates, or the ability to utilize our deferred tax assets could materially affect our tax provision, net income and cash flows in future periods.

The international character of our business renders us subject to fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates and international trade tariffs, barriers and other restrictions.

A substantial portion of our European based operations’ net sales (over 50%) are sold in U.S. dollars. In an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange fluctuations, we engage in a controlled program of risk management that includes the use of derivative financial instruments for all major currencies with which we operate. Despite such actions, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for the U.S. dollar, particularly with respect to the euro, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Possible import, export, tariff and other trade barriers, which could be imposed by the United States, the European Union, or other countries might also have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Changing political conditions could adversely impact our business and financial results.

Changes in the political circumstances in the markets in which we manufacture, sell or distribute our products may be difficult to predict and may adversely affect our business and financial results. In addition, results of elections, referendums or other political processes in certain markets in which our products are manufactured, sold or distributed could create uncertainty regarding how existing governmental policies, laws and regulations may change, including with respect to sanctions, taxes, the movement of goods, services, capital and people between countries and other matters. The potential implications of such uncertainty, which include, among others, exchange rate fluctuations, tariffs, trade barriers and market contraction, could adversely affect the Company’s business and financial results.

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The war between Russia and Ukraine, and the war with Iran or Iranian sponsored actors could adversely impact our business and financial results.

The war between Russia and Ukraine has negatively impacted our operations to a limited degree to date. However, the war with Iran or Iranian sponsored actors could impact our Company, which are difficult to predict due to the high level of uncertainty as to how they will or could evolve. Fuel supplies and supply chain cost increases, as well as retailers or consumers, could all be negatively impacted by these wars. Such negative impacts could have a material adverse effect on our net sales, earnings and cash flows.

We are dependent upon Messrs. Jean Madar and Philippe Benacin, and the loss of their services could harm our business.

Jean Madar, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Philippe Benacin, our President, and Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA, are responsible for day-to-day operations as well as major decisions. Termination of their relationships with us, whether through death, incapacity or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we cannot assure you that qualified replacements can be found.

Our reliance on third party manufacturers could have a material adverse effect on us.

We rely on outside sources to manufacture our fragrances and cosmetics. The failure of such third party manufacturers to deliver either compliant, quality components or finished goods on a timely basis could have a material adverse effect on our business. Although we believe there are alternative manufacturers available to supply our requirements, we cannot assure you that current or alternative sources will be able to supply all of our demands on a timely basis. We do not intend to develop our own manufacturing capacity. As these are third parties over whom we have little or no control, the failure of such third parties to provide components or finished goods on a timely basis could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Our reliance on third party distributors could have a material adverse effect on us.

We sell a substantial percentage of our prestige fragrances through independent distributors specializing in luxury goods. Given the growing importance of distribution, we have modified our distribution model by owning a controlling interest in certain of our distributors within key markets. However, we have little or no control over third party distributors and the failure of such third parties to provide services on a timely basis could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, if we replace existing third party distributors with new third party distributors or with our own distribution arrangements, then transition issues could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Our business is subject to governmental regulation, which could impact our operations.

Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, fragrance products are regulated as cosmetics, and fragrances include perfumes, colognes and aftershave. They must meet the same requirements for safety as other cosmetic ingredients. Compliance required of fragrance ingredients includes being safe for consumers when they are used according to labelled directions or as consumers customarily use them.

Under the Fair Packaging and Labelling Act, companies and individuals who manufacture or market cosmetics have the legal responsibility to ensure the products are safe and labelled according to the Act.

Our fragrance products that are manufactured and marketed in Europe are also regulated as cosmetics and subject to EU Regulation 1223/2009, and after Brexit, the United Kingdom regulation of The UK Schedule 34 to the Product Safety and Metrology Regulation 2019. As of the date of this report, Interparfums’ products are in compliance with these regulations.

However, we cannot assure you that should we use proscribed ingredients in our fragrance products that we develop or market, or develop or market fragrance products with different ingredients, or should existing regulations or requirements be revised, we would not in the future experience difficulty in complying with such requirements, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

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Our business could be negatively impacted by social impact and sustainability matters.

There continues to be an increased focus from certain investors, customers, consumers, employees, and other stakeholders concerning social impact and environmental matters. We are spending considerable time addressing social impact and sustainability matters, which are becoming more prominent issues for certain of our institutional shareholders. From time to time, we may announce certain initiatives, including goals and commitments, regarding environmental matters, packaging, responsible sourcing and corporate social responsibility. We could fail, or be perceived to fail, in our achievement of such initiatives, or in accurately reporting our progress on such initiatives. Such failures could be due to changes in distribution channels, new licenses or other acquisitions. Moreover, the standards by which corporate social responsibility is measured are developing and evolving, and certain areas are subject to assumptions that could change over time. In addition, we could be criticized for the scope of our initiatives or goals or perceived as not acting responsibly in connection with these matters. Any such matters could have a material adverse effect on our business.

President Trump’s anti-DEI sentiment could subject our business to potential claims.

In the United States, the President has recently issued Executive Order 14173 opposing diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) initiatives in the private sector. In recent years, anti-DEI sentiment has gained momentum across the United States in favor of a merit based system, as several states and Congress have proposed or enacted “anti-DEI” policies, legislation, or initiatives. However, the European Union and France, the country where our 72% owned subsidiary is organized and has its principal place of business, have enacted both ESG (environmental, social and governance) and DEI initiatives, regulations and requirements. Compliance with such anti-DEI-related policies, legislation, initiatives, and scrutiny in the United States, while our French operating subsidiary complies with European ESG and DEI requirements, could result in our Company facing additional compliance obligations, becoming the subject of investigations or enforcement actions, or sustaining damage to our reputation.

We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. If we are unable to remediate these material weaknesses or if we identify additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately or timely report financial information.

We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control
over financial reporting. If we are unable to remediate the remaining material
weakness or if we identify additional material weaknesses in the future or
otherwise fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting,
we may not be able to accurately or timely report financial information.

As disclosed in Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures,” of our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, we identified
material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting related to
risk assessment, monitoring of controls, lack of documentation evidencing
control operating effectiveness and information technology general controls. A
material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in
internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable
possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s financial statements
will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. As a result of these
material weaknesses, we concluded that our internal control over financial
reporting and related disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as
of December 31, 2024.

During fiscal 2025, we implemented a number of remediation actions
designed to strengthen our internal control environment, including enhancing
our control environment and monitoring procedures, improving documentation and
evidence of control operating effectiveness, strengthening information
technology general controls, and implementing a formal enterprise-wide risk
assessment process. Based on testing performed by management, we concluded that
certain previously reported material weaknesses related to the control
environment and information technology general controls were remediated as of
December 31, 2025. However, a material weakness related to the design and
implementation of our risk assessment process remains as of December 31, 2025.

We cannot be certain that the measures we have taken or may take
in the future will be sufficient to remediate the remaining material weakness
or prevent additional material weaknesses from occurring. The effectiveness of
our internal control over financial reporting is subject to various inherent
limitations, including cost limitations, judgments used in decision making,
assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the possibility of human
error and the risk of fraud. If we are unable to remediate the remaining
material weakness or any future material weaknesses in our internal control
over financial reporting, our ability to record, process or report financial
information accurately and to prepare financial statements in an accurate and
timely manner could be adversely affected.

Any failure to maintain effective internal control over financial
reporting could subject us to litigation or investigations, require management
resources and payment of legal and other expenses, negatively affect investor
confidence in our financial statements, and adversely impact the market price
of our common stock.

Our business is subject to seasonal variability.

Our business is somewhat seasonal due to the timing of shipments to our customers, which are weighted to the second half of the year. Accordingly, our financial performance, sales, working capital requirements, cash flow and borrowings generally experience variability during the third and fourth quarters.

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Our business is subject to inflationary pressures.

Despite significant inflationary pressures that started during 2022 and continued into 2024, affecting many aspects of our business, especially increasing component costs and shipping, we were able to offset the effects of inflation during 2022 by increasing the prices of our products. Although inflation was a major factor in 2023 and continued to have impacts in 2024, we increased our sales prices to mitigate its impact to some degree in prior years and implemented cost saving efforts to mitigate these impacts in the current year. With the inflation moderating in 2025, we did increase our prices, predominately in the US, to partially offset the impact of tariffs. However, we may not be able to continue increasing our prices indefinitely without causing a reduction in the number of consumers with sufficient disposable income to buy certain of our fragrance products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The success of our products is dependent on public taste.

Our revenues are substantially dependent on the success of our products, which depends upon, among other matters, pronounced and rapidly changing public tastes, factors which are difficult to predict and over which we have little, if any, control. In addition, we have to develop successful marketing, promotional and sales programs in order to sell our fragrances and fragrance related products. However, if we are not able to develop additional successful marketing, promotional and sales programs, then such failure will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

We are subject to extreme competition in the fragrance industry.

The market for fragrance products is highly competitive and sensitive to changing market preferences and demands. Competitive factors include pricing, marketing, advertising and promotional activities, expansion of e-commerce activities, advances in technology such as AI, and most importantly, consumer brand recognition. Many of our competitors in this market are larger than we are and have greater financial resources than are available to us, potentially allowing them greater operational flexibility. Our success in the prestige fragrance industry is dependent upon our ability to continue to generate original strategies and develop quality products that are in accord with ongoing changes in the market. If there is insufficient demand for our existing fragrance products, or if we do not develop future strategies and products that withstand competition, or if we are unsuccessful in competing on price terms, then we could experience a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Changes in laws, regulations and policies that affect our business could adversely affect our financial results.

Our business is subject to numerous laws, regulations and policies. Changes in the laws, regulations and policies, including the interpretation or enforcement thereof, that affect, or will affect, our business, including changes in accounting standards, tax laws and regulations, environmental or climate change laws, regulations or accords, trade rules and customs regulations, or increased cosmetics regulation, and the outcome and expense of legal or regulatory proceedings, and any action we may take as a result could adversely affect our financial results.

Our success depends, in part, on the quality and safety of our products.

Our success depends, in part, on the quality and safety of our products. If our products are found to be defective or unsafe, or if they otherwise fail to meet our consumers’ standards, then our relationships with customers or consumers could suffer, the appeal of one or more of our brands could be diminished, and we could lose sales and/or become subject to liability claims, any of which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

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Our failure to protect our reputation, or the failure of our partners to protect their reputations, could have a material adverse effect on our brands’ images.

Our ability to maintain our reputation is critical to the images of our various brands. Our reputation could be jeopardized if we fail to maintain high standards for merchandise quality and integrity or if we, or the third parties with whom we do business, do not comply with regulations or accepted practices. Any negative publicity about these types of concerns may reduce demand for our merchandise. Failure to comply with ethical, social, product, labor and environmental standards, or related political considerations, such as animal testing, could also jeopardize our reputation and potentially lead to various adverse consumer actions, including boycotts. Failure to comply with local laws and regulations, including applicable United States trade sanctions, to maintain an effective system of internal controls or to provide accurate and timely financial statement information could also hurt our reputation. We are also dependent on the reputations of our brand partners and licensors, which can be affected by matters outside of our control. Damage to our reputation or the reputations of our brand partners or licensors or loss of consumer confidence for any of these or other reasons could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, as well as require additional resources to rebuild our reputation.

Our information systems and websites may be susceptible to outages, hacking and other cybersecurity risks.

We have information technology systems (“IT Systems”) that support our business processes, including product development, production, marketing, order processing, sales, distribution, finance and intra-company communications. We also have Internet websites in the United States and Europe. These systems may be susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, hacking, attacks and similar events. Despite the implementation of network security measures, our systems may be vulnerable to computer viruses, hacking, attacks and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering.

Cybersecurity incidents may also result in the future from social engineering, i.e., the manipulation of people into sharing information, downloading malicious software, visiting malicious websites and sending money to criminal websites masquerading as legitimate websites, compromising their personal or organizational security, or masquerading of authorized users. Malicious activity may exploit design flaws and security weaknesses, or sabotage information systems. Cybersecurity incidents can also be caused by other malicious software programs or other attacks, such as ransomware, and “denial of service attacks.”

Our IT Systems require an ongoing commitment of significant resources to maintain, protect, and enhance to keep pace with continuing changes in technology, regulatory standards, and cyber threats, as well as new commercial opportunities. From time to time, we undertake significant information technology systems reviews, as well as projects, such as enterprise resource planning updates, modifications, integrations and rollouts. These projects may be subject to cost overruns and delays that may cause disruptions in our normal business operations. These cost overruns and delays as well as our reliance on third party contractors for certain software implementation, maintenance and upgrades for certain business and financial information could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We have started using artificial intelligence (“AI”), and improper use by us or third parties could have an adverse impact on our brands, business and results of operations.

We have started using AI to assist in the development and marketing of our products. This evolving technology presents risks inherent in its use, including risks related to inaccuracies, bias, and infringement of intellectual property. In addition, the use of AI could potentially increase cybersecurity and data privacy risks, such as unintended access to and transmission of proprietary or sensitive information. These risks may become more pronounced as we increase our reliance on AI.

We cannot assure that our usage of AI will assist us in being more efficient in all cases. Our competitors or other third parties may incorporate AI into their business, services, and products more rapidly or more successfully than us, which could hinder our ability to compete effectively and adversely affect our business. As AI is an emerging technology and new laws and regulations are being promulgated, and our obligation to comply with this evolving regulatory landscape could entail significant costs.

Use of AI may intensify cybersecurity risks as techniques used in cyberattacks continue to become more sophisticated and thereby more dangerous. Malicious use of AI, or any other unauthorized access to our informational systems could result in disruption or damage to our information systems, and significant expense in remediating the damage, thereby adversely affecting our business and results of operations.

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The trading prices of our securities periodically may rise or fall based on the accuracy of predictions of our earnings or other financial performance.

Our business planning process is designed to maximize our long-term strength, growth and profitability, not to achieve an earnings target in any particular fiscal quarter. We believe that this longer-term focus is in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders. At the same time, however, we recognize that it may be helpful to provide investors with guidance as to our forecast of annual net sales and diluted earnings per share. Accordingly, we provide guidance as to our expected annual net sales, and diluted earnings per share, which is updated as appropriate throughout the year. While we generally provide updates to our guidance when we report our results each fiscal quarter if called for, we assume no responsibility to update any of our forward-looking statements at such times or otherwise. In addition, longer-term guidance that we may from time to time provide is based on goals that we believe, at the time guidance is given, are reasonably attainable.

In all of our public statements when we make, or update, a forward-looking statement about our sales and/or earnings expectations or expectations regarding other initiatives, we accompany such statements directly, or by reference to a public document, with a list of factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those we expect. Such a list is included, among other places, in our earnings press releases (by reference to our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission) and in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (e.g., in our reports on Form 10-K and Forms 10-Q). These and other factors may make it difficult for outside observers, such as research analysts, to predict what our earnings will be in any given fiscal quarter or year.

Outside analysts and investors have the right to make their own predictions of our financial results for any future period. Outside analysts, however, have access to no more material information about our results or plans than any other public investor, and we do not endorse or adopt their predictions as to our future performance. Nor do we assume any responsibility to correct the predictions of outside analysts or others when they differ from our own internal expectations. If and when we announce actual results that differ from those that outside analysts or others have been predicting, the market price of our securities could be affected. Investors who rely on the predictions of outside analysts or others when making investment decisions with respect to our securities do so at their own risk. We take no responsibility for any losses suffered as a result of such changes in the prices of our securities.