J.Jill, Inc. (JILL)

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and assumptions. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the sections of this Annual Report titled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

We operate on a 52 or 53-week fiscal year that ends on the Saturday that is closest to January 31. Each fiscal year generally is comprised of four 13-week fiscal quarters, although in the years with 53 weeks, the fourth quarter represents a 14-week period. References in this Annual Report to “Fiscal Year 2024” refer to the fiscal year ended February 1, 2025, references to the “Fiscal Year 2023” refer to the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024 and references to “Fiscal Year 2022” refer to the fiscal year ended January 28, 2023. Fiscal Years 2024 and 2022 are comprised of 52 weeks and Fiscal Year 2023 is comprised of 53 weeks.

The discussion that follows includes a comparison of our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023. For the discussion comparing the Fiscal Years 2023 and 2022, refer to Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Fiscal Year 2023 Form 10-K, which was filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4, 2024.

All references in this Annual Report to "J.Jill", "we", "our", "us", "the Company" or similar terms are to J.Jill, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Overview

J.Jill is a national lifestyle brand that provides apparel, footwear and accessories designed to help its customers move through a full life with ease. The brand represents an easy, thoughtful and inspired style that celebrates the totality of all women and designs its products with its core brand ethos in mind: keep it simple and make it matter. J.Jill offers a high touch customer experience through over 250 stores nationwide and a robust ecommerce platform. J.Jill is headquartered outside Boston.

How We Assess the Performance of Our Business

In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a variety of financial and operating metrics, including financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and non-GAAP measures, such as:

Net sales consist primarily of revenues, net of merchandise returns and discounts, generated from the sale of apparel and accessory merchandise through our retail stores (“Retail”) and through our website and catalog orders (“Direct”). Net sales also include shipping and handling fees collected from customers, and royalty revenues and marketing reimbursements related to our private label credit card agreement. Retail revenue is recognized at the time of sale and Direct revenue is recognized upon shipment of merchandise to the customer.

Net sales are impacted by the size of our active customer base, product assortment and availability, marketing and promotional activities and the spending habits of our customers. Net sales are also impacted by the migration of single-channel customers to omnichannel customers who, on average, spend three times more than single-channel customers.

Total company comparable sales include net sales from our retail stores that have been open for more than 52 weeks and from our Direct channel. This measure highlights the performance of existing stores open during the period, while excluding the impact of new store openings and closures. When a store in the total company comparable store base is temporarily closed for four or more days within a fiscal week, the store is excluded from the comparable store base; if it is temporarily closed for three or fewer days within a fiscal week, the store is included within the comparable store base. Certain of our competitors and other retailers may calculate total company comparable sales differently than we do. Our comparable sales are based on a 52-week period. The total company comparable sales calculation shifts the weeks in the fiscal year containing the fifty-third week to align like-for-like. As a result, the reporting of our total company comparable sales may not be comparable to sales data made available by other companies.

Number of stores reflects all stores open at the end of a reporting period. In connection with opening new stores, we incur pre-opening costs. Pre-opening costs include expenses incurred prior to opening a new store and primarily consist of payroll, travel, training, marketing, initial opening supplies and costs of transporting initial inventory and fixtures to retail stores, as well as occupancy costs incurred from the time of possession of a store site to the opening of that store. In

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connection with closing stores, we incur store-closing costs. Store-closing costs primarily consist of lease termination penalties and costs of transporting inventory and fixtures to other store locations. These pre-opening and store-closing costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and are generally incurred and expensed within 30 days of opening a new store or closing a store.

Gross profit is equal to our net sales less costs of goods sold. Gross profit as a percentage of our net sales is referred to as gross margin.

Costs of goods sold (“COGS”) consists of the direct costs of sold merchandise, which include customs, taxes, duties, commissions and inbound shipping costs, inventory shrinkage, and adjustments and reserves for excess, aged and obsolete inventory. COGS does not include distribution center costs and allocations of indirect costs, such as occupancy, depreciation, amortization, or labor and benefits. We review our inventory levels on an ongoing basis to identify slow-moving merchandise and use markdowns to liquidate these products. Changes in the assortment of our products may also impact our gross profit. The timing and level of markdowns are driven by customer acceptance of our merchandise. The Company’s COGS, and consequently gross profit, may not be comparable to those of other retailers, as inclusion of certain costs vary across the industry.

The variability in COGS is due to raw materials, transportation and freight costs. These costs fluctuate based on certain factors beyond our control, including labor conditions, inbound transportation or freight costs, energy prices, currency fluctuations and commodity prices. We place orders with merchandise suppliers in U.S. dollars and, as a result, are not exposed to significant foreign currency exchange risk.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses include all operating costs not included in COGS. These expenses consist primarily of all payroll and related expenses, occupancy costs, information systems costs and other operating expenses related to our stores and to our operations at our headquarters, including utilities, depreciation and amortization. These expenses also consist of marketing expense, including catalog production and mailing costs, warehousing, distribution and outbound shipping costs, customer service operations, consulting and software services, natural disaster related costs, professional services and other administrative costs. Additionally, our outbound shipping costs may fluctuate due to surcharges from shipping vendors based on demand for shipping services.

With the exception of store selling expenses, certain marketing expenses and incentive compensation, SG&A expenses generally do not vary proportionately with net sales. As a result, SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales are usually higher in lower-volume periods and lower in higher-volume periods.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) and Adjusted EBITDA Margin. Adjusted EBITDA, represents net income plus depreciation and amortization, income tax provision, interest expense, interest expense - related party, interest income, equity-based compensation expense, write-off of property and equipment, amortization of cloud-based software implementation costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, loss on debt refinancing, adjustment for exited retail stores, impairment of long-lived assets, loss due to hurricane, and other non-recurring items, primarily consisting of non-ordinary course professional fees, non-employee share-based payments, and legal settlements and fees associated with certain non-recurring transactions and events. We present Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis because management uses it as a supplemental measure in assessing our operating performance, and we believe that it is helpful to investors, securities analysts and other interested parties as a measure of our comparative operating performance from period to period. We also use Adjusted EBITDA as one of the primary methods for planning and forecasting overall expected performance of our business and for evaluating on a quarterly and annual basis actual results against such expectations. Further, we recognize Adjusted EBITDA as a commonly used measure in determining business value and as such, use it internally to report results. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents, for any period, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales.

While we believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating our business, Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that has limitations as an analytical tool. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or substitute for, net income, which is calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently or not at all, which reduces the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as a tool for comparison. We recommend that you review the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, and the calculation of the resultant Adjusted EBITDA margin below and not rely solely on Adjusted EBITDA or any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

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Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA and Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Fiscal Year Ended February 1, 2025 which is comprised of 52-weeks compared to Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 which is comprised of 53-weeks and January 28, 2023 which is comprised of 52-weeks.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin for the periods presented:

(a)
Represents expenses associated with equity incentive instruments granted to our management and board of directors (the “Board”). Incentive instruments are accounted for as equity-classified awards with the related compensation expense recognized based on fair value at the date of the grant.

(b)
Represents the net gain or loss on the disposal of fixed assets.

(c)
Represents amortization of capitalized implementation costs related to cloud-based software arrangements that are included within Selling, general and administrative expenses. Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year ended February 3, 2024 has been restated to include such adjustments to Net income, and no adjustment was made for fiscal year ended January 28, 2023 as the amount was immaterial.

(d)
Represents loss on the prepayment of a portion of the term loan (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement” and, such facility, the “Term Loan Facility”).

(e)
Represents loss on the repayment of Priming Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Priming Credit Agreement”) and the Subordinated Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Subordinated Credit Agreement”).

(f)
Represents non-cash gains associated with exiting store leases earlier than anticipated.

(g)
Represents impairment of long-lived assets related to right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements.

(h)
Represents loss on write-off of property and equipment and inventory at one store location due to hurricane and insurance recovery received to date.

(i)
Represents items management believes are not indicative of ongoing operating performance, including non-ordinary course professional fees, non-employee share-based payments, and legal settlements and fees.

Items Affecting the Comparability of our Results of Operations

53rd week. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday, in January or February, nearest to the last day of January, resulting in an additional week of results every five or six years. Fiscal Year 2023 contained 53-weeks of operations whereas the Fiscal Years 2024 and 2022 contained 52-weeks of operations. The 53rd week added approximately $7.9 million to net sales and $2.2 million to Adjusted EBITDA for Fiscal Year 2023.

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Loss on extinguishment of debt. For Fiscal Year 2024, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $8.6 million related to the voluntary prepayment of a portion of the Term Loan Credit Agreement. No such loss was incurred by the Company during Fiscal Year 2023.

Loss on debt refinancing. For Fiscal Year 2023, the Company recognized a loss on debt refinancing of $12.7 million related to entering into a Term Loan Credit Agreement and the repayment of the Priming Credit Agreement and the Subordinated Credit Agreement. No such loss was incurred by the Company during Fiscal Year 2024.

Results of Operations

Fiscal Year Ended February 1, 2025 which is comprised of 52-weeks compared to Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 which is comprised of 53-weeks.

The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated:

Net Sales

Net sales for Fiscal Year 2024 increased $2.8 million or 0.5%, to $610.9 million from $608.0 million for Fiscal Year 2023. The increase in net sales was due to total company comparable sales increase of 1.5% partially offset by the loss of the 53rd week included in Fiscal Year 2023.

Our Direct channel was responsible for 47.5% of our net sales in Fiscal Year 2024 compared to 46.8% in Fiscal Year 2023. Our Retail channel was responsible for 52.5% of our net sales in Fiscal Year 2024 and 53.2% in Fiscal Year 2023. We operated 252 and 244 retail stores at the end of these same periods, respectively.

Gross Profit and Cost of Goods Sold

Gross profit for Fiscal Year 2024 decreased $0.9 million, or 0.2%, to $429.9 million from $430.8 million for Fiscal Year 2023. The gross margin for Fiscal Year 2024 was 70.4% compared to 70.8% for Fiscal Year 2023, driven by an increase in promotional activities and increased freight costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for Fiscal Year 2024 increased $8.8 million, or 2.6%, to $353.4 million from $344.5 million for Fiscal Year 2023. The increase is primarily driven by $3.0 million in professional fees, $2.7 million in stock-based compensation, $1.9 million in shipping, $1.6 million in telecommunication, $1.4 million in marketing and $1.2 million in compensation and benefits. The increase was partially offset by a decrease of $1.6 million in depreciation and amortization, $1.0 million in occupancy, and an increase of $0.5 million in capitalized payroll related to the order management system implementation.

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Impairment of long-lived assets

Impairment of long-lived assets for Fiscal Year 2024 increased by $0.6 million, or 308.5% to $0.8 million from $0.2 million for Fiscal Year 2023. Our Fiscal Year 2024 results include $0.5 million of impairment charges for long-lived assets (leasehold improvements, and furniture, fixtures and equipment), and our Fiscal Year 2023 results include $0.2 million of impairment charges for long-lived assets (leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment).

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

For Fiscal Year 2024, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $8.6 million related to the voluntary prepayment of a portion of the Term Loan Credit Agreement. No such loss was incurred by the Company during Fiscal Year 2023.

Loss on debt refinancing

For Fiscal Year 2023, the Company recognized a loss on debt refinancing of $12.7 million related to entering into a Term Loan Credit Agreement and the repayment of the Priming Credit Agreement and the Subordinated Credit Agreement. No such loss was incurred by the Company during Fiscal Year 2024.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $15.7 million and $25.7 million for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to a lower debt balance for Fiscal Year 2024.

Interest expense consists of interest expense on the Term Loan Credit Agreement for Fiscal Year 2024, and, on the Company’s Term Loan Credit Agreement and Priming Credit Agreement prior to its repayment in full on April 5, 2023, for Fiscal Year 2023, and amortization of deferred costs related to the asset-based revolving credit facility agreement (the “ABL Credit Agreement” and, such facility, the “ABL Facility”) for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023.

Interest Expense - Related Party

For Fiscal Year 2023, the Company incurred $1.1 million of Interest expense - related party associated with the Subordinated Credit Agreement, until it was repaid in full on April 5, 2023. The Company did not incur any Interest expense - related party during Fiscal Year 2024.

Interest Income

For Fiscal Year 2024, the Company earned interest on cash of $2.6 million, compared to $2.8 million for Fiscal Year 2023.

Income Tax Provision

The income tax provision for Fiscal Year 2024 was $14.5 million compared to $13.2 million for Fiscal Year 2023. Our effective tax rates were 26.9% and 26.7%, respectively. The effective tax rate during Fiscal Year 2024 differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% due primarily to the impacts of (i) state and local income taxes and (ii) executive compensation limitations. Refer to Note 14. Income Taxes to the consolidated financial statements for additional income tax information.

The effective tax rate for Fiscal Year 2023 differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% due primarily to the impacts of (i) state and local income taxes, (ii) executive compensation limitations, and (iii) valuation allowance changes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash and cash equivalents generated from operating activities and availability under our ABL Facility, so long as certain conditions related to the maturity of the Term Loan Credit Agreement are met. As of February 1, 2025, we had $35.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and $35.7 million of total availability under our $40.0 million ABL Facility. In addition, through our shelf registration statement on file with the SEC or through private transactions, and depending on conditions prevailing in the public and private capital markets, we may from time to time issue equity securities in one or more series in one or more offerings.

On June 14, 2024, the Company issued and sold 1,000,000 shares of its common stock. The shares were offered at an offering price of $31.00 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The Company utilized the net proceeds from its sale of shares for repayment of its debt and general corporate purposes. See Note 15. Shareholders’ Equity to the

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consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report for additional information on the Company’s common stock issuance.

During the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2024, the Company issued 3,572,664 shares of common stock following the exercise of 3,573,707 warrants (the “Warrants”) that were previously issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2020, by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Company LLC (the “Warrant Agreement”). The exercise price of the Warrants was net share settled as per the terms of the Warrant Agreement. Given the non-substantive exercise price of the Warrants in relation to the fair value of the common shares issued upon exercise, the exercise of these Warrants had no impact on net income per common share, both basic and diluted.

On December 6, 2024, the Board approved a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”), under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the Company’s common stock, over the next two years. Under the Share Repurchase Program, shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased from time to time through open market or private transactions, block trades, or such other manner as the Company may determine, in accordance with applicable insider trading and other securities laws and regulations under the Exchange Act and share repurchase parameters determined by the Board. The timing and the number of shares repurchased are subject to the discretion of the Company and may be affected by market conditions and other factors. The Share Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time.

We believe our cash and cash equivalents balance, along with our future cash flows from operations, capacity for borrowings under the ABL Facility and access to credit and capital markets, provide sufficient liquidity to meet the needs of our business operations, make voluntary prepayments, pay dividends, repurchase shares, and to satisfy our projected cash requirements for the next 12 months and the foreseeable future.

Credit Facilities

On April 5, 2023, the Company and Jill Acquisition LLC (the “Borrower”) entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) by and among the lenders party thereto and Jefferies Finance LLC, as administrative and collateral agent. The Term Loan Credit Agreement provides for a secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $175.0 million with a maturity date of May 8, 2028 (the “Term Loan Facility”). Loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement bear interest at the Borrower’s election at (1) Base Rate (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) plus 7.00% or (2) Adjusted Term SOFR (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) plus 8.00%, with Adjusted Term SOFR subject to a floor rate of 1.00%.

The Term Loan Facility was to be repaid in quarterly payments of $2.2 million from July 28, 2023 to May 2, 2025, and $3.3 million from August 1, 2025 to April 28, 2028 with the balance of the Term Loan Facility due upon maturity on May 8, 2028. However, as a result of the voluntary payments mentioned below there will be no quarterly payments required until the remaining balance is paid in full on maturity date. Additionally, the Term Loan Facility is subject to mandatory repayment, subject to certain exceptions, including (i) 100% of the net proceeds of any incurrence of debt other than debt permitted in the Term Loan Credit Agreement, (ii) 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales/insurance proceeds, subject to reinvestment rights and certain other exceptions, and (iii) 95 days after the last day of the Fiscal Year, an annual payment ranging from 25%-75%, based on the First Lien Net Leverage Ratio, of the annual Excess Cash Flow (“ECF”), less certain voluntary prepayments made during the year, as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

The Term Loan Facility may be voluntarily prepaid after the one-year anniversary but on or prior to the two-year anniversary, subject to a premium of 3.0% of the aggregate principal amount being prepaid, and after the two-year anniversary without premium.

The proceeds from the Term Loan Credit Agreement, combined with a portion of the Company’s existing cash on hand, were used to repay in full the outstanding balance of $225.4 million, inclusive of $3.6 million interest, under the Priming Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Priming Credit Agreement”) and the Subordinated Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Subordinated Credit Agreement”). All security interests and liens incurred in connection with the Priming Credit Agreement and Subordinated Credit Agreement have been released. The prepayment of the Priming Credit Agreement and Subordinated Credit Agreement was in accordance with the terms of such agreements.

On May 10, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 6 to our ABL Credit Agreement, by and among the Company, J.Jill Gift Card Solutions, the other guarantors party thereto, the other lenders party thereto, and CIT Finance LLC, as the administrative agent and collateral agent. This amendment extended the maturity date of the ABL Credit Agreement from May 8, 2024 to May 10, 2028 (or 180 days prior to the maturity date of the Company’s Term Loan Credit Agreement if the maturity date of such Term Loan Facility has not been extended to a date that is at least 180 days after the maturity date of the ABL Credit Agreement). The other terms and conditions of the ABL Facility remain substantially unchanged.

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On December 1, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 7 (the “ABL Amendment”) to the ABL Credit Agreement, by and among the Company, Jill Acquisition LLC, J.Jill Gift Card Solutions, Inc. (collectively, the “Borrowers”), the other guarantors party thereto, the other lenders party thereto, and CIT Finance LLC, as the administrative agent and collateral agent. The ABL Amendment made a technical revision for administrative purposes which removed the requirement for a Borrower’s non-negotiable bill of lading, non-negotiable sea waybill or other similar shipping document (each a “Non-Negotiable Document”) to state on its face that the inventory that is subject to such Non-Negotiable Document is subject to the lien of the administrative agent. In connection with removing this requirement, a $500,000 in transit inventory reserve amount will be applied to eligible in transit inventory on the borrowing base certificate during any period in which excess liability is less than $5.0 million. This increase in the reserve decreases the borrowing base by the same amount during an in-transit inventory reserve period.

The Credit Agreements include customary negative covenants, including covenants limiting the ability of the Company to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments, loans or advances, engage in mergers, consolidations, sales of assets and purchases, pay dividends and distributions, enter into transactions with affiliates, and make payments in respect of junior indebtedness. Each of the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the ABL Credit Agreement also has certain financial covenants (see Note 9. Debt to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report).

On May 10, 2024, the Company made a voluntary principal prepayment of $58.2 million on the Term Loan Credit Agreement, in lieu of the previously expected ECF payment of $26.6 million. The expected ECF payment was rejected by the lenders as permitted under the provisions of the Term Loan Credit Agreement. On June 21, 2024, the Company made an additional voluntary principal prepayment of $27.2 million (See Note 15. Shareholders’ Equity, Common Stock Issuance, for additional information). Together with the required quarterly payments, the Company has repaid $94.2 million in principal under the Term Loan Credit Agreement in Fiscal Year 2024. In connection with the voluntary principal prepayments, the Company paid a $2.6 million premium, amounting to 3% on the aggregate principal amount being prepaid, and $1.6 million towards interest, in accordance with the provisions of the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

In connection with the voluntary principal prepayments discussed above, for Fiscal Year 2024, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $8.6 million, consisting of $6.0 million of accelerated amortization of the discount and fees and $2.6 million of prepayment premium, in its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. As of February 1, 2025, the remaining Term Loan Facility principal balance was $74.3 million, which is to be repaid upon maturity on May 8, 2028. The remaining unamortized discount and fees of $4.9 million will continue to be amortized over the remaining term through maturity. See Note 9. Debt to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report for additional information.

For Fiscal Year 2024, the Company would be required to make an ECF payment of $11.8 million prior to May 7, 2025 under the terms of the Term Loan Credit Agreement. However, the voluntary principal prepayments discussed above satisfied the ECF payment requirement and, accordingly, no ECF payment is required.

As of February 1, 2025, the Company is in compliance with all such covenants.

Cash Flow Analysis

The following table shows our cash flows information for the periods presented:

Net Cash provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2024 increased $1.7 million compared to Fiscal Year 2023. The increase during Fiscal Year 2024 was driven by higher net income of $3.3 million and changes in operating assets and liabilities of $5.1 million, partially offset by lower adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operations of $6.7 million. The higher change in operating assets and liabilities was driven by higher cash inflows relating to timing of payments for accounts payable of $8.9 million, changes in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $5.4 million mainly due to lower interest expense and management incentive accruals, and operating lease assets and liabilities of $3.3 million due mainly to new leases. These increases were partially offset by increased payments for inventories of $5.4 million mainly due to the calendar shift timing and the strategy to ship goods approximately one week early to offset delays related to the re-routing of shipping lanes away from the Red Sea, timing of payments related to other noncurrent assets and liabilities

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of $5.1 million driven mainly by higher software-as-a-service implementation expenditures related to the order management system, and accounts receivable of $2.0 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2024 was $65.0 million. Key elements of cash provided by operating activities were (i) net income of $39.5 million, (ii) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of $36.4 million, primarily driven by $21.3 million of depreciation and amortization and the loss on extinguishment of debt $8.6 million, and Equity-based compensation $6.5 million, and (iii) uses of cash of $10.8 million for net operating assets and liabilities.

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2023 was $63.3 million. Key elements of cash provided by operating activities were (i) net income of $36.2 million, (ii) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of $43.1 million, primarily driven by $22.9 million of depreciation and amortization, and the loss of debt refinancing of $12.7 million, and (iii) the use of cash from net operating assets and liabilities of $16.0 million, primarily driven by accounts payable and operating lease assets and liabilities, partially offset by changes in merchandise inventory and prepaid expenses and other current assets.

Net Cash used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities during Fiscal Year 2024 was $17.8 million, an increase of $0.8 million as compared to Fiscal Year 2023, representing investments in stores, offset by a decrease in software and technology-related investments, and capital projects at the Company’s distribution center.

Net Cash used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2024 increased by $2.8 million as compared to the prior year. The change was primarily driven by the proceeds from issuance of the Term Loan in the prior year offset by the principal repayments on the Priming Term Loan and Subordinated Term Loan as compared to the principal repayments on the Term Loan in the current year, partially offset by the proceeds from the issuance of common stock.

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2024 was $74.0 million, which was driven by principal repayments and prepayment premium on the Term Loan and dividends paid to common shareholders, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net of underwriting costs.

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2023 was $71.3 million, which was driven by the full repayment of the previously existing Priming and Subordinated Credit Agreements offset by the proceeds from issuance of the Term Loan.

Dividends

During the fiscal year ended February 1, 2025, the Company declared and paid dividends of $2.9 million to stockholders of the Company’s common stock. While dividends are generally recorded as a reduction to Retained earnings, since the Company has an accumulated deficit, dividends are recorded as a reduction to Additional paid-in capital. For the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024, no dividend was declared or paid.

The Company intends to pay cash dividends quarterly in the future, subject to market conditions and at the discretion of the Board. Our ability to pay dividends in the future is based on a number of factors, such as earnings levels, capital requirements, restrictions imposed by applicable law, our overall financial condition, restrictions in our debt agreements and the ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends to us as a holding company.

Share Repurchase

On December 6, 2024, the Board approved a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”), under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the Company’s common stock over the next two years. Under the Share Repurchase Program, shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased from time to time through open market or private transactions, block trades, or such other manner as the Company may determine, in accordance with applicable insider trading and other securities laws and regulations under the Exchange Act and share repurchase parameters determined by the Board. The timing and the number of shares repurchased are subject to the discretion of the Company and may be affected by market conditions and other factors. The Share Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time.

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Capitalization

The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:

The Company had no short-term borrowings under the Company’s ABL Facility as of February 1, 2025. The Company had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $4.3 million and had a maximum additional borrowing capacity of $35.7 million as of February 1, 2025.

Future Cash Requirements

We enter into contractual obligations in the ordinary course of business that may require future cash payments. Such obligations include merchandise inventories, marketing, including catalog production and distribution, payroll, store occupancy costs and capital expenditures associated with opening new stores, remodeling existing stores and upgrading information systems. The notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report provide additional information.

We believe our sources of liquidity, namely operating cash flows and ABL Facility capacity will continue to be adequate to meet our contractual obligations, working capital and capital expenditure requirements, finance anticipated expansion and strategic initiatives, and fund debt maturities for the foreseeable future. We may also engage in capital markets transactions from time to time subject to the discretion of our Board. We expect capital expenditures in the next twelve months to support opening of new stores, store design/ remodels, and system upgrades and maintenance projects.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are not a party to any off balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Estimates

Our discussion of results of operations and financial condition is based upon the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and certain assumptions about future events that affect the classification and amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, including revenue and expenses, assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates and assumptions are based on our historical results as well as management’s judgment. Although management believes the judgment applied in preparing estimates is reasonable based on circumstances and information known at the time, actual results could vary materially from estimates based on assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

The most significant accounting estimates involve a high degree of judgment or complexity. Management believes the estimates and judgments most critical to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements and to the understanding of our reported financial results include those made in connection with revenue recognition, including accounting for outstanding gift cards that will ultimately not be redeemed (“gift card breakage”) and estimated merchandise returns; estimating the value of inventory; and impairment assessments for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, and long-lived assets; estimating of incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims. Management evaluates its policies and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our significant accounting policies related to these accounts in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are described below (see Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this Annual Report for additional information regarding our critical accounting policies).

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Sales Return Reserve

The Company has a return policy where merchandise returns will be accepted within 90 days of the original purchase date. At the time of sale, the Company records an estimated sales reserve for merchandise returns based on historical prior returns experience and expected future returns. The estimated sales reserve is recorded as a return asset (and corresponding adjustment to cost of goods sold) for the cost of inventory and a return liability for the amount to settle the return with a customer (and a corresponding adjustment to revenue). The return asset and return liability are recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets, and Accrued expenses and other current liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company collects and remits sales and use taxes in all states in which retail and direct sales occur and taxes are applicable. These taxes are reported on a net basis and are thereby excluded from revenue.

Gift Cards

The Company sells gift cards without expiration dates to customers. The Company does not charge administrative fees on unused gift cards. Proceeds from the sale of gift cards are recorded as a contract liability until the customer redeems the gift card or when the likelihood of redemption is remote. Based on historical experience, the Company estimates the value of gift card breakage and will not be escheated under statutory unclaimed property laws. This gift card breakage is recognized as revenue over the time period established by the Company’s historical gift card redemption pattern.

Merchandise Inventory

Inventory consists of finished goods merchandise held for sale to our customers. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is calculated using the weighted average method of accounting, and includes the cost to purchase merchandise from our manufacturers, duties, tariffs, inbound freight and commissions.

In the normal course of business, we record inventory reserves by applying estimates, based on past and projected sales performance, to the inventory on hand. The carrying value of inventory is reduced to estimated net realizable value when factors indicate that merchandise will not be sold on terms sufficient to recover its cost.

We monitor inventory levels, sales trends and sales forecasts to estimate and record reserves for excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory. We utilize internal channels, including sales catalogs, the internet, and price reductions in retail stores to liquidate excess inventory. In some cases, external channels such as inventory liquidators are utilized. The prices obtained through these off-price selling methods vary based on many factors. Accordingly, estimates of future sales prices require management judgment based on historical experience, assessment of current conditions and assumptions about future transactions. We have not made significant changes to our assumptions during the periods presented in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report, and estimates have not varied significantly from historically recorded amounts.

Asset Impairment Assessments

Goodwill

We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis on the last day of our eleventh fiscal month beginning Fiscal Year 2023 and at the end of each fiscal year prior to Fiscal 2023, or more frequently between annual tests when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company has determined that this change in the impairment assessment date does not represent a material change to the Company’s method of applying an accounting principle, and therefore does not delay, accelerate, or avoid an impairment charge. See Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this Annual Report for additional information.

Our two reporting units applicable to goodwill impairment assessments are defined as our Direct and Retail sales channels. Examples of impairment indicators that would trigger an impairment assessment of goodwill between annual evaluations include, among others, macro-economic conditions, competitive environment, industry conditions, changes in our profitability and cash flows, and changes in sales trends or customer demand.

The Company’s policy is to perform a quantitative analysis of goodwill every three years. During those years when a quantitative assessment is not performed initially, we assess our goodwill for impairment using a qualitative approach to determine whether conditions exist to indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If management concludes, based on assessment of relevant events, facts and circumstances, that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is greater than its carrying value, no further impairment testing is required.

If management’s assessment of qualitative factors indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then a quantitative assessment is performed. We also have the option to bypass the qualitative assessment described above and proceed directly to the quantitative assessment. The quantitative assessment

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requires comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We estimate the fair value of reporting units using the income approach. The income approach uses a discounted cash flow analysis, which involves significant estimates and assumptions, including preparation of revenue and profitability growth forecasts, selection of the discount rate and the terminal year multiple.

If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and no further testing is required. If the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, a goodwill impairment charge is recognized for the amount in excess, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

During Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022 we did not record any impairment to our goodwill. During Fiscal Year 2023, we performed a quantitative assessment of goodwill. This analysis contains uncertainties because it requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgments to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Our trade name has been assigned an indefinite life as we currently anticipate that it will contribute cash flows to us indefinitely. Our trade name is reviewed at least annually to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite, useful life.

We evaluate our trade name for impairment on an annual basis on the last day of our eleventh fiscal month beginning Fiscal Year 2023 and at the end of each fiscal year prior to Fiscal 2023, or more frequently between annual tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. Conditions that may indicate impairment include, but are not limited to, significant loss of market share to a competitor, the identification of other impaired assets within a reporting unit, loss of key personnel that negatively and materially has an adverse effect on our operations, the disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit or a significant adverse change in business climate or regulations.

The Company’s policy is to perform a quantitative analysis of its indefinite-lived intangible assets every three years. Impairment losses are recorded to the extent that the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value. We measure the fair value of our trade name using the relief-from-royalty method, which estimates the present value of royalty income that could be hypothetically earned by licensing the brand name to a third party over the remaining useful life. The most significant estimates and assumptions inherent in this approach are the preparation of revenue forecasts, selection of the royalty and discount rates, and selection of the terminal year multiple.

We did not record any impairment losses related to the trade name during Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022. During Fiscal Year 2023, we performed a quantitative assessment of our trade name. This analysis contains uncertainties because it requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgments to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets include definite-lived intangible assets (our customer list) subject to amortization, property and equipment and operating lease assets. Long-lived assets obtained in a business combination are recorded at the acquisition-date fair value, property and equipment purchased in the normal course of business is recorded at cost and operating lease assets are recorded at the present value of the lease payments.

We assess the carrying value of long-lived assets for potential impairment whenever indicators exist that the carrying value of an asset group might not be recoverable. Indicators of impairment include, among others, a significant decrease in the market price of an asset, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is being used or in its physical condition, and operating or cash flow performance that demonstrates continuing losses associated with an asset group.

When indicators of potential impairment exist, we compare the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group to the carrying value of the asset group. If the carrying value of an asset group exceeds the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows, we record an impairment loss in the amount required to reduce carrying value of the asset group to fair value. We estimate the fair value of an asset group based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, calculated by discounting the cash flow projections used in the previous step.

During Fiscal Year 2024, we assessed the carrying values of right-of-use assets and property and equipment as described above. During Fiscal Year 2024, the Company recorded noncash impairment charges of $0.5 million related to

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leasehold improvements at certain store locations driven by the actual performance at these locations and $0.3 million related to a right-of-use asset driven by revised sublease assumptions of one floor of the corporate headquarters located in Quincy, Massachusetts that was vacated in July 2019. During Fiscal Year 2023, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.2 million related to leasehold improvements at certain store locations driven by the actual performance at these locations. During Fiscal Year 2022, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.6 million related primarily to a right-of-use asset relating to revised sublease assumptions of one floor of the corporate headquarters located in Quincy, Massachusetts that was vacated in July 2019 and $0.8 million due to the Company’s revised outlook on future cash flows at certain store locations.

Determining the fair value of long-lived assets requires management judgment and relies upon the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including future sales, our margins and cash flows, current and future market conditions, discount rates applied, useful lives and other factors. We believe our assumptions are reasonable based on available information. Changes in assumptions and estimates used in the impairment analysis, or future results that vary from assumptions used in the analysis, could affect the estimated fair value of long-lived intangible assets and could result in impairment charges in a future period.

Self-Insured Group Health Insurance Reserves

In January 2025, the Company transitioned to a self-insured group health insurance program up to certain stop-loss limits. Such costs are accrued based on known claims and an estimation of incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims. IBNR claims are estimated using historical claim information and actuarial estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3. Accounting Standards to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report for information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and assumptions. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the sections of this Annual Report titled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

We operate on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year that ends on the Saturday that is closest to January 31. Each fiscal year generally is comprised of four 13-week fiscal quarters, although in the years with 53 weeks, the fourth quarter represents a 14-week period. References in this Annual Report to “Fiscal Year 2023” refer to the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024, references to the “Fiscal Year 2022” refer to the fiscal year ended January 28, 2023 and references to “Fiscal Year 2021” refer to the fiscal year ended January 29, 2022. Fiscal Year 2023 is comprised of 53 weeks and Fiscal Years 2022, and 2021 are comprised of 52 weeks.

The discussion that follows includes a comparison of our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2022. For the discussion comparing the Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021, refer to Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Fiscal Year 2022 Form 10-K, which was filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2023.

Overview

J.Jill is a national lifestyle brand that provides apparel, footwear and accessories designed to help its customers move through a full life with ease. The brand represents an easy, thoughtful and inspired style that celebrates the totality of all women and designs its products with its core brand ethos in mind: keep it simple and make it matter. J.Jill offers a high touch customer experience through over 200 stores nationwide and a robust ecommerce platform. J.Jill is headquartered outside Boston.

How We Assess the Performance of Our Business

In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a variety of financial and operating metrics, including accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and non-GAAP measures, such as:

Net sales consist primarily of revenues, net of merchandise returns and discounts, generated from the sale of apparel and accessory merchandise through our Retail and Direct channels. Net sales also include shipping and handling fees collected from customers, and royalty revenues and marketing reimbursements related to our private label credit card agreement. Retail revenue is recognized at the time of sale and Direct revenue is recognized upon shipment of merchandise to the customer.

Net sales are impacted by the size of our active customer base, product assortment and availability, marketing and promotional activities and the spending habits of our customers. Net sales are also impacted by the migration of single-channel customers to omnichannel customers who, on average, spend three times more than single-channel customers.

Total company comparable sales include net sales from our retail stores that have been open for more than 52 weeks and from our Direct channel. This measure highlights the performance of existing stores open during the period, while excluding the impact of new store openings and closures. When a store in the total company comparable store base is temporarily closed for four or more days within a fiscal week, the store is excluded from the comparable store base; if it is temporarily closed for three or fewer days within a fiscal week, the store is included within the comparable store base. Certain of our competitors and other retailers may calculate total company comparable sales differently than we do. Our comparable sales are based on a 52-week period. As a result, the reporting of our total company comparable sales may not be comparable to sales data made available by other companies.

Number of stores reflects all stores open at the end of a reporting period. In connection with opening new stores, we incur pre-opening costs. Pre-opening costs include expenses incurred prior to opening a new store and primarily consist of payroll, travel, training, marketing, initial opening supplies and costs of transporting initial inventory and fixtures to retail stores, as well as occupancy costs incurred from the time of possession of a store site to the opening of that store. In connection with closing stores, we incur store-closing costs. Store-closing costs primarily consist of lease termination penalties and costs of transporting inventory and fixtures to other store locations. These pre-opening and store-closing costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and are generally incurred and expensed within 30 days of opening a new store or closing a store.

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Gross profit is equal to our net sales less costs of goods sold. Gross profit as a percentage of our net sales is referred to as gross margin.

Costs of goods sold (“COGS”) includes the direct costs of sold merchandise, inventory shrinkage, and adjustments and reserves for excess, aged and obsolete inventory. We review our inventory levels on an ongoing basis to identify slow-moving merchandise and use markdowns to liquidate these products. Changes in the assortment of our products may also impact our gross profit. The timing and level of markdowns are driven by customer acceptance of our merchandise. The Company’s COGS, and consequently gross profit, may not be comparable to those of other retailers, as inclusion of certain costs vary across the industry.

The variability in COGS is due to raw materials, transportation and freight costs. These costs fluctuate based on certain factors beyond our control, including labor conditions, inbound transportation or freight costs, energy prices, currency fluctuations and commodity prices. We place orders with merchandise suppliers in U.S. dollars and, as a result, are not exposed to significant foreign currency exchange risk.

Selling, general and administrative expenses include all operating costs not included in COGS. These expenses include all payroll and related expenses, occupancy costs, information systems costs and other operating expenses related to our stores and to our operations at our headquarters, including utilities, depreciation and amortization. These expenses also include marketing expense, including catalog production and mailing costs, warehousing, distribution and outbound shipping costs, customer service operations, consulting and software services, professional services and other administrative costs. Additionally, our outbound shipping costs may fluctuate due to surcharges from shipping vendors based on demand for shipping services.

Our historical revenue growth has been accompanied by increased selling, general and administrative expenses. The most significant increases were in marketing and payroll investments.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) and Adjusted EBITDA Margin. Adjusted EBITDA, represents net income (loss) plus net interest expense, provision (benefit) for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation expense, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment, write-off of property and equipment, loss on debt refinancing, adjustment for exited retail stores, fair value adjustments, and other non-recurring expenses, primarily consisting of outside legal and professional fees associated with certain non-recurring transactions and events. We present Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis because management uses it as a supplemental measure in assessing our operating performance, and we believe that it is helpful to investors, securities analysts and other interested parties as a measure of our comparative operating performance from period to period. We also use Adjusted EBITDA as one of the primary methods for planning and forecasting overall expected performance of our business and for evaluating on a quarterly and annual basis actual results against such expectations. Further, we recognize Adjusted EBITDA as a commonly used measure in determining business value and as such, use it internally to report results. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents, for any period, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales.

While we believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating our business, Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that has limitations as an analytical tool. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or substitute for, net income (loss), which is calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently or not at all, which reduces the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as a tool for comparison. We recommend that you review the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, and the calculation of the resultant Adjusted EBITDA margin below and not rely solely on Adjusted EBITDA or any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

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Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 which is comprised of 53-weeks compared to Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022 which are comprised of 52-weeks.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin for the periods presented:

(a)
The fair value adjustment of warrants increased due to the increase in J.Jill’s stock price.

(b)
Represents expenses associated with equity incentive instruments granted to our management and board of directors. Incentive instruments are accounted for as equity-classified awards with the related compensation expense recognized based on fair value at the date of the grant.

(c)
Represents the net gain or loss on the disposal of fixed assets.

(d)
Represents loss on the repayment of Priming Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Priming Credit Agreement”) and the Subordinated Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Subordinated Credit Agreement”)

(e)
Represents non-cash gains associated with exiting store leases earlier than anticipated.

(f)
Represents impairment of long-lived assets related primarily to right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements.

(g)
Represents items management believes are not indicative of ongoing operating performance. In Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2022, these expenses are primarily composed of legal and advisory costs. Fiscal Years 2021 expenses are primarily composed of incremental one-time costs related to COVID-19.

Items Affecting the Comparability of our Results of Operations

Impairment losses. Our Fiscal Year 2023 results include $0.2 million of impairment charges for long-lived assets (leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment), and our Fiscal Year 2022 results include $1.4 million of impairment charges for long-lived assets (operating lease right-of-use asset, leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment).

Fair value adjustments. Fair value adjustments consist of the mark-to-market of warrants and derivative liabilities related to the debt restructuring consummated on September 30, 2020. These fair value adjustments were due to the increase in J.Jill’s stock price from January 30, 2021 through May 31, 2021. Effective May 31, 2021, these liabilities were reclassified to equity because from that date they can only be settled by exercise of the warrants into common stock. Our Fiscal Year 2021 results include fair value adjustments totaling $59.8 million. See Note 14. Net Income (Loss) Per Share, in the notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report, for additional information on these fair value adjustments.

COVID-19 impact. Our Fiscal Year 2021 financial results were significantly impacted by COVID-19. Although the Company lost revenues, we continued to incur certain expenses, such as payroll and rent; therefore, ratios and other items may not be comparable to our Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2022 financial results.

53rd week. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday, in January or February, nearest the last day of January, resulting in an additional week of results every five or six years. Fiscal Year 2023 contained 53-weeks of operations whereas

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the Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021 contained 52-weeks of operations. The 53rd week added approximately $7.9 million to net sales and $2.2 million to Adjusted EBITDA for Fiscal Year 2023.

Results of Operations

Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 which is comprised of 53-weeks compared to Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2023 which is comprised of 52-weeks.

The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated:

Net Sales

Net sales for Fiscal Year 2023 decreased $10.6 million or 1.7%, to $604.7 million from $615.3 million for Fiscal Year 2022. The decrease in net sales was due to total company comparable sales decrease of 1.4%.

Our Direct channel was responsible for 46.5% of our net sales in Fiscal Year 2023 compared to 46.8% in Fiscal Year 2022. Our Retail channel was responsible for 53.5% of our net sales in Fiscal Year 2023 and 53.2% in Fiscal Year 2022. We operated 244 and 243 retail stores at the end of these same periods, respectively.

Gross Profit and Cost of Goods Sold

Gross profit for Fiscal Year 2023 increased $5.4 million, or 1.3%, to $427.4 million from $422.1 million for Fiscal Year 2022. The gross margin for Fiscal Year 2023 was 70.7% compared to 68.6% for Fiscal Year 2022, largely driven by favorable freight costs and strong full price sales.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for Fiscal Year 2023 decreased $0.7 million, or 0.2%, to $341.2 million from $341.9 million for Fiscal Year 2022. The decrease is driven by a $2.8 million decrease in depreciation and amortization, and a $1.1 million decrease in shipping expenses. The decrease was partially offset by a $1.6 million increase in software application hosting and maintenance expenses and a $1.6 million increase in compensation expenses.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Impairment of long-lived assets for Fiscal Year 2023 decreased by $1.2 million, or 86.6% to $0.2 million from $1.4 million for Fiscal Year 2022. Our Fiscal Year 2023 results include $0.2 million of impairment charges for long-lived assets (leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment), and our Fiscal Year 2022 results include $1.4 million of impairment charges for long-lived assets (operating lease right-of-use asset, leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment).

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Loss on debt refinancing

For Fiscal Year 2023, the Company recognized a loss on debt refinancing of $12.7 million related to entering into a Term Loan Credit Agreement and the repayment of the Priming Credit Agreement and the Subordinated Credit Agreement, as discussed in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section below. The Company did not incur any gain or loss on debt refinancing for Fiscal Year 2022.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net consists of interest expense on the Credit Facilities, partially offset by interest earned on cash. Interest expense for Fiscal Year 2023 increased by $3.9 million, or 19.6%, to $24.0 million from $20.1 million for Fiscal Year 2022. The increase was driven by higher interest rates.

Income Tax Provision

The income tax provision for Fiscal Year 2023 was $13.2 million compared to $16.5 million for Fiscal Year 2022. Our effective tax rates were 26.7% and 28.1%, respectively. The effective tax rate during Fiscal Year 2023 differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% due primarily to the impacts of (i) state and local income taxes, (ii) executive compensation limitations, and (iii) valuation allowance changes. Refer to Note 13. Income Taxes to the consolidated financial statements for additional income tax information.

The effective tax rate for Fiscal Year 2022 differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% due primarily to the impacts of (i) state and local income taxes, (ii) executive compensation limitations, (iii) valuation allowance changes, and (iv) tax return to provision adjustments. The Company paid $19.7 million in cash for income taxes during Fiscal Year 2022 and received tax refunds of approximately $10.3 million relating to prior years.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash and cash equivalents generated from operating activities and availability under our asset-based revolving credit facility agreement (the “ABL Facility”). As of February 3, 2024, we had $62.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and $34.2 million of total availability under our $40.0 million ABL Facility.

On April 5, 2023, the Company and Jill Acquisition LLC (the “Borrower”) entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) by and among the lenders party thereto and Jefferies Finance LLC, as administrative and collateral agent. The Term Loan Credit Agreement provides for a secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $175.0 million with a maturity date of May 8, 2028 (the “Term Loan Facility”). Loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement bear interest at the Borrower’s election at (1) Base Rate (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) plus 7.00% or (2) Adjusted Term SOFR (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) plus 8.00%, with Adjusted Term SOFR subject to a floor rate of 1.00%.

The Term Loan Facility is to be repaid in quarterly payments of $2.2 million from July 28, 2023 to May 2, 2025, and $3.3 million from August 1, 2025 to April 28, 2028 with the balance of the Term Loan Facility due upon maturity on May 8, 2028. Additionally, the Term Loan Facility is subject to mandatory repayment, subject to certain exceptions, including (i) 100% of the net proceeds of any incurrence of debt other than debt permitted in the Term Loan Credit Agreement, (ii) 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales/insurance proceeds, subject to reinvestment rights and certain other exceptions, and (iii) 95 days after the last day of the Fiscal Year, an annual payment ranging from 25%-75%, based on the First Lien Net Leverage Ratio, of the annual Excess Cash Flow (“ECF”), less certain voluntary prepayments made during the year, as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

As of February 3, 2024 the Company expects to make an ECF payment of $26.6 million (amounting to 50% of the annual ECF) for Fiscal Year 2023, in accordance with the provisions of the Term Loan Credit Agreement. The amount expected to be repaid is included in the line item “Current portion of long-term debt” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

The Term Loan Facility may be voluntarily prepaid after the one-year anniversary but on or prior to the two-year anniversary, subject to a premium of 3.0% of the aggregate principal amount being prepaid, and after the two-year anniversary without premium.

The proceeds from the Term Loan Credit Agreement, combined with a portion of the Company’s existing cash on hand, were used to repay in full the outstanding balance of $225.4 million, inclusive of $3.6 million interest, under the Priming Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Priming Credit Agreement”) and the Subordinated Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Subordinated Credit Agreement”). All security interests and liens incurred in connection with the Priming Credit

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Agreement and Subordinated Credit Agreement have been released. The prepayment of the Priming Credit Agreement and Subordinated Credit Agreement was in accordance with the terms of such agreements.

On May 10, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 6 to our ABL Credit Agreement, by and among the Company, J.Jill Gift Card Solutions, the other guarantors party thereto, the other lenders party thereto, and CIT Finance LLC, as the administrative agent and collateral agent. This amendment extended the maturity date of the ABL Credit Agreement from May 8, 2024 to May 10, 2028 (or 180 days prior to the maturity date of the Company’s Term Loan Credit Agreement if the maturity date of such Term Loan Facility has not been extended to a date that is at least 180 days after the maturity date of the ABL Credit Agreement). The other terms and conditions of the ABL Facility remain substantially unchanged.

On December 1, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 7 (the “ABL Amendment”) to the ABL Credit Agreement, by and among the Company, Jill Acquisition LLC, J.Jill Gift Card Solutions, Inc. (collectively, the “Borrowers”), the other guarantors party thereto, the other lenders party thereto, and CIT Finance LLC, as the administrative agent and collateral agent. The ABL Amendment made a technical revision for administrative purposes which removed the requirement for a Borrower’s non-negotiable bill of lading, non-negotiable sea waybill or other similar shipping document (each a “Non-Negotiable Document”) to state on its face that the inventory that is subject to such Non-Negotiable Document is subject to the lien of the administrative agent. In connection with removing this requirement, a $500,000 in transit inventory reserve amount will be applied to eligible in transit inventory on the borrowing base certificate during any period in which excess liability is less than $5.0 million. This increase in the reserve decreases the borrowing base by the same amount during an in-transit inventory reserve period.

The Credit Agreements include customary negative covenants, including covenants limiting the ability of the Company to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments, loans or advances, engage in mergers, consolidations, sales of assets and purchases, pay dividends and distributions, enter into transactions with affiliates, and make payments in respect of junior indebtedness. Each of the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the ABL Credit Agreement also has certain financial covenants (see Note 9. Debt to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report). As of February 3, 2024, the Company is in compliance with all such covenants.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) enacted in March 2020, the Company received federal income tax refunds of $17.5 million in Fiscal Year 2021 and the remaining $9.2 million in Fiscal Year 2022 from the net operating loss carryback provisions relating to the Fiscal Year ended January 30, 2021.

Cash Flow Analysis

The following table shows our cash flows information for the periods presented:

Net Cash provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2023 decreased $11.1 million compared to Fiscal Year 2022. Net income for Fiscal Year 2023 was offset by the increase in cash used for working capital of $12.9 million compared to Fiscal Year 2022. Working capital cash uses consisted of lower cash inflows relating to prepaid expenses and other current assets of $10.8 million driven primarily by lower collection of income tax receivables in the current year, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $8.2 million mainly due to lower accrued employee compensation and other accruals, partially offset by the impact of product returns, and inventories of $8.1 million due to increased inventory in-transit. These net cash outflows were partially offset by higher accounts payable of $12.4 million and lower accounts receivable of $3.2 million due to the timing of payments.

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2023 was $63.3 million. Key elements of cash provided by operating activities were (i) net income of $36.2 million, (ii) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of $43.1 million, primarily driven by $22.9 million of depreciation and amortization and the loss on debt refinancing of $12.7 million, and (iii) the use of cash from net operating assets and liabilities of $16.0 million, primarily driven by accrued expenses and other current liabilities and operating lease assets and liabilities.

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2022 was $74.4 million. Key elements of cash provided by operating activities were (i) net income of $42.2 million, (ii) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of $35.4 million, primarily driven by $25.8 million of depreciation and amortization, and (iii) the use of

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cash from net operating assets and liabilities of $3.1 million, primarily driven by accounts payable and operating lease assets and liabilities, partially offset by changes in merchandise inventory and prepaid expenses and other current assets.

Net Cash used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities during Fiscal Year 2023 was $16.9 million, an increase of $1.9 million as compared to Fiscal Year 2022, representing increased purchases of property, equipment, software and technology-related investments, primarily relating to the new point of sale system.

Net Cash used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2023 increased as compared to the prior year. The change was primarily driven by the repayment of the previously existing Priming and Subordinated Credit Agreements offset by the proceeds from issuance of the Term Loan.

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2023 was $71.3 million, which was driven by the full repayment of the previously existing Priming and Subordinated Credit Agreements offset by the proceeds from issuance of the Term Loan.

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2022 was $8.3 million, which was driven by the $5.0 million repayment of the Existing Term Loan and $2.1 million principal payment on the Priming Facility.

Dividends

The payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon such factors as earnings levels, capital requirements, restrictions imposed by applicable law, our overall financial condition, restrictions in our debt agreements and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. As a holding company, our ability to pay dividends depends on our receipt of cash dividends from our operating subsidiaries, which may further restrict our ability to pay dividends as a result of restrictions on their ability to pay dividends to us under our debt agreements and under future indebtedness that we or they may incur.

Capitalization

At February 3, 2024, long-term debt consisted of the following:

The Company had no short-term borrowings under the Company’s ABL Facility as of February 3, 2024. The Company had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $5.8 million and had a maximum additional borrowing capacity of $34.2 million as of February 3, 2024.

Future Cash Requirements

We enter into contractual obligations in the ordinary course of business that may require future cash payments. Such obligations include merchandise inventories, marketing, including catalog production and distribution, payroll, store occupancy costs and capital expenditures associated with opening new stores, remodeling existing stores and upgrading information systems. The notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report provide additional information.

We believe our sources of liquidity, namely operating cash flows and ABL Facility capacity will continue to be adequate to meet our contractual obligations, working capital and capital expenditure requirements, finance anticipated expansion and strategic initiatives, and fund debt maturities for the foreseeable future. We may also engage in capital markets transactions from time to time subject to the discretion of our Board. We expect capital expenditures in the next twelve months to support opening of new stores, store design/ remodels, and system upgrades and maintenance projects.

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Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are not a party to any off balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Estimates

Our discussion of results of operations and financial condition is based upon the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and certain assumptions about future events that affect the classification and amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, including revenue and expenses, assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates and assumptions are based on our historical results as well as management’s judgment. Although management believes the judgment applied in preparing estimates is reasonable based on circumstances and information known at the time, actual results could vary materially from estimates based on assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

The most significant accounting estimates involve a high degree of judgment or complexity. Management believes the estimates and judgments most critical to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements and to the understanding of our reported financial results include those made in connection with revenue recognition, including accounting for outstanding gift cards that will ultimately not be redeemed (“gift card breakage”) and estimated merchandise returns; estimating the value of inventory; and impairment assessments for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, and long-lived assets. Management evaluates its policies and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our significant accounting policies related to these accounts in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are described below (see Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this Annual Report for additional information regarding our critical accounting policies).

Sales Return Reserve

The Company has a return policy where merchandise returns will be accepted within 90 days of the original purchase date. At the time of sale, the Company records an estimated sales reserve for merchandise returns based on historical prior returns experience and expected future returns. The estimated sales reserve is recorded as a return asset (and corresponding adjustment to cost of goods sold) for the cost of inventory and a return liability for the amount to settle the return with a customer (and a corresponding adjustment to revenue). The return asset and return liability are recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets, and Accrued expenses and other current liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company collects and remits sales and use taxes in all states in which retail and direct sales occur and taxes are applicable. These taxes are reported on a net basis and are thereby excluded from revenue.

Gift Cards

The Company sells gift cards without expiration dates to customers. The Company does not charge administrative fees on unused gift cards. Proceeds from the sale of gift cards are recorded as a contract liability until the customer redeems the gift card or when the likelihood of redemption is remote. Based on historical experience, the Company estimates the value of gift card breakage and will not be escheated under statutory unclaimed property laws. This gift card breakage is recognized as revenue over the time period established by the Company’s historical gift card redemption pattern.

Merchandise Inventory

Inventory consists of finished goods merchandise held for sale to our customers. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is calculated using the weighted average method of accounting, and includes the cost to purchase merchandise from our manufacturers, duties, tariffs, inbound freight and commissions.

In the normal course of business, we record inventory reserves by applying estimates, based on past and projected sales performance, to the inventory on hand. The carrying value of inventory is reduced to estimated net realizable value when factors indicate that merchandise will not be sold on terms sufficient to recover its cost.

We monitor inventory levels, sales trends and sales forecasts to estimate and record reserves for excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory. We utilize internal channels, including sales catalogs, the internet, and price reductions in retail and outlet stores to liquidate excess inventory. In some cases, external channels such as inventory liquidators are utilized. The prices obtained through these off-price selling methods vary based on many factors. Accordingly, estimates of future sales prices require management judgment based on historical experience, assessment of current conditions and assumptions about future transactions. We have not made significant changes to our assumptions during the periods presented in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report, and estimates have not varied significantly from historically recorded amounts.

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Asset Impairment Assessments

Goodwill

We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis on the last day of our eleventh fiscal month beginning Fiscal Year 2023 and at the end of each fiscal year prior to Fiscal 2023, or more frequently between annual tests when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company has determined that this change in the impairment assessment date does not represent a material change to the Company’s method of applying an accounting principle, and therefore does not delay, accelerate, or avoid an impairment charge. See Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this Annual Report for additional information.

Our two reporting units applicable to goodwill impairment assessments are defined as our Direct and Retail sales channels. Examples of impairment indicators that would trigger an impairment assessment of goodwill between annual evaluations include, among others, macro-economic conditions, competitive environment, industry conditions, changes in our profitability and cash flows, and changes in sales trends or customer demand.

The Company’s policy is to perform a quantitative analysis of goodwill every three years. During those years when a quantitative assessment is not performed initially, we assess our goodwill for impairment using a qualitative approach to determine whether conditions exist to indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If management concludes, based on assessment of relevant events, facts and circumstances, that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is greater than its carrying value, no further impairment testing is required.

If management’s assessment of qualitative factors indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then a quantitative assessment is performed. We also have the option to bypass the qualitative assessment described above and proceed directly to the quantitative assessment. The quantitative assessment requires comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We estimate the fair value of reporting units using the income approach. The income approach uses a discounted cash flow analysis, which involves significant estimates and assumptions, including preparation of revenue and profitability growth forecasts, selection of the discount rate and the terminal year multiple.

If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and no further testing is required. If the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, a goodwill impairment charge is recognized for the amount in excess, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

During Fiscal Years 2023, 2022 and 2021 we did not record any impairment to our goodwill. During Fiscal Year 2023, we performed a quantitative assessment of goodwill. This analysis contains uncertainties because it requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgments to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Our trade name has been assigned an indefinite life as we currently anticipate that it will contribute cash flows to us indefinitely. Our trade name is reviewed at least annually to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite, useful life.

We evaluate our trade name for impairment on an annual basis on the last day of our eleventh fiscal month beginning Fiscal Year 2023 and at the end of each fiscal year prior to Fiscal 2023, or more frequently between annual tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. Conditions that may indicate impairment include, but are not limited to, significant loss of market share to a competitor, the identification of other impaired assets within a reporting unit, loss of key personnel that negatively and materially has an adverse effect on our operations, the disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit or a significant adverse change in business climate or regulations.

The Company’s policy is to perform a quantitative analysis of its indefinite-lived intangible assets every three years. Impairment losses are recorded to the extent that the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value. We measure the fair value of our trade name using the relief-from-royalty method, which estimates the present value of royalty income that could be hypothetically earned by licensing the brand name to a third party over the remaining useful life. The most significant estimates and assumptions inherent in this approach are the preparation of revenue forecasts, selection of the royalty and discount rates, and selection of the terminal year multiple.

We did not record any impairment losses related to the trade name during Fiscal Years 2023, 2022 and 2021. During Fiscal Year 2023, we performed a quantitative assessment of our trade name. This analysis contains uncertainties because it

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requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgments to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets include definite-lived intangible assets (our customer list) subject to amortization, property and equipment and operating lease assets. Long-lived assets obtained in a business combination are recorded at the acquisition-date fair value, property and equipment purchased in the normal course of business is recorded at cost and operating lease assets are recorded at the present value of the lease payments.

We assess the carrying value of long-lived assets for potential impairment whenever indicators exist that the carrying value of an asset group might not be recoverable. Indicators of impairment include, among others, a significant decrease in the market price of an asset, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is being used or in its physical condition, and operating or cash flow performance that demonstrates continuing losses associated with an asset group.

When indicators of potential impairment exist, we compare the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group to the carrying value of the asset group. If the carrying value of an asset group exceeds the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows, we record an impairment loss in the amount required to reduce carrying value of the asset group to fair value. We estimate the fair value of an asset group based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, calculated by discounting the cash flow projections used in the previous step.

During Fiscal Year 2023, we assessed the carrying values of right-of-use assets and property and equipment as described above. During Fiscal Year 2023, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.2 million. During Fiscal Year 2022, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.6 million related primarily to a right-of-use asset relating to revised sublease assumptions of one floor of the corporate headquarters located in Quincy, Massachusetts that was vacated in July 2019 and $0.8 million due to the Company’s revised outlook on future cash flows at certain store locations. During Fiscal Year 2021, we did not record any impairments related to right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements.

Determining the fair value of long-lived assets requires management judgment and relies upon the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including future sales, our margins and cash flows, current and future market conditions, discount rates applied, useful lives and other factors. We believe our assumptions are reasonable based on available information. Changes in assumptions and estimates used in the impairment analysis, or future results that vary from assumptions used in the analysis, could affect the estimated fair value of long-lived intangible assets and could result in impairment charges in a future period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3. Accounting Standards to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report for information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and assumptions. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the sections of this Annual Report titled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

We operate on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year that ends on the Saturday that is closest to January 31. Each fiscal year generally is comprised of four 13-week fiscal quarters, although in the years with 53 weeks, the fourth quarter represents a 14-week period. The fiscal year ended January 28, 2023 (“Fiscal Year 2022”), fiscal year ended January 29, 2022 (“Fiscal Year 2021”) and fiscal year ended January 30, 2021 (“Fiscal Year 2020”) are all comprised of 52 weeks.

The discussion that follows includes a comparison of our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021. For the discussion comparing the Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020, refer to Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Fiscal Year 2021 Form 10-K, which was filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2022.

Overview

J.Jill is a national lifestyle brand that provides apparel, footwear and accessories designed to help its customers move through a full life with ease. The brand represents an easy, thoughtful, and inspired style that celebrates the totality of all women and designs its products with its core brand ethos in mind: keep it simple and make it matter. J.Jill offers a high touch customer experience through over 200 stores nationwide and a robust ecommerce platform. J.Jill is headquartered outside Boston.

How We Assess the Performance of Our Business

In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a variety of financial and operating metrics, including accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and non-GAAP measures, such as:

Net sales consist primarily of revenues, net of merchandise returns and discounts, generated from the sale of apparel and accessory merchandise through our Retail and Direct channels. Net sales also include shipping and handling fees collected from customers, and royalty revenues and marketing reimbursements related to our private label credit card agreement. Retail revenue is recognized at the time of sale and Direct revenue is recognized upon shipment of merchandise to the customer.

Net sales are impacted by the size of our active customer base, product assortment and availability, marketing and promotional activities and the spending habits of our customers. Net sales are also impacted by the migration of single-channel customers to omnichannel customers who, on average, spend three times more than single-channel customers.

Total company comparable sales include net sales from our retail stores that have been open for more than 52 weeks and from our Direct channel. This measure highlights the performance of existing stores open during the period, while excluding the impact of new store openings and closures. When a store in the total company comparable store base is temporarily closed for four or more days within a fiscal week, the store is excluded from the comparable store base; if it is temporarily closed for three or fewer days within a fiscal week, the store is included within the comparable store base. Certain of our competitors and other retailers may calculate total company comparable sales differently than we do. As a result, the reporting of our total company comparable sales may not be comparable to sales data made available by other companies.

Number of stores reflects all stores open at the end of a reporting period. In connection with opening new stores, we incur pre-opening costs. Pre-opening costs include expenses incurred prior to opening a new store and primarily consist of payroll, travel, training, marketing, initial opening supplies and costs of transporting initial inventory and fixtures to retail stores, as well as occupancy costs incurred from the time of possession of a store site to the opening of that store. In connection with closing stores, we incur store-closing costs. Store-closing costs primarily consist of lease termination penalties and costs of transporting inventory and fixtures to other store locations. These pre-opening and store-closing costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and are generally incurred and expensed within 30 days of opening a new store or closing a store.

Gross profit is equal to our net sales less costs of goods sold. Gross profit as a percentage of our net sales is referred to as gross margin.

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Costs of goods sold (“COGS”) includes the direct costs of sold merchandise, inventory shrinkage, and adjustments and reserves for excess, aged and obsolete inventory. We review our inventory levels on an ongoing basis to identify slow-moving merchandise and use markdowns to liquidate these products. Changes in the assortment of our products may also impact our gross profit. The timing and level of markdowns are driven by customer acceptance of our merchandise. The Company’s COGS, and consequently gross profit, may not be comparable to those of other retailers, as inclusion of certain costs vary across the industry.

The variability in COGS is due to raw materials, transportation and freight costs. These costs fluctuate based on certain factors beyond our control, including labor conditions, inbound transportation or freight costs, energy prices, currency fluctuations and commodity prices. We place orders with merchandise suppliers in U.S. dollars and, as a result, are not exposed to significant foreign currency exchange risk.

Selling, general and administrative expenses include all operating costs not included in COGS. These expenses include all payroll and related expenses, occupancy costs, information systems costs and other operating expenses related to our stores and to our operations at our headquarters, including utilities, depreciation and amortization. These expenses also include marketing expense, including catalog production and mailing costs, warehousing, distribution and outbound shipping costs, customer service operations, consulting and software services, professional services and other administrative costs. Additionally, our outbound shipping costs may fluctuate due to surcharges from shipping vendors based on demand for shipping services.

Our historical revenue growth has been accompanied by increased selling, general and administrative expenses. The most significant increases were in marketing and payroll investments.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) and Adjusted EBITDA Margin. Adjusted EBITDA, represents net income (loss) plus net interest expense, provision (benefit) for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation expense, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment, write-off of property and equipment, fair value adjustments, and other non-recurring expenses, primarily consisting of outside legal and professional fees associated with certain non-recurring transactions and events. We present Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis because management uses it as a supplemental measure in assessing our operating performance, and we believe that it is helpful to investors, securities analysts and other interested parties as a measure of our comparative operating performance from period to period. We also use Adjusted EBITDA as one of the primary methods for planning and forecasting overall expected performance of our business and for evaluating on a quarterly and annual basis actual results against such expectations. Further, we recognize Adjusted EBITDA as a commonly used measure in determining business value and as such, use it internally to report results. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents, for any period, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales.

While we believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating our business, Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that has limitations as an analytical tool. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or substitute for, net income (loss), which is calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently or not at all, which reduces the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as a tool for comparison. We recommend that you review the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, and the calculation of the resultant Adjusted EBITDA margin below and not rely solely on Adjusted EBITDA or any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

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Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA Margin

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin for the periods presented:

(a)
The fair value adjustment of warrants increased due to the increase in J.Jill’s stock price since January 30, 2021.

(b)
Represents expenses associated with equity incentive instruments granted to our management and board of directors. Incentive instruments are accounted for as equity-classified awards with the related compensation expense recognized based on fair value at the date of the grant.

(c)
Represents the net gain or loss on the disposal of fixed assets.

(d)
Represents non-cash gains associated with exiting store leases earlier than anticipated.

(e)
Represents impairment of long-lived assets related primarily to the right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements.

(f)
Represents items management believes are not indicative of ongoing operating performance. In Fiscal Year 2020, these expenses are primarily composed of legal and advisory costs.

(g)
Represents items management believes are not indicative of ongoing operating performance. In Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020, these expenses are primarily composed of incremental one-time costs related to COVID-19.

Items Affecting the Comparability of our Results of Operations

Impairment losses. Our Fiscal Year 2022 and 2020 results include impairment charges of $1.4 million for long-lived assets (operating lease right-of-use asset, leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment) and $66.3 million for long-lived assets (operating lease right-of-use asset and leasehold improvements), goodwill and intangible assets, respectively. See Note 6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Note 7. Property and Equipment, in the notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report, for additional information on these impairment losses.

Fair value adjustments. Fair value adjustments consist of the mark-to-market of warrants and derivative liabilities related to the debt restructuring consummated on September 30, 2020. These fair value adjustments were due to the increase in J.Jill’s stock price from January 30, 2021 through May 31, 2021. Effective May 31, 2021, these liabilities were reclassified to equity because from that date they can only be settled by exercise of the warrants into common stock. Our Fiscal Year 2021 results include fair value adjustments totaling $59.8 million. Our Fiscal Year 2020 results include fair value adjustments totaling $5.2 million. See Note 14. Net Income (Loss) Per Share, in the notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report, for additional information on these fair value adjustments.

COVID-19 impact. Our first and second quarter of Fiscal Year 2020 financial results were significantly impacted by COVID-19 as our stores were temporarily closed beginning in mid-March 2020 through most of the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2020 in efforts to stop the spread of the virus. Although the stores were temporarily closed and the Company lost revenues as a result, we continued to incur certain expenses, such as payroll and rent; therefore, ratios and other items may not be comparable to our Fiscal Year 2022 and 2021 financial results.

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Results of Operations

Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2023 compared to Fiscal Year Ended January 29, 2022

The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated:

Net Sales

Net sales for Fiscal Year 2022 increased $30.1 million or 5.1%, to $615.3 million from $585.2 million for Fiscal Year 2021. The increase in net sales was due to total company comparable sales increase of 6.5%. Net sales benefited from higher full-price sales as compared to Fiscal Year 2021.

Our Direct channel was responsible for 46.8% of our net sales in Fiscal Year 2022 compared to 49.8% in Fiscal Year 2021. Our Retail channel was responsible for 53.2% of our net sales in Fiscal Year 2022 and 50.2% in Fiscal Year 2021. We operated 243 and 253 retail stores at the end of these same periods, respectively.

Gross Profit and Cost of Goods Sold

Gross profit for Fiscal Year 2022 increased $27.6 million, or 7.0%, to $422.1 million from $394.4 million for Fiscal Year 2021. The gross margin for Fiscal Year 2022 was 68.6% compared to 67.4% for Fiscal Year 2021, largely driven by favorable promotional rates and the increase in Retail channel sales accompanied by strong full price sales in the same channel.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for Fiscal Year 2022 increased $6.2 million, or 1.8%, to $341.9 million from $335.7 million for Fiscal Year 2021. The increase is driven by a $4.2 million increase in marketing costs, $3.1 million increase in compensation and benefits, a $1.4 million increase in shipping costs, and a $0.9 million increase in equity-based compensation expense, offset by a $3.5 million decrease in depreciation and amortization. The increase in marketing costs was primarily due to a $2.2 million increase in print media and catalog costs, and $2.0 million increase in paid search and digital media expenses. The increase in compensation and benefits was primarily due to a $2.2 million increase in hourly and part-time wages and salaries expense, and a $0.8 million increase in benefits expense.

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Fair Value Adjustments

Fair value adjustments consist of the mark-to-market of warrants and derivative liabilities related to the debt restructuring consummated on September 30, 2020.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net consists of interest expense on the Credit Facilities, partially offset by interest earned on cash. Interest expense for Fiscal Year 2022 increased by $1.0 million, or 5.2%, to $20.1 million from $19.1 million for Fiscal Year 2021. The increase was driven by higher interest rates.

Income Tax Provision

The income tax provision for Fiscal Year 2022 was $16.5 million compared to $8.0 million for Fiscal Year 2021. Our effective tax rates were 28.1% and (39.8)%, respectively. The effective tax rate during Fiscal Year 2022 differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% due primarily to the impacts of (i) state and local income taxes, (ii) executive compensation limitations, (iii) valuation allowance changes, and(iv) tax return to provision adjustments. The Company paid $19.7 million in cash for income taxes during Fiscal Year 2022 and received a tax refund of approximately $10.3 million relating to prior years.

The effective tax rate for Fiscal Year 2021 differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% due primarily to the impacts of (i) nondeductible fair value adjustments of the warrants and derivative, (ii) state and local income taxes, (iii) executive compensation limitations, and (iv) valuation allowance adjustments related to state and local income taxes. Refer to Note 13. Income Taxes to the consolidated financial statements for additional income tax information. The Company paid $9.3 million in cash for income taxes during Fiscal Year 2021 and received a tax refund of approximately $17.5 million relating to prior years.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash and cash equivalents generated from operating activities and availability under our ABL Facility. On April 15, 2022, we entered into an Amendment No. 5 to our ABL Credit Agreement (the “ABL Amendment”), by and among the Company, Jill Acquisition LLC, J.Jill Gift Card Solutions, Inc., Jill Intermediate LLC, the other guarantors party thereto, the other lenders party thereto and CIT Finance LLC, as the administrative agent and collateral agent. The ABL Amendment (i) extended the maturity date of the ABL Facility from May 8, 2023 to May 8, 2024, provided that if by November 4, 2023, the Priming Facility maturity date has not been appropriately extended to a date that is at least November 4, 2024, then the ABL Facility maturity date will automatically be deemed to be November 4, 2023, and (ii) changed the benchmark interest rate applicable to the loans under the ABL Facility from LIBOR to SOFR. As of January 28, 2023, we had $87.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and $30.0 million of total availability under our $40.0 million ABL Facility.

Also, in Fiscal Year 2021, we received $17.5 million of a total expected federal income tax refund of approximately $26.7 million related to Fiscal Year 2020. In Fiscal Year 2022, the Company received the remaining expected refund of $9.2 million, bringing the total refund proceeds to $26.7 million. The tax refund amount benefited from the provisions under the CARES Act enacted in March 2020 most significantly from the provision that allows for net operating losses in Fiscal Year 2020 to be carried back to earlier tax years with higher tax rates than the current year.

The Credit Agreements include customary negative covenants, including covenants limiting the ability of the Company to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments, loans or advances, engage in mergers, consolidations, sales of assets and purchases, pay dividends and distributions, enter into transactions with affiliates, and make payments in respect of junior indebtedness. Each of the Priming Credit Agreement, the Subordinated Term Loan Credit Agreement and the ABL Credit Agreement also has certain financial covenants (see Note 9. Debt to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report). As of January 28, 2023, the Company is in compliance with all such covenants.

Under the Priming Credit Agreement, the Company had certain payment obligations during Fiscal Year 2021. On May 31, 2021, the Company had the choice to either (i) repay $4.9 million in aggregate principal amount of the loans under the Priming Credit Agreement, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon or (ii) issue additional shares of Common Stock to the lenders party to the Priming Credit Agreement in an amount as defined in the Agreement. On May 31, 2021, the Company chose to issue 272,097 shares to the Priming Lenders, with a value of approximately $5.2 million (based on the value of those shares as of close on that date), rather than repaying the $4.9 million since the minimum liquidity covenant would have increased to $25.0 million from $15.0 million if the Company had chosen to repay the $4.9 million of principal.

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In addition, the Priming Credit Agreement provided for a principal paydown of at least $25.0 million by August 30, 2021. The principal payment of $25.0 million, which was generated by operating cash flows, was made on August 27, 2021, avoiding additional PIK interest and fees.

Cash Flow Analysis

The following table shows our cash flows information for the periods presented:

Net Cash provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2022 decreased $0.6 million as compared to Fiscal Year 2021. Higher net income for Fiscal Year 2022 was offset by the increase in cash used for working capital of $14.9 million compared with Fiscal Year 2021. Working capital cash uses consisted of lower cash inflows relating to prepaid expenses and other current assets of $8.3 million driven primarily by the lower collection of income tax receivables in the current year, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $4.4 million due mainly to the impact of product returns, partially offset by the timing of other accruals, and accounts payable of $4.4 million and accounts receivable of $3.2 million due to the timing of payments. These net cash uses were partially offset by higher cash inflows from inventories of $3.4 million due to decreased inventory levels and the net change in operating lease assets and liabilities of $2.1 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2022 was $74.4 million. Key elements of cash provided by operating activities were (i) net income of $42.2 million, (ii) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of $35.4 million, primarily driven by $25.8 million of depreciation and amortization, and (iii) the use of cash from net operating assets and liabilities of $3.1 million, primarily driven by accounts payable and operating lease assets and liabilities, partially offset by changes in merchandise inventory and prepaid expenses and other current assets.

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2021 was $75.0 million. Key elements of cash provided by operating activities were (i) net loss of $28.1 million, (ii) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of $91.3 million, primarily driven by the noncash change in fair value of warrants, depreciation and amortization, and (iii) a source of cash from net operating assets and liabilities of $11.8 million, primarily driven by the receipt of the income tax refund, partially offset by payments for merchandise inventory and rents for retail stores that were deferred into Fiscal Year 2021 from Fiscal Year 2020.

Net Cash used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities during Fiscal Year 2022 was $15.1 million, an increase of $9.6 million as compared to Fiscal Year 2021, representing purchases of property and equipment related investments in stores and information systems.

Net Cash used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2022 decreased as compared to the prior year due to a voluntary principal payment on the Priming Facility and net repayments on the ABL Facility in Fiscal Year 2021.

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2022 was $8.3 million, which was driven by the $5.0 million repayment of the Existing Term Loan and $2.1 million principal payment on the Priming Facility.

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2021 was $38.0 million, which was driven by the $25.0 million voluntary principal payment on the Priming Facility, which was made to avoid increased PIK interest and fees, and net payments of $11.1 million on the ABL Facility.

Dividends

The payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon such factors as earnings levels, capital requirements, restrictions imposed by applicable law, our overall financial condition, restrictions in our debt agreements and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. As a holding company, our ability to pay dividends depends on our receipt of cash dividends from our operating subsidiaries, which may

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further restrict our ability to pay dividends as a result of restrictions on their ability to pay dividends to us under our debt agreements and under future indebtedness that we or they may incur.

Capitalization

At January 28, 2023, long-term debt consisted of the following:

The Company had no short-term borrowings under the Company’s ABL Facility as of January 28, 2023. The Company had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $7.0 million and had a maximum additional borrowing capacity of $30.0 million as of January 28, 2023. The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of January 28, 2023.

The maturity date of the Priming Credit Agreement is May 8, 2024. The Company intends to refinance this debt and, in connection with a refinancing, use cash on hand to reduce the amount borrowed.

The loans under the Priming Credit Agreement bear interest at the Company’s election at: (1) Base Rate (as defined in the Priming Credit Agreement) plus 4.00% or (2) LIBOR plus 5.00%, with a minimum LIBOR per annum of 1.00%, with the interest payable on a quarterly basis. The Priming Credit Agreement required a principal paydown of at least $25.0 million by August 30, 2021; otherwise, there would be a Paid-in-Kind (“PIK”) interest rate increase and a PIK fee. On August 27, 2021, the Company made the principal paydown of $25.0 million to avoid additional PIK and interest fees.

On May 31, 2021, the Company had the choice (the “May 31, 2021 Option”) to either (i) repay $4.9 million in aggregate principal amount of the loans under the Priming Credit Agreement, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon or (ii) issue additional shares of Common Stock to the Priming Lenders in an amount as defined in the Priming Credit Agreement. On May 31, 2021, and within the terms of the Priming Facility, the Company chose to issue 272,097 additional shares of Common Stock to the lenders party to the Priming Credit Agreement with a value of approximately $5.2 million (based on the value of those shares as of close on that date).

The maturity date of the Subordinated Term Loan Facility is November 8, 2024. Loans under the Subordinated Term Loan Facility bear interest at the Borrower’s election at (1) Base Rate (as defined in the Subordinated Term Loan Facility) plus 11.00% or (2) LIBOR plus 12.00%, with a minimum LIBOR per annum of 1.00%.

On April 15, 2022, the Company entered into an Amendment No. 5 to its ABL Credit Agreement, the ABL Amendment (i) extended the maturity date of the ABL Facility from May 8, 2023 to May 8, 2024, provided that if by November 4, 2023, the Priming Facility maturity date has not been appropriately extended to a date that is at least November 4, 2024, then the ABL Facility maturity date will automatically be deemed to be November 4, 2023, and (ii) changed the benchmark interest rate applicable to the loans under the ABL Facility from LIBOR to SOFR. The ABL Facility allows us to elect, at our own option, the applicable interest rate for borrowings under the ABL Facility using a SOFR or Base Rate variable interest rate plus an applicable margin. SOFR loans under the ABL Facility accrue interest at a rate equal to SOFR plus a spread ranging from 2.25% to 2.50%, subject to availability. Base Rate loans under the ABL Facility accrue interest at a rate equal to (i) the highest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the overnight Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50%, (c) most recently available Adjusted SOFR (as adjusted by any Floor) plus 1% (ii) a spread ranging from 1.25% to 1.50%, subject to availability. Principal is payable upon maturity of the ABL Facility on its termination date. The ABL Facility also requires the payment of monthly fees based on the average quarterly unused portion of the commitment, as well as a fee on the balance of the outstanding letters of credit.

Future Cash Requirements

We enter into contractual obligations in the ordinary course of business that may require future cash payments. Such obligations include merchandise inventories, marketing, including catalog production and distribution, payroll, store occupancy costs and capital expenditures associated with opening new stores, remodeling existing stores and upgrading information systems. The notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report provide additional information.

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We believe our sources of liquidity, namely operating cash flows and credit facility capacity will continue to be adequate to meet our contractual obligations, working capital and capital expenditure requirements, finance anticipated expansion and strategic initiatives, and fund debt maturities for the foreseeable future. We expect capital expenditures in the next twelve months to support opening of new stores, store design/ remodels, and system upgrades and maintenance projects.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are not a party to any off balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Estimates

Our discussion of results of operations and financial condition is based upon the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and certain assumptions about future events that affect the classification and amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, including revenue and expenses, assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates and assumptions are based on our historical results as well as management’s judgment. Although management believes the judgment applied in preparing estimates is reasonable based on circumstances and information known at the time, actual results could vary materially from estimates based on assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

The most significant accounting estimates involve a high degree of judgment or complexity. Management believes the estimates and judgments most critical to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements and to the understanding of our reported financial results include those made in connection with revenue recognition, including accounting for outstanding gift cards that will ultimately not be redeemed (“gift card breakage”) and estimated merchandise returns; estimating the value of inventory; and impairment assessments for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, and long-lived assets. Management evaluates its policies and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our significant accounting policies related to these accounts in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are described below (see Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this Annual Report for additional information regarding our critical accounting policies).

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is primarily derived from the sale of apparel and accessory merchandise through our Retail and Direct channels, which includes website and catalog phone orders. Revenue also includes shipping and handling fees collected from customers. The Company recognizes revenue when its single performance obligation is met at the time when the control of the promised goods or services are transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue from our Retail channel is recognized at the time of sale and revenue from our Direct channel is recognized upon shipment of merchandise to the customer.

The Company has a return policy where merchandise returns will be accepted within 90 days of the original purchase date. At the time of sale, the Company records an estimated sales reserve for merchandise returns based on historical prior returns experience and expected future returns. The estimated sales reserve is recorded as a return asset (and corresponding adjustment to cost of goods sold) for the cost of inventory and a return liability for the amount to settle the return with a customer (and a corresponding adjustment to revenue). The return asset and return liability are recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets, and Accrued expenses and other current liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company collects and remits sales and use taxes in all states in which retail and direct sales occur and taxes are applicable. These taxes are reported on a net basis and are thereby excluded from revenue.

The Company sells gift cards without expiration dates to customers. The Company does not charge administrative fees on unused gift cards. Proceeds from the sale of gift cards are recorded as a contract liability until the customer redeems the gift card or when the likelihood of redemption is remote. Based on historical experience, the Company estimates the value of gift card breakage and will not be escheated under statutory unclaimed property laws. This gift card breakage is recognized as revenue over the time period established by the Company’s historical gift card redemption pattern.

The Company recognizes revenues from shipments to customers when the shipping and handling activities occur and will accrue those related costs. Shipping and handling costs are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Merchandise Inventory

Inventory consists of finished goods merchandise held for sale to our customers. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is calculated using the weighted average method of accounting, and includes the cost to purchase merchandise from our manufacturers, duties, tariffs, inbound freight and commissions.

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In the normal course of business, we record inventory reserves by applying estimates, based on past and projected sales performance, to the inventory on hand. The carrying value of inventory is reduced to estimated net realizable value when factors indicate that merchandise will not be sold on terms sufficient to recover its cost.

We monitor inventory levels, sales trends and sales forecasts to estimate and record reserves for excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory. We utilize internal channels, including sales catalogs, the internet, and price reductions in retail and outlet stores to liquidate excess inventory. In some cases, external channels such as inventory liquidators are utilized. The prices obtained through these off-price selling methods vary based on many factors. Accordingly, estimates of future sales prices require management judgment based on historical experience, assessment of current conditions and assumptions about future transactions. We have not made significant changes to our assumptions during the periods presented in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report, and estimates have not varied significantly from historically recorded amounts.

Asset Impairment Assessments

Goodwill

We evaluate goodwill annually at year end to determine whether the carrying value reflected on the balance sheet is recoverable, and more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Our two reporting units applicable to goodwill impairment assessments are defined as our Direct and Retail sales channels. Examples of impairment indicators that would trigger an impairment assessment of goodwill between annual evaluations include, among others, macro-economic conditions, competitive environment, industry conditions, changes in our profitability and cash flows, and changes in sales trends or customer demand.

We may assess our goodwill for impairment initially using a qualitative approach to determine whether conditions exist to indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If management concludes, based on assessment of relevant events, facts and circumstances, that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is greater than its carrying value, no further impairment testing is required.

If management’s assessment of qualitative factors indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then a quantitative assessment is performed. We also have the option to bypass the qualitative assessment described above and proceed directly to the quantitative assessment. The quantitative assessment requires comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We estimate the fair value of reporting units using the income approach. The income approach uses a discounted cash flow analysis, which involves significant estimates and assumptions, including preparation of revenue and profitability growth forecasts, selection of the discount rate and the terminal year multiple.

If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and no further testing is required. If the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, a goodwill impairment charge is recognized for the amount in excess, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

During Fiscal Year 2022 and 2021, we did not record any impairment to our goodwill. During Fiscal Year 2020, we performed quantitative assessments which resulted in goodwill impairment of $17.9 million. This analysis contains uncertainties because it requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgments to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Our trade name has been assigned an indefinite life as we currently anticipate that it will contribute cash flows to us indefinitely. Our trade name is reviewed at least annually to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite, useful life.

We evaluate our trade name annually at year end for potential impairment, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. Conditions that may indicate impairment include, but are not limited to, significant loss of market share to a competitor, the identification of other impaired assets within a reporting unit, loss of key personnel that negatively and materially has an adverse effect on our operations, the disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit or a significant adverse change in business climate or regulations.

Impairment losses are recorded to the extent that the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value. We measure the fair value of our trade name using the relief-from-royalty method, which estimates the present value of royalty income that could be hypothetically earned by licensing the brand name to a third party over the remaining useful life. The most significant estimates and assumptions inherent in this approach are the preparation of revenue forecasts, selection of the royalty and discount rates, and selection of the terminal year multiple.

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We did not record any impairment losses related to the trade name during Fiscal Year 2022 and 2021. In Fiscal Year 2020, we determined that an impairment loss of $12.0 million was required. This analysis contains uncertainties because it requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgments to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets include definite-lived intangible assets (our customer list) subject to amortization, property and equipment and operating lease assets. Long-lived assets obtained in a business combination are recorded at the acquisition-date fair value, property and equipment purchased in the normal course of business is recorded at cost and operating lease assets are recorded at the present value of the lease payments.

We assess the carrying value of long-lived assets for potential impairment whenever indicators exist that the carrying value of an asset group might not be recoverable. Indicators of impairment include, among others, a significant decrease in the market price of an asset, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is being used or in its physical condition, and operating or cash flow performance that demonstrates continuing losses associated with an asset group.

When indicators of potential impairment exist, we compare the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group to the carrying value of the asset group. If the carrying value of an asset group exceeds the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows, we record an impairment loss in the amount required to reduce carrying value of the asset group to fair value. We estimate the fair value of an asset group based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, calculated by discounting the cash flow projections used in the previous step.

We assessed the carrying value of our customer list as described above and determined that an impairment loss of $2.6 million was required during Fiscal Year 2020. The customer list impairment is recorded in impairment of intangible assets in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. We did not record any impairments of intangible assets during Fiscal Year 2022 and 2021.

During Fiscal Year 2022, we assessed the carrying values of right-of-use assets and property and equipment as described above. During Fiscal Year 2022, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.6 million related primarily to a right-of-use asset relating to revised sublease assumptions of one floor of the corporate headquarters located in Quincy, Massachusetts that was vacated in July 2019 and $0.8 million due to the Company’s revised outlook on future cash flows at certain store locations. During Fiscal Year 2021, we did not record any impairments related to right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements. During Fiscal Year 2020, the Company recorded impairment charges of $23.0 million and $10.8 million related to right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements, respectively, associated with the assets of underperforming retail locations. Right-of-use asset and leasehold improvement impairments are recorded in impairment of long-lived assets in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.

Determining the fair value of long-lived assets requires management judgment and relies upon the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including future sales, our margins and cash flows, current and future market conditions, discount rates applied, useful lives and other factors. We believe our assumptions are reasonable based on available information. Changes in assumptions and estimates used in the impairment analysis, or future results that vary from assumptions used in the analysis, could affect the estimated fair value of long-lived intangible assets and could result in impairment charges in a future period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3. Accounting Standards to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report for information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the information presented under “Selected Financial Data.” The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and assumptions. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K titled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

We operate on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year that ends on the Saturday that is closest to January 31. Each fiscal year generally is comprised of four 13-week fiscal quarters, although in the years with 53 weeks, the fourth quarter represents a 14-week period. The fiscal year ended January 29, 2022(“Fiscal Year 2021”), fiscal year ended January 30, 2021 (“Fiscal Year 2020”) and fiscal year ended February 1, 2020 (“Fiscal Year 2019”) are all comprised of 52 weeks.

The discussion that follows includes a comparison of our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020.  For the discussion comparing the Fiscal Years 2020 and 2019, refer to Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Fiscal 2020 Form 10-K, which was filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2021.

Overview

J.Jill is a premier omnichannel retailer and nationally recognized women’s apparel brand committed to delighting customers with great wear-now product. The brand represents an easy, thoughtful and inspired style that reflects the confidence of remarkable women who live life with joy, passion and purpose. J.Jill offers a guiding customer experience through more than 250 stores nationwide and a robust ecommerce platform. J.Jill is headquartered outside Boston.

Our Fiscal Year 2020 financial results were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (“COVID-19”) as our stores were temporarily closed beginning in mid-March 2020 with most of our stores being reopened by late June 2020, but with enhanced health and safety protocols. In response to the impacts of COVID-19, we immediately took actions to improve our liquidity, capital resources and financial flexibility by restructuring our debt effective September 30, 2020, with an extended maturity and revised covenants. Since the debt restructuring, the Company has been in compliance with all debt covenants and made all scheduled principal repayments.

We also took significant actions to reduce expenses and maximize cash on hand. We closed certain stores and successfully renegotiated terms on the majority of the remaining store fleet. We reduced the volume of inventory purchases and the number and frequency of new product floorsets which resulted in overhead, marketing, and shipping and handling cost savings.  We also reduced capital spend in the business to focus on critical maintenance and strategic technical investments. As a result of these actions and improved economic conditions, the Company’s operating results, cash flows and liquidity continue to improve.

Therefore, considering the improved general economic conditions, and our improved operating results, cash flows, liquidity (including Cash, Debt and Equity), and projections into the foreseeable future, we have concluded that there is no longer substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date of issuance of the financial statements.

How We Assess the Performance of Our Business

In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a variety of financial and operating metrics, including GAAP and non-GAAP measures, including the following:

Net sales consist primarily of revenues, net of merchandise returns and discounts, generated from the sale of apparel and accessory merchandise through our Retail channel and Direct channel. Net sales also include shipping and handling fees collected from customers and royalty revenues and marketing reimbursements related to our private label credit card agreement. Revenue from our Retail channel is recognized at the time of sale and revenue from our Direct channel is recognized upon shipment of merchandise to the customer.

Net sales are impacted by the size of our active customer base, product assortment and availability, marketing and promotional activities and the spending habits of our customers. Net sales are also impacted by the migration of single-channel customers to omnichannel customers who, on average, spend nearly three times more than single-channel customers.

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Total company comparable sales include net sales from our full-price stores that have been open for more than 52 weeks and from our Direct channel. This measure highlights the performance of existing stores open during the period, while excluding the impact of new store openings and closures. When a store in the total company comparable store base is temporarily closed for four or more days within a fiscal week, the store is excluded from the comparable store base; if it is temporarily closed for three or fewer days within a fiscal week, the store is included within the comparable store base. Certain of our competitors and other retailers may calculate total company comparable sales differently than we do. As a result, the reporting of our total company comparable sales may not be comparable to sales data made available by other companies.

Number of stores reflects all stores open at the end of a reporting period. In connection with opening new stores, we incur pre-opening costs. Pre-opening costs include expenses incurred prior to opening a new store and primarily consist of payroll, travel, training, marketing, initial opening supplies and costs of transporting initial inventory and fixtures to store locations, as well as occupancy costs incurred from the time of possession of a store site to the opening of that store. In connection with closing stores, we incur store-closing costs.  Store-closing costs primarily consist of lease termination penalties and costs of transporting inventory and fixtures to other store locations.  These pre-opening costs and store-closing costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and are generally incurred and expensed within 30 days of opening a new store or closing a store.

Gross profit is equal to our net sales less costs of goods sold. Gross profit as a percentage of our net sales is referred to as gross margin.

Costs of goods sold (“COGS”) includes the direct costs of sold merchandise, inventory shrinkage, and adjustments and reserves for excess, aged and obsolete inventory. We review our inventory levels on an ongoing basis to identify slow-moving merchandise and use product markdowns to liquidate these products. Changes in the assortment of our products may also impact our gross profit. The timing and level of markdowns are driven by customer acceptance of our merchandise. Certain of our competitors and other retailers may report costs of goods sold differently than we do. As a result, the reporting of our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to other companies.

The primary drivers of the costs of goods sold are raw materials, which fluctuate based on certain factors beyond our control, including labor conditions, transportation or freight costs, energy prices, currency fluctuations and commodity prices. We place orders with merchandise suppliers in United States dollars and, as a result, are not exposed to significant foreign currency exchange risk.

Selling, general and administrative expenses include all operating costs not included in costs of goods sold. These expenses include all payroll and related expenses, occupancy costs, information systems costs and other operating expenses related to our stores and to our operations at our headquarters, including utilities, depreciation and amortization. These expenses also include marketing expense, including catalog production and mailing costs, warehousing, distribution and shipping costs, customer service operations, consulting and software services, professional services and other administrative costs. Additionally, our shipping costs may fluctuate due to surcharges from shipping vendors based on demand for shipping services.

Our historical revenue growth has been accompanied by increased selling, general and administrative expenses. The most significant increases were in occupancy costs associated with retail store expansion, and in marketing and payroll investments.

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Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin. Adjusted EBITDA, represents net (loss) income plus net interest expense, provision (benefit) for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation expense, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment, write-off of property and equipment, fair value adjustments, and other non-recurring expenses, primarily consisting of outside legal and professional fees associated with certain non-recurring transactions and events. We present Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis because management uses it as a supplemental measure in assessing our operating performance, and we believe that it is helpful to investors, securities analysts and other interested parties as a measure of our comparative operating performance from period to period. We also use Adjusted EBITDA as one of the primary methods for planning and forecasting overall expected performance of our business and for evaluating on a quarterly and annual basis actual results against such expectations. Further, we recognize Adjusted EBITDA as a commonly used measure in determining business value and as such, use it internally to report results. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents, for any period, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales.

While we believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating our business, Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that has limitations as an analytical tool. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or substitute for, net income (loss), which is calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently or not at all, which reduces the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as a tool for comparison. We recommend that you review the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, and the calculation of the resultant Adjusted EBITDA margin below and not rely solely on Adjusted EBITDA or any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA and Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA Margin

The following table provides a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA and the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin for the periods presented:

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Items Affecting the Comparability of our Results of Operations

COVID-19 impact. Our first and second quarter of Fiscal Year 2020 financial results were significantly impacted by COVID-19 as our stores were temporarily closed beginning in mid-March 2020 through most of the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2020 in efforts to stop the spread of the virus. Although the stores were temporarily closed and the Company lost revenues as a result, we continued to incur certain expenses, such as payroll and rent; therefore, ratios and other items may not be comparable to our Fiscal Year 2021 financial results.

Impairment losses. Our Fiscal Year 2020 results include impairment charges of $66.3 million for long-lived assets (operating lease right-of-use asset and leasehold improvements), goodwill and intangible assets. See Note 7, Property and Equipment, in the footnotes to the financial statements, for additional information on these impairment losses.

Fair value adjustments.  Fair value adjustments consist of the mark-to-market of warrants and derivative liabilities related to the debt restructuring consummated on September 30, 2020.  These fair value adjustments were due to the increase in J.Jill’s stock price from January 30, 2021 through May 31, 2021.  Effective May 31, 2021, these liabilities were reclassified to equity because from that date they can only be settled by exercise of the warrants into common stock.  Our Fiscal Year 2021 results include fair value adjustments totaling $59.8 million.  Our Fiscal Year 2020 results include fair value adjustments totaling $5.2 million.  See Note 15, Earnings per Share, in the footnotes to the financial statements, for additional information on these fair value adjustments.

Results of Operations

Fiscal Year Ended January 29, 2022 compared to Fiscal Year Ended January 30, 2021.

The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated:

Net Sales

Net sales for Fiscal Year 2021 increased $158.5 million or 37.1%, to $585.2 million from $426.7 million for Fiscal Year 2020. The increase in net sales was due to total company comparable sales of 23.4%. Net sales benefited from strong full-price sales and lower levels of promotions as compared to Fiscal Year 2020; however, the increase was primarily driven by the reopening of our stores near the end of the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2020.  Our stores were temporarily closed during the first and second quarter of Fiscal Year 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All stores were open

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during Fiscal Year 2021. Net sales for Fiscal Year 2020 include an out-of-period adjustment associated with the Company’s historical methodology for determining its sales returns reserve which benefitted Net sales by approximately 1%.

Our Direct channel was responsible for 49.8% of our net sales in Fiscal Year 2021 compared to 65.5% in Fiscal Year 2020. Our Retail channel was responsible for 50.2% of our net sales in Fiscal Year 2021 and 34.5% in Fiscal Year 2020. We operated 253 and 267 retail stores at the end of these same periods, respectively.

Gross Profit and Cost of Goods Sold

Gross profit for Fiscal Year 2021 increased $148.8 million, or 60.6%, to $394.4 million from $245.6 million for Fiscal Year 2020. The gross margin for Fiscal Year 2021 was 67.4% compared to 57.6% for Fiscal Year 2020, largely driven by added promotions, markdowns, and liquidation actions to clear certain goods in Fiscal Year 2020. The out-of-period adjustment, discussed above, had minimal impact on the gross margin.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for Fiscal Year 2021 decreased $7.7 million, or 2.3%, to $335.7 million from $343.4 million for Fiscal Year 2020. The decrease is driven by a $24.2 million decrease in legal and professional services expenses, a $4.4 million decrease in depreciation and amortization, a $3.8 million decrease in occupancy expenses, a $1.8 million decrease in cancelled projects expense and a $1.9 million decrease in expense related to the write-off of media credits in Fiscal Year 2020, offset by a $21.0 million increase in compensation and benefits, a $2.8 million increase in marketing costs, a $2.1 million increase in credit card fees, and a $2.4 million increase in shipping costs. Professional services expenses were higher in Fiscal Year 2020 due to costs associated with the debt restructuring agreement. The decrease in occupancy costs is due to decreased rental expense from closing fourteen stores in Fiscal Year 2021 and favorable lease renegotiations.  The increase in compensation and benefits was primarily due to a $8.2 million increase in hourly and part-time wages as the stores were open in Fiscal Year 2021, a $13.3 million increase in incentive expenses and a $1.8 million increase in benefits expense offset by a $2.9 million decrease in salaries expense. The increase in marketing costs was primarily due to a $5.0 million increase in digital media and retargeting expenses, partially offset by a $1.9 million decrease in print media and catalog costs.

Fair Value Adjustments

Fair value adjustments consist of the mark-to-market of warrants and derivative liabilities related to the debt restructuring consummated on September 30, 2020.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net consists of interest expense on the Term Loan, ABL Facility, Priming Loan and Subordinated Facility partially offset by interest earned on cash. Interest expense for Fiscal Year 2021 decreased by $0.7 million, or 3.6%, to $17.1 million from $17.7 million for Fiscal Year 2020. The decrease was driven by lower outstanding balances and interest rates.

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

The income tax provision for Fiscal Year 2021 was $8.0 million compared to an income tax benefit of $48.2 million for Fiscal Year 2020. Our effective tax rates were (39.8)% and 25.7%, respectively. The effective tax rate during Fiscal Year 2021 differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% due primarily to the impacts of (i) nondeductible fair value adjustments of the warrants and derivative, (ii) state and local income taxes, (iii) executive compensation limitations, and (iv) valuation allowance adjustments related to state and local income taxes.  The effective tax rate for Fiscal Year 2020 differs from the federal statutory rate of 21% due primarily to the impacts of (i) a realized benefit from the CARES Act, (ii) state and local income taxes, (iii) nondeductible goodwill impairment charge, and (iv) valuation allowance adjustments related to state and local income taxes.  Refer to Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for additional income tax information. The Company paid $9.3 million in cash for income taxes during Fiscal Year 2021 and received a tax refund of approximately $17.5 million relating to prior years.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

In response to the material adverse effect that the COVID-19 global pandemic had on our operations during Fiscal Year 2020, we improved our financial flexibility by restructuring our existing debt, issuing additional debt, reducing our expenses and maximizing cash receipts from our direct-to-consumer business channel. During Fiscal Year 2021, we have achieved

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significant improvements in sales growth and gross margin expansion due to the general improvements in the economy and our focus on driving full price sales as customer traffic trends improved. Though COVID-19 remains present in the United States and around the world, our current projections show that we will have sufficient liquidity in the foreseeable future, even when incorporating downside risk factors. Therefore, we believe that our cash on hand and current sources of liquidity and capital will be sufficient to finance our continued operations for at least the next 12 months.

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash generated from operating activities and availability under our ABL Facility, which has a maturity of May 8, 2023 so long as certain conditions related to the maturity of the term loan are met. As of January 29, 2022, we had $36.0 million in cash and $22.6 million of total availability under our ABL Facility.

Also, we have filed our federal income tax return for Fiscal Year 2020 and have received $17.5 million of a total expected refund of approximately $25.0 million. The timing of the remaining estimated refund is not known with certainty at this time. The tax refund amount benefited from the provisions under the CARES Act enacted in March 2020 most significantly from the provision that allows for net operating losses in Fiscal Year 2020 to be carried back to earlier tax years with higher tax rates than the current year.

The Priming Credit Agreement includes customary negative covenants, including covenants limiting the ability of the Company to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments, loans or advances, engage in mergers, consolidations, sales of assets and purchases, pay dividends and distributions, enter into transactions with affiliates, and make payments in respect of junior indebtedness. The Priming Credit Agreement also has certain financial covenants (see Note 10 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report).  The Company is in compliance with all covenants.

Under the Priming Credit Agreement, the Company had certain payment obligations during Fiscal Year 2021.  On May 31, 2021, the Company had the choice to either (i) repay $4.9 million in aggregate principal amount of the loans under the Priming Credit Agreement, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon or (ii) issue additional shares of Common Stock to the Priming Lenders in an amount as defined in the Agreement. On May 31, 2021, the Company chose to issue 272,097 shares to the Priming Lenders, with a value of approximately $5.2 million (based on the value of those shares as of close on that date), rather than repaying the $4.9 million since the minimum liquidity covenant would have increased to $25.0 million from $15.0 million if the Company had chosen to repay the $4.9 million of principal.  In addition, the Priming Credit Agreement provided for a principal paydown of at least $25.0 million by August 30, 2021. The principal payment of $25.0 million, which was generated by operating cash flows, was made on August 27, 2021, avoiding additional PIK interest and fees.

Cash Flow Analysis

The following table shows our cash flows information for the periods presented:

Net Cash provided by (used in) by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2021 increased $109.8 million as compared to Fiscal Year 2020 primarily due to cash generated from operating income as compared to cash being used by an operating loss during the prior year.  The higher cash generated by operating income was partially offset by the return to more normalized vendor payment terms during the year as well as the repayments of vendor liabilities that had been extended, including rents that were deferred during Fiscal Year 2020 by landlords due to the pandemic.

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2021 was $75.0 million. Key elements of cash provided by operating activities were (i) net loss of $28.1 million, (ii) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of $91.3 million, primarily driven by the noncash change in fair value of warrants, depreciation and amortization, and (iii) a source of cash from net operating assets and liabilities of $11.8 million, primarily driven by the receipt of the income tax refund, partially offset by payments for merchandise inventory and rents for retail stores that were deferred into Fiscal Year 2021 from Fiscal Year 2020.

Net cash used in operating activities during Fiscal Year 2020 was $34.8 million. Key elements of cash used in operating activities were (i) net loss of $139.4 million, (ii) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of $93.7 million, primarily driven by impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, impairment of long-

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lived assets and depreciation and amortization, partially offset by deferred income taxes, and (iii) source of cash from net operating assets and liabilities of $10.9 million, primarily driven by increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses partially offset by increase in prepaid expense and other current assets.

Net Cash used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities during Fiscal Year 2021 was $5.5 million, an increase of $1.7 million as compared to Fiscal Year 2020, representing purchases of property and equipment related investments in stores and information systems. In Fiscal Year 2020 net cash used in investing activities was lower due to efforts to reduce capital expenditures in order to preserve cash in response to COVID-19.

Net Cash used in (provided by) Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2021 increased as compared to the prior year as net borrowings under the ABL Facility were reduced due to the lessened impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a voluntary principal payment on the Priming Loan.

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2021 was $38.0 million, which was driven by the $25.0 million voluntary principal payment on the Priming Loan, which was made to avoid increased PIK interest and fees, and net payments of $11.1 million on the ABL Facility.

Net cash provided by financing activities during Fiscal Year 2020 was $21.5 million, which was driven primarily by increased borrowings under Subordinated and the ABL Facilities.

Dividends

The payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon such factors as earnings levels, capital requirements, restrictions imposed by applicable law, our overall financial condition, restrictions in our debt agreements and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. As a holding company, our ability to pay dividends depends on our receipt of cash dividends from our operating subsidiaries, which may further restrict our ability to pay dividends as a result of restrictions on their ability to pay dividends to us under our debt agreements and under future indebtedness that we or they may incur.

Capitalization

At January 29, 2022, long-term debt consisted of the following:

The Company had no short-term borrowings under the Company’s ABL Facility as of January 29, 2022. The Company had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $4.5 million and had a maximum additional borrowing capacity of $22.6 million as of January 29, 2022.  The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of January 29, 2022.

The maturity date of the Amended Existing Term Loan Agreement is May 8, 2022. Loans under the Amended Existing Term Loan Agreement continue to accrue interest at LIBOR plus 5.00%, with a minimum LIBOR per annum of 1.00%, with the interest payable on a quarterly basis.  The Company may alternatively elect to accrue interest at a Base Rate (as defined in the Amended Existing Term Loan Agreement) plus 4.00%.

The maturity date of the Priming Credit Agreement is May 8, 2024, and the loans under the Priming Credit Agreement bear interest at the Company’s election at: (1) Base Rate (as defined in the Priming Credit Agreement) plus 4.00% or (2) LIBOR plus 5.00%, with a minimum LIBOR per annum of 1.00%, with the interest payable on a quarterly basis. The Priming Credit Agreement required a principal paydown of at least $25.0 million by August 30, 2021; otherwise, there would

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be a Paid-in-Kind (“PIK”) interest rate increase and a PIK fee. On August 27, 2021, the Company made the principal paydown of $25.0 million to avoid additional PIK and interest fees.

On May 31, 2021, the Company had the choice (the “May 31, 2021 Option”) to either (i) repay $4.9 million in aggregate principal amount of the loans under the Priming Credit Agreement, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon or (ii) issue additional shares of Common Stock to the Priming Lenders in an amount as defined in the Agreement. On May 31, 2021, and within the terms of the Priming Loan, the Company chose to issue 272,097 additional shares of Common Stock to the Priming Lenders with a value of approximately $5.2 million (based on the value of those shares as of close on that date).

The maturity date of the Subordinated Facility is November 8, 2024. Loans under the Subordinated Facility bear interest at the Borrower’s election at (1) Base Rate (as defined in the Subordinated Facility) plus 11.00% or (2) LIBOR plus 12.00%, with a minimum LIBOR per annum of 1.00%.

The ABL Facility allows us to elect, at our own option, the applicable interest rate for borrowings under the ABL Facility using a LIBOR or Base Rate variable interest rate plus an applicable margin. LIBOR loans under the ABL Facility accrue interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 2.25% to 2.50%, subject to availability. Base Rate loans under the ABL Facility accrue interest at a rate equal to (i) the highest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the overnight Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50%, (c) LIBOR with a one-month interest period plus 1.00% and (d) 2.00%, plus (ii) a spread ranging from 1.25% to 1.50%, subject to availability. Principal is payable upon maturity of the ABL Facility on its termination date. On June 12, 2019 this ABL Facility was amended to extend the termination date to May 8, 2023. The ABL Facility also requires the payment of monthly fees based on the average quarterly unused portion of the commitment, as well as a fee on the balance of the outstanding letters of credit.

Future Cash Requirements

We enter into contractual obligations in the ordinary course of business that may require future cash payments. Such obligations include merchandise inventories, marketing, including catalog production and distribution, payroll, store occupancy costs and capital expenditures associated with opening new stores, remodeling existing stores and upgrading information systems. The Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements provide additional information.

We believe our sources of liquidity, namely operating cash flows and credit facility capacity will continue to be adequate to meet our contractual obligations, working capital and capital expenditure requirements, finance anticipated expansion and strategic initiatives, and fund debt maturities for the foreseeable future.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are not a party to any off balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Estimates

Our discussion of results of operations and financial condition is based upon the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and certain assumptions about future events that affect the classification and amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, including revenue and expenses, assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates and assumptions are based on our historical results as well as management’s judgment. Although management believes the judgment applied in preparing estimates is reasonable based on circumstances and information known at the time, actual results could vary materially from estimates based on assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

The most significant accounting estimates involve a high degree of judgment or complexity. Management believes the estimates and judgments most critical to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements and to the understanding of our reported financial results include those made in connection with revenue recognition, including accounting for gift card breakage and estimated merchandise returns; estimating the value of inventory; and impairment assessments for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, and long-lived assets. Management evaluates its policies and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our significant accounting policies related to these accounts in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are described below (see Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding our critical accounting policies).

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Revenue Recognition

Revenue is primarily derived from the sale of apparel and accessory merchandise through our Retail channel and Direct channel, which includes website and catalog phone orders. Revenue also includes shipping and handling fees collected from customers. The criteria to recognize revenue is met when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.  Revenue from our Retail channel is recognized at the time of sale and revenue from our Direct channel is recognized upon shipment of merchandise to the customer.

The Company has a return policy where merchandise returns will be accepted within 90 days of the original purchase date.  At the time of sale, the Company records an estimated sales reserve for merchandise returns based on historical prior returns experience and expected future returns. The estimated sales reserve is recorded as a return asset (and corresponding adjustment to cost of goods sold) for the cost of inventory and a return liability for the amount to settle the return with a customer (and a corresponding adjustment to revenue). The return asset and return liability are recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets, and Accrued expenses and other current liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company collects and remits sales and use taxes in all states in which retail and direct sales occur and taxes are applicable. These taxes are reported on a net basis and are thereby excluded from revenue.

The Company sells gift cards without expiration dates to customers. The Company does not charge administrative fees on unused gift cards. Proceeds from the sale of gift cards are recorded as a contract liability until the customer redeems the gift card or when the likelihood of redemption is remote. Based on historical experience, the Company estimates the value of outstanding gift cards that will ultimately not be redeemed (“gift card breakage”) and will not be escheated under statutory unclaimed property laws. This gift card breakage is recognized as revenue over the time period established by the Company’s historical gift card redemption pattern.

The Company recognizes revenues from shipments to customers when the shipping and handling activities occur and will accrue those related costs. Shipping and handling costs are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Merchandise Inventory

Inventory consists of finished goods merchandise held for sale to our customers. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is calculated using the weighted average method of accounting, and includes the cost to purchase merchandise from our manufacturers, duties, commissions and inbound freight.

In the normal course of business, we record inventory reserves by applying estimates, based on past and projected sales performance, to the inventory on hand. The carrying value of inventory is reduced to estimated net realizable value when factors indicate that merchandise will not be sold on terms sufficient to recover its cost.

We monitor inventory levels, sales trends and sales forecasts to estimate and record reserves for excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory. We utilize internal channels, including sales catalogs, the internet, and price reductions in retail and outlet stores to liquidate excess inventory. In some cases, external channels such as inventory liquidators are utilized. The prices obtained through these off-price selling methods varies based on many factors. Accordingly, estimates of future sales prices requires management judgment based on historical experience, assessment of current conditions and assumptions about future transactions. We have not made significant changes to our assumptions during the periods presented in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and estimates have not varied significantly from historically recorded amounts.

Asset Impairment Assessments

Goodwill

We evaluate goodwill annually at year end to determine whether the carrying value reflected on the balance sheet is recoverable, and more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Our two reporting units applicable to goodwill impairment assessments are defined as our Direct and Retail sales channels. Examples of impairment indicators that would trigger an impairment assessment of goodwill between annual evaluations include, among others, macro-economic conditions, competitive environment, industry conditions, changes in our profitability and cash flows, and changes in sales trends or customer demand.

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We may assess our goodwill for impairment initially using a qualitative approach to determine whether conditions exist to indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If management concludes, based on assessment of relevant events, facts and circumstances, that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is greater than its carrying value, no further impairment testing is required.

If management’s assessment of qualitative factors indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then a quantitative assessment is performed. We also have the option to bypass the qualitative assessment described above and proceed directly to the quantitative assessment. The quantitative assessment requires comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We estimate the fair value of reporting units using the income approach. The income approach uses a discounted cash flow analysis, which involves significant estimates and assumptions, including preparation of revenue and profitability growth forecasts, selection of the discount rate and the terminal year multiple.

If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and no further testing is required. If the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, a goodwill impairment charge is recognized for the amount in excess, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

During Fiscal Year 2021, we did not record any impairment to our goodwill.  During Fiscal Years 2020 and 2019, we performed quantitative assessments which resulted in goodwill impairment of $17.9 million and $119.4 million, respectively.   This analysis contains uncertainties because it requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgments to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Our trade name has been assigned an indefinite life as we currently anticipate that it will contribute cash flows to us indefinitely. Our trade name is reviewed at least annually to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite, useful life.

We evaluate our trade name annually at year end for potential impairment, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. Conditions that may indicate impairment include, but are not limited to, significant loss of market share to a competitor, the identification of other impaired assets within a reporting unit, loss of key personnel that negatively and materially has an adverse effect on our operations, the disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit or a significant adverse change in business climate or regulations.

Impairment losses are recorded to the extent that the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value. We measure the fair value of our trade name using the relief-from-royalty method, which estimates the present value of royalty income that could be hypothetically earned by licensing the brand name to a third party over the remaining useful life. The most significant estimates and assumptions inherent in this approach are the preparation of revenue forecasts, selection of the royalty and discount rates, and selection of the terminal year multiple.

We did not record any impairment losses related to the trade name during Fiscal Year 2021. In Fiscal Years 2020 and 2019, we determined that impairment losses of $12.0 million and $12.1 million, respectively, were required. This analysis contains uncertainties because it requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgments to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets include definite-lived intangible assets (our customer list) subject to amortization, property and equipment and operating lease assets. Long-lived assets obtained in a business combination are recorded at the acquisition-date fair value, property and equipment purchased in the normal course of business is recorded at cost and operating lease assets are recorded at the present value of the lease payments.

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We assess the carrying value of long-lived assets for potential impairment whenever indicators exist that the carrying value of an asset group might not be recoverable. Indicators of impairment include, among others, a significant decrease in the market price of an asset, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is being used or in its physical condition, and operating or cash flow performance that demonstrates continuing losses associated with an asset group.

When indicators of potential impairment exist, we compare the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group to the carrying value of the asset group. If the carrying value of an asset group exceeds the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows, we record an impairment loss in the amount required to reduce carrying value of the asset group to fair value. We estimate the fair value of an asset group based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, calculated by discounting the cash flow projections used in the previous step.

We assessed the carrying value of our customer list as described above and determined that an impairment loss of $2.6 million was required during Fiscal Year 2020. The customer list impairment is recorded in impairment of intangible assets in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.  We did not record any impairments of intangible assets during the Fiscal Year 2021.

During Fiscal Year 2021, we did not record any impairments related to right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements. During Fiscal Years 2020 and 2019, we assessed the carrying values of right-of-use assets and property and equipment as described above.  During Fiscal Year 2020, the Company recorded impairment charges of $23.0 million and $10.8 million related to right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements, respectively, associated with the assets of underperforming retail locations. During Fiscal Year 2019, the Company recorded impairment charges of $2.0 million and $0.3 million related to right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements, respectively.  Right-of-use asset and leasehold improvement impairments are recorded in impairment of long-lived assets in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.

Determining the fair value of long-lived assets requires management judgment and relies upon the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including future sales, our margins and cash flows, current and future market conditions, discount rates applied, useful lives and other factors. We believe our assumptions are reasonable based on available information. Changes in assumptions and estimates used in the impairment analysis, or future results that vary from assumptions used in the analysis, could affect the estimated fair value of long-lived intangible assets and could result in impairment charges in a future period.

Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (JOBS Act)

In April 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, reduce certain reporting requirements for an “emerging growth company.” As an “emerging growth company,” we are electing not to take advantage of the extended transition period afforded by the JOBS Act for the implementation of new or revised accounting standards, and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth public companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision not to take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable.

We have chosen to rely on the other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, as an “emerging growth company” we are not required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404B of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the consolidated financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis) and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation-related items, such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the chief executive officer’s compensation to median employee compensation. We may remain an “emerging growth company” until the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering on March 9, 2017, which will be at the end of Fiscal Year 2022. However, if certain events occur prior to the end of such five-year period, including if we become a “large accelerated filer,” our annual gross revenue equals or exceeds $1.07 billion or we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt in any three-year period, we will cease to be an “emerging growth company” prior to the end of such five-year period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements.

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