LANDS' END, INC. (LE)
SIC breadcrumb: Retail Trade > SIC Major Group 56 > SIC 5651 Retail-Family Clothing Stores
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=799288. Latest filing source: 0001193125-26-126210.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read LE's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read LE's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,162,769,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-03-26 |
| Net income | 5,508,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-03-26 |
| Assets | 751,066,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-03-26 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-03-26. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000799288.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,335,760,000 | 1,406,677,000 | 1,451,592,000 | 1,450,201,000 | 1,308,810,000 | 1,293,178,000 | 1,154,442,000 | 1,162,769,000 | |||
| Net income | -109,782,000 | 28,195,000 | 11,590,000 | 19,290,000 | 10,836,000 | 33,369,000 | -12,530,000 | -130,684,000 | 6,233,000 | 5,508,000 | |
| Operating income | -152,631,000 | 29,085,000 | 42,599,000 | 45,437,000 | 41,142,000 | 79,786,000 | 24,725,000 | -77,515,000 | 50,957,000 | 44,265,000 | |
| Gross profit | 576,408,000 | 597,203,000 | 616,056,000 | 621,892,000 | 605,853,000 | 691,460,000 | 593,766,000 | 625,527,000 | 653,345,000 | 650,170,000 | |
| Diluted EPS | -3.43 | 0.88 | 0.36 | 0.60 | 0.33 | 0.99 | -0.38 | -4.09 | 0.20 | 0.18 | |
| Operating cash flow | 24,089,000 | 28,437,000 | 48,200,000 | 27,289,000 | 91,633,000 | 70,569,000 | -36,367,000 | 130,565,000 | 53,143,000 | 49,618,000 | |
| Capital expenditures | 33,319,000 | 38,145,000 | 44,852,000 | 38,878,000 | 30,149,000 | 25,238,000 | 31,806,000 | 34,916,000 | 37,770,000 | 29,220,000 | |
| Assets | 1,114,391,000 | 1,124,135,000 | 1,110,911,000 | 1,113,629,000 | 1,045,508,000 | 1,036,634,000 | 1,082,148,000 | 811,479,000 | 765,481,000 | 751,066,000 | |
| Liabilities | 842,979,000 | 817,042,000 | 788,200,000 | 765,247,000 | 675,805,000 | 629,938,000 | 701,396,000 | 569,886,000 | 526,259,000 | 506,771,000 | |
| Stockholders' equity | 271,412,000 | 307,093,000 | 322,711,000 | 348,382,000 | 369,703,000 | 406,696,000 | 380,752,000 | 241,593,000 | 239,222,000 | 244,295,000 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 228,368,000 | 213,108,000 | 195,581,000 | 77,148,000 | 33,933,000 | 34,301,000 | 39,557,000 | 25,314,000 | 16,180,000 | 17,694,000 | |
| Free cash flow | -9,230,000 | -9,708,000 | 3,348,000 | -11,589,000 | 61,484,000 | 45,331,000 | -68,173,000 | 95,649,000 | 15,373,000 | 20,398,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | -8.22% | 2.00% | 0.80% | 1.33% | -0.96% | -10.11% | 0.54% | 0.47% | |||
| Operating margin | -11.43% | 2.07% | 2.93% | 3.13% | 1.89% | -5.99% | 4.41% | 3.81% | |||
| Return on equity | -40.45% | 9.18% | 3.59% | 5.54% | 2.93% | 8.20% | -3.29% | -54.09% | 2.61% | 2.25% | |
| Return on assets | -9.85% | 2.51% | 1.04% | 1.73% | 1.04% | 3.22% | -1.16% | -16.10% | 0.81% | 0.73% | |
| Liabilities / equity | 3.11 | 2.66 | 2.44 | 2.20 | 1.83 | 1.55 | 1.84 | 2.36 | 2.20 | 2.07 | |
| Current ratio | 2.44 | 2.37 | 2.44 | 1.92 | 1.57 | 1.63 | 1.87 | 1.58 | 1.63 | 1.61 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Income statement bridge from reported figures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2026. Revenue: accession 0001193125-26-126210; concept Revenues; source concepts us-gaap:Revenues | Gross profit: accession 0001193125-26-126210; concept GrossProfit; source concepts us-gaap:GrossProfit | Operating income: accession 0001193125-26-126210; concept OperatingIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | Net income: accession 0001193125-26-126210; concept NetIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2026. Operating cash flow: accession 0001193125-26-126210; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001193125-26-126210; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001193125-26-126210; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-30; accession 0001193125-26-126210; filed 2026-03-26. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-30; accession 0001193125-26-126210; filed 2026-03-26. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-30; accession 0001193125-26-126210; filed 2026-03-26. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-30; accession 0001193125-26-126210; filed 2026-03-26. Concept: GrossProfit. Source concepts: us-gaap:GrossProfit.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-30; accession 0001193125-26-126210; filed 2026-03-26. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-30; accession 0001193125-26-126210; filed 2026-03-26. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-30; accession 0001193125-26-126210; filed 2026-03-26. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-30; accession 0001193125-26-126210; filed 2026-03-26. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-30; accession 0001193125-26-126210; filed 2026-03-26. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-30; accession 0001193125-26-126210; filed 2026-03-26. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-30; accession 0001193125-26-126210; filed 2026-03-26. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-30; accession 0001193125-26-126210; filed 2026-03-26. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-06-09. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000799288.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-Q2 | 2018-08-03 | 307,945,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2018-Q3 | 2018-11-02 | 341,570,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2018-Q4 | 2019-02-01 | 502,252,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | ||
| 2019-Q1 | 2019-05-03 | 262,433,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2019-Q2 | 2019-08-02 | 298,267,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2019-Q3 | 2019-11-01 | 340,023,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2019-Q4 | 2020-01-31 | 549,478,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | ||
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-07-29 | -0.07 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-10-28 | -0.14 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-04-28 | -0.05 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-04-28 | -1,652,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-07-28 | -0.25 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-07-28 | -8,018,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-10-27 | -3.52 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q4 | 2024-02-02 | -8,620,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | ||
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-05-03 | -6,442,000 | -0.20 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-05-03 | -6,442,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-08-02 | -0.17 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-08-02 | -5,251,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-11-01 | -0.02 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q4 | 2025-01-31 | 18,519,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | ||
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-05-02 | 227,752,000 | -8,262,000 | -0.27 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-05-02 | -8,262,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-08-01 | 255,254,000 | -0.12 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-08-01 | -3,667,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-10-31 | 277,453,000 | 0.17 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q4 | 2026-01-30 | 402,310,000 | 12,273,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-05-01 | 205,123,000 | 330,693,000 | 10.56 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-05-01; accession 0001193125-26-263736; filed 2026-06-09. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-05-01; accession 0001193125-26-263736; filed 2026-06-09. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-05-01; accession 0001193125-26-263736; filed 2026-06-09. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001193125-26-263736.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those made, projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information” below, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2026 and “Part II, Item 1A Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, references to the “Company”, “Lands’ End”, “we”, “us”, “our” and similar terms refer to Lands’ End, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year ends on the Friday preceding the Saturday closest to January 31. Other terms that are commonly used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are defined as follows:
•
ABL Facility – Asset-based senior secured credit agreement, providing for a revolving facility, dated as of November 16, 2017, with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and certain other lenders, as amended to date
•
Adjusted EBITDA – Net income (loss) appearing on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations net of Income tax expense/(benefit), Interest expense, Depreciation and amortization and other significant items
•
Adjusted net income (loss) – Net income (loss) appearing on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations excluding significant non-recurring or non-operational items. Adjusted net income (loss) is also presented on a diluted per share basis
•
Company Operated stores – Lands’ End retail stores in the Retail distribution channel
•
Debt Facilities – Collectively, the Term Loan Facility and ABL Facility
•
First Quarter 2026 – The 13 weeks ended May 1, 2026
•
First Quarter 2025 – The 13 weeks ended May 2, 2025
•
Fiscal 2036 – The 52 weeks ending January 30, 2036
•
Fiscal 2026 – The 52 weeks ending January 29, 2027
•
Fiscal 2025 – The 52 weeks ended January 30, 2026
•
Fiscal 2024 – The 52 weeks ended January 31, 2025
•
GAAP – Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
•
JV – Joint venture with WHP Global in which the Company owns 50% of the joint venture entity, LE Topco, LLC
•
SOFR – Secured Overnight Funding Rate
•
Term Loan Facility – Term loan credit agreement, dated as of December 29, 2023, among the Company, Blue Torch Capital, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and the lenders party thereto
•
WHP Global – WH Topco, L.P. (d/b/a WHP Global)
•
WHP Transaction – The transaction which, (i) the Company contributed all of its intellectual property and related assets associated with the “Lands’ End” brand, including all of the license agreements entered into in connection with Lands’ End’s licensing business (the “Contributed Assets”) to LE Topco, LLC (the “JV”) a newly formed Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary and (ii) immediately thereafter, the Company sold a 50% controlling ownership stake in the JV to WHP Global
21
Table of Contents
•
Year-to-Date 2026 – The 13 weeks ended May 1, 2026
•
Year-to-Date 2025 – The 13 weeks ended May 2, 2025
Executive Overview
Description of the Company
Lands’ End is a leading digital retailer of solution-based apparel, swimwear, outerwear, accessories, footwear, home products and uniforms. We offer products online at www.landsend.com, through third-party distribution channels and our own Company Operated stores. We also offer products to businesses and schools, for their employees and students, through the Outfitters distribution channel. We are a classic American lifestyle brand that creates solutions for life’s every journey.
Lands’ End was founded in 1963 by Gary Comer and his partners to sell sailboat hardware and equipment by catalog. While our product focus has shifted significantly over the years, we have continued to adhere to our founder’s motto as one of our guiding principles: “Take care of the customer, take care of the employee and the rest will take care of itself.”
We identify our operating segments according to how our business activities are managed and evaluated. Our operating segments consist of: U.S. eCommerce, Europe eCommerce, Outfitters, Third Party, Licensing and Retail.
We have determined that the U.S. eCommerce, Outfitters and Third Party operating segments share similar economic and other qualitative characteristics, and therefore, the results of these operating segments are aggregated into the U.S. Digital segment. The Europe eCommerce, Licensing and Retail operating segments are not quantitatively significant to be separately reported. See Note 13, Segment Reporting.
Distribution Channels
We identify six separate distribution channels for revenue reporting purposes:
•
U.S. eCommerce offers products through our eCommerce website.
•
Europe eCommerce offers products primarily direct to consumers located in Europe through eCommerce international websites as well as third-party marketplace websites.
•
Outfitters sells uniform and logo apparel to businesses and their employees, as well as to student households through school relationships, located primarily in the U.S.
•
Third Party sells products direct to consumers through third-party marketplace websites.
•
Licensing earned royalties on the use of our trademark and any fulfillment fees for fulfillment services provided by us through the closing of the WHP Transaction. Effective April 1, 2026, the licensing segment earns fulfillment fees for fulfillment services provided by us.
•
Retail sells products through the Company Operated stores, located in the U.S.
WHP Transaction
On January 26, 2026, we entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (“MIPA”) with WH Topco, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership doing business as WHP Global. On April 1, 2026 the MIPA and related transactions were closed and funded (the “Closing”), pursuant to which, (i) we contributed all of our intellectual property and related assets associated with the “Lands’ End” brand, including all of the license agreements entered into in connection with our licensing business (the “Contributed Assets”) to LE Topco, LLC (the “JV”) a newly formed Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary and (ii) immediately thereafter, we sold a 50% controlling ownership stake in the JV to WHP Global for an aggregate purchase price of $300 million in cash, and contributed initial cash of $1.25 million to the JV.
In addition, on April 1, 2026, WHP Global completed a tender offer for $100 million of our shares at a price of $45.00 per share. As a result of the tender offer, WHP Global owns approximately 7.2% of our outstanding shares of common stock and is now considered a related party.
22
Table of Contents
At the Closing, we entered into a License Agreement, pursuant to which the JV granted a license to us to design, manufacture, sell and promote certain categories of products (including the types of products that we designed, manufactured and sold as of the date of the License Agreement) in certain channels and in certain jurisdictions, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria and France. The License Agreement is royalty-bearing and subject to a guaranteed minimum royalty (“GMR”) of $50,000,000 per year (calculated pro rata based on an amount of $50,000,000 for a twelve (12) month period for the first contract year) through the end of the contract year 11, will increase one percent per year for contract years 12-21, and will be $55,231,106 for each contract year thereafter, with different royalty rates due depending on the channel under which products are sold. The initial term of the License Agreement is 10 years following the conclusion of the first contract year, and the License Agreement automatically renews for up to 12 successive renewal terms of 7 years each, unless we provide notice of non-renewal at least 24 months prior to the end of the initial or applicable renewal term. The License Agreement is only terminable by the JV if we breach our obligation to make its required guaranteed minimum payments, or to make undisputed royalty payments, in each case subject to an opportunity to cure such non-payment within a certain period of time. Additionally, in certain WHP Global monetization events, such as a qualifying public listing or majority sale, we may have the right or obligation to exchange our interest in the JV for equity in WHP Global, at the same valuation multiple as the WHP Global monetization event.
We determined that the cash invested, along with the difference between our closing price of the common stock on the day of the closing of the transaction implied a fair value of the JV of $748.6 million. The carrying amount of the intellectual property assets was $257.0 million, previously classified as Asset Held for Sale as of January 30, 2026, resulting in a gain of $491.6 million included in Gain on WHP Transaction on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Macroeconomic Challenges
Macroeconomic issues which impact consumer discretionary spending, such as realized inflation-based price increases and high interest rates have continued to have an impact on our business. Apparel purchases historically have been influenced by domestic and global economic conditions, which may negatively impact customer demand and may require higher levels of promotion in order to attract and retain customers. Macroeconomic challenges may lead to increased cost of raw materials, packaging materials, labor, energy, fuel, debt and other inputs necessary for the production and distribution of our products. Moreover, uncertainty with respect to trade policy and tariffs, including increased tariffs applicable to countries where our vendors manufacture Lands’ End product, may result in an increase in the cost of our products.
In addition, conflict‑related disruptions in global energy markets and shipping lanes in early 2026 have contributed to heightened volatility in crude oil and refined‑product prices and interruptions to certain maritime routes, which may result in higher freight and delivery costs, carrier surcharges, longer transit times, and inventory delays.
Restructuring and Other Costs
We have incurred restructuring and other charges related to cost optimization of business operations and exploring strategic alternatives. During First Quarter 2026 and First Quarter 2025, we incurred ongoing costs related to exploring strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value and we included those costs as part of restructuring and other. This process culminated in the WHP Transaction. Additionally, during First Quarter 2025, we reduced approximately 6% of corporate office positions and incurred restructuring charges, primarily severance and benefit and other related costs. The reductions in the corporate office positions were made to better align with the evolving needs of the business and to invest in key growth areas.
We incurred $23.3 million and $3.3 million of restructuring and other costs during the First Quarter 2026 and First Quarter 2025, respectively.
As of May 1, 2026, approximately $2.8 million of restructuring and other costs incurred had yet to be paid and are included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Basis of Presentation
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Lands’ End, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those made, projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Information” below and Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
This section discusses our results of operations for the year ended January 30, 2026 as compared to the year ended January 31, 2025. For a discussion and analysis of the year ended January 31, 2025 compared to February 2, 2024, please refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on March 27, 2025.
As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to the “Company”, “Lands’ End”, “we”, “us”, “our” and similar terms refer to Lands’ End, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year ends on the Friday preceding the Saturday closest to January 31.
Executive Overview
Description of the Company
Lands’ End, Inc. is a leading digital retailer of solution-based apparel, swimwear, outerwear, accessories, footwear, home products and uniforms. We offer products online at www.landsend.com, through third-party distribution channels, our own Company Operated stores and third-party license agreements. We also offer products to businesses and schools, for their employees and students, through the Outfitters distribution channel. We are a classic American lifestyle brand that creates solutions for life’s every journey.
Lands’ End was founded in 1963 by Gary Comer and his partners to sell sailboat hardware and equipment by catalog. While our product focus has shifted significantly over the years, we have continued to adhere to our founder’s motto as one of our guiding principles: “Take care of the customer, take care of the employee and the rest will take care of itself.”
Segment Reporting
We identify our operating segments according to how our business activities are managed and evaluated. Our operating segments consisted of: U.S. eCommerce, Europe eCommerce, Outfitters, Third Party, Licensing and Retail.
We have determined that the U.S. eCommerce, Outfitters and Third Party operating segments share similar economic and other qualitative characteristics, and therefore, the results of these operating segments are aggregated into the U.S. Digital segment. The Europe eCommerce, Licensing and Retail operating segments are not quantitatively significant to be separately reported. See Note 13, Segment Reporting.
Distribution Channels
We identify six separate distribution channels for revenue reporting purposes.
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U.S. eCommerce offers products through our eCommerce website.
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Europe eCommerce offers products primarily direct to consumers located in Europe through eCommerce international websites as well as third-party marketplace websites.
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Outfitters sells uniform and logo apparel to businesses and their employees, as well as to student households through school relationships, located primarily in the U.S.
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Third Party sells products direct to consumers through third-party marketplace websites.
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Licensing earns royalties on the use of our trademark and any fulfillment fees for fulfillment services provided by us.
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Retail sells products through Company Operated stores, located in the U.S.
Pending WHP Transaction
On January 26, 2026, we announced the Pending WHP Transaction and entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “MIPA”), by and among the Company, Lands’ End Direct Merchants, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Lands’ End, WH Borrower, LLC, WH Topco, L.P. (d/b/a WHP Global) (“WHP Global”), and LEWHP LLC (“WHP”).
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the MIPA, at closing (i) we will contribute all of our intellectual property and related assets associated with the “Lands’ End” brand, including all of the license agreements entered into in connection with Lands’ End’s licensing business to a newly formed Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of Lands’ End (“IPCo”), and (ii) immediately thereafter, we will sell a 50% controlling ownership stake in IPCo, to WHP for an aggregate purchase price of $300 million in cash. The closing of the Pending WHP Transaction (the “Closing”) is subject to certain customary closing conditions. The MIPA contains certain termination rights for both Lands’ End and WHP, including, the right to terminate the MIPA if the Closing has not occurred prior to October 26, 2026.
In connection with the Closing, we will enter into voting agreements with WHP Topco and certain stockholders of Lands’ End (consisting of our controlling stockholder, Edward S. Lampert, and related funds) pursuant to which those stockholders will vote all of their shares of Common Stock in favor of a WHP Global monetization event (described below).
Limited Liability Company Agreement
At the Closing, Lands’ End, IPCo, WHP and WHP Topco will enter into the amended and restated limited liability company agreement of IPCo (the “LLCA”), pursuant to which IPCo will have a single class of membership interests consisting of Class A units (the “IPCo Units”), with Lands’ End owning 50% of the IPCo Units and WHP owning 50% of the IPCo Units. IPCo will be governed by a board of managers consisting of four managers, with two managers appointed by each of WHP and Lands’ End. The managers appointed by WHP will collectively have an extra vote permitting WHP to control decisions of the IPCo board of managers, which may change in the future based on the relative ownership percentages of WHP and Lands’ End in IPCo.
Lands’ End’s IPCo Units may be exchanged for equity of WHP Topco (“WHP Topco Units” as defined in the LLCA) in connection with the following WHP Topco monetization events: (i) in an initial public offering, direct listing or de-SPAC of WHP Topco, where WHP’s enterprise value-to-EBITDA multiple (the “Exchange Reference Multiple”), when calculated based on the WHP listing price, is equal to or greater than 13, then we can elect to exchange Company’s IPCo Units for WHP Topco Units or WHP can force Lands’ End IPCo Units to be exchanged for WHP Topco Units. If the Exchange Reference Multiple is less than 13, then we can elect to exchange our IPCo Units for WHP Topco Units; (ii) in a change of control of WHP Topco, where WHP’s Exchange Reference Multiple (counting only cash, public securities or other specified consideration) implied by the transaction is equal to or greater than the Minimum Multiple (as defined below), then we are required to exchange our IPCo Units for WHP Topco Units; and (iii) in a significant asset sale by WHP Topco of 50% or more of its EBITDA, where the Exchange Reference Multiple implied by such asset sale (counting only cash, public securities and other specified consideration) is greater than or equal to the Minimum Multiple, we are required to exchange our IPCo Units for WHP Topco
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Units. In the event of such an exchange, our stake in IPCo would be valued at the EBITDA multiple implied by WHP Topco’s monetization event.
The minimum multiple will initially be set at 13x, and we may reset such multiple one time per calendar year with WHP’s consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed (the “Minimum Multiple”). Our right to exchange in a WHP Topco monetization event terminates on the occurrence of any of the aforementioned monetization events, whether or not our interests in IPCo were exchanged.
Pursuant to the LLCA, WHP and Lands’ End generally may not transfer their IPCo Units prior to the third anniversary of Closing (other than to permitted transferees or a third party purchaser of WHP). After the third anniversary of the Closing, each party may transfer its respective IPCo Units but subject to tag along rights and a right of first offer in favor of the other parties. In addition, following the third anniversary of Closing, if either Lands’ End or WHP receives a third party acquisition offer for 100% of IPCo reflecting an IPCo’s enterprise value / LTM EBITDA multiple at or above 10, the party receiving the offer has a right to “drag” the other party into such sale, subject to an ownership threshold and the achievement of certain economic thresholds. The dragged party has the option to be dragged in such sale or, instead, buy out the other party’s stake at the purchase price proposed by the third party.
Pursuant to the LLCA, any excess cash above $5.0 million at IPCo (or $7.5 million, if, as of the end of any fiscal quarter, the revenue of IPCo and its subsidiaries with respect to the last 12 months ending on the most recent date for which financial statements are available is greater than $150.0 million) will be distributed to WHP and Lands’ End on a quarterly basis and based on ownership split.
License Agreement
At the Closing, Lands’ End and IPCo will enter into a License Agreement (the “License Agreement”), pursuant to which IPCo will grant us a license to design, manufacture, sell and promote certain categories of products (including the types of products that we design, manufacture and sell currently) (collectively, “Licensed Products”) in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria and France (the “Territory”), with limitations to certain channels of sale. The license is exclusive within the Territory and specified trade channels with respect to certain core products, and non-exclusive with respect to other categories of Licensed Products. The license is royalty-bearing and subject to a guaranteed minimum royalty (“GMR”), with different royalty rates due, depending on the channel under which Licensed Products are sold. The GMR will be $50,000,000 per year (calculated pro rata based on an amount of $50,000,000 for a twelve (12) month period for the first contract year) through the end of the contract year 11, will increase one percent per year for contract years 12-21, and will be $55,231,106 for each contract year thereafter. In addition, we will be eligible to receive an adjustment to our royalties, which adjustment will be paid by IPCo on a quarterly basis, based on total royalties received by IPCo (including from other licensees) above a specified threshold.
The initial term of the License Agreement is 10 years following the conclusion of the first contract year, and the License Agreement automatically renews for up to 12 successive renewal terms of 7 years each, unless we provide notice of non-renewal at least 24 months prior to the end of the initial or applicable renewal term. The License Agreement is only terminable by IPCo if we breach our obligation to make our required guaranteed minimum payments, or to make undisputed royalty payments, in each case subject to an opportunity to cure such non-payment within a certain period of time.
In addition, pursuant to the MIPA, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, WHP commenced a tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) to purchase up to 2,222,222 shares of our common stock (the “Common Stock”), par value $0.01 per share, at a price of $45.00 per share in cash, without interest and subject to any applicable withholding taxes, representing an aggregate value of up to approximately $100 million, which tender offer is intended to close substantially concurrently with the Membership Interests Purchase. The tender offer will be subject to pro-ration should it be oversubscribed. As a result of the tender offer, WHP is expected to own up to approximately 7% of our outstanding shares of common stock.
Macroeconomic Challenges
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Macroeconomic issues which impact consumer discretionary spending, such as realized inflation-based price increases and high interest rates have continued to have an impact on our business. Apparel purchases historically have been influenced by domestic and global economic conditions, which may negatively impact customer demand and may require higher levels of promotion in order to attract and retain customers. Additionally, the variable interest rates associated with our Debt Facilities are negatively affected by higher interest rate environments. Macroeconomic challenges may lead to increased cost of raw materials, packaging materials, labor, energy, fuel, debt and other inputs necessary for the production and distribution of our products. Moreover, uncertainty with respect to trade policy and tariffs, including increased tariffs applicable to countries where our vendors manufacture our product, may result in an increase in the cost of our products.
In addition, conflict‑related disruptions in global energy markets and shipping lanes in early 2026 have contributed to heightened volatility in crude oil and refined‑product prices and interruptions to certain maritime routes, which may result in higher freight and delivery costs, carrier surcharges, longer transit times, and inventory delays.
Restructuring and Other
During Fiscal 2025, we incurred ongoing costs related to exploring strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value and have included those costs as part of restructuring and other. Additionally, we reduced approximately 6% of our corporate office positions and incurred restructuring charges, primarily severance and benefit and other costs related to cost optimization of business operations. During Fiscal 2024, we reduced approximately 10% of our corporate office positions and incurred restructuring charges, primarily severance and benefit and other related costs. The reductions in the corporate office positions were made to better align with the evolving needs of the business and to invest in key growth areas.
We incurred $13.9 million and $5.6 million of restructuring and other costs in Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024, respectively.
Basis of Presentation
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of Lands’ End, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Seasonality
We experience seasonal fluctuations in our Net revenue and operating results and historically have realized a significant portion of our yearly net revenue and earnings during our fourth fiscal quarter. We generated approximately 34.0% of our yearly net revenue in the fourth quarters of Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024. Thus, lower than expected fourth quarter net revenue may have an adverse impact on our annual operating results.
Working capital requirements typically increase during the second and third quarters of the fiscal year as inventory builds to support peak selling periods and typically decrease during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year as inventory is sold. Cash provided by operating activities is typically higher in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to reduced working capital requirements during that period.
Results of Operations
Fiscal Year. Our fiscal year end is on the Friday preceding the Saturday closest to January 31 each year. The fiscal periods in this report are presented as follows, unless the context otherwise requires:
| Fiscal Year | Ended | Weeks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 30, 2026 | 52 | ||
| 2024 | January 31, 2025 | 52 |
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The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data:
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | $’s | % of Net Revenue | $’s | % of Net Revenue | ||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 1,335,146 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,362,935 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 684,976 | 51.3 | % | 709,590 | 52.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | 650,170 | 48.7 | % | 653,345 | 47.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Selling and administrative | 561,153 | 42.0 | % | 561,804 | 41.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 30,169 | 2.3 | % | 33,772 | 2.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Other operating expense, net | 14,583 | 1.1 | % | 6,812 | 0.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating income | 44,265 | 3.3 | % | 50,957 | 3.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | 36,717 | 2.8 | % | 40,439 | 3.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (203 | ) | (0.0 | )% | 22 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 7,751 | 0.6 | % | 10,496 | 0.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 2,243 | 0.2 | % | 4,263 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 5,508 | 0.4 | % | $ | 6,233 | 0.5 | % |
Depreciation and amortization are not included in our cost of sales because we are a reseller of inventory and do not believe that including depreciation and amortization is meaningful. As a result, our gross margins may not be comparable to other entities that include depreciation and amortization related to the sale of their product in their gross margin measure.
Definitions, Reconciliations and Uses of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to our Net income determined in accordance with GAAP, for purposes of evaluating operating performance, we report the following non-GAAP measures: Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted net income is also expressed on a diluted per share basis.
We believe presenting non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors, allowing them to assess how the business performed excluding the effects of significant non-recurring or non-operational amounts. We believe the use of the non-GAAP financial measures facilitates comparing the results being reported against past and future results by eliminating amounts that we believe are not comparable between periods and assists investors in evaluating the effectiveness of our operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management’s own methods for evaluating business performance.
Our management uses Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the operating performance of our business for comparable periods and to discuss our business with our Board of Directors, institutional investors and other market participants. Adjusted EBITDA is also used as the basis for a performance measure used in executive incentive compensation.
The methods we use to calculate our non-GAAP financial measures may differ significantly from methods other companies use to compute similar measures. As a result, any non-GAAP financial measures presented herein may not be comparable to similar measures provided by other companies. Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA should not be used by investors or other third parties as the sole basis for formulating investment decisions as these measures may exclude a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items.
Adjusted net income is defined as net income excluding significant non-recurring or non-operational items as set forth below. Adjusted net income is also presented on an adjusted diluted per share basis. While Adjusted net
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income is a non-GAAP measurement, management believes that it is an important indicator of operating performance and useful to investors.
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Other significant non-recurring or non-operational items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects comparability of results and are described below:
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Corporate restructuring and other – composed of costs related to the strategic alternative exploration as well as severance and benefit costs for Fiscal 2025 and primarily severance and benefit costs for Fiscal 2024.
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Unmitigated tariff costs – unmitigated incremental product costs, net of the impact of vendor negotiations, incurred pursuant to International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) tariffs that were subsequently ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court of the United States on February 20, 2026 for Fiscal 2025.
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Long-lived asset impairment – charges associated with the non-cash write down of certain long-lived assets for Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024, respectively.
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Exit costs – charges associated to exit the kids and footwear lines of business including inventory excess and obsolescence reserves, inventory discounts and operational charges recorded in Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024, respectively, in conjunction with our licensing arrangements commencing in Fiscal 2024.
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Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment – disposal of property and equipment in Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024.
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The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted net income and Adjusted diluted net earnings per share:
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 5,508 | $ | 6,233 | ||||
| Corporate restructuring and other | 13,888 | 5,558 | ||||||
| Unmitigated tariff costs | 13,000 | — | ||||||
| Long-lived asset impairment | 683 | 3,818 | ||||||
| Exit costs | 257 | 927 | ||||||
| Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment | 16 | (2,501 | ) | |||||
| Tax effects on adjustments (1) | (6,525 | ) | (1,463 | ) | ||||
| ADJUSTED NET INCOME | $ | 26,827 | $ | 12,572 | ||||
| ADJUSTED DILUTED NET EARNINGS PER SHARE | $ | 0.86 | $ | 0.40 | ||||
| Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding | 31,033 | 31,664 |
(1)
The tax impact of adjustments is calculated at the applicable U.S. and non-U.S. Federal and State statutory rates.
While Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, management believes that it is an important indicator of operating performance, and useful to investors because EBITDA excludes the effects of financings, investing activities and tax structure by eliminating the effects of interest, depreciation and income tax.
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Other significant items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects comparability of results and are described below:
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Corporate restructuring and other – composed of costs related to the strategic alternative exploration as well as severance and benefit costs for Fiscal 2025 and primarily severance and benefit costs for Fiscal 2024.
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Unmitigated tariff costs – unmitigated incremental product costs, net of the impact of vendor negotiations, incurred pursuant to International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) tariffs that were subsequently ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court of the United States on February 20, 2026 for Fiscal 2025.
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Long-lived asset impairment – charges associated with the non-cash write down of certain long-lived assets in Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024.
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Exit costs – charges associated to exit the kids and footwear lines of business including inventory excess and obsolescence reserves, inventory discounts and operational charges recorded in Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024, respectively, in conjunction with our licensing arrangements commencing in Fiscal 2024.
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Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment – disposal of property and equipment in Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024.
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The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data, both in dollars and as a percentage of Net revenue and a reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted EBITDA:
| (in thousands) | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 5,508 | 0.4 | % | $ | 6,233 | 0.5 | % | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | 2,243 | 0.2 | % | 4,263 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | 36,717 | 2.8 | % | 40,439 | 3.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (203 | ) | (0.0 | )% | 22 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 44,265 | 3.3 | % | 50,957 | 3.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 30,169 | 2.3 | % | 33,772 | 2.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Corporate restructuring and other | 13,888 | 1.0 | % | 5,558 | 0.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Unmitigated tariff costs | 13,000 | 1.0 | % | — | — | |||||||||||
| Long-lived asset impairment | 683 | 0.1 | % | 3,818 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Exit costs | 257 | 0.0 | % | 927 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment | 16 | 0.0 | % | (2,433 | ) | (0.2 | )% | |||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 102,278 | 7.7 | % | $ | 92,599 | 6.8 | % |
In assessing the operational performance of our business, we consider a variety of financial measures. We operate in six separate distribution channels for revenue reporting purposes: U.S. eCommerce, Europe eCommerce, Outfitters, Third Party, Licensing and Retail. A key measure in the evaluation of our business is revenue performance by distribution channel as well as consolidated Gross margin. We manage and assess the performance of each of our operating segments using variable profit, which is defined as Net revenue minus cost of sales and variable selling expenses. This segment measure excludes fixed personnel costs, incentive compensation, office occupancy, information technology, professional fees and depreciation and amortization. See Note 13, Segment Reporting for more information regarding variable profit, which is a non-GAAP measure, as well as a reconciliation of variable profit to Income (loss) before income taxes.
We use Net revenue to evaluate revenue performance for the U.S. eCommerce, Europe eCommerce, Outfitters, Third Party, Retail and Licensing distribution channels. We currently use GMV, which equals total order value of all Lands’ End branded merchandise sold to customers through business-to-consumer and business-to-business channels, as well as the estimated retail value of the merchandise sold through third party distribution channels, as an important indicator of the performance of the comparable growth of the total brand.
Discussion and Analysis
Fiscal 2025 Compared to Fiscal 2024
Gross Merchandise Value
Gross Merchandise Value (“GMV”) increased low-single digits compared to Fiscal 2024.
Net Revenue
Total Net revenue was $1.34 billion in Fiscal 2025, a decrease of $27.8 million or 2.0% from $1.36 billion in Fiscal 2024.
U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue was $1.16 billion in Fiscal 2025, an increase of $8.3 million or 0.7% from $1.15 billion in Fiscal 2024.
U.S. eCommerce Net revenue was $829.8 million for Fiscal 2025, a decrease of $13.0 million or 1.5% from $842.8 million in Fiscal 2024. Fiscal 2025 benefited from strong performance in our key product franchises, resulting in gross margin expansion and partially offsetting the overall decrease. The decline primarily reflects the transition of certain products to a licensing model.
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Outfitters Net revenue was $241.8 million for Fiscal 2025, an increase of $13.6 million or 6.0% from $228.2 million in Fiscal 2024. The school uniform channel increased primarily due to a strong back-to-school season driven by an influx of new customers. The business uniform channel slightly increased due to strength in select enterprise accounts.
Third Party Net revenue was $91.2 million for Fiscal 2025, an increase of $7.7 million or 9.2%, from $83.5 million in Fiscal 2024. The increase was primarily due to curated product assortments across all marketplaces.
Europe eCommerce Net revenue was $90.2 million in Fiscal 2025, a decrease of $12.9 million or 12.5% from $103.1 million in Fiscal 2024. The decrease was primarily driven by new leadership using the first half to relaunch as a more premium brand and continued macroeconomic pressures.
Licensing and Retail Net revenue was $82.2 million in Fiscal 2025, a decrease of $23.2 million or 22.0% from $105.4 million in Fiscal 2024. The decrease reflects the planned transition of certain wholesale accounts to a licensing arrangement in 2024 and the performance of U.S. Company Operated stores partially offset by licensing revenue increasing by over 20%.
Gross Profit
In Fiscal 2025, total Gross profit decreased 0.5% to $650.2 million compared to $653.3 million for Fiscal 2024. Gross margin increased 80 basis points to 48.7% in Fiscal 2025 compared to 47.9% in Fiscal 2024. The gross margin improvement was primarily driven by continued strength across key categories and expansion of the licensing business, partially offset by tariffs. When excluding the impact of the unmitigated IEEPA tariffs of $13.0 million, gross margin would have increased by approximately 180 basis points to 49.7% compared to the prior year.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses were $561.2 million, or 42.0% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2025, compared to $561.8 million, or 41.2% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2024. The approximately 80 basis points increase was driven by deleveraging from lower revenues and higher digital marketing spend focused on new customer acquisition partially offset by operational efficiencies and strong cost controls across the entire business.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization were $30.2 million in Fiscal 2025, a decrease of $3.6 million or 10.7%, compared to $33.8 million in Fiscal 2024. The decrease in depreciation and amortization is primarily driven by lower software depreciation in Fiscal 2025 as a result of major projects becoming fully depreciated.
Other Operating Expense, Net
Other operating expense, net was $14.6 million in Fiscal 2025 compared to $6.8 million in Fiscal 2024. The increase was primarily driven by expenses related to the strategic alternatives exploration and restructuring costs. See Note 1. Background and Basis of Presentation.
Operating Income
As a result of the above factors, Operating income was $44.3 million in Fiscal 2025, compared to $51.0 million in Fiscal 2024.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $36.7 million in Fiscal 2025, compared to $40.4 million in Fiscal 2024. The $3.7 million decrease was primarily driven by lower ABL Facility interest related to lower average outstanding balances and lower applicable interest rates under the Term Loan Facility.
Other (Income) Expense
Other income was insignificant in both Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024.
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Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax expense of $2.2 million was recorded for Fiscal 2025 which resulted in an effective tax rate of 28.9%. This compared to Income tax expense of $4.3 million in Fiscal 2024 which resulted in an effective tax rate of 40.6%. The Fiscal 2025 tax rate was lower than in Fiscal 2024 primarily due to the release of certain state valuation allowances in Fiscal 2025.
Net Income
As a result of the above factors, Net income was $5.5 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.18 in Fiscal 2025 compared to Net income of $6.2 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.20 in Fiscal 2024.
Adjusted Net Income
As a result of the above factors, Adjusted net income was $26.8 million and Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.86 in Fiscal 2025 compared to Adjusted net income of $12.6 million and Adjusted diluted net earnings per share of $0.40 in Fiscal 2024, representing an increase of $14.3 million, or $0.46 per diluted share.
Adjusted EBITDA
As a result of the above factors, Adjusted EBITDA was $102.3 million in Fiscal 2025, compared to $92.6 million in Fiscal 2024.
U.S. Digital Segment Results of Operations
Variable Profit
U.S. Digital Segment Variable profit was $269.6 million in Fiscal 2025, an increase of $4.2 million compared to $265.4 million in Fiscal 2024. U.S. Digital Segment Variable profit was 23.2% of U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue in Fiscal 2025, which is an increase of 20 basis points compared to 23.0% of U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue in Fiscal 2024. The increase in variable profit as a percentage of U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue was driven by product solutions and newness across the assortment, improvements in supply chain costs and cost controls across the entire business partially offset by deleverage from lower revenues and channel mix.
Product cost of goods sold was $450.9 million or 38.8% of U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue in Fiscal 2025 compared to $444.1 million or 38.5% of U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue in Fiscal 2024. Shipping cost of goods sold was $155.6 million or 13.4% of U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue in Fiscal 2025 compared to $157.6 million or 13.7% of U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue in Fiscal 2024. The increase in Product and Shipping costs of goods sold as a percentage of U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue was primarily due to tariffs partially offset by improvements in supply chain costs and product assortment mix. Marketing expenses were $188.0 million or 16.2% of U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue in Fiscal 2025 compared to $179.5 million or 15.5% of U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue in Fiscal 2024. The increase in Marketing expenses was primarily due to higher digital spend focused on new customer acquisition.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Our primary need for liquidity is to fund working capital requirements of our business, capital expenditures, debt service and for general corporate purposes. Our cash and cash equivalents and the ABL Facility serve as sources of liquidity for short-term working capital needs and general corporate purposes. The ABL Facility had no balance outstanding as of January 30, 2026, other than letters of credit. Cash generated from our net revenue and profitability, and to a lesser extent our changes in working capital, are driven by the seasonality of our business, with a significant amount of net revenue and operating cash flows generally occurring in the fourth fiscal quarter of each year. We expect that our cash on hand and cash flows from operations, along with revolving on the ABL Facility, will be adequate to meet our capital requirements and operational needs for at least the next 12 months. In addition, upon
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closing of the Pending WHP Transaction, we intend to fully repay the Term Loan Facility described below under Long-Term Debt.
ABL Facility
Our $225.0 million committed revolving ABL Facility, as amended to date, includes a $35.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and is available for working capital and other general corporate liquidity needs. The amount available to borrow is the lesser of (1) the Aggregate Commitments of $225.0 million or (2) the Borrowing Base or Loan Cap which is calculated from Eligible Inventory, Trade Receivables and Credit Card Receivables, all foregoing capitalized terms not defined herein are as defined in the ABL Facility.
Effective with the Fifth Amendment to the ABL Facility, dated March 28, 2025 (the “Fifth Amendment”), a 0.10% adjustment to the SOFR benchmark interest rate was eliminated and the benchmark rates under the ABL Credit Agreement are, at our election, either: (1) Term SOFR (which is a forward looking term rate based on the secured overnight financing rate), or (2) a Base Rate (which is the greatest of (a) 0% per annum, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (c) the one-month Term SOFR rate plus 1.00%, or (d) the Wells Fargo “prime rate”). The borrowing margin for SOFR Rate loans is (i) where the average daily total outstanding for the previous quarter is less than $95.0 million, 1.50%, and (ii) where the average daily total outstanding for the previous quarter is equal to or greater than $95.0 million, 1.75%. For Base Rate loans, the borrowing margin is (i) where the average daily total outstanding for the previous quarter is less than $95.0 million, 0.75%, and (ii) where the average daily total outstanding for the previous quarter is equal to or greater than $95.0 million, 1.00% (“Applicable Borrowing Margin”). The Applicable Borrowing Margin for all loans is based upon the average daily total loans outstanding for the previous quarter. The Fifth Amendment reduced aggregate commitments from $275 million to $225 million, and reduced the letter of credit sublimit from $70 million to $35 million, in line with our lower inventory levels and expected letter of credit capacity, and had no material interest rate impact.
The ABL Facility fees include (i) commitment fees of 0.20% or 0.30% based upon the average daily unused commitment (aggregate commitment less loans and letter of credit outstanding) under the ABL Facility for the preceding fiscal quarter, (ii) customary letter of credit fees and (iii) customary annual agent fees. The Fifth Amendment extended the maturity date of the ABL Facility to the earlier of (a) March 28, 2030 and (b) September 29, 2028 if, on or prior to such date, the Term Loan Facility has not been refinanced, extended or repaid in full in accordance with the terms thereof and not replaced with other indebtedness. Under applicable accounting guidance, certain unamortized debt issuance costs originating from the ABL Facility are deferred and amortized over the extended term of the ABL Facility, and certain unamortized debt issuance costs have been written off.
There was no balance outstanding under the ABL Facility as of January 30, 2026 and January 31, 2025. The balance of outstanding letters of credit was $11.0 million and $10.9 million as of January 30, 2026 and January 31, 2025, respectively. The borrowing availability under the ABL Facility was $122.6 million and $129.3 million as of January 30, 2026 and January 31, 2025, respectively
Long-Term Debt
The Term Loan Facility will mature on December 29, 2028, and amortizes at a rate equal to 1.25% per quarter. Depending upon our Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Term Loan Facility, mandatory prepayments in an amount equal to a percentage of our excess cash flows in each fiscal year, ranging from 0% to 75% are required. The Term Loan Facility also has typical prepayment requirements for the proceeds of certain asset sales, casualty events and extraordinary receipts. Voluntary prepayment and certain mandatory prepayments made (i) between December 30, 2025 and December 29, 2026, would result in a prepayment premium equal to 1% of the principal amount of the loan prepaid, (ii) between December 30, 2026 and December 29, 2027, would result in a prepayment premium equal to 0.5% of the principal amount of the loan prepaid and (iii) thereafter no prepayment premium is due.
The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the Term Loan Facility are based on a fluctuating rate of interest equal to, at our election, either (1) Term Loan Adjusted SOFR loan (subject to a 2% floor) plus an applicable
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margin, or (2) an alternative base rate loan plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on our net leverage and will be, (i) for Term Loan Adjusted SOFR loans, 8.25% per annum if the total leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 2.75:1.00, 8.00% per annum if the total leverage ratio is less than 2.75:1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.25:1.00, and 7.75% per annum if the total leverage ratio is less than 2.25:1.00 and (ii) for base rate loans, 7.25% per annum if the total leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 2.75:1.00, 7.00% per annum if the total leverage ratio is less than 2.75:1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.25:1.00, and 6.75% per annum if the total leverage ratio is less than 2.25:1.00. In each case, the net leverage is determined as of the last day of each applicable measurement period.
The Term Loan Facility contains customary agency fees.
Debt Facilities
Guarantees; Security
All obligations under the Debt Facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by Lands’ End, Inc. and, subject to certain exceptions, each of its existing and future direct and indirect subsidiaries. The ABL Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in certain working capital of the borrowers and guarantors consisting primarily of accounts receivable and inventory. The Term Loan Facility is also secured by a second priority security interest in the same collateral, with certain exceptions.
The Term Loan Facility is also secured by a first priority security interest in certain property and assets, including certain fixed assets such as real estate, stock of subsidiaries and intellectual property, in each case, subject to certain exceptions. The ABL Facility is also secured by a second priority interest in the same collateral, with certain exceptions.
Representations and Warranties; Covenants
Subject to specified exceptions, the Debt Facilities contain various representations and warranties and restrictive covenants that, among other things, restrict Lands’ End, Inc.’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, make dividends or distributions with respect to capital stock, make prepayments on other indebtedness, engage in mergers or change the nature of their business.
The Term Loan Facility contains financial covenants, including a quarterly maximum total leverage ratio test and a monthly minimum liquidity test.
Under the ABL Facility, if excess availability falls below the greater of 10% of the Loan Cap amount or $12.0 million, we will be required to comply with a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0.
The Debt Facilities contain certain affirmative covenants, including reporting requirements such as delivery of financial statements, certificates and notices of certain events, maintaining insurance and providing additional guarantees and collateral in certain circumstances.
As of January 30, 2026, we were in compliance with our financial covenants in the Debt Facilities.
Events of Default
The Debt Facilities include customary events of default including non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations or warranties, cross defaults related to certain other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, invalidity or impairment of guarantees or security interests, material judgments and change of control.
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Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $49.6 million during Fiscal 2025 compared to $53.1 during Fiscal 2024. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to tariffs, partially offset by operating income.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $29.2 million and $35.0 million during Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024, respectively. Cash used in investing activities for both years was primarily used for investments to update our digital information technology infrastructure.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $20.1 million and $26.6 million during Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024, respectively. The decrease in net cash used in financing activities is primarily due to improved inventory productivity and lower share repurchases.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements
We have no material off-balance-sheet arrangements other than the guarantees and contractual obligations that are discussed below.
Information concerning our obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts such as lease agreements and other contingent commitments, as of January 30, 2026, is aggregated in the following table:
| Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Total | 1 Year or less | 2-3 Years | 4-5 Years | After 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (1) | $ | 21,518 | $ | 5,517 | $ | 9,796 | $ | 4,943 | $ | 1,262 | |||||||||
| Principal payments on long-term debt | 234,000 | 13,000 | 221,000 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Interest on Term Loan Facility and ABL Facility fees | 79,251 | 28,709 | 50,542 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations (2) | 182,804 | 182,804 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 517,573 | $ | 230,030 | $ | 281,338 | $ | 4,943 | $ | 1,262 |
(1)
Operating lease obligations consist primarily of future minimum lease commitments related to our operating leases (refer to Note 4, Leases, of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details).
(2)
Purchase obligations primarily represent open purchase orders for inventory.
Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
The ABL Facility is available for working capital and other general corporate liquidity needs. There was no balance outstanding as of January 30, 2026 and January 31, 2025. The balance of outstanding letters of credit was $11.0 million and $10.9 million as of January 30, 2026 and January 31, 2025, respectively.
Application of Critical Accounting Estimates
Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. While our estimates and assumptions are based on our knowledge of current events and actions we may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from our estimates and assumptions. Our estimation processes contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and apply judgment to make these estimates. Should actual results be different than our estimates, we could be exposed to gains or losses from differences that may be material.
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Inventory Valuation
Our inventories consist of merchandise purchased for resale. The nature of our business requires that we make a significant amount of our merchandising decisions and corresponding inventory purchase commitments with vendors several months in advance of the time in which a particular merchandise item is intended to be included in the merchandise offerings. These decisions and commitments are based upon, among other possible considerations, historical sales with identical or similar merchandise, our understanding of then-prevailing trends and influences, and an assessment of likely economic conditions and various competitive factors.
For financial reporting and tax purposes, our United States inventory, primarily merchandise held for sale, is accounted for using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method, with these inventories valued at the lower of LIFO cost or market. We account for our non-United States inventory on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, which is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The United States inventory accounted for using the LIFO method as of percentage of the total inventory was 89% and 93% at January 30, 2026 and January 31, 2025, respectively.
We continually make assessments as to whether the carrying cost of inventory exceeds its market value and, if so, by what dollar amount. Excess inventories may be disposed of through our normal course of business. Based on historical results experienced through various methods of disposition, we will write down the carrying value of inventories that are not expected to be sold at or above cost. The excess and obsolete reserve balances were $7.3 million and $11.7 million as of January 30, 2026, and January 31, 2025, respectively. The decrease in the excess and obsolete reserve balance is primarily due to reduction in kids and footwear inventory in conjunction with our licensing arrangements. For the inventory marked down to net realizable value, a one percentage point increase in our assumed recovery rates at January 30, 2026, would have had an immaterial impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset Impairment Assessments
Our indefinite-lived intangible asset is the Lands’ End trade name. The indefinite-lived trade name intangible asset is tested separately for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Impairment assessments contain multiple uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values. If actual results fall short of our estimates and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may incur future impairment charges that could be material.
We review the trade name for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. For Fiscal 2025, we performed a qualitative impairment assessment. The qualitative impairment assessment involves three steps: (1) identify relevant inputs and assumptions that affect fair value, (2) identify relevant events and circumstances that may have an impact on those inputs and assumptions and (3) evaluate, both individually and in the aggregate, the impact of events and circumstances on the inputs and assumptions related to determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. For Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, the fair value of the trade name indefinite-lived intangible asset was estimated using the relief from royalty method. The relief from royalty method is based on the assumption that, in lieu of ownership, a firm would be willing to pay a royalty in order to exploit the related benefits of this asset class. The relief from royalty method involves two steps: (1) estimation of reasonable royalty rates for the assets and (2) the application of these royalty rates to a forecasted net revenue stream and discounting the resulting cash flows to determine a present value. We multiplied the selected royalty rate by the forecasted net revenue stream to calculate the cost savings (relief from royalty payment) associated with the asset. The cash flows are then discounted to present value using the selected discount rate and compared to the carrying value of the asset.
In Fiscal 2025, Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, we tested the indefinite-lived intangible asset for impairment. In Fiscal 2025, we concluded that it was not more likely than not that the fair value was below the carrying value. In Fiscal 2024, the fair value was substantially in excess of the carrying value. In Fiscal 2023, fair value exceeded the
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carrying value by less than 15%. As such, no trade name impairment charges were recorded in any of the periods presented.
Provision for Income Taxes
We record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of such deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including forecasting future income, taxable income and the mix of income or losses in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may also be materially impacted by changes in the mix and level of income or losses, changes in the expected outcome of audits, or changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance.
At any point in time, many tax years are subject to or in the process of being audited by various taxing authorities. To the extent our estimates of settlements change, or the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determinations are made. Our income tax expense includes changes in our estimated liability for exposures associated with our various tax filing positions. Determining the income tax expense for these potential assessments requires management to make assumptions that are subject to factors such as proposed assessments by tax authorities, changes in facts and circumstances, issuance of new regulations, and resolution of tax audits. We performed an evaluation over our deferred tax assets and determined that a valuation allowance is considered necessary. See Note 11, Income Taxes, for further details on the valuation allowance.
We believe the judgments and estimates discussed above are reasonable. However, if actual results fall short of our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This document contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and performance. These statements may discuss, among other things, the Pending WHP Transaction, our net sales, gross merchandise value (GMV), gross margin, operating expenses, operating income, net income, adjusted net income, Adjusted EBITDA, cash flow, financial condition, financings, impairments, expenditures, growth, strategies, plans, achievements, dividends, capital structure, organizational structure, future store openings, market opportunities and general market and industry conditions. We generally identify forward-looking statements by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe,” “seek,” “continue,” “outlook,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” “targeting” or the negative version of these words or comparable words. Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs and assumptions made by management using currently available information. These statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of future performance, actions or events. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if management’s underlying beliefs and assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by a forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties include those set forth under Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws and regulations.
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MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2025 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000950170-25-046044.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those made, projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Information” below and Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
This section discusses our results of operations for the year ended January 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended February 2, 2024. For a discussion and analysis of the year ended February 2, 2024 compared to January 27, 2023, please refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2024, filed with the SEC on April 3, 2024.
As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to the “Company”, “Lands’ End”, “we”, “us”, “our” and similar terms refer to Lands’ End, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year ends on the Friday preceding the Saturday closest to January 31.
Executive Overview
Description of the Company
Lands’ End, Inc. is a leading digital retailer of solution-based apparel, swimwear, outerwear, accessories, footwear, home products and uniforms. We offer products online at www.landsend.com, through third-party distribution channels, our own Company Operated stores and third-party license agreements. We also offer products to businesses and schools, for their employees and students, through the Outfitters distribution channel. We are a classic American lifestyle brand that creates solutions for life’s every journey.
Lands’ End was founded in 1963 by Gary Comer and his partners to sell sailboat hardware and equipment by catalog. While our product focus has shifted significantly over the years, we have continued to adhere to our founder’s motto as one of our guiding principles: “Take care of the customer, take care of the employee and the rest will take care of itself.”
Segment Reporting
We identify our operating segments according to how our business activities are managed and evaluated. Following internal organizational changes and realignment of distribution channel responsibilities in Fourth Quarter 2024, our operating segments consisted of: U.S. eCommerce, Europe eCommerce, Outfitters, Third Party, Licensing and Retail. Beginning Fourth Quarter 2024, the Wholesale business is included in Licensing and prior periods were recast to reflect the change in operating segments for comparability purposes. During Fiscal 2022, the Company’s operating segments included Japan eCommerce.
We have determined that the U.S. eCommerce, Outfitters and Third Party operating segments share similar economic and other qualitative characteristics, and therefore, the results of these operating segments are aggregated into the U.S. Digital segment. The Europe eCommerce, Licensing and Retail operating segments are not quantitatively significant to be separately reported. See Note 13, Segment Reporting.
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Distribution Channels
We identify six separate distribution channels for revenue reporting purposes.
•
U.S. eCommerce offers products through our eCommerce website.
•
Europe eCommerce offers products primarily to consumers located in Europe and through eCommerce international websites and third-party affiliates.
•
Outfitters sells uniform and logo apparel to businesses and their employees, as well as to student households through school relationships, located primarily in the U.S.
•
Third Party sells products direct to consumers through third-party marketplace websites.
•
Licensing earns royalties on the use of Lands’ End trademark and any fulfillment fees for fulfillment services provided by the Company.
•
Retail sells products through Company Operated stores, located in the U.S.
Macroeconomic Challenges
Macroeconomic issues which impact consumer discretionary spending, such as realized inflation-based price increases and high interest rates have continued to have an impact on our business. Apparel purchases historically have been influenced by domestic and global economic conditions, which may negatively impact customer demand and may require higher levels of promotion in order to attract and retain customers. Additionally, the variable interest rates associated with our Debt Facilities are negatively affected by higher interest rate environments. Macroeconomic challenges may lead to increased cost of raw materials, packaging materials, labor, energy, fuel, debt and other inputs necessary for the production and distribution of our products. Moreover, uncertainty with respect to trade policy and tariffs, including increased tariffs applicable to countries where our vendors manufacture our product, may result in an increase in the cost of our products.
Restructuring
During Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, we reduced approximately 10% of our corporate office positions and incurred restructuring charges, primarily severance and benefit and other related costs. The reductions in the corporate office positions were made to better align with the evolving needs of the business and to invest in key growth areas. For the 52 and 53 weeks ended January 31, 2025 and February 2, 2024, we incurred restructuring charges, primarily severance and benefit costs, related to cost optimization of business operations and strategic initiatives of $5.6 million and $7.3 million, respectively, recorded in Other operating expense, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Lands’ End Japan Closure
During Second Quarter 2022, the Board of Directors approved a plan to wind down and cease operations of Lands’ End Japan KK. Lands’ End Japan KK represents the Japan eCommerce operating segment. The final liquidation occurred in First Quarter 2024. We incurred no closing costs in Fiscal 2024 and approximately $0.3 million during Fiscal 2023, respectively, recorded in Other operating expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 8, Lands’ End Japan Closure.
Basis of Presentation
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of Lands’ End, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Seasonality
We experience seasonal fluctuations in our Net revenue and operating results and historically have realized a significant portion of our yearly net revenue and earnings during our fourth fiscal quarter. We generated approximately
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34.0% of our yearly net revenue in the fourth quarters of Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023. Thus, lower than expected fourth quarter net revenue may have an adverse impact on our annual operating results.
Working capital requirements typically increase during the second and third quarters of the fiscal year as inventory builds to support peak selling periods and typically decrease during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year as inventory is sold. Cash provided by operating activities is typically higher in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to reduced working capital requirements during that period.
Results of Operations
Fiscal Year. Our fiscal year end is on the Friday preceding the Saturday closest to January 31 each year. The fiscal periods in this report are presented as follows, unless the context otherwise requires:
| Fiscal Year | Ended | Weeks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | January 31, 2025 | 52 | ||
| 2023 | February 2, 2024 | 53 |
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data:
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | $’s | % of Net Revenue | $’s | % of Net Revenue | ||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 1,362,935 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,472,508 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 709,590 | 52.1 | % | 846,981 | 57.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | 653,345 | 47.9 | % | 625,527 | 42.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Selling and administrative | 561,804 | 41.2 | % | 550,211 | 37.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 33,772 | 2.5 | % | 38,465 | 2.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | - | — | % | 106,700 | 7.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Other operating expense, net | 6,812 | 0.5 | % | 7,666 | 0.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 50,957 | 3.7 | % | (77,515 | ) | (5.3 | )% | |||||||||
| Interest expense | 40,439 | 3.0 | % | 48,291 | 3.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | - | — | % | 6,666 | 0.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Other expense (income), net | 22 | 0.0 | % | (655 | ) | (0.0 | )% | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 10,496 | 0.8 | % | (131,817 | ) | (9.0 | )% | |||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 4,263 | 0.3 | % | (1,133 | ) | (0.1 | )% | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 6,233 | 0.5 | % | $ | (130,684 | ) | (8.9 | )% |
Depreciation and amortization are not included in our cost of sales because we are a reseller of inventory and do not believe that including depreciation and amortization is meaningful. As a result, our gross margins may not be comparable to other entities that include depreciation and amortization related to the sale of their product in their gross margin measure.
Definitions, Reconciliations and Uses of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to our Net income (loss) determined in accordance with GAAP, for purposes of evaluating operating performance, we report the following non-GAAP measures: Adjusted net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted net income (loss) is also expressed on a diluted per share basis.
We believe presenting non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors, allowing them to assess how the business performed excluding the effects of significant non-recurring or non-operational amounts. We believe the use of the non-GAAP financial measures facilitates comparing the results being reported against past and future results by eliminating amounts that we believe are not comparable between periods and assists investors in evaluating the effectiveness of our operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management’s own methods for evaluating business performance.
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Our management uses Adjusted net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the operating performance of our business for comparable periods and to discuss our business with our Board of Directors, institutional investors and other market participants. Adjusted EBITDA is also used as the basis for a performance measure used in executive incentive compensation.
The methods we use to calculate our non-GAAP financial measures may differ significantly from methods other companies use to compute similar measures. As a result, any non-GAAP financial measures presented herein may not be comparable to similar measures provided by other companies. Adjusted net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA should not be used by investors or other third parties as the sole basis for formulating investment decisions as these measures may exclude a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items.
Adjusted net income (loss) is defined as net income (loss) excluding significant non-recurring or non-operational items as set forth below. Adjusted net income (loss) is also presented on a diluted per share basis. While Adjusted net income (loss) is a non-GAAP measurement, management believes that it is an important indicator of operating performance and useful to investors.
•
Other significant non-recurring or non-operational items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects comparability of results and are described below:
•
Restructuring – primarily severance and benefit costs for Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, respectively.
•
Goodwill and long-lived asset impairment – charges associated with the non-cash write down of certain long-lived assets and goodwill for Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, respectively.
•
Exit costs – charges associated to exit the kids and footwear lines of business including inventory excess and obsolescence reserves, inventory discounts and operational charges recorded in Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, respectively, in conjunction with our licensing arrangements commencing in Fiscal 2024.
•
Loss on extinguishment of debt – prepayment premium associated with the repayment of the Former Term Loan Facility before the scheduled maturity date and the write off of related unamortized original issue discount and debt issuance costs of the Former Term Loan Facility for Fiscal 2023.
•
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment – gain on sale of a building and excess land in Fiscal 2024.
•
Lands’ End Japan closure – net operating income (loss) from liquidation and closing costs recorded for Fiscal 2023.
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The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of Net income (loss) to Adjusted net income (loss) and Adjusted diluted net earnings (loss) per share:
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income (loss) | $ | 6,233 | $ | (130,684 | ) | |||
| Restructuring | 5,558 | 7,305 | ||||||
| Goodwill and long-lived asset impairment | 3,818 | 106,700 | ||||||
| Exit costs | 927 | 9,279 | ||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | 6,666 | ||||||
| Landsʼ End Japan closure | — | (215 | ) | |||||
| (Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment | (2,501 | ) | — | |||||
| Tax effects on adjustments (1) | (1,463 | ) | (3,834 | ) | ||||
| ADJUSTED NET INCOME (LOSS) | $ | 12,572 | $ | (4,783 | ) | |||
| ADJUSTED DILUTED NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE | $ | 0.40 | $ | (0.15 | ) | |||
| Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding | 31,664 | 31,970 |
(1)
The tax impact of adjustments is calculated at the applicable U.S. and non-U.S. Federal and State statutory rates.
While Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, management believes that it is an important indicator of operating performance, and useful to investors because EBITDA excludes the effects of financings, investing activities and tax structure by eliminating the effects of interest, depreciation and income tax.
•
Other significant items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects comparability of results and are described below:
•
Restructuring – primarily severance and benefit costs for Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, respectively.
•
Goodwill and long-lived asset impairment – charges associated with the non-cash write down of certain long-lived assets and goodwill in Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023.
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Exit costs – charges associated to exit the kids and footwear lines of business including inventory excess and obsolescence reserves, inventory discounts and operational charges recorded in Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, respectively, in conjunction with our licensing arrangements commencing in Fiscal 2024.
•
Lands’ End Japan closure – net operating income (loss) from liquidation and closing costs recorded in Fiscal 2023.
•
Net gain or loss on disposal of property and equipment – disposal of property and equipment in Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023.
•
Other – amortization of transaction related costs associated with our Licensing distribution channel in Fiscal 2023.
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The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data, both in dollars and as a percentage of Net revenue and a reconciliation of Net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA:
| (in thousands) | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income (loss) | $ | 6,233 | 0.5 | % | $ | (130,684 | ) | (8.9 | )% | |||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 4,263 | 0.3 | % | (1,133 | ) | (0.1 | )% | |||||||||
| Interest expense | 40,439 | 3.0 | % | 48,291 | 3.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | — | 6,666 | 0.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Other expense (income), net | 22 | 0.0 | % | (655 | ) | (0.0 | )% | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 50,957 | 3.7 | % | (77,515 | ) | (5.3 | )% | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 33,772 | 2.5 | % | 38,465 | 2.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Restructuring | 5,558 | 0.4 | % | 7,305 | 0.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Goodwill and long-lived asset impairment | 3,818 | 0.3 | % | 106,700 | 7.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Exit costs | 927 | 0.1 | % | 9,279 | 0.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Landsʼ End Japan closure | — | — | (215 | ) | (0.0 | )% | ||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment | (2,433 | ) | (0.2 | )% | 93 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||
| Other | — | — | 189 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 92,599 | 6.8 | % | $ | 84,301 | 5.7 | % |
In assessing the operational performance of our business, we consider a variety of financial measures. We operate in six separate distribution channels for revenue reporting purposes: U.S. eCommerce, Europe eCommerce, Outfitters, Third Party, Licensing and Retail. A key measure in the evaluation of our business is revenue performance by distribution channel as well as consolidated Gross margin. We manage and assess the performance of each of our operating segments using Variable profit, which is defined as Net revenue minus cost of sales and variable selling expenses. This segment measure excludes fixed personnel costs, incentive compensation, office occupancy, information technology, professional fees and depreciation and amortization. See Note 13, Segment Reporting for more information regarding Variable profit, which is a non-GAAP measure, as well as a reconciliation of Variable profit to Income (loss) before income taxes.
We use Net revenue to evaluate revenue performance for the U.S. eCommerce, Europe eCommerce, Outfitters, Third Party and Licensing distribution channels. We use GMV, which equals total order value of all Lands’ End branded merchandise sold to customers through business-to-consumer and business-to-business channels, as well as the retail value of the merchandise sold through third party distribution channels, as an important indicator of the performance of the comparable growth of the total brand. For our Retail distribution channel, we use Same Store Sales as a key measure in evaluating performance. A Company Operated store is included in U.S. Same Store Sales calculations when it has been open for at least 14 months. Online sales and sales generated through our in-store web portal are considered revenue in our U.S. eCommerce and are excluded from U.S. Same Store Sales.
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Discussion and Analysis
Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023
Gross Merchandise Value
Gross Merchandise Value (“GMV”) increased low-single digits compared to Fiscal 2023. Excluding the 53rd week of Fiscal 2023, GMV increased mid-single digits.
Net Revenue
Total Net revenue was $1.36 billion in Fiscal 2024, a decrease of $109.6 million or 7.4% from $1.47 billion in Fiscal 2023. The decrease in Net revenue was driven by the transition of the kids and footwear product lines to licensing arrangements and optimizing promotional activity as we focused on higher quality sales resulting in higher gross margins and increased gross profit. Excluding the net impact of transitioning kids and footwear product lines to licensing arrangements of $96.6 million, the $31.2 million inventory buyout by a corporate client at the end of its contract in Fiscal 2023 and the impact of the 53rd week in Fiscal 2023 of $16.2 million, total Net revenue increased $34.5 million or 2.6% compared to Fiscal 2023.
U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue was $1.15 billion in Fiscal 2024, a decrease of $138.6 million or 10.7% from $1.29 billion in Fiscal 2023. Excluding the net impact of the licensing transition, the inventory buyout and the 53rd week, U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue increased $3.7 million or 0.3% compared to Fiscal 2023.
U.S. eCommerce Net revenue decreased 9.4%, driven by the transition of kids and footwear products from a direct to a license model, continued promotional productivity within swimwear, outerwear and newness in adjacent product categories and improved inventory management resulting in higher margins with lower clearance inventory sales. Excluding the net impact of the licensing transition and the 53rd week, U.S. eCommerce Net revenue increased 2.3% compared to Fiscal 2023.
Outfitters Net revenue decreased 15.5%, primarily driven by inventory sales to a corporate client at the conclusion of their contract in the First Quarter 2023. Excluding the inventory buyout and the 53rd week, Outfitters Net revenue decreased 2.9% compared to Fiscal 2023.
Third Party Net revenue decreased 10.1%, primarily driven by continued promotional productivity with curated assortments and improved inventory management resulting in higher gross margins. Excluding the impact of the 53rd week, Third Party Net revenue decreased 8.7% compared to Fiscal 2023.
Europe eCommerce Net revenue was $103.1 million in Fiscal 2024, a decrease of $9.8 million or 8.7% from $112.9 million in Fiscal 2023. The decrease in Europe eCommerce Net revenue was primarily driven by the continued focus on gross margin improvement through higher gross profit sales as well as a decrease in markdown and clearance sales.
Licensing and Retail Net revenue was $105.4 million in Fiscal 2024, an increase of $38.9 million or 58.5% from $66.5 million in Fiscal 2023, primarily driven by revenue from licensing arrangements including Lands’ End produced inventory sold to a licensee in First Quarter 2024 in connection with the transition of kids’ products from a direct to a license model. Our U.S. Company Operated Stores experienced an increase of 3.0% in Same Store Sales as compared to Fiscal 2023. On January 31, 2025, there were 23 U.S. Company Operated stores included in Same Store Sales compared to 26 U.S. Company Operated stores on February 2, 2024.
Gross Profit
In Fiscal 2024, total Gross profit increased 4.4% to $653.3 million compared to $625.5 million for Fiscal 2023. Gross margin increased 550 basis points to 47.9% in Fiscal 2024 compared to 42.5% in Fiscal 2023. The improvement in Gross margin was primarily driven by leveraging the strength in the swimwear, outerwear and newness in adjacent
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product categories across the channels, lower promotional activity and improvements in both inventory management and supply chain costs for Fiscal 2024 compared to Fiscal 2023.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses were $561.8 million, or 41.2% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2024, compared to $550.2 million, or 37.4% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2023. The approximately 380 basis points increase was driven by deleveraging from lower revenues, higher digital marketing spend focused on new customer acquisition and third party professional services.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization were $33.8 million in Fiscal 2024, a decrease of $4.7 million or 12.2%, compared to $38.5 million in Fiscal 2023. The decrease in depreciation and amortization is primarily driven by lower software depreciation in Fiscal 2024 as a result of major projects becoming fully depreciated.
Other Operating Expense, Net
Other operating expense, net was $6.8 million in Fiscal 2024 compared to $7.7 million in Fiscal 2023.
Operating Income (Loss)
Operating income was $51.0 million in Fiscal 2024, compared to Operating loss of $77.5 million in Fiscal 2023. The increase of $128.5 million was primarily attributed to the $106.7 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge recorded in Third Quarter 2023.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $40.4 million in Fiscal 2024, compared to $48.3 million in Fiscal 2023. The $7.9 million decrease was primarily driven by lower ABL Facility interest related to lower average outstanding balances and lower amortization of debt issuance costs and lower applicable interest rates on the Current Term Loan Facility.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
There was no loss on extinguishment of debt in Fiscal 2024, compared to $6.7 million in Fiscal 2023. We incurred a 1% prepayment premium and recorded the write-off of unamortized original issue discount and debt issuance costs related to the repayment of our Former Term Loan Facility before the scheduled maturity date in Fiscal 2023.
Other Expense (Income)
Other expense was insignificant in Fiscal 2024 compared to other income of $0.7 million in Fiscal 2023.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax expense of $4.3 million was recorded for Fiscal 2024 which resulted in an effective tax rate of 40.6%. This compared to Income tax benefit of $1.1 million in Fiscal 2023 which resulted in an effective tax rate of 0.9%. The Fiscal 2024 tax rate was higher than Fiscal 2023 primarily due to an impairment of goodwill recorded in Fiscal 2023 that was not deductible for tax purposes and as a result of pretax income in Fiscal 2024 compared to a pretax loss in Fiscal 2023.
Net Income (Loss)
As a result of the above factors, Net income was $6.2 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.20 in Fiscal 2024 compared to Net loss of $130.7 million, or diluted loss per share of $4.09 in Fiscal 2023.
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Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
As a result of the above factors, Adjusted net income was $12.6 million and Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.40 in Fiscal 2024 compared to Adjusted net loss of $4.8 million and Adjusted diluted net loss per share of $0.15 in Fiscal 2023, representing an increase of $17.4 million, or $0.55 per diluted share.
Adjusted EBITDA
As a result of the above factors, Adjusted EBITDA was $92.6 million in Fiscal 2024, compared to $84.3 million in Fiscal 2023.
U.S. Digital Segment Results of Operations
Variable Profit
U.S. Digital Segment Variable profit was $265.4 million in Fiscal 2024, a decrease of $0.5 million compared to $265.9 million in Fiscal 2023. U.S. Digital Segment Variable profit was 23.0% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2024, which is an increase of 240 basis points compared to 20.6% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2023. The increase in Variable profit as a percentage of Net revenue was driven by continued promotional activity, supply chain improvements in Product and Shipping cost of goods sold partially offset by an increase in Marketing expenses.
Product cost of goods sold was $444.1 million or 38.5% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2024 compared to $553.2 million or 42.8% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2023. Shipping cost of goods sold was $157.6 million or 13.6% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2024 compared to $190.1 million or 14.7% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2023. The improvement in Product and Shipping cost of goods sold as a percent of Net revenue was primarily due to improvements in both inventory management and supply chain costs for Fiscal 2024 compared to Fiscal 2023. Marketing expenses were $179.5 million or 15.5% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2024 compared to $174.7 million or 13.5% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2023. The increase in Marketing expenses was primarily due to higher digital spend focused on new customer acquisition.
U.S. Digital Segment Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue was $1.29 billion in Fiscal 2023, a decrease of $15.6 million or 1.2% from $1.31 billion in Fiscal 2022. U.S. eCommerce Net revenue decreased by 2.7%, primarily driven by promotional productivity in key product solutions and adjacent product categories with improved inventory management resulting in higher margins with lower clearance inventory sales. Outfitters Net revenue increased 1.5%. Third Party Net revenue increased 6.6%, primarily driven by growth in online sales through existing marketplaces.
U.S. Digital Segment Variable profit was $265.9 million in Fiscal 2023, an increase of $31.3 million compared to $234.6 million in Fiscal 2023. U.S. Digital Segment Variable profit was 20.6% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2023, which was an increase of 270 basis points compared to 17.9% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2022. The increase in Variable profit as a percentage of Net revenue was driven by continued promotional productivity, supply chain improvements in Product and Shipping cost of goods sold partially offset by an increase in Marketing expenses.
Product cost of goods sold was $553.2 million or 42.8% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2023 compared to $590.1 million or 45.1% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2022. Shipping cost of goods sold was $190.1 million or 14.7% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2023 compared to $213.8 million or 16.3% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2022. The improvement in Product and Shipping cost of goods sold as a percent of Net revenue was primarily driven by leveraging the strength in product solutions and newness across the channels, reduction in clearance inventory and improvements in supply chain costs for Fiscal 2023 compared to Fiscal 2022. Marketing expenses were $174.7 million or 13.5% of Net
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revenue in Fiscal 2023 compared to $167.4 million or 12.8% of Net revenue in Fiscal 2022. The increase in Marketing expenses was primarily due to higher digital spend focused on new customer acquisition.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Our primary need for liquidity is to fund working capital requirements of our business, capital expenditures, debt service and for general corporate purposes. Our cash and cash equivalents and the ABL Facility serve as sources of liquidity for short-term working capital needs and general corporate purposes. The ABL Facility had no balance outstanding as of January 31, 2025, other than letters of credit. Cash generated from our net revenue and profitability, and to a lesser extent our changes in working capital, are driven by the seasonality of our business, with a significant amount of net revenue and operating cash flows generally occurring in the fourth fiscal quarter of each year. We expect that our cash on hand and cash flows from operations, along with revolving on the ABL Facility, will be adequate to meet our capital requirements and operational needs for at least the next 12 months.
ABL Facility
Our $275.0 million committed revolving ABL Facility includes a $70.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and is available for working capital and other general corporate liquidity needs and matures on July 29, 2026. The amount available to borrow is the lesser of (1) the Aggregate Commitments of $275.0 million (“ABL Facility Limit”) or (2) the Borrowing Base or Loan Cap which is calculated from Eligible Inventory, Trade Receivables and Credit Card Receivables, all foregoing capitalized terms not defined herein are as defined in the ABL Facility.
Effective with the Fourth Amendment to the ABL Facility executed May 12, 2023, the benchmark interest rate was changed from LIBOR to SOFR plus an adjustment of 0.10% for all loans (“ABL Adjusted SOFR”). Loan interest rates are selected at the borrower’s election, is either (1) ABL Adjusted SOFR, or (2) a base rate which is the greater of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) the one-month ABL Adjusted SOFR rate plus 1.00%, or (c) the Wells Fargo “prime rate.” The borrowing margin for ABL Adjusted SOFR loans is (i) less than $95.0 million, 1.25%, (ii) equal to or greater than $95.0 million but less than $180.0 million, 1.50%, and (iii) greater than or equal to $180.0 million, 1.75%. For base rate loans, the borrowing margin is (i) less than $95.0 million, 0.50%, (ii) equal to or greater than $95.0 million but less than $180.0 million, 0.75%, and (iii) greater than or equal to $180.0 million, 1.00% (“Applicable Borrowing Margin”). The Applicable Borrowing Margin for all loans is based upon the average daily total loans outstanding for the previous quarter. The Fourth Amendment had no material interest rate impact.
The ABL Facility fees include (i) commitment fees of 0.25% based upon the average daily unused commitment (aggregate commitment less loans and letter of credit outstanding) under the ABL Facility for the preceding fiscal quarter, (ii) customary letter of credit fees and (iii) customary annual agent fees.
There was no balance outstanding under the ABL Facility as of January 31, 2025 and February 2, 2024. The balance of outstanding letters of credit was $10.1 million and $9.1 million as of January 31, 2025 and February 2, 2024, respectively. The borrowing availability under the ABL Facility was $129.3 million and $167.2 million as of January 31, 2025 and February 2, 2024, respectively
Long-Term Debt
On December 29, 2023, we entered into the Current Term Loan Facility which provides borrowings of $260.0 million, the proceeds of which were used to repay all of the indebtedness under the Former Term Loan Facility and to pay fees and expenses in connection with the financing. Origination costs, including a 3% original issue discount of $7.8 million and debt origination fees of $3.8 million, were incurred in connection with entering into the Current Term Loan Facility.
The Current Term Loan Facility will mature on December 29, 2028, and amortizes at a rate equal to 1.25% per quarter. Depending upon the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Current Term Loan Facility,
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mandatory prepayments in an amount equal to a percentage of the Company’s excess cash flows in each fiscal year, ranging from 0% to 75% are required. The Current Term Loan Facility also has typical prepayment requirements for the proceeds of certain asset sales, casualty events and extraordinary receipts. Voluntary prepayment and certain mandatory prepayments made (i) between December 30, 2024 and December 29, 2025 would result in a prepayment premium equal to 2% of the principal amount of the loan prepaid, (ii) between December 30, 2025 and December 29, 2026, would result in a prepayment premium equal to 1% of the principal amount of the loan prepaid, (iii) between December 30, 2026 and December 29, 2027, would result in a prepayment premium equal to 0.5% of the principal amount of the loan prepaid and (iv) thereafter no prepayment premium is due.
The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the Current Term Loan Facility are based on a fluctuating rate of interest equal to, at the Company’s election, either (1) Term Loan Adjusted SOFR loan (subject to a 2% floor) plus an applicable margin, or (2) an alternative base rate loan plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on the Company’s net leverage and will be, (i) for Term Loan Adjusted SOFR loans, 8.25% per annum if the total leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 2.75:1.00, 8.00% per annum if the total leverage ratio is less than 2.75:1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.25:1.00, and 7.75% per annum if the total leverage ratio is less than 2.25:1.00 and (ii) for base rate loans, 7.25% per annum if the total leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 2.75:1.00, 7.00% per annum if the total leverage ratio is less than 2.75:1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.25:1.00, and 6.75% per annum if the total leverage ratio is less than 2.25:1.00. In each case, the net leverage is determined as of the last day of each applicable measurement period.
Effective with the First Amendment to the Former Term Loan Facility executed June 22, 2023, the interest rate benchmark changed from LIBOR to Term Loan Adjusted SOFR. The annual interest rate applicable to the loans under the Former Term Loan Facility was based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to, at the borrower’s election, either (1) a Term Loan Adjusted SOFR rate plus 9.75% or (2) an alternative base rate (which was the greater of (i) the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal, (ii) the federal funds rate, which was to be no lower than 0.00% plus ½ of 1.00%, or (iii) the one month Term Loan Adjusted SOFR rate plus 1.00% per annum) plus 8.75%.
Both the Current Term Loan Facility and the Former Term Loan Facility contain customary agency fees.
Debt Facilities
Guarantees; Security
All obligations under the Debt Facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by Lands’ End, Inc. and, subject to certain exceptions, each of its existing and future direct and indirect subsidiaries. The ABL Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in certain working capital of the borrowers and guarantors consisting primarily of accounts receivable and inventory. The Current Term Loan Facility is also secured by a second priority security interest in the same collateral, with certain exceptions.
The Current Term Loan Facility is also secured by a first priority security interest in certain property and assets, including certain fixed assets such as real estate, stock of subsidiaries and intellectual property, in each case, subject to certain exceptions. The ABL Facility is also secured by a second priority interest in the same collateral, with certain exceptions.
Representations and Warranties; Covenants
Subject to specified exceptions, the Debt Facilities contain various representations and warranties and restrictive covenants that, among other things, restrict Lands’ End, Inc.’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, make dividends or distributions with respect to capital stock, make prepayments on other indebtedness, engage in mergers or change the nature of their business.
The Current Term Loan Facility contains financial covenants, including a quarterly maximum total leverage ratio test and a monthly minimum liquidity test.
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Under the ABL Facility, if excess availability falls below the greater of 10% of the Loan Cap amount or $15.0 million, the Company will be required to comply with a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0.
The Debt Facilities contain certain affirmative covenants, including reporting requirements such as delivery of financial statements, certificates and notices of certain events, maintaining insurance and providing additional guarantees and collateral in certain circumstances.
As of January 31, 2025, we were in compliance with our financial covenants in the Debt Facilities.
Events of Default
The Debt Facilities include customary events of default including non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations or warranties, cross defaults related to certain other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, invalidity or impairment of guarantees or security interests, material judgments and change of control.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Operating activities generated net cash of $53.1 million and $130.6 million in Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, respectively. In Fiscal 2024, net cash generated by operating activities decreased $77.5 million compared to Fiscal 2023 due to changes in working capital, primarily the reduction of cash used for inventories during Fiscal 2023.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $35.0 million and $34.9 million during Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, respectively. Cash used in investing activities for both years was primarily used for investments to update our digital information technology infrastructure.
For Fiscal 2025, we plan to invest approximately $30.0 million in capital expenditures for strategic investments and infrastructure, primarily in technology and general corporate needs.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $26.6 million and $110.1 million during Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, respectively. The decrease in net cash used in financing activities is primarily due to lower inventory levels.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements
We have no material off-balance-sheet arrangements other than the guarantees and contractual obligations that are discussed below.
Information concerning our obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts such as lease agreements and other contingent commitments, as of January 31, 2025, is aggregated in the following table:
| Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Total | 1 Year or less | 2-3 Years | 4-5 Years | After 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (1) | $ | 29,083 | $ | 6,006 | $ | 11,387 | $ | 8,396 | $ | 3,294 | |||||||||
| Principal payments on long-term debt | 247,000 | 13,000 | 26,000 | 208,000 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Interest on Term Loan Facility and ABL Facility fees | 112,919 | 31,794 | 57,072 | 24,053 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations (2) | 126,507 | 126,507 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 515,509 | $ | 177,307 | $ | 94,459 | $ | 240,449 | $ | 3,294 |
(1)
Operating lease obligations consist primarily of future minimum lease commitments related to our operating leases (refer to Note 4, Leases, of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details).
(2)
Purchase obligations primarily represent open purchase orders for inventory.
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Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
The $275.0 million committed revolving ABL Facility includes a $70.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and has a maturity date of July 29, 2026. The ABL Facility is available for working capital and other general corporate liquidity needs. There was no balance outstanding as of January 31, 2025 and February 2, 2024. The balance of outstanding letters of credit was $10.8 million and $9.1 million as of January 31, 2025 and February 2, 2024, respectively.
Application of Critical Accounting Estimates
Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. While our estimates and assumptions are based on our knowledge of current events and actions we may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from our estimates and assumptions. Our estimation processes contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and apply judgment to make these estimates. Should actual results be different than our estimates, we could be exposed to gains or losses from differences that may be material.
Inventory Valuation
Our inventories consist of merchandise purchased for resale and are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The nature of our business requires that we make a significant amount of our merchandising decisions and corresponding inventory purchase commitments with vendors several months in advance of the time in which a particular merchandise item is intended to be included in the merchandise offerings. These decisions and commitments are based upon, among other possible considerations, historical sales with identical or similar merchandise, our understanding of then-prevailing trends and influences, and an assessment of likely economic conditions and various competitive factors.
For financial reporting and tax purposes, our United States inventory, primarily merchandise held for sale, is stated at last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) cost, which is adjusted to the lower of cost or market. We account for our non-United States inventory on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The United States inventory accounted for using the LIFO method as of percentage of the total inventory was 93% at January 31, 2025 and February 2, 2024.
We continually make assessments as to whether the carrying cost of inventory exceeds its market value and, if so, by what dollar amount. Excess inventories may be disposed of through our normal course of business. Based on historical results experienced through various methods of disposition, we will write down the carrying value of inventories that are not expected to be sold at or above cost. The excess and obsolete reserve balances were $11.7 million and $18.1 million as of January 31, 2025, and February 2, 2024, respectively. The decrease in the excess and obsolete reserve balance is primarily due to reduction in kids and footwear inventory in conjunction with our licensing arrangements. For the inventory marked down to net realizable value, a one percentage point increase in our assumed recovery rates at January 31, 2025, would have had an immaterial impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset Impairment Assessments
Goodwill and the indefinite-lived trade name intangible asset are tested separately for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Impairment assessments contain multiple uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values. If actual results fall short of our estimates and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may incur future impairment charges that could be material.
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Goodwill impairment assessments
In Fiscal 2023, in connection with the preparation of the financial statements for the quarter ended October 27, 2023, we considered the decline in our stock price and market capitalization, as well as the then current market and macroeconomic conditions, to be a triggering event for the U.S. eCommerce and Outfitters reporting units and therefore completed an interim test for impairment of goodwill for these reporting units as of October 27, 2023. We tested goodwill for impairment using a one-step quantitative test. The quantitative test compared the reporting unit’s fair value to its carrying value. An impairment was recorded for any excess carrying value above the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the amount of goodwill. We estimated fair value of its reporting units using a discounted cash flow model, commonly referred to as the income approach. The income approach used a reporting unit’s projection of estimated operating results and cash flows that was discounted using a weighted-average cost of capital that reflected then current market conditions appropriate to our reporting unit. The discounted cash flow model used management’s best estimates of economic and market conditions over the projected period using the best information available, including growth rates in revenues, costs and estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures. Other significant estimates and assumptions included terminal value growth rates, weighted average cost of capital and changes in future working capital requirements.
The testing resulted in goodwill impairment of the remaining $70.4 million and $36.3 million of goodwill allocated to our U.S. eCommerce and Outfitters reporting units, respectively.
Indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment assessments
Our indefinite-lived intangible asset is the Lands’ End trade name. We review the trade name for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The fair value of the trade name indefinite-lived intangible asset is estimated using the relief from royalty method. The relief from royalty method is based on the assumption that, in lieu of ownership, a firm would be willing to pay a royalty in order to exploit the related benefits of this asset class. The relief from royalty method involves two steps: (1) estimation of reasonable royalty rates for the assets and (2) the application of these royalty rates to a forecasted net revenue stream and discounting the resulting cash flows to determine a present value. We multiplied the selected royalty rate by the forecasted net revenue stream to calculate the cost savings (relief from royalty payment) associated with the asset. The cash flows are then discounted to present value using the selected discount rate and compared to the carrying value of the asset.
In Fiscal 2024, Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022, we tested the indefinite-lived intangible asset for impairment. In Fiscal 2024, the fair value was substantially in excess of the carrying value. In Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022, fair value exceeded the carrying value by less than 15%. As such, no trade name impairment charges were recorded in any of the periods presented.
Revenue Recognition
While revenue recognition for us does not involve significant judgment, it represents an important accounting policy. For sales shipped from our distribution centers, we recognize revenue and the related cost of goods sold at the time the products are received by the customers. For sales transacted at stores, revenue is recognized when the customer receives and pays for the merchandise at the register.
We record an allowance for estimated returns based on our historical return patterns and various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to calculate our sales return allowance. A one percentage point increase in our assumed returns rate at January 31, 2025 would have an immaterial impact on our
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Consolidated Financial Statements. We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to estimate future sales returns in the past three fiscal years.
Provision for Income Taxes
We record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of such deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including forecasting future income, taxable income and the mix of income or losses in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may also be materially impacted by changes in the mix and level of income or losses, changes in the expected outcome of audits, or changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance.
At any point in time, many tax years are subject to or in the process of being audited by various taxing authorities. To the extent our estimates of settlements change, or the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determinations are made. Our income tax expense includes changes in our estimated liability for exposures associated with our various tax filing positions. Determining the income tax expense for these potential assessments requires management to make assumptions that are subject to factors such as proposed assessments by tax authorities, changes in facts and circumstances, issuance of new regulations, and resolution of tax audits. We performed an evaluation over our deferred tax assets and determined that a valuation allowance is considered necessary. See Note 11, Income Taxes, for further details on the valuation allowance.
We believe the judgments and estimates discussed above are reasonable. However, if actual results fall short of our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This document contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and performance. These statements may discuss, among other things, our net sales, gross merchandise value (GMV), gross margin, operating expenses, operating income, net income, adjusted net income, Adjusted EBITDA, cash flow, financial condition, financings, impairments, expenditures, growth, strategies, plans, achievements, dividends, capital structure, organizational structure, future store openings, market opportunities and general market and industry conditions. We generally identify forward-looking statements by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe,” “seek,” “continue,” “outlook,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” “targeting” or the negative version of these words or comparable words. Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs and assumptions made by management using currently available information. These statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of future performance, actions or events. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if management’s underlying beliefs and assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by a forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties include those set forth under Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws and regulations.
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FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000950170-24-041066.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those made, projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” below and Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
This section discusses our results of operations for the year ended February 2, 2024 as compared to the year ended January 27, 2023. For a discussion and analysis of the year ended January 27, 2023 compared to January 28, 2022, please refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 27, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 10, 2023.
As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to the “Company”, “Lands’ End”, “we”, “us”, “our” and similar terms refer to Lands’ End, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year ends on the Friday preceding the Saturday closest to January 31.
Executive Overview
Description of the Company
Lands’ End, Inc. is a leading digital retailer of solution-based apparel, swimwear, outerwear, accessories, footwear, home products and uniforms. We offer products online at www.landsend.com, through third-party distribution channels and our own Company Operated stores. We also offer products to businesses and schools, for their employees and students, through the Outfitters distribution channel. We are a classic American lifestyle brand that creates solutions for life’s every journey.
Lands’ End was founded in 1963 by Gary Comer and his partners to sell sailboat hardware and equipment by catalog. While our product focus has shifted significantly over the years, we have continued to adhere to our founder’s motto as one of our guiding principles: “Take care of the customer, take care of the employee and the rest will take care of itself.”
We have one external reportable segment and identify our operating segments according to how our business activities are managed and evaluated. During Fiscal 2023, our operating segments consisted of: U.S. eCommerce, Europe eCommerce, Outfitters, Third Party and Retail. Our operating segments included Japan eCommerce during Fiscal 2022. See Note 8, Lands’ End Japan Closure.
We have determined that each of our operating segments share similar economic and other qualitative characteristics, and therefore, the results of our operating segments are aggregated into one external reportable segment.
Distribution Channels
We identify five separate distribution channels for revenue reporting purposes:
•
U.S. eCommerce offers products through our eCommerce website.
•
International offers products primarily to consumers located in Europe and through eCommerce international websites and third-party affiliates.
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Outfitters sells uniform and logo apparel to businesses and their employees, as well as to student households through school relationships, located primarily in the U.S.
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•
Third Party sells the same products as U.S. eCommerce but direct to consumers through third-party marketplace websites and through domestic wholesale relationships.
•
Retail sells products through Company Operated stores.
Macroeconomic Challenges
Macroeconomic issues, such as high interest rates and inflationary pressures have continued to have an impact on our business. Since apparel purchases are discretionary expenditures that historically have been influenced by domestic and global economic conditions, higher prices of consumer goods due to inflation may result in less discretionary spending for consumers which may negatively impact customer demand and require higher levels of promotion in order to attract and retain customers. Additionally, interest expense could be negatively affected by any rate increases due to the variable interest rates associated with our Debt Facilities. These macroeconomic challenges have led to increased cost of raw materials, packaging materials, labor, energy, fuel and other inputs necessary for the production and distribution of our products.
Corporate Restructuring
We reduced approximately 10% of positions in the corporate offices and the Hong Kong sourcing office during Fiscal 2023. We incurred $7.3 million of total corporate restructuring costs, which includes $6.2 million of employee severance and benefit costs and $1.1 million of other related costs, which was recorded in Other operating expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of February 2, 2024, approximately $2.9 million of the employee severance and benefit costs and $1.1 million of the other related costs had yet to be paid and are included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Lands’ End Japan Closure
During Second Quarter 2022, the Board of Directors approved a plan to wind down and cease operations of Lands’ End Japan KK. Lands’ End Japan KK represents the Japan eCommerce operating segment. For a discussion on this operating segment, see Note 13, Segment Reporting. During Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022 we incurred closing costs of approximately $0.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively, recorded in Other operating expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 8, Lands’ End Japan Closure. The final liquidation occurred in First Quarter 2024.
Global Supply Chain Challenges
Like many industries, we experienced global supply chain challenges that impacted our distribution process, third-party manufacturing partners and logistics partners, including shipping delays due to port congestion and closure of certain third-party manufacturing facilities and production lines. These global supply chain challenges caused manufacturing, transport and receipt of inbound product delays that increased our logistics costs during the first half of Fiscal 2022. These global supply chain challenges began to normalize in the second half of Fiscal 2022 and throughout Fiscal 2023.
Basis of Presentation
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of Lands’ End, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Seasonality
We experience seasonal fluctuations in our Net revenue and operating results and historically have realized a significant portion of our yearly net revenue and earnings during our fourth fiscal quarter. We generated approximately 34.0% of our yearly net revenue in the fourth quarters of Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022. Thus, lower than expected fourth quarter net revenue may have an adverse impact on our annual operating results.
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Working capital requirements typically increase during the second and third quarters of the fiscal year as inventory builds to support peak selling periods, and accordingly, and typically decrease during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year as inventory is sold. Cash provided by operating activities is typically higher in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to reduced working capital requirements during that period.
Results of Operations
Fiscal Year. Our fiscal year end is on the Friday preceding the Saturday closest to January 31 each year. The fiscal periods in this report are presented as follows, unless the context otherwise requires:
| Fiscal Year | Ended | Weeks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | February 2, 2024 | 53 | ||
| 2022 | January 27, 2023 | 52 |
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data:
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | $’s | % of Net Revenue | $’s | % of Net Revenue | ||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 1,472,508 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,555,429 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 846,981 | 57.5 | % | 961,663 | 61.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | 625,527 | 42.5 | % | 593,766 | 38.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Selling and administrative | 550,211 | 37.4 | % | 527,374 | 33.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 38,465 | 2.6 | % | 38,741 | 2.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | 106,700 | 7.2 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Other operating expense, net | 7,666 | 0.5 | % | 2,926 | 0.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating (loss) income | (77,515 | ) | (5.3 | )% | 24,725 | 1.6 | % | |||||||||
| Interest expense | 48,291 | 3.3 | % | 39,768 | 2.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | 6,666 | 0.5 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Other income, net | (655 | ) | (0.0 | )% | (364 | ) | (0.0 | )% | ||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (131,817 | ) | (9.0 | )% | (14,679 | ) | (0.9 | )% | ||||||||
| Income tax benefit | (1,133 | ) | (0.1 | )% | (2,149 | ) | (0.1 | )% | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (130,684 | ) | (8.9 | )% | $ | (12,530 | ) | (0.8 | )% |
Depreciation and amortization are not included in our cost of sales because we are a reseller of inventory and do not believe that including depreciation and amortization is meaningful. As a result, our gross margins may not be comparable to other entities that include depreciation and amortization related to the sale of their product in their gross margin measure.
Definitions, Reconciliations and Uses of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to our Net income (loss) determined in accordance with GAAP, for purposes of evaluating operating performance, we report the following non-GAAP measures: Adjusted net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted net income (loss) is also expressed on a diluted per share basis.
We believe presenting non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors, allowing them to assess how the business performed excluding the effects of significant non-recurring or non-operational amounts. We believe the use of the non-GAAP financial measures facilitates comparing the results being reported against past and future results by eliminating amounts that we believe are not comparable between periods and assists investors in evaluating the effectiveness of our operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management’s own methods for evaluating business performance.
Our management uses Adjusted net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the operating performance of our business for comparable periods and to discuss our business with our Board of Directors, institutional investors
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and other market participants. Adjusted EBITDA is also used as the basis for a performance measure used in executive incentive compensation.
The methods we use to calculate our non-GAAP financial measures may differ significantly from methods other companies use to compute similar measures. As a result, any non-GAAP financial measures presented herein may not be comparable to similar measures provided by other companies. Adjusted net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA should not be used by investors or other third parties as the sole basis for formulating investment decisions as these measures may exclude a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items.
Adjusted net income (loss) is defined as net income (loss) excluding significant non-recurring or non-operational items as set forth below. Adjusted net income (loss) is also presented on a diluted per share basis. While Adjusted net income (loss) is a non-GAAP measurement, management believes that it is an important indicator of operating performance and useful to investors.
•
Other significant non-recurring or non-operational items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects comparability of results and are described below:
•
Goodwill and long-lived asset impairment – charges associated with the non-cash write down of goodwill and certain long-lived assets for Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022, respectively.
•
Exit costs – charges associated to exit the kids and footwear lines of business including inventory excess and obsolescence reserves, inventory discounts and operational charges recorded in Fiscal 2023 in conjunction with our licensing arrangements commencing in Fiscal 2024.
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Corporate restructuring – severance and benefit costs and other related costs associated with reduction in corporate positions in our corporate offices and Hong Kong sourcing office for Fiscal 2023.
•
Loss on extinguishment of debt – prepayment premium associated with the repayment of the Former Term Loan Facility before the scheduled maturity date and the write off of related unamortized original issue discount and debt issuance costs of the Former Term Loan Facility for Fiscal 2023.
•
Lands’ End Japan closure – net operating income (loss) from liquidation and closing costs recorded for Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022, respectively.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of Net loss to Adjusted net loss and Adjusted diluted net loss per share:
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net loss | $ | (130,684 | ) | $ | (12,530 | ) | ||
| Goodwill and long-lived asset impairment | 106,700 | 468 | ||||||
| Exit costs | 9,279 | — | ||||||
| Corporate restructuring | 7,305 | — | ||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | 6,666 | — | ||||||
| Landsʼ End Japan closure | (215 | ) | 6,133 | |||||
| Tax effects on adjustments (1) | (3,834 | ) | (1,723 | ) | ||||
| ADJUSTED NET LOSS | $ | (4,783 | ) | $ | (7,652 | ) | ||
| ADJUSTED DILUTED NET LOSS PER SHARE | $ | (0.15 | ) | $ | (0.23 | ) | ||
| Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding | 31,970 | 33,108 |
(1)
The tax impact of adjustments is calculated at the applicable U.S. and non-U.S. Federal and State statutory rates.
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While Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, management believes that it is an important indicator of operating performance, and useful to investors because EBITDA excludes the effects of financings, investing activities and tax structure by eliminating the effects of interest, depreciation and income tax.
•
Other significant items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects comparability of results and are described below:
•
Goodwill and long-lived asset impairment – charges associated with the non-cash write down of goodwill and certain long-lived assets in Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022.
•
Exit costs – charges associated to exit the kids and footwear lines of business including inventory excess and obsolescence reserves, inventory discounts and operational charges recorded in Fiscal 2023 in conjunction with our licensing arrangements commencing in Fiscal 2024.
•
Corporate restructuring – severance and benefit costs and other related costs associated with reduction in corporate positions in our corporate offices and Hong Kong sourcing office in Fiscal 2023.
•
Lands’ End Japan closure – net operating income (loss) from liquidation and closing costs recorded in Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022
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Net gain or loss on disposal of property and equipment – disposal of property and equipment in Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022.
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Other – amortization of transaction related costs associated with our Third Party distribution channel in Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data, both in dollars and as a percentage of Net revenue and a reconciliation of Net loss to Adjusted EBITDA:
| (in thousands) | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net loss | $ | (130,684 | ) | (8.9 | )% | $ | (12,530 | ) | (0.8 | )% | ||||||
| Income tax benefit | (1,133 | ) | (0.1 | )% | (2,149 | ) | (0.1 | )% | ||||||||
| Interest expense | 48,291 | 3.3 | % | 39,768 | 2.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | 6,666 | 0.5 | % | — | — | |||||||||||
| Other income, net | (655 | ) | (0.0 | )% | (364 | ) | (0.0 | )% | ||||||||
| Operating (loss) income | (77,515 | ) | (5.3 | )% | 24,725 | 1.6 | % | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 38,465 | 2.6 | % | 38,741 | 2.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Goodwill and long-lived asset impairment | 106,700 | 7.2 | % | 468 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Exit costs | 9,279 | 0.6 | % | — | — | |||||||||||
| Corporate restructuring | 7,305 | 0.5 | % | — | — | |||||||||||
| Landsʼ End Japan closure | (215 | ) | (0.0 | )% | 6,133 | 0.4 | % | |||||||||
| Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment | 93 | 0.0 | % | (530 | ) | (0.0 | )% | |||||||||
| Other | 189 | 0.0 | % | 960 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 84,301 | 5.7 | % | $ | 70,497 | 4.5 | % |
In assessing the operational performance of our business, we consider a variety of financial measures. We operate in five separate distribution channels for revenue reporting purposes: U.S. eCommerce, International, Outfitters, Third Party and Retail. A key measure in the evaluation of our business is revenue performance by distribution channel. We also consider Gross margin and Selling and administrative expenses in evaluating the performance of our business.
We use Net revenue to evaluate revenue performance for the U.S. eCommerce, International, Outfitters and Third Party distribution channels. For our Retail distribution channel, we use Same Store Sales as a key measure in
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evaluating performance. A Company Operated store is included in U.S. Same Store Sales calculations when it has been open for at least 14 months. Online sales and sales generated through our in-store web portal are considered revenue in our U.S. eCommerce and are excluded from U.S. Same Store Sales.
Discussion and Analysis
Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
Net Revenue
Total Net revenue was $1.47 billion in Fiscal 2023, a decrease of $82.9 million or 5.3% from $1.56 billion in Fiscal 2022.
Net revenue is presented by distribution channel in the following table:
| (in thousands) | Fiscal 2023 | % of Net Revenue | Fiscal 2022 | % of Net Revenue | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. eCommerce | $ | 930,314 | 63.2% | $ | 955,752 | 61.4% | ||||
| International | 112,855 | 7.7% | 166,627 | 10.7% | ||||||
| Outfitters | 269,943 | 18.3% | 265,898 | 17.1% | ||||||
| Third Party | 111,826 | 7.6% | 118,996 | 7.7% | ||||||
| Retail | 47,570 | 3.2% | 48,156 | 3.1% | ||||||
| Total Net revenue | $ | 1,472,508 | $ | 1,555,429 |
U.S. eCommerce Net revenue was $930.3 million in Fiscal 2023, a decrease of $25.5 million or 2.7% from $955.8 million in Fiscal 2022. The decrease in U.S. eCommerce was primarily driven by lower promotional activity within swimwear, outerwear and newness in adjacent product categories and improved inventory management resulting in higher margins with less clearance inventory sales.
International Net revenue was $112.9 million in Fiscal 2023, a decrease of $53.7 million or 32.3% from $166.6 million in Fiscal 2022. Excluding the $32.7 million from the closing of Lands’ End Japan at the end of Fiscal 2022, Net revenue for International eCommerce decreased 15.7%. The decrease in International eCommerce was due to continued assortment editing with a focus on key product solutions resulting in higher margins and reduced clearance inventory sales in Europe.
Outfitters Net revenue was $269.9 million in Fiscal 2023, an increase of $4.0 million or 1.5% from $265.9 million in Fiscal 2022. Compared to the Fiscal 2022, the increase was primarily driven by inventory sales to Delta Air Lines at the conclusion of their five-year contract in the First Quarter 2023 offset by Delta Air Lines sales in the remaining three quarters of Fiscal 2022.
Third Party Net revenue was $111.8 million in Fiscal 2023, a decrease of $7.2 million or 6.0% from $119.0 million in Fiscal 2022. The decrease was primarily driven by a decline in demand with one wholesale partner partially offset by growth in online sales through other existing marketplaces.
Retail Net revenue was $47.6 million in Fiscal 2023, a decrease of $0.6 million or 1.2% from $48.2 million in Fiscal 2022. Our U.S. Company Operated Stores experienced an increase of 3.1% in Same Store Sales as compared to Fiscal 2022. On February 2, 2024, there were 26 U.S. Company Operated stores compared to 28 U.S. Company Operated stores on January 27, 2023.
Gross Profit
In Fiscal 2023, total Gross profit increased 5.3% to $625.5 million compared to $593.8 million for Fiscal 2022. Gross margin increased 430 basis points to 42.5% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2023 from 38.2% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2022. The basis point improvement in Gross margin was predominantly driven by leveraging the strength in product solutions and newness across the channels, reduction in clearance inventory and improvements in supply chain costs for Fiscal 2023 compared to prior year.
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Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses were $550.2 million, or 37.4% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2023 compared to $527.4 million, or 33.9% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2022. The approximately 350 basis points increase was driven by deleveraging from lower revenues and higher incentive-related personnel costs, partially offset by lower digital marketing spend and continued cost controls.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization were $38.5 million in Fiscal 2023, a decrease of $0.2 million or 0.5%, compared to $38.7 million in Fiscal 2022.
Goodwill Impairment
Goodwill impairment was $106.7 million in Fiscal 2023, compared to none in Fiscal 2022. We recorded full impairment of the $70.4 million and $36.3 million of goodwill allocated to our U.S. eCommerce and Outfitters reporting units, respectively, in Fiscal 2023, due to the decline in stock price and market capitalization, as well as current market conditions and macroeconomic conditions. See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 10, Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset.
Other Operating Expense, Net
Other operating expense, net was $7.7 million in Fiscal 2023 compared to $2.9 million in Fiscal 2022. The $4.8 million increase was primarily attributed to $7.3 million of corporate restructuring costs, primarily severance and benefit costs, related to reduction in corporate positions in our corporate offices and Hong Kong sourcing office, compared to $3.0 million of Lands’ End Japan closing costs recorded in Fiscal 2022.
Operating (Loss) Income
Operating loss was $77.5 million in Fiscal 2023, compared to Operating income of $24.8 million in Fiscal 2022. The decrease of $102.3 million was a result of the $106.7 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge recorded in Third Quarter 2023.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $48.3 million in Fiscal 2023, compared to $39.8 million in Fiscal 2022. The $8.5 million increase was driven by higher applicable interest rates under the Debt Facilities and Former Term Loan Facility and outstanding balances on the revolving ABL Facility.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
Loss on extinguishment of debt was $6.7 million in Fiscal 2023, compared to none in Fiscal 2022. We incurred a 1% prepayment premium and recorded the write-off of unamortized original issue discount and debt issuance costs related to the repayment of our Former Term Loan Facility before the scheduled maturity date.
Other (Income) Expense
Other income was $0.7 million in Fiscal 2023 compared to $0.4 million in Fiscal 2022.
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Income Tax (Benefit) Expense
Income tax benefit of $1.1 million was recorded for Fiscal 2023 which resulted in an effective tax rate of 0.9%. This compared to Income tax benefit of $2.1 million in Fiscal 2022 which resulted in an effective tax rate of 14.6%. The Fiscal 2023 tax rate was lower than Fiscal 2022 due to an impairment of goodwill recorded in Fiscal 2023 that is not deductible for tax purposes.
Net (Loss) Income
As a result of the above factors, Net loss was $130.7 million, or diluted loss per share of $4.09 in Fiscal 2023 compared to $12.5 million, or diluted loss per share of $0.38 in Fiscal 2022.
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
As a result of the above factors, Adjusted net loss was $4.8 million and Adjusted diluted net loss per share was $0.15 in Fiscal 2023 compared to Adjusted net loss of $7.7 million and Adjusted diluted net loss per share of $0.23 in Fiscal 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA
As a result of the above factors, Adjusted EBITDA was $84.3 million in Fiscal 2023, compared to $70.5 million in Fiscal 2022.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary need for liquidity is to fund working capital requirements of our business, capital expenditures, debt service and for general corporate purposes. Our cash and cash equivalents and the ABL Facility serve as sources of liquidity for short-term working capital needs and general corporate purposes. The ABL Facility had no balance outstanding as of February 2, 2024, other than letters of credit. Cash generated from our net revenue and profitability, and to a lesser extent our changes in working capital, are driven by the seasonality of our business, with a significant amount of net revenue and operating cash flows generally occurring in the fourth fiscal quarter of each year. We expect that our cash on hand and cash flows from operations, along with revolving on the ABL Facility, will be adequate to meet our capital requirements and operational needs for at least the next 12 months.
Description of Material Indebtedness
Debt Arrangements
Our $275.0 million committed revolving ABL Facility includes a $70.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and is available for working capital and other general corporate liquidity needs. The amount available to borrow is the lesser of (1) the Aggregate Commitments of $275.0 million (“ABL Facility Limit”) or (2) the Borrowing Base or Loan Cap which is calculated from Eligible Inventory, Trade Receivables and Credit Card Receivables, all foregoing capitalized terms not defined herein are as defined in the ABL Facility. There was no balance outstanding as of February 2, 2024. The balance outstanding as of January 27, 2023 was $100.0 million. The balance of outstanding letters of credit was $9.1 million and $10.6 million as of February 2, 2024 and January 27, 2023, respectively.
On December 29, 2023, we entered into the Current Term Loan Facility which provides borrowings of $260.0 million, the proceeds of which were used to repay all of the indebtedness under the Former Term Loan Facility and to pay fees and expenses in connection with the financing. Origination costs, including a 3% original issue discount of $7.8 million and debt origination fees of $2.9 million, were incurred in connection with entering into the Current Term Loan Facility.
As a result of the Former Term Loan Facility repayment before the scheduled maturity date, the transaction was subject to a 1% prepayment premium of $2.3 million. Additionally, we recorded $4.4 million for the write off of unamortized original issue discount and debt issuance costs of the Former Term Loan Facility. These charges resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $6.7 million in Fourth Quarter 2023.
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Interest; Fees - ABL Facility
Effective May 12, 2023, we executed the Fourth Amendment (the “Fourth Amendment”) to the ABL Facility which replaced the interest rate benchmark based on LIBOR with an interest rate benchmark based on SOFR plus an adjustment of 0.10% for all loans (“ABL Adjusted SOFR”). During Second Quarter 2023, we adopted ASU 2020-04, the optional practical expedient for Reference Rate Reform related to its ABL Facility and as such, these amendments are treated as a continuation of the existing debt agreement and no gain or loss on these modifications were recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The ABL Adjusted SOFR rate is now available for all new loans after the effective date of the Fourth Amendment.
Effective with the Fourth Amendment, the ABL Facility interest rate, selected at the borrower’s election, is either (1) ABL Adjusted SOFR, or (2) a base rate which is the greater of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) the one-month ABL Adjusted SOFR rate plus 1.00%, or (c) the Wells Fargo “prime rate”. The borrowing margin for ABL Adjusted SOFR loans is (i) less than $95.0 million, 1.25%, (ii) equal to or greater than $95.0 million but less than $180.0 million, 1.50%, and (iii) greater than or equal to $180.0 million, 1.75%. For base rate loans, the borrowing margin is (i) less than $95.0 million, 0.50%, (ii) equal to or greater than $95.0 million but less than $180.0 million, 0.75%, and (iii) greater than or equal to $180.0 million, 1.00% (“Applicable Borrowing Margin”). The Applicable Borrowing Margin for all loans is based upon the average daily total loans outstanding for the previous quarter. The Fourth Amendment had no material interest rate impact.
Prior to the Fourth Amendment to the ABL Facility, the interest rate, selected at the borrower’s election, was either (1) LIBOR (plus the Applicable Borrowing Margin), or (2) a base rate (plus the Applicable Borrowing Margin) which was the greater of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.00%, or (c) the Wells Fargo “prime rate”.
The ABL Facility fees include (i) commitment fees of 0.25% based upon the average daily unused commitment (aggregate commitment less loans and letter of credit outstanding) under the ABL Facility for the preceding fiscal quarter, (ii) customary letter of credit fees and (iii) customary annual agent fees. As of February 2, 2024, we had no borrowings outstanding under the ABL Facility.
Interest; Fees - Current Term Loan Facility
The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the Current Term Loan Facility are based on a fluctuating rate of interest equal to, at the Company’s election, either (1) Term Loan Adjusted SOFR loan (subject to a 2% floor) plus an applicable margin, or (2) an alternative base rate loan plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on the Company’s net leverage and will be, (i) Term Loan Adjusted SOFR loans, 8.25% per annum if the total leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 2.75:1.00, 8.00% per annum if the total leverage ratio is less than 2.75:1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.25:1.00, and 7.75% per annum if the total leverage ratio is less than 2.25:1.00 and (ii) for base rate loans, 7.25% per annum if the total leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 2.75:1.00, 7.00% per annum if the total leverage ratio is less than 2.75:1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.25:1.00, and 6.75% per annum if the total leverage ratio is less than 2.25:1.00. In each case, the net leverage is determined as of the last day of each applicable measurement period.
Customary agency fees are payable annually for the Current Term Loan Facility.
Interest; Fees - Former Term Loan Facility
Effective June 22, 2023, we entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “First Amendment”) to the Former Term Loan Facility which (subject to a 1% floor) replaced the interest rate benchmark based upon LIBOR with Term Loan Adjusted SOFR. This transition resulted in no material interest rate impact. During Second Quarter 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2020-04, the optional practical expedient for Reference Rate and as such, this amendment was treated as a continuation of the existing agreement and no gain or loss on this modification was recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
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Effective with the First Amendment to the Former Term Loan Facility, the interest rate per annum applicable to the loans under the Former Term Loan Facility was based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to, at the borrower’s election, either (1) a Term Adjusted Loan SOFR rate plus 9.75% or (2) an alternative base rate (which is the greater of (i) the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal, (ii) the federal funds rate, which shall be no lower than 0.00% plus ½ of 1.00%, or (iii) the one month Term Loan Adjusted SOFR rate plus 1.00% per annum) plus 8.75%.
Prior to the First Amendment to the Former Term Loan Facility, the interest rate per annum applicable to the loans under the Former Term Loan Facility was based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to, at the borrower’s election, either (1) a LIBOR rate (with a minimum rate of 1.00%) plus 9.75% or (2) an alternative base rate (which was the greater of (i) the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal, (ii) the federal funds rate, which was to be no lower than 0.00% plus ½ of 1.00%, or (iii) the one month LIBOR rate plus 1.00% per annum) plus 8.75%.
Customary agency fees were paid annually for the Former Term Loan Facility.
Maturity; Amortization and Prepayments
The ABL Facility maturity date is July 29, 2026.
The Current Term Loan Facility will mature on December 29, 2028, will amortize at a rate equal to 1.25% per quarter. Depending upon the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Current Term Loan Facility, mandatory prepayments in an amount equal to a percentage of the Company’s excess cash flows in each fiscal year, ranging from 0% to 75% are required. The Current Term Loan Facility also has typical prepayment requirements for the proceeds of certain asset sales, casualty events and extraordinary receipts. Voluntary prepayment and certain mandatory prepayments made (i) on or before December 29, 2024 would result in a prepayment premium equal to 3% of the principal amount of the loan prepaid plus a yield maintenance fee, (ii) between December 30, 2024 and December 29, 2025 would result in a prepayment premium equal to 2% of the principal amount of the loan prepaid, (iii) between December 30, 2025 and December 29, 2026, would result in a prepayment premium equal to 1% of the principal amount of the loan prepaid, (iv) between December 30, 2026 and December 29, 2027, would result in a prepayment premium equal to 0.5% of the principal amount of the loan prepaid and (v) thereafter no prepayment premium is due.
Guarantees; Security
All obligations under the Debt Facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by Lands’ End, Inc. and, subject to certain exceptions, each of its existing and future direct and indirect subsidiaries. The ABL Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in certain working capital of the borrowers and guarantors consisting primarily of accounts receivable and inventory. The Current Term Loan Facility is secured by a second priority security interest in the same collateral, with certain exceptions.
The Current Term Loan Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in certain property, including certain fixed assets such as real estate, stock of subsidiaries and intellectual property, in each case, subject to certain exceptions. The ABL Facility is secured by a second priority interest in the same collateral, with certain exceptions.
Representations and Warranties; Covenants
Subject to specified exceptions, the Debt Facilities contain various representations and warranties and restrictive covenants that, among other things, restrict Lands’ End, Inc.’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, make dividends or distributions with respect to capital stock, make prepayments on other indebtedness, engage in mergers or change the nature of their business.
The Current Term Loan Facility contains financial covenants, including a quarterly maximum total leverage ratio test and a monthly minimum liquidity test.
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Under the ABL Facility, if excess availability falls below the greater of 10% of the Loan Cap amount or $15.0 million, we will be required to comply with a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0.
The Debt Facilities contain certain affirmative covenants, including reporting requirements such as delivery of financial statements, certificates and notices of certain events, maintaining insurance and providing additional guarantees and collateral in certain circumstances.
As of February 2, 2024, we were in compliance with our financial covenants in the Debt Facilities.
Events of Default
The Debt Facilities include customary events of default including non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations or warranties, cross defaults related to certain other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, invalidity or impairment of guarantees or security interests, material judgments and change of control.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Operating activities generated net cash of $130.6 million and used net cash of $36.4 million in Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022, respectively. In Fiscal 2023, net cash generated by operating activities increased $167.0 million compared to Fiscal 2022 primarily due to the year-over-year improvement in inventory flow and productivity.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $34.9 million and $29.8 million during Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022, respectively. Cash used in investing activities for both years was primarily used for investments to update our digital information technology infrastructure.
For Fiscal 2024, we plan to invest approximately $30.0 million in capital expenditures for strategic investments and infrastructure, primarily in technology and general corporate needs.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $110.1 million during Fiscal 2023 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $73.5 million during Fiscal 2022. The decrease in net cash provided by financing activities is primarily due to lower inventory levels.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements
We have no material off-balance-sheet arrangements other than the guarantees and contractual obligations that are discussed below.
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Information concerning our obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts such as lease agreements and other contingent commitments, as of February 2, 2024, is aggregated in the following table:
| Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Total | 1 Year or less | 2-3 Years | 3-4 Years | After 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (1) | $ | 34,951 | $ | 7,682 | $ | 11,043 | $ | 9,674 | $ | 6,552 | |||||||||
| Principal payments on long-term debt | 260,000 | 13,000 | 26,000 | 221,000 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Interest on Term Loan Facility and ABL Facility fees | 154,378 | 34,893 | 64,383 | 55,102 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations (2) | 152,280 | 152,280 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 601,609 | $ | 207,855 | $ | 101,426 | $ | 285,776 | $ | 6,552 |
(1)
Operating lease obligations consist primarily of future minimum lease commitments related to our operating leases (refer to Note 4, Leases, of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details).
(2)
Purchase obligations primarily represent open purchase orders for inventory.
Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
The $275.0 million committed revolving ABL Facility includes a $70.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and has a maturity date of July 29, 2026. The ABL Facility is available for working capital and other general corporate liquidity needs. There was no balance outstanding as of February 2, 2024. The balance outstanding as of January 27, 2023 was $100.0 million. The balance of outstanding letters of credit was $9.1 million and $10.6 million as of February 2, 2024 and January 27, 2023, respectively.
Application of Critical Accounting Estimates
Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. While our estimates and assumptions are based on our knowledge of current events and actions we may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from our estimates and assumptions. Our estimation processes contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and apply judgment to make these estimates. Should actual results be different than our estimates, we could be exposed to gains or losses from differences that may be material.
Inventory Valuation
Our inventories consist of merchandise purchased for resale and are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The nature of our business requires that we make a significant amount of our merchandising decisions and corresponding inventory purchase commitments with vendors several months in advance of the time in which a particular merchandise item is intended to be included in the merchandise offerings. These decisions and commitments are based upon, among other possible considerations, historical sales with identical or similar merchandise, our understanding of then-prevailing trends and influences, and an assessment of likely economic conditions and various competitive factors.
For financial reporting and tax purposes, our United States inventory, primarily merchandise held for sale, is stated at last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) cost, which is adjusted to the lower of cost or market. We account for our non-United States inventory on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The United States inventory accounted for using the LIFO method as of percentage of the total inventory was 93% at February 2, 2024 and 92% at January 27, 2023.
We continually make assessments as to whether the carrying cost of inventory exceeds its market value and, if so, by what dollar amount. Excess inventories may be disposed of through our normal course of business. Based on historical results experienced through various methods of disposition, we will write down the carrying value of inventories that are not expected to be sold at or above cost. The excess and obsolete reserve balances were $18.1
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million and $13.9 million as of February 2, 2024, and January 27, 2023, respectively. For the inventory marked down to net realizable value, a one percentage point increase in our assumed recovery rates at February 2, 2024, would have had an immaterial impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Goodwill and Trade Name Impairment Analysis
Goodwill and the trade name indefinite-lived intangible asset are tested separately for impairment annually or are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Our impairment loss calculations contain multiple uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values. We perform goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests on an annual basis and update these annual impairment tests mid-year if events or circumstances occur that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset below its carrying amount. If actual results fall short of our estimates and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may incur future impairment charges that could be material.
Goodwill impairment assessments
We test goodwill for impairment using a one-step quantitative test. The quantitative test compares the reporting unit’s fair value to its carrying value. An impairment is recorded for any excess carrying value above the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the amount of goodwill. We estimate fair value of our reporting units using a discounted cash flow model, commonly referred to as the income approach. The income approach uses a reporting unit’s projection of estimated operating results and cash flows that is discounted using a weighted-average cost of capital that reflects current market conditions appropriate to our reporting unit. Estimated discount rates were determined using the weighted average cost of capital for each reporting unit at the time of the analysis, taking into consideration the risks inherent within each reporting unit individually. The discounted cash flow model uses projections based on management’s best estimates of economic and market conditions over the projected period using the best information available, including growth rates in revenues, costs and estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures. Other significant estimates and assumptions include terminal value growth rates, weighted average cost of capital and changes in future working capital requirements.
In connection with the preparation of the financial statements in our Third Quarter 2023 Form 10-Q, we considered the decline in our stock price and market capitalization, as well as current market and macroeconomic conditions, to be a triggering event for the U.S. eCommerce and Outfitters reporting units and therefore completed a test for impairment of goodwill for these reporting units as of October 27, 2023.
The impairment test resulted in full impairment of $70.4 million and $36.3 million of goodwill allocated to our U.S. eCommerce and Outfitters reporting units, respectively, recorded in Third Quarter 2023.
Indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment assessments
Our indefinite-lived intangible asset is the Lands’ End trade name. We review the trade name for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth fiscal quarter, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The fair value of the trade name indefinite-lived intangible asset is estimated using the relief from royalty method. The relief from royalty method is based on the assumption that, in lieu of ownership, a firm would be willing to pay a royalty in order to exploit the related benefits of this asset class. The relief from royalty method involves two steps: (1) estimation of reasonable royalty rates for the assets and (2) the application of these royalty rates to a forecasted net revenue stream and discounting the resulting cash flows to determine a present value. We multiply the selected royalty rate by the forecasted net revenue stream to calculate the cost savings (relief from royalty payment) associated with the asset. The cash flows are then discounted to present value using the selected discount rate and compared to the carrying value of the asset.
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In connection with the preparation of the financial statements in our Third Quarter 2023 Form 10-Q, the Company considered the decline in the Company’s stock price and market capitalization, as well as current market and macroeconomic conditions, to be a triggering event for the Lands’ End trade name. The fair value of the trade name indefinite-lived intangible asset was estimated using the relief from royalty method and the testing resulted in no impairment to the Lands’ End trade name.
In Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022 we performed the annual testing of the indefinite-lived intangible asset, the Lands’ End trade name. The fair value exceeded the carrying value by 6.1% and 13.3% in Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022, respectively, and as such, no trade name impairment charges were recorded. If actual results fall short of our estimates and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows, we may incur future impairment charges.
See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, and Note 10, Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about these assets and the related impairment charges.
Long-lived Asset Impairment Analysis
Property and equipment are subject to a review for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360”) the Company reviewed the long-lived asset groups for impairment in connection with the preparation of the financial statements.
The Company Operated store long-lived asset group, including Operating right-of-use assets, are regularly reviewed for impairment indicators when the Company Operated store reaches Same Store Sales status. A Company Operated store is included in U.S. Same Store Sales calculations when it has been open for at least 14 months. Impairment is assessed at the individual store level which is the lowest level of identifiable cash flows and considers the estimated undiscounted cash flows over the asset’s remaining life. If estimated undiscounted cash flows are insufficient to recover the investment, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the estimated fair value of the asset and its carrying value, net of salvage, and any costs of disposition. The fair value estimate is generally the discounted amount of estimated store-specific cash flows. The Company recognized long-lived asset impairment for Operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment, net for individual identified Company Operated stores in the amount of no impairment and $0.5 million as of February 2, 2024, and January 27, 2023, respectively, recorded in Other operating expense, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
In connection with the preparation of the financial statements in the Company’s Third Quarter 2023 Form 10-Q, the Company tested its long-lived asset groups for impairment as of October 27, 2023. The Company assessed the recoverability of our long-lived asset groups by comparing their projected undiscounted cash flows associated over remaining estimated useful lives of the primary asset in the long-lived asset group against their respective carrying amounts. Impairment, if any, is based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets. Fair value is generally determined using the asset’s expected future discounted cash flows or market value, if readily determinable. If long-lived assets are determined to be recoverable, but the newly determined remaining estimated useful lives are shorter than originally estimated, the net book values of the long-lived assets are depreciated over the newly determined remaining estimated useful lives. As a result of the testing the undiscounted cash flows of the remaining asset groups exceeded their respective carrying amount resulting in no impairment.
See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about long-lived assets and related impairment charges.
Revenue Recognition
We record an allowance for estimated returns based on our historical return patterns and various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to calculate our sales return allowance.
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However, if the actual rate of sales returns increases significantly, our operating results could be adversely affected. We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to estimate future sales returns in the past three fiscal years.
Provision for Income Taxes
We record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of such deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including forecasting future income, taxable income and the mix of income or losses in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may also be materially impacted by changes in the mix and level of income or losses, changes in the expected outcome of audits, or changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance.
At any point in time, many tax years are subject to or in the process of being audited by various taxing authorities. To the extent our estimates of settlements change, or the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determinations are made. Our income tax expense includes changes in our estimated liability for exposures associated with our various tax filing positions. Determining the income tax expense for these potential assessments requires management to make assumptions that are subject to factors such as proposed assessments by tax authorities, changes in facts and circumstances, issuance of new regulations, and resolution of tax audits. We performed an evaluation over our deferred tax assets and determined that a valuation allowance is considered necessary. See Note 11, Income Taxes, for further details on the valuation allowance.
We believe the judgments and estimates discussed above are reasonable. However, if actual results fall short of our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This document contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and performance. These statements may discuss, among other things, our net sales, gross margin, operating expenses, operating income, net income, cash flow, financial condition, financings, impairments, expenditures, growth, strategies, plans, achievements, dividends, capital structure, organizational structure, future store openings, market opportunities and general market and industry conditions. We generally identify forward-looking statements by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe,” “seek,” “continue,” “outlook,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” “targeting” or the negative version of these words or comparable words. Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs and assumptions made by management using currently available information. These statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of future performance, actions or events. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if management’s underlying beliefs and assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by a forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties include those set forth under Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws and regulations.
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FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000950170-23-012307.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those made, projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Statements Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” below and Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
This section discusses our results of operations for the year ended January 27, 2023 as compared to the year ended January 28, 2022. For a discussion and analysis of the year ended January 28, 2022 compared to January 29, 2021, please refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 24, 2022.
As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to the “Company”, “Lands’ End”, “we”, “us”, “our” and similar terms refer to Lands’ End, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year ends on the Friday preceding the Saturday closest to January 31.
Executive Overview
Description of the Company
Lands’ End is a leading digital retailer of casual clothing, swimwear, outerwear, accessories, footwear and home products. Operating out of America’s heartland, we believe our vision and values make a strong connection with our core customers. We offer products online at www.landsend.com, through our own Company Operated stores and through third-party distribution channels. We are a classic American lifestyle brand with a passion for quality, legendary service and real value. We seek to deliver timeless style for women, men, kids and the home.
Lands’ End was founded in 1963 by Gary Comer and his partners to sell sailboat hardware and equipment by catalog. While our product focus has shifted significantly over the years, we have continued to adhere to our founder’s motto as one of our guiding principles: “Take care of the customer, take care of the employee and the rest will take care of itself.”
We have one external reportable segment and identify our operating segments according to how our business activities are managed and evaluated. During Fiscal 2022, our operating segments consisted of: U.S. eCommerce, Europe eCommerce, Japan eCommerce (see Note 8, Lands’ End Japan Closure), Outfitters, Third Party and Retail. We have determined that each of our operating segments share similar economic and other qualitative characteristics, and therefore, the results of our operating segments are aggregated into one external reportable segment.
Distribution Channels
We identify five separate distribution channels for revenue reporting purposes:
•
U.S. eCommerce offers products through our eCommerce website.
•
International offers products primarily to consumers located in Europe and Japan through eCommerce international websites and third-party affiliates. See Note 8, Landsʼ End Japan Closure.
•
Outfitters sells uniform and logo apparel to businesses and their employees, as well as to student households through school relationships, located primarily in the U.S.
•
Third Party sells the same products as U.S. eCommerce direct to consumers through third-party marketplace websites and through domestic wholesale customers.
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•
Retail sells products through Company Operated stores.
Macroeconomic Challenges
Macroeconomic issues, such as recent inflationary pressures, have had an impact on our business. Since apparel purchases are discretionary expenditures that historically have been influenced by domestic and global economic conditions, higher prices of consumer goods due to inflation may result in less discretionary spending for consumers which may negatively impact customer demand and require higher levels of promotion in order to attract and retain customers. These macroeconomic challenges have led to increased cost of raw materials, packaging materials, labor, transportation, energy, fuel and other inputs necessary for the production and distribution of our products which have negatively impacted our gross margin.
Global Supply Chain Challenges
Like many industries, we experienced global supply chain challenges that impacted our distribution process, third-party manufacturing partners and logistics partners, including shipping delays due to port congestion and closure of certain third-party manufacturing facilities and production lines. These global supply chain challenges caused manufacturing, transport and receipt of inbound product delays that began to normalize in the second half of Fiscal 2022. The Company experienced increased transportation costs during the second half of Fiscal 2021 and the first half of Fiscal 2022.
Basis of Presentation
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of Lands’ End, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Seasonality
We experience seasonal fluctuations in our net revenue and operating results and historically have realized a significant portion of our yearly net revenue and earnings during our fourth fiscal quarter. We generated 34.0% and 33.9% of our yearly net revenue in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021, respectively. Thus, lower than expected fourth quarter net revenue may have an adverse impact on our annual operating results.
Working capital requirements typically increase during the second and third quarters of the fiscal year as inventory builds to support peak selling periods and typically decrease during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year as inventory is sold. Cash provided by operating activities is typically higher in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to reduced working capital requirements during that period.
Results of Operations
Fiscal Year. Our fiscal year end is on the Friday preceding the Saturday closest to January 31 each year. The fiscal periods in this report are presented as follows, unless the context otherwise requires:
| Fiscal Year | Ended | Weeks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | January 27, 2023 | 52 | ||
| 2021 | January 28, 2022 | 52 |
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The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data:
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | $’s | % of Net Revenue | $’s | % of Net Revenue | ||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 1,555,429 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,636,624 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 961,663 | 61.8 | % | 945,164 | 57.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | 593,766 | 38.2 | % | 691,460 | 42.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Selling and administrative | 527,374 | 33.9 | % | 571,767 | 35.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 38,741 | 2.5 | % | 39,166 | 2.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Other operating expense, net | 2,926 | 0.2 | % | 741 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating income | 24,725 | 1.6 | % | 79,786 | 4.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | 39,768 | 2.6 | % | 34,445 | 2.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Other (income), net | (364 | ) | (0.0 | )% | (628 | ) | (0.0 | )% | ||||||||
| (Loss) income before income taxes | (14,679 | ) | (0.9 | )% | 45,969 | 2.8 | % | |||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (2,149 | ) | (0.1 | )% | 12,600 | 0.8 | % | |||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (12,530 | ) | (0.8 | )% | $ | 33,369 | 2.0 | % |
Depreciation and amortization are not included in our cost of sales because we are a reseller of inventory and do not believe that including depreciation and amortization is meaningful. As a result, gross profit may not be comparable to other entities that include depreciation and amortization related to the sale of their product in their gross profit measure.
Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA
We recorded a Net loss of $12.5 million and Net income of $33.4 million for Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021, respectively. In addition to our Net income (loss) determined in accordance with GAAP, for purposes of evaluating operating performance, we use an Adjusted EBITDA measurement. Adjusted EBITDA is computed as Net income (loss) appearing on the Consolidated Statements of Operations net of Income tax expense/(benefit), Interest expense, Depreciation and amortization and certain significant items set forth below. Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the operating performance of our business for comparable periods and as a basis for an executive compensation metric. The methods we use to calculate our non-GAAP financial measures may differ significantly from methods other companies use to compute similar measures. As a result, any non-GAAP financial measures presented herein may not be comparable to similar measures provided by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be used by investors or other third parties as the sole basis for formulating investment decisions as it excludes a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items.
While Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, management believes that it is an important indicator of operating performance, and useful to investors, because:
•
EBITDA excludes the effects of financings, investing activities and tax structure by eliminating the effects of interest, depreciation and income tax.
•
Other significant items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects comparability of results. We have adjusted our results for these items to make our statements more comparable and therefore more useful to investors as the items are not representative of our ongoing operations.
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Lands’ End Japan closure – $3.1 million net operating loss related to the liquidation of product commencing September 2022 through the end of Fiscal 2022 and $3.0 million of one-time closing costs recorded in Fiscal 2022.
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Long-lived assets impairment – non-cash write-down of certain long-lived assets in Fiscal 2022.
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(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment – disposal of property and equipment in Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021.
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Other – amortization of transaction related costs associated with our Third Party distribution channel in Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021.
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | $’s | % of Net Revenue | $’s | % of Net Revenue | ||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (12,530 | ) | (0.8 | )% | $ | 33,369 | 2.0 | % | |||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (2,149 | ) | (0.1 | )% | 12,600 | 0.8 | % | |||||||||
| Other (income), net | (364 | ) | (0.0 | )% | (628 | ) | (0.0 | )% | ||||||||
| Interest expense | 39,768 | 2.6 | % | 34,445 | 2.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating income | 24,725 | 1.6 | % | 79,786 | 4.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 38,741 | 2.5 | % | 39,166 | 2.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Lands’ End Japan closure | 6,133 | 0.4 | % | — | — | % | ||||||||||
| Long-lived asset impairment | 468 | 0.0 | % | — | — | % | ||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment | (530 | ) | (0.0 | )% | 741 | 0.0 | % | |||||||||
| Other | 960 | 0.1 | % | 1,189 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 70,497 | 4.5 | % | $ | 120,882 | 7.4 | % |
In assessing the operational performance of our business, we consider a variety of financial measures. We operate in five separate distribution channels for revenue reporting purposes: U.S. eCommerce, International, Outfitters, Third Party and Retail. A key measure in the evaluation of our business is revenue performance by distribution channel. We also consider Gross profit and Selling and administrative expenses in evaluating the performance of our business.
We use Net revenue to evaluate revenue performance for the U.S. eCommerce, International, Outfitters and Third Party distribution channels. For our Retail distribution channel, we use Company Operated stores Same Store Sales as a key measure to evaluate performance. A store is included in Same Store Sales calculations when it has been open for at least 14 months. Online sales and sales generated through our in-store web portal are considered revenue in our U.S. eCommerce and International distribution channels and are excluded from Same Store Sales.
Discussion and Analysis
Fiscal 2022 Compared to Fiscal 2021
Net Revenue
Total Net revenue was $1.56 billion in Fiscal 2022, a decrease of $81.2 million or 5.0% from $1.64 billion in Fiscal 2021.
Net revenue is presented by distribution channel in the following table:
| (in thousands) | Fiscal 2022 | % of Net Revenue | Fiscal 2021 | % of Net Revenue | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. eCommerce | $ | 955,752 | 61.4% | $ | 1,027,138 | 62.8% | ||||
| International | 166,627 | 10.7% | 220,997 | 13.5% | ||||||
| Outfitters | 265,898 | 17.1% | 254,191 | 15.5% | ||||||
| Third Party | 118,996 | 7.7% | 86,517 | 5.3% | ||||||
| Retail | 48,156 | 3.1% | 47,781 | 2.9% | ||||||
| Total Net revenue | $ | 1,555,429 | $ | 1,636,624 |
U.S. eCommerce Net revenue was $955.8 million in Fiscal 2022, a decrease of $71.4 million or 7.0% from $1.03 billion in Fiscal 2021. The decrease in U.S. eCommerce was caused by lower consumer demand as a result of
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delayed receipts of key products caused by the global supply chain challenges in the first half of Fiscal 2022, macroeconomic challenges impacting consumer discretionary spending and industry-wide promotional activity in the second half of Fiscal 2022.
International Net revenue was $166.6 million in Fiscal 2022, a decrease of $54.4 million or 24.6% from $221.0 million in Fiscal 2021. The decrease in International was driven by lower demand in Europe resulting from macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges impacting consumer discretionary spending, the closure of the Japan eCommerce distribution channel in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022 and foreign currency translation exposure.
Outfitters Net revenue was $265.9 million in Fiscal 2022, an increase of $11.7 million or 4.6% from $254.2 million in Fiscal 2021. The increase was primarily attributed to stronger demand within our travel-based national accounts and school uniforms households returning to historical purchasing patterns.
Third Party Net revenue was $119.0 million in Fiscal 2022, an increase of $32.5 million or 37.5% from $86.5 million in Fiscal 2021. The increase was driven by growth in the Kohl’s marketplace and existing and new online marketplaces.
Retail Net revenue was $48.2 million in Fiscal 2022, an increase of $0.4 million or 0.8% from $47.8 million in Fiscal 2021. Our U.S. Company Operated Stores experienced an increase of 1.5% in Same Store Sales as compared to Fiscal 2021. On January 27, 2023, there were 28 U.S. Company Operated stores compared to 30 U.S. Company Operated stores on January 28, 2022.
Gross Profit
In Fiscal 2022, total Gross profit decreased 14.1% to $593.8 million compared to $691.5 million for Fiscal 2021. Gross margin decreased 410 basis points to 38.2% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2022 from 42.3% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2021. The decrease was attributable to incremental transportation costs due to the global supply chain challenges in addition to increased industry-wide promotional activity in the second half of Fiscal 2022.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses were $527.4 million, or 33.9% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2022 compared to $571.8 million, or 35.0% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2021. The approximately 110 basis points improvement was driven by continued expense controls across the business.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization were $38.7 million in Fiscal 2022, a decrease of $0.5 million or 1.3%, compared to $39.2 million in Fiscal 2021.
Other Operating Expense, Net
Other operating expense, net was $2.9 million in Fiscal 2022 compared to $0.7 million in Fiscal 2021. The $2.2 million increase was primarily attributed to $3.0 million of recorded Lands’ End Japan one-time closing costs offset by the change in net gain/loss from disposal of property and equipment and non-cash write down of certain long-lived assets in Fiscal 2022 compared to Fiscal 2021.
Operating Income
Operating income was $24.8 million in Fiscal 2022, compared to $79.8 million in Fiscal 2021. The decrease of $55.0 million was driven by the decrease in Gross profit offset by lower Selling and administrative expenses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $39.8 million in Fiscal 2022, compared to $34.4 million in Fiscal 2021. The $5.4 million increase was driven by higher applicable interest rates under the Debt Facilities and higher outstanding balances on the revolving ABL Facility.
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Other (Income) Expense
Other income was $0.4 million in Fiscal 2022 compared to Other income of $0.6 million in Fiscal 2021.
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense
Income tax benefit of $2.1 million was recorded for Fiscal 2022 which resulted in an effective tax rate of 14.6%. This compared to Income tax expense of $12.6 million in Fiscal 2021 which resulted in an effective tax rate of 27.4%. The Fiscal 2021 tax rate was higher than Fiscal 2022 due to a pretax loss in Fiscal 2022 compared to a pretax income in Fiscal 2021.
Net (Loss) Income
As a result of the above factors, Net loss was $12.5 million, or diluted loss per share of $0.38 in Fiscal 2022 compared to $33.4 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.99 in Fiscal 2021.
Adjusted EBITDA
As a result of the above factors, Adjusted EBITDA was $70.5 million in Fiscal 2022, compared to $120.9 million in Fiscal 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary need for liquidity is to fund working capital requirements of our business, capital expenditures, debt service and for general corporate purposes. Our cash and cash equivalents and the ABL Facility serve as sources of liquidity for short-term working capital needs and general corporate purposes. The ABL Facility had a balance outstanding of $100.0 million as of January 27, 2023, other than for letters of credit. Cash generated from our net revenue and profitability, and somewhat to a lesser extent our changes in working capital, are driven by the seasonality of our business, with a significant amount of net revenue and operating cash flows generally occurring in the fourth fiscal quarter of each year. We expect that our cash on hand and cash flows from operations, along with borrowings on the ABL Facility, will be adequate to meet our capital requirements and operational needs for at least the next 12 months.
Description of Material Indebtedness
Debt Arrangements
Our $275.0 million revolving ABL Facility includes a $70.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and is available for working capital and other general corporate liquidity needs. The amount available to borrow is the lesser of the $275.0 million facility limit and the Borrowing Base which is calculated from Eligible Inventory, Trade Receivables and Credit Card Receivables, all terms as defined in the ABL Facility. The balance outstanding as of January 27, 2023 was $100.0 million. There was no balance outstanding as of January 28, 2022. The balance of outstanding letters of credit was $10.6 million and $23.5 million as of January 27, 2023 and January 28, 2022, respectively.
On July 29, 2021, we executed the Third Amendment to the ABL Facility resulting in favorable financial terms compared to the Second Amendment to the ABL Facility and extension of the maturity date of the ABL Facility, as discussed below.
On September 9, 2020, we entered into the Term Loan Facility which provided borrowings of $275.0 million. Origination costs, including an Original Issue Discount (OID) of 3% and $5.1 million in debt origination fees were paid in connection with entering into the Term Loan Facility.
Interest; Fees
The Third Amendment to the ABL Facility, effective July 31, 2021, lowered the applicable margin interest rates applicable to the referenced rate, selected at the borrower’s election, either (1) adjusted LIBOR or (2) a base rate which is the greater of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.00%, or (c) the Wells
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Fargo “prime rate”. For all loans, the borrowing margin is based upon the average daily total loans outstanding for the previous quarter. The applicable borrowing margin for LIBOR loans is (i) less than $95.0 million, 1.25%, (ii) equal to or greater than $95.0 million but less than $180.0 million, 1.50%, and (iii) greater than or equal to $180.0 million, 1.75%. For base rate loans, the applicable borrowing margin is (i) less than $95.0 million, 0.50%, (ii) equal to or greater than $95.0 million but less than $180.0 million, 0.75%, and (iii) greater than or equal to $180.0 million, 1.00%. The Third Amendment to the ABL Facility replaced the 0.75% LIBOR floor with a 0.00% LIBOR floor.
The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the Term Loan Facility are based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to, at the borrower’s election, either (1) an adjusted LIBOR (with a minimum rate of 1.00%) plus 9.75% or (2) an alternative base rate (which is the greater of (i) the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal, (ii) the federal funds rate, which shall be no lower than 0.00% plus ½ of 1.00%, or (iii) the one month LIBOR rate plus 1.00% per annum) plus 8.75%.
The ABL Facility fees include (i) commitment fees of 0.25% based upon the average daily unused commitment (aggregate commitment less loans and letter of credit outstanding) under the ABL Facility for the preceding fiscal quarter and (ii) customary letter of credit fees.
Customary agency fees are payable in respect of the Debt Facilities.
Maturity; Amortization and Prepayments
The Third Amendment to the ABL Facility extended the maturity from November 16, 2022 to the earlier of (a) July 29, 2026 and (b) June 9, 2025 if, on or prior to such date, the Term Loan Facility has not been refinanced, extended or repaid in full in accordance with the terms thereof and not replaced with other indebtedness.
The Term Loan Facility matures on September 9, 2025 and amortizes at a rate equal to 1.25% per quarter. It is subject to mandatory prepayments in an amount equal to a percentage of the borrower’s excess cash flows in each fiscal year, ranging from 0% to 75% depending on our total leverage ratio, and with the proceeds of certain asset sales, casualty events and extraordinary receipts. The loan could not be voluntarily prepaid during the first two years of its term, without significant penalties. A prepayment premium of 3% applies to voluntary prepayments and certain mandatory prepayments made after September 9, 2022 and on or prior to September 9, 2023, 1% for such prepayments made after September 9, 2023 and on or prior to September 9, 2024, and no premium on such prepayments thereafter.
Guarantees; Security
All obligations under the Debt Facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by Lands’ End, Inc. and, subject to certain exceptions, each of its existing and future direct and indirect subsidiaries. The ABL Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in certain working capital of the borrowers and guarantors consisting primarily of accounts receivable and inventory. The Term Loan Facility is secured by a second priority security interest in the same collateral, with certain exceptions.
The Term Loan Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in certain property and assets of the borrowers and guarantors, including certain fixed assets such as real estate, stock of the subsidiaries and intellectual property, in each case, subject to certain exceptions. The ABL Facility is secured by a second priority interest in the same collateral, with certain exceptions.
Representations and Warranties; Covenants
Subject to specified exceptions, the Debt Facilities contain various representations and warranties and restrictive covenants that, among other things, restrict Lands’ End, Inc.’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, make dividends or distributions with respect to capital stock, make prepayments on other indebtedness, engage in mergers or change the nature of their business.
The Term Loan Facility contains certain financial covenants, including a quarterly maximum total leverage ratio test, a weekly minimum liquidity test and an annual maximum capital expenditure amount.
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Under the ABL Facility, if excess availability falls below the greater of 10% of the Loan Cap amount or $15.0 million, we will be required to comply with a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0.
The Debt Facilities contain certain affirmative covenants, including reporting requirements such as delivery of financial statements, certificates and notices of certain events, maintaining insurance and providing additional guarantees and collateral in certain circumstances.
As of January 27, 2023, we were in compliance with all of our covenants in the Debt Facilities.
Events of Default
The Debt Facilities include customary events of default including non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations or warranties, cross defaults related to certain other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, invalidity or impairment of guarantees or security interests and material judgments and change of control.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Operating activities used net cash of $36.4 million and generated $70.6 million in Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021, respectively. Our primary source of operating cash flows is the sale of merchandise goods and services to customers, while the primary use of cash in operations is the purchase of merchandise inventories.
In Fiscal 2022, net cash generated by operating activities decreased $106.9 million compared to Fiscal 2021 as a result of the decrease in operating income and an increase in changes in working capital, primarily inventory. The increase in inventory was primarily driven by early receipts of swim product for the spring and summer selling seasons and carry over full price swim product driven by late receipts last year due to the supply chain challenges.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $29.8 million and $25.2 million during Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021, respectively. Cash used in investing activities for both years was primarily used for investments to update our digital information technology infrastructure.
For Fiscal 2023, we plan to invest approximately $35.0 million in capital expenditures for strategic investments and infrastructure, primarily in technology and general corporate needs.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $73.5 million during Fiscal 2022 compared to $45.1 million used in financing activities during Fiscal 2021. The $118.6 million increase in net cash provided by financing activities is attributed to the reduction in earnings and increased borrowings under the ABL Facility to cover the higher than normal inventory levels throughout the year due to the receipt timing of seasonal inventory compared to prior years as well as carried over basics inventory from prior seasons.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements
We have no material off-balance-sheet arrangements other than the guarantees and contractual obligations that are discussed below.
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Information concerning our obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts such as lease agreements and other contingent commitments, as of January 27, 2023, is aggregated in the following table:
| Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Total | 1 Year or less | 2-3 Years | 3-4 Years | After 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (1) | $ | 45,301 | $ | 7,516 | $ | 13,215 | $ | 12,720 | $ | 11,850 | |||||||||
| Principal payments on long-term debt | 344,063 | 13,750 | 330,313 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Interest on Term Loan Facility and ABL Facility fees | 86,736 | 34,907 | 51,829 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations (2) | 201,874 | 201,874 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 677,974 | $ | 258,047 | $ | 395,357 | $ | 12,720 | $ | 11,850 |
(1)
Operating lease obligations consist primarily of future minimum lease commitments related to our operating leases (refer to Note 4, Leases, of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details).
(2)
Purchase obligations primarily represent open purchase orders for inventory.
Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
The $275.0 million ABL Facility includes a $70.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and the Third Amendment to the ABL Facility extended the maturity from November 16, 2022 to the earlier of (a) July 29, 2026 and (b) June 9, 2025 if, on or prior to such date, the Term Loan Facility has not been refinanced, extended or repaid in full in accordance with the terms thereof and not replaced with other indebtedness. The ABL Facility is available for working capital and other general corporate liquidity needs. The balance outstanding as of January 27, 2023 was $100.0 million. There was no balance outstanding as of January 28, 2022. The balance of outstanding letters of credit was $10.6 million and $23.5 million as of January 27, 2023 and January 28, 2022, respectively.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. While our estimates and assumptions are based on our knowledge of current events and actions we may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from our estimates and assumptions. Our estimation processes contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and apply judgment to make these estimates. Should actual results be different than our estimates, we could be exposed to gains or losses from differences that may be material.
For a summary of our significant accounting policies, please refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of our Consolidated Financial Statements. We believe the accounting policies discussed below represent the accounting policies we apply that are the most critical to understanding our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Inventory Valuation
Our inventories consist of merchandise purchased for resale and are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The nature of our business requires that we make a significant amount of our merchandising decisions and corresponding inventory purchase commitments with vendors several months in advance of the time in which a particular merchandise item is intended to be included in the merchandise offerings. These decisions and commitments are based upon, among other possible considerations, historical sales with identical or similar merchandise, our understanding of then-prevailing trends and influences, and an assessment of likely economic conditions and various competitive factors.
For financial reporting and tax purposes, our United States inventory, primarily merchandise held for sale, is stated at last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) cost, which is adjusted to the lower of cost or market. We account for our non-United States inventory on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The United States inventory accounted for using the LIFO method as of percentage of the total inventory was 92% at January 27, 2023 and 86% at January 28, 2022.
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We continually make assessments as to whether the carrying cost of inventory exceeds its market value and, if so, by what dollar amount. Excess inventories may be disposed of through our normal course of business. Based on historical results experienced through various methods of disposition, we will write down the carrying value of inventories that are not expected to be sold at or above cost. The excess and obsolete reserve balances were $13.9 million and $15.2 million as of January 27, 2023, and January 28, 2022, respectively. For the inventory marked down to net realizable value, a one percentage point increase in our assumed recovery rates at January 27, 2023, would have had an immaterial impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Goodwill and Trade Name Impairment Assessments
Goodwill and the trade name indefinite-lived intangible asset are tested separately for impairment annually, during the fourth quarter, or are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Frequently our impairment loss calculations contain multiple uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values, including forecasting cash flows under different scenarios. We perform goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests on an annual basis and update these annual impairment tests mid-year if events or circumstances occur that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset below its carrying amount. If actual results fall short of our estimates and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.
Goodwill impairment assessments
We test goodwill for impairment using a one-step quantitative test. The quantitative test compares the reporting unit’s fair value to its carrying value. An impairment is recorded for any excess carrying value above the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the amount of goodwill. We estimate fair value of our reporting units using a discounted cash flow model, commonly referred to as the income approach. The income approach uses a reporting unit’s projection of estimated operating results and cash flows that is discounted using a weighted-average cost of capital that reflects current market conditions appropriate to our reporting unit. Estimated discount rates were determined using the weighted average cost of capital for each reporting unit at the time of the analysis, taking into consideration the risks inherent within each reporting unit individually. The discounted cash flow model uses projections based on management’s best estimates of economic and market conditions over the projected period using the best information available, including growth rates in revenues, costs and estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures. Other significant estimates and assumptions include terminal value growth rates, weighted average cost of capital and changes in future working capital requirements.
During First Quarter 2020, in response to the COVID pandemic, we recorded full impairment of the $3.3 million of goodwill allocated to our Japan eCommerce reporting unit.
We completed our Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021 annual goodwill impairment analysis during the fourth quarter of each year and determined that the fair value of the U.S. eCommerce and Outfitters reporting units exceeded their carrying values by 13.2% and 26.7%, respectively in Fiscal 2022 and 91.2% and 65.5%, respectively in Fiscal 2021, and as such, we did not record a goodwill impairment charge. The discount rates used in our Fiscal 2022 annual impairment testing for U.S. eCommerce and Outfitters were 18% and 16%, respectively. Changes in certain of our key assumptions may affect testing results. For example, keeping all other assumptions constant, a 200 and 600 basis point increase in the discount rates for the U.S. eCommerce and Outfitters reporting units, respectively, would have resulted in the reporting units estimated fair values to approximate carrying value.
Goodwill impairment charges may be recognized in future periods to the extent changes in factors or circumstances occur, including deterioration in the macroeconomic environment, retail industry or in the equity markets, deterioration in our performance or our future projections, or changes in our plans for the reporting unit.
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Indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment assessments
Our indefinite-lived intangible asset is the Lands’ End trade name. We review the trade name for impairment on an annual basis during our fourth fiscal quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The fair value of the trade name indefinite-lived intangible asset is estimated using the relief from royalty valuation method. The relief from royalty method of the income approach was most appropriate for analyzing our indefinite-lived asset. This method is based on the assumption that, in lieu of ownership, a firm would be willing to pay a royalty in order to exploit the related benefits of this asset class. The relief from royalty method involves two steps: (1) estimation of reasonable royalty rates for the assets and (2) the application of these royalty rates to a forecasted net revenue stream and discounting the resulting cash flows to determine a present value. We multiplied the selected royalty rate by the forecasted net revenue stream to calculate the cost savings (relief from royalty payment) associated with the asset. The cash flows are then discounted to present value using the selected discount rate and compared to the carrying value of the asset.
In Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021 we performed the annual testing of the indefinite-lived intangible asset, the Lands’ End trade name. The fair value exceeded the carrying value by 13.3% and 68.9% in Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021, respectively, and as such, no trade name impairment charges were recorded.
See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, and Note 10, Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about these assets and the related impairment charges.
Revenue Recognition
While revenue recognition for us does not involve significant judgment, it represents an important accounting policy. For sales shipped from our distribution centers, we recognize revenue and the related cost of goods sold at the time the products are expected to be received by the customers. For sales transacted at stores, revenue is recognized when the customer receives and pays for the merchandise at the register. We record an allowance for estimated returns based on our historical return patterns and various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable.
We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to calculate our sales return allowance. However, if the actual rate of sales returns increases significantly, our operating results could be adversely affected. We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to estimate future sales returns in the past three fiscal years.
Provision for Income Taxes
We record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of such deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including forecasting future income, taxable income and the mix of income or losses in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may also be materially impacted by changes in the mix and level of income or losses, changes in the expected outcome of audits, or changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance.
At any point in time, many tax years are subject to or in the process of being audited by various taxing authorities. To the extent our estimates of settlements change, or the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determinations are made. Our income tax expense includes changes in our estimated liability for exposures associated with our various tax filing positions. Determining the income tax expense for these potential assessments requires management to make assumptions that are subject to factors such as proposed assessments by tax authorities, changes in facts and circumstances, issuance of new regulations, and resolution of tax audits. We performed an evaluation over our deferred tax assets and determined that a valuation allowance is considered necessary. See Note 11, Income Taxes, for further details on the valuation allowance.
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We believe the judgments and estimates discussed above are reasonable. However, if actual results fall short of our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This document contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and performance. These statements may discuss, among other things, our net sales, gross margin, operating expenses, operating income, net income, cash flow, financial condition, financings, impairments, expenditures, growth, strategies, plans, achievements, dividends, capital structure, organizational structure, future store openings, market opportunities and general market and industry conditions. We generally identify forward-looking statements by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe,” “seek,” “continue,” “outlook,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” “targeting” or the negative version of these words or comparable words. Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs and assumptions made by management using currently available information. These statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of future performance, actions or events. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if management’s underlying beliefs and assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by a forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties include those set forth under Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws and regulations.
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FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001564590-22-011688.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those made, projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Statements Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” below and Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
This section discusses our results of operations for the year ended January 28, 2022 as compared to the year ended January 29, 2021. For a discussion and analysis of the year ended January 29, 2021 compared to January 31, 2020, please refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 25, 2021.
As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to the “Company”, “Lands’ End”, “we”, “us”, “our” and similar terms refer to Lands’ End, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year ends on the Friday preceding the Saturday closest to January 31.
Executive Overview
Description of the Company
Lands’ End is a leading uni-channel retailer of casual clothing, accessories, footwear and home products. Operating out of America’s heartland, we believe our vision and values make a strong connection with our core customers. We offer products online at www.landsend.com, through our own Company Operated stores and through third-party distribution channels. We are a classic American lifestyle brand with a passion for quality, legendary service and real value. We seek to deliver timeless style for women, men, kids and the home.
Lands’ End was founded in 1963 by Gary Comer and his partners to sell sailboat hardware and equipment by catalog. While our product focus has shifted significantly over the years, we have continued to adhere to our founder’s motto as one of our guiding principles: “Take care of the customer, take care of the employee and the rest will take care of itself.”
We seek to provide a common customer experience regardless of whether our customers are interacting with us on our company websites, at Company Operated stores or through third-party distribution channels.
We have one external reportable segment and identify our operating segments according to how our business activities are managed and evaluated. Our operating segments consist of: U.S. eCommerce, Europe eCommerce, Japan eCommerce, Outfitters, Third Party, and Retail. We have determined that each of our operating segments share similar economic and other qualitative characteristics, and therefore, the results of our operating segments are aggregated into one external reportable segment.
Distribution Channels
We identify five separate distribution channels for revenue reporting purposes:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | U.S. eCommerce offers products through our eCommerce website. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | International offers products primarily to consumers located in Europe and Japan through our eCommerce international websites and third-party affiliates. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Outfitters sells uniform and logo apparel to businesses and their employees, as well as to student households through school relationships, located primarily in the U.S. |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Third Party sells the same products as U.S. eCommerce direct to consumers through third-party marketplace websites and through domestic wholesale customers. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Retail sells products through Company Operated stores. |
Impact of the COVID Pandemic
COVID surfaced in late 2019 and in March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID a pandemic. The onset of the COVID pandemic had a disruptive impact on our business operations and an unfavorable impact on our results of operations during the first half of Fiscal 2020. During the Second Quarter 2020, we began a recovery that continued to build on the momentum experienced before the COVID pandemic. Our strong foundation and ongoing enhancements across our four strategic pillars of product, digital, uni-channel distribution and infrastructure and business processes have supported us during the COVID pandemic and continue to support our financial performance and encouraging customer metrics. The ultimate timing and impact of customer demand levels across all distribution channels will depend on the duration and scope of the COVID pandemic, overall economic conditions and consumer preferences.
Health and Safety of Employees and Consumers
From the beginning of the COVID pandemic, our priority has been the safety of employees and customers. On March 16, 2020, we temporarily closed our Company Operated stores. These stores reopened during Second Quarter 2020. Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, we have taken extra precautions in our offices, distribution centers and Company Operated stores, which have varied from time to time based on the then current guidance from global, federal and state health authorities. These measures have included retail guidelines, work-from-home policies, social distancing, masking, thermal scanning and partitions in facilities. With the emergence of COVID variants and periodic increases in the number of reported cases affecting different regions, we have been required to keep these measures in place longer than anticipated.
Supply Chain
As with all industries, we experienced global supply chain challenges and we continually monitor our supply chain for manufacturing and transportation delays caused or exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. During Fiscal 2021, the COVID pandemic impacted our distribution process, third-party manufacturing partners and logistics partners, including shipping delays due to port congestion, and closure of certain third-party manufacturing facilities and production lines. These global supply chain challenges caused manufacturing, transport and receipt of inbound product delays, and resulted, at times, in lower inventory positions and higher than normal back orders. In addition, due to the global supply chain challenges we experienced increased transportation and distribution costs during the second half of Fiscal 2021.
We expect these global supply chain challenges and increases in transportation costs to continue throughout Fiscal 2022. These shipping delays and additional costs may continue to impact our future net sales, gross margin and net earnings depending upon the ultimate timing of delivery and availability of product.
Labor Shortage
We have and may continue to experience a U.S. labor shortage affecting our ability to staff and operate our U.S. distribution centers. Due to the seasonal nature of our business, we rely heavily on flexible part-time employees to staff our distribution centers in support of our peak seasons, including the back-to-school shopping season and fourth fiscal quarter holiday shopping season.
Expense Reduction
In First Quarter 2020, we took aggressive actions to reduce overall expenses as a response to decreased customer demand due to the COVID pandemic. We reduced our operating expenses and structural costs by enacting employee furloughs and temporary tiered salary reductions for the executive team and corporate staff. In addition, other discretionary operating expenses and planned capital expenditures for Fiscal 2020 were significantly reduced.
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As the COVID pandemic continues and new variants emerge, we will continue to monitor the impact of the COVID pandemic to manage overall expenses.
Basis of Presentation
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of Lands’ End, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Seasonality
We experience seasonal fluctuations in our net revenue and operating results and historically have realized a significant portion of our yearly net revenue and earnings during our fourth fiscal quarter. We generated 33.9% and 37.7% of our yearly net revenue in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020 respectively. The Fiscal 2021 percentage decrease of net revenue in the fourth quarter was primarily attributed to the global supply chain challenges. Thus, lower than expected fourth quarter net revenue has had and may continue to have an adverse impact on our annual operating results.
Working capital requirements typically increase during the second and third quarters of the fiscal year as inventory builds to support peak shipping/selling periods and typically decrease during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year as inventory is shipped/sold. Cash provided by operating activities is typically higher in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to reduced working capital requirements during that period.
Results of Operations
Fiscal Year. Our fiscal year end is on the Friday preceding the Saturday closest to January 31 each year. The fiscal periods in this report are presented as follows, unless the context otherwise requires:
| Fiscal Year | Ended | Weeks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | January 28, 2022 | 52 | ||
| 2020 | January 29, 2021 | 52 |
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data:
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | $’s | % of Net Revenue | $’s | % of Net Revenue | ||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 1,636,624 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,427,448 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 945,164 | 57.8 | % | 821,595 | 57.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | 691,460 | 42.2 | % | 605,853 | 42.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Selling and administrative | 571,767 | 34.9 | % | 518,897 | 36.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 39,166 | 2.4 | % | 37,343 | 2.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Other operating expense, net | 741 | 0.0 | % | 8,471 | 0.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating income | 79,786 | 4.9 | % | 41,142 | 2.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | 34,445 | 2.1 | % | 27,754 | 1.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (628 | ) | (0.0 | )% | 796 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 45,969 | 2.8 | % | 12,592 | 0.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 12,600 | 0.8 | % | 1,756 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 33,369 | 2.0 | % | $ | 10,836 | 0.8 | % |
Depreciation and amortization are not included in our cost of sales because we are a reseller of inventory and do not believe that including depreciation and amortization is meaningful. As a result, gross profit may not be comparable to other entities that include depreciation and amortization related to the sale of their product in their gross profit measure.
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Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA
We recorded Net income of $33.4 million and $10.8 million for Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020, respectively. In addition to our Net income determined in accordance with GAAP, for purposes of evaluating operating performance, we use an Adjusted EBITDA measurement. Adjusted EBITDA is computed as Net income appearing on the Consolidated Statements of Operations net of Income tax expense, Interest expense, Depreciation and amortization and certain significant items set forth below. Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the operating performance of our business for comparable periods and as the basis for an executive compensation metric. The methods we use to calculate our non-GAAP financial measures may differ significantly from methods other companies use to compute similar measures. As a result, any non-GAAP financial measures presented herein may not be comparable to similar measures provided by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be used by investors or other third parties as the sole basis for formulating investment decisions as it excludes a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items.
While Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, management believes that it is an important indicator of operating performance, and useful to investors, because:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | EBITDA excludes the effects of financings, investing activities and tax structure by eliminating the effects of interest, depreciation and income tax. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Other significant items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects comparability of results. We have adjusted our results for these items to make our statements more comparable and therefore more useful to investors as the items are not representative of our ongoing operations. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ▪ | Corporate restructuring – severance costs associated with the reduction in corporate positions in Fiscal 2020. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ▪ | Goodwill and long-lived asset impairment – charges associated with the non-cash write-down of goodwill and certain long-lived assets in Fiscal 2020. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ▪ | Other – amortization of transaction related costs associated with our Third Party distribution channel in Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ▪ | Loss on disposal of property and equipment – management considers the net gain or loss on asset valuation to result from investing decisions rather than ongoing operations in Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020. |
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | $’s | % of Net Revenue | $’s | % of Net Revenue | ||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 33,369 | 2.0 | % | $ | 10,836 | 0.8 | % | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | 12,600 | 0.8 | % | 1,756 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (628 | ) | (0.0 | )% | 796 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||
| Interest expense | 34,445 | 2.1 | % | 27,754 | 1.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating income | 79,786 | 4.9 | % | 41,142 | 2.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 39,166 | 2.4 | % | 37,343 | 2.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Corporate restructuring | — | — | % | 2,941 | 0.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Goodwill and long-lived asset impairment | — | — | % | 3,844 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Other | 1,189 | 0.1 | % | 383 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of property and equipment | 741 | 0.0 | % | 1,303 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 120,882 | 7.4 | % | $ | 86,956 | 6.1 | % |
In assessing the operational performance of our business, we consider a variety of financial measures. We operate in five separate distribution channels for revenue reporting purposes: U.S. eCommerce, International, Outfitters, Third Party and Retail. A key measure in the evaluation of our business is revenue performance by
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distribution channel. We also consider Gross profit and Selling and administrative expenses in evaluating the performance of our business.
We use Net revenue to evaluate revenue performance for the U.S. eCommerce, International, Outfitters and Third Party distribution channels. For our Retail distribution channel, we use Company Operated stores Same Store Sales as a key measure to evaluate performance. A store is included in Same Store Sales calculations when it has been open for at least 14 months and selling square footage has not changed by 15% or more within the past year. Online sales and sales generated through our in-store web portal are considered revenue in our U.S. eCommerce and International distribution channels and are excluded from Same Store Sales. Starting with First Quarter 2020, due to the COVID pandemic, we temporarily ceased using Same Store Sales as a key measure in evaluating performance and instead evaluated our Company Operated stores on sales productivity which was a metric measuring sales traffic and customer conversion. Beginning with Third Quarter 2021, we reverted back to Same Store Sales as we believe there is now greater comparability of year-on-year store and economic dynamics.
Discussion and Analysis
Fiscal 2021 Compared to Fiscal 2020
Net revenue
Total Net revenue for Fiscal 2021 was $1.64 billion, an increase of $209.2 million or 14.7% from Fiscal 2020. U.S. eCommerce saw increased demand as customers reacted positively to the continued enhancements in our seasonal product assortments and digital capabilities. Outfitters saw stronger demand within our travel-related national accounts and school uniform households recovered to historical back-to-school shopping patterns. Third Party saw an increase with a full year of Kohl’s revenue as well as the impact of expanding our broader store assortment, during Third Quarter 2021, into an additional 150 Kohl’s retail locations, for a total of 300 retail locations.
Net revenue is presented by distribution channel in the following table:
| (in thousands) | Fiscal 2021 | % of Net Revenue | Fiscal 2020 | % of Net Revenue | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. eCommerce | $ | 1,027,138 | 62.8% | $ | 961,911 | 67.4% | |||||
| International | 220,997 | 13.5% | 222,878 | 15.6% | |||||||
| Outfitters | 254,191 | 15.5% | 174,260 | 12.2% | |||||||
| Third Party | 86,517 | 5.3% | 39,945 | 2.8% | |||||||
| Retail | 47,781 | 2.9% | 28,454 | 2.0% | |||||||
| Total Net revenue | $ | 1,636,624 | $ | 1,427,448 |
U.S. eCommerce Net revenue was $1.03 billion in Fiscal 2021, an increase of $65.2 million or 6.8% from Fiscal 2020. The increase in U.S. eCommerce was primarily driven by stronger website traffic and a higher average order value as customers continued to react positively to the product assortments and digital capabilities, which drove a year over year increase in our new customers acquired and overall customer file, partially offset by the delayed inventory receipts due to global supply chain challenges in the second half of fiscal 2021.
International Net revenue was $221.0 million in Fiscal 2021, a decrease of $1.9 million or 0.8% from $222.9 million in Fiscal 2020. The decrease in International was due to softer demand in the second half of Fiscal 2021 primarily related to the delayed inventory receipts due to global supply chain challenges. The second half decrease was partially offset by the first half of Fiscal 2021 which was driven by implementing U.S. eCommerce initiatives in Europe eCommerce which resulted in stronger demand as customers reacted positively to the product assortments and digital capabilities.
Outfitters Net revenue was $254.2 million in Fiscal 2021, an increase of 45.9% from $174.3 million in Fiscal 2020. The increase was primarily attributed to stronger demand within our travel-related national accounts and
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school uniforms as households recovered to historical back-to-school shopping patterns offset by a slower recovery in our small and medium-sized business customers.
Third Party Net revenue was $86.5 million in Fiscal 2021, an increase of $46.6 million or 116.6% from $39.9 million in Fiscal 2020. The increase was primarily attributed to a full year of revenue with the full product assortment online on Kohls.com as well as the impact of expanding our broader store assortment, during Third Quarter 2021, into an additional 150 Kohl’s retail locations for a total of 300 retail locations.
Retail Net revenue was $47.8 million in Fiscal 2021, an increase of $19.3 million or 67.9% from $28.5 million in Fiscal 2020. Our U.S. Company Operated Stores experienced an increase of 32.4% in Same Store Sales as compared to the Fourth Quarter 2020. On January 28, 2022, there were 30 U.S. Company Operated stores compared to 31 U.S. Company Operated stores on January 29, 2021.
Gross Profit
In Fiscal 2021, total Gross profit increased 14.1% to $691.5 million compared with $605.9 million for Fiscal 2020. Gross margin decreased 10 basis points to 42.3% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2021 from 42.4% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2020. The decrease was driven by increased shipping costs attributed to the global supply chain challenges during the second half of Fiscal 2021 and higher mix of sales from the lower-margin Third Party distribution channel, mostly offset by improved promotional strategies.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses were $571.8 million, or 35.0% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2021 compared with $518.9 million, or 36.4% of total Net revenue in Fiscal 2020. The approximately 140 basis points decrease was driven by leverage on higher sales and continued expense controls slightly offset by increased digital marketing expenses, higher distribution center labor costs and non-recurring expense reductions taken at the onset of the COVID pandemic.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization were $39.2 million in Fiscal 2021, an increase of $1.9 million or 4.9%, compared with $37.3 million in Fiscal 2020. The increase in Depreciation and amortization was primarily attributable to the continued investment in our digital information technology infrastructure.
Other Operating Expense, Net
Other operating expense, net was $0.7 million in Fiscal 2021 compared to $8.5 million in Fiscal 2020. The decrease of $7.8 million was primarily related to the $3.3 million impairment charge of goodwill allocated to our Japan eCommerce reporting unit and $2.9 million of corporate restructuring costs in Fiscal 2020.
Operating Income
Operating income was $79.8 million in Fiscal 2021, compared with $41.1 million in Fiscal 2020. The increase of $38.7 million was driven by the increase in Gross profit from the increased revenue partially offset by higher shipping costs attributed to the global supply chain challenges and higher Selling and administrative expenses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $34.4 million in Fiscal 2021, compared with $27.8 million in Fiscal 2020. The increase of $6.6 million in Interest expense was driven by higher interest rates associated with the Term Loan Facility.
Other (Income) Expense
Other income was $0.6 million in Fiscal 2021 compared to Other expense of $0.8 million in Fiscal 2020. The decrease in Other expense was attributed to a final payment in Second Quarter 2020 associated with the transitioning of a sourcing office.
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Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense of $12.6 million was recorded for Fiscal 2021 which resulted in an effective tax rate of 27.4%. This compared to Income tax expense of $1.8 million in Fiscal 2020 which resulted in an effective tax rate of 13.9%. The Fiscal 2020 tax rate was lower than Fiscal 2021 due to a $3.1 million benefit as a result of the CARES Act.
Net Income
As a result of the above factors, Net income was $33.4 million, or $0.99 per diluted share in Fiscal 2021 compared to $10.8 million, or $0.33 per diluted share in Fiscal 2020.
Adjusted EBITDA
As a result of the above factors, Adjusted EBITDA increased 39.0% to $120.9 million in Fiscal 2021, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $87.0 million in Fiscal 2020.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary need for liquidity is to fund working capital requirements of our business, capital expenditures, debt service and for general corporate purposes. Our cash and cash equivalents and the ABL Facility serve as sources of liquidity for short-term working capital needs and general corporate purposes. There was no balance outstanding for the revolving ABL Facility on January 28, 2022 other than for letters of credit. Cash generated from our net revenue and profitability, and somewhat to a lesser extent our changes in working capital, are driven by the seasonality of our business, with a significant amount of net revenue and operating cash flows generally occurring in the fourth fiscal quarter of each year. We expect that our cash on hand and cash flows from operations, along with borrowings on the ABL Facility, will be adequate to meet our capital requirements and operational needs for at least the next 12 months.
Description of Material Indebtedness
Debt Arrangements
Our $275.0 million revolving ABL Facility includes a $70.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and is available for working capital and other general corporate liquidity needs. There was no balance outstanding on January 28, 2022 and $25.0 million outstanding on January 29, 2021. The balance of outstanding letters of credit was $23.5 million and $27.1 million on January 28, 2022 and January 29, 2021, respectively.
During Fiscal 2020, we exercised the “accordion” feature under the ABL Facility increasing the maximum borrowings available under the facility from $175.0 million to $275.0 million, subject to a borrowing base (the “Loan Cap”). This was completed in two separate transactions. The first was a $25.0 million increase effective March 19, 2020 and the second was a $75.0 million increase effective September 9, 2020. The latter was completed through the Second Amendment to the ABL Facility executed on August 12, 2020.
On July 29, 2021, we executed the Third Amendment to the ABL Facility resulting in favorable financial terms compared to the Second Amendment to the ABL Facility and extension of the maturity date of the ABL Facility, as discussed below.
On September 9, 2020, we entered into the Term Loan Facility which provided borrowings of $275.0 million. Origination costs, including an Original Issue Discount (OID) of 3% and $5.1 million in debt origination fees were paid in connection with entering into the Term Loan Facility.
Interest; Fees
The Third Amendment to the ABL Facility lowered the interest rates applicable to borrowings under the ABL Facility. For LIBOR loans, commencing July 31, 2021 the borrowing margin is, where the average daily total loans outstanding for the previous quarter are (i) less than $95.0 million, 1.25%, (ii) equal to or greater than $95.0 million but less than $180.0 million, 1.50%, and (iii) greater than or equal to $180.0 million, 1.75%. For Base Rate loans,
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the borrowing margin is, where the average daily total loans outstanding for the previous quarter are (i) less than $95.0 million, 0.50%, (ii) equal to or greater than $95.0 million but less than $180.0 million, 0.75%, and (iii) greater than or equal to $180.0 million, 1.00%. The Third Amendment to the ABL Facility replaced the 0.75% LIBOR floor with a 0.0% LIBOR floor.
The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the Term Loan Facility are based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to, at the borrower’s election, either (1) an adjusted LIBOR (with a minimum rate of 1.00%) plus 9.75% or (2) an alternative base rate (which is the greater of (i) the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal, (ii) the federal funds rate, which shall be no lower than 0.00% plus ½ of 1.00%, or (iii) the one month LIBOR rate plus 1.00% per annum) plus 8.75%.
Effective with the Third Amendment to the ABL Facility, the ABL Facility fees include (i) commitment fees of 0.25% based upon the average daily unused commitment (aggregate commitment less loans and letter of credit outstanding) under the ABL Facility for the preceding fiscal quarter and (ii) customary letter of credit fees.
Customary agency fees are payable in respect of the Debt Facilities.
Maturity; Amortization and Prepayments
The Third Amendment to the ABL Facility extended the maturity from November 16, 2022 to the earlier of (a) July 29, 2026 and (b) June 9, 2025 if, on or prior to such date, the Term Loan Facility has not been refinanced, extended or repaid in full in accordance with the terms thereof and not replaced with other indebtedness.
The Term Loan Facility matures on September 9, 2025 and amortizes at a rate equal to 1.25% per quarter. It is subject to mandatory prepayments in an amount equal to a percentage of the borrower’s excess cash flows in each fiscal year, ranging from 0% to 75% depending on our total leverage ratio, and with the proceeds of certain asset sales, casualty events and extraordinary receipts. Based upon Fiscal 2021 results, in accordance with the Term Loan Facility, there is no prepayment required. The loan may not be voluntarily prepaid during the first two years of its term, without significant penalties. After the initial two-year period, a prepayment premium of 3% applies to voluntary prepayments and certain mandatory prepayments made after September 9, 2022 and on or prior to September 9, 2023, 1% for such prepayments made after September 9, 2023 and on or prior to September 9, 2024, and no premium on such prepayments thereafter.
Guarantees; Security
All obligations under the Debt Facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by Lands’ End, Inc. and, subject to certain exceptions, each of its existing and future direct and indirect subsidiaries. The ABL Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in certain working capital of the borrowers and guarantors consisting primarily of accounts receivable and inventory. The Term Loan Facility is secured by a second priority security interest in the same collateral, with certain exceptions.
The Term Loan Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in certain property and assets of the borrowers and guarantors, including certain fixed assets such as real estate, stock of the subsidiaries and intellectual property, in each case, subject to certain exceptions. The ABL Facility is secured by a second priority interest in the same collateral, with certain exceptions.
Representations and Warranties; Covenants
Subject to specified exceptions, the Debt Facilities contain various representations and warranties and restrictive covenants that, among other things, restrict Lands’ End, Inc.’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, make dividends or distributions with respect to capital stock, make prepayments on other indebtedness, engage in mergers or change the nature of their business.
The Term Loan Facility contains certain financial covenants, including a quarterly maximum total leverage ratio test, a weekly minimum liquidity test and an annual maximum capital expenditure amount.
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Under the ABL Facility, if excess availability falls below the greater of 10% of the Loan Cap amount or $15.0 million, we will be required to comply with a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0.
The Debt Facilities contain certain affirmative covenants, including reporting requirements such as delivery of financial statements, certificates and notices of certain events, maintaining insurance and providing additional guarantees and collateral in certain circumstances.
As of January 28, 2022, we were in compliance with all of our covenants in the Debt Facilities.
Events of Default
The Debt Facilities include customary events of default including non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations or warranties, cross defaults related to certain other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, invalidity or impairment of guarantees or security interests and material judgments and change of control.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Operating activities generated net cash of $70.6 million and $91.6 million in Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020, respectively. Our primary source of operating cash flows is the sale of merchandise goods and services to customers, while the primary use of cash in operations is the purchase of merchandise inventories.
In Fiscal 2021, net cash provided by operating activities decreased $21.0 million compared to Fiscal 2020. The increase in net income was offset by changes in working capital.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $25.2 million and $30.1 million for Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020, respectively. Cash used in investing activities for both years was primarily used for investments to update our digital information technology infrastructure.
For Fiscal 2022, we plan to invest approximately $37.0 million in capital expenditures for strategic investments and infrastructure, primarily in technology and general corporate needs.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $45.1 million and $103.1 million for Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020, respectively. The financing activities in Fiscal 2021 consisted of required principal payments of $13.8 million on the Term Loan Facility and net payments of $25.0 million on the ABL Facility. The financing activities in Fiscal 2020 consisted primarily of the refinancing of the Term Loan Facility.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements
We have no material off-balance-sheet arrangements other than the guarantees and contractual obligations that are discussed below.
Information concerning our obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts such as lease agreements and other contingent commitments, as of January 28, 2022, is aggregated in the following table:
| Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Total | 1 Year or less | 2-3 Years | 3-4 Years | After 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (1) | $ | 48,063 | $ | 9,240 | $ | 13,880 | $ | 10,843 | $ | 14,100 | |||||||||
| Principal payments on long-term debt | 257,813 | 13,750 | 27,500 | 216,563 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Interest on long-term debt and ABL Facility fees | 102,450 | 30,566 | 56,218 | 15,666 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations (2) | 423,956 | 423,956 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 832,282 | $ | 477,512 | $ | 97,598 | $ | 243,072 | $ | 14,100 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | Operating lease obligations consist primarily of future minimum lease commitments related to our operating leases (refer to Note 4, Leases, of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details). |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | Purchase obligations primarily represent open purchase orders for inventory. |
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Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
The $275.0 million ABL Facility includes a $70.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and the Third Amendment to the ABL Facility extended the maturity from November 16, 2022 to the earlier of (a) July 29, 2026 and (b) June 9, 2025 if, on or prior to such date, the Term Loan Facility has not been refinanced, extended or repaid in full in accordance with the terms thereof and not replaced with other indebtedness. The ABL Facility is available for working capital and other general corporate liquidity needs. There was no balance outstanding on January 28, 2022 and $25.0 million outstanding on January 29, 2021. The balance of outstanding letters of credit was $23.5 million and $27.1 million on January 28, 2022 and January 29, 2021, respectively.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. While our estimates and assumptions are based on our knowledge of current events and actions we may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from our estimates and assumptions. Our estimation processes contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and apply judgment to make these estimates. Should actual results be different than our estimates, we could be exposed to gains or losses from differences that may be material.
For a summary of our significant accounting policies, please refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of our Consolidated Financial Statements. We believe the accounting policies discussed below represent the accounting policies we apply that are the most critical to understanding our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Inventory Valuation
Our inventories consist of merchandise purchased for resale and are recorded at the lower of cost or market. The nature of our business requires that we make a significant amount of our merchandising decisions and corresponding inventory purchase commitments with vendors several months in advance of the time in which a particular merchandise item is intended to be included in the merchandise offerings. These decisions and commitments are based upon, among other possible considerations, historical sales with identical or similar merchandise, our understanding of then-prevailing trends and influences, and an assessment of likely economic conditions and various competitive factors.
For financial reporting and tax purposes, our United States inventory, primarily merchandise held for sale, is stated at last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) cost, which is adjusted to the lower of cost or market. We account for our non-United States inventory on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The United States inventory accounted for using the LIFO method as of percentage of the total inventory was 86% at January 28, 2022 and 87% at January 29, 2021.
We continually make assessments as to whether the carrying cost of inventory exceeds its market value and, if so, by what dollar amount. Excess inventories may be disposed of through our normal course of business. Based on historical results experienced through various methods of disposition, we will write down the carrying value of inventories that are not expected to be sold at or above cost. The excess and obsolete reserve balances were $15.2 million and $22.8 million as of January 28, 2022, and January 29, 2021, respectively. The $7.6 million decrease in the excess and obsolescence reserve is primarily due to our ability to sell through returned embroidered, hemmed or damaged product compared to the prior year when the COVID pandemic limited our distribution options to sell this merchandise. For the inventory marked down to net realizable value, a one percentage point increase in our assumed recovery rates at January 28, 2022, would have had an immaterial impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Goodwill and Trade Name Impairment Assessments
Goodwill and the trade name indefinite-lived intangible asset are tested separately for impairment annually, during the fourth quarter, or are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
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Frequently our impairment loss calculations contain multiple uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values, including forecasting cash flows under different scenarios. We perform goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests on an annual basis and update these annual impairment tests mid-year if events or circumstances occur that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset below its carrying amount. If actual results fall short of our estimates and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.
Goodwill impairment assessments
We test goodwill for impairment using a one-step quantitative test. The quantitative test compares the reporting unit’s fair value to its carrying value. An impairment is recorded for any excess carrying value above the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the amount of goodwill. We estimate fair value of our reporting units using a discounted cash flow model, commonly referred to as the income approach. The income approach uses a reporting unit’s projection of estimated operating results and cash flows that is discounted using a weighted-average cost of capital that reflects current market conditions appropriate to our reporting unit. The discounted cash flow model uses projections based on management’s best estimates of economic and market conditions over the projected period using the best information available, including growth rates in revenues, costs and estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures. Other significant estimates and assumptions include terminal value growth rates, weighted average cost of capital and changes in future working capital requirements.
In response to the COVID pandemic, during First Quarter 2020 we tested our Outfitters and Japan eCommerce reporting units for goodwill impairment. The testing resulted in no impairment of the Outfitters reporting unit and full impairment of the $3.3 million of goodwill allocated to our Japan eCommerce reporting unit.
We completed our Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020 annual goodwill impairment analysis during the fourth quarter and determined that the fair value of the U.S. eCommerce and Outfitters reporting units exceeded their carrying values by 91.2% and 65.5%, respectively in Fiscal 2021 and 61.7% and 108.8%, respectively in Fiscal 2020, and as such, we did not record a goodwill impairment charge.
Goodwill impairment charges may be recognized in future periods to the extent changes in factors or circumstances occur, including deterioration in the macroeconomic environment, retail industry or in the equity markets, deterioration in our performance or our future projections, or changes in our plans for the reporting unit.
Indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment assessments
Our indefinite-lived intangible asset is the Lands’ End trade name. We review the trade name for impairment on an annual basis during our fourth fiscal quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The fair value of the trade name indefinite-lived intangible asset is estimated using the relief from royalty valuation method. The relief from royalty method of the income approach was most appropriate for analyzing our indefinite-lived asset. This method is based on the assumption that, in lieu of ownership, a firm would be willing to pay a royalty in order to exploit the related benefits of this asset class. The relief from royalty method involves two steps: (1) estimation of reasonable royalty rates for the assets and (2) the application of these royalty rates to a forecasted net revenue stream and discounting the resulting cash flows to determine a present value. We multiplied the selected royalty rate by the forecasted net revenue stream to calculate the cost savings (relief from royalty payment) associated with the asset. The cash flows are then discounted to present value using the selected discount rate and compared to the carrying value of the asset.
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In Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020 we performed the annual testing of the indefinite-lived intangible asset, the Lands’ End trade name. The fair value exceeded the carrying value by 68.9% and 61.2% in Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020, respectively, and as such, no trade name impairment charges were recorded.
See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, and Note 8, Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about these assets and the related impairment charges.
Revenue Recognition
While revenue recognition for us does not involve significant judgment, it represents an important accounting policy. For sales shipped from our distribution centers, we recognize revenue and the related cost of goods sold at the time the products are expected to be received by the customers. For sales transacted at stores, revenue is recognized when the customer receives and pays for the merchandise at the register. We record an allowance for estimated returns based on our historical return patterns and various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable.
We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to calculate our sales return allowance. However, if the actual rate of sales returns increases significantly, our operating results could be adversely affected. We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to estimate future sales returns in the past three fiscal years.
Provision for Income taxes
We record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of such deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment, including forecasting future income, taxable income and the mix of income or losses in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may also be materially impacted by changes in the mix and level of income or losses, changes in the expected outcome of audits, or changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance.
At any point in time, many tax years are subject to or in the process of being audited by various taxing authorities. To the extent our estimates of settlements change, or the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determinations are made. Our income tax expense includes changes in our estimated liability for exposures associated with our various tax filing positions. Determining the income tax expense for these potential assessments requires management to make assumptions that are subject to factors such as proposed assessments by tax authorities, changes in facts and circumstances, issuance of new regulations, and resolution of tax audits. We performed an evaluation over our deferred tax assets and determined that a valuation allowance is considered necessary. See Note 9, Income Taxes, for further details on the valuation allowance.
We believe the judgments and estimates discussed above are reasonable. However, if actual results fall short of our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This document contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and performance. These statements may discuss, among other things, our net sales, gross margin, operating expenses, operating income, net income, cash flow, financial condition, financings, impairments, expenditures, growth, strategies, plans, achievements, dividends, capital structure, organizational structure, future store openings, market opportunities and general market and industry conditions. We generally identify forward-looking statements by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe,” “seek,” “continue,” “outlook,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” “targeting” or the negative version of these words or comparable words. Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs and assumptions made by management using currently available information. These statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of future performance, actions or events. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if management’s underlying beliefs and assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by a forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties include those set forth under Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws and regulations.
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