SHOE CARNIVAL INC (SHOE) FY 2025 MD&A

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

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations (the “MD&A”) should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements included in PART II, ITEM 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023 and year-over-year comparisons between Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023. A discussion of Fiscal 2022 and year-over-year comparisons between Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022 that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K can be found in PART II, ITEM 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended February 3, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2024. At the end of this section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have included historical data for the past five fiscal years to facilitate trend analysis of key data reported in our consolidated financial statements and other select operating data.

Overview of Our Business

Shoe Carnival, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest omnichannel sellers of footwear for the family. On December 3, 2021, we began operating under two banners: Shoe Carnival and Shoe Station. We furthered our acquisition strategy by acquiring all of the stock of Rogan Shoes, Incorporated (“Rogan’s”) in February 2024, which added 28 physical stores (25 in Wisconsin, 2 in Minnesota, and 1 in Illinois) to our portfolio, positioned us as the market leader in Wisconsin and established a store base in Minnesota, creating additional expansion opportunities.

Our goal is to be the leading family footwear retailer in the United States. Our product assortment, whether shopping in a physical store or through our e-commerce sales channel, is primarily branded footwear and includes dress and casual shoes, sandals, boots and a wide assortment of athletic shoes. Our typical physical store carries shoes in two general categories – athletics and non-athletics with subcategories for men’s, women’s and children’s, as well as a broad range of accessories. In addition to our physical stores, through our e-commerce sales channel, customers can purchase the same assortment of merchandise in all categories of footwear with expanded options in certain instances.

Our stores under the Shoe Carnival banner combine competitive pricing with a high-energy in-store environment that encourages customer participation. Footwear in our Shoe Carnival physical stores is organized by category and brand, creating strong brand statements within the aisles. These brand statements are underscored by branded signage on endcaps and in-line signage throughout the store. Our signage may highlight a vendor’s product offerings or sales promotions, or may highlight seasonal or lifestyle statements by grouping similar footwear from multiple vendors.

The Shoe Station banner and retail locations serve a broader base of footwear customers. The Shoe Station concept targets a more affluent footwear customer, and its product assortment includes higher end athletics and non-athletics shoes and more accessories. Shoe Station has a strong track record of capitalizing on emerging footwear fashion trends and introducing new brands.

Recent Acquisition

On February 13, 2024, we acquired all of the stock of Rogan's, a privately-held 53-year-old work and family footwear company incorporated in Wisconsin, for an adjusted purchase price of $44.8 million, net of $2.2 million of cash acquired, which was paid with cash on hand. Additional consideration of up to $5.0 million may be paid by the Company subject to the achievement of three-year growth targets. Net sales from our Rogan’s operations were $80.3 million in Fiscal 2024. More information about this acquisition can be found in Note 3 - “Acquisition of Rogan Shoes” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in PART II, ITEM 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Comparable Stores Net Sales

Comparable stores Net Sales is a key performance indicator for us. Comparable stores Net Sales include stores that have been open for 13 full months after such stores’ grand opening or acquisition prior to the beginning of the period, including those stores that have been relocated, remodeled or rebannered. Therefore, stores recently opened, acquired or permanently closed are not included in comparable stores Net Sales. We generally include e-commerce sales in our comparable stores Net Sales as a result of our omnichannel retailer strategy. Due to our omnichannel retailer

31

strategy, we view e-commerce sales as an extension of our physical stores. E-commerce sales channels associated with a physical store acquisition will not be included in comparable stores Net Sales until the initial physical stores are included. The 21 original Shoe Station stores acquired and the www.shoestation.com e-commerce site that went live in early February 2023 were included in comparable stores Net Sales calculations beginning in first quarter 2023. All of Rogan’s sales are excluded from our comparable stores Net Sales.

Our fiscal year is a 52/53 week year ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal 2023 consisted of the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2024, while Fiscal 2024 consisted of the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2025. The 53rd week in Fiscal 2023 caused a one-week shift in our fiscal calendar. To minimize the effect of this fiscal calendar shift on comparable stores Net Sales, our reported annual comparable stores Net Sales results for Fiscal 2024 compare the 52-week period ended February 1, 2025 to the 52-week period ended February 3, 2024. As such, changes in comparable stores Net Sales are not consistent with changes in Net Sales reported for the fiscal period.

Stores and Rebanner Strategy

We ended Fiscal 2024 with 430 stores, comprised of 360 Shoe Carnival stores, 42 Shoe Station stores and 28 Rogan's stores. During Fiscal 2024 we opened four new Shoe Station stores and permanently closed two Shoe Carnival stores. The 430 stores operated at the end of Fiscal 2024 was an all-time year end high for us.

We have been evaluating customer analytics and market data and developing strategies to expand Shoe Station since we acquired the chain in December 2021. We believe that a national expansion opportunity exists in markets where the customer and/or market characteristics align better with the Shoe Station concept, rather than our Shoe Carnival concept. A 10-store in-market test was completed during Fiscal 2024, where we closed underperforming Shoe Carnival stores and opened new Shoe Station stores in those markets. The customer response and business results exceeded our success criteria on an aggregated basis, with sales and profit contribution over 10% higher at the new Shoe Station stores versus Shoe Carnival stores. In March 2025, we announced a new long-term strategy to rapidly scale up Shoe Station into a national footwear and accessories leader. The first investment phase will rebanner 175 stores to the Shoe Station banner over the next 24 months. Once this phase is complete, we expect to operate 218 Shoe Station stores, representing 51% of our present store fleet.

During Fiscal 2025, we expect to rebanner between 50 to 75 Shoe Carnival stores to Shoe Station stores. Total capital expenditures are expected to be in a range of $45 million to $60 million in Fiscal 2025 to support the rebanner strategy, compared to $33.2 million, $56.3 million and $77.3 million spent in Fiscal 2024, Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022, respectively. As the rebanner strategy is implemented, it is expected to decrease our Operating Income by between $20 to $25 million in Fiscal 2025 due to store closing costs, amortization of new store construction costs, a four-to-six-week store closure period through each store’s grand opening and customer acquisition costs, with such costs recovered over a two-to-three-year period following a store’s grand opening. More information about the rebanner strategy can be found in PART 1, ITEM 1, “Business—Our Stores—Rebanner Strategy” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Executive Summary

During Fiscal 2024, our Net Sales of $1.2 billion were up $27.0 million, or 2.3%, compared to Fiscal 2023. Fiscal 2023 contained a 53rd week of Net Sales totaling approximately $15 million, as described above. In Fiscal 2024, Net Sales otherwise increased approximately $42 million, or 3.7%. This increase resulted from continued growth from the Shoe Station banner’s 5.7% Net Sales increase and $80.3 million in Net Sales attributed to Rogan’s. We also grew Net Sales during peak shopping periods throughout the year. These areas of growth were partially offset by a 3.9% comparable stores Net Sales decline, driven primarily by Shoe Carnival declines during non-event periods.

Long-term Gross Profit margin expansion has been a key driver of our profit transformation, led by our targeted promotional plans, buying strategies and growth of our customer loyalty program, Shoe Perks. During Fiscal 2024, our Gross Profit margin was above 35% for the fourth consecutive year. Gross profit margin in Fiscal 2024 decreased 20 basis points compared to Fiscal 2023, primarily due to higher buying, distribution and occupancy costs (“BDO”) from operating more stores, partially offset by a 10 basis point increase in merchandise margins.

In Fiscal 2024, our Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”) were higher than Fiscal 2023 by $9.8 million, primarily due to incremental costs associated with Rogan’s. As market conditions softened in the third and

32

fourth quarters of Fiscal 2024 during non-event periods, we lowered selling costs at our comparable stores. These lower selling expenses reflected optimized advertising spend, driven by our digital-first marketing strategy. While Rogan’s costs were an additional expense in Fiscal 2024 compared to Fiscal 2023, those cost increases were mitigated by synergies captured during Fiscal 2024 from our accelerated integration of Rogan’s.

Fiscal 2024 Operating Income totaled $91.2 million, a decrease of 2.5% versus Fiscal 2023, primarily due to the extra week of sales in Fiscal 2023 and non-event period declines at Shoe Carnival stores, partially offset by Net Sales growth, principally from our Shoe Station and Rogan’s stores. Primarily as a result of accelerated synergy capture, Rogan’s exceeded our initial $10 million Operating Income target for Fiscal 2024 by more than 20%.

Fiscal 2024 Net Income was $73.8 million, or $2.68 per diluted share, compared to Fiscal 2023 Net Income of $73.3 million, or $2.68 per diluted share. The slight increase in Net Income reflected pandemic-related tax credits of $3.0 million associated with our acquisition of Rogan’s, included in Interest and Other Income, partially offset by lower Operating Income and a higher effective tax rate.

Capital Management and Inventories

Fiscal 2024 marked the 20th consecutive fiscal year end where we ended the fiscal year with no debt. In each of the last four years, we have funded our operations and growth investments, including our acquisitions of Shoe Station and Rogan’s, without drawing on our credit facility. We ended Fiscal 2024 with $123.1 million of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities. Cash flows from operations in Fiscal 2024 totaled $102.6 million. In Fiscal 2024, we paid $44.8 million for Rogan’s with cash on hand.

Merchandise Inventories totaled $385.6 million at the end of Fiscal 2024, an increase of $39.2 million compared to the end of Fiscal 2023, primarily reflecting Rogan’s acquired inventory. Merchandise Inventories supporting the Shoe Carnival and Shoe Station stores were slightly down on a unit basis at the end of Fiscal 2024 compared to the end of Fiscal 2023, but additional inventory purchases were made near Fiscal 2024 year end to support rebannering additional stores and, to a lesser extent, as a hedge against potential supply chain disruption from tariffs and port worker strikes.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our results of operations expressed as a percentage of Net Sales for the following fiscal years:

33

Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023

Net Sales

Net Sales were $1.2 billion in Fiscal 2024 and increased 2.3%, or $27.0 million, compared to Fiscal 2023. The increase was primarily due to continued growth from the Shoe Station banner’s 5.7% Net Sales increase and the acquisition of Rogan's in February 2024, which added Net Sales of $80.3 million. Increases were partially offset by the extra week in the prior year, which reduced Net Sales approximately $15 million, and a 3.9% decrease in comparable stores Net Sales, primarily due to a mid-single digit decline from our Shoe Carnival bannered stores. The comparable stores Net Sales decline resulted primarily from an approximate 5% decrease in traffic in our physical stores resulting in an approximate 6% decrease in units sold. E-commerce sales were approximately 10% of merchandise sales in both Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023.

Gross Profit

Gross Profit was $428.8 million in Fiscal 2024, an increase of $7.4 million compared to Fiscal 2023, primarily due to the $27.0 million increase in Net Sales. Gross profit margin in Fiscal 2024 was 35.6% compared to 35.8% in Fiscal 2023. This slight decrease was driven by stable merchandise margins that were up 10 basis points in Fiscal 2024 compared to Fiscal 2023 but were more than offset by BDO as a percentage of Net Sales that deleveraged 30 basis points on increased occupancy costs from operating more stores.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A increased $9.8 million in Fiscal 2024 to $337.6 million compared to $327.9 million in Fiscal 2023. The increase was primarily due to incremental costs associated with Rogan's in Fiscal 2024, partially offset by lower selling costs at Shoe Carnival and Shoe Station stores, which reflected optimized advertising spend driven by our digital-first marketing strategy. While Rogan’s costs were an additional expense in Fiscal 2024 compared to Fiscal 2023, those cost increases were mitigated by synergies captured during Fiscal 2024 from our accelerated integration of Rogan’s. As a percentage of Net Sales, SG&A were 28.0% in Fiscal 2024, compared to 27.8% in Fiscal 2023.

Interest and Other Income and Interest Expense

Changes in our Interest and Other Income and our Interest Expense increased our Income Before Income Taxes by $3.7 million in Fiscal 2024 compared to Fiscal 2023. This increase was primarily due to pandemic-related tax credits of $3.0 million associated with our acquisition of Rogan's in February 2024 and also higher interest earned on invested cash balances.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for Fiscal 2024 was 24.3% compared to 23.7% for Fiscal 2023. The higher effective tax rate was due to the decrease in tax benefits from share-settled equity awards in Fiscal 2024 and a state deferred tax benefit included in Fiscal 2023 that did not recur in Fiscal 2024, partially offset by impacts associated with our acquisition of Rogan’s.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity are $123.1 million of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities on hand at the end of Fiscal 2024, cash generated from operations and availability under our $100 million Credit Agreement. We believe our resources will be sufficient to fund our cash needs, as they arise, for at least the next 12 months. Our primary uses of cash are normally for working capital, which are principally inventory purchases, investments in our stores, such as rebanners and new stores, remodels and relocations, distribution center initiatives, lease payments associated with our real estate leases, potential dividend payments, potential share repurchases under our share repurchase program and the financing of other capital projects, including investments in new systems. As part of our growth strategy, we have also pursued strategic acquisitions of other footwear retailers.

34

Cash Flow - Operating Activities

Net cash generated from operating activities was $102.6 million in Fiscal 2024 compared to $122.8 million during Fiscal 2023. The decrease in operating cash flow was primarily driven by the timing of increased inventory purchases to support our rebanner strategy, new Shoe Station stores and, to a lesser extent, as a hedge against potential supply chain disruption from tariffs and port worker strikes, and the timing of prepaid contracts payments in Fiscal 2024 compared to Fiscal 2023.

Working capital increased on a year-over-year basis and totaled $405.7 million at February 1, 2025 compared to $353.5 million at February 3, 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to higher Merchandise Inventories and Accounts Receivable, primarily due to the acquisition of Rogan's, higher cash balances and lower Accounts Payable, partially offset by an increase in Accrued and Other Liabilities. Our current ratio was 4.1 as of February 1, 2025, compared to 3.8 as of February 3, 2024.

Cash Flow - Investing Activities

Our cash outflows for investing activities are normally for capital expenditures. During Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, we expended $33.2 million and $56.3 million, respectively, for the purchases of property and equipment, primarily related to store remodels and rebanners and opening four new Shoe Station stores.

Our Rogan’s acquisition in first quarter 2024 resulted in the payment of cash consideration of $44.8 million, net of cash acquired in Fiscal 2024. Additional information regarding the Rogan’s acquisition, including information on the additional contingent consideration of up to $5.0 million, can be found in Note 3 — “Acquisition of Rogan Shoes” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in PART II, ITEM 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We invest in publicly traded mutual funds designed to mitigate income statement volatility associated with our non-qualified deferred compensation plan. The balance of these Marketable Securities was $14.4 million at February 1, 2025, compared to $12.2 million at February 3, 2024. Additional information can be found in Note 4 — “Fair Value Measurements” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in PART II, ITEM 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Cash Flow - Financing Activities

Our cash outflows for financing activities are typically for cash dividend payments, share repurchases or payments on our Credit Agreement. Shares of our common stock can be either acquired as part of a publicly announced repurchase program or withheld by us in connection with employee payroll tax withholding upon the vesting of stock-based compensation awards that are settled in shares. Our cash inflows from financing activities generally reflect stock issuances to employees under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan and borrowings under our Credit Agreement.

During Fiscal 2024, net cash used in financing activities was $15.3 million compared to $20.5 million during Fiscal 2023. The decrease in net cash used in financing activities was primarily due to the repurchase of $5.4 million of shares in Fiscal 2023 under our Board of Directors’ authorized share repurchase program compared to none in Fiscal 2024 and the decrease in shares surrendered by employees to pay taxes on stock-based compensation awards, partially offset by increased dividend payments. During Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, we did not borrow or repay funds under our Credit Agreement. Letters of credit outstanding were $1.0 million at February 1, 2025, and our borrowing capacity was $99.0 million.

Our Credit Agreement requires us to maintain compliance with various financial covenants. See Note 10 – “Debt” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in PART II, ITEM 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a further discussion of our Credit Agreement and its covenants. We were in compliance with these covenants as of February 1, 2025.

Store Rebanners, Openings and Closings – Fiscal 2025

As previously discussed, we plan to rebanner between 50 to 75 Shoe Carnival stores into Shoe Station stores in Fiscal 2025 as the first part of the first investment phase. We plan to complete an additional 100 or more rebanners in Fiscal 2026 and early Fiscal 2027 as the second part of the first investment phase. Once this investment phase is complete,

35

we expect to operate 218 Shoe Station stores, representing 51% of our present store fleet. Additional rebanners may follow.

Increasing market penetration by adding new stores is also a key component of our growth strategy. We expect limited store closures over the next several years. Future store growth may continue to be impacted by macroeconomic uncertainty, our ability to identify desirable locations and/or acquisition partners and increased focus on our store rebanner strategy.

Capital Expenditures – Fiscal 2025

Capital expenditures for Fiscal 2025 are expected to be between $45 million and $60 million, with approximately $35 million to $45 million to be used for new and rebannered stores and remodels and approximately $10 million to $15 million for upgrades to our Evansville distribution center and e-commerce platform, various other store improvements, continued investments in technology and normal asset replacement activities. The resources allocated to projects are subject to near-term changes depending on potential inflationary, supply chain and other macroeconomic impacts. Furthermore, the actual amount of cash required for capital expenditures for store operations depends in part on the number of stores opened, rebannered, relocated and remodeled, and the amount of lease incentives, if any, received from landlords. The number of new store openings and relocations will be dependent upon, among other things, the availability of desirable locations, the negotiation of acceptable lease terms and general economic and business conditions affecting consumer spending.

Dividends

During Fiscal 2024, four quarterly cash dividends of $0.135 per share were approved and paid. In Fiscal 2023, we paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.10 per share in our first and second fiscal quarters and $0.12 per share in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. During Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, we returned $14.7 million and $12.2 million, respectively, in cash to our shareholders through our quarterly dividends.

The declaration and payment of any future dividends are at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, business conditions and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors, subject to the restrictions in our Credit Agreement. See Note 10 – “Debt” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in PART II, ITEM 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a further discussion of our Credit Agreement and its restrictions.

Share Repurchase Program

On December 11, 2024, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program for up to $50 million of our outstanding common stock, effective January 1, 2025 (the “2025 Share Repurchase Program”). The purchases may be made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions from time to time through December 31, 2025 and in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. The 2025 Share Repurchase Program may be amended, suspended or discontinued at any time and does not commit us to repurchase shares of our common stock. We have funded, and intend to continue to fund, the share repurchase program from cash on hand, and any shares acquired will be available for stock-based compensation awards and other corporate purposes. The actual number and value of the shares to be purchased will depend on the performance of our stock price and other market and economic factors, subject to the restrictions in our Credit Agreement. See Note 10 – “Debt” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in PART II, ITEM 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a further discussion of our Credit Agreement and its restrictions.

The 2025 Share Repurchase Program replaced a $50 million share repurchase program that was authorized in December 2023, became effective January 1, 2024 and expired in accordance with its terms on December 31, 2024. No shares were repurchased during Fiscal 2024 and shares totaling 230,696 were repurchased during Fiscal 2023 at a cost of $5.4 million.

Leases

Rent-related payments made in Fiscal 2024 totaled $97.2 million. As we are contractually obligated to make lease payments to landlords, estimated future payments to landlords and lease-related charges are expected to be significant

36

in future years and will increase in future years due to expected organic and acquired store growth. These payments include estimates for fixed minimum and contingent rent, estimated reimbursements to landlords for common area maintenance, taxes and insurance and other occupancy related charges. See Note 11 – “Leases” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in PART II, ITEM 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of our lease obligations.

Impact of Store Count and Seasonality on Quarterly Results

Our quarterly results of operations have fluctuated and are expected to continue to fluctuate in the future, primarily as a result of seasonal variances and the timing of sales and costs associated with opening new stores and closing underperforming stores.

(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

1) Per share amounts are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. For per share amounts, the sum of the quarters may not equal the total year due to the impact of changes in weighted shares outstanding and differing applications of earnings as prescribed by accounting guidance.

2) The fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023 consisted of 14 weeks compared to 13 weeks in all other quarters presented.

Seasonality

We have three distinct peak selling periods: Easter, back-to-school and Christmas. Our operating results depend significantly upon the sales generated during these periods. To prepare for our peak shopping seasons, we must order and keep in stock significantly more merchandise than we would carry during other periods of the year. Any unanticipated decrease in demand for our products or a supply chain disruption that reduces inventory availability during these peak shopping seasons could reduce our Net Sales and Gross Profit and negatively affect our profitability.

Store Count

We continually analyze our store portfolio and the potential for new stores based on our view of internal and external opportunities and challenges in the marketplace. As part of our long-term growth strategy, we expect to pursue opportunities for store growth across large and mid-size markets as we continue to leverage customer data from our CRM program and more attractive real estate options become available.

When we identify a store that produces or may potentially produce low or negative contribution, we either renegotiate lease terms, relocate or close the store. In instances when underperformance indicates the carrying value of a store’s assets may not be recoverable, we impair the store. Although store closings could reduce our overall Net Sales volume, we believe that the store closings we effected in the last several fiscal years resulted in long-term improvements to our Operating Income and Diluted Net Income per Share. Depending upon the results of lease negotiations with certain landlords of underperforming stores, we may increase or decrease the number of store closures in future periods.

37

Non-capital expenditures, such as advertising and payroll incurred prior to the opening of a new store, are charged to expense as incurred. The timing and actual amount of expense recorded in closing an individual store can vary significantly depending, in part, on the period in which management commits to a closing plan, the remaining basis in the fixed assets to be disposed of at closing and the amount of any lease buyout. Therefore, our results of operations may be adversely affected in any quarter in which we incur pre-opening expenses related to the opening of new stores or incur store closing costs related to the closure of existing stores.

Store Openings, Closings and Impairment Charges – Impact on Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023

In Fiscal 2024, we opened four new stores. The initial average inventory investment for the new stores in Fiscal 2024 was $1.2 million, capital expenditures were $1.3 million and lease incentives received from our landlords were $425,000. In Fiscal 2023, we opened five new stores. The initial average inventory investment for the new stores was $1.0 million, capital expenditures were $1.7 million and lease incentives received from our landlord were $480,000.

Pre-opening expenses for the four stores opened in Fiscal 2024 included in Cost of Sales and SG&A were approximately $786,000, or an average of $197,000 per store. Items classified as pre-opening expenses include rent, freight, advertising, salaries and supplies. During Fiscal 2023, we expended $1.2 million, or an average of $237,000 per store, in pre-opening expenses for the five new stores.

Total store closing costs were $128,000 associated with the closing of two stores in Fiscal 2024 and $83,000 associated with the closing of two stores in Fiscal 2023. There were no non-cash impairment charges recognized in Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023. In addition to non-cash impairment charges, store closing costs can include fixed asset write-offs, employee severance, lease termination fees, store tear-down and clean-up expenses and acceleration of expenses and deferred lease incentives.

In total, store opening and closing costs impacting SG&A were $616,000 in Fiscal 2024 and $891,000 in Fiscal 2023. Store opening and closing costs included in Cost of Sales were expenses of $298,000 in Fiscal 2024 and $376,000 in Fiscal 2023.

Critical Accounting Policies

We use judgment in reporting our financial results. This judgment involves estimates based in part on our historical experience and incorporates the impact of the current general economic climate and company-specific circumstances. However, because future events and economic conditions are inherently uncertain, our actual results could differ materially from these estimates. The accounting policies that require more significant judgment are included below.

Merchandise Inventories – Our Merchandise Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value as of the balance sheet date and consist primarily of dress, casual and athletic footwear for women, men and children. The cost of our merchandise is determined using the first-in, first-out valuation method (“FIFO”). For determining net realizable value, we estimate the future demand and related sale price of merchandise in our inventory. The stated value of Merchandise Inventories contained on our Consolidated Balance Sheets also includes freight, certain capitalized overhead costs and reserves.

Factors considered when we review our inventory to properly state it at lower of cost or net realizable value include recent sale prices, historical loss rates, the length of time merchandise has been held in inventory, quantities of the various styles held in inventory, seasonality of the merchandise, expected consideration to be received from our vendors and current and expected future sales trends. We also review aging trends, which include the historical rate at which merchandise has sold below cost and the value and nature of merchandise currently held in inventory and priced below original cost. We reduce the value of our inventory to its estimated net realizable value where cost exceeds the estimated future selling price. Merchandise Inventories as of February 1, 2025 totaled $385.6 million, representing approximately 34% of total assets. Merchandise Inventories as of February 3, 2024 totaled $346.4 million, representing approximately 33% of total assets. Given the significance of inventories to our consolidated financial statements, the determination of net realizable value is a critical accounting estimate. Material changes in the factors noted above could have a significant impact on the actual net realizable value of our inventory and our reported operating results.

38

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets – Long-lived assets, such as Property and Equipment subject to depreciation and right-of-use assets arising from our leased properties, are evaluated for impairment on a periodic basis if events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. This evaluation includes performing an analysis of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the long-lived assets. Assets are grouped and the evaluation performed at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows, which is generally at a store level.

If the estimated future cash flows for a store are determined to be less than the carrying value of the store’s assets, an impairment loss is recorded for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value. We estimate the fair value of our long-lived assets using store-specific cash flow assumptions discounted by a rate commensurate with the risk involved with such assets while incorporating marketplace assumptions. Our assumptions and estimates used in the evaluation of impairment, including current and future economic trends for stores, are subject to a high degree of judgment. Assets subject to impairment are adjusted to estimated fair value and, if applicable, an impairment loss is recorded in SG&A. If actual operating results or market conditions differ from those anticipated, the carrying value of certain of our assets may prove unrecoverable and we may incur additional impairment charges in the future.

Valuation of Goodwill and Intangible Assets – Our indefinite-lived assets include Goodwill and non-amortizing Intangible Assets (trade names) resulting from the acquisitions of Shoe Station in Fiscal 2021 and Rogan's in Fiscal 2024. Goodwill represents the purchase price in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying identifiable net assets of the acquired business. Goodwill and indefinite-lived Intangible Assets are reviewed annually for impairment unless circumstances dictate the need for more frequent assessment. We perform our annual impairment testing as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter.

Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at our single reporting unit level. We have the option to either first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is “more likely than not” that the reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying value, or to proceed directly to the quantitative assessment, which requires a comparison of the reporting unit's fair value to its carrying value. Qualitative factors may include, but are not limited to, economic conditions, industry and market considerations, expense factors, overall financial performance, entity specific and reporting unit events, capital markets and pricing and breakeven multiples. If we determine that the fair value of our reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we recognize an impairment charge equal to the difference, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. In performing an impairment test for our Goodwill in Fiscal 2024, we completed the qualitative assessment on November 3, 2024. We determined that it was not “more likely than not” that the fair value of our reporting unit was less than the carrying value; therefore, no quantitative assessment was performed and no impairment was recorded.

With respect to the trade names, we tested their carrying amounts for impairment in Fiscal 2024 at the Shoe Station store set and Rogan’s store set levels using respective revenue growth and discount rate assumptions and assumed royalty rates. Significant changes in our estimates and assumptions could affect our fair value calculations. We performed these assessments on November 3, 2024 and our estimate of fair values exceeded the carrying amounts; therefore, no impairments were recorded.

Leases – We lease our retail stores, our Evansville distribution center and office space for our Southern office. We also enter into leases of equipment and other assets. Substantially all of our leases are operating leases. Therefore, how operating leases are recognized throughout the financial statements in accordance with applicable accounting guidance can have a significant impact on our financial condition and results of operations and related disclosures.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 842 – Leases (“ASC 842”), on the lease commencement date we recognize a right-of-use asset for the right to use a leased asset and a liability based on the present value of remaining lease payments over the lease term. The weighted average discount rate utilized in Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023 was 4.7% and 4.2%, respectively.

For new leases, renewals or amendments and when we make material investments in leased properties pursuant to our emerging rebanner strategy or store modernization plan, we make certain estimates and assumptions regarding property values, market rents, property lives, discount rates and probable terms. These estimates and assumptions can impact: (1) lease classification and the related accounting treatment; (2) rent holidays, escalations or deferred lease incentives, which are taken into consideration when calculating straight-line expense; (3) the term over which leasehold improvements for each store are amortized; and (4) the values and lives of adjustments to initial and

39

modified right-of-use assets. The amount of amortized rent expense would vary if different estimates and assumptions were used.

Our real estate leases typically include options to extend the lease or to terminate the lease at our sole discretion. Options to extend real estate leases typically include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that typically extend the lease term for five years or more. Many of our leases also contain “co-tenancy” provisions, including the required presence and continued operation of certain anchor tenants in the adjoining retail space. If a co-tenancy violation occurs, we have the right to a reduction of rent for a defined period after which we have the option to terminate the lease if the violation is not cured. In addition to co-tenancy provisions, certain leases contain “go-dark” provisions that allow us to cease operations while continuing to pay rent through the end of the lease term. When determining the lease term, we include options that are reasonably certain to be exercised.

Income Taxes – As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our current and future income taxes for each tax jurisdiction in which we operate. Significant judgment is required in determining our annual tax expense and evaluating our tax positions. As a part of this process, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the difference between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Our temporary timing differences relate primarily to inventory, property and equipment, right-of-use assets, operating lease liabilities, goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates enacted and expected to be in effect in the years when those temporary differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance to the extent future realization of those tax benefits are uncertain.

We are also required to make many subjective assumptions and judgments regarding our income tax exposures when accounting for uncertain tax positions associated with our income tax filings. We must presume that taxing authorities will examine all uncertain tax positions and that they have full knowledge of all relevant information. However, interpretations of guidance surrounding income tax laws and regulations are often complex, ambiguous and frequently change over time, and a number of years may elapse before a particular issue is resolved. As such, changes in our subjective assumptions and judgments can materially affect amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements. Although we believe we have no uncertain tax positions, tax authorities could assess tax liabilities in open tax periods not presently foreseen.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 — “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in PART II, ITEM 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of recent accounting pronouncements and related impacts.

40

Historical Financial and Operating Data

The following historical financial data is included for the convenience of assessing trends in our financial condition and results of operations over the previous five fiscal years. A more detailed description of the fluctuations among Fiscal 2020 – Fiscal 2023 can be found in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed for those previous fiscal years.

41