SIGNET JEWELERS LTD (SIG)
SIC breadcrumb: Retail Trade > Miscellaneous Retail > SIC 5944 Retail-Jewelry Stores
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=832988. Latest filing source: 0000832988-26-000055.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read SIG's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read SIG's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 6,813,600,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-03-19 |
| Net income | 294,400,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-03-19 |
| Assets | 5,952,100,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-03-19 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-03-19. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000832988.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 6,408,400,000 | 6,253,000,000 | 6,247,100,000 | 6,137,100,000 | 5,226,900,000 | 7,826,000,000 | 7,842,100,000 | 7,171,100,000 | 6,703,800,000 | 6,813,600,000 |
| Net income | 543,200,000 | 519,300,000 | -657,400,000 | 105,500,000 | -15,200,000 | 769,900,000 | 376,700,000 | 810,400,000 | 61,200,000 | 294,400,000 |
| Operating income | 763,200,000 | 579,900,000 | -764,600,000 | 158,300,000 | -57,700,000 | 903,400,000 | 604,900,000 | 621,500,000 | 110,700,000 | 393,100,000 |
| Gross profit | 2,360,800,000 | 2,190,000,000 | 2,160,800,000 | 2,223,700,000 | 1,732,500,000 | 3,124,000,000 | 3,052,100,000 | 2,825,400,000 | 2,625,600,000 | 2,694,600,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 7.08 | 7.44 | -12.62 | 1.40 | -0.94 | 12.22 | 6.64 | 15.01 | -0.81 | 7.08 |
| Operating cash flow | 678,300,000 | 1,940,500,000 | 697,700,000 | 555,700,000 | 1,372,300,000 | 1,257,300,000 | 797,900,000 | 546,900,000 | 590,900,000 | 678,800,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 278,000,000 | 237,400,000 | 133,500,000 | 136,300,000 | 83,000,000 | 129,600,000 | 138,900,000 | 125,500,000 | 153,000,000 | 153,500,000 |
| Dividends paid | 75,600,000 | 76,500,000 | 79,000,000 | 77,400,000 | 19,400,000 | 19,000,000 | 36,600,000 | 39,900,000 | 48,600,000 | 51,900,000 |
| Share buybacks | 1,000,000,000 | 460,000,000 | 485,000,000 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 311,800,000 | 376,100,000 | 139,300,000 | 138,000,000 | 205,200,000 |
| Assets | 6,597,800,000 | 5,839,600,000 | 4,420,100,000 | 6,299,100,000 | 6,178,900,000 | 6,575,100,000 | 6,620,400,000 | 6,813,200,000 | 5,726,600,000 | 5,952,100,000 |
| Liabilities | 3,495,700,000 | 2,726,200,000 | 2,603,200,000 | 4,459,500,000 | 4,346,300,000 | 4,359,000,000 | 4,388,000,000 | 3,991,200,000 | 3,874,800,000 | 3,985,900,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 2,490,200,000 | 2,499,800,000 | 1,201,600,000 | 1,222,600,000 | 1,190,300,000 | 1,564,000,000 | 1,578,600,000 | 2,166,500,000 | 1,851,800,000 | 1,966,200,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 98,700,000 | 225,100,000 | 195,400,000 | 374,500,000 | 1,172,500,000 | 1,418,300,000 | 1,166,800,000 | 1,378,700,000 | 604,000,000 | 874,800,000 |
| Free cash flow | 400,300,000 | 1,703,100,000 | 564,200,000 | 419,400,000 | 1,289,300,000 | 1,127,700,000 | 659,000,000 | 421,400,000 | 437,900,000 | 525,300,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 8.48% | 8.30% | -10.52% | 1.72% | -0.29% | 9.84% | 4.80% | 11.30% | 0.91% | 4.32% |
| Operating margin | 11.91% | 9.27% | -12.24% | 2.58% | -1.10% | 11.54% | 7.71% | 8.67% | 1.65% | 5.77% |
| Return on equity | 21.81% | 20.77% | -54.71% | 8.63% | -1.28% | 49.23% | 23.86% | 37.41% | 3.30% | 14.97% |
| Return on assets | 8.23% | 8.89% | -14.87% | 1.67% | -0.25% | 11.71% | 5.69% | 11.89% | 1.07% | 4.95% |
| Liabilities / equity | 1.40 | 1.09 | 2.17 | 3.65 | 3.65 | 2.79 | 2.78 | 1.84 | 2.09 | 2.03 |
| Current ratio | 3.86 | 3.32 | 2.76 | 1.91 | 1.79 | 1.80 | 1.56 | 1.79 | 1.48 | 1.60 |
Financial Bridges
Income statement bridge from reported figures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2026. Revenue: accession 0000832988-26-000055; concept RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax; source concepts us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax | Gross profit: accession 0000832988-26-000055; concept GrossProfit; source concepts us-gaap:GrossProfit | Operating income: accession 0000832988-26-000055; concept OperatingIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | Net income: accession 0000832988-26-000055; 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 0000832988-26-000055; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0000832988-26-000055; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0000832988-26-000055; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: GrossProfit. Source concepts: us-gaap:GrossProfit.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-01-31; accession 0000832988-26-000055; filed 2026-03-19. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-06-02. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000832988.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q2 | 2022-07-30 | 2.58 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2022-10-29 | 0.60 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q1 | 2023-04-29 | 1.79 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q2 | 2023-04-29 | 97,400,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q2 | 2023-07-29 | 1,613,600,000 | 1.38 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q3 | 2023-07-29 | 75,100,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q3 | 2023-10-28 | 1,391,900,000 | 0.07 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-02-03 | 2,497,600,000 | 626,200,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2024-05-04 | 1,510,800,000 | 52,100,000 | -0.90 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2024-05-04 | 52,100,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q2 | 2024-08-03 | 1,491,000,000 | -2.28 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q3 | 2024-08-03 | -98,500,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q3 | 2024-11-02 | 1,349,400,000 | 0.12 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-02-01 | 2,352,600,000 | 100,600,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2025-05-03 | 1,541,600,000 | 33,500,000 | 0.78 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2026-Q2 | 2025-05-03 | 33,500,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2026-Q2 | 2025-08-02 | 1,535,100,000 | -0.22 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2026-Q3 | 2025-08-02 | -9,100,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2026-Q3 | 2025-11-01 | 1,391,800,000 | 0.49 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2026-Q4 | 2026-01-31 | 2,345,100,000 | 250,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2027-Q1 | 2026-05-02 | 1,553,600,000 | 31,700,000 | 0.78 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2027 ended 2026-05-02; accession 0000832988-26-000159; filed 2026-06-02. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2027 ended 2026-05-02; accession 0000832988-26-000159; filed 2026-06-02. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2027 ended 2026-05-02; accession 0000832988-26-000159; filed 2026-06-02. 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: 0000832988-26-000159.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion and analysis in this Item 2 is intended to provide the reader with information that will assist in understanding the significant factors affecting the Company’s condensed consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the financial and other information included in Signet’s Fiscal 2026 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 19, 2026.
This management's discussion and analysis provides comparisons of material changes in the condensed consolidated financial statements for the 13 weeks ended May 2, 2026 and May 3, 2025.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements which are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon management's beliefs and expectations as well as on assumptions made by and data currently available to management, appear in a number of places throughout this document and include statements regarding, among other things, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which we operate. The use of the words “guidance,” “expects,” “continue,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “enhance,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “believes,” “should,” “potential,” “may,” “preliminary,” “forecast,” “objective,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “progress,” “strategy,” “target,” or “will” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause the actual results to not be realized, including, but not limited to: executing or optimizing major business or strategic initiatives, such as expansion of the services business or realizing the benefits of our restructuring plans or transformation strategies, including those that the Company may develop in the future; attracting and retaining key executive talent during periods of leadership transition, such as the recent changes in our senior leadership from the reorganization under our Grow Brand Love strategy; the failure to adequately mitigate the impact of existing tariffs and/or the imposition of additional duties, tariffs, taxes and other charges or other barriers to trade or impacts from trade relations; impacts of US government shutdowns on consumer spending; difficulty or delay in executing or integrating an acquisition; the impact of the conflicts in the Middle East on financial markets and consumer spending, such as from the impact of higher oil and gas prices, as well as on our operations of our quality control and technology centers in Israel; the negative impacts that public health crisis, disease outbreak, epidemic or pandemic has had, and could have in the future, on our business, financial condition, profitability and cash flows; risks relating to shifts in consumer spending away from the jewelry category or away from the cultural customs of expressing commitments through engagements and weddings; trends toward more experiential purchases such as travel; general economic or market conditions, including impacts of inflation or other pricing environment factors on our merchandise costs or other operating costs; a prolonged slowdown in the growth of the jewelry market or a recession in the overall economy; financial market risks; a decline in consumer discretionary spending or deterioration in consumer financial position; disruptions in our supply chain; our ability to attract and retain labor; changes to regulations relating to customer credit; disruption in the availability of credit for customers and customer inability to meet credit payment obligations, which has occurred and may continue to deteriorate; our ability to achieve the benefits related to the outsourcing of the credit portfolio, including due to technology disruptions and/or disruptions arising from changes to or termination of the relevant outsourcing agreements, as well as a potential increase in credit costs due to the current interest rate environment; deterioration in the performance of individual businesses or of the Company’s market value relative to its book value, resulting in further impairments of long-lived assets or intangible assets or other adverse financial consequences; the volatility of our stock price; the impact of financial covenants, credit ratings or interest volatility on our ability to borrow; our ability to maintain adequate levels of liquidity for our cash needs, including debt obligations, payment of dividends, planned share repurchases (including execution of accelerated share repurchases and the payment of related excise taxes) and capital expenditures as well as the ability of our customers, suppliers and lenders to access sources of liquidity to provide for their own cash needs; potential regulatory changes; future legislative and regulatory requirements in the US and globally relating to climate change, including any new climate related disclosure or compliance requirements, such as those issued in the state of California; exchange rate fluctuations; the cost, availability of and demand for diamonds, gold and other precious metals, including any impact on the global market supply of diamonds due to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the potential sale or divestiture of the De Beers Diamond Company and its natural diamond mining operations by parent company Anglo-American plc, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict or related sanctions; stakeholder reactions to disclosure regarding the source and use of certain minerals; scrutiny or detention of goods produced in certain territories resulting from trade restrictions; seasonality of our business; the merchandising, pricing and inventory policies followed by us and our ability to manage inventory levels; our relationships with suppliers including the ability to continue to utilize extended payment terms and the ability to obtain merchandise that customers wish to purchase; the level of competition and promotional activity in the jewelry sector; our ability to optimize our multi-year strategy to gain market share, expand and improve existing services, innovate and achieve sustainable, long-term growth; the maintenance and continued innovation of our OmniChannel retailing and ability to increase digital sales, as well as management of digital marketing costs; failure to anticipate and keep pace with changing fashion trends; changes in the costs, retail prices, supply and consumer acceptance of, and demand for gem quality lab-grown diamonds and adequate identification of the use of substitute products in our jewelry; ability to execute successful marketing programs and manage social media; the ability to optimize our real estate footprint, including operating in attractive trade areas and effectively monitoring changes in consumer traffic in mall locations; the performance of and ability to recruit, train, motivate and retain qualified team members - particularly store associates in regions experiencing low unemployment rates; management of social, ethical and environmental risks; ability to deliver on our corporate sustainability goals or our environmental, social and governance goals; the reputation of Signet and its brands; inadequacy in and disruptions to internal controls and systems, including related to the migration to new information technology systems which impact
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Table of Contents
financial reporting; risks associated with the Company’s and its third-party service providers’ use of artificial intelligence; security breaches and other disruptions to our or our third-party providers’ information technology infrastructure and databases; an adverse development in legal or regulatory proceedings or tax matters, including any new claims or litigation brought by employees, suppliers, consumers or shareholders, regulatory initiatives or investigations, assessments or penalties levied by tax authorities, and ongoing compliance with regulations and any consent orders or other legal or regulatory decisions; failure to comply with labor regulations; collective bargaining activity; changes in corporate taxation rates, laws, rules or practices in the US and other jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries are incorporated, including developments related to the tax treatment of companies engaged in internet commerce or deductions associated with payments to foreign related parties that are subject to a low effective tax rate; risks related to international laws and Signet being domiciled in Bermuda; risks relating to the outcome of pending litigation; our ability to protect our intellectual property or assets including cash which could be affected by failure of a financial institution or conditions affecting the banking system and financial markets as a whole; changes in assumptions used in making accounting estimates relating to items such as extended service plans or asset impairments; or the impact of weather-related incidents, natural disasters, organized crime or theft, increased security costs, strikes, protests, riots or terrorism, or acts of war (including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East).
For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking statement, see the “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” sections of Signet’s Fiscal 2026 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 19, 2026, and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the “Safe Harbor Statements” in current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. Signet undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.
OVERVIEW
Signet Jewelers Limited (“Signet” or the “Company”) is a specialty jewelry retailer incorporated in Bermuda. The Company operated 2,559 retail locations as of May 2, 2026, which when combined with the Company’s digital capabilities, provides customers the opportunity to use both online and in-store experiences as part of their shopping journey. Signet manages its business by geography, a description of which follows:
•The North America reportable segment operates seven brands, with the majority operating through both online and brick and mortar retail operations. As previously announced, the James Allen brand transitioned to a proprietary collection within the Blue Nile website during May 2026. The segment had 2,217 locations in the US and 91 locations in Canada as of May 2, 2026.
◦In the US, the segment primarily operates under the following brands: Kay (Kay Jewelers and Kay Outlet); Zales (Zales Jewelers and Zales Outlet); Jared (Jared Jewelers and Jared Vault); Blue Nile; Diamonds Direct; and Banter by Piercing Pagoda.
◦In Canada, the segment operates under the Peoples brand (Peoples Jewellers).
•The International reportable segment had 251 locations in the UK and Republic of Ireland as of May 2, 2026, and maintains an online retail presence for its brands, H.Samuel and Ernest Jones.
Certain Company activities are managed in the “Other” reportable segment for financial reporting purposes, primarily the Company’s diamond sourcing operation and diamond polishing factory in Botswana. See Note 4 of Item 1 for additional information regarding the Company’s reportable segments and see Item 1 of Signet’s Fiscal 2026 Annual Report on Form 10-K for further background and description of the Company’s business.
Grow Brand Love strat
[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
The discussion and analysis in this Item 7 is intended to provide the reader with information that will assist in understanding the significant factors affecting the Company’s consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and information. The Company's actual results could materially differ from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly in “Forward-Looking Statements” above as well as the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A.
This management's discussion and analysis provides comparisons of material changes in the consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2026 and Fiscal 2025. For a comparison of Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024, refer to Item 7 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2025 filed with the SEC on March 19, 2025.
OVERVIEW
Overall performance
Signet’s total sales decreased by 0.3% during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2026 compared to the same period in Fiscal 2025. The Company saw same store sales decline of 0.7% during the quarter, with low single-digit declines in bridal and fashion, while services grew mid-single-digits in the North America segment compared to prior year quarter on the strength of the extended service plan offerings. Despite the overall decline in the quarter, we delivered positive performance during the 10 peak selling days of the Holiday Season, which continued for the balance of fourth quarter. Merchandise average unit retail (“AUR”) increased overall and in all categories, which offset an overall decline in units period over period. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2026, AUR was up 5.6% in the North America reportable segment and up 4.0% in the International reportable segment compared to the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025. AUR in North America was bolstered by a focus on our assortment strategy, particularly in LGD fashion, as well as the impact of higher gold prices. Same store sales in the International reportable segment were up 2.1% in the fourth quarter.
Refer to the “Results of Operations” section below for additional information on performance during Fiscal 2026.
Grow Brand Love strategy
In Fiscal 2026, the Company launched its transformative Grow Brand Love strategy, which focuses on driving sustainable growth and builds on a strong core foundation to create shareholder value. In addition, this strategy emphasizes style and product innovation, captivating customer experiences, and brand loyalty while harnessing centralized core capabilities. In Fiscal 2027, we will be applying the learnings from year one to refine each of the strategy’s imperatives. The three strategic imperatives of the Grow Brand Love framework have evolved into: shaping distinct and coveted brands; unlocking portfolio value; and strengthening our operating model.
See the Purpose & Strategy section within Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Fiscal 2027 Outlook
The Company anticipates same store sales in the range of down 1.25% to up 2.5% for Fiscal 2027. This range is driven by the positive momentum and traction going into Fiscal 2027 in our core brands, while allowing for flexibility in consumer spending. The Company has also excluded the Digital brands from this estimate of same store sales beginning in the second quarter of Fiscal 2027, following the transition and repositioning of the James Allen brand into Blue Nile. The Company believes that it can build on its imperatives under the Grow Brand Love strategy in year two by shaping distinct and coveted brands, unlocking additional portfolio model and optimizing the operating model. The Company is sharpening its go-to-market strategy for each of its three largest brands, and we will be taking actions to improve the customer experience, both in-store and online. This includes accelerating our store renovation schedule to ensure brand relevance and consistency as we implement relevant marketing campaigns to enhance the shopping experience. The Company’s online focus will be on storytelling and curation for customers, with marketing spend targeted at fueling engagement in channels that customers interact with the most.
The Company continues to closely monitor ongoing activities related to changes to US economic policy, including impacts from both taxes and tariffs. The second quarter of Fiscal 2026 saw significant activity on new tariff announcements on countries such as India and Italy, where the Company purchases significant amounts of merchandise and diamonds. We believe that we are now able to mitigate the majority of the higher tariffs through strategic sourcing initiatives by working with vendors to maximize production timing and country of origin, as well as by value engineering merchandise at the right price points. The Company believes that its well-balanced assortment and promotional cadence for the Holiday Season discussed above will continue to mitigate the impacts of the tariff environment and higher gold prices. In February 2026, the US Supreme Court struck down certain tariffs implemented in April 2025 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”). Management has not currently forecasted any impacts from the recent ruling, including potential refunds of tariffs paid under IEEPA or alternative tariff structures that may be implemented by the current administration, as the timing and amount of such impacts remain highly uncertain.
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The Company also continues to evaluate other macroeconomic factors on its business, such as inflation and potential impacts of the conflicts in the Middle East. As previously discussed, Signet operates quality control and technology centers in Israel, and to date, these operations have not been impacted by the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East. While the Company currently does not expect disruptions to its operations in Israel to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, the Company will continue to closely monitor this conflict and any impacts on its business, as well as its team members in Israel. Uncertainties exist that could impact the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in the future, such as competitive pricing pressure, including on lab-grown diamonds, impacts of the US government shut down on consumer spending, continued inflationary impacts (including, but not limited to, materials, labor, fulfillment and advertising costs), adverse shifts in consumer discretionary spending, slower than anticipated recovery of engagements, deterioration of consumer credit, supply chain disruptions to the Company’s business, the Company’s ability to recruit and retain qualified team members, and organized retail crime and its impact to mall traffic. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above as well as the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A.
Market and operating conditions
The Company operates in the highly competitive jewelry industry and faces a dynamic retail landscape and challenging global macro-economic environment throughout the geographies where it does business as described above. Refer to Item 1 for additional information on the Company’s business, markets and strategy.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal 2026 Overview
Similar to many other retailers, Signet follows the retail 4-4-5 reporting calendar. Both Fiscal 2026 and Fiscal 2025 were 52-week reporting periods.
Same store sales
Management considers same store sales useful as it is a major benchmark used by investors to judge performance within the retail industry. Same store sales is calculated by comparison of sales in stores that were open in both the current and the prior fiscal year, excluding the impacts of changes in foreign exchanges rates, as further described below. Sales from stores that have been open for less than 12 months are excluded from the comparison until their 12-month anniversary. Similarly, sales from acquired businesses made within the last 12 months are excluded from the comparison until their 12-month anniversary. Sales from stores that were acquired during the period and have not been included in the Company’s results for both the current and prior period presented are also excluded from same store sales. Sales after the 12-month anniversary are compared against the equivalent prior period sales within the comparable store sales comparison. Stores closed in the current financial period are included up to the date of closure and the comparative period is correspondingly adjusted. Stores that have been relocated or expanded, but remain within the same local geographic area, are included within the comparison with no adjustment to either the current or comparative period. Stores that have been refurbished are also included within the comparison except for the period when the refurbishment was taking place, when those stores are excluded from the comparison both for the current year and for the comparative period. Same store sales are also impacted by certain accounting adjustments to sales, primarily related to the deferral of revenue from the Company’s extended service plans.
E-commerce sales include all sales with customers that originate online, including direct to customer, ship to store, and BOPIS. E-commerce sales are included in the calculation of same store sales for the period and the comparative figures from the 12-month anniversary of the launch of the relevant website. Brick and mortar same store sales are calculated by removing the e-commerce sales from the same store sales calculation described above.
In a 53-week reporting period, the 14th week in the fourth quarter and 53rd week for the full year are excluded from same store sales in the fiscal year in which they occur. In the subsequent fiscal year, same store sales is calculated by aligning the sales weeks of the current period to the equivalent sales weeks in the prior fiscal year period.
Foreign currency impact on sales
The Company provides the year-over-year change in total sales excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which is a non-GAAP measure, to provide transparency to performance and enhance investor’s understanding of underlying business trends. The effect from foreign currency, calculated on a constant currency basis, is determined by applying current year average exchange rates to prior year sales in local currency.
Merchandise average unit retail (“AUR”)
AUR is defined as merchandise product sales on a constant currency basis, net of discounts and promotions, divided by merchandise units. AUR is measured each period based on reported sales for the corresponding period presented.
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Cost of sales and gross margin
Cost of sales consists primarily of the following expense categories:
•Merchandise costs, net of discounts and allowances;
•Cost of services, including the cost of replacement components, repair supplies and related compensation and benefits for employees directly associated with performing the service;
•Store operating and occupancy costs such as rent, utilities, real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance (including common area maintenance), depreciation and amortization; and
•Distribution and inventory-related costs, including freight, processing, inventory scrap, shrinkage and related compensation and benefits.
As the classification of cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses varies from retailer to retailer, Signet’s gross margin percentage may not be directly comparable to other retailers.
Factors that influence gross margin include pricing, promotional environment, changes in merchandise costs (including the underlying costs of diamond, gold and other precious metals and gemstones), changes in non-merchandise components of cost of sales (as described above), changes in sales mix, foreign exchange, and the economics of services such as repairs and extended service plans.
Signet primarily uses an average cost inventory methodology and, as jewelry inventory turns slowly, the impact of movements in inventory costs takes time to be fully reflected in gross margin. Signet’s inventory turns faster in the fourth quarter, therefore, changes in the cost of merchandise are more impactful on the gross margin in that quarter. An increase in inventory turnover would accelerate the rate at which commodity costs impact gross margin.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”)
SG&A is mostly composed of store staff and store administrative costs as well as advertising and promotional costs. SG&A also includes centralized administrative expenses such as information technology, credit costs and other administrative operating expenses not specifically categorized elsewhere in the consolidated statements of operations.
The primary drivers of staffing costs are the number of full-time equivalent team members and the level of compensation, payroll taxes, benefits and incentives. Management varies, on a store by store basis, the hours worked based on the expected level of selling activity, subject to minimum staffing levels required to operate the store. Non-store staffing levels are less variable. A significant element of compensation is performance-based and is primarily dependent on sales and operating income.
The level of advertising expenditures can vary year over year. In order to evolve its marketing allocations based on consumer habits, business needs, and maximize return on its advertising investments, the Company primarily focuses its spend on digital and social marketing, supplemented by advertising on premium video across both linear and streaming platforms.
Other operating (expense) income, net
Other operating (expense) income, net primarily consists of miscellaneous operating income and expense items such as litigation settlements, restructuring charges, gains or losses on the sale of assets (including divestitures), foreign currency gains and losses, and gains and losses from undesignated derivative contracts. See Note 21 of Item 8 for further detail on the Company’s other operating (expense) income, net.
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Comparison of Fiscal 2026 to Prior Year
| Fiscal 2026 | Fiscal 2025 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions, except per share amounts) | $ | % of total sales | $ | % of total sales | |||||||||
| Merchandise sales | $ | 6,010.1 | 88.2 | % | $ | 5,958.6 | 88.9 | % | |||||
| Service sales | 803.5 | 11.8 | 745.2 | 11.1 | |||||||||
| Total sales | 6,813.6 | 100.0 | 6,703.8 | 100.0 | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | (4,119.0) | (60.5) | (4,078.2) | (60.8) | |||||||||
| Gross margin | 2,694.6 | 39.5 | 2,625.6 | 39.2 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (2,173.2) | (31.9) | (2,122.6) | (31.7) | |||||||||
| Asset impairments, net | (91.6) | (1.3) | (372.0) | (5.5) | |||||||||
| Other operating expense, net | (36.7) | (0.5) | (20.3) | (0.3) | |||||||||
| Operating income | 393.1 | 5.8 | 110.7 | 1.7 | |||||||||
| Interest income, net | 4.0 | 0.1 | 9.8 | 0.1 | |||||||||
| Other non-operating income, net | 1.0 | — | 3.7 | 0.1 | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 398.1 | 5.8 | 124.2 | 1.9 | |||||||||
| Income taxes | (103.7) | (1.5) | (63.0) | (0.9) | |||||||||
| Net income | 294.4 | 4.3 | 61.2 | 0.9 | |||||||||
| Dividends on redeemable convertible preferred shares | — | — | (96.8) | (1.4) | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders | $ | 294.4 | 4.3 | % | $ | (35.6) | (0.5) | % | |||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ | 7.08 | nm | $ | (0.81) | nm |
nm Not meaningful.
Sales
Signet’s total sales increased 1.6% to $6.81 billion compared to $6.70 billion in the prior year. Same store sales increased 1.3%, compared to a decrease of 3.4% in the prior year. These increases were primarily driven by filling merchandise assortment gaps at key price points both in fashion and in bridal, particularly in the largest brands, which led to higher AUR compared to the prior year. Services also continued to grow year over year, increasing approximately $58 million compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher extended service plan attachment rates. These increases were unfavorably impacted by same store sales declines in the James Allen and Diamonds Direct brands in the current year compared to the prior year.
E-commerce sales were $1.49 billion in Fiscal 2026, down $36.0 million or 2.4%, compared to $1.52 billion in the prior year. E-commerce sales accounted for 21.8% of total sales, down slightly from 22.7% of total sales in the prior year. The decrease in total e-commerce sales was driven by the underperformance in the James Allen brand noted above. Brick and mortar same store sales increased 2.3% from the prior period.
The breakdown of Fiscal 2026 sales performance by reportable segment is set out in the table below:
| Change from previous year | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Same store sales | Non-same store sales, net | Total sales at constant exchange rate | Exchange translation impact | Total sales as reported | Total reported sales (in millions) | ||||||||||||||
| North America reportable segment | 1.2 | % | (0.2) | % | 1.0 | % | — | % | 1.0 | % | $ | 6,363.6 | |||||||
| International reportable segment | 2.6 | % | 2.7 | % | 5.3 | % | 4.7 | % | 10.0 | % | $ | 410.4 | |||||||
| Other reportable segment (1) | nm | nm | nm | nm | nm | $ | 39.6 | ||||||||||||
| Signet | 1.3 | % | 0.1 | % | 1.4 | % | 0.2 | % | 1.6 | % | $ | 6,813.6 |
(1) Includes sales from Signet’s diamond sourcing operation.
nm Not meaningful.
North America sales
The North America reportable segment’s total sales were $6.36 billion in Fiscal 2026 compared to $6.30 billion in the prior year, up 1.0%. Same store sales increased 1.2% compared to a decrease of 3.6% in the prior year. These increases reflect the focus on the largest brands in both bridal and fashion, an enhanced assortment strategy, as well as continued growth in services. The improved assortment across the bridal and fashion categories drove strong AUR growth of 7.6% compared to the prior year. The number of units sold decreased 6.9%, primarily driven by unit decrease in the Banter brand. The overall increase for the year was negatively impacted by the underperformance of the James Allen and Diamonds Direct brands as noted above.
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International sales
The International reportable segment’s total sales increased 10.0% during Fiscal 2026, or 5.3% at constant exchange rates, to $410.4 million compared to $373.2 million in the prior year. The number of units decreased 2.8% and AUR increased 4.2% over prior year. Same store sales increased 2.6% compared to a decrease of 0.5% in the prior year. Reported sales were favorably impacted by a change in estimate in the product protection plan commissions revenue recognized of approximately $15 million, as further discussed in Note 3 of Item 8.
Gross margin
Gross margin for Fiscal 2026 was $2.7 billion or 39.5% of sales compared to $2.6 billion or 39.2% of sales in Fiscal 2025. The increase in overall gross margin in both total dollars and as a percentage of sales for Fiscal 2026 reflects a slight increase in merchandise margins year over year, driven by higher AUR in fashion and bridal, growth in services and refined pricing and assortment strategies, all while navigating pressure from tariffs and notable increases in gold prices. Improved leverage from occupancy and efficiencies in inventory management, including accelerating scrap recovery to take advantage of higher gold prices, also continued to favorably impact overall gross margin.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A for Fiscal 2026 was $2.17 billion or 31.9% of sales compared to $2.12 billion or 31.7% of sales in Fiscal 2025. The increase in SG&A in dollars and as a percentage of sales was primarily driven higher incentive compensation, store labor costs and change management costs for the reorganization, partially offset by savings under the Grow Brand Love initiatives and disciplined expense management.
Asset impairments, net
During Fiscal 2026, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax asset impairments related to the impairment of long-lived assets and intangible assets of $91.6 million, of which $74.6 million was related to the impairment of the goodwill and indefinite-lived trade names, primarily related to the Digital brands, and $17.0 million related to the impairment of long-lived assets and cloud computing arrangements. During Fiscal 2025, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax asset impairments related to the impairment of long-lived assets and intangible assets of $372.0 million, of which $366.5 million related to the impairment of the goodwill and indefinite-lived trade names for Diamonds Direct and the Digital brands and $5.5 million was related to the impairment of long-lived assets. See Note 14 of Item 8 for additional information on the asset impairments.
Other operating (expense) income, net
In Fiscal 2026, other operating expense was $36.7 million compared to expense of $20.3 million in Fiscal 2025. Fiscal 2026 was primarily driven by restructuring and related charges of $26.5 million related to actions under the Company’s Grow Brand Love strategy. Fiscal 2025 was primarily driven by restructuring and related charges of $11.5 million. See Note 21 and Note 25 of Item 8 for additional information.
Operating income
In Fiscal 2026, operating income was $393.1 million or 5.8% of sales compared to $110.7 million or 1.7% of sales in Fiscal 2025. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by lower goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment charges taken in the current year and stronger sales performance, partially offset by higher SG&A and restructuring costs.
North America operating income
In Fiscal 2026, operating income in the North America reportable segment was $452.6 million, or 7.1% of segment sales, and includes $91.6 million of asset impairment charges primarily related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets and $16.4 million of restructuring and related charges. In Fiscal 2025, operating income in the North America reportable segment was $173.7 million, or 2.8% of segment sales, and included $371.7 million of asset impairment charges primarily related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, $6.9 million of restructuring and related charges and $1.3 million of leadership transition costs.
International operating income
In Fiscal 2026, operating income in the International reportable segment was $16.3 million, or 4.0% of segment sales, and includes approximately $15 million related to increased product protection plan commission revenue noted above, $4.1 million of losses from the previously announced divestiture of the UK prestige watch business and $0.5 million of restructuring and related charges. In Fiscal 2025, operating income in the International reportable segment was $1.0 million, or 0.3% of segment sales, and included $5.2 million of restructuring and related charges and $2.6 million of net losses from the divestiture of the UK prestige watch business.
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Corporate and unallocated expenses
In Fiscal 2026, corporate and unallocated expenses were $70.0 million, compared to $53.2 million in Fiscal 2025. The increase was driven primarily by higher incentive compensation year over year discussed above. The Company incurred $9.6 million of restructuring and related charges in Fiscal 2026 and $6.7 million of leadership transition costs in Fiscal 2025.
Interest income, net
In Fiscal 2026, net interest income was $4.0 million compared to net interest income of $9.8 million in Fiscal 2025. The decrease in net interest income was primarily the result of lower cash balances earning interest due to common share repurchases and cash used during Fiscal 2025 for the redemptions of the redeemable Series A Convertible Preference Shares (the “Preferred Shares”) and repayment of the Senior Notes. Signet had no outstanding debt in Fiscal 2026.
Income taxes
Signet and its Bermuda domiciled subsidiaries were not subject to income tax in Bermuda prior to Fiscal 2026. On December 27, 2023, Bermuda enacted a 15% corporate income tax that became effective for the Company in Fiscal 2026. The legislation includes a provision referred to as the economic transition adjustment (“ETA”) which was intended to provide a fair and equitable transition into the tax regime. The ETA allows companies to establish tax basis in the assets and liabilities at fair value as of September 30, 2023, excluding goodwill, of any entity subject to the tax. As a result of this provision, the Company recorded a $263.3 million deferred tax asset in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 related to the tax basis of certain intangible assets, which it expects to utilize to reduce future cash taxes paid in Bermuda over approximately a 10-year period beginning in Fiscal 2026. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) issued guidance which would limit the cash benefit recognized under the OECD’s Pillar Two related to the $263.3 million deferred tax asset to the amortization recognized in the first two years of the 10-year period, or approximately $52.7 million.
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the “Act”) was enacted in the US. The Act includes significant provisions, such as the permanent extension of certain expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, modifications to the international tax framework, and the restoration of tax treatment for certain business provisions. Upon enactment during Fiscal 2026, the Act did not have any material impact on the Company’s Fiscal 2026 effective tax rate, consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Income tax expense for Fiscal 2026 was $103.7 million, with an effective tax rate (“ETR”) of 26.0%, compared to income tax expense of $63.0 million, with an effective tax rate of 50.7% in Fiscal 2025. The ETR for the current year was higher than the Bermuda corporate income tax rate primarily as a result of the unfavorable impact of foreign rate differences (primarily in the US) and unfavorable discrete tax items recognized, including non-deductible goodwill impairment charges of $53.6 million. The ETR in the prior year comparable period was different than the US federal income tax rate, primarily due to the non-deductible impairment charges described above, partially offset by the favorable impact from the Company’s global reinsurance and financing arrangements.
Refer to Note 10 of Item 8 for additional information.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
The discussion and analysis of Signet’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based upon the consolidated financial statements of Signet which are prepared in accordance with GAAP and should be read in conjunction with Signet’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Item 8. Signet provides certain non-GAAP information in reporting its financial results to give investors additional data to evaluate its operations. The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measures, when reviewed in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, can provide more information to assist investors in evaluating historical trends and current period performance and liquidity. For these reasons, internal management reporting also includes these non-GAAP measures.
These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not superior to or as a substitute for the GAAP financial measures presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and other publicly filed reports. In addition, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as or comparable to similar non-GAAP measures presented by other companies.
1. Net cash
Net cash is a non-GAAP measure defined as the total of cash and cash equivalents less debt. Management considers this metric to be helpful to understand the total indebtedness of the Company after consideration of cash balances on-hand.
| (in millions) | January 31, 2026 | February 1, 2025 | February 3, 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 874.8 | $ | 604.0 | $ | 1,378.7 | ||||
| Less: Current portion of long-term debt | — | — | (147.7) | |||||||
| Net cash | $ | 874.8 | $ | 604.0 | $ | 1,231.0 |
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2. Free cash flow
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure defined as the net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. Management considers this metric to be helpful in understanding how the business is generating cash from its operating and investing activities that can be used to meet the financing needs of the business. Free cash flow is an indicator frequently used by management to evaluate its overall liquidity needs and determine appropriate capital allocation strategies. Free cash flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes.
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2026 | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 678.8 | $ | 590.9 | $ | 546.9 | ||||
| Capital expenditures | (153.5) | (153.0) | (125.5) | |||||||
| Free cash flow | $ | 525.3 | $ | 437.9 | $ | 421.4 |
3. Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR
EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is an important indicator of operating performance as it excludes the effects of financing and investing activities by eliminating the effects of interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization costs. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure, defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, non-operating expense, net and certain non-GAAP accounting adjustments. Adjusted EBITDAR takes this adjusted EBITDA and further excludes minimum fixed rent expense for properties occupied under operating leases. Reviewed in conjunction with net income and operating income, management believes that EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR help enhance management’s and investors’ ability to evaluate and analyze trends regarding Signet’s business and performance based on its current operations. These measures are also inputs into the Company’s leverage ratios, which are non-GAAP measures defined below.
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2026 | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 294.4 | $ | 61.2 | $ | 810.4 | ||||
| Income taxes | 103.7 | 63.0 | (170.6) | |||||||
| Interest income, net | (4.0) | (9.8) | (18.7) | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 147.5 | 148.2 | 161.9 | |||||||
| Amortization of unfavorable contracts | (1.8) | (1.8) | (1.8) | |||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 539.8 | $ | 260.8 | $ | 781.2 | ||||
| Other non-operating (income) expense, net | (1.0) | (3.7) | 0.4 | |||||||
| Share-based compensation | 26.9 | 22.2 | 41.1 | |||||||
| Other accounting adjustments | ||||||||||
| Asset impairments (1) | 91.3 | 369.2 | 7.1 | |||||||
| Restructuring and related charges (2) | 26.1 | 12.1 | 7.5 | |||||||
| Loss (gain) on divestitures, net (3) | 4.1 | 2.6 | (12.3) | |||||||
| Integration-related expenses (4) | — | 1.1 | 22.0 | |||||||
| Leadership transition costs (5) | — | 1.8 | — | |||||||
| Litigation charges (6) | — | — | (3.0) | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 687.2 | $ | 666.1 | $ | 844.0 | ||||
| Rent expense | 429.0 | 434.3 | 439.8 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDAR | $ | 1,116.2 | $ | 1,100.4 | $ | 1,283.8 |
(1) Fiscal 2026 and Fiscal 2025 asset impairment charges related primarily to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Fiscal 2024 charges were primarily the result of the Company’s rationalization of its store footprint. Refer to Note 14 and Note 16 of Item 8 for additional information.
(2) Fiscal 2026 restructuring and related charges were incurred primarily as a result of the Company’s Grow Brand Love strategy initiatives. Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024 restructuring and related charges were incurred primarily as a result of the Company’s rationalization of its store footprint and reorganization of certain centralized functions. Refer to Note 25 of Item 8 for additional information.
(3) Fiscal 2026 and 2025 includes charges associated with the previously announced divestiture of the UK prestige watch business. Fiscal 2024 includes gain on sale of certain retail operations of the UK prestige watch business, net of transaction costs. Refer to Note 4 of Item 8 for additional information.
(4) Primarily includes severance and retention, exit and disposal costs and system decommissioning costs related to the integration of Blue Nile.
(5) Primarily includes professional fees incurred for the search for the Company’s CEO, as well as severance and related costs incurred as part of other leadership transitions.
(6) Fiscal 2024 includes a credit to income related to the adjustment of a prior litigation accrual recognized in Fiscal 2023.
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4. Adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin
Adjusted operating income is a non-GAAP measure defined as operating income excluding the impact of certain items which management believes are not necessarily reflective of normal operational performance during a period. Management finds the information useful when analyzing operating results to appropriately evaluate the performance of the business without the impact of these certain items. Management believes the consideration of measures that exclude such items can assist in the comparison of operational performance in different periods which may or may not include such items. Management also utilizes adjusted operating margin, defined as adjusted operating income as a percentage of total sales, to further evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the Company’s flexible operating model.
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2026 | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating income | $ | 393.1 | $ | 110.7 | $ | 621.5 | ||
| Asset impairments (1) | 91.3 | 369.2 | 7.1 | |||||
| Restructuring and related charges (2) | 26.5 | 12.1 | 7.5 | |||||
| Loss (gain) on divestitures, net (3) | 4.1 | 2.6 | (12.3) | |||||
| Integration-related expenses (4) | — | 1.1 | 22.0 | |||||
| Leadership transition costs (5) | — | 2.4 | — | |||||
| Litigation charges (6) | — | — | (3.0) | |||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 515.0 | $ | 498.1 | $ | 642.8 | ||
| Operating margin | 5.8 | % | 1.7 | % | 8.7 | % | ||
| Adjusted operating margin | 7.6 | % | 7.4 | % | 9.0 | % |
(1) Fiscal 2026 and Fiscal 2025 asset impairment charges related primarily to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Fiscal 2024 charges were primarily the result of the Company’s rationalization of its store footprint. Refer to Note 14 and Note 16 of Item 8 for additional information.
(2) Fiscal 2026 restructuring and related charges were incurred primarily as a result of the Company’s Grow Brand Love strategy initiatives. Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024 restructuring and related charges were incurred primarily as a result of the Company’s rationalization of its store footprint and reorganization of certain centralized functions. Refer to Note 25 of Item 8 for additional information.
(3) Fiscal 2026 and 2025 includes charges associated with the previously announced divestiture of the UK prestige watch business. Fiscal 2024 includes gain on sale of certain retail operations of the UK prestige watch business, net of transaction costs. Refer to Note 4 of Item 8 for additional information.
(4) Primarily includes severance and retention, exit and disposal costs and system decommissioning costs related to the integration of Blue Nile.
(5) Primarily includes professional fees incurred for the search for the Company’s CEO, as well as severance and related costs incurred as part of other leadership transitions.
(6) Fiscal 2024 includes a credit to income related to the adjustment of a prior litigation accrual recognized in Fiscal 2023.
5. Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”)
Adjusted diluted EPS is a non-GAAP measure defined as diluted EPS excluding the impact of certain items which management believes are not necessarily reflective of normal operational performance during a period. Management finds the information useful when analyzing financial results in order to appropriately evaluate the performance of the business without the impact of these certain items. In particular, management believes the consideration of measures that exclude such items can assist in the comparison of performance in different periods which may or may not include such items. The Company estimates the tax effect of all non-GAAP adjustments by applying a statutory tax rate to each item. The income tax items represent the discrete amount that affected the diluted EPS during the period.
| Fiscal 2026 | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diluted EPS | $ | 7.08 | $ | (0.81) | $ | 15.01 | ||||
| Asset impairments (1) | 2.19 | 8.39 | 0.13 | |||||||
| Restructuring and related charges (2) | 0.64 | 0.27 | 0.14 | |||||||
| Loss (gain) on divestitures, net (3) | 0.10 | 0.06 | (0.22) | |||||||
| Integration-related expenses (4) | — | 0.02 | 0.41 | |||||||
| Leadership transition costs (5) | — | 0.05 | — | |||||||
| Litigation charges (6) | — | — | (0.06) | |||||||
| Pension settlement loss (7) | — | — | 0.02 | |||||||
| Tax impact of items above | (0.41) | (0.66) | (0.18) | |||||||
| Deemed dividend on redemption of Preferred Shares (8) | — | 1.93 | — | |||||||
| Dilution effect (9) | — | (0.31) | — | |||||||
| Bermuda economic transition adjustment (10) | — | — | (4.88) | |||||||
| Adjusted diluted EPS | $ | 9.60 | $ | 8.94 | $ | 10.37 |
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(1) Fiscal 2026 and Fiscal 2025 asset impairment charges related primarily to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Fiscal 2024 charges were primarily the result of the Company’s rationalization of its store footprint. Refer to Note 14 and Note 16 of Item 8 for additional information.
(2) Fiscal 2026 restructuring and related charges were incurred primarily as a result of the Company’s Grow Brand Love strategy initiatives. Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024 restructuring and related charges were incurred primarily as a result of the Company’s rationalization of its store footprint and reorganization of certain centralized functions. Refer to Note 25 of Item 8 for additional information.
(3) Fiscal 2026 and 2025 includes charges associated with the previously announced divestiture of the UK prestige watch business. Fiscal 2024 includes gain on sale of certain retail operations of the UK prestige watch business, net of transaction costs. Refer to Note 4 of Item 8 for additional information.
(4) Primarily includes severance and retention, exit and disposal costs and system decommissioning costs related to the integration of Blue Nile.
(5) Primarily includes professional fees incurred for the search for the Company’s CEO, as well as severance and related costs incurred as part of other leadership transitions.
(6) Fiscal 2024 includes a credit to income related to the adjustment of a prior litigation accrual recognized in Fiscal 2023.
(7) Includes charges associated with wind-up and settlement of the UK pension plan.
(8) As described in Note 6 of Item 8, the Company recorded a deemed dividend to net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of $85.2 million in Fiscal 2025, which represents the excess of the conversion value of the Preferred Shares over their carrying value upon redemption and includes $1.6 million of related expenses.
(9) Adjusted diluted EPS for Fiscal 2025 was calculated using 46.2 million diluted weighted average common shares outstanding. The additional dilutive shares were excluded from the calculation of GAAP diluted EPS as their effect was antidilutive. Refer to Note 8 of Item 8 for additional information.
(10) Relates to the impact of the deferred income tax benefit from the Bermuda economic transition adjustment. Refer to Note 10 of Item 8 for additional information.
6. Leverage ratios
The debt and net debt leverage ratios are non-GAAP measures calculated by dividing Signet’s debt or net debt by adjusted EBITDA. Debt as used in these ratios is defined as current or long-term debt recorded in the consolidated balance sheet plus Preferred Shares. Net debt as used in these ratios is debt less the cash and cash equivalents on hand as of the balance sheet date. The adjusted debt and adjusted net debt leverage ratios are non-GAAP measures calculated by dividing Signet’s adjusted debt or adjusted net debt by adjusted EBITDAR. Adjusted debt is a non-GAAP measure defined as debt recorded in the consolidated balance sheets, plus Preferred Shares, plus an adjustment for operating lease liabilities. Adjusted net debt, a non-GAAP measure, is adjusted debt less the cash and cash equivalents on hand as of the balance sheet dates. Management believes these financial measures are helpful to investors and analysts to analyze trends in Signet’s business and evaluate Signet’s performance. The debt and adjusted debt leverage ratios are key to the Company’s capital allocation strategy as measures of the Company’s optimized capital structure. The net debt and adjusted net debt leverage ratios are supplemental to the debt and adjusted debt ratios as both investors and management find it useful to consider cash and cash equivalents available to pay down debt.
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2026 | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt and net debt: | ||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 147.7 | ||||
| Preferred Shares | — | — | 655.5 | |||||||
| Debt | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 803.2 | ||||
| Less: Cash and cash equivalents | 874.8 | 604.0 | 1,378.7 | |||||||
| Net debt | $ | (874.8) | $ | (604.0) | $ | (575.5) | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 687.2 | $ | 666.1 | $ | 844.0 | ||||
| Debt leverage ratio | —x | —x | 1.0x | |||||||
| Net debt leverage ratio | -1.3x | -0.9x | -0.7x |
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| (in millions) | Fiscal 2026 | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted debt and adjusted net debt: | ||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 147.7 | ||||
| Preferred Shares | — | — | 655.5 | |||||||
| Operating lease liabilities - current | 286.9 | 279.9 | 260.3 | |||||||
| Operating lease liabilities - non-current | 930.4 | 900.0 | 835.7 | |||||||
| Adjusted debt | $ | 1,217.3 | $ | 1,179.9 | $ | 1,899.2 | ||||
| Less: Cash and cash equivalents | 874.8 | 604.0 | 1,378.7 | |||||||
| Adjusted net debt | $ | 342.5 | $ | 575.9 | $ | 520.5 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDAR | $ | 1,116.2 | $ | 1,100.4 | $ | 1,283.8 | ||||
| Adjusted debt leverage ratio | 1.1x | 1.1x | 1.5x | |||||||
| Adjusted net debt leverage ratio | 0.3x | 0.5x | 0.4x |
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, cash provided by operations and availability under its senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (the “ABL”). As of January 31, 2026, the Company had $874.8 million of cash and cash equivalents and no outstanding borrowings on the ABL. The available borrowing capacity on the ABL was $1.2 billion as of January 31, 2026.
The Company maintains a disciplined approach to capital allocation, utilizing the following priorities: 1) Invest in organic growth; 2) maintain a conservative balance sheet; and 3) return capital to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.
Invest in organic growth
The strategic imperatives of the Company’s Grow Brand Love transformation strategy have been designed to drive sustainable growth by building on a strong core foundation to create shareholder value and coveted brands. In order to achieve these goals, the Company has reorganized strategic areas of our business such as marketing and sourcing to streamline operations, increase efficiencies, improve accountability and reduce costs. This reorganization has already begun to enable our go-to-market strategies and contribute towards our efforts to strengthen our brand portfolio, and builds a strong foundation as we go into year two of Grow Brand Love to take actions to improve the customer experience and further transform our approach to marketing. We are also continuing to optimize our real estate footprint to support the positioning of our brands and modernizing our stores through capital improvements. These real estate initiatives will include the closure of underperforming stores, repositioning stores out of declining venues, renovation of stores and an increased focus on transference from closed locations to capitalize on brand equity across the portfolio. The Company invested $153.5 million for capital expenditures and $41.5 million related to investments in digital and cloud information technology initiatives in Fiscal 2026.
Maintain conservative balance sheet
The Company has no outstanding debt after fully repaying the Senior Notes at maturity in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 using cash on hand. In addition, in Fiscal 2025, the Company completed the extension of the ABL to August 2029 at substantially the same terms, as further described in Note 20 of Item 8. In connection with this extension, the ABL aggregate commitment was reduced to $1.2 billion to better align with our reduced inventory base over the past few years, as well as provide cost savings on unused commitment fees.
On April 1, 2024, in accordance with the terms of the amended Certificate of Designation for the Preferred Shares, the Preferred Holders converted half of the then outstanding Preferred Shares and the Company elected to settle such conversions in cash totaling $414.1 million, including accrued and unpaid dividends. During the second and third quarters of Fiscal 2025, the Preferred Holders converted all of the remaining Preferred Shares, and the Company elected to settle all the remaining Preferred Shares in cash totaling $401.5 million. The ability of the Company to settle the Preferred Shares in cash highlights the effectiveness of the Company’s flexible operating model and working capital efficiency, which has generated significant free cash flow and liquidity over the past few years. Refer to Note 6 of Item 8 for additional information.
The Company uses leverage ratios to assess the effectiveness of its capital allocation strategy. The Company maintained a 1.1x adjusted leverage ratio through the end of Fiscal 2026, and was 0.3x on an adjusted net debt basis. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA was (1.3)x.
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Returning capital to shareholders
The Company remains committed to its goal of returning capital to shareholders, which includes being a dividend growth company. For the fifth year in a row, Signet has increased its quarterly common dividend from $0.32 per share in Fiscal 2026 to $0.35 per share beginning in Fiscal 2027. The Company also remains focused on common share repurchases under its 2017 Share Repurchase Program. The Company repurchased $205.2 million of common shares during Fiscal 2026, with $517.9 million of shares authorized for repurchase remaining as of January 31, 2026. See Note 7 of Item 8 for additional information related to the common share repurchases.
The Company believes that cash on hand, cash flows from operations and available borrowings under the ABL will be sufficient to meet its ongoing business requirements for at least the 12 months following the date of this report, including funding working capital needs, projected investments in the business (including capital expenditures), and returns to shareholders through dividends and common share repurchases.
Primary sources and uses of operating cash flows
Operating activities provide the primary source of cash for the Company and are influenced by a number of factors, the most significant of which are operating income and changes in working capital items, such as:
•changes in the level of inventory as a result of sales and other strategic initiatives; and
•changes and timing of accounts payable and accrued expenses, including variable compensation.
Signet derives most of its operating cash flows through the sale of merchandise and extended service plans. As a retail business, Signet receives cash when it makes a sale to a customer or when the payment has been processed by Signet or the relevant bank if the payment is made by third-party credit or debit card. The Company has outsourced its entire credit card portfolio, and it receives cash from its outsourced financing partners (net of applicable fees) generally within two to five days of the customer sale. Offsetting these receipts, the Company’s largest operating expenses are the purchase of inventory, payroll and payroll-related benefits, store occupancy costs (including rent) and advertising.
Summary cash flow
The following table provides a summary of Signet’s cash flow activity for Fiscal 2026 and Fiscal 2025:
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2026 | Fiscal 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 678.8 | $ | 590.9 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (157.5) | (159.1) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (264.8) | (1,199.5) | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 256.5 | (767.7) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 604.0 | 1,378.7 | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 256.5 | (767.7) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 14.3 | (7.0) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 874.8 | $ | 604.0 |
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities in Fiscal 2026 was $678.8 million compared to $590.9 million in the prior year comparable period. The change in operating cash flows compared to prior year was primarily driven by better working capital efficiency in the current year period. The significant movements in operating cash flows are further described below:
•Net income was $294.4 million compared to net income of $61.2 million in the prior year period, an increase of $233.2 million. This increase was primarily the result of higher gross profit in the current year period and non-cash asset impairment charges of $372.0 million recorded in the prior year period, partially offset by non-cash asset impairment charges of $91.6 million and restructuring and related charges of $26.5 million recorded in Fiscal 2026. See Note 14 and Note 25 of Item 8 for additional information.
•Cash flows were favorably impacted by lower overall year-over-year net income tax payments of $77.8 million, compared to net cash payments of $115.5 million in the prior year period. Refer to Note 10 of Item 8 for additional information.
•Cash provided by inventory was $23.2 million compared to a source of $1.0 million in the prior year period. Inventory was relatively flat compared to the prior year. The increases in gold prices and higher tariffs were offset by improved inventory management by the Company, including initiatives such as the acceleration of scrap to take advantage of higher gold prices.
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•Cash provided by accounts payable was $5.4 million compared to a source of $28.7 million in the prior year period. Accounts payable balances were relatively consistent in Fiscal 2026. The Fiscal 2025 source was primarily a result of replenishment of inventory.
•Cash provided by accrued expenses and other liabilities was $14.7 million compared to a use of $31.2 million in the prior year period. The difference compared to the prior year period is primarily due to higher accrued incentive compensation in Fiscal 2026 and timing of advertising payments in the prior year.
Investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities in Fiscal 2026 was $157.5 million compared to a use of $159.1 million in the prior year period. Cash used in Fiscal 2026 was primarily related to capital expenditures of $153.5 million, compared to $153.0 million in Fiscal 2025. Capital expenditures are associated with new stores, remodels of existing stores, and capital investments in digital and information technology.
Stores opened and closed in Fiscal 2026:
| February 1, 2025 | Openings | Closures | January 31, 2026 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America segment (1) | 2,379 | 14 | (64) | 2,329 | ||||||
| International segment (1) | 263 | — | (10) | 253 | ||||||
| Signet | 2,642 | 14 | (74) | 2,582 |
(1) The net change in selling square footage for Fiscal 2026 for the North America and International segments was (0.9)% and (2.9)%, respectively.
Financing activities
Net cash used in financing activities in Fiscal 2026 was $264.8 million, consisting of the repurchase of $205.2 million of common shares, common share dividends paid of $51.9 million and payments for withholding taxes related to the settlement of the Company’s share-based compensation awards of $7.7 million.
Net cash used in financing activities in Fiscal 2025 was $1.2 billion, primarily consisting of the repurchase of the Preferred Shares of $813.8 million, the repayment of the Senior Notes of $147.8 million, the repurchase of $138.0 million of common shares, preferred and common share dividends paid of $67.1 million, and payments for withholding taxes related to the settlement of the Company’s share-based compensation awards of $28.5 million.
Movement in cash and indebtedness
Cash and cash equivalents at January 31, 2026 were $874.8 million compared to $604.0 million as of February 1, 2025. The increase year over year was primarily driven by cash flow from operations described above, resulting from stronger performance and working capital efficiency during the past year, offset partially by common share repurchases and capital expenditures. Signet holds cash and cash equivalents at a number of large, highly-rated financial institutions. The amount held at each financial institution takes into account the credit rating and size of the financial institution and is held for short-term durations.
As further described in Note 20 of Item 8, the Company entered into an agreement to amend the ABL on August 23, 2024. The amendment extended the maturity of the ABL from July 28, 2026 to August 23, 2029 and reduced the size of the ABL to $1.2 billion to better reflect current business needs based primarily on lower inventory levels maintained over the past few years. The Company continues to have an option to increase the size of the ABL by up to an additional $600 million.
The Company had no outstanding debt as of January 31, 2026, nor were there any borrowings on the ABL during Fiscal 2026. The Company had stand-by letters of credit on the ABL of $16.0 million as of January 31, 2026 that reduced remaining borrowing availability. Available borrowing capacity under the ABL was $1.2 billion as of January 31, 2026.
In the prior year comparable period, there were $253.0 million of borrowings under the ABL, which were fully repaid by the end of the year. The Company had no outstanding debt as of February 1, 2025. As further described in Note 20 of Item 8, the Company fully repaid the Senior Notes upon maturity in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 using cash on hand.
As of January 31, 2026 and February 1, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.
Capital availability
Signet’s level of borrowings and cash balances fluctuate during the year reflecting the seasonality of its cash flow requirements and business performance. Management believes that cash balances and the availability under the ABL are sufficient for both its present
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and near-term requirements. The following table provides a summary of these items as of January 31, 2026, February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024:
| (in millions) | January 31, 2026 | February 1, 2025 | February 3, 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working capital (1) | $ | 1,134.7 | $ | 880.7 | $ | 1,560.6 | ||||
| Capitalization: | ||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 147.7 | ||||
| Preferred Shares | — | — | 655.5 | |||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 1,966.2 | 1,851.8 | 2,166.5 | |||||||
| Total capitalization | $ | 1,966.2 | $ | 1,851.8 | $ | 2,969.7 | ||||
| Additional amounts available under credit agreements | $ | 1,171.7 | $ | 1,162.4 | $ | 1,134.2 |
(1) Includes cash and cash equivalents and current portion of long-term debt
If the excess availability under the ABL falls below the threshold specified in the ABL agreement, the Company will be required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00. As of January 31, 2026, the threshold related to the fixed coverage ratio was approximately $114 million. The ABL places certain restrictions upon the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, grant liens and make certain loans, investments and divestitures. The ABL contains customary events of default (including payment defaults, cross-defaults to certain of the Company’s other indebtedness, breach of representations and covenants and change of control). The occurrence of an event of default under the ABL would permit the lenders to accelerate the indebtedness and terminate the ABL.
Credit ratings
The following table provides Signet’s credit ratings as of January 31, 2026:
| Rating Agency | Corporate |
|---|---|
| Standard & Poor’s | BB |
| Moody’s | Ba3 |
| Fitch | BBB- |
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Merchandise held on consignment
The Company held $595.9 million of consignment inventory at January 31, 2026 compared to $601.5 million at February 1, 2025, which is not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. The principal terms of the consignment agreements, which can generally be terminated by either party, are such that the Company can return any or all of the inventory to the relevant suppliers without financial or commercial penalties and the supplier can adjust the inventory costs prior to sale.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Critical accounting policies covering areas of greater complexity that are subject to the exercise of judgment due to the reliance on key estimates are listed below. A comprehensive listing of Signet’s significant accounting policies is set forth in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
Revenue recognition for extended service plans (“ESP”)
Certain brands within the North America reportable segment sell ESP, subject to certain conditions, to perform repair work and other services over the lifetime the product is owned by the customer. Customers generally pay for ESP at the store or online at the time of merchandise sale. The Company recognizes revenue related to ESP sales in proportion to when the expected costs will be incurred. The deferral periods for ESP sales are determined using estimates of future claims costs expected to be incurred, which are derived primarily from historical patterns of actual claims costs. This estimate of future claims costs includes decay factors related to monthly forecasted changes in claims activity over the expected lifetime of our obligations. Management regularly reviews the trends in historical claims and, beginning in Fiscal 2026, considers a range of potential outcomes from the estimated claims based on a +/- 5% variation on the decay factors used in the forecast to determine whether a change in its recognition rates or periods is required. This change more appropriately considers the inherent variability in claims over the lifetime of the ESP contracts. As a result of the consideration of this range of potential outcomes, management determined no changes in the recognition rates or periods were necessary in Fiscal 2026. All direct costs associated with the sale of the ESP are deferred and amortized in proportion to the revenue recognized and disclosed as either other current assets or other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. These direct costs primarily include sales commissions and credit card fees. Amortization of deferred ESP selling costs is included within SG&A in the consolidated statements of operations.
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Lifetime ESP revenue is deferred and recognized over a maximum of 13 years after the sale of the ESP contract. Although actual historical claims experience varies between the Company’s national brands, thereby resulting in different recognition rates, approximately 60% to 70% of revenue is recognized within the first two years on a weighted average basis. Based on the level of ESP sold in Fiscal 2026, management estimates that a 1% change in the first-year recognition rates between years for ESP sales would impact revenue recognized by approximately $6 million. Management estimates that a one-year increase in the overall recognition period would decrease revenue recognized in the current year by approximately $15 million.
As noted above, the Company utilizes historical claims data and forecasted decay factors to estimate the expected future patterns of claims cost and the related revenue recognition rates and periods. These claims patterns are subject to change based primarily on revisions to the Company’s ESP product offerings and changes in customer behavior over time. The Company refreshes its analysis of the claims patterns and related recognition periods, including the estimated range of potential outcomes, on at least an annual basis, or more often if circumstances dictate such a review is required (such as occurred as a result of the disruption from COVID-19). A significant change in the Company’s estimated future claims cost could impact either the overall claims patterns or the recognition periods over which the Company is expected to fulfill its obligations under the ESP, either of which could result in a material change to revenues in future periods.
Goodwill and intangibles
In a business combination, the Company estimates and records the fair value of all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities. The fair value of these intangible assets and liabilities is estimated based on management’s assessment, including selection of appropriate valuation techniques, inputs and assumptions in the determination of fair value. Significant estimates in valuing intangible assets and liabilities acquired include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows associated with the acquired asset or liability, expected life and discount rates. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill is recorded by the Company’s reporting units based on the acquisitions made by each.
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment annually as of the end of the fourth reporting period, or more often if events or conditions were to indicate the carrying value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived intangible asset may be greater than its fair value. The Company may elect to perform a qualitative assessment for its reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset is greater than its carrying value. If a qualitative assessment is not performed, or if as a result of a qualitative assessment it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its carrying value, a quantitative assessment is performed that compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit or other indefinite-lived intangible asset with its estimated fair value. The quantitative impairment test for goodwill involves estimating the fair value of the reporting unit through either estimated discounted future cash flows, market-based methodologies, or a combination of both. The quantitative impairment test for other indefinite-lived intangible assets involves estimating the fair value of the asset, which is typically performed using the relief from royalty method for indefinite-lived trade names. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit or other indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recorded.
As part of our annual assessment during the second quarter of Fiscal 2026, the Company performed quantitative impairment assessments for all reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets. The estimated fair values of the Sterling, Zale US and Diamonds Direct reporting units, as well as the Zale Jewelry, Zale Outlet, Piercing Pagoda, Blue Nile and Peoples Jewellers trade names, exceeded their carrying values as of the valuation date. The fair values for all these assets substantially exceeded their carrying values, with the exception of the Diamonds Direct reporting unit and the Piercing Pagoda and Blue Nile trade names, which exceeded their carrying values by approximately 17%, 10% and 16%, respectively. The carrying values of the Diamonds Direct goodwill and the Piercing Pagoda and Blue Nile trade names were $251.2 million, $33.8 million and $19 million, respectively, as of August 2, 2025.
As a result of the annual assessment, the carrying values of the Digital brands goodwill and the James Allen and Diamonds Direct trade names were reduced to their estimated fair values of $0, $2 million and $109 million, respectively, which resulted in the recognition of impairment charges of approximately $54 million, $13 million and $3 million, respectively. The impairment charges in the Digital brands reporting unit and related James Allen trade name were driven primarily by the decline in long-term cash flow projections of this business, particularly in the James Allen brand due to continued challenges with assortment and its competitive position in the market. Management also determined an increase in discount rates was required to reflect the current interest rate environment at the valuation date, and to reflect additional forecast risk for the Digital brands due to the challenges at James Allen noted above, as well as additional uncertainty related to potential tariff impacts on the business.
During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2026, based on lower than forecasted sales during the fourth quarter, the Company determined a triggering event had occurred requiring an interim impairment assessment for the Diamonds Direct trade name, which management performed on a quantitative basis. Through the quantitative assessment, management reevaluated its sales growth projections which negatively affected the fair value estimates compared to previous valuations and the carrying value of the Diamonds Direct trade name was reduced to $104 million, which resulted in the recognition a $5 million impairment charge.
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Management noted uncertainties exist related to the macroeconomic environment in the US and abroad, including tariffs, economic and tax policy, affordability and interest rates. These factors could unfavorably impact the cost of the Company’s products, consumer confidence and discretionary spending, and thus may impact the key assumptions used to estimate fair value, such as sales trends, margin trends, long-term growth rates and discount rates. These factors could also negatively affect the share price of the Company’s common stock. An increase in the discount rate and/or a further softening of sales and operating income trends for any of the Company’s reporting units and related trade names, particularly during peak selling seasons, could result in a decline in the estimated fair values of the indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill, which could result in future material impairment charges. For example, an increase in the discount rate of 0.5% to the Diamonds Direct trade name, assuming no other changes to assumptions, would have resulted in additional impairment charges of approximately $5 million during Fiscal 2026.
See Note 16 of Item 8 for additional information.
Long-lived assets
Long-lived assets of the Company consist primarily of property and equipment and operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Potentially impaired assets or asset groups are identified by reviewing the undiscounted cash flows of individual stores. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the store asset group, based on the Company’s internal business plans. If the undiscounted cash flows for the store asset group are less than its carrying amount, the long-lived assets are measured for potential impairment by estimating the fair value of the asset group, and recording an impairment loss for the amount that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value. The Company primarily utilizes the replacement cost method to estimate the fair value of its property and equipment, and the income capitalization method to estimate the fair value of its ROU assets, which incorporates historical store level sales, internal business plans, real estate market capitalization and rental rates, and discount rates.
Certain factors impacting the Company’s business could continue to further negatively affect the operating performance and cash flows of the previously impaired stores or additional stores, including changes in consumer behavior and shifts in discretionary spending, the inability to achieve or maintain cost savings or other strategic initiatives, or changes in real estate strategy, as well as macroeconomic uncertainty related to areas such as the impacts of tariffs, economic and tax policy, and inflation. In addition, key assumptions used to estimate fair value, such as sales trends, capitalization and market rental rates, and discount rates could impact the fair value estimates of the store-level assets in future periods.
Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized by applying statutory tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences between the financial reporting and tax filing bases of existing assets and liabilities are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, based on management’s evaluation of all available evidence, both positive and negative, including reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and results of recent operations. The Company has a valuation allowance of $14.1 million and $14.9 million, as of January 31, 2026 and February 1, 2025, respectively, due to uncertainties related to the Company’s ability to utilize certain of its deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of state net operating losses and foreign capital losses carried forward.
The annual effective tax rate is based on annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning strategies available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company does not recognize tax benefits related to positions taken on certain tax matters unless the position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, based on the technical merits of the tax position. At any point in time, various tax years are subject to or are in the process of being audited by various taxing authorities. The Company measures the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. The Company records a reserve for uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, for any amounts that do not meet this threshold. To the extent that management’s estimates of settlements change, or the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determinations are made. See Note 10 of Item 8 for additional information regarding deferred tax assets and unrecognized tax benefits.
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: 0000832988-25-000018.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion and analysis in this Item 7 is intended to provide the reader with information that will assist in understanding the significant factors affecting the Company’s consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and information. The Company's actual results could materially differ from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly in “Forward-Looking Statements” above as well as the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A.
This management's discussion and analysis provides comparisons of material changes in the consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024. For a comparison of Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, refer to Item 7 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2024 filed with the SEC on March 21, 2024.
OVERVIEW
Overall performance
Signet’s sales decreased by 5.8% during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025 compared to the same period in Fiscal 2024. During the fourth quarter, the Company saw positive factors in bridal units, overall merchandise average unit retail (“AUR”) in both bridal and fashion, based on the continued newness of the product offering, and strong performance in services which continues to outpace merchandise. However, these favorable impacts were more than offset by merchandise assortment gaps at key gifting price points during the Holiday Season, as well as the impact of store closures and the impact of the 14th week compared to prior year fourth quarter. The fourth quarter was also unfavorably impacted by lower traffic post re-platforming related to search engine optimization at the Digital brands. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025, the Company’s AUR increased by 7.9% in the North America reportable segment and increased by 7.0% in the International reportable segment. The AUR in North America was bolstered by the newness in Signet’s product assortment, particularly in fashion, which was able to offset the impacts of competitive pricing pressure, particularly in bridal. Same store sales in the International reportable segment were down 1.5% in the fourth quarter driven by lower units compared to prior year. Reported sales in the fourth quarter were also partially impacted by the previously disclosed divestiture of the UK prestige watch business in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024, which carried products at high price points.
Refer to the “Results of Operations” section below for additional information on performance during the fourth quarter and full year Fiscal 2025.
Grow Brand Love strategy
In Fiscal 2026, the Company launched its Grow Brand Love strategy. This transformative strategy focuses on accelerating growth and builds on a strong core foundation to create shareholder value. In addition, this strategy emphasizes style and product innovation, captivating experiences, and Brand loyalty while harnessing centralized core capabilities. The Company has identified three strategic imperatives as part of the Grow Brand Love framework: shifting from banners to Brand mindset; growing our core business and expanding into adjacent categories; and organizational realignment to accelerate strategy execution.
See the Purpose & Strategy section within Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Fiscal 2026 Outlook
The Company anticipates same store sales to be down 2.5% to up 1.5% for Fiscal 2026 providing some variability in an uncertain consumer spending environment. The Company believes it can continue to make progress on gifting and bridal at key price points and capitalize on the growth of engagements seen in January and in the first quarter to date in Fiscal 2026. The Company believes that under its new Grow Brand Love strategy it can grow through style and product innovation, captivating customer experiences, and building Brand loyalty, while harnessing and building on centralized core capabilities and leveraging the benefits of its scale through its new optimized structure. The Company will also be leaning into the largest and fastest growing segment of the jewelry market by accelerating its presence in self-purchase and gifting while working to expand its share in core bridal.
The Company continues to monitor the impacts of certain macroeconomic factors on its business, such as inflation and the Russia-Ukraine and Middle East conflicts. Signet operates quality control and technology centers in Israel, and to date, these operations have not been impacted by the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East. While the Company currently does not expect disruptions to its operations in Israel to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, the Company will continue to closely monitor this conflict and any impacts on its business, as well as its team members in Israel. Uncertainties exist that could impact the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in the future, such as competitive pricing pressure, including lab-grown diamonds, continued inflationary impacts to the Company (including, but not limited to, materials, labor, fulfillment and advertising costs) or adverse shifts in consumer discretionary spending, slower than anticipated recovery of engagements, deterioration of consumer credit, supply chain disruptions to the Company’s business, the Company’s ability to recruit and retain qualified team members, or organized retail crime and its impact to mall traffic. In addition, the Company will monitor potential impacts of changes to US economic policy, including taxes and tariffs, as a result of the new administration. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above as well as the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A.
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Market and operating conditions
The Company faces a highly competitive and dynamic retail landscape throughout the geographies where it does business, as well as a challenging global macro-economic environment as described above impacting the jewelry industry. Refer to Item 1 for additional information on the Company’s business, markets and strategy.
Exchange translation impact
Monthly average exchange rates are used to prepare the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In Fiscal 2026, it is anticipated a five percent movement in the British pound to US dollar exchange rate would impact the Company’s income before income taxes by approximately $0.2 million, while a five percent movement in the Canadian dollar to US dollar exchange rate would impact the Company’s income before income taxes by approximately $0.6 million.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal 2025 Overview
Similar to many other retailers, Signet follows the retail 4-4-5 reporting calendar, which included an extra week in the fourth quarter and fiscal year periods of Fiscal 2024 (the “14th week” and “53rd week”, respectively). The extra week added $103.2 million in sales in the fourth quarter and full year Fiscal 2024. Fiscal 2025 was a 52-week reporting period.
Same store sales
Management considers same store sales useful as it is a major benchmark used by investors to judge performance within the retail industry. Same store sales is calculated by comparison of sales in stores that were open in both the current and the prior fiscal year. Sales from stores that have been open for less than 12 months are excluded from the comparison until their 12-month anniversary. Similarly, sales from acquired businesses made within the last 12 months are excluded from the comparison until their 12-month anniversary. Sales from stores that were acquired during the period and have not been included in the Company’s results for both the current and prior period presented are also excluded from same store sales. Sales after the 12-month anniversary are compared against the equivalent prior period sales within the comparable store sales comparison. Stores closed in the current financial period are included up to the date of closure and the comparative period is correspondingly adjusted. Stores that have been relocated or expanded, but remain within the same local geographic area, are included within the comparison with no adjustment to either the current or comparative period. Stores that have been refurbished are also included within the comparison except for the period when the refurbishment was taking place, when those stores are excluded from the comparison both for the current year and for the comparative period. Same store sales are also impacted by certain accounting adjustments to sales, primarily related to the deferral of revenue from the Company’s extended service plans.
eCommerce sales include all sales with customers that originate online, including direct to customer, ship to store, and BOPIS. eCommerce sales are included in the calculation of same store sales for the period and the comparative figures from the 12-month anniversary of the launch of the relevant website. Brick and mortar same store sales are calculated by removing the eCommerce sales from the same store sales calculation described above. Comparisons at the divisional level are made in local currency and consolidated comparisons are made at constant exchange rates and exclude the effect of exchange rate movements by recalculating the prior period results as if they had been generated at the weighted average exchange rate for the current period.
The 14th and 53rd weeks are excluded from same store sales in the fiscal year in which it occurs. In the subsequent fiscal year, same store sales is calculated by aligning the sales weeks of the current period to the equivalent sales weeks in the prior fiscal year period.
Cost of sales and gross margin
Cost of sales consists primarily of the following expense categories:
•Merchandise costs, net of discounts and allowances;
•Cost of services, including the cost of replacement components, repair supplies and related compensation and benefits for employees directly associated with performing the service;
•Store operating and occupancy costs such as rent, utilities, real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance (including common area maintenance), depreciation and amortization; and
•Distribution and inventory-related costs, including freight, processing, inventory scrap, shrinkage and related compensation and benefits.
As the classification of cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses varies from retailer to retailer, Signet’s gross margin percentage may not be directly comparable to other retailers.
Factors that influence gross margin include pricing, promotional environment, changes in merchandise costs, changes in non-merchandise components of cost of sales (as described above), changes in sales mix, foreign exchange, and the economics of services such as repairs and extended service plans. The price of diamonds varies depending on their size, cut, color and clarity.
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Signet primarily uses an average cost inventory methodology and, as jewelry inventory turns slowly, the impact of movements in inventory costs takes time to be fully reflected in gross margin. Signet’s inventory turns faster in the fourth quarter, therefore, changes in the cost of merchandise are more impactful on the gross margin in that quarter. An increase in inventory turnover would accelerate the rate at which commodity costs impact gross margin.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”)
SG&A is mostly composed of store staff and store administrative costs as well as advertising and promotional costs. It also includes centralized administrative expenses such as information technology, credit costs and other administrative operating expenses not specifically categorized elsewhere in the consolidated statements of operations.
The primary drivers of staffing costs are the number of full-time equivalent team members and the level of compensation, payroll taxes, benefits and incentives. Management varies, on a store by store basis, the hours worked based on the expected level of selling activity, subject to minimum staffing levels required to operate the store. Non-store staffing levels are less variable. A significant element of compensation is performance-based and is primarily dependent on sales and operating profit.
The level of advertising expenditures can vary year over year. In order to evolve its marketing allocations based on consumer habits, business needs, and maximize return on its advertising investments, the Company primarily focuses its spend on digital and social marking, supplemented by targeted national television advertising.
Other operating (expense) income, net
Other operating (expense) income, net primarily consists of miscellaneous operating income and expense items such as litigation settlements, restructuring charges, gains or losses on the sale of assets (including divestitures), foreign currency gains and losses, and gains and losses from undesignated derivative contracts. See Note 21 in Item 8 for further detail on the Company’s other operating (expense) income, net.
Comparison of Fiscal 2025 to Prior Year
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions, except per share amounts) | $ | % of sales | $ | % of sales | |||||||||
| Sales | $ | 6,703.8 | 100.0 | % | $ | 7,171.1 | 100.0 | % | |||||
| Cost of sales | (4,078.2) | (60.8) | (4,345.7) | (60.6) | |||||||||
| Gross margin | 2,625.6 | 39.2 | 2,825.4 | 39.4 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (2,122.6) | (31.7) | (2,197.7) | (30.6) | |||||||||
| Asset impairments, net | (372.0) | (5.5) | (9.1) | (0.1) | |||||||||
| Other operating (expense) income, net | (20.3) | (0.3) | 2.9 | — | |||||||||
| Operating income | 110.7 | 1.7 | 621.5 | 8.7 | |||||||||
| Interest income, net | 9.8 | 0.1 | 18.7 | 0.3 | |||||||||
| Other non-operating income (expense), net | 3.7 | 0.1 | (0.4) | — | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 124.2 | 1.9 | 639.8 | 8.9 | |||||||||
| Income taxes | (63.0) | (0.9) | 170.6 | 2.4 | |||||||||
| Net income | 61.2 | 0.9 | 810.4 | 11.3 | |||||||||
| Dividends on redeemable convertible preferred shares | (96.8) | (1.4) | (34.5) | (0.5) | |||||||||
| Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders | $ | (35.6) | (0.5) | % | $ | 775.9 | 10.8 | % | |||||
| Diluted (loss) earnings per share | $ | (0.81) | nm | $ | 15.01 | nm |
nm Not meaningful.
Fiscal year sales
Signet’s total sales decreased 6.5% to $6.70 billion compared to $7.17 billion in the prior year. Signet’s same store sales decreased 3.4%, compared to a decrease of 11.6% in the prior year. These declines were driven primarily by a slower than expected engagement recovery, store closures and the prestige watch divestiture in the UK, integration challenges at the Digital brands in the first half of the year, the impact of the macro environment on consumer spending, and the impact of the 53rd week as noted above.
eCommerce sales year to date were $1.52 billion, down $118.7 million or 7.2% compared to $1.64 billion in the prior year. eCommerce sales accounted for 22.7% of year to date sales, down slightly from 22.9% of total sales in the prior year. The decrease in total eCommerce sales was driven by the challenges in the Digital brands noted above. Brick and mortar same store sales decreased 2.9% when compared with the prior period.
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The breakdown of the year to date sales performance by reportable segment is set out in the table below:
| Change from previous year | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal 2025 | Same store sales (1) | Non-same store sales, net | Impact of 53rd week on total sales | Total sales at constant exchange rate (2) | Exchange translation impact | Total sales as reported | Total reported sales (in millions) | |||||||||||||
| North America reportable segment | (3.6) | % | (0.9) | % | (1.5) | % | (6.0) | % | — | % | (6.0) | % | $ | 6,299.1 | ||||||
| International reportable segment | (0.5) | % | (12.9) | % | (1.6) | % | (15.0) | % | 1.6 | % | (13.4) | % | $ | 373.2 | ||||||
| Other reportable segment (3) | nm | nm | nm | nm | nm | nm | $ | 31.5 | ||||||||||||
| Signet | (3.4) | % | (1.7) | % | (1.5) | % | (6.6) | % | 0.1 | % | (6.5) | % | $ | 6,703.8 |
(1) The 53rd week in Fiscal 2024 has resulted in a shift as the current fiscal year began a week later than the previous fiscal year. As described above, Fiscal 2025 same store sales have been calculated by aligning the sales weeks of the current year to date period to the equivalent sales weeks in the prior fiscal year. Total reported sales continue to be calculated based on the reported fiscal periods.
(2) The Company provides the period-over-period change in total sales excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which is a non-GAAP measure, to provide transparency to performance and enhance investors’ understanding of underlying business trends. The effect from foreign currency, calculated on a constant currency basis, is determined by applying current year average exchange rates to prior year sales in local currency.
(3) Includes sales from Signet’s diamond sourcing operation.
nm Not meaningful.
AUR is an operating metric defined as merchandise sales divided by merchandise units. The AUR is measured each period based on the reported sales for the corresponding period presented.
North America sales
The North America reportable segment’s total sales were $6.30 billion compared to $6.70 billion in the prior year, down 6.0%. This decrease was primarily driven by the impact of the macro environment on consumer spending, integration challenges at the Digital brands during the first half of the year, the impact of the 53rd week as noted above, and the decline in the bridal category, driven by the slower than expected engagement recovery. Same store sales decreased 3.6% compared to a decrease of 11.9% in the prior year. North America’s AUR increased 3.3% compared to the prior year, from $390 to $403, while the number of units decreased 7.4%.
International sales
The International reportable segment’s total sales decreased 13.4%, or 15.0% at constant exchange rates, to $373.2 million compared to $430.7 million in the prior year, primarily due to the impact of the divestiture of the prestige watch business in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 and the impact of store closures. The number of units decreased 8.0% and AUR decreased 2.8% over prior year.
Fourth quarter sales
Signet’s total sales decreased 5.8% year over year to $2.4 billion in the fourth quarter. Same store sales decreased 1.1%, compared to a decrease of 9.6% in the prior year quarter. These decreases were primarily the result of merchandise assortment gaps at key gifting price points, which were partially offset by increased AUR in fashion and bridal. Additionally, the decrease in total reported sales was also impacted by store closures and the impact of the 14th week as noted above.
eCommerce sales in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025 were $562.3 million, down $31.1 million or 5.2% compared to $593.4 million in the prior year fourth quarter, primarily due to lower traffic post re-platforming related to search engine optimization at the Digital brands noted above. eCommerce sales accounted for 23.9% of fourth quarter sales, up slightly from 23.8% of total sales in the prior year fourth quarter. Brick and mortar same store sales decreased 1.4% from the prior year fourth quarter.
The breakdown of the fourth quarter sales performance by reportable segment is set out in the table below:
| Change from previous year | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2025 | Same store sales (1) | Non-same store sales, net | Impact of 14th week on total sales | Total sales at constant exchange rate (2) | Exchange translation impact | Total sales as reported | Total reported sales (in millions) | |||||||||||||
| North America reportable segment | (1.1) | % | (0.7) | % | (3.6) | % | (5.4) | % | (0.2) | % | (5.6) | % | $ | 2,219.5 | ||||||
| International reportable segment | (1.5) | % | (3.9) | % | (5.6) | % | (11.0) | % | 0.1 | % | (10.9) | % | $ | 126.2 | ||||||
| Other reportable segment (3) | nm | nm | nm | nm | nm | nm | $ | 6.9 | ||||||||||||
| Signet | (1.1) | % | (0.9) | % | (3.7) | % | (5.7) | % | (0.1) | % | (5.8) | % | $ | 2,352.6 |
(1) The 53rd week in Fiscal 2024 has resulted in a shift as the current fiscal year began a week later than the previous fiscal year. As described above, fourth quarter Fiscal 2025 same store sales have been calculated by aligning the sales weeks of the current quarter to the equivalent sales weeks in the prior fiscal year quarter. Total reported sales continue to be calculated based on the reported fiscal periods.
(2) The Company provides the period-over-period change in total sales excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which is a non-GAAP measure, to provide transparency to performance and enhance investors’ understanding of underlying business trends. The effect from foreign currency, calculated on a constant currency basis, is determined by applying current year average exchange rates to prior year sales in local currency.
(3) Includes sales from Signet’s diamond sourcing operation.
nm Not meaningful.
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North America sales
The North America reportable segment’s total sales were $2.2 billion compared to $2.4 billion in the prior year quarter, or a decrease of 5.6%. This decrease was primarily the result of merchandise assortment gaps at key gifting price points, which were partially offset by increased AUR in fashion and bridal. The number of units decreased 8.5% year over year. Additionally, the decrease in total reported sales was also impacted by the 14th week as noted above. Same store sales decreased 1.1% compared to a decrease of 10.0% from the prior year quarter.
International sales
The International reportable segment’s total sales decreased 10.9%, or 11.0% at constant exchange rates, to $126.2 million compared to $141.7 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to the impact of store closures. The number of units decreased 6.1% and AUR increased 7.0% year over year. Same store sales decreased 1.5% compared to a decrease of 1.0% in the prior year quarter.
Gross margin
Gross margin for Fiscal 2025 was $2.6 billion or 39.2% of sales compared to $2.8 billion or 39.4% of sales in Fiscal 2024. In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025, gross margin was $1.00 billion or 42.6% of sales compared to $1.08 billion or 43.3% of sales in the prior year fourth quarter. The decrease in gross margin rate for both the Fiscal 2025 and fourth quarter comparative periods reflects the deleveraging of fixed costs on lower sales volume partially offset by higher merchandise margins, driven by increased AUR, growth in services, product newness and higher fashion penetration.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A for Fiscal 2025 was $2.12 billion or 31.7% of sales compared to $2.20 billion or 30.6% of sales in Fiscal 2024. In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025 SG&A was $639.2 million or 27.2% of sales compared to $671.9 million or 26.9% of sales in the prior year fourth quarter. The increase in SG&A as a percentage of sales for both the Fiscal 2025 and fourth quarter comparative periods was driven by higher advertising expense and deleverage of fixed costs, primarily the fixed portion of labor. In addition, the second half of Fiscal 2025 included approximately $8.0 million of leadership transition costs, including $6.0 million in the fourth quarter.
Asset impairments, net
During Fiscal 2025, the Company recorded pre-tax asset impairments related to the impairment of long-lived assets and intangible assets of $372.0 million, of which $366.5 million was related to the impairment of the goodwill and indefinite-lived trade names for Diamonds Direct and the Digital brands and $5.5 million was related to the impairment of long-lived assets. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025, the Company recorded pre-tax asset impairments of $202.7 million, primarily related to the impairment of the goodwill of the Digital brands and indefinite-lived trade names for the Digital brands and Diamonds Direct.
During Fiscal 2024, the Company recorded pre-tax asset impairments related to the impairment of long-lived assets and intangible assets of $9.1 million. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024, the Company recorded pre-tax asset impairments of $3.4 million, primarily related to intangible assets.
See Note 14 of Item 8 for additional information on the asset impairments.
Other operating (expense) income, net
In Fiscal 2025, other operating expense was $20.3 million compared to income of $2.9 million in Fiscal 2024. Fiscal 2025 was primarily driven by restructuring charges of $11.5 million and foreign exchange losses of $2.2 million. Fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by the net gain on divestitures of $12.3 million partially offset by restructuring charges of $7.5 million and foreign exchange losses of $3.0 million.
In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025, other operating expense was $7.1 million compared to income of $10.3 million in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024. The fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025 included restructuring charges of $0.5 million and foreign exchange losses of $0.8 million. The fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by the net gain on divestitures of $13.6 million partially offset by restructuring charges of $1.9 million.
See Note 4, Note 21 and Note 26 of Item 8 for additional information.
Operating income
In Fiscal 2025, operating income was $110.7 million or 1.7% of sales compared to $621.5 million or 8.7% of sales in Fiscal 2024. The decrease in the current year was primarily driven by the impact of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible impairment charges, lower sales volume and higher advertising expense noted above, partially offset by cost savings initiatives.
In the fourth quarter, operating income was $152.6 million or 6.5% of sales compared to $416.3 million or 16.7% of sales in prior year fourth quarter. The decrease in the current year quarter was primarily driven by the impact of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible impairment charges, lower sales volume and higher advertising expense noted above.
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North America operating income
In Fiscal 2025, operating income in the North America reportable segment was $173.7 million, or 2.8% of segment sales, and includes $371.7 million of asset impairment charges primarily related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, $6.9 million of restructuring and related charges and $1.3 million of leadership transition costs. In Fiscal 2024, operating income in the North America reportable segment was $677.0 million, or 10.1% of segment sales, and includes $22.0 million of acquisition and integration costs, $6.3 million of restructuring charges and $9.0 million of net asset impairment charges.
In the fourth quarter, operating income in the North America reportable segment was $143.6 million, or 6.5% of segment sales, and includes $202.7 million of asset impairment charges and $1.3 million of leadership transition costs. In the prior year quarter, operating income in the North America reportable segment was $396.0 million, or 16.8% of segment sales, and includes $1.9 million of integration costs, $1.9 million of restructuring costs, and $3.4 million of net asset impairment charges.
International operating income
In Fiscal 2025, operating income in the International reportable segment was $1.0 million, or 0.3% of segment sales, and includes $5.2 million of restructuring charges and $2.6 million of net losses from the previously announced divestiture of the UK prestige watch business. In Fiscal 2024, operating income in the International reportable segment was $13.1 million, or 3.0% of segment sales, and includes a $12.3 million gain from the divestiture of the UK prestige watch business.
In the fourth quarter, operating income in the International reportable segment was $21.9 million, or 17.4% of segment sales. In the prior year quarter, operating income in the International reportable segment was $36.0 million, or 25.4% of segment sales and includes a $13.6 million gain from the divestiture of the UK prestige watch business.
Corporate and unallocated expenses
In Fiscal 2025, corporate and unallocated expenses were $53.2 million, compared to $60.4 million in Fiscal 2024. In the fourth quarter, corporate and unallocated expenses were $9.4 million, compared to $12.3 million in the prior year fourth quarter. The Company incurred $6.7 million and $4.7 million of leadership transition costs in Fiscal 2025 and the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025, respectively.
Interest income (expense), net
In Fiscal 2025, net interest income was $9.8 million compared to net interest income of $18.7 million in Fiscal 2024. In the fourth quarter, net interest expense was $0.2 million compared to net interest income $8.7 million in the prior year fourth quarter. The decrease in the current year, as well as in the prior year comparable period, was the result of lower cash balances earning interest due to the redemptions of the redeemable Series A Convertible Preference Shares (the “Preferred Shares”), repayment of the Senior Notes and share repurchases, as well as interest expense incurred from borrowings on the ABL.
Income taxes
Income tax expense for Fiscal 2025 was $63.0 million, with an effective tax rate (“ETR”) of 50.7%, compared to an income tax benefit of $170.6 million, with an effective tax rate of (26.7)% in Fiscal 2024. The ETR for Fiscal 2025 was different than the US federal income tax rate, primarily due to the non-deductible impairment charges described above, partially offset by the favorable impact from the Company’s global reinsurance and financing arrangements. The ETR and tax benefit for Fiscal 2024 reflects the impact of a $263.3 million deferred tax asset recorded in the fourth quarter related to the enactment of the Corporate Income Tax Act of 2023 (the “Act”) in Bermuda. The Act included an economic transition adjustment intended to be a fair and equitable transition into the new tax regime and resulted in a deferred tax benefit for the Company. Other factors impacting the effective rate in Fiscal 2024 were the favorable impact of an uncertain tax position of $20.5 million settled in the fourth quarter, the foreign rate differences and benefits from global reinsurance and financing arrangements, and other discrete tax benefits recognized. The Fiscal 2024 discrete tax benefits relate to the reclassification of remaining taxes on the pension settlement out of AOCI of $4.1 million, the excess tax benefit for share-based compensation which vested during the year of $7.7 million and the $1.7 million reversal of valuation allowance related to capital losses in the UK.
In addition, in January 2025, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) issued guidance which, if enacted in countries in which the Company operates, would limit the cash benefit recognized under the OECD’s Pillar Two related to the $263.3 million deferred tax asset to the amortization recognized in the first two years of the 10-year period, or approximately $52.7 million beginning in Fiscal 2026.
Refer to Note 10 of Item 8 for additional information.
In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025, income tax expense was $53.5 million, with an ETR of 34.7%, compared to an income tax benefit of $199.2 million, with an ETR of (46.7)% in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024. The ETR for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025 was higher than the US federal income tax rate, primarily due to the non-deductible impairment charges described above, partially offset by the favorable impact from the Company’s global reinsurance and financing arrangements. The ETR and tax benefit for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 were primarily driven by the $263.3 million deferred tax benefit resulting from the Bermuda economic
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transition adjustment discussed above and the favorable impact of an uncertain tax position of $20.5 million settled in the fourth quarter.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
The discussion and analysis of Signet’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based upon the consolidated financial statements of Signet which are prepared in accordance with GAAP and should be read in conjunction with Signet’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Item 8. Signet provides certain non-GAAP information in reporting its financial results to give investors additional data to evaluate its operations. The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measures, when reviewed in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, can provide more information to assist investors in evaluating historical trends and current period performance and liquidity. For these reasons, internal management reporting also includes these non-GAAP measures.
These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not superior to or as a substitute for the GAAP financial measures presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and other publicly filed reports. In addition, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as or comparable to similar non-GAAP measures presented by other companies.
The Company previously referred to certain non-GAAP measures as non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating margin and non-GAAP diluted EPS. Beginning in Fiscal 2025, these non-GAAP measures are now referred to as adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin and adjusted diluted EPS, respectively. There have been no changes to how these non-GAAP measures are defined or reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
1. Net cash
Net cash is a non-GAAP measure defined as the total of cash and cash equivalents less debt. Management considers this metric to be helpful to understand the total indebtedness of the Company after consideration of cash balances on-hand.
| (in millions) | February 1, 2025 | February 3, 2024 | January 28, 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 604.0 | $ | 1,378.7 | $ | 1,166.8 | ||||
| Less: Current portion of long-term debt | — | (147.7) | — | |||||||
| Less: Long-term debt | — | — | (147.4) | |||||||
| Net cash | $ | 604.0 | $ | 1,231.0 | $ | 1,019.4 |
2. Free cash flow
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure defined as the net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. Management considers this metric to be helpful in understanding how the business is generating cash from its operating and investing activities that can be used to meet the financing needs of the business. Free cash flow is an indicator frequently used by management to evaluate its overall liquidity needs and determine appropriate capital allocation strategies. Free cash flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes.
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 590.9 | $ | 546.9 | $ | 797.9 | ||||
| Capital expenditures | (153.0) | (125.5) | (138.9) | |||||||
| Free cash flow | $ | 437.9 | $ | 421.4 | $ | 659.0 |
3. Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR
EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is an important indicator of operating performance as it excludes the effects of financing and investing activities by eliminating the effects of interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization costs. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure, defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, non-operating expense, net and certain non-GAAP accounting adjustments. Adjusted EBITDAR takes this adjusted EBITDA and further excludes minimum fixed rent expense for properties occupied under operating leases. Reviewed in conjunction with net income and operating income, management believes that EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR help enhance management’s and investors’ ability to evaluate and analyze trends regarding Signet’s business and performance based on its current operations. These measures are also inputs into the Company’s leverage ratios, which are non-GAAP measures defined below.
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| (in millions) | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 61.2 | $ | 810.4 | $ | 376.7 | ||||
| Income taxes | 63.0 | (170.6) | 74.5 | |||||||
| Interest (income) expense, net | (9.8) | (18.7) | 13.5 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 148.2 | 161.9 | 164.5 | |||||||
| Amortization of unfavorable contracts | (1.8) | (1.8) | (1.8) | |||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 260.8 | $ | 781.2 | $ | 627.4 | ||||
| Other non-operating (income) expense, net | (3.7) | 0.4 | 140.2 | |||||||
| Share-based compensation | 22.2 | 41.1 | 42.0 | |||||||
| Other accounting adjustments | ||||||||||
| Asset impairments (1) | 369.2 | 7.1 | 15.9 | |||||||
| Restructuring and related charges (2) | 12.1 | 7.5 | — | |||||||
| Loss (gain) on divestitures, net (3) | 2.6 | (12.3) | — | |||||||
| Acquisition and integration-related expenses (4) | 1.1 | 22.0 | 25.8 | |||||||
| Leadership transition costs (5) | 1.8 | — | — | |||||||
| Litigation charges (6) | — | (3.0) | 203.8 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 666.1 | $ | 844.0 | $ | 1,055.1 | ||||
| Rent expense | 434.3 | 439.8 | 446.5 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDAR | $ | 1,100.4 | $ | 1,283.8 | $ | 1,501.6 |
(1) Fiscal 2025 primarily includes asset impairment charges related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Fiscal 2024 charges were primarily the result of the Company’s rationalization of its store footprint. Fiscal 2023 includes asset impairment charges related to the Company’s headquarters. Refer to Note 14 and Note 16 of Item 8 for additional information.
(2) Restructuring and related charges were incurred primarily as a result of the Company’s rationalization of its store footprint and reorganization of certain centralized functions. Refer to Note 25 of Item 8 for additional information.
(3) Fiscal 2025 includes charges associated with the previously announced divestiture of the UK prestige watch business. Fiscal 2024 includes gain on sale of the UK prestige watch business, net of transaction costs. Refer to Note 4 of Item 8 for additional information.
(4) Fiscal 2025 includes severance and retention expenses related to the integration of Blue Nile. Fiscal 2024 includes expenses related to the integration of Blue Nile, primarily severance and retention, exit and disposal costs and system decommissioning costs; Fiscal 2023 includes the impact of the fair value step-up for inventory acquired in the Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile acquisitions, as well as direct transaction-related and integration costs, primarily professional fees and severance, incurred for the acquisition of Blue Nile.
(5) Primarily includes professional fees incurred for the search for the Company’s recently appointed CEO, as well as severance and related costs incurred as part of other leadership transitions.
(6) Fiscal 2024 includes a credit to income related to the adjustment of a prior litigation accrual recognized in Fiscal 2023. Refer to Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
3. Adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin
Adjusted operating income is a non-GAAP measure defined as operating income excluding the impact of certain items which management believes are not necessarily reflective of normal operational performance during a period. Management finds the information useful when analyzing operating results to appropriately evaluate the performance of the business without the impact of these certain items. Management believes the consideration of measures that exclude such items can assist in the comparison of operational performance in different periods which may or may not include such items. Management also utilizes adjusted operating margin, defined as adjusted operating income as a percentage of total sales, to further evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the Company’s flexible operating model.
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| (in millions) | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating income | $ | 110.7 | $ | 621.5 | $ | 604.9 | ||
| Asset impairments (1) | 369.2 | 7.1 | 15.9 | |||||
| Restructuring and related charges (2) | 12.1 | 7.5 | — | |||||
| Loss (gain) on divestitures, net (3) | 2.6 | (12.3) | — | |||||
| Acquisition and integration-related expenses (4) | 1.1 | 22.0 | 25.8 | |||||
| Leadership transition costs (5) | 2.4 | — | — | |||||
| Litigation charges (6) | — | (3.0) | 203.8 | |||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 498.1 | $ | 642.8 | $ | 850.4 | ||
| Operating margin | 1.7 | % | 8.7 | % | 7.7 | % | ||
| Adjusted operating margin | 7.4 | % | 9.0 | % | 10.8 | % |
(1) Fiscal 2025 primarily includes asset impairment charges related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Fiscal 2024 charges were primarily the result of the Company’s rationalization of its store footprint. Fiscal 2023 includes asset impairment charges related to the Company’s headquarters. Refer to Note 14 and Note 16 of Item 8 for additional information.
(2) Restructuring and related charges were incurred primarily as a result of the Company’s rationalization of its store footprint and reorganization of certain centralized functions. Refer to Note 25 of Item 8 for additional information.
(3) Fiscal 2025 includes charges associated with the previously announced divestiture of the UK prestige watch business. Fiscal 2024 includes gain on sale of the UK prestige watch business, net of transaction costs. Refer to Note 4 of Item 8 for additional information.
(4) Fiscal 2025 includes severance and retention expenses related to the integration of Blue Nile. Fiscal 2024 includes expenses related to the integration of Blue Nile, primarily severance and retention, exit and disposal costs and system decommissioning costs; Fiscal 2023 includes the impact of the fair value step-up for inventory acquired in the Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile acquisitions, as well as direct transaction-related and integration costs, primarily professional fees and severance, incurred for the acquisition of Blue Nile.
(5) Primarily includes professional fees incurred for the search for the Company’s recently appointed CEO, as well as severance and related costs incurred as part of other leadership transitions.
(6) Fiscal 2024 includes a credit to income related to the adjustment of a prior litigation accrual recognized in Fiscal 2023. Refer to Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
4. Adjusted diluted EPS
Adjusted diluted EPS is a non-GAAP measure defined as diluted EPS excluding the impact of certain items which management believes are not necessarily reflective of normal operational performance during a period. Management finds the information useful when analyzing financial results in order to appropriately evaluate the performance of the business without the impact of these certain items. In particular, management believes the consideration of measures that exclude such items can assist in the comparison of performance in different periods which may or may not include such items. The Company estimates the tax effect of all non-GAAP adjustments by applying a statutory tax rate to each item. The income tax items represent the discrete amount that affected the diluted EPS during the period.
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diluted EPS | $ | (0.81) | $ | 15.01 | $ | 6.64 | ||||
| Asset impairments (1) | 8.39 | 0.13 | 0.28 | |||||||
| Restructuring and related charges (2) | 0.27 | 0.14 | — | |||||||
| Loss (gain) on divestitures, net (3) | 0.06 | (0.22) | — | |||||||
| Acquisition and integration-related expenses (4) | 0.02 | 0.41 | 0.46 | |||||||
| Leadership transition costs (5) | 0.05 | — | — | |||||||
| Litigation charges (6) | — | (0.06) | 3.59 | |||||||
| Pension settlement loss (7) | — | 0.02 | 2.36 | |||||||
| Tax impact of items above | (0.66) | (0.18) | (1.53) | |||||||
| Deemed dividend on redemption of Preferred Shares (8) | 1.93 | — | — | |||||||
| Dilution effect (9) | (0.31) | — | — | |||||||
| Bermuda economic transition adjustment (10) | — | (4.88) | — | |||||||
| Adjusted diluted EPS | $ | 8.94 | $ | 10.37 | $ | 11.80 |
(1) Fiscal 2025 primarily includes asset impairment charges related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Fiscal 2024 charges were primarily the result of the Company’s rationalization of its store footprint. Fiscal 2023 includes asset impairment charges related to the Company’s headquarters. Refer to Note 14 and Note 16 of Item 8 for additional information.
(2) Restructuring and related charges were incurred primarily as a result of the Company’s rationalization of its store footprint and reorganization of certain centralized functions. Refer to Note 25 of Item 8 for additional information.
(3) Fiscal 2025 includes charges associated with the previously announced divestiture of the UK prestige watch business. Fiscal 2024 includes gain on sale of the UK prestige watch business, net of transaction costs. Refer to Note 4 of Item 8 for additional information.
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(4) Fiscal 2025 includes severance and retention expenses related to the integration of Blue Nile. Fiscal 2024 includes expenses related to the integration of Blue Nile, primarily severance and retention, exit and disposal costs and system decommissioning costs; Fiscal 2023 includes the impact of the fair value step-up for inventory acquired in the Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile acquisitions, as well as direct transaction-related and integration costs, primarily professional fees and severance, incurred for the acquisition of Blue Nile.
(5) Primarily includes professional fees incurred for the search for the Company’s recently appointed CEO as well as severance and related costs incurred as part of other leadership transitions.
(6) Fiscal 2024 includes a credit to income related to the adjustment of a prior litigation accrual recognized in Fiscal 2023. Refer to Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
(7) Includes charges associated with wind-up and settlement of the UK pension plan. Refer to Note 26 of Item 8 for additional information.
(8) As described in Note 6 of Item 8, the Company recorded a deemed dividend to net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders of $85.2 million in Fiscal 2025, which represents the excess of the conversion value of the Preferred Shares over their carrying value upon redemption and includes $1.6 million of related expenses.
(9) Adjusted diluted EPS for Fiscal 2025 was calculated using 46.2 million diluted weighted average common shares outstanding. The additional dilutive shares were excluded from the calculation of GAAP diluted EPS as their effect was antidilutive. Refer to Note 8 of Item 8 for additional information.
(10) Relates to the impact of the deferred income tax benefit from the Bermuda economic transition adjustment. Refer to Note 10 of Item 8 for additional information.
5. Leverage ratios
The debt and net debt leverage ratios are non-GAAP measures calculated by dividing Signet’s debt or net debt by adjusted EBITDA. Debt as used in these ratios is defined as current or long-term debt recorded in the consolidated balance sheet plus Preferred Shares. Net debt as used in these ratios is debt less the cash and cash equivalents on hand as of the balance sheet date. The adjusted debt and adjusted net debt leverage ratios are non-GAAP measures calculated by dividing Signet’s adjusted debt or adjusted net debt by adjusted EBITDAR. Adjusted debt is a non-GAAP measure defined as debt recorded in the consolidated balance sheets, plus Preferred Shares, plus an adjustment for operating lease liabilities. Adjusted net debt, a non-GAAP measure, is adjusted debt less the cash and cash equivalents on hand as of the balance sheet dates. Management believes these financial measures are helpful to investors and analysts to analyze trends in Signet’s business and evaluate Signet’s performance. The debt and adjusted debt leverage ratios are key to the Company’s capital allocation strategy as measures of the Company’s optimized capital structure. The net debt and adjusted net debt leverage ratios are supplemental to the debt and adjusted debt ratios as both investors and management find it useful to consider cash and cash equivalents available to pay down debt.
The Company previously used 5x rent expense as its adjustment for operating lease liabilities in the adjusted debt and adjusted net debt leverage ratios. Beginning in Fiscal 2025, the Company has changed its adjustment to operating lease liabilities as recorded in the consolidated balance sheets, as the Company believes this is a better indicator of its current overall lease obligations. The prior period adjusted debt and adjusted net debt leverage ratio have been recast using the new measure for comparability.
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt and net debt: | ||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | $ | — | $ | 147.7 | $ | — | ||||
| Long-term debt | — | — | 147.4 | |||||||
| Preferred Shares | — | 655.5 | 653.8 | |||||||
| Debt | $ | — | $ | 803.2 | $ | 801.2 | ||||
| Less: Cash and cash equivalents | 604.0 | 1,378.7 | 1,166.8 | |||||||
| Net debt | $ | (604.0) | $ | (575.5) | $ | (365.6) | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 666.1 | 844.0 | 1,055.1 | |||||||
| Debt leverage ratio | —x | 1.0x | 0.8x | |||||||
| Net debt leverage ratio | -0.9x | -0.7x | -0.3x |
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| (in millions) | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted debt and adjusted net debt: | ||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | $ | — | $ | 147.7 | $ | — | ||||
| Long-term debt | — | — | 147.4 | |||||||
| Preferred Shares | — | 655.5 | 653.8 | |||||||
| Operating lease liabilities - current | 279.9 | 260.3 | 288.2 | |||||||
| Operating lease liabilities - non-current | 900.0 | 835.7 | 894.7 | |||||||
| Adjusted debt | $ | 1,179.9 | $ | 1,899.2 | $ | 1,984.1 | ||||
| Less: Cash and cash equivalents | 604.0 | 1,378.7 | 1,166.8 | |||||||
| Adjusted net debt | $ | 575.9 | $ | 520.5 | $ | 817.3 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDAR | $ | 1,100.4 | $ | 1,283.8 | $ | 1,501.6 | ||||
| Adjusted debt leverage ratio | 1.1x | 1.5x | 1.3x | |||||||
| Adjusted net debt leverage ratio | 0.5x | 0.4x | 0.5x |
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, cash provided by operations and availability under its senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (the “ABL”). As of February 1, 2025, the Company had $604.0 million of cash and cash equivalents and no outstanding borrowings on the ABL. The available borrowing capacity on the ABL was $1.2 billion as of February 1, 2025.
The Company has a disciplined approach to capital allocation, utilizing the following capital priorities: 1) drive growth through both organic investments and acquisitions; 2) optimize its capital structure and maintain an adjusted leverage ratio (a non-GAAP measure as defined in the Non-GAAP Measures section above) at or below our stated goal; and 3) return cash to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.
Investing in growth
Since the Company’s transformation strategies began in Fiscal 2019, the Company has delivered substantially against its strategic priorities to establish the Company as the OmniChannel jewelry category leader and position its business for sustainable long-term growth. The investments in acquisitions and new capabilities built during the past few years laid the foundation for the Company’s growth, including prioritizing investments in digital technology and data analytics, and enhancing and optimizing a connected commerce shopping journey for its customers, all of which has been funded through cost reductions and structural improvements in the Company’s operations. The Company’s cash discipline has led to more efficient working capital, through both the extension of payment days with the Company’s vendor base, as well as through improvement in productivity and the overall health and newness of the Company’s inventory. The Company also invested $153.0 million for capital expenditures and $47.4 million related to investments in digital and cloud IT initiatives in Fiscal 2025.
The Company has also made the strategic acquisitions of Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile, which have accelerated the Company’s growth in accessible luxury and bridal by allowing Signet to reach into new markets and new customers, through Diamonds Direct’s continued store expansion and through Blue Nile’s broadening of Signet's digital leadership across the jewelry category. In addition, the acquisition of certain assets of SJR in the second quarter of Fiscal 2024, as well as the transition of the former Blue Nile Seattle fulfillment center to a new enterprise-wide repair facility, has expanded the Company’s services capacity and capabilities.
In addition to the acquisitions, the Company divested the operations and certain assets related to the prestige watch business in the UK during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 for approximately $54 million. The Company believes the divestiture of this non-strategic business will enable the UK to accelerate key elements of its transformation. See Note 4 of Item 8 for additional information.
Optimized capital structure
The Company has made significant progress over the past few years in line with its priority to build a strong cash and overall liquidity position, including fully outsourcing credit and eliminating the obligations under the UK Pension Scheme. Additionally, over that period, the Company has repaid all outstanding debt, culminating in the full repayment of the Senior Notes at maturity in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 using cash on hand. In addition, the Company has recently completed the extension of the ABL to August 2029 at substantially the same terms, as further described in Note 20 of Item 8. In connection with this extension, the ABL aggregate
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commitment has been reduced to $1.2 billion to better align with our reduced inventory base over the past few years, as well as provide cost savings on unused commitment fees.
On April 1, 2024, in accordance with the terms of the amended Certificate of Designation for the Preferred Shares, the Preferred Holders converted half of the then outstanding Preferred Shares, and the Company elected to settle such conversions in cash totaling $414.1 million, including accrued and unpaid dividends. During the second and third quarters, the Preferred Holders converted all of the remaining Preferred Shares, and the Company elected to settle all the remaining Preferred Shares in cash totaling $401.5 million. The ability of the Company to settle the Preferred Shares in cash highlights the effectiveness of the Company’s flexible operating model and working capital efficiency, which has generated significant free cash flow and liquidity over the past few years. Refer to Note 6 of Item 8 for additional information.
The Company uses leverage ratios to assess the effectiveness of its capital allocation strategy. The Company maintained a 1.1x adjusted leverage ratio through the end of Fiscal 2025, and was 0.5x on an adjusted net debt basis. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA was (0.9)x. The Company continues to be confident in its ability to generate free cash flow while maintaining its leverage ratio targets. The Company has reduced its adjusted leverage ratio goal from 2.5x or less to 1.75x or less to reflect the retirement of all funded debt in Fiscal 2025, capital allocation strategies, and replacing the operating lease adjustment within the calculation with lease liabilities from the previous 5x rent adjustment.
Returning cash to shareholders
The Company remains committed to its goal of returning cash to shareholders, which includes being a dividend growth company. For the fourth year in a row, Signet has increased its quarterly common dividend from $0.29 per share in Fiscal 2025 to $0.32 per share beginning in Fiscal 2026. The Company also remains focused on common share repurchases under its 2017 Share Repurchase Program (the “2017 Program”). In March 2024, the Board approved a further $200 million increase to the multi-year authorization under the 2017 Program. The Company repurchased $138.0 million of common shares during Fiscal 2025 with $723.0 million of shares authorized for repurchase remaining as of February 1, 2025. See Note 7 of Item 8 for additional information related to the common share repurchases.
The Company believes that cash on hand, cash flows from operations and available borrowings under the ABL will be sufficient to meet its ongoing business requirements for at least the 12 months following the date of this report, including funding working capital needs, projected investments in the business (including capital expenditures), and returns to shareholders through dividends and common share repurchases.
Primary sources and uses of operating cash flows
Operating activities provide the primary source of cash for the Company and are influenced by a number of factors, the most significant of which are operating income and changes in working capital items, such as:
•changes in the level of inventory as a result of sales and other strategic initiatives; and
•changes and timing of accounts payable and accrued expenses, including variable compensation.
Signet derives most of its operating cash flows through the sale of merchandise and extended service plans. As a retail business, Signet receives cash when it makes a sale to a customer or when the payment has been processed by Signet or the relevant bank if the payment is made by third-party credit or debit card. As further discussed in Note 11 of Item 8, the Company has outsourced its entire credit card portfolio, and it receives cash from its outsourced financing partners (net of applicable fees) generally within two days of the customer sale. Offsetting these receipts, the Company’s largest operating expenses are the purchase of inventory, payroll and payroll-related benefits, store occupancy costs (including rent) and advertising.
Summary cash flow
The following table provides a summary of Signet’s cash flow activity for Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2024:
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 590.9 | $ | 546.9 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (159.1) | (75.8) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (1,199.5) | (259.7) | ||||
| (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (767.7) | 211.4 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 1,378.7 | 1,166.8 | ||||
| (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (767.7) | 211.4 | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (7.0) | 0.5 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 604.0 | $ | 1,378.7 |
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Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities in Fiscal 2025 was $590.9 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $546.9 million in the prior year comparable period. The change in operating cash flows compared to prior year was primarily driven by the payment of litigation settlements in the prior year noted below, more than offset by the impact of lower sales on cash flows year over year. The significant movements in operating cash flows are further described below:
•Net income was $61.2 million compared to net income of $810.4 million in the prior year period, a decrease of $749.2 million. This decrease was primarily the result of non-cash asset impairment charges of $372.0 million taken during Fiscal 2025, as well as lower sales and gross profit compared to prior year. The prior year also included a $263.3 million non-cash tax benefit related to the Bermuda economic transition adjustment noted below. See Note 10 and Note 14 of Item 8 for additional information.
•The change in current income taxes was a use of $19.3 million in the current period compared to a use of $3.0 million in the prior year. The current year use was primarily the result of net income tax payments of $115.5 million, compared to net cash payments of $13.0 million in the prior year period. Deferred taxes were a use of $30.7 million in the current period compared to a use of $180.3 million in the prior year, primarily as a result of the deferred tax asset related to the Bermuda economic transition adjustment taken in Fiscal 2024. Refer to Note 10 of Item 8 for additional information.
•Cash provided by inventory was $1.0 million compared to a source of $182.5 million in the prior year period. Inventory was flat compared to the prior year, whereas Fiscal 2024 included a significant reduction due to inventory management initiatives taken by the Company.
•Cash provided by accounts payable was $28.7 million compared to a use of $134.5 million in the prior year period. Accounts payable increased in the current year primarily as a result of replenishment of inventory, including new assortments, in the current year.
•Cash used by accrued expenses and other liabilities was $31.2 million compared to a use of $251.1 million in the prior year period. This difference is driven primarily by litigation settlements which were accrued in Fiscal 2023 and paid during the first quarter of Fiscal 2024. See Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
Investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities in Fiscal 2025 was $159.1 million compared to a use of $75.8 million in the prior year period. Cash used in Fiscal 2025 was primarily related to capital expenditures of $153.0 million. Capital expenditures are associated with new stores, remodels of existing stores, and capital investments in digital and IT. In Fiscal 2024, net cash used in investing activities was primarily related to capital expenditures of $125.5 million, partially offset by cash received of $53.8 million for the sale of the Company’s UK prestige watch business. See Note 4 of Item 8 for further information on the divestiture.
Stores opened and closed in Fiscal 2025:
| Store count by segment | February 3, 2024 | Opened | Closed | February 1, 2025 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America segment (1) | 2,411 | 18 | (50) | 2,379 | |||||||
| International segment (1) | 287 | — | (24) | 263 | |||||||
| Signet | 2,698 | 18 | (74) | 2,642 |
(1) The net change in selling square footage for Fiscal 2025 for the North America and International segments was (0.5)% and (7.0)%, respectively.
Financing activities
Net cash used in financing activities in Fiscal 2025 was $1.2 billion, primarily consisting of the repurchase of the Preferred Shares of $813.8 million, the repayment of the Senior Notes of $147.8 million upon maturity, the repurchase of $138.0 million of common shares, preferred and common share dividends paid of $67.1 million, and payments for taxes withheld related to the settlement of the Company’s share-based compensation awards of $28.5 million.
Net cash used in financing activities in Fiscal 2024 was $259.7 million, consisting of the repurchase of $139.3 million of common shares, preferred and common share dividends paid of $72.8 million, and payments for taxes withheld related to the settlement of the Company’s share-based compensation awards of $47.6 million.
Movement in cash and indebtedness
Cash and cash equivalents at February 1, 2025 were $604.0 million compared to $1.4 billion as of February 3, 2024. The decrease year over year was primarily driven by the retirement of the Preferred Shares, the repayment of the Senior Notes upon maturity, and common share repurchases, as described above, partially offset by cash flow from operations. Signet holds cash and cash equivalents at a number of large, highly-rated financial institutions. The amount held at each financial institution takes into account the credit rating and size of the financial institution and is held for short-term durations.
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As further described in Note 20 of Item 8, the Company entered into an agreement to amend the ABL on August 23, 2024. The amendment extended the maturity of the ABL from July 28, 2026 to August 23, 2029 and reduced the size of the ABL to $1.2 billion to better reflect current business needs based primarily on lower inventory levels maintained over the past few years. The Company continues to have an option to increase the size of the ABL by up to an additional $600 million.
There were $253.0 million of borrowings under the ABL during Fiscal 2025, which were fully repaid by the end of the year. There were no borrowings under the ABL during Fiscal 2024. The Company had stand-by letters of credit on the ABL of $18.0 million as of February 1, 2025 that reduced remaining borrowing availability. Available borrowing capacity under the ABL was $1.2 billion as of February 1, 2025.
The Company had no outstanding debt as of February 1, 2025. As further described in Note 20 of Item 8, the Company fully repaid the Senior Notes upon maturity in the second quarter of Fiscal 2025 using cash on hand. At February 3, 2024, Signet had $147.8 million of outstanding debt, consisting entirely of the Senior Notes.
As of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.
Capital availability
Signet’s level of borrowings and cash balances fluctuates during the year reflecting the seasonality of its cash flow requirements and business performance. Management believes that cash balances and the availability under the ABL are sufficient for both its present and near-term requirements. The following table provides a summary of these items as of February 1, 2025, February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023:
| (in millions) | February 1, 2025 | February 3, 2024 | January 28, 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working capital (1) | $ | 880.7 | $ | 1,560.6 | $ | 1,259.0 | ||||
| Capitalization: | ||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | $ | — | $ | 147.7 | $ | — | ||||
| Long-term debt | — | — | 147.4 | |||||||
| Redeemable Series A Convertible Preference Shares | — | 655.5 | 653.8 | |||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 1,851.8 | 2,166.5 | 1,578.6 | |||||||
| Total capitalization | $ | 1,851.8 | $ | 2,969.7 | $ | 2,379.8 | ||||
| Additional amounts available under credit agreements | $ | 1,162.4 | $ | 1,134.2 | $ | 1,406.6 |
(1) Includes cash and cash equivalents and current portion of long-term debt
If the excess availability under the ABL falls below the threshold specified in the ABL agreement, the Company will be required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00. As of February 1, 2025, the threshold related to the fixed coverage ratio was approximately $116 million. The ABL places certain restrictions upon the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, grant liens and make certain loans, investments and divestitures. The ABL contains customary events of default (including payment defaults, cross-defaults to certain of the Company’s other indebtedness, breach of representations and covenants and change of control). The occurrence of an event of default under the ABL would permit the lenders to accelerate the indebtedness and terminate the ABL.
Credit ratings
The following table provides Signet’s credit ratings as of February 1, 2025:
| Rating Agency | Corporate |
|---|---|
| Standard & Poor’s | BB |
| Moody’s | Ba3 |
| Fitch | BB+ |
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Merchandise held on consignment
The Company held $601.5 million of consignment inventory at February 1, 2025 compared to $530.3 million at February 3, 2024, which is not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. The principal terms of the consignment agreements, which can generally be terminated by either party, are such that the Company can return any or all of the inventory to the relevant suppliers without financial or commercial penalties and the supplier can adjust the inventory costs prior to sale.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Critical accounting policies covering areas of greater complexity that are subject to the exercise of judgment due to the reliance on key estimates are listed below. A comprehensive listing of Signet’s significant accounting policies is set forth in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
Revenue recognition for extended service plans and lifetime warranty agreements (“ESP”)
The Company recognizes revenue related to ESP sales in proportion to when the expected costs will be incurred. The deferral periods for ESP sales are determined from patterns of claims costs, including estimates of future claims costs expected to be incurred. Management reviews the trends in historical claims to assess whether changes are required to the revenue and cost recognition rates utilized. All direct costs associated with the sale of the ESP are deferred and amortized in proportion to the revenue recognized and disclosed as either other current assets or other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. These direct costs primarily include sales commissions and credit card fees. Amortization of deferred ESP selling costs is included within SG&A in the consolidated statements of operations.
The North America reportable segment sells ESP, subject to certain conditions, to perform repair work over the life of the product. Customers generally pay for ESP at the store or online at the time of merchandise sale. Revenue from the sale of the lifetime ESP is recognized consistent with the estimated patterns of claim costs expected to be incurred by the Company in connection with performing under the ESP obligations. Lifetime ESP revenue is deferred and recognized over a maximum of 13 years after the sale of the warranty contract. Although claims experience varies between the Company’s national brands, thereby resulting in different recognition rates, approximately 60% to 70% of revenue is recognized within the first two years on a weighted average basis. Management estimates that a 1% change in the recognition rates between years for ESP sales, based on the level of ESP plans sold in Fiscal 2025 and assuming no change in the life over which the Company is expected to fulfill its obligations under the warranty, would impact revenue recognized on current year ESP sales by approximately $5 million.
As noted above, the Company utilizes historical claims data to estimate the expected future patterns of claims cost and the related revenue recognition rates utilized. These claims patterns are subject to change based primarily on revisions to the Company’s ESP product offerings and changes in customer behavior over time. The Company refreshes its analysis of the claims pattern on at least an annual basis, or more often if circumstances dictate such a review is required (such as occurred as a result of the disruption from COVID-19). A significant change in either the overall claims pattern or the life over which the Company is expected to fulfill its obligation under the warranty could result in material change to revenues.
Goodwill and intangibles
In a business combination, the Company estimates and records the fair value of all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities. The fair value of these intangible assets and liabilities is estimated based on management’s assessment, including selection of appropriate valuation techniques, inputs and assumptions in the determination of fair value. Significant estimates in valuing intangible assets and liabilities acquired include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows associated with the acquired asset or liability, expected life and discount rates. The excess purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill is recorded by the Company’s reporting units based on the acquisitions made by each.
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment annually as of the end of the fourth reporting period, or more often if events or conditions were to indicate the carrying value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived intangible asset may be greater than its fair value. The Company may elect to perform a qualitative assessment for our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset is greater than its carrying value. If a qualitative assessment is not performed, or if as a result of a qualitative assessment it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its carrying value, then the reporting unit’s or indefinite-lived intangible asset’s fair value is compared to its carrying value. Impairment testing compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit or other indefinite-lived intangible asset with its fair value. When the carrying amount of the reporting unit or other indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recorded.
The quantitative impairment test for goodwill involves estimating the fair value of the reporting unit through either estimated discounted future cash flows, market-based methodologies, or a combination of both. The impairment test for other indefinite-lived intangible assets involves estimating the fair value of the asset, which is typically performed using the relief from royalty method for indefinite-lived trade names.
Due to various impacts of the current market conditions on key inputs and assumptions, such as rising interest rates and the macroeconomic impact on consumers’ discretionary spending, the Company determined that quantitative impairment assessments were required for the Diamonds Direct and Digital brands reporting units as well as the Blue Nile and Diamonds Direct trade names as of the annual impairment testing date during the second quarter of Fiscal 2025.
As part of the quantitative assessments, management reevaluated its long-term cash flow projections, primarily related to sales growth in the Digital brands and Diamonds Direct. Both brands have a higher bridal mix compared to the rest of Signet, and thus the slower
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than expected engagement recovery and continued pressure on consumer discretionary spending have had a disproportionate impact on these businesses as compared to the other Signet brands. In addition, to a lesser degree, the Digital brands sales have been impacted by market declines in lab-grown diamond pricing over the past year. Management also determined an increase in discount rates was required to reflect the current interest rate environment at the valuation date, as well as to reflect additional forecast risk related to the Digital brands due to the previously discussed challenges related to the integration of Blue Nile. Therefore, these higher discount rates, in conjunction with the revised cash flow projections, resulted in lower than previously projected discounted cash flows for the reporting units and trade names which negatively affected the valuations compared to previous valuations. Based on the results of the quantitative impairment assessments, the Company determined that no impairment was required for the Diamonds Direct reporting unit, as its estimated fair value exceeded its carrying value by 11%. The carrying value of the Diamonds Direct goodwill is $251.2 million. However, during the second quarter of Fiscal 2025, the Company recognized pre-tax impairment charges related to the Diamonds Direct trade name, the Digital brands reporting unit, and the Blue Nile trade name of $7 million, $123 million and $36 million, respectively, as their respective carrying values exceeded their fair values.
During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2025, primarily due to softer than expected Holiday Season results, the Company determined triggering events had occurred requiring interim impairment assessments for the Digital brands reporting unit as well as the Blue Nile, James Allen and Diamonds Direct trade names, which management performed on a quantitative basis. As part of the quantitative assessments, management reevaluated its long-term cash flow projections, primarily related to sales growth in the Digital brands and Diamonds Direct. As described above, the slower than expected engagement recovery continued in the second half of Fiscal 2025, which had a disproportionate impact on these businesses due to their higher bridal mix compared to the rest of Signet. Management also determined an increase in discount rates was required to reflect the current interest rate environment at the valuation date, as well as to reflect additional forecast risk related to the Digital brands due to the previously discussed challenges related to the integration of Blue Nile. The Digital brands’ results were also impacted by lower traffic post re-platforming due to search engine optimization during the second half of the year. Therefore, these higher discount rates, in conjunction with the revised cash flow projections, resulted in lower than previously projected discounted cash flows for the reporting unit and trade names which negatively affected the fair value estimates compared to previous valuations. The Company recognized pre-tax impairment charges in the consolidated statement of operations within its North America reportable segment related to the Digital brands reporting unit, Blue Nile trade name, James Allen trade name, and the Diamonds Direct trade name of $149.5 million, $41 million, $3 million, and $7 million, respectively, as their respective carrying values exceeded their fair values.
As a result of these impairments, as of February 1, 2025, the carrying values of the Digital brands goodwill, Blue Nile trade name, James Allen trade name, and Diamonds Direct trade name were reduced to their estimated fair values of $53.6 million, $19 million, $15 million, and $112 million, respectively. The Company will continue to monitor events or circumstances that could trigger the need for an interim impairment test. The Company believes that the estimates and assumptions related to sales and operating income trends, discount rates, royalty rates and other assumptions are reasonable, but they are subject to change from period to period.
Management noted uncertainties exist related to the post-election macroeconomic environment in the US and abroad, including tariffs, economic and tax policy, inflation and interest rates. These factors could unfavorably impact consumer confidence and discretionary spending, and thus may impact the key assumptions used to estimate fair value, such as sales trends, margin trends, long-term growth rates and discount rates. These factors could also negatively affect the share price of the Company’s common stock. An increase in the discount rate and/or a further softening of sales and operating income trends for any of the Company’s reporting units and related trade names, particularly during peak selling seasons, could result in a further decline in the estimated fair values of the indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill, which could result in future material impairment charges, particularly for Diamonds Direct and Digital brands as described above. For example, an increase in the discount rate of 0.5% to all of the aforementioned impaired trade names and reporting unit, assuming no other changes to assumptions, would have resulted in additional impairment charges of approximately $8 million during Fiscal 2025.
See Note 16 of Item 8 for additional information.
Long-lived assets
Long-lived assets of the Company consist primarily of property and equipment, definite-lived intangible assets and operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Potentially impaired assets or asset groups are identified by reviewing the undiscounted cash flows of individual stores. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the store asset group, based on the Company’s internal business plans. If the undiscounted cash flow for the store asset group is less than its carrying amount, the long-lived assets are measured for potential impairment by estimating the fair value of the asset group, and recording an impairment loss for the amount that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value. The Company primarily utilizes the replacement cost method to estimate the fair value of its property and equipment, and the income capitalization method to estimate the fair value of its ROU assets, which incorporates historical store level sales, internal business plans, real estate market capitalization and rental rates, and discount rates.
Certain factors impacting the Company’s business could continue to further negatively affect the operating performance and cash flows of the previously impaired stores or additional stores, including the impacts of inflation, continued changes in consumer
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behavior and shifts in discretionary spending, the inability to achieve or maintain cost savings or other strategic initiatives, changes in real estate strategy or other macroeconomic factors which influence consumer behavior. In addition, key assumptions used to estimate fair value, such as sales trends, capitalization and market rental rates, and discount rates could impact the fair value estimates of the store-level assets in future periods.
Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized by applying statutory tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences between the financial reporting and tax filing bases of existing assets and liabilities are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, based on management’s evaluation of all available evidence, both positive and negative, including reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and results of recent operations. The Company has a valuation allowance of $14.9 million and $18.3 million, as of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024, respectively, due to uncertainties related to the Company’s ability to utilize certain of its deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of state net operating losses and foreign capital losses carried forward.
The annual effective tax rate is based on annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning strategies available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company does not recognize tax benefits related to positions taken on certain tax matters unless the position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. At any point in time, various tax years are subject to or are in the process of being audited by various taxing authorities. The Company records a reserve for uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties. To the extent that management’s estimates of settlements change, or the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determinations are made. See Note 10 of Item 8 for additional information regarding deferred tax assets and unrecognized tax benefits.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000832988-24-000083.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion and analysis in this Item 7 are intended to provide the reader with information that will assist in understanding the significant factors affecting the Company’s consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and information. The Company's actual results could materially differ from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly in “Forward-Looking Statements” above as well as the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A.
This management's discussion and analysis provides comparisons of material changes in the consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023. For a comparison of Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022, refer to Item 7 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 16, 2023.
OVERVIEW
Overall performance
Signet’s sales decreased by 6.3% during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 compared to the same period in Fiscal 2023. This overall decrease was partially offset by the impact of the 14th week in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024, which increased sales by $103.2 million. Sales were down compared to the same period in the prior year due to the deep COVID-induced engagement trough, the continued impact of heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending, integration issues at our digital banners resulting in lower conversion rates, as well as the competitive pricing pressure that persisted throughout the year. Amidst these pressures, the Company launched new items which had a 700 basis point higher sell-through than the prior year while leveraging branding and value engineering to deliver an average merchandise transaction value (“ATV”) nearly flat to the prior year fourth quarter in North America. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024, the Company’s ATV decreased by 0.6% in the North America reportable segment and decreased by 10.4% in the International reportable segment. The International ATV decline primarily reflects the underperformance of the Ernest Jones banner, overall lower-price sales stemming from macroeconomic factors as noted above, as well as the impact from the previously announced divestiture of the prestige watch business. In addition, the Services category continued to outperform merchandise, increasing 5% compared to the prior fourth quarter.
The Company intends to continue to execute the initiatives under its Inspiring Brilliance strategy, which is focused on the achievement of sustainable industry-leading growth toward its previously announced mid-term goals of growing revenue to $9 to $10 billion, with an annual double digit non-GAAP operating margin (See Non-GAAP Measures section for further information). The Inspiring Brilliance strategy focuses on sustainable enhancements to the differentiation of Signet’s banners, including the expansion of its accessible luxury portfolio, its connected commerce and digital capabilities and its initiatives to accelerate services and optimize its real estate footprint. As described in the Purpose and Strategy section within Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, through its Inspiring Brilliance strategy, the Company is focused on leveraging the core strengths that it has developed since the beginning of the transformation six years ago. Signet aims to be the innovation and market share leader of the jewelry category with opportunity for additional market share expansion and profitable growth as the Company leverages its flexible operating model and core strengths while investing to widen its competitive advantages.
Refer to the “Results of Operations” section below for further information on performance during the fourth quarter and full year Fiscal 2024.
Outlook
Jewelry industry revenues continued to soften in Fiscal 2024, driven by the impact of macroeconomic factors, headwinds in engagements and shifts in consumer discretionary spending. However, beginning in Fiscal 2025, the Company expects same store sales between -4.5% and +0.5% with sequential improvement throughout the year, led by the expected engagement recovery acceleration in Fiscal 2025, winning new customers through the Company’s marketing scale and personalization, growing product newness, enhancing in-store and online customer experiences and the continued expansion of our Service offerings. The Company also expects the integration issues at our digital banners to persist into Fiscal 2025, but anticipates these issues to be resolved in the second half of the year. While overall inflation has moderated, the Company anticipates that discretionary spending in categories such as jewelry will continue to be adversely impacted by high prices on necessities such as gas and groceries, and could further impact sales of the Company’s product assortments at all price points. Consumer spending may also be impacted by customers’ ability to obtain credit, and we expect elevated discounting among independent jewelers to continue.
Despite the current headwinds, the Company expects to continue strategic investments that differentiate Signet from its competitors, in particular investments in its banner value propositions, its services business, personalization of marketing, and its digital and data analytics capabilities. The Company believes that these strategic investments have positioned Signet to drive market share gains and continue building its competitive advantages. Furthermore, the Company will maintain its diligent and effective efforts to drive cost savings and leverage its flexible operating model, scale and fleet optimization. As part of its efforts to focus on growth, the Company substantially completed the divestiture of the Company’s UK prestige watch business during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024. The Company believes the divestiture of this non-strategic business will enable the UK to accelerate key elements of its transformation.
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The sale of the remaining locations is expected to close in the first half of Fiscal 2025. In addition, the Company plans to right size the Ernest Jones banner in the UK, expecting to close up to 30 additional locations in Fiscal 2025, as well as further streamlining overhead in the UK support center and leveraging its digital presence to drive traffic. See Note 4 of Item 8 for additional information.
The Company continues to monitor the impacts of certain macroeconomic factors on its business, such as inflation and the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts. Signet operates quality control and technology centers in Israel, and to date, these operations have not been materially impacted by the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East. While the Company currently does not expect disruptions to its operations in Israel to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, the Company will continue to closely monitor this conflict and any impacts on its business, as well as its team members in Israel. Uncertainties exist that could impact the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in the future, such as further pricing and inflationary environment changes impacting the Company (including, but not limited to, materials, labor, fulfillment and advertising costs) or adverse shifts in consumer discretionary spending, deterioration of consumer credit, supply chain disruptions to the Company’s business, the Company’s ability to recruit and retain qualified team members, or organized retail crime and its impact to mall traffic. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above as well as the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A.
Blue Nile acquisition
On August 19, 2022, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Blue Nile, Inc. (“Blue Nile”), subject to the terms of a stock purchase agreement entered into on August 5, 2022. The total cash consideration was $389.9 million, net of cash acquired, including purchase price adjustments for working capital. Blue Nile is a leading online retailer of engagement rings and fine jewelry. The addition of Blue Nile brings Signet a younger, more affluent, and diverse customer to Signet’s banner portfolio that expands Signet’s accessible luxury tier. We believe the strategic acquisition of Blue Nile accelerates Signet's efforts to enhance its connected commerce capabilities and extend its digital leadership across the jewelry category – all to further achieve meaningful operating synergies for the consumers and create value for shareholders.
Market and operating conditions
The Company faces a highly competitive and dynamic retail landscape throughout the geographies where it does business, as well as a challenging global macro-economic environment as described above impacting the jewelry industry. Refer to Item 1 for further information on the Company’s business, markets and strategy.
Exchange translation impact
Monthly average exchange rates are used to prepare the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In Fiscal 2025, it is anticipated a five percent movement in the British pound to US dollar exchange rate would impact the Company’s income before income taxes by approximately $0.4 million, while a five percent movement in the Canadian dollar to US dollar exchange rate would impact the Company’s income before income taxes by approximately $1.6 million.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal 2024 Overview
Similar to many other retailers, Signet follows the retail 4-4-5 reporting calendar, which included an extra week in the fourth quarter and fiscal year periods of Fiscal 2024 (the “14th week” and “53rd week”, respectively). The extra week added $103.2 million in sales in the fourth quarter and full year Fiscal 2024. Fiscal 2023 was a 52 week reporting period.
Same store sales
Management considers same store sales useful as it is a major benchmark used by investors to judge performance within the retail industry. Same store sales growth is calculated by comparison of sales in stores that were open in both the current and the prior fiscal year. Sales from stores that have been open for less than 12 months are excluded from the comparison until their 12-month anniversary. Similarly, sales from acquired businesses made within the last 12 months are excluded from the comparison until their 12-month anniversary. Sales from stores that were acquired during the period and have not been included in the Company’s results for both the current and prior period presented are also excluded from same store sales. Sales after the 12-month anniversary are compared against the equivalent prior period sales within the comparable store sales comparison. Stores closed in the current financial period are included up to the date of closure and the comparative period is correspondingly adjusted. Stores that have been relocated or expanded, but remain within the same local geographic area, are included within the comparison with no adjustment to either the current or comparative period. Stores that have been refurbished are also included within the comparison except for the period when the refurbishment was taking place, when those stores are excluded from the comparison both for the current year and for the comparative period. Same store sales are also impacted by certain accounting adjustments to sales, primarily related to the deferral of revenue from the Company’s extended service plans.
eCommerce sales include all sales with customers that originate online, including direct to customer, ship to store, and BOPIS. eCommerce sales are included in the calculation of same store sales for the period and the comparative figures from the 12-month anniversary of the launch of the relevant website. Brick and mortar same store sales are calculated by removing the eCommerce sales from the same store sales calculation described above. Comparisons at the divisional level are made in local currency and consolidated
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comparisons are made at constant exchange rates and exclude the effect of exchange rate movements by recalculating the prior period results as if they had been generated at the weighted average exchange rate for the current period. Same store sales exclude the 53rd week in the fiscal year in which it occurs.
Cost of sales and gross margin
Cost of sales is mostly composed of merchandise costs (net of discounts and allowances). Cost of sales also contains:
•Occupancy costs such as rent, repairs and maintenance, depreciation and real estate taxes.
•Store operating expenses such as utilities, store supplies and third-party merchant credit costs.
•Distribution and warehousing costs including freight, processing, inventory shrinkage and related payroll.
As the classification of cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses varies from retailer to retailer, Signet’s gross margin percentage may not be directly comparable to other retailers.
Factors that influence gross margin include pricing, promotional environment, changes in merchandise costs, changes in non-merchandise components of cost of sales (as described above), changes in sales mix, foreign exchange, and the economics of services such as repairs and extended service plans. The price of diamonds varies depending on their size, cut, color and clarity.
Signet primarily uses an average cost inventory methodology and, as jewelry inventory turns slowly, the impact of movements in the cost of diamonds and gold takes time to be fully reflected in the gross margin. Signet’s inventory turns faster in the fourth quarter than in the other three quarters, therefore, changes in the cost of merchandise is more impactful on the gross margin in that quarter. An increase in inventory turnover would accelerate the rate at which commodity costs impact gross margin.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”)
SG&A primarily includes store staff and store administrative costs as well as advertising and promotional costs. It also includes field support center expenses such as information technology, finance, eCommerce and other operating expenses (such as private label credit costs) not specifically categorized elsewhere in the consolidated statements of operations.
The primary drivers of staffing costs are the number of full-time equivalent team members and the level of compensation, payroll taxes, benefits and incentives. Management varies, on a store by store basis, the hours worked based on the expected level of selling activity, subject to minimum staffing levels required to operate the store. Non-store staffing levels are less variable. A significant element of compensation is performance-based and is primarily dependent on sales and operating profit.
The level of advertising expenditures can vary. The largest element of advertising expenditures has historically been national television advertising; however, Signet has continued to invest more on digital and social marketing in recent years as part of its transformational initiatives, in order to evolve its marketing allocations based on consumer habits, business needs, and maximize return on investment on its advertising investments.
Other operating income (expense), net
Other operating income (expense), net primarily consists of miscellaneous operating income and expense items such as litigation settlements, restructuring charges, gains or losses on sales of assets (including divestitures), foreign currency gains and losses, and gains and losses from undesignated derivative contracts. See Note 11 in Item 8 for further detail on the Company’s other operating income (expense), net.
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Comparison of Fiscal 2024 to Prior Year
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions, except per share amounts) | $ | % of sales | $ | % of sales | |||||||||
| Sales | $ | 7,171.1 | 100.0 | % | $ | 7,842.1 | 100.0 | % | |||||
| Cost of sales | (4,345.7) | (60.6) | (4,790.0) | (61.1) | |||||||||
| Gross margin | 2,825.4 | 39.4 | 3,052.1 | 38.9 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (2,197.7) | (30.6) | (2,214.6) | (28.2) | |||||||||
| Asset impairments, net | (9.1) | (0.1) | (22.7) | (0.3) | |||||||||
| Other operating income (expense), net | 2.9 | — | (209.9) | (2.7) | |||||||||
| Operating income | 621.5 | 8.7 | 604.9 | 7.7 | |||||||||
| Interest income (expense), net | 18.7 | 0.3 | (13.5) | (0.2) | |||||||||
| Other non-operating expense, net | (0.4) | — | (140.2) | (1.8) | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 639.8 | 8.9 | 451.2 | 5.8 | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 170.6 | 2.4 | (74.5) | (1.0) | |||||||||
| Net income | 810.4 | 11.3 | 376.7 | 4.8 | |||||||||
| Dividends on redeemable convertible preferred shares | (34.5) | (0.5) | (34.5) | (0.4) | |||||||||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 775.9 | 10.8 | % | $ | 342.2 | 4.4 | % | |||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 15.01 | nm | $ | 6.64 | nm |
nm Not meaningful.
Fiscal year sales
Signet’s total sales decreased 8.6% to $7.17 billion compared to $7.84 billion in the prior year. Signet’s same store sales decreased 11.6%, compared to a decrease of 6.1% in the prior year. These declines were driven by the impact of heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending and the decline in the bridal category, driven by lower engagements. The total sales decrease was partially offset by the inclusion of the full year sales of Blue Nile, which was acquired in the third quarter of Fiscal 2023, and the impact of the 53rd week as noted above.
eCommerce sales year to date were $1.64 billion, up $41.0 million or 2.6% compared to $1.60 billion in the prior year. eCommerce sales accounted for 22.9% of year to date sales, up from 20.4% of total sales in the prior year. Brick and mortar same store sales decreased 11.3% from the prior period. The increase in eCommerce sales as of percentage of sales is primarily due to the addition of Blue Nile to Signet’s portfolio in Fiscal 2023.
The breakdown of the year to date sales performance by reportable segment is set out in the table below:
| Change from previous year | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal 2024 | Same store sales | Non-same store sales, net (1) | Impact of 53rd week on total sales | Total sales at constant exchange rate (2) | Exchange translation impact | Total sales as reported | Total sales (in millions) | |||||||||||||
| North America reportable segment | (11.9) | % | 2.6 | % | 1.3 | % | (8.0) | % | — | % | (8.0) | % | $ | 6,703.8 | ||||||
| International reportable segment | (5.3) | % | (6.3) | % | 1.3 | % | (10.3) | % | 1.9 | % | (8.4) | % | $ | 430.7 | ||||||
| Other reportable segment (3) | nm | nm | nm | nm | nm | nm | $ | 36.6 | ||||||||||||
| Signet | (11.6) | % | 1.7 | % | 1.3 | % | (8.6) | % | — | % | (8.6) | % | $ | 7,171.1 |
(1) Includes sales from acquired businesses which were not included in the results for the full comparable periods presented. Blue Nile is included in same store sales beginning in the third quarter of Fiscal 2024.
(2) The Company provides the period-over-period change in total sales excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which is a non-GAAP measure, to provide transparency to performance and enhance investors’ understanding of underlying business trends. The effect from foreign currency, calculated on a constant currency basis, is determined by applying current year average exchange rates to prior year sales in local currency.
(3) Includes sales from Signet’s diamond sourcing operation.
nm Not meaningful.
ATV is an operating metric defined as net merchandise sales divided by the total number of customer transactions. The ATV is measured each period based on the reported sales for the corresponding period presented. Beginning in the second quarter of Fiscal 2024, the Company changed its presentation of ATV to be calculated based on total reported net merchandise sales, compared to a same store sales base used in prior periods, as this metric is more representative of the comparison of reported sales period over period. The prior period amounts presented below, and throughout this discussion and analysis, have been restated to be presented comparatively.
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| Average Merchandise Transaction Value (1)(2) | Merchandise Transactions | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Value | Change from previous year | Change from previous year | |||||||||||||||||
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | |||||||||||||
| North America reportable segment | $ | 551 | $ | 538 | 2.4 | % | 18.8 | % | (11.5) | % | (15.4) | % | |||||||
| International reportable segment (3) | £ | 171 | £ | 172 | (0.6) | % | 10.3 | % | (10.6) | % | (3.9) | % |
(1) Net merchandise sales within the North America reportable segment include all merchandise product sales, net of discounts and returns. In addition, excluded from net merchandise sales are sales tax in the US, repairs, extended service plans, insurance, employee and other miscellaneous sales. As a result, the sum of the changes will not agree to change in reported sales.
(2) Net merchandise sales within the International reportable segment include all merchandise product sales, including value added tax (“VAT”), net of discounts and returns. In addition, excluded from net merchandise sales are repairs, warranty, employee and other miscellaneous sales. As a result, the sum of the changes will not agree to change in reported sales.
(3) International reportable segment amounts are denominated in British pounds.
North America sales
The North America reportable segment’s total sales were $6.70 billion compared to $7.29 billion in the prior year, down 8.0%. This decrease was primarily driven by the decline in the core banners due to the impact of heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending and the decline in the bridal category, driven by lower engagements. This decrease was partially offset by the addition of Blue Nile to Signet’s North America portfolio and the impact of the 53rd week as noted above. Same store sales decreased 11.9% compared to a decrease of 7.0% in the prior year. North America’s ATV increased 2.4%, driven by Blue Nile, while the number of transactions decreased 11.5%.
International sales
The International reportable segment’s total sales decreased 8.4% to $430.7 million compared to $470.1 million in the prior year, primarily due to the underperformance of the Ernest Jones banner and the overall impact of heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending. Total sales at constant exchange rates decreased 10.3%. The number of transactions decreased 10.6%, while ATV decreased 0.6% over prior year.
Fourth quarter sales
Signet’s total sales decreased 6.3% year over year to $2.5 billion in the fourth quarter, while total sales at constant exchange rates decreased 6.6%. Same store sales decreased 9.6%, compared to a decrease of 9.1% in the prior year quarter. These declines were driven by the impact of heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending and the decline in the bridal category, driven by lower engagements. As mentioned above, this overall decrease was partially offset by the impact of the 14th week in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024.
eCommerce sales in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 were $593.4 million, down $56.6 million or 8.7% compared to $650.0 million in the prior year fourth quarter, resulting primarily from the decline in the bridal category, driven by operational issues at the digital banners that resulted in lower conversion rates. eCommerce sales accounted for 23.8% of fourth quarter sales, down from 24.4% of total sales in the prior year fourth quarter. Brick and mortar same store sales decreased 9.0% from the prior year fourth quarter.
The breakdown of the fourth quarter sales performance by reportable segment is set out in the table below:
| Change from previous year | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2024 | Same store sales | Non-same store sales, net | Impact of 14th week on total sales | Total sales at constant exchange rate (1) | Exchange translation impact | Total sales as reported | Total sales (in millions) | |||||||||||||
| North America reportable segment | (10.0) | % | — | % | 3.9 | % | (6.1) | % | — | % | (6.1) | % | $ | 2,350.4 | ||||||
| International reportable segment | (1.0) | % | (14.3) | % | 3.9 | % | (11.4) | % | 3.9 | % | (7.5) | % | $ | 141.7 | ||||||
| Other reportable segment (2) | nm | nm | nm | nm | nm | nm | $ | 5.5 | ||||||||||||
| Signet | (9.6) | % | (0.9) | % | 3.9 | % | (6.6) | % | 0.3 | % | (6.3) | % | $ | 2,497.6 |
(1) The Company provides the period-over-period change in total sales excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which is a non-GAAP measure, to provide transparency to performance and enhance investors’ understanding of underlying business trends. The effect from foreign currency, calculated on a constant currency basis, is determined by applying current year average exchange rates to prior year sales in local currency.
(2) Includes sales from Signet’s diamond sourcing operation.
nm Not meaningful.
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| Average Merchandise Transaction Value (1)(2) | Merchandise Transactions | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Value | Change from previous year | Change from previous year | |||||||||||||||||
| Fourth Quarter | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | |||||||||||||
| North America reportable segment | $ | 497 | $ | 500 | (0.6) | % | 8.0 | % | (6.7) | % | (10.0) | % | |||||||
| International reportable segment (3) | £ | 146 | £ | 163 | (10.4) | % | 14.8 | % | (2.4) | % | (20.3) | % |
(1) Net merchandise sales within the North America reportable segment include all merchandise product sales, net of discounts and returns. In addition, excluded from net merchandise sales are sales tax in the US, repairs, extended service plans, insurance, employee and other miscellaneous sales. As a result, the sum of the changes will not agree to change in reported sales.
(2) Net merchandise sales within the International reportable segment include all merchandise product sales, including VAT, net of discounts and returns. In addition, excluded from net merchandise sales are repairs, warranty, employee and other miscellaneous sales. As a result, the sum of the changes will not agree to change in reported sales.
(3) International reportable segment amounts are denominated in British pounds.
North America sales
The North America reportable segment’s total sales were $2.4 billion compared to $2.5 billion in the prior year quarter, or a decrease of 6.1%. This decrease was primarily driven by the decline in same store sales due to the impact of heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending and the decline in the bridal category, driven by lower engagements. Same store sales decreased 10.0% compared to a decrease of 9.3% in the prior year quarter, which is reflective of the factors discussed above and resulted from the number of transactions decreasing by 6.7% year over year. These declines were offset by the 14th week of sales in the fourth quarter noted above.
International sales
The International reportable segment’s total sales decreased 7.5% to $141.7 million compared to $153.2 million in the prior year quarter, due to the impact of heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending and underperformance of the Ernest Jones banner, including the impact of the prestige watch divestiture in November 2023. This decrease was partially offset by a strengthening of the British Pound experienced during the quarter, offsetting 3.9% of this decline. Total sales at constant exchange rates decreased 11.4%. The number of transactions decreased 2.4%, while ATV decreased 10.4% year over year.
Gross margin
In Fiscal 2024, gross margin was $2.8 billion or 39.4% of sales compared to $3.1 billion or 38.9% of sales in Fiscal 2023. The slight increase in gross margin rate for Fiscal 2024 compared to Fiscal 2023 reflects higher merchandise margins, which is led by a higher mix of services and by the continued expansion from the Company’s merchandise strategy of branding and newness, as well as the favorable impacts of cost savings. This impact was partially offset by the deleveraging of fixed costs on the lower volume as described above, primarily in store occupancy costs.
In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024, gross margin was $1.08 billion or 43.3% of sales compared to $1.11 billion or 41.7% of sales in the prior year fourth quarter. The increase in gross margin rate for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023 reflects the continued growth of services and the strength of Company’s merchandise strategy of branding and newness driving overall higher merchandise margins.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A for Fiscal 2024 was $2.20 billion or 30.6% of sales compared to $2.21 billion or 28.2% of sales in Fiscal 2023. In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 SG&A was $671.9 million or 26.9% of sales compared to $702.5 million or 26.3% of sales in the prior year fourth quarter. The increase in SG&A as a percentage of sales for both the Fiscal 2024 and fourth quarter comparative periods was primarily due to the deleveraging of fixed costs as a result of lower sales in the core banners, which were partially offset by overall cost savings initiatives.
Asset impairments, net
During Fiscal 2024, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax asset impairments related to the impairment of long-lived assets and intangible assets of $9.1 million. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax asset impairments of $3.4 million, primarily related to intangible assets.
During Fiscal 2023, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax asset impairments related to the impairment of long-lived assets of $22.7 million. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax asset impairments of $20.7 million, all of which related to long-lived assets and was driven by a partial impairment of the Company’s support center.
See Note 16 of Item 8 for additional information on the asset impairments.
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Other operating income (expense), net
In Fiscal 2024, other operating income was $2.9 million compared to an expense of $209.9 million in Fiscal 2023. Fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by the net gain on divestitures of $12.3 million partially offset by restructuring charges of $7.5 million and foreign exchange losses. Fiscal 2023 was primarily driven by the litigation charges of $203.8 million.
In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024, other operating income was $10.3 million compared to an expense of $18.4 million in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023. The fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by the net gain on divestitures of $13.6 million partially offset by restructuring charges of $1.9 million. The fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023 was primarily driven by charges related to a litigation matter of $15.9 million.
See Notes 11 and 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
Operating income
In the year to date period of Fiscal 2024, operating income was $621.5 million or 8.7% of sales compared to $604.9 million or 7.7% of sales in Fiscal 2023. The increase in the current year was primarily due to the lapping of charges related to litigation and asset impairment charges in Fiscal 2023 of approximately $220 million, which were substantially offset by the impact of the sales volume decline in the current year.
In the fourth quarter, operating income was $416.3 million or 16.7% of sales compared to $369.5 million or 13.9% of sales in prior year fourth quarter. The increase in operating income was primarily the result of the support center asset impairment and litigation charges incurred in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023 of approximately $30 million, as well as the net gain on divestitures of $13.6 million in the current year fourth quarter noted above.
Signet’s operating income (loss) by reportable segment for the year to date period is as follows:
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | $ | % of sales | $ | % of sales | |||||||||
| North America reportable segment (1) | $ | 677.0 | 10.1 | % | $ | 673.2 | 9.2 | % | |||||
| International reportable segment (2) | 13.1 | 3.0 | % | (0.2) | — | % | |||||||
| Other reportable segment | (8.2) | nm | 2.4 | nm | |||||||||
| Corporate and unallocated expenses | (60.4) | nm | (70.5) | nm | |||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 621.5 | 8.7 | % | $ | 604.9 | 7.7 | % |
(1) Fiscal 2024 includes: 1) $22.0 million of acquisition and integration-related expenses, primarily severance and retention, exit and disposal costs and system decommissioning costs incurred for the integration of Blue Nile; 2) $6.3 million of restructuring charges; 3) $9.0 million of net asset impairment charges primarily related to restructuring and integration; and 4) a $3.0 million credit to income related to the adjustment of a prior litigation accrual.
Fiscal 2023 includes: 1) $13.4 million of cost of sales associated with the fair value step-up of inventory acquired in the Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile acquisitions; 2) $14.7 million of acquisition and integration-related expenses in connection with the Blue Nile acquisition, primarily related to professional fees and severance costs; 3) $203.8 million related to pre-tax litigation charges; and 4) net asset impairment charges of $20.0 million.
See Note 4, Note 16, Note 26, and Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
(2) Fiscal 2024 includes a $12.3 million gain from the divestiture of the UK prestige watch business, net of transaction costs and $1.2 million of restructuring charges.
Fiscal 2023 includes net asset impairment charges of $2.7 million.
See Note 4, Note 16, and Note 26 of Item 8 for additional information.
nm Not meaningful.
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Signet’s operating income (loss) by reportable segment for the fourth quarter is as follows:
| Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 | Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | $ | % of sales | $ | % of sales | |||||||||
| North America reportable segment (1) | $ | 396.0 | 16.8 | % | $ | 372.9 | 14.9 | % | |||||
| International reportable segment (2) | 36.0 | 25.4 | % | 14.7 | 9.6 | % | |||||||
| Other reportable segment | (3.4) | nm | (2.1) | nm | |||||||||
| Corporate and unallocated expenses | (12.3) | nm | (16.0) | nm | |||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 416.3 | 16.7 | % | $ | 369.5 | 13.9 | % |
(1) Fiscal 2024 includes: 1) $1.9 million of acquisition and integration-related expenses, primarily severance and retention, as well as exit and disposal costs costs incurred for the integration of Blue Nile; 2) $1.9 million of restructuring charges; and 3) $3.4 million of net asset impairment charges primarily related to restructuring and integration.
Fiscal 2023 includes: 1) $1.8 million credit to cost of sales associated with the fair value adjustment of inventory acquired in the Blue Nile acquisition; 2) $7.4 million of acquisition and integration-related expenses in connection with the Blue Nile acquisition, primarily related to professional fees and severance costs; 3) $13.8 million related to pre-tax litigation charges; and 4) net asset impairment charges of $18.1 million.
See Note 4, Note 16, Note 26, and Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
(2) Fiscal 2024 includes a $13.6 million gain from the divestiture of the UK prestige watch business and a $0.2 million credit to restructuring charges.
Fiscal 2023 includes net asset impairment charges of $2.6 million.
See Note 4, Note 16 and Note 26 of Item 8 for additional information.
nm Not meaningful.
Interest income (expense), net
In Fiscal 2024, net interest income was $18.7 million compared to net interest expense of $13.5 million in Fiscal 2023. In the fourth quarter, net interest income was $8.7 million compared to net interest expense $2.1 million in the prior year fourth quarter. The interest income recognized in both the full year and fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 is the result of interest earned on excess cash balances and higher interest rates on these accounts compared to the prior year comparable periods.
Other non-operating expense, net
In Fiscal 2024, other non-operating expense was $0.4 million compared to other non-operating expense of $140.2 million in Fiscal 2023. In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024, other non-operating income was $2.0 million compared to other non-operating income of $0.6 million in the prior year fourth quarter. The other non-operating expenses in Fiscal 2023 primarily consisted of non-cash, pre-tax settlement charges of $133.7 million related to the partial buy-out of the Signet Group Pension Scheme. See Note 27 of Item 8 for additional information on the Company’s retirement plans.
Income taxes
Income tax benefit for Fiscal 2024 was $170.6 million, with an effective tax rate (“ETR”) of (26.7)%, compared to an income tax expense of $74.5 million, with an effective tax rate of 16.5% in Fiscal 2023. The ETR and tax benefit for Fiscal 2024 reflects the impact of a $263.3 million deferred tax asset recorded in the fourth quarter related to the enactment of the Corporate Income Tax Act of 2023 (“Act”) in Bermuda. The Act included an economic transition adjustment intended to be a fair and equitable transition into the new tax regime, and resulted in a deferred tax benefit for the Company. Other factors impacting the effective rate in Fiscal 2024 were the favorable impact of an uncertain tax position of $20.5 million settled in the fourth quarter, the foreign rate differences and benefits from global reinsurance and financing arrangements, and other discrete tax benefits recognized. The Fiscal 2024 discrete tax benefits relate to the reclassification of remaining taxes on the pension settlement out of AOCI of $4.1 million, the excess tax benefit for share-based compensation which vested during the year of $7.7 million and the $1.7 million reversal of valuation allowance related to capital losses in the UK. The ETR for Fiscal 2023 was lower than the US federal income tax rate primarily due to the favorable impacts from the Company’s global reinsurance and financing arrangements, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of an uncertain tax position related to a prior year of $20.5 million recorded in Fiscal 2023. Refer to Note 10 of Item 8 for additional information.
In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024, income tax benefit was $199.2 million, with an ETR of (46.7)%, compared to expense of $89.5 million, with an ETR of 24.4% in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023. The ETR and tax benefit for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 were primarily driven by the $263.3 million deferred tax benefit resulting from the Bermuda economic transition adjustment discussed above and the favorable impact of an uncertain tax position of $20.5 million settled in the fourth quarter. The ETR for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023 was higher than the US federal income tax rate, primarily due to the unfavorable impact of an uncertain tax position related to a prior year of $20.5 million recorded in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023, partially offset by favorable impacts from the Company’s global reinsurance and financing arrangements.
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NON-GAAP MEASURES
The discussion and analysis of Signet’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based upon the consolidated financial statements of Signet which are prepared in accordance with GAAP and should be read in conjunction with Signet’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Item 8. Signet provides certain non-GAAP information in reporting its financial results to give investors additional data to evaluate its operations. The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measures, when reviewed in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, can provide more information to assist investors in evaluating historical trends and current period performance and liquidity. For these reasons, internal management reporting also includes these non-GAAP measures.
These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not superior to or as a substitute for the GAAP financial measures presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and other publicly filed reports. In addition, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as or comparable to similar non-GAAP measures presented by other companies.
1. Net cash
Net cash is a non-GAAP measure defined as the total of cash and cash equivalents less debt. Management considers this metric to be helpful in understanding the total indebtedness of the Company after consideration of cash balances on-hand.
| (in millions) | February 3, 2024 | January 28, 2023 | January 29, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,378.7 | $ | 1,166.8 | $ | 1,418.3 | ||||
| Less: Current portion of long-term debt | (147.7) | — | — | |||||||
| Less: Long-term debt | — | (147.4) | (147.1) | |||||||
| Net cash | $ | 1,231.0 | $ | 1,019.4 | $ | 1,271.2 |
2. Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure defined as the net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment. Management considers this metric to be helpful in understanding how the business is generating cash from its operating and investing activities that can be used to meet the financing needs of the business. Adjusted free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, excludes the proceeds from the sale of in-house finance receivables. Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are indicators frequently used by management in evaluating its overall liquidity needs and determining appropriate capital allocation strategies. Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow do not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes. See Note 12 of Item 8 for additional information regarding the sale of the in-house credit card receivable portfolio.
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 546.9 | $ | 797.9 | $ | 1,257.3 | ||||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (125.5) | (138.9) | (129.6) | |||||||
| Free cash flow | 421.4 | 659.0 | 1,127.7 | |||||||
| Proceeds from sale of in-house finance receivables | — | — | (81.3) | |||||||
| Adjusted free cash flow | $ | 421.4 | $ | 659.0 | $ | 1,046.4 |
3. Non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating margin
Non-GAAP operating income is a non-GAAP measure defined as operating income excluding the impact of certain items which management believes are not necessarily reflective of normal operational performance during a period. Management finds the information useful when analyzing operating results to appropriately evaluate the performance of the business without the impact of these certain items. Management believes the consideration of measures that exclude such items can assist in the comparison of operational performance in different periods which may or may not include such items. Management also utilizes non-GAAP operating margin, defined as non-GAAP operating income as a percentage of total sales, to further evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the Company’s flexible operating model.
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| (in millions) | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating income | $ | 621.5 | $ | 604.9 | $ | 903.4 | ||||
| Litigation charges (1) | (3.0) | 203.8 | 1.7 | |||||||
| Acquisition and integration-related expenses (2) | 22.0 | 25.8 | 8.6 | |||||||
| Restructuring charges (3) | 7.5 | — | (3.3) | |||||||
| Asset impairments, net (3) | 7.1 | 15.9 | (0.9) | |||||||
| Gain on divestitures, net (4) | (12.3) | — | — | |||||||
| Gain on sale of in-house finance receivables | — | — | (1.4) | |||||||
| Non-GAAP operating income | $ | 642.8 | $ | 850.4 | $ | 908.1 | ||||
| Operating margin | 8.7 | % | 7.7 | % | 11.5 | % | ||||
| Non-GAAP operating margin | 9.0 | % | 10.8 | % | 11.6 | % |
(1) Fiscal 2024 includes a credit to income related to the adjustment of a prior litigation accrual recognized in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023. Refer to Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
(2) Fiscal 2024 includes expenses related to the integration of Blue Nile, primarily severance and retention, exit and disposal costs and system decommissioning costs; Fiscal 2023 includes the impact of the fair value step-up for inventory acquired in the Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile acquisitions, as well as direct transaction-related and integration costs, primarily professional fees and severance, incurred for the acquisition of Blue Nile; Fiscal 2022 included direct transaction-related costs for the acquisition of Rocksbox and Diamonds Direct and impact of the fair value step-up for inventory from Diamonds Direct.
(3) Fiscal 2024 restructuring and asset impairment charges were incurred primarily as a result of the Company’s rationalization of store footprint and reorganization of certain centralized functions; Fiscal 2023 includes asset impairment charges related to the Company’s headquarters; Fiscal 2022 includes ROU asset impairment gains, net recorded due to various impacts of COVID-19 to the Company’s business and related gains on terminations or modifications of leases, resulting from previously recorded impairments of the right of use assets in Fiscal 2021. Refer to Note 16 and Note 26 of Item 8 for additional information.
(4) Includes gain on sale of the UK prestige watch business, net of transaction costs. Refer to Note 4 of Item 8 for additional information.
4. Non-GAAP diluted EPS
Non-GAAP diluted EPS is a non-GAAP measure defined as diluted EPS excluding the impact of certain items which management believes are not necessarily reflective of normal operational performance during a period. Management finds the information useful when analyzing financial results in order to appropriately evaluate the performance of the business without the impact of these certain items. In particular, management believes the consideration of measures that exclude such items can assist in the comparison of performance in different periods which may or may not include such items. The Company estimates the tax effect of all non-GAAP adjustments by applying a statutory tax rate to each item. The income tax items represent the discrete amount that affected the diluted EPS during the period.
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diluted EPS | $ | 15.01 | $ | 6.64 | $ | 12.22 | ||||
| Litigation charges (1) | (0.06) | 3.59 | 0.03 | |||||||
| Pension settlement loss (2) | 0.02 | 2.36 | — | |||||||
| Acquisition and integration-related expenses (3) | 0.41 | 0.46 | 0.13 | |||||||
| Restructuring charges (4) | 0.14 | — | (0.05) | |||||||
| Asset impairments (4) | 0.13 | 0.28 | (0.01) | |||||||
| Gain on divestitures, net (5) | (0.22) | — | — | |||||||
| Gain on sale of in-house finance receivables | — | — | (0.02) | |||||||
| Tax impact of items above | (0.18) | (1.53) | (0.02) | |||||||
| Bermuda economic transition adjustment (6) | (4.88) | — | — | |||||||
| Non-GAAP diluted EPS | $ | 10.37 | $ | 11.80 | $ | 12.28 |
(1) Fiscal 2024 includes a credit to income related to the adjustment of a prior litigation accrual recognized in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023. Refer to Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
(2) Includes pension wind-up charges in Fiscal 2024. Refer to Note 27 of Item 8 for additional information.
(3) Fiscal 2024 includes expenses related to the integration of Blue Nile, primarily severance and retention, exit and disposal costs and system decommissioning costs; Fiscal 2023 includes the impact of the fair value step-up for inventory acquired in the Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile acquisitions, as well as direct transaction-related and integration costs, primarily professional fees and severance, incurred for the acquisition of Blue Nile; Fiscal 2022 included direct transaction-related costs for the acquisition of Rocksbox and Diamonds Direct and impact of the fair value step-up for inventory from Diamonds Direct.
(4) Fiscal 2024 restructuring and asset impairment charges were incurred primarily as a result of the Company’s rationalization of store footprint and reorganization of certain centralized functions; Fiscal 2023 includes asset impairment charges related to the Company’s headquarters; Fiscal 2022 includes ROU asset impairment gains, net recorded due to various impacts of COVID-19 to the Company’s business and related gains on terminations or modifications of leases, resulting from previously recorded impairments of the right of use assets in Fiscal 2021. Refer to Note 16 and Note 26 of Item 8 for additional information.
(5) Includes gain on sale of the UK prestige watch business, net of transaction costs. Refer to Note 4 of Item 8 for additional information.
(6) Fiscal 2024 relates to the impact of the deferred income tax benefit from the Bermuda economic transition adjustment. Refer to Note 10 of Item 8 for additional information.
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5. Adjusted debt and adjusted net debt leverage ratios
The adjusted debt and adjusted net debt leverage ratios are non-GAAP measures calculated by dividing Signet’s adjusted debt or adjusted net debt by adjusted EBITDAR. Adjusted debt is a non-GAAP measure defined as debt recorded in the consolidated balance sheet, plus redeemable Series A Convertible Preference Shares (“Preferred Shares”), plus an adjustment for operating leases (5x annual rent expense). Adjusted net debt, a non-GAAP measure, is adjusted debt less the cash and cash equivalents on hand as of the balance sheet dates. Adjusted EBITDAR is a non-GAAP measure, defined as earnings before interest and income taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, other non-operating expense, net and certain non-GAAP accounting adjustments (“Adjusted EBITDA”) and further excludes minimum fixed rent expense for properties occupied under operating leases. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR are considered important indicators of operating performance as they exclude the effects of financing and investing activities by eliminating the effects of interest, depreciation and amortization costs and certain accounting adjustments. Management believes these financial measures are helpful to investors and analysts to analyze trends in Signet’s business and evaluate Signet’s performance. The adjusted debt leverage ratio is a key priority of the Company’s capital allocation strategy used in measuring the Company’s optimized capital structure. The adjusted net debt leverage ratio is supplemental to the adjusted debt ratio as it is useful to both investors and management to consider cash on hand available to pay down or issue debt.
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| (in millions) | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted debt and adjusted net debt: | ||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 147.7 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
| Long-term debt | — | 147.4 | 147.1 | |||||||
| Redeemable Series A Convertible Preference Shares | 655.5 | 653.8 | 652.1 | |||||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| 5x rent expense | 2,199.0 | 2,232.5 | 2,216.5 | |||||||
| Adjusted debt | $ | 3,002.2 | $ | 3,033.7 | $ | 3,015.7 | ||||
| Less: Cash and cash equivalents | 1,378.7 | 1,166.8 | 1,418.3 | |||||||
| Adjusted net debt | $ | 1,623.5 | $ | 1,866.9 | $ | 1,597.4 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDAR: | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 810.4 | $ | 376.7 | $ | 769.9 | ||||
| Income taxes | (170.6) | 74.5 | 114.5 | |||||||
| Interest (income) expense, net | (18.7) | 13.5 | 16.9 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment | 160.0 | 162.2 | 162.4 | |||||||
| Amortization of definite-lived intangibles | 1.9 | 2.3 | 1.1 | |||||||
| Amortization of unfavorable contracts | (1.8) | (1.8) | (3.3) | |||||||
| Share-based compensation | 41.1 | 42.0 | 45.8 | |||||||
| Other non-operating expense, net (1) | 0.4 | 140.2 | 2.1 | |||||||
| Other accounting adjustments (2) | 21.3 | 245.5 | 4.7 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 844.0 | $ | 1,055.1 | $ | 1,114.1 | ||||
| Rent expense | 439.8 | 446.5 | 443.3 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDAR | $ | 1,283.8 | $ | 1,501.6 | $ | 1,557.4 | ||||
| Adjusted leverage ratio | 2.3x | 2.0x | 1.9x | |||||||
| Adjusted net leverage ratio | 1.3x | 1.2x | 1.0x |
(1) Fiscal 2023 includes pension settlement charges of $133.7 million.
(2) Fiscal 2024 includes: 1) $22.0 million of acquisition and integration-related expenses related to the integration of Blue Nile, primarily severance and retention, exit and disposal costs and system decommissioning costs; 2) $7.5 million and $7.1 million of restructuring and asset impairment charges, respectively, incurred as a result of the Company’s rationalization of store footprint and reorganization of certain centralized functions; 3) $12.3 million related to the gain on sale of the UK prestige watch business; and 4) a $3.0 million credit to income related to the adjustment of a prior litigation accrual recognized in the first quarter of Fiscal 2023.
Fiscal 2023 includes: 1) $203.8 million related to litigation charges; 2) $25.8 million of acquisition and integration-related costs including the impact of the fair value step-up for inventory from Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile, as well as direct transaction-related and integration costs, primarily professional fees and severance, incurred related to the acquisition of Blue Nile in Fiscal 2023; and 3) $15.9 million of asset impairments
Fiscal 2022 includes: 1) $0.9 million of net asset impairment gains related to long-lived assets; 2) $3.3 million credit to restructuring expense, primarily related to adjustments to previously recognized restructuring liabilities in connection with the Company’s transformation plan; 3) $1.7 million related to the settlement of previously disclosed shareholder litigation matters; 4) $8.6 million of charges related to professional fees for direct transaction-related costs incurred for the acquisitions of Rocksbox and Diamonds Direct in Fiscal 2022, as well as includes the impact of the fair value step up for inventory from Diamonds Direct; and 5) $1.4 million gain associated with the sale of customer in-house finance receivables.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, cash provided by operations and availability under its senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (the “ABL Revolving Facility”). As of February 3, 2024, the Company had $1.4 billion of cash and cash equivalents, $147.8 million of outstanding debt related to the 4.70% senior unsecured notes due in June 2024 (the “Senior Notes”) and no outstanding borrowings on the ABL Revolving Facility. The available borrowing capacity on the ABL Revolving Facility was $1.1 billion as of February 3, 2024.
The Company has a disciplined approach to capital allocation, utilizing the following capital priorities: 1) invest in its business to drive growth through both organic investments and acquisitions; 2) optimize its capital structure and maintain an adjusted leverage ratio (a non-GAAP measure as defined in the Non-GAAP Measures section above) of less than 2.75x; and 3) return cash to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.
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Investing in growth
Since the Company’s transformation strategies began in Fiscal 2019, the Company has delivered substantially against its strategic priorities to establish the Company as the OmniChannel jewelry category leader and position its business for sustainable long-term growth. The investments and new capabilities built during the past few years laid the foundation for the Company’s accelerated growth, including prioritizing investments in digital technology and data analytics, enhancing the Company’s new and modernized eCommerce platform and optimizing a connected commerce shopping journey for its customers. In addition, cost reductions and structural improvements since the Company’s transformation began have generated annual cost savings of more than $800 million, which has fueled the investments described above. The Company’s cash discipline has led to more efficient working capital, through both the extension of payment days with the Company’s vendor base, as well as through improvement in productivity and overall health of the Company’s inventory, utilizing a disciplined approach to drive continued reductions in sell down and clearance inventory.
As the Company continues to execute on its Inspiring Brilliance strategy, it intends to continue to focus on working capital efficiency, optimizing its real estate footprint, and prioritizing transformational productivity to drive further cost savings opportunities, all of which are expected to be used to fuel strategic investments, grow the business, and enhance liquidity. During Fiscal 2024, the Company invested $125.5 million for capital expenditures and $58.3 million related to investments in digital and cloud IT initiatives.
The Company has made various strategic acquisitions in line with its Inspiring Brilliance growth strategy over the past three years, investing nearly $900 million for the acquisitions of Diamonds Direct in Fiscal 2022, Blue Nile in Fiscal 2023 and SJR in Fiscal 2024. The acquisition of Diamonds Direct accelerated the Company’s growth in accessible luxury and bridal, and the Company is focused on doubling the pace of store openings, extending its reach into even more key markets. The addition of Blue Nile accelerated Signet's efforts to enhance its connected commerce capabilities and broaden its digital leadership across the jewelry category – all while further achieving meaningful operating synergies for the consumers and creating value for shareholders. The acquisition of certain assets of SJR in the second quarter of Fiscal 2024, as well as the transition of the former Blue Nile Seattle fulfillment center to a new enterprise-wide repair facility, is expected to expand the Company’s services capacity and capabilities.
In addition to the acquisitions, the Company divested the operations and certain assets related to the prestige watch business in the UK during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 for approximately $54 million. The Company believes the divestiture of this non-strategic business will enable the UK to accelerate key elements of its transformation. The proceeds of the sale will be used for general corporate purposes. See Note 4 of Item 8 for further details.
Optimized capital structure
The Company has made significant progress over the past few years in line with its strategic priority to ensure a strong cash and overall liquidity position, including fully outsourcing credit, significantly reducing its outstanding debt, and eliminating the UK Pension Scheme. In addition, in Fiscal 2022, the Company renegotiated its $1.5 billion ABL Facility, as further described in Note 22 of Item 8, to extend the maturity until 2026 and allow overall greater financial flexibility to grow the business and provide an additional option to address the calendar year 2024 debt and Preferred Shares, if necessary. The Company maintained a 2.3x adjusted leverage ratio through the end of Fiscal 2024, well below the Company’s stated goal of less than 2.75x. As a result of the progress and the strength of the Company’s financial position, the Company is reducing its goal to be at or below 2.5x.
Returning cash to shareholders
The Company remains committed to its goal to return cash to shareholders. This includes our goal to be a dividend growth company. Beginning in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022, Signet elected to reinstate the dividend program on its common shares. The Company increased its common dividends from $0.18 per share in Fiscal 2022, to $0.20 per share in Fiscal 2023, to $0.23 per share in Fiscal 2024, and beginning in Fiscal 2025 increased it again to $0.29 per share. The Company also remains focused on share repurchases under its 2017 Share Repurchase Program (the “2017 Program”). During Fiscal 2022, Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2024 the Board authorized increases in the remaining amount of shares authorized for repurchase under the 2017 Program by $559 million, $500 million, and $263 million, respectively, bringing the total authorization to approximately $1.9 billion as of February 3, 2024. Since the reinstatement of share repurchases in Fiscal 2022, the Company has repurchased approximately 11.2 million shares for $827.2 million under the 2017 Program, including $139.3 million in Fiscal 2024. Subsequent to year-end, the Board approved a further increase to the multi-year authorization under the 2017 Program bringing the total remaining authorization to approximately $850 million (net of approximately $7.0 million of share repurchases made in the first quarter of Fiscal 2025 through March 19, 2024). See Note 7 of Item 8 for additional information related to share repurchases.
The Company believes that cash on hand, cash flows from operations and available borrowings under the ABL Revolving Facility will be sufficient to meet its ongoing business requirements for at least the 12 months following the date of this report, including funding working capital needs, projected investments in the business (including capital expenditures), debt service and maturities, including Preferred Shares, and returns to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
Primary sources and uses of operating cash flows
Operating activities provide the primary source of cash for the Company and are influenced by a number of factors, the most significant of which are operating income and changes in working capital items, such as:
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•changes in the level of inventory as a result of sales and other strategic initiatives;
•changes and timing of accounts payable and accrued expenses, including variable compensation; and
•changes in deferred revenue, reflective of the revenue from performance of extended service plans.
Signet derives most of its operating cash flows through the sale of merchandise and extended service plans. As a retail business, Signet receives cash when it makes a sale to a customer or when the payment has been processed by Signet or the relevant bank if the payment is made by third-party credit or debit card. As further discussed in Note 12 of Item 8, the Company has outsourced its entire credit card portfolio, and it receives cash from its outsourced financing partners (net of applicable fees) generally within two days of the customer sale. Offsetting these receipts, the Company’s largest operating expenses are the purchase of inventory, payroll and payroll-related benefits, store occupancy costs (including rent) and advertising.
Summary cash flow
The following table provides a summary of Signet’s cash flow activity for Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023:
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 546.9 | $ | 797.9 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (75.8) | (545.4) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (259.7) | (490.0) | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 211.4 | (237.5) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 1,166.8 | 1,418.3 | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 211.4 | (237.5) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 0.5 | (14.0) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 1,378.7 | $ | 1,166.8 |
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities in Fiscal 2024 was $546.9 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $797.9 million in the prior year comparable period. This overall decrease in operating cash flows was driven by the payment of litigation settlements as noted below, offset by higher cash inflows for working capital compared to the prior period and lower net tax payments. The significant movements in operating cash flows are further described below:
•Net income was $810.4 million compared to net income of $376.7 million in the prior year period, an increase of $433.7 million. This increase was primarily related to the change in deferred taxes noted below; non-cash, pre-tax pension settlement charges of $133.7 million and pre-tax accrued litigation charges of $203.8 million during Fiscal 2023; partially offset by lower overall sales volume in Fiscal 2024. See Note 11 of Item 8 for additional information.
•The change in current income taxes was a use of $3.0 million in the current period compared to a source of $98.5 million in the prior year. The year over year change was primarily the result of net income tax payments of $13.0 million in the current year and lower forecasted taxable income, compared to net cash payments of $74.6 million in the prior year period. Deferred taxes were a use of $180.3 million in the current period compared to a use of $99.3 million in the prior year, primarily as a result of the deferred tax asset related to the Bermuda economic transition adjustment. Refer to Note 10 of Item 8 for additional information.
•Cash provided by inventory was $182.5 million compared to a use of $16.5 million in the prior year period. The inventory reduction in the current year was driven by the Company’s inventory management initiatives in the current year, compared to prior year which was driven by the replenishment of inventories to healthier in-stock levels.
•Cash used by accounts payable was $134.5 million compared to a use of $101.6 million in the prior year period. Accounts payable decreased in the current year primarily as a result of lower inventory purchases and payment timing.
•Cash used by accrued expenses and other liabilities was $251.1 million compared to a source of $120.0 million in the prior year period. This difference was driven by accrued litigation charges which were accrued in the prior year period and paid during the first quarter of Fiscal 2024. See Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
Investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities in Fiscal 2024 was $75.8 million compared to a use of $545.4 million in the prior period. Cash used in Fiscal 2024 was primarily related to capital expenditures of $125.5 million, partially offset by cash received of $53.8 million for the sale of the Company’s UK prestige watch business. Capital expenditures are primarily associated with new stores, remodels of existing stores, and strategic capital investments in digital and IT. In Fiscal 2023, net cash used in investing activities was primarily
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related to the acquisition of Blue Nile for $389.9 million and capital expenditures of $138.9 million. See Note 4 of Item 8 for more information on the acquisition and divestiture.
Stores opened and closed in Fiscal 2024:
| Store count by segment | January 28, 2023 | Opened (2) | Closed (2)(3) | February 3, 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America segment (1) | 2,475 | 23 | (87) | 2,411 | |||||||
| International segment (1) | 333 | 10 | (56) | 287 | |||||||
| Signet | 2,808 | 33 | (143) | 2,698 |
(1) The net change in selling square footage for Fiscal 2024 for the North America and International segments was (1.4)% and (15.4)%, respectively.
(2) Includes 13 store repositions in Fiscal 2024.
(3) Includes 16 stores from the divestiture of the UK prestige watch business as described in Note 4 of Item 8.
Financing activities
Net cash used in financing activities in Fiscal 2024 was $259.7 million, consisting of the repurchase of $139.3 million of common shares, preferred and common share dividends paid of $72.8 million, and payments for taxes withheld related to the settlement of the Company’s share-based compensation awards of $47.6 million.
Net cash used in financing activities in Fiscal 2023 was $490.0 million, consisting of the repurchase of $376.1 million of common shares, preferred and common share dividends paid of $69.5 million, and payments for taxes withheld related to the settlement of the Company’s share-based compensation awards of $44.4 million.
Movement in cash and indebtedness
Cash and cash equivalents at February 3, 2024 were $1.4 billion compared to $1.2 billion as of January 28, 2023. The increase year over year was primarily driven by cash flow from operations partially offset by the payment of litigation charges and share repurchases, as described above. Signet has cash and cash equivalents invested in various ‘AAA’ rated government money market funds and at a number of large, highly-rated financial institutions. The amount invested in each liquidity fund or at each financial institution takes into account the credit rating and size of the liquidity fund or financial institution and is invested for short-term durations.
As further described in Note 22 of Item 8, the Company entered into an agreement to amend the ABL Revolving Facility on July 28, 2021. The amendment extended the maturity of the ABL Revolving Facility to July 28, 2026 and allows the Company to increase the size of the ABL Revolving Facility by up to $600 million.
There were no borrowings under the ABL Revolving Facility during Fiscal 2024 or Fiscal 2023. The Company had stand-by letters of credit on the ABL Revolving Facility of $18.2 million as of February 3, 2024 that reduced remaining borrowing availability. Available borrowing capacity under the ABL Revolving Facility was $1.1 billion as of February 3, 2024.
At February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, Signet had $147.8 million and $147.7 million, respectively, of outstanding debt, consisting entirely of the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes are due in June 2024 and the redemption is expected to be funded with cash on hand.
Net cash was $1.2 billion as of February 3, 2024 compared to net cash of $1.0 billion as of January 28, 2023. Refer to the Non-GAAP Measures section above for the definition of net cash and reconciliation to its most comparable financial measure presented in accordance with GAAP.
As of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.
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Capital availability
Signet’s level of borrowings and cash balances fluctuates during the year reflecting the seasonality of its cash flow requirements and business performance. Management believes that cash balances and the committed borrowing facilities (including the ABL Facility described more fully in Note 22 of Item 8) currently available to the business are sufficient for both its present and near-term requirements. The following table provides a summary of these items as of February 3, 2024, January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022:
| (in millions) | February 3, 2024 | January 28, 2023 | January 29, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working capital (1) | $ | 1,560.6 | $ | 1,259.0 | $ | 1,659.7 | ||||
| Capitalization: | ||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 147.7 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
| Long-term debt | — | 147.4 | 147.1 | |||||||
| Redeemable Series A Convertible Preference Shares | 655.5 | 653.8 | 652.1 | |||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 2,166.5 | 1,578.6 | 1,564.0 | |||||||
| Total capitalization | $ | 2,969.7 | $ | 2,379.8 | $ | 2,363.2 | ||||
| Additional amounts available under credit agreements | $ | 1,134.2 | $ | 1,406.6 | $ | 1,245.9 |
(1) Includes cash and cash equivalents and current portion of long-term debt
If the excess availability under the ABL Revolving Facility falls below the threshold specified in the ABL Facility agreement, the Company will be required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00. As of February 3, 2024, the threshold related to the fixed coverage ratio was approximately $114 million. The ABL Facility places certain restrictions upon the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, grant liens and make certain loans, investments and divestitures. The ABL Facility contains customary events of default (including payment defaults, cross-defaults to certain of the Company’s other indebtedness, breach of representations and covenants and change of control). The occurrence of an event of default under the ABL Facility would permit the lenders to accelerate the indebtedness and terminate the ABL Facility.
Credit ratings
The following table provides Signet’s credit ratings as of February 3, 2024:
| Rating Agency | Corporate | Senior Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard & Poor’s | BB- | BB- |
| Moody’s | Ba3 | B2 |
| Fitch | BB | BB |
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Merchandise held on consignment
The Company held $530.3 million of consignment inventory at February 3, 2024 compared to $623.0 million at January 28, 2023, which is not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. The principal terms of the consignment agreements, which can generally be terminated by either party, are such that the Company can return any or all of the inventory to the relevant suppliers without financial or commercial penalties and the supplier can adjust the inventory costs prior to sale.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Critical accounting policies covering areas of greater complexity that are subject to the exercise of judgment due to the reliance on key estimates are listed below. A comprehensive listing of Signet’s significant accounting policies is set forth in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
Revenue recognition for extended service plans and lifetime warranty agreements (“ESP”)
The Company recognizes revenue related to ESP sales in proportion to when the expected costs will be incurred. The deferral periods for ESP sales are determined from patterns of claims costs, including estimates of future claims costs expected to be incurred. Management reviews the trends in historical claims to assess whether changes are required to the revenue and cost recognition rates utilized. All direct costs associated with the sale of the ESP plans are deferred and amortized in proportion to the revenue recognized and disclosed as either other current assets or other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. These direct costs primarily include sales commissions and credit card fees. Amortization of deferred ESP selling costs is included within SG&A in the consolidated statements of operations.
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The North America reportable segment sells ESP, subject to certain conditions, to perform repair work over the life of the product. Customers generally pay for ESP at the store or online at the time of merchandise sale. Revenue from the sale of the lifetime ESP is recognized consistent with the estimated patterns of claim costs expected to be incurred by the Company in connection with performing under the ESP obligations. Lifetime ESP revenue is deferred and recognized over a maximum of 13 years after the sale of the warranty contract. Although claims experience varies between the Company’s national banners, thereby resulting in different recognition rates, approximately 60% to 65% of revenue is recognized within the first two years on a weighted average basis. Management estimates that a 1% change in the recognition rates between years for ESP sales, based on the level of ESP plans sold in Fiscal 2024 and assuming no change in the life over which the Company is expected to fulfill its obligations under the warranty, would impact revenue recognized on current year ESA plan sales by approximately $5 million.
As noted above, the Company utilizes historical claims data to estimate the expected future patterns of claims cost and the related revenue recognition rates utilized. These claims patterns are subject to change based primarily on revisions to the Company’s ESP product offerings and changes in customer behavior over time. The Company refreshes its analysis of the claims pattern on at least an annual basis, or more often if circumstances dictate such a review is required (such as occurred as a result of the disruption from COVID-19). A significant change in either the overall claims pattern or the life over which the Company is expected to fulfill its obligation under the warranty could result in material change to revenues.
Goodwill and intangibles
In a business combination, the Company estimates and records the fair value of all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities. The fair value of these intangible assets and liabilities is estimated based on management’s assessment, including selection of appropriate valuation techniques, inputs and assumptions in the determination of fair value. Significant estimates in valuing intangible assets and liabilities acquired include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows associated with the acquired asset or liability, expected life and discount rates. The excess purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill is recorded by the Company’s reporting units based on the acquisitions made by each.
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as indefinite-lived trade names, are evaluated for impairment annually as of the end of the fourth reporting period, with the exception of newly acquired reporting units which are completed no later than twelve months after the date of acquisition. Additionally, if events or conditions were to indicate the carrying value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived intangible asset may be greater than its fair value, the Company would evaluate the reporting unit or asset for impairment at that time. Impairment testing compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit or other indefinite-lived intangible assets with its fair value. When the carrying amount of the reporting unit or other intangible assets exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recorded.
The impairment test for goodwill involves estimating the fair value of the reporting unit through either estimated discounted future cash flows or market-based methodologies. The impairment test for other indefinite-lived intangible assets involves estimating the fair value of the asset, which is typically performed using the relief from royalty method for indefinite-lived trade names.
Due to various impacts of the current market conditions on key inputs and assumptions, such as rising interest rates and the sustained inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending, the Company determined that quantitative impairment assessments were required for the Diamonds Direct and Digital Banners reporting units as well as the indefinite-lived intangible assets assigned to those reporting units as of the annual impairment testing date during the second quarter of Fiscal 2024. As part of the assessments, it was determined that an increase in the discount rates was required to reflect the rising interest rates due to current market conditions. This higher discount rate, in conjunction with revised cash flow projections associated with the impact of the decline in consumer trends relative to engagement related purchases expected in Fiscal 2024, resulted in lower than previously projected discounted future cash flows for the reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets which negatively affected the valuation compared to previous valuations.
Based on the results of the quantitative impairment assessments, the Company determined that no impairment was required as the estimated fair value of the Digital Banners reporting unit as well as the James Allen trade name substantially exceeded their respective carrying values. Due to the recent acquisition of the Blue Nile trade name, the carrying value of $96 million approximated its estimated fair value as of the annual impairment testing date and no impairment was required. For the Diamonds Direct reporting unit, as well as its related trade name, the estimated fair values exceeded their carrying values by approximately 13% and 6%, respectively.
Due to a lower than expected sales during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024, combined with softening of sales expected in Fiscal 2025, the Company determined that an interim quantitative impairment assessment was required for the Blue Nile indefinite-lived intangible trade name asset as of the end of Fiscal 2024. As a result of this interim quantitative impairment assessment of the Blue Nile trade name, the carrying value of $96 million continues to approximate its estimated fair value and thus no impairment was required.
The Company noted that an increase in the discount rate and/or a further softening of sales and operating income trends for the Diamonds Direct reporting unit and related trade name as well as the Blue Nile trade name, could result in a decline in the estimated fair values of the indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill, which could result in future material impairment charges. For
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instance, an increase in the discount rate of 0.5%, assuming no other changes to assumptions, would result in an impairment charge of approximately $5 million on the Blue Nile trade name.
The Company will continue to monitor events or circumstances that could trigger the need for an interim impairment test in Fiscal 2025. The Company believes that the estimates and assumptions related to sales and operating income trends, discount rates, royalty rates and other assumptions are reasonable, but they are subject to change from period to period. Future economic conditions or operating performance, such as declines in sales or increases in discount rates, could differ from those projected by management in its most recent impairment tests for indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill. This could impact our estimates of fair values and may result in future material impairment charges. See Note 18 of Item 8 for further details.
Long-lived assets
Long-lived assets of the Company consist primarily of property and equipment, definite-lived intangible assets and operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Potentially impaired assets or asset groups are identified by reviewing the undiscounted cash flows of individual stores. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the store asset group, based on the Company’s internal business plans. If the undiscounted cash flow for the store asset group is less than its carrying amount, the long-lived assets are measured for potential impairment by estimating the fair value of the asset group, and recording an impairment loss for the amount that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value. The Company primarily utilizes the replacement cost method to estimate the fair value of its property and equipment, and the income capitalization method to estimate the fair value of its ROU assets, which incorporates historical store level sales, internal business plans, real estate market capitalization and rental rates, and discount rates.
The uncertainty of the current macroeconomic environment on the Company’s business could continue to further negatively affect the operating performance and cash flows of the previously impaired stores or additional stores, including the impacts of inflation, continued changes in consumer behavior and shifts in discretionary spending, the inability to achieve or maintain cost savings initiatives included in the business plans, changes in real estate strategy or other macroeconomic factors which influence consumer behavior. In addition, key assumptions used to estimate fair value, such as sales trends, capitalization and market rental rates, and discount rates could impact the fair value estimates of the store-level assets in future periods.
Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized by applying statutory tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences between the financial reporting and tax filing bases of existing assets and liabilities are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, based on management’s evaluation of all available evidence, both positive and negative, including reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and results of recent operations. The Company has a valuation allowance of $18.3 million and $19.0 million, as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively, due to uncertainties related to the Company’s ability to utilize certain of its deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of net operating losses and capital losses carried forward.
The annual effective tax rate is based on annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning strategies available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company does not recognize tax benefits related to positions taken on certain tax matters unless the position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. At any point in time, various tax years are subject to or are in the process of being audited by various taxing authorities. The Company records a reserve for uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties. To the extent that management’s estimates of settlements change, or the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determinations are made. See Note 10 of Item 8 for additional information regarding deferred tax assets and unrecognized tax benefits.
SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries, which are listed on Exhibit 22.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, have guaranteed obligations under the Senior Notes.
The Senior Notes were issued by Signet UK Finance plc (the “Issuer”). The Senior Notes rank senior to the Preferred Shares and common shares. The Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets securing that indebtedness. The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the Company, as the parent entity (the “Parent”) of the Issuer, and certain of its subsidiary guarantors (each, a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”).
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The Senior Notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future debt and other liabilities, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Senior Notes (the “Non-Guarantors”). The Non-Guarantors will have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay amounts due under the Senior Notes or to make funds available to pay those amounts. Certain Non-Guarantors may be limited in their ability to remit funds to us by means of dividends, advances or loans due to required foreign government and/or currency exchange board approvals or limitations in credit agreements or other debt instruments of those subsidiaries.
The Guarantors jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee on a senior unsecured basis the performance and full and punctual payment when due of all obligations of Issuer, as defined in the Indenture, in accordance with the Senior Notes and the related Indentures, as supplemented, whether for payment of principal of or interest on the Senior Notes when due and any and all costs and expenses incurred by the trustee or any holder of the Senior Notes in enforcing any rights under the guarantees (collectively, the “Guarantees”). The Guarantees and Guarantors are subject to release in limited circumstances only upon the occurrence of certain customary conditions.
Although the Guarantees provide the holders of Senior Notes with a direct unsecured claim against the assets of the Guarantors, under US federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of US state fraudulent transfer laws, in certain circumstances a court could cancel a Guarantee and order the return of any payments made thereunder to the Guarantors or to a fund for the benefit of its creditors.
A court might take these actions if it found, among other things, that when the Guarantors incurred the debt evidenced by their Guarantee (i) they received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the incurrence of the debt and (ii) any one of the following conditions was satisfied:
•the Guarantor entity was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the incurrence;
•the Guarantor entity was engaged in a business or transaction for which its remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or
•the Guarantor entity intended to incur or believed (or reasonably should have believed) that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay as those debts matured.
In applying the above factors, a court would likely find that a Guarantor did not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value for its Guarantee, except to the extent that it benefited directly or indirectly from the issuance of the Senior Notes. The determination of whether a Guarantor was or was not rendered insolvent when it entered into its Guarantee will vary depending on the law of the jurisdiction being applied. Generally, an entity would be considered insolvent if the sum of its debts (including contingent or unliquidated debts) is greater than all of its assets at a fair valuation or if the present fair salable value of its assets is less than the amount that will be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including contingent or unliquidated debts, as they mature.
If a court canceled a Guarantee, the holders of the Senior Notes would no longer have a claim against that Guarantor or its assets.
Each Guarantee is limited, by its terms, to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the applicable Guarantor without rendering the Guarantee, as it relates to that Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
Each Guarantor is a consolidated subsidiary of Parent at the date of each balance sheet presented. The following tables present summarized financial information for Parent, Issuer, and the Guarantors on a combined basis after elimination of (i) intercompany transactions and balances among Parent, Issuer, and the Guarantors and (ii) equity in earnings from and investments in any Non-Guarantor.
| Summarized Balance Sheets | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | February 3, 2024 | January 28, 2023 | |||||
| Total current assets | $ | 3,492.6 | $ | 3,225.3 | |||
| Total non-current assets | 1,959.2 | 2,056.3 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 2,493.4 | 2,555.5 | |||||
| Total non-current liabilities | 3,033.6 | 3,192.3 | |||||
| Redeemable preferred shares | 655.5 | 653.8 | |||||
| Total due from Non-Guarantors (1) | 521.3 | 425.1 | |||||
| Total due to Non-Guarantors (1) | 1,923.2 | 1,798.3 |
(1) Amounts included in asset and liability subtotals above.
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| Summarized Statements of Operations | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | |||||
| Sales | $ | 6,048.8 | $ | 6,705.7 | |||
| Gross margin | 2,539.9 | 2,786.0 | |||||
| Income before income taxes (2) | 991.5 | 546.0 | |||||
| Net income (2) | 914.1 | 490.1 |
(2) Includes net income from intercompany transactions with Non-Guarantors of $311.6 million for Fiscal 2024, and net income of $128.3 million for Fiscal 2023. Intercompany transactions primarily include intercompany dividends and interest.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000832988-23-000032.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion and analysis in this Item 7 are intended to provide the reader with information that will assist in understanding the significant factors affecting the Company’s consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and information. The Company's actual results could materially differ from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly in “Forward-Looking Statements” above as well as the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A.
This management's discussion and analysis provides comparisons of material changes in the consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022. For a comparison of Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021, refer to Item 7 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 17, 2022.
OVERVIEW
Diamonds Direct acquisition
On November 17, 2021, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Diamonds Direct USA Inc. (“Diamonds Direct”) for cash consideration of $503.1 million, net of cash acquired. Diamonds Direct is an off-mall, destination jeweler in the US operating with a highly productive, efficient operating model with demonstrated growth and profitability. Diamonds Direct has been immediately accretive to Signet following the acquisition date. Diamonds Direct's strong value proposition, extensive bridal offering and customer-centric, high-touch shopping experience is a destination for younger, luxury-oriented bridal shoppers. Diamonds Direct strategically expands Signet’s market in accessible luxury and bridal, provides access to a new customer base and furthers Signet’s opportunity to build lifetime customer relationships. Signet plans to grow Diamonds Direct while driving operating margin expansion over time through operating synergies in purchasing, targeted marketing and connected commerce.
Blue Nile acquisition
On August 19, 2022, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Blue Nile, Inc. (“Blue Nile”), subject to the terms of a stock purchase agreement entered into on August 5, 2022. The total cash consideration was $389.9 million, net of cash acquired, including purchase price adjustments for working capital. Blue Nile is a leading online retailer of engagement rings and fine jewelry. The addition of Blue Nile brings Signet a younger, more affluent, and diverse customer to Signet’s banner portfolio that will expand Signet’s accessible luxury tier. We believe the strategic acquisition of Blue Nile accelerates Signet's efforts to enhance its connected commerce capabilities and extend its digital leadership across the jewelry category – all to further achieve meaningful operating synergies for the consumers and create value for shareholders.
Overall performance
Signet’s sales declined by 5.2% during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023 compared to the same quarter of Fiscal 2022. Sales in the Company’s organic businesses were down year over year due to the continued impact of heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending, extreme weather disruptions in the three shopping days leading up to Christmas in the US, as well as the impact of various union strikes in the UK and the weakening of the British Pound in the International segment. These declines in the organic businesses were offset partially by the addition of Blue Nile to Signet’s portfolio. The Company’s overall operating results continue to reflect sustainable enhancements to the differentiation of Signet’s banners, connected commerce capabilities, accelerated services, always on marketing strategy including increased penetration of digital marketing, and inventory management. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023, the Company’s average merchandise transaction values (“ATV”) increased by 3.9% in the North America segment and 13.3% in the International segment, despite the decline in traffic and number of transactions. The increase relates to the higher penetration of the accessible luxury banners, shift in assortment architecture to higher price points and the reduced impact of Banter by Piercing Pagoda, which carries a lower ATV.
The Company has continued its focus on execution of the initiatives under its Inspiring Brilliance strategy, which is centered on the goal of achieving sustainable industry-leading growth with an annual double digit operating margin. As described in the Purpose and Strategy section within Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, through its Inspiring Brilliance strategy, the Company is focused on leveraging its core strengths that it developed over the past five years with the goal of creating a broader mid-market and increasing Signet’s share of that larger market as the industry leader. See Outlook below for further information.
Refer to the “Results of Operations” section below for further information on performance during the fourth quarter and full year Fiscal 2023.
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Outlook
Following a year of heightened growth in Fiscal 2022, jewelry industry revenues softened in Fiscal 2023 and are expected to be down mid-single digits for Fiscal 2024, as the downward pressure on consumer discretionary spending is expected to continue. In addition, the Company expects headwinds to continue in engagements and weddings throughout Fiscal 2024, with expected recovery in engagements later in the year and continue to rebound in Fiscal 2025. It is anticipated that discretionary spending in jewelry will continue to be adversely impacted by rising prices on necessities such as gas and groceries, and could further impact sales of the Company’s product assortments at lower and mid-tier price points. However, the magnitude and timing of both inflationary factors and the shift in spending are difficult to predict, as is whether these pressures will ultimately impact other product categories, including softening demand for products at higher price points. The Company believes that its banner value propositions and differentiation, including the additions of Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile to Signet’s portfolio, the strength of the Company’s product assortment and its investments in digital and flexible fulfillment capabilities are expected to continue fueling a positive response from customers across most merchandise categories and banners into Fiscal 2024. Furthermore, the Company will continue its diligent and effective efforts to drive structural cost savings and leverage its flexible operating model.
The Company continues to monitor the impacts of certain macroeconomic factors on its business, such as inflation and the conflict in Ukraine. Uncertainties exist that could continue to impact the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in the future, such as further pricing and inflationary environment changes impacting the Company (including, but not limited to, materials, labor, fulfillment and advertising costs) or adverse shifts in consumer discretionary spending, supply chain disruptions to the Company’s business, the potential resurgence of COVID-19 in key trade areas, the Company’s ability to recruit and retain qualified team members, or organized retail crime. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above as well as the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A.
Market and operating conditions
The Company faces a highly competitive and dynamic retail landscape throughout the geographies where it does business, as well as a challenging global macro-economic environment as described above impacting the jewelry industry. Refer to Item 1 for further information on the Company’s business, markets and strategy.
Exchange translation impact
Monthly average exchange rates are used to prepare the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In Fiscal 2024, it is anticipated a five percent movement in the British pound to US dollar exchange rate would impact the Company’s income before income taxes by approximately $0.5 million, while a five percent movement in the Canadian dollar to US dollar exchange rate would impact the Company’s income before income taxes by approximately $1.3 million.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal 2023 Overview
Similar to many other retailers, Signet follows the retail 4-4-5 reporting calendar. Both Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022 were 52 week reporting periods.
Same store sales
Management considers same store sales useful as it is a major benchmark used by investors to judge performance within the retail industry. Same store sales growth is calculated by comparison of sales in stores that were open in both the current and the prior fiscal year. Sales from stores that have been open for less than 12 months are excluded from the comparison until their 12-month anniversary. Similarly, sales from acquired businesses made within the last 12 months are excluded from the comparison until their 12-month anniversary. Sales from stores that were acquired during the period and have not been included in the Company’s results for both the current and prior period presented are also excluded from same store sales. Sales after the 12-month anniversary are compared against the equivalent prior period sales within the comparable store sales comparison. Stores closed in the current financial period are included up to the date of closure and the comparative period is correspondingly adjusted. Stores that have been relocated or expanded, but remain within the same local geographic area, are included within the comparison with no adjustment to either the current or comparative period. Stores that have been refurbished are also included within the comparison except for the period when the refurbishment was taking place, when those stores are excluded from the comparison both for the current year and for the comparative period. Same store sales are also impacted by certain accounting adjustments to sales, primarily related to the deferral of revenue from the Company’s extended service plans.
eCommerce sales include all sales with customers that originate online, including direct to customer, ship to store, and buy online, pick-up in store ("BOPIS"). eCommerce sales are included in the calculation of same store sales for the period and the comparative figures from the 12-month anniversary of the launch of the relevant website. Brick and mortar same store sales are calculated by removing the eCommerce sales from the same store sales calculation described above. Comparisons at the divisional level are made in local currency and consolidated comparisons are made at constant exchange rates and exclude the effect of exchange rate movements
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by recalculating the prior period results as if they had been generated at the weighted average exchange rate for the current period. Same store sales exclude the 53rd week in the fiscal year in which it occurs.
Cost of sales and gross margin
Cost of sales is mostly composed of merchandise costs (net of discounts and allowances). Cost of sales also contains:
•Occupancy costs such as rent, common area maintenance, depreciation and real estate taxes.
•Store operating expenses such as utilities, displays and third-party merchant credit costs.
•Distribution and warehousing costs including freight, processing, inventory shrinkage and related payroll.
As the classification of cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses varies from retailer to retailer, Signet’s gross margin percentage may not be directly comparable to other retailers.
Factors that influence gross margin include pricing, promotional environment, changes in merchandise costs, changes in non-merchandise components of cost of sales (as described above), changes in sales mix, foreign exchange, and the economics of services such as repairs and extended service plans. The price of diamonds varies depending on their size, cut, color and clarity.
Signet uses an average cost inventory methodology and, as jewelry inventory turns slowly, the impact of movements in the cost of diamonds and gold takes time to be fully reflected in the gross margin. Signet’s inventory turns faster in the fourth quarter than in the other three quarters, therefore, changes in the cost of merchandise is more impactful on the gross margin in that quarter. An increase in inventory turnover would accelerate the rate at which commodity costs impact gross margin.
Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”)
SG&A primarily includes store staff and store administrative costs as well as advertising and promotional costs. It also includes field support center expenses such as information technology, finance, eCommerce and other operating expenses (such as credit costs) not specifically categorized elsewhere in the consolidated statements of operations.
The primary drivers of staffing costs are the number of full-time equivalent employees and the level of compensation, taxes and other benefits paid. Management varies, on a store by store basis, the hours worked based on the expected level of selling activity, subject to minimum staffing levels required to operate the store. Non-store staffing levels are less variable. A significant element of compensation is performance-based and is primarily dependent on sales and operating profit.
The level of advertising expenditures can vary. The largest element of advertising expenditures has historically been national television advertising; however, Signet has continued to invest more on digital and social marketing in recent years as part of its transformational initiatives, in order to evolve its marketing allocations based on consumer habits, business needs, and maximize return on investment (“ROI”) on its advertising investments.
Other operating income (expense)
Other operating income (expense) primarily consists of miscellaneous operating income and expense items such as interest income from customer in-house finance receivables, litigation settlements, foreign currency gains and losses, and gains and losses from undesignated derivative contracts. See Note 12 in Item 8 for further detail on the Company’s other operating income (expense).
COMPARISON OF FISCAL 2023 TO FISCAL 2022
•Total sales: up 0.2%.
•Same store sales: down 6.1%.
•Diluted earnings per share: $6.64 compared to $12.22 in Fiscal 2022.
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| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | $ | % of sales | $ | % of sales | |||||||||
| Sales | $ | 7,842.1 | 100.0 | % | $ | 7,826.0 | 100.0 | % | |||||
| Cost of sales | (4,790.0) | (61.1) | (4,702) | (60.1) | |||||||||
| Gross margin | 3,052.1 | 38.9 | 3,124.0 | 39.9 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (2,214.6) | (28.2) | (2,230.9) | (28.5) | |||||||||
| Restructuring charges | — | — | 3.3 | — | |||||||||
| Asset impairments, net | (22.7) | (0.3) | (1.5) | — | |||||||||
| Other operating income (expense) | (209.9) | (2.7) | 8.5 | 0.1 | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 604.9 | 7.7 | 903.4 | 11.5 | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (13.5) | (0.2) | (16.9) | (0.2) | |||||||||
| Other non-operating expense, net | (140.2) | (1.8) | (2.1) | — | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 451.2 | 5.8 | 884.4 | 11.3 | |||||||||
| Income taxes | (74.5) | (1.0) | (114.5) | (1.5) | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 376.7 | 4.8 | % | $ | 769.9 | 9.8 | % |
Year to date sales
Signet’s total sales increased 0.2% to $7.84 billion compared to $7.83 billion in the prior year while total sales at constant exchange rates increased 1.1%. Signet’s same store sales decreased 6.1%, compared to an increase of 48.5% in the prior year. While Signet’s total sales increased primarily due to the additions of Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile to Signet’s portfolio, Signet’s organic business declined year over year driven by the impact of the heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending, shifts in consumer spending to experiences and travel, the impacts of lapping benefits from last year’s government stimulus in the North America segment and the weakening of the British Pound in the International segment.
eCommerce sales year to date were $1.6 billion, up $87.8 million or 5.8% compared to $1.5 billion in the prior year. eCommerce sales accounted for 20.4% of year to date sales, up from 19.3% of total sales in the prior year. Brick and mortar same store sales decreased 5.5% from the prior period.
The increase in eCommerce sales as of percentage of sales is primarily due to the recent addition of Blue Nile to Signet’s portfolio, as virtually all Blue Nile sales are digital. The Company’s focus on its connected commerce shopping experience, both online and in-store, helped maintain conversion rates and improve the ATV throughout Fiscal 2023.
The breakdown of the year to date sales performance is set out in the table below:
| Change from previous year | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year to date Fiscal 2023 | Same store sales | Non-same store sales, net (2) | Total sales at constant exchange rate (3) | Exchange translation impact | Total sales as reported | Total sales (in millions) | |||||||||||||
| North America segment | (7.0) | % | 7.5 | % | 0.5 | % | (0.2) | % | 0.3 | % | $ | 7,289.5 | |||||||
| International segment | 8.3 | % | (0.4) | % | 7.9 | % | (12.4) | % | (4.5) | % | $ | 470.1 | |||||||
| Other segment (1) | nm | nm | nm | nm | nm | $ | 82.5 | ||||||||||||
| Signet | (6.1) | % | 7.2 | % | 1.1 | % | (0.9) | % | 0.2 | % | $ | 7,842.1 |
(1) Includes sales from Signet’s diamond sourcing initiative.
(2) Includes sales from acquired businesses which were not included in the results for the full comparable periods presented. Blue Nile has been excluded from same store sales for the full year and Diamonds Direct began being included in same store sales for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023.
(3) The Company also provides the period-over-period change in total sales excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which is a non-GAAP measure, to provide transparency to performance and enhance investors’ understanding of underlying business trends. The effect from foreign currency, calculated on a constant currency basis, is determined by applying current year average exchange rates to prior year sales in local currency.
nm Not meaningful.
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ATV is defined as net merchandise sales on a same store basis divided by the total number of customer transactions. As such, changes from the prior year do not recompute within the table below.
| Average Merchandise Transaction Value (1)(2) | Merchandise Transactions | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Value | Change from previous year | Change from previous year | |||||||||||||||||
| Fiscal Year | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | |||||||||||||
| North America segment | $ | 507 | $ | 448 | 11.2 | % | 14.3 | % | (17.2) | % | 29.2 | % | |||||||
| International segment (3) | £ | 171 | £ | 129 | 8.9 | % | (17.3) | % | (2.3) | % | 30.7 | % |
(1) Net merchandise sales within the North America segment include all merchandise product sales, net of discounts and returns. In addition, excluded from net merchandise sales are sales tax in the US, repairs, extended service plan, insurance, employee and other miscellaneous sales. As a result, the sum of the changes will not agree to change in same store sales.
(2) Net merchandise sales within the International segment include all merchandise product sales, including value added tax (“VAT”), net of discounts and returns. In addition, excluded from net merchandise sales are repairs, warranty, insurance, employee and other miscellaneous sales. As a result, the sum of the changes will not agree to change in same store sales.
(3) Amounts for the International segment are denominated in British pounds.
North America sales
The North America segment’s total sales were $7.29 billion compared to $7.26 billion in the prior year, up 0.3%. Same store sales decreased 7.0% compared to an increase of 49.5% in the prior year. North America’s ATV increased 11.2% and the number of transactions decreased 17.2%. While North America’s total sales increased primarily as a result of the additions of Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile to Signet’s portfolio, same store sales in the organic banners declined due to a combination of factors noted above such as the impacts of heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending and lapping of government stimulus.
eCommerce sales decreased 7.5% and brick and mortar sales decreased 6.8% on a same store sales basis. Overall, reported eCommerce sales increased 8.5% primarily due to the addition of Blue Nile as noted above.
International sales
The International segment’s total sales decreased 4.5% to $470.1 million compared to $492.4 million in the prior year and increased 7.9% at constant exchange rates. Same store sales increased 8.3% compared to an increase of 34.7% in the prior year. The ATV increased 8.9% over prior year, and the number of transactions decreased 2.3%. The increase in same store sales reflects the reopening of all UK stores in April 2021 following the lifting of COVID restrictions.
eCommerce sales decreased 18.2% and brick and mortar sales increased 16.7% on a same store sales basis.
Fourth quarter sales
Signet’s total sales decreased 5.2% year over year to $2.7 billion in the fourth quarter, while total sales at constant exchange rates decreased 4.3%. Signet’s same store sales decreased 9.1%, compared to an increase of 23.8% in the prior year quarter. These declines were driven by the impact of heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending, weather disruptions in the three shopping days leading up to Christmas in the US, as well as the impact of various union strikes in the UK and the weakening of the British Pound in the International segment. This decrease was partially offset by the addition of Blue Nile in Fiscal 2023, as noted above.
eCommerce sales in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023 were $650.0 million, up $94.0 million or 16.9% compared to $556.0 million in the prior year fourth quarter, primarily driven by the addition of Blue Nile to Signet’s portfolio. eCommerce sales accounted for 24.4% of fourth quarter sales, up from 19.8% of total sales in the prior year fourth quarter. Brick and mortar same store sales decreased 9.6% from the prior year fourth quarter.
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The breakdown of the fourth quarter sales performance by segment is set out in the table below:
| Change from previous year | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2023 | Same store sales | Non-same store sales, net (2) | Total sales at constant exchange rate (3) | Exchange translation impact | Total sales as reported | Total sales (in millions) | |||||||||||||
| North America segment | (9.3) | % | 5.5 | % | (3.8) | % | (0.2) | % | (4.0) | % | $ | 2,503.3 | |||||||
| International segment | (6.8) | % | (0.2) | % | (7.0) | % | (9.5) | % | (16.5) | % | $ | 153.2 | |||||||
| Other segment (1) | nm | nm | nm | nm | nm | $ | 9.7 | ||||||||||||
| Signet | (9.1) | % | 4.8 | % | (4.3) | % | (0.9) | % | (5.2) | % | $ | 2,666.2 |
(1) Includes sales from Signet’s diamond sourcing initiative.
(2) Includes sales from acquired businesses which were not included in the results for the full comparable periods presented. Blue Nile has been excluded from same store sales for the full quarter and Diamonds Direct began being included in same store sales in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023.
(3) The Company also provides the period-over-period change in total sales excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which is a non-GAAP measure, to provide transparency to performance and enhance investors’ understanding of underlying business trends. The effect from foreign currency, calculated on a constant currency basis, is determined by applying current year average exchange rates to prior year sales in local currency.
nm Not meaningful.
| Average Merchandise Transaction Value (1)(2) | Merchandise Transactions | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Value | Change from previous year | Change from previous year | |||||||||||||||||
| Fourth Quarter | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | |||||||||||||
| North America segment | $ | 485 | $ | 444 | 3.9 | % | 16.8 | % | (12.6) | % | 3.6 | % | |||||||
| International segment (3) | £ | 162 | £ | 141 | 13.3 | % | 2.2 | % | (18.7) | % | 37.6 | % |
(1) Net merchandise sales within the North America segment include all merchandise product sales, net of discounts and returns. In addition, excluded from net merchandise sales are sales tax in the US, repairs, extended service plan, insurance, employee and other miscellaneous sales. As a result, the sum of the changes will not agree to change in same store sales.
(2) Net merchandise sales within the International segment include all merchandise product sales, including VAT, net of discounts and returns. In addition, excluded from net merchandise sales are repairs, warranty, insurance, employee and other miscellaneous sales. As a result, the sum of the changes will not agree to change in same store sales.
(3) Amounts for the International segment are denominated in British pounds.
North America sales
The North America segment’s total sales were $2.5 billion compared to $2.6 billion in the prior year quarter, or a decrease of 4.0%. This decrease was primarily driven by the decline in same store sales due to the impact of heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending, particularly on the Company’s product assortments at lower price points, as well as weather disruptions in the US on the three shopping days leading up to Christmas. This was partially offset by the addition of Blue Nile to Signet’s portfolio as well as an increased ATV of 3.9% compared to the prior year quarter.
Same store sales decreased 9.3% compared to an increase of 22.2% in the prior year quarter, which is reflective of the factors discussed above and resulted in the number of transactions decreasing by 12.6% year over year.
International sales
The International segment’s total sales decreased 16.5% to $153.2 million compared to $183.4 million in the prior year primarily as a result of the weakening of the British Pound which drove 9.5% of this decline. Total same store sales decreased 6.8% compared to an increase of 49.5% in the prior year, primarily driven by the impact of heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending, as well as the impact of various union strikes in the UK during the fourth quarter. In the International segment, the ATV increased 13.3% year over year, while the number of transactions decreased 18.7%.
Gross margin
In Fiscal 2023, gross margin was $3.05 billion or 38.9% of sales compared to $3.12 billion or 39.9% of sales in Fiscal 2022. The decrease in gross margin rate for Fiscal 2023 compared to Fiscal 2022 primarily relates to the overall decrease in core sales volume and the mix of Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile’s bridal business, which generally carries lower margins, which was partially offset by a slight improvement in the merchandise margins in the Company’s organic banners.
In the fourth quarter, gross margin was $1.11 billion or 41.7% of sales compared to $1.15 billion or 41.0% of sales in the prior year fourth quarter. The increase in gross margin rate for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022 reflects the improved health of our inventory, improved mix shift to higher priced merchandise and the continued benefits of cost savings in the Company’s organic businesses. These improvements in the organic banners were partially offset by the mix of Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile’s bridal business, as well as deleveraging of fixed costs on the lower volume as described above.
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SG&A
SG&A for Fiscal 2023 was $2.21 billion or 28.2% of sales compared to $2.23 billion or 28.5% of sales in Fiscal 2022. The additions of Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile, together with increased investments in digital/IT, were offset by lower payroll-related costs and the benefits of structural cost savings in Signet’s organic businesses, including from the Company’s restructured outsourced credit agreements finalized in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022. The improved SG&A as a percentage of sales year to date was primarily driven by the cost savings initiatives and the efficiency of Diamonds Direct’s operating model.
In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023 SG&A was $702.5 million or 26.3% of sales compared to $745.8 million or 26.5% of sales in the prior year fourth quarter. SG&A overall decreased primarily due to the impact of lower sales in the organic businesses, lower payroll-related costs and overall cost savings initiatives, partially offset by the additions of Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile, as well as investments in digital and IT initiatives.
Asset impairments, net
During Fiscal 2023, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax asset impairments related to the impairment of long-lived assets of $22.7 million. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax asset impairments of $20.7 million, all of which related to long-lived assets and was driven by a partial impairment of the Company’s Akron, Ohio headquarters.
During Fiscal 2022, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax asset impairments related to the impairment of long-lived assets of $1.5 million. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax asset net gain on impairment of $0.5 million, all of which related to long-lived assets.
See Note 17 of Item 8 for additional information on the asset impairments.
Other operating income (expense)
In Fiscal 2023, other operating expense was $209.9 million compared to other operating income of $8.5 million in Fiscal 2022. Fiscal 2023 was primarily driven by pre-tax litigation charges of $203.8 million. Fiscal 2022 was primarily driven by interest income on the Company’s non-prime credit card portfolio and UK government subsidies granted for restrictions imposed on non-essential businesses.
In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023, other operating expense was $18.4 million compared to other operating expense of $4.7 million compared to the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022. The fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023 was primarily driven by charges related to a litigation matter of $15.9 million. The fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022 was primarily driven by foreign exchange losses and charges related to previously disclosed shareholder litigation matters.
See Notes 12 and 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
Operating income (loss)
In the year to date period of Fiscal 2023, operating income was $604.9 million or 7.7% of sales compared to $903.4 million or 11.5% of sales in Fiscal 2022. The decrease in operating income for the period, compared to prior year period, was primarily driven by the pre-tax litigation charges of $203.8 million and the overall decrease in core sales volume, partially offset by lower payroll-related costs, the impact of the acquisitions and the benefits of Signet’s flexible operating model discussed above.
In the fourth quarter, operating income was $369.5 million or 13.9% of sales compared to $402.4 million or 14.3% of sales in prior year fourth quarter. The decrease in operating income for the period, compared to prior year quarter reflects the overall decrease in core sales volume as well as charges related to litigation and impairment noted above, partially offset by lower payroll-related costs, the impact of the acquisitions and the benefits of Signet’s flexible operating model.
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Signet’s operating income (loss) by segment for the year to date period is as follows:
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | $ | % of sales | $ | % of sales | |||||||||
| North America segment (1) | $ | 673.2 | 9.2 | % | $ | 981.4 | 13.5 | % | |||||
| International segment (2) | (0.2) | — | % | 14.4 | 2.9 | % | |||||||
| Other segment | 2.4 | nm | (0.2) | nm | |||||||||
| Corporate and unallocated expenses (3) | (70.5) | nm | (92.2) | nm | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 604.9 | 7.7 | % | $ | 903.4 | 11.5 | % |
(1) Fiscal 2023 includes: 1) $13.4 million of cost of sales associated with the fair value step-up of inventory acquired in the Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile acquisitions; 2) $14.7 million of acquisition and integration-related expenses in connection with the Blue Nile acquisition, primarily related to professional fees and severance costs; 3) $203.8 million related to pre-tax litigation charges; and 4) net asset impairment charges of $20.0 million.
Fiscal 2022 includes: 1) $5.4 million of cost of sales associated with the fair value step-up of inventory acquired in the Diamonds Direct acquisition; 2) $6.4 million of acquisition-related expenses related to Diamonds Direct and Rocksbox; 3) net asset impairment charges of $2.0 million; 4) $1.4 million of gains associated with the sale of customer in-house finance receivables; and 5) $1.0 million credit to restructuring expense, primarily related to adjustments to previously recognized restructuring liabilities.
See Note 4, Note 6, Note 13, Note 17, and Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
(2) Fiscal 2023 includes net asset impairment charges of $2.7 million.
Fiscal 2022 includes net asset impairment gains of $0.5 million.
See Note 17 of Item 8 for additional information.
(3) Fiscal 2022 includes: 1) a charge of $1.7 million related to the settlement of previously disclosed shareholder litigation matters; and 2) $2.3 million credit to restructuring expense primarily related to adjustments to previously recognized restructuring liabilities.
See Note 6 and Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
nm Not meaningful.
Signet’s operating income (loss) by segment for the fourth quarter is as follows:
| Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2023 | Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | $ | % of sales | $ | % of sales | |||||||||
| North America segment (1) | $ | 372.9 | 14.9 | % | 408.3 | 15.7 | % | ||||||
| International segment (2) | 14.7 | 9.6 | % | 18.4 | 10.0 | % | |||||||
| Other segment | (2.1) | nm | 1.2 | nm | |||||||||
| Corporate and unallocated expenses | (16.0) | nm | (25.5) | nm | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 369.5 | 13.9 | % | $ | 402.4 | 14.3 | % |
(1) Fiscal 2023 includes: 1) $1.8 million credit to cost of sales associated with the fair value adjustment of inventory acquired in the Blue Nile acquisition; 2) $7.4 million of acquisition and integration-related expenses in connection with the Blue Nile acquisition, primarily related to professional fees and severance costs; 3) $13.8 million related to pre-tax litigation charges; and 4) net asset impairment charges of $18.1 million.
See Note 4, Note 17, and Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
(2) Fiscal 2023 includes net asset impairment charges of $2.6 million.
See Note 17 of Item 8 for additional information.
nm Not meaningful.
Interest expense, net
In Fiscal 2023, interest expense, net was $13.5 million compared to $16.9 million in Fiscal 2022. In the fourth quarter, interest expense, net was $2.1 million compared to $4.5 million in the prior year fourth quarter. The overall decreases in interest expense, net is related to higher interest income earned on invested cash due to higher interest rates.
Other non-operating expense, net
In Fiscal 2023, other non-operating expense was $140.2 million compared to $2.1 million in Fiscal 2022. In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023, other non-operating income was $0.6 million compared to other non-operating income of $1.2 million in the prior year fourth quarter. The other non-operating expenses in Fiscal 2023 primarily consisted of non-cash, pre-tax settlement charges of $133.7 million related to the partial buy-out of the Signet Group Pension Scheme. See Note 23 of Item 8 for additional information on the Company’s retirement plans.
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Income taxes
Income tax expense for Fiscal 2023 was $74.5 million, with an effective tax rate (“ETR”) of 16.5%, compared to an income tax expense of $114.5 million, with an effective tax rate of 12.9% in Fiscal 2022. The ETR for Fiscal 2023 was lower than the US federal income tax rate primarily due to the favorable impacts from the Company’s global reinsurance and financing arrangements, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of an uncertain tax position related to a prior year of $20.5 million recorded in Fiscal 2023. The ETR for Fiscal 2022 was lower than the US federal income tax rate primarily due to the favorable impact of the reversal of the valuation allowance recorded against certain state deferred tax assets. Refer to Note 11 of Item 8 for additional information.
In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023, income tax expense was $89.5 million, with an ETR of 24.4%, compared to expense of $82.4 million, with an ETR of 20.8% in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022. The ETR for the fourth quarter Fiscal 2023 was higher than the US federal income tax rate, primarily due to the unfavorable impact of an uncertain tax position related to a prior year of $20.5 million recorded in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023, partially offset by favorable impacts from the Company’s global reinsurance and financing arrangements. The ETR for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022 approximated the US federal income tax rate.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
The discussion and analysis of Signet’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based upon the consolidated financial statements of Signet which are prepared in accordance with GAAP and should be read in conjunction with Signet’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Item 8. A number of non-GAAP measures are used by management to analyze and manage the performance of the business, and the required disclosures for these non-GAAP measures are shown below.
Signet presents such non-GAAP measures in reporting its financial results to provide investors additional information to evaluate its operations and financial position. Management does not, nor does it suggest investors should, consider such non-GAAP measures in isolation from, or in substitution for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
1. Net cash
Net cash is a non-GAAP measure defined as the total of cash and cash equivalents less loans, overdrafts and long-term debt. Management considers this metric to be helpful in understanding the total indebtedness of the Company after consideration of liquidity available from cash balances on-hand.
| (in millions) | January 28, 2023 | January 29, 2022 | January 30, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,166.8 | $ | 1,418.3 | $ | 1,172.5 | ||||
| Less: Long-term debt | (147.4) | (147.1) | (146.7) | |||||||
| Net cash | $ | 1,019.4 | $ | 1,271.2 | $ | 1,025.8 |
2. Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure defined as the net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment. Management considers this metric to be helpful in understanding how the business is generating cash from its operating and investing activities that can be used to meet the financing needs of the business. Adjusted free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, excludes the proceeds from the sale of in-house finance receivables. Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are indicators frequently used by management in evaluating its overall liquidity needs and determining appropriate capital allocation strategies. Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow do not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes. See Note 13 of Item 8 for additional information regarding the sale of the in-house credit card receivable portfolio.
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 797.9 | $ | 1,257.3 | $ | 1,372.3 | ||||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (138.9) | (129.6) | (83.0) | |||||||
| Free cash flow | 659.0 | 1,127.7 | 1,289.3 | |||||||
| Proceeds from sale of in-house finance receivables | — | (81.3) | — | |||||||
| Adjusted free cash flow | $ | 659.0 | $ | 1,046.4 | $ | 1,289.3 |
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3. Non-GAAP operating income
Non-GAAP operating income is a non-GAAP measure defined as operating income excluding the impact of significant and unusual items which management believes are not necessarily reflective of normal operating performance during a period. Management finds the information useful when analyzing financial results in order to appropriately evaluate the performance of the business without the impact of these significant and unusual items. In particular, management believes the consideration of measures that exclude such items can assist in the comparison of operational performance in different periods which may or may not include such items.
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 604.9 | $ | 903.4 | $ | (57.7) | ||||
| Charges (credits) related to transformation plan | — | (3.3) | 47.6 | |||||||
| Asset impairments, net (1) | 15.9 | (0.9) | 159.0 | |||||||
| Litigation charges (2) | 203.8 | 1.7 | 7.5 | |||||||
| Acquisition and integration-related costs (3) | 25.8 | 8.6 | — | |||||||
| Gain on sale of in-house finance receivables | — | (1.4) | — | |||||||
| Non-GAAP operating income | $ | 850.4 | $ | 908.1 | $ | 156.4 |
(1) Fiscal 2023 includes impairment charges related to the Company’s headquarters. Fiscal 2022 includes ROU asset impairment gains, net recorded due to various impacts of COVID-19 to the Company’s business and related gains on terminations or modifications of leases, resulting from previously recorded impairments of the right of use assets in Fiscal 2021. Fiscal 2021 includes impairment charges related to the Company’s goodwill, intangible assets, and long-lived assets. Refer to Note 17 of Item 8 for additional information.
(2) Refer to Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information.
(3) Acquisition and integration-related costs include the impact of the fair value step-up for inventory from Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile, as well as direct transaction-related and integration costs, primarily professional fees and severance, incurred related to the acquisition of Blue Nile in Fiscal 2023; Fiscal 2022 included direct transaction-related costs for the acquisition of Rocksbox and Diamonds Direct and impact of the fair value step-up for inventory from Diamonds Direct.
4. Leverage ratio
The leverage ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing Signet’s adjusted debt by adjusted EBITDAR. Adjusted debt is a non-GAAP measure defined as debt recorded in the consolidated balance sheet, plus redeemable Series A convertible preference shares (“Preferred Shares”), plus an adjustment for operating leases (5x annual rent expense). Adjusted EBITDAR is a non-GAAP measure, defined as earnings before interest and income taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, non-operating income (expense) and certain non-GAAP accounting adjustments (“Adjusted EBITDA”) and further excludes minimum fixed rent expense for properties occupied under operating leases. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR are considered important indicators of operating performance as they exclude the effects of financing and investing activities by eliminating the effects of interest, depreciation and amortization costs and certain accounting adjustments. Management believes these financial measures are helpful to enhancing investors’ ability to analyze trends in Signet’s business and evaluate Signet’s performance.
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| (in millions) | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted debt: | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt | $ | 147.4 | $ | 147.1 | $ | 146.7 | ||||
| Redeemable Series A Convertible Preference Shares | 653.8 | 652.1 | 642.3 | |||||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| 5x Rent expense | 2,232.5 | 2,216.5 | 2,263.0 | |||||||
| Adjusted debt | $ | 3,033.7 | $ | 3,015.7 | $ | 3,052.0 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDAR: | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 376.7 | $ | 769.9 | $ | (15.2) | ||||
| Income taxes | 74.5 | 114.5 | (74.5) | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 13.5 | 16.9 | 32.0 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment (1) | 162.2 | 162.4 | 175.1 | |||||||
| Amortization of definite-lived intangibles (1) | 2.3 | 1.1 | 0.9 | |||||||
| Amortization of unfavorable contracts | (1.8) | (3.3) | (5.4) | |||||||
| Share-based compensation | 42.0 | 45.8 | 14.5 | |||||||
| Other non-operating expense, net (2) | 140.2 | 2.1 | — | |||||||
| Other accounting adjustments (3) | 245.5 | 4.7 | 214.5 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,055.1 | $ | 1,114.1 | $ | 341.9 | ||||
| Rent expense | 446.5 | 443.3 | 452.6 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDAR | $ | 1,501.6 | $ | 1,557.4 | $ | 794.5 | ||||
| Adjusted leverage ratio | 2.0x | 1.9x | 3.8x |
(1) Total amount of depreciation and amortization reflected on the consolidated statement of cash flows for Fiscal 2023, Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021 equals $164.5 million, $163.5 million and $176 million, respectively, which includes $2.3 million, $1.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively, related to the amortization of definite-lived intangibles, primarily favorable leases and trade names.
(2) Fiscal 2023 includes pension settlement charges of $133.7 million.
(3) Fiscal 2023 includes: 1) $25.8 million of acquisition and integration-related costs including the impact of the fair value step-up for inventory from Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile, as well as direct transaction-related and integration costs, primarily professional fees and severance, incurred related to the acquisition of Blue Nile in Fiscal 2023; 2) $15.9 million of asset impairments; and 3) $203.8 million related to litigation charges.
Fiscal 2022 includes: 1) $0.9 million of net asset impairment gains related to long-lived assets; 2) $3.3 million credit to restructuring expense, primarily related to adjustments to previously recognized restructuring liabilities in connection with the Company’s transformation plan; 3) $1.7 million related to the settlement of previously disclosed shareholder litigation matters; 4) $8.6 million of charges related to professional fees for direct transaction-related costs incurred for the acquisitions of Rocksbox and Diamonds Direct in Fiscal 2022, as well as includes the impact of the fair value step up for inventory from Diamonds Direct; and 5) $1.4 million gain associated with the sale of customer in-house finance receivables.
Fiscal 2021 includes: 1) $159.0 million in asset impairments related to goodwill, intangible assets, and long-lived assets; 2) $47.6 million related to charges in connection with the Company’s transformation plan; 3) $7.5 million related to charges related to settlement of shareholder litigation, net of insurance proceeds; and 4) $0.4 million related to cost of extinguishment of debt.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview and capital strategy
The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, cash provided by operations and availability under its senior unsecured asset-based revolving credit facility (the “ABL Revolving Facility”). As of January 28, 2023, the Company had $1.2 billion of cash and cash equivalents, $147.7 million of outstanding debt related to the 4.70% senior unsecured notes due in 2024 (the “Senior Notes”), and no outstanding borrowings on the ABL Revolving Facility. The available borrowing capacity on the ABL Revolving Facility was $1.4 billion as of January 28, 2023.
The tenets of Signet’s capital strategy are: 1) investing in its business to drive growth in line with the Company’s overall business strategy; 2) ensuring adequate liquidity through a strong cash position and financial flexibility under its debt arrangements; and 3) returning excess cash to shareholders. Over time, Signet’s strategy is to sustain an adjusted leverage ratio below 2.75x. Adjusted leverage ratio is a non-GAAP measure as defined in the Non-GAAP Measures section above.
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Investing in growth
Since the Company’s transformation strategies began in Fiscal 2019, the Company delivered substantially against its strategic priorities to establish the Company as the OmniChannel jewelry category leader and position its business for sustainable long-term growth. The investments and new capabilities built during the past few years laid the foundation for the Company’s accelerated growth post-pandemic, including prioritizing digital investments in both technology and talent, enhancing the Company’s new and modernized eCommerce platform and optimizing a connected commerce shopping journey for its customers. The Company’s cash discipline has led to more efficient working capital, through both the extension of payment days with the Company’s vendor base, as well as through improvement in productivity and overall health of the Company’s inventory, utilizing a disciplined approach to drive continued reductions in sell down and clearance inventory. In addition, cost reductions and process improvements since the Company’s transformation strategy began have generated annual costs savings of approximately $500 million.
As the Company continues to execute on its Inspiring Brilliance strategy, it will continue to focus on working capital efficiency, optimizing its real estate footprint, and prioritizing transformational productivity to drive future cost savings opportunities, all of which are expected to be used to fuel strategic investments, grow the business, and enhance liquidity. In addition, the Company invested $210.5 million for capital investments in Fiscal 2023, which included $138.9 million for capital expenditures and $71.6 million related to investments in digital and cloud IT initiatives.
In addition, during the past two years, the Company made three acquisitions in line with its Inspiring Brilliance strategy. On March 29, 2021, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Rocksbox, a jewelry rental subscription business, for cash consideration of $14.6 million, net of cash acquired. The acquisition was driven by Signet's initiatives to accelerate growth in its services offerings. On November 17, 2021, the Company acquired Diamonds Direct for cash consideration of $503.1 million, net of cash acquired. The acquisition of Diamonds Direct accelerated the Company’s growth in accessible luxury and bridal. See Note 4 of Item 8 for more details.
During the third quarter of Fiscal 2023, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Blue Nile, subject to the terms of a stock purchase agreement entered into on August 5, 2022. The total cash consideration was $389.9 million, net of cash acquired, including purchase price adjustments for working capital. Blue Nile is a leading online retailer of engagement rings and fine jewelry. The strategic acquisition of Blue Nile accelerates Signet's efforts to enhance its connected commerce capabilities and broaden its digital leadership across the jewelry category – all to further achieve meaningful operating synergies for the consumers and create value for shareholders. See Note 4 of Item 8 for further details.
Liquidity and financial flexibility
During the past two years, the Company made significant progress in line with its Inspiring Brilliance growth strategy through three key financial milestones. First, the Company renegotiated its $1.5 billion ABL Facility, as further described in Note 24 of Item 8, to extend the maturity until 2026 and allow overall greater financial flexibility to grow the business and provide an additional option to address the 2024 maturities for its Senior Notes and Preferred Shares, if necessary.
Second, as described in Note 13 of Item 8, the Company entered into amended and restated receivable purchase agreements with CarVal and Castlelake regarding the purchase of add-on receivables on such Investors’ existing accounts, as well as the purchase of the Company-owned credit card receivables portfolio for accounts that had been originated through Fiscal 2021. These agreements provide Signet with improved terms for the next two years, as well as remove consumer credit risk from the balance sheet. In March 2022, the Company entered into amended and restated receivable purchase agreements with the Investors regarding the purchase of add-on receivables on such Investors’ existing accounts. Under the amended and restated agreements, The Bank of Missouri will be the issuer for the add-on receivables on these existing accounts and the Investors will purchase the receivables from The Bank of Missouri. In conjunction with the above agreements in March 2022, the Company entered into agreements with the Investors to transfer all existing cardholder accounts previously originated by Signet to The Bank of Missouri. Therefore, the Company no longer originates any credit receivables with customers.
Finally, the Company has substantially completed the buy-out of its UK Pension plan over the past two years, which eliminates the long term balance sheet risk of this benefit obligation, as well as will reduce ongoing pension funding obligations and preserve free cash flow. Refer to Note 23 of Item 8 for further information on the UK Pension plan buy-out.
Returning excess cash to shareholders
The Company remains committed to its goal to return excess cash to shareholders. During Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2023, the Company has declared the Fiscal 2022 preferred share dividends payable in cash, and beginning in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022, elected to reinstate the dividend program on its common shares. The Company also increased its common dividends from $0.18 per share in Fiscal 2022, to $0.20 per share in Fiscal 2023, and beginning in Fiscal 2024 increased it again to $0.23 per share. In addition, during the third quarter of Fiscal 2022, the Board of Directors authorized a reinstatement of repurchases under the 2017 Program by
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approximately $560 million during Fiscal 2022 and authorized an additional $500 million in June 2022. Since the reinstatement of share repurchases, the Company has repurchased approximately 9.3 million shares for $687.9 million under the 2017 Program, including, $376.1 million in Fiscal 2023. Subsequent to year-end, the Board approved a further $263 million increase to the multi-year authorization under the 2017 Program bringing the total remaining authorization to approximately $775 million (net of approximately $25 million of share repurchases made in the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 through March 15, 2023). See Note 8 of Item 8 for more details.
The Company believes that cash on hand, cash flows from operations and available borrowings under the ABL Revolving Facility will be sufficient to meet its ongoing business requirements for at least the 12 months following the date of this report, including funding working capital needs, projected investments in the business (including capital expenditures), debt service, and returns to shareholders through either dividends or share repurchases.
Primary sources and uses of operating cash flows
Operating activities provide the primary source of cash for the Company and are influenced by a number of factors, the most significant of which are operating income and changes in working capital items, such as:
•changes in the level of inventory as a result of sales and other strategic initiatives;
•changes and timing of accounts payable and accrued expenses, including variable compensation; and
•changes in deferred revenue, reflective of the revenue from performance of extended service plans.
Signet derives most of its operating cash flows through the sale of merchandise and extended service plans. As a retail business, Signet receives cash when it makes a sale to a customer or when the payment has been processed by Signet or the relevant bank if the payment is made by third-party credit or debit card. As discussed further in Note 13 of Item 8, the Company has outsourced its entire credit card portfolio, and it receives cash from its outsourced financing partners (net of applicable fees) generally within two days of the customer sale. Offsetting these receipts, the Company’s largest operating expenses are the purchase of inventory, store occupancy costs (including rent), and payroll and payroll-related benefits.
Summary cash flows
The following table provides a summary of Signet’s cash flow activity for Fiscal 2023, Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021:
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 797.9 | $ | 1,257.3 | $ | 1,372.3 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (545.4) | (642.7) | (77.8) | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (490.0) | (366.6) | (498.6) | |||||||
| (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (237.5) | 248.0 | 795.9 | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 1,418.3 | 1,172.5 | 374.5 | |||||||
| (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (237.5) | 248.0 | 795.9 | |||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (14.0) | (2.2) | 2.1 | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 1,166.8 | $ | 1,418.3 | $ | 1,172.5 |
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities in Fiscal 2023 was $797.9 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $1.3 billion in the prior year comparable period. This overall decrease is primarily due to lower income and higher cash outflows for working capital compared to the prior period. The significant movements in operating cash flows are further described below:
•Net income was $376.7 million compared to $769.9 million in the prior year period, a decrease of $393.2 million. This decrease was primarily related to non-cash, pre-tax pension settlement charges of $133.7 million and pre-tax accrued litigation charges of $203.8 million during Fiscal 2023. See Note 12 of Item 8 for additional information.
•Change in current income taxes was a source of $98.5 million in the current period compared to a use of $6.7 million in the prior year. Deferred taxes was a use of $99.3 million in the current period compared to a source of $0.1 million in the prior year. Cash paid for income taxes was $74.6 million in Fiscal 2023 and $120.7 million in Fiscal 2022. Refer to Note 11 of Item 8 for additional information.
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•During the prior year, the Company sold its existing customer in-house finance receivables, as well as collected the payment obligation of the remaining 5% of the receivables previously sold in June 2018. This resulted in cash proceeds of $81.3 million. See Note 13 of Item 8 for further information.
•Cash used for inventory was $16.5 million compared to a source of $198.3 million in the prior year period driven by the replenishment of inventories to healthier normalized in-stock levels.
•Cash used by accounts payable was $101.6 million compared to a source of $35.7 million in the prior year period. Accounts payable decreased in the current year as a result of merchandise replenishment during the first half of the year. In addition, the Company continued to utilize extended terms with its vendors and has maintained these extended terms throughout the current year.
•Cash provided by changes in operating leases was $18.2 million, compared to a use of $64.1 million in the prior year, driven by the Company’s deferral of rent payments due beginning in April 2020, a substantial portion of which was repaid in Fiscal 2022. See Note 18 of Item 8 for more information.
•Cash provided by deferred revenue was $27.9 million compared to $100.5 million in the prior year, primarily due to increased warranty plan sales associated with higher overall sales volume in Fiscal 2022. See Note 3 of Item 8 for further information.
Investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities in Fiscal 2023 was $545.4 million compared to $642.7 million in the prior period. Cash used in Fiscal 2023 was primarily related to the acquisition of Blue Nile for $389.9 million, net of cash acquired, and capital expenditures of $138.9 million. Capital expenditures are associated with new stores, remodels of existing stores, and strategic capital investments in digital and IT initiatives. In Fiscal 2022, net cash used in investing activities included $515.8 million for the acquisitions of Diamonds Direct and Rocksbox and capital expenditures of $129.6 million. See Note 4 of Item 8 for more information on all acquisitions.
Stores opened and closed in Fiscal 2023:
| Store count by segment | January 29, 2022 | Opened and acquired (2) (3) | Closed (2) | January 28, 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America segment (1) | 2,506 | 83 | (114) | 2,475 | |||||||
| International segment (1) | 348 | 2 | (17) | 333 | |||||||
| Signet | 2,854 | 85 | (131) | 2,808 |
(1) The net change in selling square footage for Fiscal 2023 for the North America and International segments was 0.9% and (3.7)%, respectively.
(2) Includes 23 store repositions in Fiscal 2023.
(3) Includes 23 locations acquired from Blue Nile in Fiscal 2023 as described in Note 4 of Item 8.
Financing activities
Net cash used in financing activities in Fiscal 2023 was $490.0 million, consisting of the repurchase of $376.1 million of common shares, payments for withholding taxes related to the settlement of the Company’s share-based compensation awards of $44.4 million, and preferred and common share dividends paid of $69.5 million. See Note 8 of Item 8 for more information.
Net cash used in financing activities in Fiscal 2022 was $366.6 million, comprised primarily of $43.6 million for dividend payments on common and preferred shares and common share repurchases of $311.8 million.
Movement in Cash and Indebtedness
Cash and cash equivalents at January 28, 2023 were $1.2 billion compared to $1.4 billion as of January 29, 2022. Signet has cash and cash equivalents invested in various ‘AAA’ rated government money market funds and at a number of large, highly-rated financial institutions. The amount invested in each liquidity fund or at each financial institution takes into account the credit rating and size of the liquidity fund or financial institution and is invested for short-term durations.
As further described in Note 24 of Item 8, on July 28, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement to amend the ABL Revolving Facility. The amendment extends the maturity of the ABL Revolving Facility to July 28, 2026 and allows the Company to increase the size of the ABL Revolving Facility by up to $600 million.
At January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, Signet had $147.7 million of outstanding debt, consisting entirely of the Senior Notes.
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The Company had stand-by letters of credit on the ABL Revolving Facility of $18.1 million as of January 28, 2023 that reduced remaining borrowing availability. Available borrowings under the ABL Revolving Facility were $1.4 billion as of January 28, 2023.
Net cash was $1.0 billion as of January 28, 2023 compared to net cash of $1.3 billion as of January 29, 2022. Refer to the Non-GAAP Measures section above for the definition of net cash and reconciliation to its most comparable financial measure presented in accordance with GAAP.
As of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.
Capital availability
Signet’s level of borrowings and cash balances fluctuates during the year reflecting the seasonality of its cash flow requirements and business performance. Management believes that cash balances and the committed borrowing facilities (including the ABL Facility described more fully in Note 24 of Item 8) currently available to the business are sufficient for both its present and near-term requirements. The following table provides a summary of these items as of January 28, 2023, January 29, 2022 and January 30, 2021:
| (in millions) | January 28, 2023 | January 29, 2022 | January 30, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working capital (1) | $ | 1,259.0 | $ | 1,659.7 | $ | 1,583.3 | ||||
| Capitalization: | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 147.4 | 147.1 | 146.7 | |||||||
| Redeemable Series A Convertible Preference Shares | 653.8 | 652.1 | 642.3 | |||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 1,578.6 | 1,564.0 | 1,190.3 | |||||||
| Total capitalization | 2,379.8 | 2,363.2 | 1,979.3 | |||||||
| Additional amounts available under credit agreements | $ | 1,406.6 | $ | 1,245.9 | $ | 1,320.8 |
(1) Includes cash and cash equivalents
If the excess availability under the ABL Revolving Facility falls below the threshold specified in the ABL Facility agreement, the Company will be required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00. As of January 28, 2023, the threshold related to the fixed coverage ratio was approximately $126 million. The ABL Facility places certain restrictions upon the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, grant liens and make certain loans, investments and divestitures. The ABL Facility contains customary events of default (including payment defaults, cross-defaults to certain of the Company’s other indebtedness, breach of representations and covenants and change of control). The occurrence of an event of default under the ABL Facility would permit the lenders to accelerate the indebtedness and terminate the ABL Facility.
Credit ratings
The following table provides Signet’s credit ratings as of January 28, 2023:
| Rating Agency | Corporate | Senior Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard & Poor’s | BB- | BB- |
| Moody’s | Ba3 | B2 |
| Fitch | BB | BB |
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Merchandise held on consignment
Signet held $623.0 million of consignment inventory which is not recorded on the balance sheet at January 28, 2023, as compared to $533.2 million at January 29, 2022. The principal terms of the consignment agreements, which can generally be terminated by either party, are such that Signet can return any, or all of, the inventory to the relevant supplier without financial or commercial penalty.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Critical accounting policies covering areas of greater complexity that are subject to the exercise of judgment due to the reliance on key estimates are listed below. A comprehensive listing of Signet’s significant accounting policies is set forth in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
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Revenue recognition for extended service plans and lifetime warranty agreements (“ESP”)
The Company recognizes revenue related to ESP sales in proportion to when the expected costs will be incurred. The deferral periods for ESP sales are determined from patterns of claims costs, including estimates of future claims costs expected to be incurred. Management reviews the trends in historical claims to assess whether changes are required to the revenue and cost recognition rates utilized. All direct costs associated with the sale of these plans are deferred and amortized in proportion to the revenue recognized and disclosed as either other current assets or other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. These direct costs primarily include sales commissions and credit card fees. Amortization of deferred ESP selling costs is included within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
The North America reportable segment sells ESP, subject to certain conditions, to perform repair work over the life of the product. Customers generally pay for ESP at the store or online at the time of merchandise sale. Revenue from the sale of the lifetime ESP is recognized consistent with the estimated patterns of claim costs expected to be incurred by the Company in connection with performing under the ESP obligations. Lifetime ESP revenue is deferred and recognized over a maximum of 13 years after the sale of the warranty contract. Although claims experience varies between the Company’s national banners, thereby resulting in different recognition rates, approximately 60% to 65% of revenue is recognized within the first two years on a weighted average basis. Management estimates that a 1% change in the recognition rates between years for ESP sales, based on the level of ESP plans sold in Fiscal 2023 and assuming no change in the life over which the Company is expected to fulfil its obligations under the warranty, would impact revenue recognized on current year ESA plan sales by approximately $5 million.
As noted above, the Company utilizes historical claims data to estimate the expected future patterns of claims cost and the related revenue recognition rates utilized. These claims patterns are subject to change based primarily on revisions to the Company’s ESP product offerings and changes in customer behavior over time. The Company refreshes its analysis of the claims pattern on at least an annual basis, or more often if circumstances dictate such a review is required (such as occurred as a result of the disruption from COVID-19). A significant change in either the overall claims pattern or the life over which the Company is expected to fulfil its obligation under the warranty could result in material change to revenues.
Goodwill and intangibles
In a business combination, the Company estimates and records the fair value of all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities. The fair value of these intangible assets and liabilities is estimated based on management’s assessment, including selection of appropriate valuation techniques, inputs and assumptions in the determination of fair value. Significant estimates in valuing intangible assets and liabilities acquired include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows associated with the acquired asset or liability, expected life and discount rates. The excess purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill is recorded by the Company’s reporting units based on the acquisitions made by each.
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as indefinite-lived trade names, are evaluated for impairment annually as of the beginning of the fourth reporting period, with the exception of newly acquired reporting units which are completed no later than twelve months after the date of acquisition. Additionally, if events or conditions were to indicate the carrying value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived intangible asset may be greater than its fair value, the Company would evaluate the reporting unit or asset for impairment at that time. Impairment testing compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit or other intangible assets with its fair value. When the carrying amount of the reporting unit or other intangible assets exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recorded.
The impairment test for goodwill involves estimating the fair value of the reporting unit through either estimated discounted future cash flows or market-based methodologies. The impairment test for other indefinite-lived intangible assets involves estimating the fair value of the asset, which is typically performed using the relief from royalty method for indefinite-lived trade names.
The fair value methodologies used by the Company in testing goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets include assumptions related to sales trends, discount rates, royalty rates and other assumptions that are judgmental in nature. If future economic conditions or operating performance, such as declines in sales or increases in discount rates, are different than those projected by management in its most recent impairment tests for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, future impairment charges may be required. See Note 19 of Item 8 for further details.
Long-lived assets
Long-lived assets of the Company consist primarily of property and equipment, definite-lived intangible assets and operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Potentially impaired assets or asset groups are identified by reviewing the undiscounted cash flows of individual stores. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the store asset group, based on the Company’s internal business plans. If the undiscounted cash flow for the store asset group is less than its carrying amount, the long-lived assets are measured for potential impairment by estimating the fair value of the asset group, and recording an impairment loss for the amount that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value. The Company primarily utilizes the replacement cost method to
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estimate the fair value of its property and equipment, and the income capitalization method to estimate the fair value of its ROU assets, which incorporates historical store level sales, internal business plans, real estate market capitalization and rental rates, and discount rates.
The uncertainty of the current macroeconomic environment on to the Company’s business could continue to further negatively affect the operating performance and cash flows of the previously impaired stores or additional stores, including the impacts of inflation, continued changes in consumer behavior and shifts in discretionary spending, the inability to achieve or maintain cost savings initiatives included in the business plans, changes in real estate strategy or other macroeconomic factors which influence consumer behavior. In addition, key assumptions used to estimate fair value, such as sales trends, capitalization and market rental rates, and discount rates could impact the fair value estimates of the store-level assets in future periods.
Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized by applying statutory tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences between the financial reporting and tax filing bases of existing assets and liabilities are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, based on management’s evaluation of all available evidence, both positive and negative, including reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and results of recent operations. The Company has a valuation allowance of $19.0 million and $27.9 million, as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively, due to uncertainties related to the Company’s ability to utilize certain of its deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of net operating losses, foreign tax credits and capital losses carried forward.
The annual effective tax rate is based on annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning strategies available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company does not recognize tax benefits related to positions taken on certain tax matters unless the position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. At any point in time, various tax years are subject to or are in the process of being audited by various taxing authorities. The Company records a reserve for uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties. To the extent that management’s estimates of settlements change, or the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determinations are made. See Note 11 of Item 8 for additional information regarding deferred tax assets and unrecognized tax benefits.
Leases
Signet occupies certain properties and holds machinery and vehicles under operating leases. Signet determines if an arrangement is a lease at the agreement’s inception. Certain operating leases include predetermined rent increases, which are charged to store occupancy costs within cost of sales on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any construction period or other rental holiday. Other variable amounts paid under operating leases, such as taxes and common area maintenance, are charged to cost of sales as incurred. Premiums paid to acquire short-term leasehold properties and inducements to enter into a lease are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Certain leases provide for contingent rent based on a percentage of sales in excess of a predetermined level. Certain leases provide for variable rent increases based on indexes specified within the lease agreement. The variable increases based on an index are initially measured as part of the operating lease liability using the index at the commencement date. Contingent rent and subsequent changes to variable increases based on indexes will be recognized in the variable lease cost and included in the determination of total lease cost when it is probable that the expense has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU assets and current and non-current operating lease liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
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ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental secured borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date, including the underlying term and currency of the lease, in measuring the present value of lease payments. Lease terms, which include the period of the lease that cannot be canceled, may also include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet, and we recognize short-term lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The operating lease ROU asset may also include initial direct costs, prepaid and/or accrued lease payments and the unamortized balance of lease incentives received. ASC 842, “Leases”, allows a lessee, as an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset, to choose not to separate non-lease components from lease components and instead to account for each separate lease component and the non-lease components associated with that lease component as a single lease component. We have elected this practical expedient as presented in ASC 842, and do not separate non-lease components for all underlying asset classes. ROU assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable in accordance with the Company’s long-lived asset impairment assessment policy.
Payments arising from operating lease activity, as well as variable and short-term lease payments not included within the operating lease liability, are included as operating activities on the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows. Expenditures made to ready an asset for its intended use (i.e. leasehold improvements) are represented within investing activities within the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries, which are listed on Exhibit 22.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, have guaranteed obligations under the Senior Notes.
The Senior Notes were issued by Signet UK Finance plc (the “Issuer”). The Senior Notes rank senior to the Preferred Shares and common shares. The Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets securing that indebtedness. The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the Company, as the parent entity ( the “Parent”) of the Issuer, and certain of its subsidiary guarantors (each, a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”).
The Senior Notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future debt and other liabilities, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Senior Notes (the “Non-Guarantors”). The Non-Guarantors will have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay amounts due under the Senior Notes or to make funds available to pay those amounts. Certain Non-Guarantors may be limited in their ability to remit funds to us by means of dividends, advances or loans due to required foreign government and/or currency exchange board approvals or limitations in credit agreements or other debt instruments of those subsidiaries.
The Guarantors jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee on a senior unsecured basis the performance and full and punctual payment when due of all obligations of Issuer, as defined in the Indenture, in accordance with the Senior Notes and the related Indentures, as supplemented, whether for payment of principal of or interest on the Senior Notes when due and any and all costs and expenses incurred by the trustee or any holder of the Senior Notes in enforcing any rights under the guarantees (collectively, the “Guarantees”). The Guarantees and Guarantors are subject to release in limited circumstances only upon the occurrence of certain customary conditions.
Although the Guarantees provide the holders of Senior Notes with a direct unsecured claim against the assets of the Guarantors, under US federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of US state fraudulent transfer laws, in certain circumstances a court could cancel a Guarantee and order the return of any payments made thereunder to the Guarantor or to a fund for the benefit of its creditors.
A court might take these actions if it found, among other things, that when the Guarantors incurred the debt evidenced by their Guarantee (i) they received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the incurrence of the debt and (ii) any one of the following conditions was satisfied:
•the Guarantor entity was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the incurrence;
•the Guarantor entity was engaged in a business or transaction for which its remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or
•the Guarantor entity intended to incur or believed (or reasonably should have believed) that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay as those debts matured.
In applying the above factors, a court would likely find that a Guarantor did not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value for its Guarantee, except to the extent that it benefited directly or indirectly from the issuance of the Senior Notes. The
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determination of whether a Guarantor was or was not rendered insolvent when it entered into its Guarantee will vary depending on the law of the jurisdiction being applied. Generally, an entity would be considered insolvent if the sum of its debts (including contingent or unliquidated debts) is greater than all of its assets at a fair valuation or if the present fair salable value of its assets is less than the amount that will be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including contingent or unliquidated debts, as they mature.
If a court canceled a Guarantee, the holders of the Senior Notes would no longer have a claim against that Guarantor or its assets.
Each Guarantee is limited, by its terms, to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the applicable Guarantor without rendering the Guarantee, as it relates to that Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
Each Guarantor is a consolidated subsidiary of Parent at the date of each balance sheet presented. The following tables present summarized financial information for Parent, Issuer, and the Guarantors on a combined basis after elimination of (i) intercompany transactions and balances among Parent, Issuer, and the Guarantors and (ii) equity in earnings from and investments in any Non-Guarantor.
| Summarized Balance Sheets | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | January 28, 2023 | January 29, 2022 | |||||
| Total current assets | $ | 3,225.3 | $ | 3,507.0 | |||
| Total non-current assets | 2,056.3 | 2,245.3 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 2,555.5 | 2,309.3 | |||||
| Total non-current liabilities | 3,192.3 | 3,407.0 | |||||
| Redeemable preferred shares | 653.8 | 652.1 | |||||
| Total due from Non-Guarantors (1) | 425.1 | 311.4 | |||||
| Total due to Non-Guarantors (1) | 1,798.3 | 1,666.9 |
(1) Amounts included in asset and liability subtotals above.
| Summarized Statements of Operations | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | |||||
| Sales | $ | 6,705.7 | $ | 7,188.9 | |||
| Gross margin | 2,786.0 | 3,014.9 | |||||
| Income before income taxes (2) | 546.0 | 939.7 | |||||
| Net income (2) | 490.1 | 827.9 |
(2) Includes income from intercompany transactions with Non-Guarantors of $128.3 million for Fiscal 2023, and income of $49.8 million for Fiscal 2022. Intercompany transactions primarily include intercompany dividends and interest.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000832988-22-000019.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion and analysis in this Item 7 are intended to provide the reader with information that will assist in understanding the significant factors affecting the Company’s consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and information. The Company's actual results could materially differ from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly in “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements.”
This management's discussion and analysis provides comparisons of material changes in the consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021. For a comparison of Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020, refer to Item 7 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2021 filed with the SEC on March 19, 2021.
OVERVIEW
Impacts of COVID-19
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) was identified in Wuhan, China. During Fiscal 2021, the Company experienced significant disruption to its business, specifically in its retail store operations through temporary closures during the first half of Fiscal 2021. By the end of the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, the Company had re-opened substantially all of its stores. However, during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2021, both the UK and certain Canadian provinces re-established mandated temporary closure of non-essential businesses. The UK stores began to reopen in April 2021 and Canadian stores began reopening in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022. To date, the Company’s operations have not been significantly impacted by the resurgence of COVID-19 or any variants that began emerging in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022. The Company continues to actively monitor and manage the situation related to its store and support center operations focusing on the health and safety of its employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders, and considering all guidelines from state and federal government and health organizations.
COVID-19 significantly altered the retail climate and the Company has been navigating that change by accelerating its application of the key strategic initiatives developed over the past few years including the Company’s focus on becoming an OmniChannel leader, focusing on the needs of its customers, removing non-customer facing costs, and optimizing its real estate footprint. The Company continues to maintain its cost diligence efforts as the Company executes on its Inspiring Brilliance strategy, as further described below and in the Purpose and Strategy section within Item 1 this Annual Report.
During the past two years, the Company also took numerous actions to maximize its financial flexibility, bolster its liquidity and strengthen its balance sheet, both strategically and as temporary measures as a result of COVID-19. Refer to the Liquidity and Capital
Resources section below for further information.
Outlook and strategy
Signet’s sales grew 28.6% during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022 compared to the same quarter of Fiscal 2021, as the Company’s organic growth this quarter was bolstered by the addition of Diamonds Direct USA Inc. (“Diamonds Direct”) to Signet’s portfolio on November 17, 2021. This growth also reflects sustainable enhancements to Signet’s connected commerce capabilities, digital marketing effectiveness, the strength of Signet’s banner differentiation and inventory management. The Company’s focus on its connected commerce shopping experience, both online and in-store, helped maintain strong conversion rates and improve average transaction values during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022. During Fiscal 2023, the Company will continue to execute the initiatives under its Inspiring Brilliance strategy, which is focused on the achievement of sustainable, industry leading growth. As described in the Purpose and Strategy section within Item 1 this Annual Report, through its Inspiring Brilliance strategy, the Company will focus on leveraging its core strengths that it developed over the past few years with the goal of creating a broader mid-market for jewelry and increasing Signet’s share of that larger market as the industry leader.
Although the Company has not experienced a significant impact to Fiscal 2022 results, Signet continues to expect some shift of consumer discretionary spending away from the jewelry category reflecting decelerating levels of consumer confidence and pent-up demand for experience-oriented categories in Fiscal 2023; however, the timing and magnitude of any shift is difficult to predict. Following a year of heightened growth, jewelry industry revenues are expected to flat to down slightly in the coming year. However, the Company believes that its banner value propositions, including the Diamonds Direct addition to Signet‘s portfolio, the strength of the Company’s product assortment and its investments in digital and flexible fulfillment methods are expected to continue fueling a strong response from customers across merchandise categories and banners in Fiscal 2023. Furthermore, the Company will continue its diligent and effective efforts to drive structural cost savings and mitigate supply chain disruption.
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The full extent of the COVID-19 pandemic impacts on the Company’s business in Fiscal 2023 or longer term, and whether the strong results in Fiscal 2022 will continue, remains unclear. Continued uncertainties exist that could impact the Company’s results of operations or cash flows, such as potential resurgence of COVID-19 in key trade areas, the ability to recruit and retain qualified team members, organized retail crime, extended duration of heightened unemployment in certain areas, pricing and inflationary environment changes impacting the Company (including, but not limited to, materials, labor, fulfillment and advertising costs) or the consumers’ ability to spend. In addition, although the Company believes economic stimulus measures have had a positive impact on current year results, it is uncertain how long this impact will continue.
Diamonds Direct acquisition
On November 17, 2021, the Company finalized its acquisition of Diamonds Direct for initial cash consideration of $501.2 million, net of cash acquired, and subject to customary post-closing adjustments per the Transaction Agreement (“Transaction Agreement”). Diamonds Direct is an off-mall, destination jeweler in the US operating in 22 retail locations with a highly productive, efficient operating model with demonstrated growth and profitability. Diamonds Direct was immediately accretive to Signet following the acquisition date. Diamonds Direct's strong value proposition, extensive bridal offering and customer centric, high-touch shopping experience is a destination for younger, luxury-oriented bridal shoppers. Diamonds Direct strategically expands Signet’s market in accessible luxury and bridal, provides access to a new customer base and furthers Signet’s opportunity to build lifetime customer relationships. Signet plans to grow Diamonds Direct while driving operating margin expansion over time through operating synergies in purchasing, targeted marketing and connected commerce.
Market and operating conditions
The Company faces a highly competitive and dynamic retail landscape throughout the geographies where it does business, as well as a challenging macro-economic and political environment in the UK market. Refer to Item 1 for further information on the Company’s business, markets and strategy.
Exchange translation impact
Monthly average exchange rates are used to prepare the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In Fiscal 2023, it is anticipated a five percent movement in the British pound to US dollar exchange rate would impact the Company’s income before income taxes by approximately $0.7 million, while a five percent movement in the Canadian dollar to US dollar exchange rate would impact the Company’s income before income taxes by approximately $1.0 million.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal 2022 Overview
Similar to many other retailers, Signet follows the retail 4-4-5 reporting calendar. Both Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021 were 52 week reporting periods.
Same store sales
Management considers same store sales useful as it is a major benchmark used by investors to judge performance within the retail industry. Same store sales growth is calculated by comparison of sales in stores that were open in both the current and the prior fiscal year. Sales from stores that have been open for less than 12 months are excluded from the comparison until their 12-month anniversary. Sales from stores that were acquired during the period and have not been included in the Company’s results for both the current and prior period presented are also excluded from same store sales. Sales after the 12-month anniversary are compared against the equivalent prior period sales within the comparable store sales comparison. Stores closed in the current financial period are included up to the date of closure and the comparative period is correspondingly adjusted. Stores that have been relocated or expanded, but remain within the same local geographic area, are included within the comparison with no adjustment to either the current or comparative period. Stores that have been refurbished are also included within the comparison except for the period when the refurbishment was taking place, when those stores are excluded from the comparison both for the current year and for the comparative period. Same store sales are also impacted by certain accounting adjustments to sales, primarily related to the deferral of revenue from the Company’s extended service plans.
As discussed in the Overview section above, because of COVID-19, the Company temporarily closed all of its stores in the first quarter of Fiscal 2021, as well as certain stores in the UK and Canada during the fourth quarter. Same store sales as presented in the results of operations below for Fiscal 2021 have not been adjusted to remove the impact of these temporary store closures.
eCommerce sales include all sales with customers that originate online, including direct to customer, ship to store, and buy online, pick-up in store ("BOPIS"). eCommerce sales are included in the calculation of same store sales for the period and the comparative figures from the anniversary of the launch of the relevant website. Brick and mortar same store sales are calculated by removing the eCommerce sales from the same store sales calculation described above. Comparisons at the divisional level are made in local
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currency and consolidated comparisons are made at constant exchange rates and exclude the effect of exchange rate movements by recalculating the prior period results as if they had been generated at the weighted average exchange rate for the current period. Same store sales exclude the 53rd week in the fiscal year in which it occurs.
Cost of sales and gross margin
Cost of sales is mostly composed of merchandise costs (net of discounts and allowances). Cost of sales also contains:
•Occupancy costs such as rent, common area maintenance, depreciation and real estate taxes.
•Store operating expenses such as utilities, displays and third-party merchant credit costs.
•Distribution and warehousing costs including freight, processing, inventory shrinkage and related payroll.
As the classification of cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses varies from retailer to retailer, Signet’s gross margin percentage may not be directly comparable to other retailers.
Factors that influence gross margin include pricing, promotional environment, changes in merchandise costs, changes in non-merchandise components of cost of sales (as described above), changes in sales mix, foreign exchange, gold and currency hedges and the economics of services such as repairs and extended service plans. The price of diamonds varies depending on their size, cut, color and clarity. Signet uses gold and currency hedges to reduce its exposure to market volatility in the cost of gold and the British pound to the US dollar exchange rate, but it is not able to do so for diamonds. For gold and currencies, the hedging period can extend up to 24 months, although the majority of hedge contracts will normally be for a maximum of 12 months.
Signet uses an average cost inventory methodology and, as jewelry inventory turns slowly, the impact of movements in the cost of diamonds and gold takes time to be fully reflected in the gross margin. Signet’s inventory turns faster in the fourth quarter than in the other three quarters, therefore, changes in the cost of merchandise is more impactful on the gross margin in that quarter. Furthermore, Signet’s hedging activities result in movements in the purchase cost of merchandise taking some time before being reflected in the gross margin. An increase in inventory turn would accelerate the rate at which commodity costs impact gross margin.
Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”)
SG&A expense primarily includes store staff and store administrative costs as well as advertising and promotional costs. It also includes field support center expenses such as information technology, finance, eCommerce and other operating expenses (including credit losses) not specifically categorized elsewhere in the consolidated statements of operations.
The primary drivers of staffing costs are the number of full-time equivalent employees and the level of compensation, taxes and other benefits paid. Management varies, on a store by store basis, the hours worked based on the expected level of selling activity, subject to minimum staffing levels required to operate the store. Non-store staffing levels are less variable. A significant element of compensation is performance-based and is primarily dependent on sales and operating profit.
The level of advertising expenditures can vary. The largest element of advertising expenditures has historically been national television advertising; however, Signet has continued to invest more on digital and social marketing in recent years as part of its transformational initiatives, in order to evolve its marketing allocations based on consumer habits, business needs, and maximize return on investment (“ROI”) on its advertising investments.
Other operating income (loss)
Other operating income (loss) primarily consists of miscellaneous operating income and expense items such as interest income from customer in-house finance receivables, litigation settlements, foreign currency gains and losses, and gains and losses from de-designated or undesignated derivative contracts. See Note 12 in Item 8 for further detail on the Company’s other operating income.
COMPARISON OF FISCAL 2022 TO FISCAL 2021
•Total sales: up 49.7%.
•Same store sales: up 48.5%.
•Diluted earnings (loss) per share: $12.22 compared to $(0.94) in Fiscal 2021.
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| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | $ | % of sales | $ | % of sales | |||||||||
| Sales | $ | 7,826.0 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,226.9 | 100.0 | % | |||||
| Cost of sales | (4,702.0) | (60.1) | (3,493) | (66.8) | |||||||||
| Restructuring charges - cost of sales | — | — | (1.4) | — | |||||||||
| Gross margin | 3,124.0 | 39.9 | 1,732.5 | 33.1 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (2,230.9) | (28.5) | (1,587.4) | (30.4) | |||||||||
| Restructuring charges | 3.3 | — | (46.2) | (0.9) | |||||||||
| Goodwill and intangible impairments | (1.5) | — | (159.0) | (3.0) | |||||||||
| Other operating income | 8.5 | 0.1 | 2.4 | — | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 903.4 | 11.5 | (57.7) | (1.1) | |||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (16.9) | (0.2) | (32.0) | (0.6) | |||||||||
| Other non-operating loss, net | (2.1) | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 884.4 | 11.3 | (89.7) | (1.7) | |||||||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | (114.5) | (1.5) | 74.5 | 1.4 | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 769.9 | 9.8 | % | $ | (15.2) | (0.3) | % |
Year to date sales
In Fiscal 2022, Signet’s sales were $7.8 billion, up $2.6 billion or 49.7%, compared to $5.2 billion in Fiscal 2021. Total same store sales increased by 48.5%, compared to a decrease of 10.8% in Fiscal 2021. This growth reflects continued strong business momentum driven by the strength of Signet’s connected commerce capabilities and holiday shopping, as well as the traction from strategic initiatives such as new product launches. Furthermore, the Company’s “always-on” marketing strategy, combined with consumer inspired promotional events as well as the strength of the Company’s product assortment drove a strong response from customers across merchandise categories and banners during the fourth quarter.
eCommerce sales were $1.5 billion and 19.3% of total sales compared to $1.2 billion and 22.7% of total sales in Fiscal 2021. The increase in eCommerce sales reflects the enhanced eCommerce capabilities, digital first focus and connected commerce strategies that are resonating with customers. The Company’s focus on its connected commerce shopping experience, both online and in-store, helped maintain improved conversion rates and average transaction values during Fiscal 2022.
The breakdown of Signet’s sales performance during Fiscal 2022 is set out in the table below:
| Change from previous year | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal 2022 | Same store sales | Non-same store sales, net (2) | Total sales at constant exchange rate | Exchange translation impact | Total sales as reported | Total sales (in millions) | |||||||||||||
| North America segment | 49.5 | % | 0.4 | % | 49.9 | % | 0.2 | % | 50.1 | % | $ | 7,264.8 | |||||||
| International segment | 34.7 | % | (3.0) | % | 31.7 | % | 6.7 | % | 38.4 | % | $ | 492.4 | |||||||
| Other segment (1) | nm | nm | nm | nm | nm | $ | 68.8 | ||||||||||||
| Signet | 48.5 | % | 0.5 | % | 49.0 | % | 0.7 | % | 49.7 | % | $ | 7,826.0 |
(1) Includes sales from Signet’s diamond sourcing initiative.
(2) Includes sales from acquired businesses from the date of acquisition through the end of the period.
nm Not meaningful.
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Average merchandise transaction value (“ATV”) is defined as net merchandise sales on a same store basis divided by the total number of customer transactions. As such, changes from the prior year do not recompute within the table below.
| Average Merchandise Transaction Value (1)(2) | Merchandise Transactions | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Value | Change from previous year | Change from previous year | |||||||||||||||||
| Fiscal Year | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | |||||||||||||
| North America segment | $ | 448 | $ | 392 | 14.3 | % | — | % | 29.2 | % | (7.6) | % | |||||||
| International segment (3) | £ | 129 | £ | 153 | (17.3) | % | 8.5 | % | 30.7 | % | (30.4) | % |
(1) Net merchandise sales within the North America segment include all merchandise product sales, net of discounts and returns. In addition, excluded from net merchandise sales are sales tax in the US, repair, extended service plan, insurance, employee and other miscellaneous sales. As a result, the sum of the changes will not agree to change in same store sales.
(2) Net merchandise sales within the International segment include all merchandise product sales, including value added tax (“VAT”), net of discounts and returns. In addition, excluded from net merchandise sales are repairs, warranty, insurance, employee and other miscellaneous sales. As a result, the sum of the changes will not agree to change in same store sales.
(3) Amounts for the International segment are denominated in British pounds.
North America sales
The North America segment’s total sales were $7.3 billion compared to $4.8 billion in the prior year, up 50.1%. Same store sales increased 49.5% compared to a decrease of 9.5% in the prior year. North America’s ATV increased 14.3% and the number of transactions increased 29.2%. eCommerce sales increased 30.8% and brick and mortar sales increased 55.6% on a same store sales basis.
International sales
In Fiscal 2022, the International segment’s total sales were $492.4 million, up 38.4%, compared to $355.9 million in Fiscal 2021. Same store sales increased by 34.7% compared to a decrease of 25.0% in Fiscal 2021. ATV decreased 17.3% and the number of transactions increased 30.7%. eCommerce sales decreased 2.0% and brick and mortar sales increased 51.9% on a same store sales basis.
Fourth quarter sales
In the fourth quarter, Signet’s total sales were $2.8 billion, up $624.8 million or 28.6%, compared to an increase of 1.5% in the prior year fourth quarter. Same store sales were up 23.8% compared to an increase of 7.0% in the prior year fourth quarter. This growth reflects continued strong business momentum driven by the strength of Signet’s connected commerce capabilities and the level of early holiday shopping as well as the traction from strategic initiatives such as new product launches. Furthermore, the Company’s “always-on” marketing strategy, combined with consumer inspired promotional events as well as the strength of the Company’s product assortment drove a strong response from customers across merchandise categories and banners during the year.
eCommerce sales in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022 were $556.0 million or 19.8% of total sales, compared to $511.4 million or 23.4% of total sales in the prior year fourth quarter. The breakdown of the sales performance is set out in the table below.
| Change from previous year | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2022 | Same store sales (1) | Non-same store sales, net | Total sales at constant exchange rate | Exchange translation impact | Total sales as reported | Total sales (in millions) | |||||||||||||
| North America segment | 22.2 | % | 4.6 | % | 26.8 | % | 0.1 | % | 26.9 | % | $ | 2,606.9 | |||||||
| International segment | 50.2 | % | (0.7) | % | 49.5 | % | (0.5) | % | 49.0 | % | $ | 183.4 | |||||||
| Other segment (1) | nm | nm | nm | nm | nm | $ | 21.0 | ||||||||||||
| Signet | 23.8 | % | 4.7 | % | 28.5 | % | 0.1 | % | 28.6 | % | $ | 2,811.3 |
(1) Includes sales from Signet’s diamond sourcing initiative.
nm Not meaningful.
| Average Merchandise Transaction Value (1)(2) | Merchandise Transactions | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Value | Change from previous year | Change from previous year | |||||||||||||||||
| Fourth Quarter | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | |||||||||||||
| North America segment | $ | 444 | $ | 380 | 16.8 | % | 1.1 | % | 3.6 | % | 9.9 | % | |||||||
| International segment (3) | £ | 141 | £ | 136 | 2.2 | % | 6.3 | % | 37.6 | % | (29.7) | % |
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(1) Net merchandise sales within the North America segment include all merchandise product sales, net of discounts and returns. In addition, excluded from net merchandise sales are sales tax in the US, repair, extended service plan, insurance, employee and other miscellaneous sales. As a result, the sum of the changes will not agree to change in same store sales.
(2) Net merchandise sales within the International segment include all merchandise product sales, including VAT, net of discounts and returns. In addition, excluded from net merchandise sales are repairs, warranty, insurance, employee and other miscellaneous sales. As a result, the sum of the changes will not agree to change in same store sales.
(3) Amounts for the International segment are denominated in British pounds.
North America sales
The North America segment’s total sales were $2.6 billion compared to $2.1 billion in the prior year, up 26.9%. Same store sales increased 22.2% compared to an increase of 10.4% in the prior year. The North America segment’s ATV increased 16.8%, and the number of transactions increased 3.6%. eCommerce sales increased 14.0%, while brick and mortar same store sales increased 24.9%. All US banners achieved strong sales, demonstrating that the Company’s banner value propositions, product newness, always-on marketing and connected commerce experiences are resonating with customers. Signet experienced higher conversion rates and an increase in transaction value, both online and in-store, which also helped to drive overall sales performance during the fourth quarter.
International sales
The International segment’s total sales increased 49.0% to $183.4 million compared to $123.1 million in the prior year and increased 49.5% at constant exchange rates. Same store sales increased 50.2% compared to a decrease of 28.3% in the prior year. In the International segment’s ATV increased 2.2% and the number of transactions increased 37.6%. eCommerce sales decreased 30.8% and brick and mortar sales increased 128.8% on a same store sales basis. The number of transactions increasing reflects the reopening of all UK stores in April 2021. In the prior year, all UK stores temporarily closed on March 24, 2020 and began reopening in the second quarter of Fiscal 2021.
Gross margin
In Fiscal 2022, gross margin was $3.1 billion or 39.9% of sales compared to $1.7 billion or 33.1% of sales in Fiscal 2021. In the fourth quarter, gross margin was $1.2 billion or 41.0% of sales compared to $869.5 million or 39.8% of sales in the prior year fourth quarter. The increases were primarily driven by a strong business momentum boosting sales as well as providing leverage on fixed costs, such as occupancy, further enhanced by merchandise and inventory strategies. Overall margins also benefited from merchandise margin rate expansion through reduced clearance and favorable merchandise and services mix.
SG&A
Selling, general and administrative expenses for Fiscal 2022 were $2.2 billion or 28.5% of sales compared to $1.6 billion or 30.4% of sales in Fiscal 2021. In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022, SG&A expense was $745.8 million or 26.5% of sales compared to $573.8 million or 26.2% of sales in the prior year fourth quarter. The increases were primarily due to advertising, payroll and investments in digital/IT, as well as increased variable costs such as store staffing costs and private label credit costs, which were higher as a result of the significant sales volume increase from the prior year as noted above. This was partially offset by the benefits of structural cost savings from the Company’s transformation activities, such as more efficient operating hours, contributing to the improvement in the current full year SG&A as a percentage of sales.
Restructuring charges
During the first quarter of Fiscal 2019, Signet launched a three-year comprehensive transformation plan, “Signet’s Path to Brilliance” (the “Plan”), to among other objectives, reposition the Company to be a share gaining, OmniChannel jewelry category leader. The Plan was substantially completed as of the end of Fiscal 2021. During Fiscal 2022, credits to restructuring expense of $3.3 million were recognized, related primarily to the adjustment of previously recognized Plan liabilities. In Fiscal 2021, restructuring charges of $46.2 million were recognized, $14.7 million of which were non-cash charges, primarily related to store closures, severance costs, and professional fees for legal and consulting services related to the Plan. See Note 6 of Item 8 for additional information regarding the Company’s restructuring activities.
Asset impairments, net
During Fiscal 2022, the Company recorded net non-cash, pre-tax asset impairments related to the impairment of long-lived assets of $1.5 million. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax asset net gain on impairment of $0.5 million, all of which related to long-lived assets.
During Fiscal 2021, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax asset impairments related to the impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and long-lived assets of $10.7 million, $83.3 million and $65.0 million respectively. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2021, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax asset impairment charges of $0.9 million, all of which related to long-lived assets.
See Note 17 and Note 19 of Item 8 for additional information on the asset impairments.
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Other operating income (loss)
In Fiscal 2022, other operating income was $8.5 million compared to other operating income of $2.4 million in Fiscal 2021. Fiscal 2022 primarily included interest income from the Company’s non-prime credit card portfolio and the receipt of UK government subsidies granted for restrictions imposed on non-essential businesses, partially offset by foreign exchange losses and charges related to previously disclosed litigation matters. Fiscal 2021 included a gain recognized as a result of the Company de-designating and liquidating derivative financial instruments primarily related to forecasted commodity purchases that were deemed no longer effective in light of the economic circumstances altered by COVID-19. That gain was offset by a charge, net of insurance recoveries, related to the settlement of previously disclosed shareholder litigation matters.
In the fourth quarter, other operating loss was $4.7 million compared to $1.9 million in the prior year fourth quarter. The fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022 was primarily driven by foreign exchange losses and charges related to previously disclosed shareholder litigation matters. Fourth quarter of Fiscal 2021 was primarily driven by miscellaneous asset write-offs offset by interest income from the in-house credit program.
See Note 12, Note 21 and Note 28 of Item 8 for additional information on these matters.
Operating income (loss)
In Fiscal 2022, operating income was $903.4 million or 11.5% of sales compared to an operating loss of $57.7 million or (1.1)% of sales in Fiscal 2021. This increase reflects a significant sales volume increase from the prior year as described above, as well as the favorable impact of structural cost savings. This favorability was partially offset by higher advertising, payroll and investments in digital/IT, as well as higher variable costs such as store staffing costs and private label credit costs on the higher volume.
In the fourth quarter, operating income was $402.4 million or 14.3% of sales compared to $291.9 million or 13.4% of sales in prior year fourth quarter. The operating income increase reflected a combination of factors including the increase in sales, both online and in-store during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022 when compared to fourth quarter of Fiscal 2021 and the favorable impact of structural cost savings. This favorability was partially offset by higher advertising, payroll and investments in digital/IT, as well as higher variable costs such as store staffing costs and private label credit costs on the higher volume.
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | $ | % of sales | $ | % of sales | |||||||||
| North America segment (1) | $ | 981.4 | 13.5 | % | $ | 57.9 | 1.2 | % | |||||
| International segment (2) | 14.4 | 2.9 | % | (43.3) | (12.2) | % | |||||||
| Other segment (3) | (0.2) | nm | (0.3) | nm | |||||||||
| Corporate and unallocated expenses (4) | (92.2) | nm | (72.0) | nm | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 903.4 | 11.5 | % | $ | (57.7) | (1.1) | % |
(1) Fiscal 2022 includes: 1) $5.4 million of cost of sales associated with the fair value step-up of inventory acquired in the Diamonds Direct acquisition; 2) $6.4 million of acquisition-related expenses related to Diamonds Direct and Rocksbox; 3) net asset impairment charges of $2.0 million; 4) $1.4 million gain associated with the sale of customer in-house finance receivables; and 5) $1.0 million credit to restructuring expense, primarily related to adjustments to previously recognized restructuring liabilities.
Fiscal 2021 includes: 1) $1.6 million related to inventory charges recorded in conjunction with the Company’s restructuring activities; 2) $36.0 million primarily related to severance, professional fees and store closure costs recorded in conjunction with the Company’s restructuring activities; and 3) asset impairment charges of $136.7 million.
See Note 4, Note 6, Note 13, Note 17 and Note 19 for additional information.
(2) Fiscal 2022 includes net asset impairment gain of $0.5 million.
Fiscal 2021 includes 1) $9.7 million primarily related to severance and store closure costs recorded in conjunction with the Company’s restructuring activities; and 2) asset impairment charges of $22.3 million.
See Note 6 and Note 17 for additional information.
(3) Fiscal 2021 includes $0.2 million benefit recognized due to a change in inventory reserves previously recognized as part of the Company’s restructuring activities.
See Note 6 for additional information.
(4) Fiscal 2022 includes: 1) charges of $1.7 million related to the settlement of previously disclosed shareholder litigation matters; and 2) $2.3 million credit to restructuring expense primarily related to adjustments to previously recognized restructuring liabilities.
Fiscal 2021 includes: 1) charges of $7.5 million related to the settlement of previously disclosed shareholder litigation matters, net of expected insurance proceeds; and 2) $0.5 million related to charges recorded in conjunction with the Company’s restructuring activities.
nm Not meaningful.
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| Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2022 | Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | $ | % of sales | $ | % of sales | |||||||||
| North America segment (1) | $ | 408.3 | 15.7 | % | 296.2 | 14.4 | % | ||||||
| International segment (2) | 18.4 | 10.0 | % | 9.3 | 7.6 | % | |||||||
| Other segment | 1.2 | nm | (1.1) | nm | |||||||||
| Corporate and unallocated expenses (3) | (25.5) | nm | (12.5) | nm | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 402.4 | 14.3 | % | $ | 291.9 | 13.4 | % |
(1) Fiscal 2021 includes: 1) $1.3 million benefit recognized due to changes in severance and store closure liabilities recorded in conjunction with the Company’s restructuring activities; and 2) $0.2 million net gains on terminations or modifications of leases resulting from previously recorded impairments of the right of use assets in Fiscal 2021.
See Note 6, Note 19 and Note 17 for additional information.
(2) Fiscal 2021 includes 1) $2.1 million primarily related to severance and store closure costs recorded in conjunction with the Company’s restructuring activities; and 2) asset impairment charges of $1.1 million.
See Note 6 and Note 17 for additional information.
(3) Fiscal 2021 includes: 1) charges of $7.5 million related to the settlement of previously disclosed shareholder litigation matters, net of expected insurance proceeds; and 2) $0.5 million related to charges recorded in conjunction with the Company’s restructuring activities.
See Note 13, Note 28 and Note 6 for additional information.
nm Not meaningful.
Interest expense, net
In Fiscal 2022, interest expense, net was $16.9 million compared to $32.0 million in Fiscal 2021. In the fourth quarter, interest expense, net was $4.5 million compared to $6.4 million in the prior year fourth quarter. The decrease in Fiscal 2022 is primarily due to lower average borrowings compared to prior year. The only debt outstanding during Fiscal 2022 was the Company’s 4.7% Senior Unsecured Notes (“Senior Notes”), whereas the prior year included borrowings on the ABL Credit Facility. See Note 24 of Item 8 for additional information on the Company’s debt.
Other non-operating income, net
In Fiscal 2022, other non-operating income, net was $2.1 million compared to a net $0.0 million in Fiscal 2021. Fiscal 2022 includes primarily amortization of unrecognized actuarial losses related to the UK pension plan. Fiscal 2021 included amortization of unrecognized net prior service costs, offset by loss on debt extinguishment.
See Note 24 of Item 8 for additional information on the Company’s refinancing activities and Note 23 of Item 8 for additional information on the Company’s retirement plans.
Income taxes
Income tax expense for Fiscal 2022 was $114.5 million compared to a benefit of $74.5 million in Fiscal 2021, with an effective tax rate of 12.9% for Fiscal 2022 compared to 83.1% in Fiscal 2021. In Fiscal 2022, the Company’s effective tax rate was lower than the US federal income tax rate primarily due to the reversal of the valuation allowance recorded against certain state deferred tax assets, as well as additional benefits realized from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) and the benefits from global reinsurance arrangements. During Fiscal 2022, the Company evaluated evidence to consider the reversal of the valuation allowance on its state net deferred tax assets and determined that there was sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not its state deferred tax assets are realizable. In determining the likelihood of future realization of the state deferred tax assets, the Company considered both positive and negative evidence. As a result, the Company believed that the weight of the positive evidence, including the cumulative income position in the three most recent years and forecasts for a sustained level of future taxable income, was sufficient to overcome the weight of the negative evidence, and thus recorded a $49.8 million tax benefit to release the valuation allowance against the Company's state deferred tax assets during Fiscal 2022.
In Fiscal 2021, Signet’s effective tax rate was higher than the US federal income tax rate primarily due to the benefit from the CARES Act enacted on March 27, 2020, and the impact of Signet’s global reinsurance arrangement partially offset by the unfavorable impact of a valuation allowance recorded against certain state deferred tax assets and the impairment of goodwill which was nondeductible for tax purposes.
In the fourth quarter, income tax expense was $82.4 million, with an effective tax rate of 20.8%, compared to expense of $30.9 million, with an effective tax rate of 10.8% in the prior year fourth quarter. The fourth quarter Fiscal 2022 effective tax rate approximated the US federal income tax rate. The prior year fourth quarter tax expense and effective rate was favorably impacted by the benefit of the CARES Act, as well as by the mix of pre-tax earnings by jurisdiction.
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Refer to Note 11 of Item 8 for additional information.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
The discussion and analysis of Signet’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based upon the consolidated financial statements of Signet which are prepared in accordance with GAAP and should be read in conjunction with Signet’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Item 8. A number of non-GAAP measures are used by management to analyze and manage the performance of the business, and the required disclosures for these non-GAAP measures are shown below.
Signet provides such non-GAAP information in reporting its financial results to give investors additional data to evaluate its operations. Management does not, nor does it suggest investors should, consider such non-GAAP measures in isolation from, or in substitution for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
1. Net cash (debt)
Net cash (debt) is a non-GAAP measure defined as the total of cash and cash equivalents less loans, overdrafts and long-term debt. Management considers this metric to be helpful in understanding the total indebtedness of the Company after consideration of liquidity available from cash and cash equivalents held by the Company.
| (in millions) | January 29, 2022 | January 30, 2021 | February 1, 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,418.3 | $ | 1,172.5 | $ | 374.5 | ||||
| Less: Loans and overdrafts | — | — | (95.6) | |||||||
| Less: Long-term debt | (147.1) | (146.7) | (515.9) | |||||||
| Net cash (debt) | $ | 1,271.2 | $ | 1,025.8 | $ | (237.0) |
2. Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure defined as the net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment. Management considers this to be helpful in understanding how the business is generating cash from its operating and investing activities that can be used to meet the financing needs of the business. Free cash flow is an indicator used by management frequently in evaluating its overall liquidity and determining appropriate capital allocation strategies. Free cash flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes. In Fiscal 2022, net cash provided by operating activities included $81.3 million in proceeds received in connection with the sale of the Company’s non-prime credit card receivable portfolio. See Note 13 of Item 8 for additional information regarding the sale of the in-house credit card receivable portfolio.
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,257.3 | $ | 1,372.3 | $ | 555.7 | ||||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (129.6) | (83.0) | (136.3) | |||||||
| Free cash flow | 1,127.7 | 1,289.3 | 419.4 | |||||||
| Proceeds from sale of in-house finance receivables | (81.3) | — | — | |||||||
| Adjusted free cash flow | $ | 1,046.4 | $ | 1,289.3 | $ | 419.4 |
3. Non-GAAP operating income (loss)
Non-GAAP operating income (loss) is a non-GAAP measure defined as operating income (loss) excluding the impact of significant and unusual items which management believes are not necessarily reflective of operational performance during a period. Management finds the information useful when analyzing financial results in order to appropriately evaluate the performance of the business without the impact of significant and unusual items. In particular, management believes the consideration of measures that exclude such expenses can assist in the comparison of operational performance in different periods which may or may not include such expenses.
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| (in millions) | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 903.4 | $ | (57.7) | $ | 158.3 | ||||
| Credits (charges) related to transformation plan | (3.3) | 47.6 | 79.1 | |||||||
| Asset impairments, net (1) | (0.9) | 159.0 | 47.7 | |||||||
| Charges related to shareholder settlements | 1.7 | 7.5 | 33.2 | |||||||
| Acquisition-related costs (2) | 8.6 | — | — | |||||||
| Gain on sale of in-house finance receivables | (1.4) | — | — | |||||||
| Non-GAAP operating income (loss) | $ | 908.1 | $ | 156.4 | $ | 318.3 |
(1) Includes ROU asset impairment gains, net recorded due to various impacts of COVID-19 to the Company’s business and related gains on terminations or modifications of leases, resulting from previously recorded impairments of the right of use assets in Fiscal 2021.
(2) Acquisition related costs include professional fees for direct transaction-related costs incurred for the acquisitions of Rocksbox and Diamonds Direct in Fiscal 2022, as well as includes the impact of the fair value step up for inventory from Diamonds Direct.
4. Leverage ratio
The leverage ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing Signet’s adjusted debt by adjusted EBITDAR. Adjusted debt is a non-GAAP measure defined as debt recorded in the consolidated balance sheet, plus Series A redeemable convertible preferred shares, plus an adjustment for operating leases (5x annual rent expense). Adjusted EBITDAR, as revised by the Company in Fiscal 2021, is a non-GAAP measure, defined as earnings before interest and income taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, non-operating income (expense) and certain non-GAAP accounting adjustments (“Adjusted EBITDA”) and further excludes minimum fixed rent expense for properties occupied under operating leases. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR are considered important indicators of operating performance as they exclude the effects of financing and investing activities by eliminating the effects of interest, depreciation and amortization costs and certain accounting adjustments. Management believes these financial measures are helpful to enhancing investors’ ability to analyze trends in Signet’s business and evaluate Signet’s performance.
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| (in millions) | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted debt: | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt | $ | 147.1 | $ | 146.7 | $ | 515.9 | ||||
| Loans and overdrafts | — | — | 95.6 | |||||||
| Series A redeemable convertible preferred shares | 652.1 | 642.3 | 617.0 | |||||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| 5x Rent expense | 2,216.5 | 2,263.0 | 2,398.5 | |||||||
| Adjusted debt | $ | 3,015.7 | $ | 3,052.0 | $ | 3,627.0 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDAR: | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 769.9 | $ | (15.2) | $ | 105.5 | ||||
| Income taxes | 114.5 | (74.5) | 24.2 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 16.9 | 32.0 | 35.6 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment (1) | 162.4 | 175.1 | 177.1 | |||||||
| Amortization of definite-lived intangibles (1) | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.9 | |||||||
| Amortization of unfavorable contracts | (3.3) | (5.4) | (5.5) | |||||||
| Share-based compensation | 45.8 | 14.5 | 16.9 | |||||||
| Other non-operating expense, net | 2.1 | — | — | |||||||
| Other accounting adjustments (2) | 4.7 | 214.5 | 153.8 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,114.1 | $ | 341.9 | $ | 508.5 | ||||
| Rent expense | 443.3 | 452.6 | 479.7 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDAR | $ | 1,557.4 | $ | 794.5 | $ | 988.2 | ||||
| Adjusted leverage ratio | 1.9x | 3.8x | 3.7x |
(1) Total amount of depreciation and amortization reflected on the consolidated statement of cash flows for Fiscal 2022, Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020 equals $163.5 million, $176 million and $178.0 million, respectively, which includes $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, related to the amortization of definite-lived intangibles, primarily favorable leases and trade names.
(2) Fiscal 2022 includes: 1) $0.9 million of net asset impairments gain related to long-lived assets; 2) $3.3 million credit to restructuring expense, primarily related to adjustments to previously recognized restructuring liabilities in connection with the Company’s transformation plan; 3) $1.7 million related to the settlement of previously disclosed shareholder litigation matters; 4) $8.6 million of charges related to professional fees for direct transaction-related costs incurred for the acquisitions of Rocksbox and Diamonds Direct in Fiscal 2022, as well as includes the impact of the fair value step up for inventory from Diamonds Direct; and 5) $1.4 million gain associated with the sale of customer in-house finance receivables.
Fiscal 2021 includes: 1) $159.0 million in asset impairments related to goodwill, intangible assets, and long-lived assets; 2) $47.6 million related to charges in connection with the Company’s transformation plan; 3) $7.5 million related to charges related to settlement of shareholder litigation, net of insurance proceeds; and 4) $0.4 million related to cost of extinguishment of debt.
Fiscal 2020 includes: 1) $47.7 million related to an immaterial out of period goodwill impairment adjustment; 2) $79.1 million related to charges in connection with the Company’s transformation plan; 3) charges of $33.2 million related to the settlement of previously disclosed shareholder litigation matters, net of expected insurance proceeds; and 4) a $6.2 million gain on extinguishment of debt.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview and capital strategy
The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, cash provided by operations and availability under its ABL Revolving Facility (defined below). As of January 29, 2022, the Company had $1.4 billion of cash and cash equivalents and $147.7 million of outstanding debt. The Company believes that cash on hand, cash flows from operations and available borrowings under the ABL Revolving Facility will be sufficient to meet its ongoing business requirements for at least the 12 months following the date of this report, including funding working capital needs, projected investments in the business (including capital expenditures), debt service, and returns to shareholders through dividends or share repurchases.
The tenets of Signet’s capital strategy are: 1) investing in its business to drive growth in line with the Company’s overall business strategy; 2) ensuring adequate liquidity through a strong cash position and financial flexibility under its debt arrangements; and 3) returning excess cash to shareholders. Over time, Signet’s strategy is to sustain an adjusted leverage ratio below 3.0x. Refer to discussion of the adjusted leverage ratio in the Non-GAAP measures section above.
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Investing in growth
Since the Company’s transformation strategies began in Fiscal 2019, the Company delivered substantially against its strategic priorities to establish the Company as the OmniChannel jewelry category leader and position its business for sustainable long-term growth. The investments and new capabilities built during the past three years laid the foundation for stronger than expected results during Fiscal 2022, including prioritizing digital investments in both technology and talent, enhancing its new and modernized eCommerce platform and optimizing a connected commerce shopping journey for its customers. The Company’s cash discipline has also led to more efficient working capital, through both the extension of payment days with the Company’s vendor base, as well through continued inventory reduction efforts. In addition, structural cost reductions since the Company’s transformation strategy began in Fiscal 2019 have generated annual structural costs savings of over $400 million.
As the Company continues to implement and execute on the next phase of its strategy, Inspiring Brilliance, it will continue to focus on working capital efficiency, optimizing its real estate footprint, and prioritizing transformational productivity to drive future cost savings opportunities, all of which are expected to be used to fuel strategic investments, grow the business, and enhance liquidity. In addition, the Company invested over $190 million for capital investments in Fiscal 2022, which included approximately $130 million for capital expenditures and approximately $60 million related to investments in digital and cloud IT.
In addition, during Fiscal 2022, the Company made two acquisitions in line with its “Inspiring Brilliance” strategy. On March 29, 2021, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Rocksbox Inc. (“Rocksbox”), a jewelry rental subscription business, for cash consideration of $14.6 million, net of cash acquired. The acquisition was driven by Signet's initiatives to accelerate growth in its services offerings. On November 17, 2021, the Company acquired Diamonds Direct USA Inc. (“Diamonds Direct”) for initial cash consideration of $501.2 million, net of cash acquired, and subject to customary post-closing adjustments per the Transaction Agreement. The acquisition of Diamonds Direct accelerates the Company’s growth through expansion of the Company’s market in accessible luxury and bridal. See Note 4 of Item 8 for more details.
Liquidity and financial flexibility
During Fiscal 2022, the Company made significant progress in line with its Inspiring Brilliance growth strategy through two key financial milestones. First, the Company renegotiated its $1.5 billion ABL Facility, as further described in Note 24 of Item 8, to extend the maturity until 2026 and allow overall greater financial flexibility to grow the business and provide an additional option to address the 2024 maturities for its 4.70% senior unsecured notes (“Senior Notes”) and Preferred Shares, if necessary.
Second, as described in Note 13 of Item 8, the Company entered into amended and restated receivable purchase agreements with CarVal and Castlelake regarding the purchase of add-on receivables on such Investors’ existing accounts, as well as the purchase of the Company-owned credit card receivables portfolio for accounts that had been originated through Fiscal 2021. These agreements provide Signet with improved terms for the next two years, as well as remove consumer credit risk from the balance sheet. During the second quarter of Fiscal 2022, Signet received cash proceeds of $57.8 million for the sale of these customer in-house finance receivables to the Investors. Additionally, during the second quarter of Fiscal 2022, the Company received $23.5 million from the Investors for the payment obligation of the remaining 5% of the receivables previously purchased in June 2018.
Returning excess cash to shareholders
During Fiscal 2022 the Company remained committed to its goal to return excess cash to shareholders. The Company has declared the Fiscal 2022 preferred share dividends payable in cash, and beginning in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022, elected to reinstate the dividend program on its common shares. On August 23, 2021, the Board authorized a reinstatement of repurchases under the 2017 Program, as well as an increase in the remaining amount of shares authorized for repurchase under the 2017 Program from $165.6 million to $225 million. In January 2022, the Board increased its authorized share repurchase program by $500 million, bringing the total authorization for the 2017 Program to $1.2 billion. On January 21, 2022, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (“ASR”) with HSBC to repurchase the Company’s common shares for an aggregate amount of $250 million. As of January 29, 2022, the Company had received 2.5 million shares based on a price of $80 per share, which is 80% of the total prepayment amount. On March 14, 2022, the Company received an additional 0.8 million shares, representing the remaining 20% of the total prepayment and final settlement of the ASR. Altogether, the Company invested $311.8 million during Fiscal 2022 for share repurchases. See Note 8 of Item 8 for more details.
Primary sources and uses of operating cash flows
Operating activities provide the primary source of cash for the Company and are influenced by a number of factors, the most significant of which are operating income and changes in working capital items, such as:
•changes in the level of inventory as a result of sales and other strategic initiatives (i.e. store count);
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•changes and timing of accounts payable and accrued expenses, including variable compensation; and
•changes in deferred revenue, reflective of the revenue from performance of extended service plans.
Signet derives most of its operating cash flows through the sale of merchandise and extended service plans. As a retail business, Signet receives cash when it makes a sale to a customer or when the payment has been processed by Signet or the relevant bank if the payment is made by third-party credit or debit card. As discussed further in Note 13 of Item 8, the Company has outsourced its entire credit card portfolio, and it receives cash from its outsourced financing partners (net of applicable fees) generally within two days of the customer sale. Offsetting these receipts, the Company’s largest operating expenses are the purchase of inventory, store occupancy costs (including rent), and payroll and payroll-related benefits.
Summary cash flows
The following table provides a summary of Signet’s cash flow activity for Fiscal 2022, Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020:
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,257.3 | $ | 1,372.3 | $ | 555.7 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (642.7) | (77.8) | (140.8) | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (366.6) | (498.6) | (237.0) | |||||||
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 248.0 | 795.9 | 177.9 | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 1,172.5 | 374.5 | 195.4 | |||||||
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 248.0 | 795.9 | 177.9 | |||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (2.2) | 2.1 | 1.2 | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 1,418.3 | $ | 1,172.5 | $ | 374.5 |
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.3 billion compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $1.4 billion in the prior year comparable period. The Company’s cash flow from operating activities in Fiscal 2022 was primarily due to the Company’s strong revenue growth, ongoing cost control and working capital management initiatives. In Fiscal 2021, cash flows were negatively affected by the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operating results, however, these impacts were offset by temporary measures in place to manage liquidity as a result of the impacts of the pandemic and the Company’s ongoing working capital management initiatives.
•Net income was $769.9 million compared to a net loss of $15.2 million in the prior year period, an increase of $785.1 million.
•Net income included non-cash share-based compensation costs of $45.8 million compared to $14.5 million in the prior year period. The higher share-based compensation expense in the current year was driven by improved Company operating results. See Note 27 of Item 8 for more information.
•Deferred taxes were a source of $0.1 million compared to a source of $141.8 million in the prior year period offset by current income taxes of a use of $6.7 million compared to a use of $45.5 million in the prior year. The prior year amount was primarily the result of the net operating loss carryback filed in accordance with the provisions of the CARES Act, offset by an increase in the valuation allowance related to certain deferred tax assets in the US. During Fiscal 2021, the Company collected $183.4 million related to the loss carryback and other credits filed in Fiscal 2021 under the provisions of the CARES Act, whereas in Fiscal 2022, the Company paid cash for income taxes of $120.7 million. Refer to Note 11 of Item 8 for additional information.
•Non-cash asset impairment charges were $1.5 million compared to $159.0 million in the prior year period. See Note 17 of Item 8 for additional information regarding the impairments recognized in each period.
•Cash provided by accounts receivable totaled $12.4 million compared to a use of $50.1 million in the prior year comparable period. The prior year cash usage was driven by the portion of the non-prime in-house credit card portfolio that was retained by the Company beginning in the second quarter of Fiscal 2021. See Note 14 of Item 8 for additional information.
•During the second quarter of Fiscal 2022, the Company sold its existing customer in-house finance receivables, as well as collected the payment obligation of the remaining 5% of the receivables previously sold in June 2018. This resulted in cash proceeds of $81.3 million. See Note 13 of Item 8 for further information.
•Cash provided by inventory was $198.3 million compared to $308.0 million in Fiscal 2021. The inventory reductions in both periods were driven by the Company’s continued inventory management initiatives.
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•Cash provided by accounts payable was $35.7 million compared to $577.8 million in Fiscal 2021. The prior year result was driven by the Company’s aggressive working capital management initiatives throughout Fiscal 2021, which included the extension of time to pay with numerous vendors. The Company has been successful in maintaining these terms throughout Fiscal 2022 with its strong vendor relationships.
•Cash provided by other assets and other receivables was $181.9 million in the prior year period and was driven primarily by the collection of insurance proceeds related to the shareholder litigation settlement described in Note 28 of Item 8. Offsetting these cash proceeds was the payment of the settlement amount during the prior year period, which resulted in cash used by accrued expenses and other liabilities of $185.8 million.
•Cash used by changes in operating leases was $64.1 million, compared to a source of $31.2 million in the prior year period, driven by the Company’s deferral of rent payments due beginning in April 2020, a substantial portion of which was repaid in Fiscal 2022. See Note 18 of Item 8 for more information.
•Cash provided by deferred revenue was $100.5 million compared to $73.1 million in the prior year period, primarily due to increased warranty plan sales associated with higher overall sales volume. See Note 3 of Item 8 for further information.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $642.7 million compared to $77.8 million in the prior period. Fiscal 2022 included $515.8 million for the acquisitions of Diamonds Direct and Rocksbox (see Note 4 of Item 8 for more information). Capital additions were $129.6 million and $83.0 million in Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021, respectively. Capital additions in each period were primarily associated with new stores and remodels of existing stores, as well as capital investments in IT. The Company reduced capital expenditures in Fiscal 2021 due to uncertainty around COVID-19.
Stores opened and closed in Fiscal 2022:
| Store count by segment | January 30, 2021 | Opened and acquired (2) (3) | Closed (2) | January 29, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America segment (1) | 2,481 | 104 | (79) | 2,506 | |||||||
| International segment (1) | 352 | 3 | (7) | 348 | |||||||
| Signet | 2,833 | 107 | (86) | 2,854 |
(1) The net change in selling square footage for Fiscal 2022 for the North America and International segments was 0.5% and (0.7)%, respectively.
(2) Includes 12 store repositions in Fiscal 2022.
(3) Includes 22 Diamonds Direct locations acquired as described in Note 4 of Item 8.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities in Fiscal 2022 was $366.6 million, consisting primarily of $43.6 million for dividend payments on common and preferred shares and common share repurchases of $311.8 million. See Note 8 of Item 8 for more information.
Net cash used in financing activities in Fiscal 2021 was $498.6 million, comprised primarily of $27.2 million for dividend payments on common and preferred shares, $370.0 million for net debt repayments, and a decrease in bank overdrafts of $87.4 million. See further information on debt movements below.
Movement in Cash and Indebtedness
Cash and cash equivalents at January 29, 2022 were $1.4 billion compared to $1.2 billion as of January 30, 2021. Signet has significant amounts of cash and cash equivalents invested in various ‘AAA’ rated liquidity funds and at a number of financial institutions. The amount invested in each liquidity fund or at each financial institution takes into account the credit rating and size of the liquidity fund or financial institution and is invested for short-term durations.
During Fiscal 2020, the Company entered into (i) a revolving credit facility in an aggregate committed amount of $1.5 billion (“ABL Revolving Facility”) and (ii) a first-in last-out term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million (the “FILO Term Loan Facility” and, together with the ABL Revolving Facility, the “ABL Facility”). Refer to Note 24 of Item 8 for further information.
At January 29, 2022 and January 30, 2021, Signet had $147.7 million and $147.6 million, respectively, of outstanding debt, consisting entirely of the Senior Notes.
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During Fiscal 2021, the Company borrowed $900 million and paid down $1.2 billion, on the ABL Revolving Facility. Borrowings were made to fund short-term cash needs and as a prudent measure in response to COVID-19 to increase the Company’s financial flexibility and bolster its cash position. In January 2021, the Company fully repaid the $100 million FILO Term Loan Facility.
The Company had stand-by letters of credit on the ABL Revolving Facility of $20.1 million as of January 29, 2022 that reduced remaining borrowing availability. Available borrowings under the ABL Revolving Facility were $1.2 billion as of January 29, 2022.
Net cash was $1.3 billion as of January 29, 2022 compared to net cash of $1.0 billion as of January 30, 2021. Refer to Non-GAAP Measures above.
As of January 29, 2022 and January 30, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.
Capital availability
Signet’s level of borrowings and cash balances fluctuates during the year reflecting the seasonality of its cash flow requirements and business performance. Management believes that cash balances and the committed borrowing facilities (including the ABL Facility described more fully in Note 24 of Item 8) currently available to the business are sufficient for both its present and near-term requirements. The following table provides a summary of these items as of January 29, 2022, January 30, 2021 and February 1, 2020:
| (in millions) | January 29, 2022 | January 30, 2021 | February 1, 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working capital (1) | $ | 1,659.7 | $ | 1,583.3 | $ | 1,502.2 | ||||
| Capitalization: | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 147.1 | 146.7 | 515.9 | |||||||
| Series A redeemable convertible preferred shares | 652.1 | 642.3 | 617.0 | |||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 1,564.0 | 1,190.3 | 1,222.6 | |||||||
| Total capitalization | 2,363.2 | 1,979.3 | 2,355.5 | |||||||
| Additional amounts available under credit agreements | $ | 1,245.9 | $ | 1,320.8 | $ | 1,158.1 |
(1) Includes cash and cash equivalents
If the excess availability under the ABL Revolving Facility falls below the threshold specified in the ABL Facility agreement, the Company will be required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00. As of January 29, 2022, the threshold related to the fixed coverage ratio was approximately $119 million. The ABL Facility places certain restrictions upon the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, grant liens and make certain loans, investments and divestitures. The ABL Facility contains customary events of default (including payment defaults, cross-defaults to certain of the Company’s other indebtedness, breach of representations and covenants and change of control). The occurrence of an event of default under the ABL Facility would permit the lenders to accelerate the indebtedness and terminate the ABL Facility.
Credit ratings
The following table provides Signet’s credit ratings as of January 29, 2022:
| Rating Agency | Corporate | Senior Unsecured Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard & Poor’s | BB- | BB- |
| Moody’s | Ba3 | B2 |
| Fitch | BB | BB |
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Merchandise held on consignment
Signet held $533.2 million of consignment inventory which is not recorded on the balance sheet at January 29, 2022, as compared to $387.4 million at January 30, 2021. The principal terms of the consignment agreements, which can generally be terminated by either party, are such that Signet can return any, or all of, the inventory to the relevant supplier without financial or commercial penalty.
Contingent property liabilities
At January 29, 2022, 11 property leases had been assigned by Signet to third-parties (and remained unexpired and occupied by assignees at that date) and six additional properties were sub-let at that date. Should the assignees or sub-tenants fail to fulfill any obligations in respect of those leases or any other leases which have at any other time been assigned or sub-let, Signet or one of its UK
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subsidiaries may be liable for those defaults. The number of such claims arising to date has been small, and the liability, which is charged to the consolidated statements of operations as it arises, has not been material.
IMPACT OF INFLATION
During the past three years, Signet does not believe that inflation has had a significant impact on consumer discretionary spending or Signet’s sales and results. Jewelry purchases are discretionary and are often perceived to be a luxury purchase. As such, if inflation negatively impacts consumer discretionary spending, it may also negatively impact Signet’s sales and results in the future.
The costs of commodities such as diamonds, gemstones and precious metals in merchandise Signet purchases from its suppliers generally increase over time, and Signet has historically been able to increase retail prices to offset such cost increases. Diamond and gold costs began to increase more than usual in January 2022 but did not have a meaningful impact on Signet’s merchandise costs in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022. Diamond and gold costs continued to rise into February and March at a rate that Signet believes was similar to consumer price indexes over the same time periods. Signet intends to leverage its supply chain and flexible fulfillment capabilities, as well as its product and assortment capabilities in order to minimize Fiscal 2023 retail prices increases that may otherwise be necessary to offset such cost increases. Refer to Item 1A, Risk Factors, for further information on the potential impacts and risk associated with inflation.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Critical accounting policies covering areas of greater complexity that are subject to the exercise of judgment due to the reliance on key estimates are listed below. A comprehensive listing of Signet’s significant accounting policies is set forth in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
Revenue recognition for extended service plans and lifetime warranty agreements (“ESP”)
The Company recognizes revenue related to ESP sales in proportion to when the expected costs will be incurred. The deferral periods for ESP sales are determined from patterns of claims costs, including estimates of future claims costs expected to be incurred. Management reviews the trends in historical claims to assess whether changes are required to the revenue and cost recognition rates utilized. A significant change in estimates related to the time period or pattern in which warranty-related costs are expected to be incurred could materially impact revenues. All direct costs associated with the sale of these plans are deferred and amortized in proportion to the revenue recognized and disclosed as either other current assets or other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. These direct costs primarily include sales commissions and credit card fees. Amortization of deferred ESP selling costs is included within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
The North America segment sells ESP, subject to certain conditions, to perform repair work over the life of the product. Customers generally pay for ESP at the store or online at the time of merchandise sale. Revenue from the sale of the lifetime ESP is recognized consistent with the estimated patterns of claim costs expected to be incurred by the Company in connection with performing under the ESP obligations. Lifetime ESP revenue is deferred and recognized over a maximum of 14 years after the sale of the warranty contract. Although claims experience varies between the Company’s national banners, thereby resulting in different recognition rates, approximately 55% to 60% of revenue is recognized within the first two years on a weighted average basis.
As noted above, the Company utilizes historical claims data to estimate the expected future patterns of claims cost and the related revenue recognition rates utilized. These claims patterns are subject to change based primarily on revisions to the Company’s ESP product offerings and changes in customer behavior over time. The Company periodically refreshes its analysis of the claims pattern on at least an annual basis, or more often if circumstances dictate such a review is required (such as occurred as a result of the disruption from COVID-19). A significant change in either the overall claims pattern or the life over which the Company is expected to fulfil its obligation under the warranty, could result in material change to revenues.
Goodwill and intangibles
In a business combination, the Company estimates and records the fair value of all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities. The fair value of these intangible assets and liabilities is estimated based on management’s assessment, including selection of appropriate valuation techniques, inputs and assumptions in the determination of fair value. Significant estimates in valuing intangible assets and liabilities acquired include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows associated with the acquired asset or liability, expected life and discount rates. The excess purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill is recorded by the Company’s reporting units based on the acquisitions made by each.
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as indefinite-lived trade names, are evaluated for impairment annually as of the beginning of the fourth reporting period. Additionally, if events or conditions were to indicate the carrying value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived intangible asset may be greater than its fair value, the Company would evaluate the asset for impairment at that time. Impairment testing compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit or other intangible assets with its fair value. When the carrying amount of the reporting unit or other intangible assets exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recorded.
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The impairment test for goodwill involves estimating the fair value of the reporting unit through either estimated discounted future cash flows or market-based methodologies. The impairment test for other indefinite-lived intangible assets involves estimating the fair value of the asset, which is typically performed using the relief from royalty method for indefinite-lived trade names.
The fair value methodologies used by the Company in testing goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets include assumptions related to sales trends, discount rates, royalty rates and other assumptions that are judgmental in nature. If future economic conditions are different than those projected by management in its most recent impairment tests for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, future impairment charges may be required. See Note 19 for further details.
Long-lived assets
Long-lived assets of the Company consist primarily of property and equipment, definite-lived intangible assets and operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Potentially impaired assets or asset groups are identified by reviewing the undiscounted cash flows of individual stores. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the store asset group, based on the Company’s internal business plans. If the undiscounted cash flow for the store asset group is less than its carrying amount, the long-lived assets are measured for potential impairment by estimating the fair value of the asset group, and recording an impairment loss for the amount that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value. The Company primarily utilizes the replacement cost method to estimate the fair value of its property and equipment, and the income capitalization method to estimate the fair value of its ROU assets, which incorporates historical store level sales, internal business plans, real estate market capitalization and rental rates, and discount rates.
The uncertainty of the COVID-19 impact to the Company’s business could continue to further negatively affect the operating performance and cash flows of the Company’s stores, including the magnitude and potential resurgence of COVID-19 (including variants), occupancy restrictions in the Company’s stores, the inability to achieve or maintain cost savings initiatives included in the business plans, changes in real estate strategy or macroeconomic factors which influence consumer behavior. In addition, key assumptions used to estimate fair value, such as sales trends, capitalization and market rental rates, and discount rates could impact the fair value estimates of the store-level assets in future periods.
Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized by applying statutory tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences between the financial reporting and tax filing bases of existing assets and liabilities are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, based on management’s evaluation of all available evidence, both positive and negative, including reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and results of recent operations. The Company has a valuation allowance of $27.9 million and $83.9 million, as of January 29, 2022 and January 30, 2021, respectively, due to uncertainties related to the Company’s ability to utilize certain of its deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of net operating losses, foreign tax credits and capital losses carried forward.
The annual effective tax rate is based on annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning strategies available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company does not recognize tax benefits related to positions taken on certain tax matters unless the position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. At any point in time, various tax years are subject to or are in the process of being audited by various taxing authorities. The Company records a reserve for uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties. To the extent that management’s estimates of settlements change, or the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determinations are made. See Note 11 in Item 8 for additional information regarding deferred tax assets and unrecognized tax benefits.
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Leases
Signet occupies certain properties and holds machinery and vehicles under operating leases. Signet determines if an arrangement is a lease at the agreement’s inception. Certain operating leases include predetermined rent increases, which are charged to store occupancy costs within cost of sales on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any construction period or other rental holiday. Other variable amounts paid under operating leases, such as taxes and common area maintenance, are charged to selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred. Premiums paid to acquire short-term leasehold properties and inducements to enter into a lease are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In addition, certain leases provide for contingent rent based on a percentage of sales in excess of a predetermined level. Further, certain leases provide for variable rent increases based on indexes specified within the lease agreement. The variable increases based on an index are initially measured as part of the operating lease liability using the index at the commencement date. Contingent rent and subsequent changes to variable increases based on indexes will be recognized in the variable lease cost and included in the determination of total lease cost when it is probable that the expense has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU assets and current and non-current operating lease liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental secured borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date, including the underlying term and currency of the lease, in measuring the present value of lease payments. Lease terms, which include the period of the lease that cannot be canceled, may also include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The operating lease ROU asset may also include initial direct costs, prepaid and/or accrued lease payments and the unamortized balance of lease incentives received. ROU assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable in accordance with the Company’s long-lived asset impairment assessment policy.
Payments arising from operating lease activity, as well as variable and short-term lease payments not included within the operating lease liability, are included as operating activities on the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows. Operating lease payments representing costs to ready an asset for its intended use (i.e. leasehold improvements) are represented within investing activities within the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries, which are listed on Exhibit 22.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, have guaranteed obligations under the 4.70% senior unsecured notes due in 2024 (the “Senior Notes”).
The Senior Notes were issued by Signet UK Finance plc (the “Issuer”). The Senior Notes rank senior to the Preferred Shares (as defined in Note 7 of Item 8) and Common Shares. The Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets securing that indebtedness. The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the Company, as the parent entity ( the “Parent”) of the Issuer, and certain of its subsidiary guarantors (each, a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”).
The Senior Notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future debt and other liabilities, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Senior Notes (the “Non-Guarantors”). The Non-Guarantors will have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay amounts due under the Senior Notes or to make funds available to pay those amounts. Certain Non-Guarantors may be limited in their ability to remit funds to us by means of dividends, advances or loans due to required foreign government and/or currency exchange board approvals or limitations in credit agreements or other debt instruments of those subsidiaries.
The Guarantors jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee on a senior unsecured basis the performance and full and punctual payment when due of all obligations of Issuer, as defined in the Indenture, in accordance with the Senior Notes and the related Indentures, as supplemented, whether for payment of principal of or interest on the Senior Notes when due and any and all costs and expenses incurred by the trustee or any holder of the Senior Notes in enforcing any rights under the guarantees (collectively, the “Guarantees”). The Guarantees and Guarantors are subject to release in limited circumstances only upon the occurrence of certain customary conditions.
Although the Guarantees provide the holders of Senior Notes with a direct unsecured claim against the assets of the Guarantors, under US federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of US state fraudulent transfer laws, in certain circumstances a court could cancel a Guarantee and order the return of any payments made thereunder to the Guarantor or to a fund for the benefit of its creditors.
A court might take these actions if it found, among other things, that when the Guarantors incurred the debt evidenced by their Guarantee (i) they received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the incurrence of the debt and (ii) any one of the following conditions was satisfied:
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•the Guarantor entity was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the incurrence;
•the Guarantor entity was engaged in a business or transaction for which its remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or
•the Guarantor entity intended to incur or believed (or reasonably should have believed) that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay as those debts matured.
In applying the above factors, a court would likely find that a Guarantor did not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value for its Guarantee, except to the extent that it benefited directly or indirectly from the issuance of the Senior Notes. The determination of whether a Guarantor was or was not rendered insolvent when it entered into its Guarantee will vary depending on the law of the jurisdiction being applied. Generally, an entity would be considered insolvent if the sum of its debts (including contingent or unliquidated debts) is greater than all of its assets at a fair valuation or if the present fair salable value of its assets is less than the amount that will be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including contingent or unliquidated debts, as they mature.
If a court canceled a Guarantee, the holders of the Senior Notes would no longer have a claim against that Guarantor or its assets.
Each Guarantee is limited, by its terms, to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the applicable Guarantor without rendering the Guarantee, as it relates to that Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
Each Guarantor is a consolidated subsidiary of Parent at the date of each balance sheet presented. The following tables present summarized financial information for Parent, Issuer, and the Guarantors on a combined basis after elimination of (i) intercompany transactions and balances among Parent, Issuer, and the Guarantors and (ii) equity in earnings from and investments in any Non-Guarantor.
| Summarized Balance Sheets | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | January 29, 2022 | January 30, 2021 | |||||
| Total current assets | $ | 3,507.0 | $ | 3,799.6 | |||
| Total non-current assets | 2,245.3 | 2,475.9 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 2,309.3 | 2,357.1 | |||||
| Total non-current liabilities | 3,407.0 | 3,578.7 | |||||
| Redeemable preferred shares | 652.1 | 642.3 | |||||
| Total due from Non-Guarantors (1) | 311.4 | 395.9 | |||||
| Total due to Non-Guarantors (1) | 1,666.9 | 1,695.0 |
(1) Amounts included in asset and liability subtotals above.
| Summarized Statements of Operations | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | |||||
| Sales | $ | 7,188.9 | $ | 4,894.8 | |||
| Gross margin | 3,014.9 | 1,681.7 | |||||
| Income before income taxes (2) | 939.7 | 161.1 | |||||
| Net income (2) | 827.9 | 240.1 |
(2) Includes income from intercompany transactions with Non-Guarantors of $49.8 million for Fiscal 2022, and income of $231.2 million for Fiscal 2021. Intercompany transactions primarily include intercompany dividends and interest.