UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):

August 6, 2008

 

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrants as Specified in Their Charters)

 

Delaware

 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

0-23071

 

31-1241495

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

915 Secaucus Road, Secaucus, New Jersey

 

07094

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(201) 558-2400

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 8.01               Other Events.

 

As previously disclosed, on April 30, 2008, Hoop Retail Stores, LLC and Hoop Canada, Inc. (collectively, “Hoop”) and The Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, each a subsidiary of The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. (the “Company”), transferred a substantial portion of the Disney Store business and assets ( the “Private Sale”) to affiliates of The Walt Disney Company, T2 Acquisition, LLC and T1 WDC Inc. (collectively, “Disney”).  The sale of the Disney Store business met the assets held for sale and discontinued operations criteria, and, accordingly, was reclassified by the Company to discontinued operations for all periods.

 

The Company is filing this Current Report of Form 8-K for the purpose of providing audited consolidated financial statements as of February 2, 2008, and for each of the two fiscal years for the period ended February 2, 2008, to reflect the discontinued operations reclassification noted above. The Company is also providing the following relating to these audited financial statements: Selected Financial Data, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Consolidated Financial Statements. With this filing, the Company is making available information that would not have otherwise been disclosed until filing the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009.

 

The Company has not otherwise updated its financial statements for activities or events occurring after the date this information was presented in its Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Fiscal 2007 Form 10-K”) for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008.  Unaffected items in the Company’s Fiscal 2007 Form 10-K have not been repeated in this Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company reported its financial results with the Disney Store business reclassified to discontinued operations for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2008 in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 12, 2008.

 

A copy of the press release relating to the foregoing is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.4 and is incorporated in this Item 8.01 by reference.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This current report may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding future circumstances.  These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.  Some of these risks and uncertainties are described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the “Risk Factors” section of its report on Forms 10-K.  Risks and uncertainties relating to the exit of the Disney Store business, including the risk that claims may be asserted against the Company or its subsidiaries other than Hoop, whether or not such claims have any merit, and the Company’s ability to successfully defend such claims, the risk that Disney may bring litigation against the Company and assert various claims under the agreements relating to the Company’s exit from the Disney Store business and the Private Sale, as well as risks and uncertainties relating to other elements of the Company’s strategic review, could cause actual results, events and performance, to differ materially.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  The inclusion of any statement in this report does not constitute an admission by the Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.

 

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Item 9.01

Financial Statement and Exhibits.

 

 

(d)

Exhibits.

 

 

 

23.1

Consent of BDO Seidman LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

99.1

Selected Financial Data.

 

99.2

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations.

 

99.3

Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet as of February 2, 2008.

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007.

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the fiscal years ended February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007.

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

99.4

Press Release, dated August 6, 2008, issued by the Company.

 

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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date:  August 6, 2008

 

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE RETAIL STORES,
INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Susan J. Riley

 

Name:

Susan J. Riley

 

Title:

Executive Vice President, Finance and

 

Administration

 

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EXHIBIT 23.1

 

Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of

The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc.

Secaucus, New Jersey:

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (no. 333-88378) and Form S-8 (no. 333-47065, 333-85834 and 333-135211) of The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. and Subsidiaries of our report dated March 26, 2008, except Note 2 which is as of July 31, 2008, relating to the consolidated financial statements which appears in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

 

/s/BDO Seidman, LLP

BDO Seidman, LLP

New York, NY

 

July 31, 2008

 

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EXHIBIT 99.1

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The Company is a leading specialty retailer of children’s merchandise. As of February 2, 2008 we owned and operated 904 The Children’s Place stores and 335 Disney Stores across North America and Internet stores at www.childrensplace.com and www.disneystore.com. The following table sets forth certain historical financial and operating data for The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries and has classified the Disney Store business as discontinued operations in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, reflecting the Company’s decision to exit of the Disney Store business. The selected historical financial data is qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and the financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 8-K.

 

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Fiscal Year Ended (1) (2) (3)

 

Statement of Operations Data
(in thousands, except per share data):

 

February 2,
2008

 

February 3,
2007

 

January 28,
2006

 

January 29,
2005

 

Net sales

 

$

1,520,329

 

$

1,405,429

 

$

1,171,036

 

$

994,125

 

Cost of sales

 

924,187

 

794,985

 

663,737

 

592,295

 

Gross profit

 

596,142

 

610,444

 

507,299

 

401,830

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

479,142

 

435,758

 

354,765

 

291,705

 

Asset impairment charges (4)

 

16,565

 

418

 

244

 

164

 

Other costs (5)

 

5,870

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

65,326

 

57,964

 

51,236

 

49,049

 

Operating income

 

29,239

 

116,304

 

101,054

 

60,912

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

(366

)

2,707

 

(753

)

(178

)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

28,873

 

119,011

 

100,301

 

60,734

 

Provision for income taxes

 

18,913

 

34,740

 

37,774

 

23,729

 

Income from continuing operations

 

9,960

 

84,271

 

62,527

 

37,005

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (6)

 

(69,527

)

3,119

 

(2,558

)

3,644

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(59,567

)

$

87,390

 

$

59,969

 

$

40,649

 

Diluted income per common share from continuing operations

 

0.34

 

2.82

 

$

2.18

 

$

1.34

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations

 

(2.35

)

0.10

 

(0.09

)

0.13

 

Diluted net income (loss) per common share*

 

$

(2.01

)

$

2.92

 

$

2.09

 

$

1.48

 

Diluted weighted average common share outstanding

 

29,648

 

29,907

 

28,687

 

27,545

 

 


* Table may not add due to rounding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected Operating Data for Continuing Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of stores open at end of period

 

904

 

866

 

802

 

750

 

Comparable store sales increase (3)(7)

 

3

%

10

%

9

%

16

%

Average net sales per store (3)(8)

 

$

1,654

 

$

1,643

 

$

1,488

 

$

1,344

 

Average square footage per store (9)

 

4,733

 

4,550

 

4,526

 

4,527

 

Average net sales per gross square foot (3)(10)

 

$

355

 

$

361

 

$

329

 

$

300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Data (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working capital (11)

 

$

200,381

 

$

282,049

 

$

230,052

 

$

178,956

 

Total assets (12)

 

997,537

 

936,985

 

758,170

 

614,067

 

Long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

472,233

 

521,787

 

395,650

 

303,124

 

 


(1)                                In the above table, statement of operations and operating data for the two fiscal years ended February 2, 2008 and balance sheet data as of February 2, 2008 has been audited, the remainder of the data presented above is unaudited.

 

(2)                                All references to our fiscal years refer to the 52- or 53-week year ended on the Saturday nearest to January 31 of the following year. For example, references to fiscal 2007 mean the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008. All periods presented were 52-week years, except for fiscal 2006 which was a 53-week year.

 

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(3)                                The operations for the Disney Stores have been presented on a discontinued operations basis since their acquisition on November 21, 2004.

 

(4)                                Asset impairment charges represent the write down of fixed assets to fair value. In fiscal 2007, we recorded $16.6 million in asset impairment charges, including $14.8 million in impairments related to our decision to cease construction on our Emerson Lane administrative office building, and $1.8 million of impairment related to 12 underperforming stores. In fiscal 2006, we recorded $0.4 million of impairment at five underperforming stores. We impaired fixed assets in one underperforming store each year in fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively.

 

(5)                                Other costs include $5.9 million in lease exit costs related to our decision not to proceed with the construction of the Emerson Lane administrative office building. (See Note 1-in the Consolidated Notes to the Financial Statements).

 

(6)                                Discontinued operations in fiscal 2007 include:

 

·                  $80.3 million, before income taxes, in impairments related to our decision to exit the Disney Store business; and

 

·                  $6.1 million, before income taxes,  in costs associated primarily with the cancellation of the Disney Store remodeling program.

 

               Discontinued operations in fiscal 2006 include:

 

·                  $16.7 million in asset impairment charges, before income taxes,  including $9.6 million in impairments at 29 of our Mickey prototype stores and $7.1, before income taxes, million in disposals of property and equipment resulting primarily from our decisions not to proceed with a New York City Disney Store location and infrastructure investments that were written off in conjunction with our decision to form an e-commerce alliance with a Disney affiliate in which select Disney Store merchandise is sold on the disneyshopping.com website.

 

(7)                                We define comparable store sales as net sales from stores that have been open for at least 14 full months and that have not been substantially remodeled during that time.

 

(8)                                Average net sales per store represents net sales from stores open throughout the full period divided by the number of such stores.

 

(9)                                Average square footage per store represents the square footage of stores open on the last day of the period divided by the number of such stores.

 

(10)                          Average net sales per gross square foot represent net sales from stores open throughout the full period divided by the gross square footage of such stores.

 

(11)                          Working capital is calculated by subtracting the Company’s current liabilities from its current assets.

 

(12)                          Total assets reflect a reclassification of the Company’s cash disbursement account overdraft balance from accounts payable to cash to the extent a right of offset exists for fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004. This reclass reduced total assets by $2.5 million, $5.8 million and $3.8 million in fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively.

 

3


EXHIBIT 99.2

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

OVERVIEW

 

The Company is a leading specialty retailer of children’s merchandise. We design, contract to manufacture and sell high-quality, value-priced merchandise under our proprietary “The Children’s Place” and licensed “Disney Store” brand names. As of February 2, 2008 we owned and operated 904 The Children’s Place stores and 335 Disney Stores across North America and Internet stores at www.childrensplace.com and www.disneystore.com. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have classified the Disney Store business as discontinued operations in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, (“ GAAP”), reflecting the Company’s decision to exit the Disney Store business (see Note 2-Discontinued Operations).

 

Net sales in fiscal 2007 increased $114.9 million, or 8%, to $1.520 billion, compared to net sales of $1.405 billion reported in fiscal 2006. During fiscal 2007, comparable store sales of The Children’s Place brand increased 3% compared to a 10% increase in fiscal 2006. We define comparable store sales as net sales from stores that have been open at least 14 full months and that have not been substantially remodeled during that time. In fiscal 2007, we opened 54 The Children’s Place stores and closed 16 stores.

 

Based on information from NPD Group, a consumer and retail market research firm, we believe our market share of children’s apparel for The Children’s Place brand increased to 3.8% in fiscal 2007 from 3.7% in fiscal 2006.

 

During fiscal 2007, we reported income from continuing operations of $10.0 million, or $0.34 per diluted share as compared to income from continuing operations of $84.3 million, or $2.82 per diluted share, in fiscal 2006. During fiscal 2007, the following factors significantly impacted our business:

 

·                  Our merchandise assortments did not resonate with our customers;

 

·                  Overall, our inventory levels were too high;

 

·                  Our expense structure and capital spending levels were too high and were not reflective of a value-oriented business; and

 

·                  The economic environment was more challenging than expected.

 

Additionally, income from continuing operations in fiscal 2007 included:

 

·                  Approximately $14.8 million in impairments related to our decision to cease construction of our planned new corporate headquarters, and $1.8 million of impairment related to 12 underperforming The Children’s Place stores (refer to Note 4—Property and Equipment in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information).

 

·                  Approximately $5.9 million in other costs to exit the previously mentioned corporate headquarters.

 

·                  Approximately $11.4 million in charges associated with the stock option and special investigations, before income tax effects, including approximately:

 

·      $7.3 million in legal and professional fees;

 

1



 

·                  $1.9 million in stock-based compensation charges for recipients who have not been able to exercise options due to the suspension of option exercise activity;

 

·                  $1.3 million in incremental external audit fees; and

 

·                  $0.9 million in tender offer costs to re-price certain stock options granted to non-executive officers.

 

·                  Approximately $6.1 million in additional taxes since we determined that we were no longer permanently reinvested in Hong Kong for tax purposes.

 

·                  Approximately $4.7 million in severance costs associated with the resignation of our former CEO and former president of The Children’s Place business.

 

·                  Approximately $2.2 million in costs incurred in conjunction with our strategic alternative initiatives.

 

During fiscal 2007, we reported a loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, of our Disney Store business of $69.5 million, or $2.35 per diluted share as compared to income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, of $3.1 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in fiscal 2006. During fiscal 2007, the following factors significantly impacted our discontinued operations:

 

·                  Our obligations under the License Agreement, as modified by the August 2007 Refurbishment Amendment (the “Refurbishment Amendment”) were particularly challenging given the economic environment and required a significant amount of capital investment to remain in compliance; and

 

·                  At the Disney Store, our operating results in the fourth quarter were negatively impacted by late merchandise deliveries and a lack of customer enthusiasm for toys during the holiday season.

 

Additionally, our loss from discontinued operations in fiscal 2007 included:

 

·                  Approximately $80.3 million in impairments related to our decision to exit the Disney Store business, (refer to Note 2—Discontinued Operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information).

 

·                  Approximately $6.1 million in costs associated primarily with the cancellation of the Disney Store remodeling program.

 

·                  Approximately $10.5 million for the Disney Store “maintenance refresh” program and accelerated depreciation of the Mickey Stores. The “maintenance refresh” program approximated $6.9 million, and was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses, and accelerated depreciation of the Mickey Stores approximated $3.6 million. We accelerated depreciation for certain Mickey Stores assets, which we determined would be disposed at the time of their scheduled renovation.

 

During fiscal 2007 our gross margin from continuing operations, as a percentage of net sales, eroded by approximately 420 basis points due primarily to increased markdowns. Significant markdowns were required to sell inventory that we purchased anticipating a higher comparable store sales increase than we experienced and to sell merchandise that did not resonate with our The Children’s Place customers.

 

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In June 2007, we amended our credit facilities with Wells Fargo and our other senior lenders to better support the capital needs of our business and reduce the fees associated with our borrowings. Refer to Note 5—Credit Facilities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding amendments to our credit facilities.

 

During August 2007, we entered into the Refurbishment Amendment to our License Agreement with Disney, which superseded the provisions of the original License Agreement relating to required remodeling of Disney Stores with new provisions regarding store renovation and maintenance through fiscal 2011. Our Board of Directors authorized us to invest $175 million over this five year period to the Disney Store renovation program. During January 2008, the Company suspended work with respect to its store opening, remodeling and maintenance refresh obligations under the Refurbishment Amendment for fiscal 2008 due to its decision to exit the Disney Store business. As of February 2, 2008, we believed we were in compliance with our obligations under the Refurbishment Amendment.

 

In October 2007, our Board engaged an investment banking firm to act as its financial advisor in undertaking a review of strategic alternatives to improve operations and enhance shareholder value. As part of this review, our Board and management are assessing a wide variety of options to maximize shareholder value, including, but not limited to, opportunities for organizational and operational improvement, a possible recapitalization, including the potential sale of the Company. The Board has not set any specific timeline for the completion of this strategic review, and there is no assurance that as a result of this review, the Board will decide to change the Company’s course of action or engage in any specific transaction.

 

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

After a thorough review of the Disney Store business, its potential earnings growth, its capital needs and its ability to fund such needs from its own resources, we announced on March 20, 2008 that we had decided to exit the Disney Store business. Additionally, Hoop had received a notice from Disney asserting several material breaches under the License Agreement with Disney; however, we believe Hoop had cured some of the asserted breaches and we intended to cure or to assert defenses to the other asserted breaches.

 

After assessing the above factors and Hoop’s liquidity, Hoop’s Board of Directors determined that the best way to complete an orderly wind-down of Hoop’s affairs was for Hoop to seek relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). On March 26, 2008, Hoop Holdings, LLC, Hoop Retail Stores, LLC and Hoop Canada Holdings, Inc. each filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “U.S. Bankruptcy Court”) (Case Nos. 08-10544, 08-10545, and 08-10546, respectively, the “Cases”). On March 27, 2008, Hoop Canada, Inc. filed for protection pursuant to the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (the “CCAA”) in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) (“Canadian Bankruptcy Court”) (Court File No. 08-CL-7453, and together with the Cases, the “Filings”). Each of the foregoing Hoop Entities are referred collectively herein as the “Hoop Entities.”

 

Since these Filings, the Hoop Entities have managed their properties and have operated their businesses as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court or the Canadian Bankruptcy Court, as applicable, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code or the CCAA, as applicable. Neither we, as Hoop’s parent company, nor any of our other subsidiaries, have commenced or plan to commence a Chapter 11 case (or equivalent under applicable bankruptcy laws).

 

As a result of the Filings, outstanding indebtedness, in the amount of approximately $9.3 million, under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement was frozen and capped as of March 26, 2008. In order to fund the bankruptcy proceedings and its working capital needs, Hoop entered into a Debtor-In-Possession Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 26, 2008, as described in “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Credit Facilities—Amended Hoop Loan Agreement.”

 

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After receiving approval from the U. S. Bankruptcy Court and the Canadian Bankruptcy Court, on April 30, 2008, Hoop transferred the Disney Store business in the U.S. and Canada and a substantial portion of the Disney Store assets to affiliates of Disney in an asset sale (the “Private Sale”), pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code (and a similar provision under the CCAA). Upon closing, affiliates of Disney paid a purchase price of $64.0 million for the acquired assets of the Disney Store business, subject to a post-closing inventory and asset adjustment. Approximately $6 million of the purchase price was placed in escrow for such true-up purposes. The proceeds received from the Private Sale will be utilized to settle the Hoop Entities’ liabilities as a “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the Canadian Bankruptcy Court, as applicable.

 

In connection with the closing of the Private Sale, Disney’s relevant affiliates released Hoop from its rights and obligations under the License Agreement, as amended by the Refurbishment Amendment, the Guaranty and Commitment Agreement, and any related future liabilities and unlimited claims. Further, in connection with the closing of the Private Sale and the satisfaction of other conditions, Disney and its affiliates released us from our obligations under the Guaranty and Commitment Agreement and the Refurbishment Amendment. Separately, we entered into a settlement and release of claims with Hoop and its creditors’ committee, which was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on April 29, 2008.

 

We have agreed to provide transitional services and to forgive all pre- and post-bankruptcy petition claims against Hoop, which include inter-company charges for shared services and to pay severance and other employee costs for our employees servicing Hoop, and certain other professional fees and other costs we may incur during the Hoop Entities’ bankruptcy proceedings, as well as claims that might be asserted against us in such bankruptcy proceedings.

 

We expect our continuing Children’s Place business will make cash outlays of approximately $50 million to exit the Disney Store business (see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Estimated Costs to Exit the Disney Store Business” for a further discussion of the costs estimated to exit the Disney Store business).

 

Further, we have taken or plan to take the following strategic actions in fiscal 2008:

 

·                  Reduced our shared service workforce by approximately 80 positions in conjunction with our exit of the Disney Store in addition to the approximately 50 open positions that we do not plan to fill. This reduction cost approximately $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2008 primarily for severance related to this work force reduction. We expect to incur an additional $0.3 million in the second and third quarters of fiscal 2008 in severance related to transition service positions.

 

·                  Reduced our fiscal 2008 capital expenditure budget to a range of $65 million to $75 million due to our exit from the Disney Store business and our decision not to proceed with our planned corporate headquarters. We plan to open approximately 30 new Children’s Place stores during fiscal 2008.

 

·                  Reduce our overall inventory position. Given the lead time of our inventory buys, we were able to partially impact our Summer 2008 buys and fully impact the 2008 back-to-school buy.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from our estimates. The accounting policies that we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating the financial results include the following:

 

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Revenue Recognition—Sales are recognized upon purchase by customers at our retail stores or when received by the customer if the product was purchased via the Internet, net of coupon redemptions and anticipated sales returns. Actual sales return rates have historically been within our expectations and the allowance established. However, in the event that the actual rate of sales returns by customers increases significantly, our operational results could be adversely affected.

 

Our policy with respect to gift cards is to record revenue as gift cards are redeemed for merchandise. Prior to their redemption, unredeemed gift cards for The Children’s Place business are recorded as a liability, included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities. We recognize income from gift cards that are not expected to be redeemed based upon an extended period of dormancy, where statutorily permitted.

 

We offer a private label credit card to our The Children’s Place customers that provide a discount on future purchases once a minimum annual purchase threshold has been exceeded. We estimate the future discounts to be provided based on history, the number of customers who have earned or are likely to earn the discount and current year sales trends on the private label credit card. We defer a proportionate amount of revenue from customers based on an estimated value of future discounts. We recognize such deferred revenue as future discounts are taken on sales above the minimum. We accomplish this by utilizing estimates based upon sales trends and the number of customers who have earned the discount privilege. Our private label customers must earn the discount privilege on an annual basis and this privilege expires at our fiscal year end. Accordingly, deferred revenue related to that fiscal year is recognized by the end of that fiscal year. We commenced our 2008 private label program in January 2007 and accordingly, we recognized $0.4 million in deferred revenue at February 2, 2008.

 

Inventory Valuation—Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or market, using the retail inventory method. Under the retail inventory method, the valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by applying a cost-to-retail ratio by merchandise department to the retail value of inventories. At any one time, inventories include items that have been marked down to our best estimate of their fair market value and an estimate of our inventory shrinkage.

 

We base our decision to mark down merchandise upon its current rate of sale, the season, and the age and sell-through of the item. To the extent that our markdown estimates are not adequate, additional markdowns may have to be recorded, which could reduce our gross margins and operating results. Our success is largely dependent upon our ability to gauge the fashion taste of our customers and to provide a well-balanced merchandise assortment that satisfies customer demand. Any inability to provide the proper quantity of appropriate merchandise in a timely manner could increase future markdown rates.

 

We adjust our inventory based upon an annual physical inventory and shrinkage is estimated in interim periods based upon the historical results of physical inventories in the context of current year facts and circumstances. To the extent our shrinkage estimate is not adequate, we would be required to reduce our gross profits and operating results.

 

Equity Compensation— In applying SFAS 123(R), we use the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on a Monte Carlo simulation, which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimates, including estimates of how long employees will hold their vested stock options before exercise, the estimated volatility of the Company’s common stock over the expected term, and the number of options that will be forfeited prior to the completion of vesting requirements. Application of other assumptions could result in significantly different estimates of fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related expense recognized in our financial statements. The provisions of SFAS 123(R) applied to new stock options and stock options outstanding, but not yet vested, as of the effective date of January 29, 2006.

 

Accounting for Royalties—In exchange for the right to use certain Disney intellectual property, we were required to make royalty payments pursuant to the License Agreement to a Disney subsidiary, after a two-year holiday that ended in November 2006. The amortization of the estimated value of the royalty

 

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holiday was recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of royalty expense over the term of the License Agreement. Royalty expense is recorded as part of discontinued operations.

 

Insurance and Self-Insurance Liabilities—Based on our assessment of risk and cost efficiency, we self-insure and purchase insurance policies to provide for workers’ compensation, general liability, property losses, director’s and officer’s liability, vehicle liability and employee medical benefits. We estimate risks and record a liability based upon historical claim experience, insurance deductibles, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. While we believe that our risk assessments are appropriate, to the extent that future occurrences and claims differ from our historical experience, additional charges for insurance may be recorded in future periods.

 

Impairment of Assets—We periodically review our assets when events indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Such events include a history of cash flow losses or a future expectation that we will sell or dispose of an asset significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. We periodically evaluate each store’s performance and compare the carrying value of each location’s fixed assets, including leasehold improvements and fixtures, to its projected cash flows. An impairment loss is recorded if the projected future cash flows related to the assets are insufficient to recapture the net book value of the assets. To the extent our estimates of future cash flows vary from actual results, additional impairment charges may be recorded in future periods.

 

Income Taxes—We compute income taxes using the liability method. This method requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities, measured by enacted rates, attributable to temporary differences between financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities. Temporary differences result primarily from depreciation and amortization differences for book and tax purposes and the non-deductibility of certain reserves and accruals in the current tax period for tax purposes. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management considers all available evidence including past operating results, estimates of future taxable income and the feasibility of ongoing tax planning strategies. When we change our determination of the amount of deferred tax assets that can be realized, a valuation allowance is established or adjusted with a corresponding impact to income tax expense in the period in which such determination is made.

 

During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. As a result, we recognize tax liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes and interest will be due. These tax liabilities are recognized when, despite our belief that our tax positions are supportable, we believe that certain positions are likely to be challenged and may not be fully sustained upon review by tax authorities. We believe that our accruals for tax liabilities are adequate for all open audit years based on our assessment of many factors including past experience and interpretations of tax law. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact income tax expense in the period in which such determination is made. Interest and penalties, if any, related to accrued liabilities for potential tax assessments are included in income tax expense.

 

We adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48) on February 4, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting and reporting for uncertainties in income tax law. This Interpretation prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. See Note 11, “Income Taxes,” for additional information, including the effects of adoption on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”) which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and for interim

 

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periods within those years, with the exception of all non-financial assets and liabilities which will be effective for years beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material effect on our consolidated balance sheets and results of operations.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”—including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS 159”). This standard permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Most of the provisions in SFAS 159 are elective; however, the amendment to SFAS 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, applies to all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities. The fair value option established by SFAS 159 permits all entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. A business entity will report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings (or another performance indicator if the business entity does not report earnings) at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option: (a) may be applied instrument by instrument, with a few exceptions, such as investments otherwise accounted for by the equity method; (b) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs); and (c) is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on our consolidated balance sheets and results of operations.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”), which replaces FASB Statement No. 141. SFAS 141R establishes the principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business or a gain from a bargain purchase and determines what information to disclose to enable the users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The provisions of SFAS 141R shall be applied prospectively to business combinations with acquisition dates on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period in which it is initially applied. SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect SFAS 141R to have an impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data expressed as a percentage of net sales. We primarily evaluate the results of our operations as a percentage of net sales rather than in terms of absolute dollar increases or decreases by analyzing the year over year change in our business expressed as a percentage of net sales (i.e., “basis points”). For example, our selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately 50 basis points to 31.5% of net sales during the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 from 31.0% during the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007. Accordingly, to the extent that our sales have increased at a faster rate than our costs (i.e., “leveraging”), the more efficiently we have utilized the investments we have made in our business. Conversely, if our costs grow at a faster pace than our sales (i.e., “de-leveraging”), we have less efficiently utilized the investments we have made in our business.

 

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Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,
2008

 

February 3,
2007

 

Net sales

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

Cost of sales

 

60.8

 

56.6

 

Gross profit

 

39.2

 

43.4

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

31.5

 

31.0

 

Asset impairment charge

 

1.1

 

 

Other costs

 

0.4

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4.3

 

4.1

 

Operating income

 

1.9

 

8.3

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

 

0.2

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

1.9

 

8.5

 

Provision for income taxes

 

1.2

 

2.5

 

Income from continuing operations

 

0.7

 

6.0

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

 

(4.6

)

0.2

 

Net income (loss)

 

(3.9

)%

6.2

%

Number of stores in continuing operations, end of period

 

904

 

866

 

 

Table may not add due to rounding.

 

Year Ended February 2, 2008 Compared to Year Ended February 3, 2007

 

Net sales increased $114.9 million, or 8%, to $1.520 billion during fiscal 2007 from $1.405 billion during fiscal 2006. Since fiscal 2006 was a 53-week year, with the extra week contributing approximately $21.4 million in net sales, fiscal 2007 net sales increased approximately $136.3 million on a comparable 52-week basis. Comparable store sales increased 3% as compared to a 10% comparable store sales increase in fiscal 2006 and contributed $32.4 million to our net sales increase in fiscal 2007. Net sales from our new stores, as well as other stores that did not qualify as comparable stores, increased our sales by $104.9 million. Our closed stores partially offset our consolidated sales increase by approximately $1.0 million.

 

Our 3% comparable store sales increase was primarily the result of a 4% increase in the number of comparable store sales transactions, partially offset by a 1% decrease in our average dollar transaction size. Our lower dollar transaction size was driven primarily by lower average retail prices, reflecting the increased markdowns we took to clear inventory, offset partially by an increase in the number of items sold in each transaction. During fiscal 2007, we achieved our strongest comparable store sales increases at The Children’s Place business in the Metro NY, Canada, Rocky Mountain and Southwest regions, partially offset by low single-digit comparable store sales decreases in the Southeast and Midwest. By department, Accessories and Boys reported the strongest comparable store sales increases, partially offset by low single-digit comparable store sales decreases in the Girls and Newborn departments. All store types reported comparable store sales increases, except for our “C” mall stores.

 

During fiscal 2007, we opened 54 The Children’s Place stores, 44 in the United States, eight in Canada and two in Puerto Rico. We closed 16 The Children’s Place stores in fiscal 2007.

 

Gross profit decreased by $14.3 million to $596.1 million during fiscal 2007 from $610.4 million during fiscal 2006. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased 420 basis points to 39.2% during fiscal 2007 from 43.4% during fiscal 2006. This decrease in consolidated gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, resulted primarily from higher markdowns of approximately 380 basis points, higher distribution costs of approximately 40 basis points, and increased inventory shrinkage of approximately 30 basis points,

 

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partially offset by a higher initial markup of approximately 40 basis points. Significant markdowns were required to sell through inventory that we purchased to support a higher comparable store sales increase than we experienced and to clear through merchandise that did not resonate with our customers.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $43.3 million to $479.1 million during fiscal 2007 from $435.8 million during fiscal 2006. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately 50 basis points to 31.5% during fiscal 2007 from 31.0% during fiscal 2006. Selling, general and administrative expenses were unfavorably impacted in fiscal 2007 primarily as a result of:

 

·                  Higher store and administrative payroll and benefit costs which approximated $28.1 million, or approximately 60 basis points;

 

·                  Higher store supplies costs approximated $6.8 million, or approximately 30 basis points. A significant portion of our store supply increase related to increased bag costs, reflecting our increased units sold during fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006;

 

·                  Higher severance costs of approximately $4.6 million, or approximately 20 basis points. We incurred severance costs of approximately $4.7 million in fiscal 2007 due to the resignation of our former CEO and the President of The Children’s Place business;

 

·                  Higher utility and variable store expenses of approximately $5.5 million, or approximately 10 basis points;

 

·                  Costs associated with our strategic alternatives initiatives approximated $2.2 million, or approximately 10 basis points; and

 

·                  Increased marketing of approximately $4.2 million, which was leveraged as a percentage of net sales, due to increased marketing efforts to promote our brands.

 

As a percentage of net sales, these increases in selling, general and administrative expenses were partially offset by:

 

·                  Lower store and management incentive bonuses of approximately $8.5 million, or approximately 60 basis points;

 

·                  Lower stock and special investigation fees of approximately $4.7 million, or approximately 30 basis points;

 

·                  During fiscal 2007 stock option and special investigation costs approximated $11.4 million, or approximately 50 basis points, and included;

 

·                  Legal, forensic accounting and other professional fees of $7.3 million;

 

·                  Non-cash compensation expense associated with option terms that were extended due to the suspension of option exercises during the investigation, which approximated $1.9 million;

 

·                  Incremental external audit fees of approximately $1.3 million;

 

·                  A tender offer to re-price stock options to re-mediate adverse tax consequences approximated $0.9 million.

 

·                  During fiscal 2006, stock option investigation fees approximated $16.1 million, or 80 basis points, and included;

 

·                  Legal, forensic accounting and other professional fees of $8.1 million;

 

·                  The tax consequences associated with discounted employee stock options, which approximated $6.3 million;

 

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·                  Non-cash compensation expense associated with option terms that were extended due to the suspension of option exercises during the investigation, which approximated $1.7 million.

 

·                  Lower legal settlement expenses of approximately $1.9 million, or approximately 10 basis points, primarily due to the settlement of two class action litigations during fiscal 2006.

 

During fiscal 2007, we recorded asset impairment charges of $16.6 million, or approximately 1.1 % of net sales, as compared to asset impairment charges of $0.4 million during fiscal 2006. During fiscal 2007, our $16.6 million in asset impairment charges were comprised of $14.8 million in impairments related to our decision to cease construction of our Emerson Lane administrative office building and $1.8 million of impairment related to 12 underperforming The Children’s Place stores. The impairment of the Emerson Lane administrative office reflects our decision to cease construction on the project and to seek a sublease for this space. During fiscal 2006, our asset impairment charges of $0.4 million related to the write down of leasehold improvements and fixtures in five underperforming The Children’s Place stores.

 

During fiscal 2007, we recorded other costs of $5.9 million, or 0.4% of net sales related to our decision to exit the Emerson Lane administrative office lease.

 

Depreciation and amortization was $65.3 million or 4.3% of net sales, during fiscal 2007, compared to $58.0 million, or 4.1% of net sales, during fiscal 2006. The $7.3 million increase in depreciation expense in fiscal 2007 was due primarily to our new stores and remodels, as well as investments made in our distribution facilities.

 

Interest expense, net, was $0.4 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to interest income, net of $2.7 million, or 0.2% of net sales, in fiscal 2006. During fiscal 2007, we utilized our cash investments and borrowed under our credit facility to fund our working capital needs. During fiscal 2006, we generated net interest income, due to our net cash investment position and the utilization of our credit facilities only to support our letter of credit needs.

 

Our income tax provision was approximately $18.9 million during fiscal 2007 as compared to $34.7 million during fiscal 2006. Our effective tax rate was 65.5% during fiscal 2007 compared to 29.2% in fiscal 2006. During fiscal 2007, we received a cash dividend of approximately $45 million from our Hong Kong subsidiary. Since we are no longer permanently reinvested in the earnings of our Hong Kong subsidiary, we were required to provide U.S. taxes on our earnings in Hong Kong. Our fiscal 2007 tax provision was increased by approximately $6.1 million due to this transaction. The reduction in our effective tax rate in fiscal 2006 primarily resulted from a one time cash dividend from some of our Canadian subsidiaries, which also brought foreign tax credits that can be utilized to reduce U.S. income taxes. Our fiscal 2006 tax provision was reduced by approximately $9.5 million due to this transaction.

 

During fiscal 2007, we recorded a loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, of approximately $69.5 million as compared to income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, of approximately $3.1 million during fiscal 2006. Our fiscal 2007 loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, included:

 

·                  Approximately $80.3 million, before income taxes, in asset impairment charges related to our decision to exit the Disney Store business.

 

·                  Approximately $10.5 million, before income taxes, for the Disney Store “maintenance refresh” program and accelerated depreciation of the Mickey Stores. The “maintenance refresh” program approximated $6.9 million, and was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses, and accelerated depreciation of the Mickey Stores approximated $3.6 million. We accelerated depreciation for certain Mickey Stores assets, which we determined would be disposed at the time of their scheduled renovation.

 

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·                  Approximately $7.5 million in fees, before income taxes, paid to Disney based on a percentage of sales made through the Disney Internet e-commerce website, which commenced in July 2007.

 

·                  Approximately $6.1 million, before income taxes, in costs associated primarily with the cancellation of the Disney Store remodeling program.

 

Additionally, our discontinued operations in the fourth quarter of 2007 were negatively impacted by late merchandise deliveries and a lack of customer enthusiasm for our toy offering during the holiday season, which resulted in significant markdowns to reduce inventory levels.

 

During fiscal 2006, discontinued operations, net of taxes included $16.7 million in asset impairment charges, before income taxes, including $9.6 million in impairments at 29 of our Mickey prototype stores and $7.1 million in disposals of property and equipment resulting primarily from our decisions not to proceed with a New York City Disney Store location and infrastructure investments that were written off in conjunction with our decision to form an e-commerce alliance with a Disney affiliate in which select Disney Store merchandise is sold on the disneyshopping.com website.

 

Due to the factors discussed above, we recorded a net loss of $59.6 million in fiscal 2007 compared to net income of $87.4 million in fiscal 2006.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Debt Service/Liquidity

 

Our working capital needs follow a seasonal pattern, peaking during the second and third quarters when inventory is purchased for the back-to-school and holiday selling seasons. Historically, our primary uses of cash were the financing of new store openings and providing working capital, principally used for inventory purchases. In prior years, we have been able to meet our cash needs principally by using cash on hand, cash flows from operations and seasonal borrowings under our credit facilities. Throughout most of fiscal 2007, our cash reserves were held outside of the United States. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, we repatriated $45 million from our Hong Kong subsidiary to be available for additional working capital needs that we anticipated might be needed in connection with our exit from the Disney Store business. Our fiscal 2008 working capital needs are expected to include exit costs of approximately $50 million to wind down the operations of the Disney Store business (see “—Estimated Costs to Exit the Disney Store Business” below for additional information regarding these costs).

 

As of February 2, 2008, we had short-term borrowings of $89.0 million. Our ability to meet our capital requirements in fiscal 2008 depends on our ability to generate cash flows from operations and our borrowings under our credit facilities. During fiscal 2008, we will focus on conserving our capital resources, particularly during the second quarter of 2008 when our revenues are lowest and we are building inventory to support the back-to-school season. We plan to accomplish this by achieving our operating plan, through lower inventory purchases, lower capital expenditures and our workforce reductions. Additionally, the timing of most of our capital expenditure projects is planned for the second half of the year. We also actively pursued additional debt financing and planned to amend our credit facility to strengthen liquidity. We depend on generating sufficient cash flow and having access to additional liquidity sources to fund our ongoing operations, the Disney Store business exit costs, capital expenditures, and debt repayment.

 

Liquidity Constraints Imposed by the License Agreement

 

Concurrent with the acquisition of the Disney Stores, we entered into a License Agreement and Guaranty and Commitment (the “Guaranty and Commitment Agreement”). The License Agreement and the Guaranty and Commitment Agreement, as well as our credit facilities, placed certain liquidity restrictions on us. These agreements restricted the commingling of funds between The Children’s Place and Hoop,

 

11



 

limited the borrowings by Hoop from The Children’s Place, and limited dividends and other distributions other than payment for the allocated costs of shared services from Hoop to The Children’s Place. Since the acquisition, we have segregated all cash receipts and disbursements, investments and credit facility borrowings and letter of credit activity. In the normal course of business, Hoop had reimbursed intercompany services but had not paid any dividends or made other distributions.

 

We invested $50 million in Hoop concurrently with the consummation of the acquisition and agreed to invest up to an additional $50 million to enable Hoop to comply with its obligations under the License Agreement and otherwise fund Hoop’s operating losses. On March 18, 2008, The Children’s Place business made a capital contribution to Hoop of approximately $8.3 million in cash. We also agreed to guarantee the payment and performance of Hoop (for its royalty payment and other obligations to Disney), subject to a maximum guaranty liability of $25 million, plus expenses.

 

Termination of the License Agreement

 

After receiving approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the Canadian Bankruptcy Court on April 30, 2008, Hoop transferred the Disney Store business in the U.S. and Canada and a substantial portion of the Disney Store assets to affiliates of Disney in an asset sale (the “Private Sale”), pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code (and a similar provision under the CCAA). Upon closing, affiliates of Disney paid a purchase price of $64.0 million for the acquired assets of the Disney Store business, subject to a post-closing inventory and asset adjustment. Approximately $6.0 million of the purchase price was placed in escrow for such true-up purposes. The proceeds received from the Private Sale will be utilized to settle the Hoop Entities’ liabilities as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the Canadian Bankruptcy Court, as applicable.

 

In connection with the closing of the Private Sale, Disney’s relevant affiliates released Hoop from its rights and obligations under the License Agreement, as amended by the Refurbishment Amendment, the Guaranty and Commitment Agreement, and any related future liabilities and unlimited claims. Further in connection with the closing of the Private Sale and the satisfaction of other conditions, Disney and its affiliates released us from our obligations under the Guaranty and Commitment Agreement and the Refurbishment Amendment. Separately, we entered into a settlement and release of claims with Hoop and its creditors’ committee, which was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on April 29, 2008. We have agreed to provide transitional services and to forgive all pre- and post-bankruptcy petition claims against Hoop, which include inter-company charges for shared services and also included a capital contribution we made to Hoop of approximately $8.3 million in cash, and to pay severance and other employee costs for the Company’s employees servicing Hoop, and certain other professional fees and other costs that we may incur during the Hoop Entities’ bankruptcy proceedings, as well as claims that might be asserted against us in such bankruptcy proceedings.

 

Estimated Costs to Exit the Disney Store Business

 

We estimate that our continuing Children’s Place business will make cash outlays of approximately $50 million to exit the Disney Store business, which will include:

 

·                  Severance and other employee costs for our employees servicing Hoop Entities of approximately $7.8 million;

 

·                  Forgiveness of all pre- and post- petition claims against the Hoop estate, including inter-company charges for shared services of approximately $24.1 million, and a cash capital contribution of approximately $8.3 million that was made to Hoop on March 18, 2008, prior to its bankruptcy filings;

 

·                  Legal and other costs we incur during the Hoop entities’ bankruptcy proceedings; and

 

·                  Claims that might be asserted against us in the bankruptcy proceedings.

 

 

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Credit Facilities

 

In accordance with certain terms of the License Agreement and our Company’s credit facilities, we segregated our credit facility borrowings and letter of credit activity for The Children’s Place and the Disney Store businesses. On March 26, 2008, the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement was terminated in conjunction with filing of the Cases and Hoop entered into a DIP Credit Facility. The following section outlines the key terms of our credit facilities.

 

2007 Amended Loan Agreement; Letter of Credit Agreement

 

In June 2007, we entered into a Fifth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “2007 Amended Loan Agreement”) and a new letter of credit agreement (the “Letter of Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC (“Wells Fargo”) as senior lender and administrative and syndication agent, and our other senior lenders for the purpose of better supporting our capital needs and reducing the fees associated with our credit facility borrowings in comparison to our previous credit agreement.

 

The 2007 Amended Loan Agreement provides a facility maximum of $100 million for borrowings and letters of credit, with a $30 million “accordion” feature that enables us, at our option, to increase the facility to an aggregate amount of $130 million, subject to an availability covenant which restricts maximum borrowings to 90% of the facility maximum, or $117 million.

 

There is also a seasonal over-advance feature that enables us to borrow up to an additional $20 million from July 1 through October 31, subject to satisfying certain conditions, including a condition relating to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) on a trailing 12 month basis based upon the most recent financial statements furnished to Wells Fargo and our estimate of projected pro forma EBITDA for the over-advance period. On November 2, 2007, we entered into an amendment of the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement (the “First Amendment”), extending the period of the over-advance feature of the credit facility until November 30 for fiscal 2007. We paid a fee of $30,000 in connection with this amendment.

 

The term of the facility ends on November 1, 2010. If we terminate the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement during the first year, there is a termination fee of 0.5% of the $100 million facility maximum ($130 million if the accordion feature is in use) plus any seasonal over-advance amounts in effect. The LIBOR margin is 1.00% to 1.50%, depending on our average excess availability, and the unused line fee is 0.25%.

 

Credit extended under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than assets in Canada and Puerto Rico and assets owned by Hoop. The amount that can be borrowed under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement depends on levels of inventory and accounts receivable relating to The Children’s Place business. The 2007 Amended Loan Agreement contains covenants, which include limitations on annual capital expenditures, maintenance of certain levels of excess collateral, and a prohibition on the payment of dividends. The 2007 Amended Loan Agreement also contains covenants permitting us to invest without restriction in Hoop up to $20 million, $55 million, $36 million and $52 million in fiscal years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and together with the amounts the Company may be required to invest in Hoop pursuant to the Guaranty and Commitment, are not permitted to exceed a maximum aggregate of $175 million over the term of the credit facility.

 

Under the Letter of Credit Agreement, we can issue letters of credit for inventory purposes for up to $60 million to support The Children’s Place business. The Letter of Credit Agreement can be terminated at any time by either us or Wells Fargo. Interest is paid at the rate of 0.75% (or 1.00% during any period in which amounts remain outstanding under the seasonal over-advance feature under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement)   on the aggregate undrawn amount of all letters of credit outstanding. Our obligations under

 

13



 

the Letter of Credit Agreement are secured by a security interest in substantially all of the assets of The Children’s Place business, other than assets in Canada and Puerto Rico, and assets of Hoop. Upon any termination of the Letter of Credit Agreement, we would be required to fully collateralize all outstanding letters of credit issued thereunder and, if we failed to do so, our outstanding liability under the Letter of Credit Agreement would reduce our borrowing capacity under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement.

 

As of February 2, 2008, we had activated our accordion feature and our line of credit was $130 million, subject to an availability covenant which restricts maximum borrowings to 90% of the facility maximum, or $117 million. As of February 2, 2008, we had outstanding borrowings of $69.6 million and $40.8 million outstanding in letters of credit ($26.5 million in merchandise letters of credit under the Letter of Credit Agreement and $14.3 million in standby letters of credit under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement). The average loan balance during the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 was approximately $44.1 million and the average interest rate was 7.21%. The maximum borrowings under the facility were $116.8 million during the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008. Availability under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement as of February 2, 2008 was $33.1 million and the interest rate charged was 6.00%.

 

Prior to the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement, we borrowed under a 2004 Amended Loan Agreement, which contained covenants substantially similar to the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement, except the 2004 Amended Loan Agreement: (i) permitted borrowings up to $130 million (including a sublimit for letters of credit of $100 million), (ii) provided for amounts outstanding to bear interest at a floating rate equal to the prime rate or, at our option, a LIBOR rate plus a pre-determined margin of 1.50% to 3.00%, and (iii) contained an unused line fee of 0.38%.

 

Primarily as a result of our restatement and the delay in completion of our financial statements, we were not in compliance with the financial reporting covenants under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement during fiscal 2007. However, we obtained waivers from our lenders for such noncompliance. There were no fees associated with obtaining these waivers through August 30, 2007; however, we were required to pay a fee of $102,000 to extend the waiver from August 30, 2007 through January 1, 2008.

 

In addition, we determined that we were not in compliance with the Amended Loan Agreement because The Children’s Place business had guaranteed three Disney Store operating leases. We obtained a waiver from our lenders related to this guarantee.

 

Amended Hoop Loan Agreement

 

In connection with the acquisition of the Disney Store business in 2004, our domestic Hoop entity entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Hoop Loan Agreement”) with Wells Fargo as senior lender and syndication and administrative agent, and certain other lenders, establishing a senior secured credit facility for Hoop. In June 2007, concurrent with the execution of the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement, and in August 2007, we entered into Second and Third Amendments to the Hoop Loan Agreement, both with Wells Fargo, as senior lender and administrative and syndication agent, and the other senior lenders (together with the Hoop Loan Agreement, the “Amended Hoop Loan Agreement”) to reduce the interest rates charged on outstanding borrowings and letters of credit. The Amended Hoop Loan Agreement provided a facility maximum of $75 million for borrowings, subject to an availability restriction which limited maximum borrowings to 90% of the facility maximum, or $67.5 million; and provided for a $25 million accordion feature that enabled us to increase the facility to an aggregate amount of $100 million, subject to an availability covenant which restricted maximum borrowings to 90% of the facility maximum, or $90 million. The accordion feature was available at our option, subject to the amount of eligible inventory and accounts receivable of the domestic Hoop entity. The term of the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement ended on March 26, 2008 concurrent with the filing of the Cases and we were required to pay a termination fee of approximately $0.4 million.

 

 Amounts outstanding under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement bore interest at a floating rate equal to the prime rate or, at Hoop’s option, the LIBOR rate plus a pre-determined margin. Depending on the domestic Hoop entity’s level of excess availability, the LIBOR margin was 1.50% or 1.75%,

 

14



 

commercial letter of credit fees were 0.75% or 1.00%, and standby letter of credit fees were 1.25% or 1.50%. The unused line fee was 0.25%.

 

Covenants under the Hoop Loan Agreement were substantially similar to those under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement, except that the Hoop Loan Agreement: (i) permitted borrowings up to $100 million (including a sublimit for letters of credit of $90 million), (ii) provided for amounts outstanding to bear interest at a floating rate equal to the prime rate plus a margin of 0.25% or, at Hoop’s option, the LIBOR rate plus a pre-determined margin of 2.00% or 2.25%, depending on the domestic Hoop entity’s level of excess availability, and (iii) contained an unused line fee of 0.30%.

 

Credit extended under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement was secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all the assets of the domestic Hoop entity as well as a pledge of a portion of the equity interests in Hoop Canada. The Amended Hoop Loan Agreement also contained covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, limitations on capital expenditures and restrictions on the payment of dividends and indebtedness.

 

As of February 2, 2008, we had outstanding borrowings of $19.4 million. During the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008, various letters of credit were issued, and as of February 2, 2008 we had letters of credit outstanding of $21.1 million ($17.6 million in merchandise letters of credit and $3.5 million in standby letters of credit). The average outstanding balance during the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 was approximately $3.1 million and the average interest rate was 7.41%. The maximum borrowings under the facility were $26.1 million during the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008. Availability as of February 2, 2008 was $18.1 million and the interest rate charged was 6.00% as of February 2, 2008.

 

Primarily as a result of the delay in completion of our financial statements, we were not in compliance during fiscal 2007 with the financial reporting covenants under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement or the provision requiring Hoop to comply with the License Agreement. However, we obtained waivers from our lenders for such noncompliance. There were no fees associated with obtaining these waivers through August 30, 2007. However, we were required to pay a fee of $48,000 to extend the waiver from August 30, 2007 through January 1, 2008.

 

As of March 26, 2008, there was $9.3 million in borrowings under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement and $15.6 million in letters of credit outstanding.

 

DIP Credit Facility

 

As a result of the filing of the Cases, outstanding indebtedness, in the amount of approximately $9.3 million, under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement was frozen and capped as of March 26, 2008. In order to fund the bankruptcy proceedings and all projected working capital needs, Wells Fargo and Hoop Retail Stores, LLC entered into a Debtor-In-Possession Loan and Security Agreement, which was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and was dated as of  March 28, 2008, consisting of a $35 million revolving credit facility (the “DIP Credit Facility”). In addition, all letters of credit issued under the Hoop Credit Facility were deemed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to be issued under the DIP Credit Facility. Hoop was required to pay a closing fee of approximately $0.3 million for the DIP Credit Facility.

 

Amounts outstanding under the DIP Credit Facility bore interest at a floating rate equal to the prime rate plus 1.50%. Commercial letter of credit fees and standby letter of credit fees were 2.50% and the unused line fee was 0.375%, Credit extended under the DIP Credit Facility was secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all the assets of the domestic Hoop entity as well as a pledge of a portion of the equity interest in Hoop Canada.

 

Cash Flows/Capital Expenditures

 

Cash flows used by operating activities were $1.2 million in fiscal 2007, as compared to cash flows provided by operating activities of $138.9 million in fiscal 2006.

 

15



 

Cash flows provided by operating activities of continuing operations were $36.1 million and $109.5 million, during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively. In fiscal 2007, our lower cash flows provided by operating activities was driven by lower income from continuing operations of $10.0 million during fiscal 2007 as compared to $84.3 million in income from continuing operations during fiscal 2006. Significant non-cash expenses in fiscal 2007 included approximately $16.6 million in asset impairment charges and $65.3 million in depreciation, offset partially by a $56.8 million increase in our deferred income tax assets. Asset impairment charges included $14.8 million in impairments related to our decision to cease construction of our Emerson Lane administrative office building and $1.8 million in impairment charges related to 12 underperforming stores. During fiscal 2007, we made cash payments of approximately $58.5 million for taxes. Our fiscal year-end inventory levels increased $22.8 million over fiscal 2006.

 

Cash flows used in operating activities of discontinued operations were $37.3 million during fiscal 2007 as compared to $29.4 million provided by operating activities during fiscal 2006. In fiscal 2007, our cash flows used by operating activities were driven by our loss from discontinued operations of $69.5 million as compared to income from discontinued operations of $3.1 million during fiscal 2006. Significant non-cash expenses in fiscal 2007 included approximately $80.3 million in impairments related to our decision to exit the Disney Store and $14.4 million in depreciation. During fiscal 2006, significant non-cash expenses included: (i) approximately $18.8 million in net royalty expense; (ii)$16.6 million in asset impairment charges, including $9.6 million in impairments at 29 of our Mickey prototype stores and $7.1 million in disposals of property and equipment resulting from our decisions not to proceed with a New York City store location and infrastructure investments that were written off in conjunction with our decision to form an e-commerce alliance with a Disney affiliate in which select Disney Store merchandise is sold on the disneyshopping.com website; and (iii) $7.7 million in depreciation. Fiscal year-end inventory levels increased $18.1 million over fiscal 2006.

 

Cash flows used in investing activities were $124.6 million and $229.2 million in fiscal 2007and fiscal 2006, respectively.

 

Cash flows used in investing activities of continuing operations were $121.8 million and $154.8 million during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively. During fiscal 2007, cash flows used in investing activities decreased $33.0 million, primarily as a result of the utilization of investments made in fiscal 2006 to fund our working capital needs, offset partially by a $59.7 million increase in our capital expenditures for our continuing operations. During fiscal 2007, our capital expenditures for continuing operations were approximately $168.7 million as compared to $109.0 million in fiscal 2006.

 

Capital expenditures of continuing operations increased $59.7 million in fiscal 2007 as a result of investments in our distribution and administrative facilities, partially offset by fewer new store openings and remodels. During fiscal 2007, we incurred capital expenditures of approximately $52.8 million to complete our Fort Payne distribution center and approximately $14.2 million for the Emerson Lane administrative office building. The number of new store openings and remodelings has a significant impact on our cash flows used in investing activities. In fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, we opened 54 and 69 stores, respectively while remodeling 21 and 19 stores, respectively.

 

Cash flows used in investing activities of discontinued operations were $2.8 million and $74.4 million during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively. During fiscal 2007, cash flows used in investing activities decreased $71.6 million, primarily as a result of the utilization of investments made in fiscal 2006 to fund working capital needs of our discontinued operations, offset partially by a $15.0 million decrease in capital expenditures for discontinued operations. During fiscal 2007, capital expenditures for discontinued operations were approximately $31.1 million as compared to $46.1 million in fiscal 2006

 

Cash flows provided by financing activities were $89.9 million and $38.2 million in fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively.

 

Cash flows provided by financing activities of continuing operations were $70.5 million and $38.2 million in fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively. In fiscal 2007, cash flows provided from

 

 

16



 

financing activities reflected net borrowings under our credit facilities and the funds and tax benefits received from the exercise of employee stock options. In fiscal 2006, cash flows provided from financing activities reflected the funds and tax benefits received from the exercise of employee stock options and employee stock purchases.

 

Cash flows provided by financing activities of discontinued operations were $19.4 million in fiscal 2007, reflecting net borrowings under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement.

 

We anticipate that total capital expenditures will be in the range of approximately $65 to $75 million in fiscal 2008. Our lower planned capital expenditures for fiscal 2008 reflects our exit from the Disney Store business coupled with capital expense reductions at The Children’s Place brand. Approximately $55 million of our planned capital expenditures will provide for the opening of approximately 30 new stores and 17 store remodelings at The Children’s Place. We also anticipate receiving approximately $12 million in lease incentives in fiscal 2008. The remainder of our 2008 capital expenditure budget will be utilized for information technology and other initiatives.

 

Our ability to meet our capital requirements in fiscal 2008 depends on our ability to generate cash flows from operations and our borrowings under our credit facilities. Cash flow generated from operations depends on our ability to achieve our financial plans. During fiscal 2008, we will focus on conserving our capital resources, particularly during the second quarter of 2008 when our revenues are lowest and we are building inventory to support the back-to-school season. We also actively pursued additional debt financing and planned to amend our credit facility to enable us to strengthen our liquidity.  We believe that cash on hand, cash generated from operations and funds available to us through our credit facility will be sufficient to fund our capital and other cash flow requirements over the next 12 months.

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS

 

In this section, we have summarized our contractual obligations for our continuing The Children’s Place business and for discontinued operations, the Disney Store business as of February 2, 2008. To the extent that these contractual obligations and commercial commitments were not assumed by Disney in the Private Sale, these obligations and commitments will be resolved under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the Canadian Bankruptcy Court, as applicable.

 

The following tables summarize our contractual and commercial obligations for continuing operations as of February 2, 2008:

 

 

 

Payment Due By Period (1)

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

1 year or
less

 

1—3 years

 

3—5 years

 

More than
5 years

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating leases (2)

 

$

845,238

 

$

145,995

 

$

264,962

 

$

189,004

 

$

245,277

 

Employment contracts (3)

 

4,713

 

4,713

 

 

 

 

New store and remodel capital expenditure commitments – (4)

 

36,879

 

31,738

 

5,141

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital leases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

886,830

 

$

182,446

 

$

270,103

 

$

189,004

 

$

245,277

 

 

17



 

 

 

Amounts of Commitment Expiration Per Period

 

Other Commercial Commitments

 

Total

 

1 year or
less

 

1—3 years

 

3—5 years

 

More than
5 years

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit facilities

 

$

69,561

 

$

69,561

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Purchase commitments (5)

 

292,778

 

292,778

 

 

 

 

Merchandise letters of credit

 

26,547

 

26,547

 

 

 

 

Standby letters of credit (6)

 

14,252

 

14,252

 

 

 

 

Total – Other Commercial Commitments

 

403,138

 

403,138

 

 

 

 

Total - Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments

 

$

1,289,968

 

$

585,584

 

$

270,103

 

$

189,004

 

$

245,277

 

 


(1)                                  Unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and tax penalties totaling approximately $23.5 million have not been included in these amounts as the Company is unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the periods of potential settlement.

 

(2)                                  Certain of our operating leases include common area maintenance charges in our monthly rental expense. For other leases which do not include these charges in our monthly rental expense, we record the expense in cost of goods sold.

 

(3)                                  The amounts above represent severance payments accrued for our former CEO and President. We also have entered into employment agreements with certain executives which provide for the payment of severance up to one and a half times the executive’s salary and certain benefits following any termination without cause. These contracts commit the Company in the aggregate to approximately $2.7 million of employment termination costs, of which $2.4 million represents severance payments. In addition, there is approximately $2.6 million committed to certain executives in the event of a change of control of the Company.

 

(4)                                  As of February 2, 2008, we had executed 24 leases for new Children’s Place stores and 12 The Children’s Place remodels. This amount represents our estimate of the capital expenditures required to open and begin operating the new and remodeled The Children’s Place stores. We also expect to receive landlord lease incentives of approximately $10.4 million for these stores.

 

(5)                                  Represents purchase orders for merchandise for re-sale of approximately $291 million and equipment, construction and other non-merchandise commitments of approximately $1.3 million.

 

(6)                                  Represents letters of credit issued to landlords, banks, insurance companies and Disney subsidiaries.

 

The following tables summarize our contractual and commercial obligations for discontinued operations as of February 2, 2008:

 

 

 

Payment Due By Period

 

Contractual Obligations 

 

Total

 

1 year or
less

 

1—3 years

 

3—5 years

 

More than
5 years

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating leases (1)

 

$

337,630

 

$

50,458

 

$

91,467

 

$

84,521

 

$

111,184

 

Minimum Disney Store royalty (2)

 

300,000

 

25,000

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

175,000

 

Disney Store remodel and maintenance obligations (3)

 

322,198

 

46,995

 

86,990

 

44,145

 

144,068

 

New store and remodel capital expenditure commitments – (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

959,828

 

$

122,453

 

$

228,457

 

$

178,666

 

$

430,252

 

 

18



 

 

 

Amounts of Commitment Expiration Per Period

 

Other Commercial Commitments

 

Total

 

1 year or
less

 

1—3 years

 

3—5 years

 

More than
5 years

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit facilities

 

$

19,415

 

$

19,415

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Purchase commitments (5)

 

108,158

 

108,158

 

 

 

 

Merchandise letters of credit

 

17,556

 

17,556

 

 

 

 

Standby letters of credit (6)

 

3,523

 

3,523

 

 

 

 

Total – Other Commercial Commitments

 

148,652

 

148,652

 

 

 

 

Total - Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments

 

$

1,108,480

 

$

271,105

 

$

228,457

 

$

178,666

 

$

430,252

 

 


(1)                                  Certain of the Disney Store operating leases included common area maintenance charges in the monthly rental expense. For other leases which do not include these charges in the monthly rental charge, we accrue this expense in discontinued operations.

 

(2)                                  The Disney Stores became subject to minimum royalties at the beginning of fiscal 2007. See Note 9—Commitments and Contingencies in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a description of the computation of the minimum royalty. In accordance with the terms of the License Agreement, eligible Disney Store sales were averaged for the previous two years and that amount was used to impute the minimum royalty due over the remainder of the 15-year term of the License Agreement in this calculation. This estimate did not include future increases or decreases in Disney Store sales and cost of living adjustments since these were unknown contingencies. The actual minimum royalty could differ materially from the amount currently estimated. The Company and Hoop were released from this obligation on April 30, 2008 concurrent with the Private Sale.

 

(3)                                  Represented the Company’s store opening, remodeling and maintenance commitments for the remainder of the initial term of the License Agreement (through 2019) taking into account the requirements under the Refurbishment Amendment which apply through 2011. The Company and Hoop were released from this obligation on April 30, 2008 concurrent with the Private Sale.

 

(4)                                  As of February 2, 2008, 8 leases were executed for the Disney Stores. Due to our plans to exit the Disney Store business, no capital expenditures are planned for the Disney Stores.

 

(5)                                  Represents purchase orders for merchandise for re-sale of approximately $102 million for the Disney Stores and equipment, construction and other non-merchandise commitments of approximately $6.2 million.

 

(6)                                  Represents letters of credit issued to landlords, banks, insurance companies and Disney subsidiaries.

 

In August 2007, the Company and a Disney subsidiary entered into a Refurbishment Amendment, which superseded the store renovation provisions of the License Agreement, effective through January 31, 2012. The Refurbishment Amendment sets forth specific requirements regarding Disney Stores to be remodeled and otherwise refreshed over the period the Refurbishment Amendment was in effect and obligated not only Hoop but also the Company to among other things, invest $175 million to remodel and refresh these stores through fiscal 2011. As part of our $175 million capital commitment, the Refurbishment Amendment required that we complete a “maintenance and refresh” program (which includes the Mickey retrofits) in approximately 165 Disney Stores by June 30, 2008. The “maintenance and refresh” program was expected to cost approximately $16 million over the 12 month period, of which approximately $6.9 million was incurred in fiscal 2007.

 

19



 

Pursuant to the Refurbishment Amendment, we were obligated to remodel a total of 236 existing Disney Stores by the end of fiscal 2011 into a new store prototype the Company developed, of which the first seven remodels were required to be completed during fiscal 2007, with an additional 49, 60, 70 and 50 stores required to be remodeled during fiscal 2008, fiscal 2009, fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011, respectively. Under the Refurbishment Amendment, we also agreed to open at least 18 new Disney Stores using the new store prototype by the end of fiscal 2008, 15 of which were opened in fiscal 2007, and we also had the right to open up to a specified number of additional new stores using the new store prototype during each fiscal year. The following table summarized an estimate of the remodel and maintenance refresh obligations between fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2011 when the Refurbishment Amendment was executed (amounts in thousands, except stores):

 

 

 

Store Remodel

 

Mickey Retrofit

 

Maintenance Refresh

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Estimated

 

Fiscal Year

 

Stores (#)

 

Cost ($)

 

Stores (#)

 

Cost ($)

 

Stores (#)

 

Cost ($)

 

Contingency ($)

 

Cost ($)

 

2007

 

7

 

$

4,250

 

7

 

$

1,050

 

6

 

$

950

 

$

1,245

 

$

7,495

 

2008

 

49

 

31,650

 

28

 

4,200

 

129

 

9,675

 

1,245

 

46,770

 

2009

 

60

 

39,000

 

 

 

 

 

1,245

 

40,245

 

2010

 

70

 

45,500

 

 

 

 

 

1,245

 

46,745

 

2011

 

50

 

32,500

 

 

 

 

 

1,245

 

33,745

 

2007—2011

 

236

 

$

152,900

 

35

 

$

5,250

 

135

 

$

10,625

 

$

6,225

 

$

175,000

 

 

In addition to the remodel and maintenance costs shown in the above table, the Refurbishment Amendment obligated us to open a total of 18 new Disney Stores by January 31, 2009, of which 15 stores had been opened as of February 2, 2008. The Company and Hoop were released from this obligation on April 30, 2008 concurrent with the Private Sale.

 

QUARTERLY RESULTS AND SEASONALITY

 

Our quarterly results of operations have fluctuated and are expected to continue to fluctuate materially depending on a variety of factors, including overall economic conditions, the timing of new store openings and related pre-opening and other startup costs, net sales contributed by new stores, increases or decreases in comparable store sales, weather conditions, shifts in timing of certain holidays, changes in our merchandise mix and pricing strategy. The combination and severity of one or more of these factors could result in material fluctuations.

 

Our business is also subject to seasonal influences, with heavier concentrations of sales during the back-to-school and holiday seasons. Our first quarter results are heavily dependent upon sales during the period leading up to the Easter holiday. Our third quarter results are heavily dependent upon back-to-school sales at The Children’s Place. Our fourth quarter results are heavily dependent upon sales during the holiday season. As is the case with many retailers of apparel and related merchandise, we typically experience lower net sales and net income during the first two fiscal quarters, and net sales and net income are lower during the second fiscal quarter than during the first fiscal quarter. We experienced losses in the second quarters of fiscal 2007and fiscal 2006, as well as in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. Because of these fluctuations in net sales and net income (loss), the results of operations of any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year or any future quarter.

 

The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data and selected operating data for each of our last four fiscal quarters. The quarterly statement of operations data and selected operating data set forth below were derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements and reflect, in our opinion, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly present the results of operations for these fiscal quarters (in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited):

 

20



 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended February 2, 2008

 

 

 

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter (1)

 

Net sales

 

$

355,995

 

$

290,498

 

$

430,572

 

$

443,264

 

Gross profit

 

151,974

 

93,444

 

172,321

 

178,403

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

107,775

 

109,219

 

131,004

 

131,144

 

Asset impairment charges

 

 

635

 

947

 

14,983

 

Other costs

 

 

 

 

5,870

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,597

 

15,154

 

17,063

 

18,512

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

 

30,602

 

(31,136

)

22,511

 

6,896

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

11,533

 

(11,330

)

7,586

 

11,124

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

19,069

 

(19,806

)

14,925

 

(4,228

)

(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

(4,355

)

(8,285

)

(2,622

)

(54,265

)

Net income (loss)

 

14,714

 

(28,091

)

12,303

 

(58,493

)

Basic earnings (loss) per share amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

0.66

 

$

(0.68

)

$

0.51

 

$

(0.15

)

(Loss) from discontinued operations

 

(0.15

)

(0.28

)

(0.09

)

(1.86

)

Net income (loss)

 

0.51

 

(0.97

)

0.42

 

(2.01

)

Basic weighted average common share outstanding

 

29,084

 

29,084

 

29,084

 

29,107

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

0.64

 

$

(0.68

)

$

0.51

 

$

(0.15

)

(Loss) from discontinued operations

 

(0.15

)

(0.28

)

(0.09

)

(1.86

)

Net income (loss)

 

0.49

 

(0.97

)

0.42

 

(2.01

)

Diluted weighted average common share outstanding

 

30,002

 

29,084

 

29,359

 

29,107

 

 


*                                         Table may not add due to rounding.

 

(1)                                  Significant items impacting the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 include: (a) $14.8 million in asset impairment charges related to our decision to cease construction of our Emerson Lane administrative office building; (b) $5.9 million in other costs related to the Emerson Lane administrative office lease; and (c) $54.3 million loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, which was comprised of: (i) $80.3 million in asset impairment charges, before income taxes, related to our decision to exit the Disney Store business; and (ii) $6.1 million, before income taxes, in costs associated primarily with the cancellation of the Disney Store remodeling program.

 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

In the normal course of business, the Company’s financial position and results of operations are routinely subject to market risk associated with interest rate movements on borrowings and investments and currency rate movements on non-U.S. dollar denominated assets, liabilities and income. The Company utilizes cash from operations and short-term borrowings to fund our working capital and investment needs.

 

Cash, cash equivalents and investments are normally invested in short-term financial instruments that will be used in operations within a year of the balance sheet date. Because of the short-term nature of these investments, changes in interest rates would not materially affect the fair value of these financial instruments.

 

The Company’s credit facility with Wells Fargo for its continuing operations provides a source of financing for its working capital requirements. The Company’s credit facility bears interest at either a floating rate equal to the prime rate or a floating rate equal to the prime rate plus a pre-determined spread.

 

21



 

At the Company’s option, it could also borrow at a LIBOR rate plus a pre-determined spread. As of February 2, 2008, the Company had borrowings of $69.6 million under the Amended Loan Agreement. The Company’s interest expense is subject to fluctuations in the prime rate and LIBOR rate. The Company amended its Wells Fargo credit facility in June 2007. For a discussion of the amended facility, please refer to Note 5—Credit Facilities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

Assets and liabilities outside the United States are primarily located in Canada and Hong Kong. The Company’s investments in its Canadian subsidiaries are considered long-term. However, the Company is not deemed to be permanently invested in its Hong Kong subsidiary. The Company did not hedge these net investments during fiscal 2007. As of February 2, 2008, the Company is not a party to any derivative financial instruments.

 

As of February 2, 2008, the Company had approximately $50.3 million of its cash and investment balances held in foreign countries, of which approximately $37.6 million was in Canada and approximately $12.7 million was in Hong Kong. While the Company does not have substantial financial assets in China, it imports a large percentage of its merchandise from that country. Consequently, any significant or sudden change in China’s political, foreign trade, financial, banking or currency policies and practices could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In addition to the Company’s Asian operations, the Company has a growing business in Canada. While currency rates with the Canadian dollar moved in the Company’s favor for the first and third quarters of the fiscal year, they moved against the Company in the second and fourth quarters of fiscal 2006 and there can be no guarantee that the exchange rate will move in the Company’s favor in the future. Foreign currency fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operation.

 

22


EXHIBIT 99.3

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet as of February 2, 2008

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the fiscal years ended February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

(All other items on this report are inapplicable)

 

1



 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of

The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc.

Secaucus, New Jersey:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of February 2, 2008 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two fiscal years in the period ended February 2, 2008. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. and Subsidiaries at February 2, 2008, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended February 2, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

 

As discussed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements, effective February 4, 2007 the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB No. 109.

 

/s/BDO Seidman LLP

 

New York, NY

March 26, 2008, except for Note 2 which is as of July 31, 2008

 

2



 

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

 (In thousands, except shares issued, authorized and outstanding)

 

 

 

February 2,

 

 

 

2008

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

81,626

 

Accounts receivable

 

41,143

 

Inventories

 

196,606

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

67,589

 

Deferred income taxes

 

25,321

 

Assets of discontinued operations held for sale

 

98,591

 

Total current assets

 

510,876

 

Long-term assets:

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

354,141

 

Deferred income taxes

 

125,292

 

Other assets

 

3,065

 

Assets of discontinued operations held for sale

 

4,163

 

Total assets

 

$

997,537

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

Revolving loan

 

$

88,976

 

Accounts payable

 

80,807

 

Income taxes payable

 

3,845

 

Accrued expenses, interest, and other current liabilities

 

136,867

 

Total current liabilities

 

310,495

 

Long-term liabilities:

 

 

 

Deferred rent liabilities

 

136,708

 

Deferred royalty

 

42,988

 

Other tax liabilities

 

23,520

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

11,593

 

Total liabilities

 

525,304

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding at February 2, 2008

 

 

Common stock, $0.10 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 29,139,664 issued and outstanding at February 2, 2008

 

2,914

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

195,591

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

13,934

 

Retained earnings

 

259,794

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

472,233

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

997,537

 

 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements

 

3



 

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Net sales

 

$

1,520,329

 

$

1,405,429

 

Cost of sales

 

924,187

 

794,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

596,142

 

610,444

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

479,142

 

435,758

 

Asset impairment charges

 

16,565

 

418

 

Other costs

 

5,870

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

65,326

 

57,964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

29,239

 

116,304

 

Interest (expense) income, net

 

(366

)

2,707

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

28,873

 

119,011

 

Provision for income taxes

 

18,913

 

34,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

9,960

 

84,271

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

 

(69,527

)

3,119

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(59,567

)

$

87,390

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share amounts

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

0.34

 

$

2.92

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

(2.39

)

0.11

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(2.05

)

$

3.03

 

Basic weighted average common share outstanding

 

29,090

 

28,828

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share amounts

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

0.34

 

$

2.82

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

(2.35

)

0.10

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(2.01

)

$

2.92

 

Diluted weighted average common share outstanding

 

29,648

 

29,907

 

 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements

 

4



 

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

Retained

 

Comprehensive

 

Stockholders’

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Income

 

Equity

 

Income (loss)

 

BALANCE, January 28, 2006

 

27,954

 

$

2,796

 

$

147,065

 

$

238,578

 

$

7,211

 

$

395,650

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options and employee stock purchases

 

1,130

 

113

 

27,048

 

 

 

 

 

27,161

 

 

 

Tax benefit of stock option exercises

 

 

 

 

 

11,001

 

 

 

 

 

11,001

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense - stock options

 

 

 

 

 

3,452

 

 

 

 

 

3,452

 

 

 

Change in cumulative translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,867

)

(2,867

)

$

(2,867

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

87,390

 

 

 

87,390

 

87,390

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

84,523

 

BALANCE, February 3, 2007

 

29,084

 

$

2,909

 

$

188,566

 

$

325,968

 

$

4,344

 

$

521,787

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options and employee stock purchases

 

52

 

5

 

804

 

 

 

 

 

809

 

 

 

Tax benefit of stock option exercises

 

 

 

 

 

156

 

 

 

 

 

156

 

 

 

Adjustment to tax benefit of previously exercised stock options

 

 

 

 

 

(954

)

 

 

 

 

(954

)

 

 

Vesting of restricted stock

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adoption of FIN 48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,607

)

 

 

(6,607

)

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

5,156

 

 

 

 

 

5,156

 

 

 

Modifications of stock option awards, net of $1,058 payable in cash

 

 

 

 

 

(174

)

 

 

 

 

(174

)

 

 

Modifications of stock options - reclassification between liability and equity awards

 

 

 

 

 

237

 

 

 

 

 

237

 

 

 

Fair value of land donated to Company for distribution center

 

 

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

Change in cumulative translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,590

 

9,590

 

$

9,590

 

Net (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(59,567

)

 

 

(59,567

)

(59,567

)

Comprehensive (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(49,977

)

BALANCE, February 2, 2008

 

29,140

 

$

2,914

 

$

195,591

 

$

259,794

 

$

13,934

 

$

472,233

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements

 

5



 

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(59,567

)

$

87,390

 

Less income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

(69,527

)

3,123

 

Income from continuing operations

 

9,960

 

84,267

 

Reconciliation of income from continuing operations to net cash (used in provided by operating activities of continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

65,325

 

57,965

 

Other amortization

 

282

 

206

 

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

 

1,553

 

1,030

 

Asset impairments

 

16,565

 

417

 

Other costs

 

5,870

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

4,890

 

3,844

 

Deferred taxes

 

(56,813

)

(29,881

)

Deferred rent expense and lease incentives

 

(14,884

)

(11,738

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(8,022

)

(6,392

)

Inventories

 

(22,818

)

(20,506

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(4,654

)

(11,193

)

Other assets

 

(810

)

(291

)

Accounts payable

 

(26,264

)

7,811

 

Accrued expenses, interest and other current liabilities

 

816

 

26,312

 

Intercompany - discontinued operations

 

76,603

 

24,540

 

Income taxes payable, net of prepayments

 

(34,263

)

(37,119

)

Deferred rent liabilities

 

22,495

 

20,334

 

Other liabilities

 

283

 

(116

)

Total adjustments

 

26,154

 

25,223

 

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

 

36,114

 

109,490

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations

 

(37,313

)

29,443

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

(1,199

)

138,933

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment purchases, lease acquisition and software costs

 

(168,682

)

(108,950

)

Purchase of investments

 

(776,405

)

(1,165,108

)

Sale of investments

 

823,255

 

1,118,258

 

Other investing activity

 

 

1,023

 

Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations

 

(121,832

)

(154,777

)

Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations

 

(2,759

)

(74,444

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(124,591

)

(229,221

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings under revolving credit facilities

 

456,189

 

148,518

 

Repayments under revolving credit facilities

 

(386,628

)

(148,518

)

Exercise of stock options and employee stock purchases

 

809

 

27,161

 

Excess tax benefit for stock option exercises

 

156

 

11,001

 

Net cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations

 

70,526

 

38,162

 

Net cash provided by financing activities of discontinued operations

 

19,415

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

89,941

 

38,162

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash of continuing operations

 

2,873

 

(1,702

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash of discontinued operations

 

586

 

817

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

3,459

 

(885

)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(32,390

)

(53,011

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

114,016

 

167,027

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

 

$

81,626

 

$

114,016

 

 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements

 

6



 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for income taxes

 

58,525

 

92,459

 

Cash paid during the year for interest

 

4,625

 

1,063

 

Decrease (increase) in accrued purchases of property and equipment, lease acquisition and software costs

 

11,535

 

(19,915

)

Land received for distribution center

 

1,800

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements

 

7



 

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is primarily a specialty retailer of merchandise for children from newborn to ten years of age. The Company designs, contracts to manufacture and sells high-quality, value priced apparel and accessories and other children’s-oriented merchandise under two brands and store concepts—“The Children’s Place” and “Disney Store.” As of February 2, 2008, the Company operated 904 The Children’s Place stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and 335 Disney Stores in the United States and Canada. In addition, the Company operated Internet stores at www.childrensplace.com and www.disneystore.com. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have classified the Disney Stores as discontinued operations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), reflecting the Company’s exit of the Disney Store business (see Note 2).  In addition to corporate offices and distribution facilities in the United States and Canada, the Company also has business operations in Asia.

 

Fiscal Year

 

The Company’s fiscal year is a 52-week or 53-week period ending on the Saturday nearest to January 31. The results for fiscal 2007 represent the 52-week period ended February 2, 2008 (“fiscal 2007”). The results for fiscal 2006 represent the 53-week period ended February 3, 2007 (“fiscal 2006”).

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and amounts of revenues and expenses reported during the period. Actual results could differ from the assumptions used and estimates made by management, which could have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. As of February 2, 2008, the Company does not have any investments in unconsolidated affiliates. The principles of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” and Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements” are considered when determining whether an entity is subject to consolidation.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue, including shipping and handling fees billed to customers, upon purchase at the Company’s retail stores or when received by the customer if the product was purchased via the Internet, net of coupon redemptions and anticipated sales returns. The Company deferred approximately $0.3 million as of February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007, for Internet shipments sent but not yet received by the customer. Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from revenue.

 

8



 

An allowance for estimated sales returns is calculated based upon the Company’s sales return experience and is recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The allowance for estimated sales returns was approximately $3.2 million as of February 2, 2008.

 

The Company’s policy with respect to gift cards is to record revenue as the gift cards are redeemed for merchandise. Prior to their redemption, gift cards are recorded as a liability, included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The Company recognizes income from gift cards that are not expected to be redeemed based upon an extended period of dormancy where statutorily permitted. The Company recognized income for gift card dormancy of approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively.

 

The Company offers a private label credit card to its Children’s Place customers that provides a discount on future purchases once a minimum annual purchase threshold has been exceeded. The Company estimates the future discounts to be provided based on history, the number of customers who have earned or are likely to earn the discount and current year sales trends on the private label credit card. The Company defers a proportionate amount of revenue from customers based on an estimated value of future discounts. The Company recognizes such deferred revenue as future discounts are taken on sales above the annual minimum. This is done by utilizing estimates based upon sales trends and the number of customers who have earned the discount privilege. The Company’s private label customers must earn the discount privilege on an annual basis, and such privilege expires at fiscal year end. Accordingly, deferred revenue for a given fiscal year is recognized by the end of that fiscal year. The Company commenced its 2008 private label program in January 2008. Accordingly, the Company recognized $0.4 million in deferred revenue at February 2, 2008.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories, which consist primarily of finished goods, are stated at the lower of average cost or market, calculated using the retail inventory method. Under the retail inventory method, the valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by applying a cost-to-retail ratio by merchandise department to the retail value of inventories. Inventory includes items that have been marked down to the Company’s best estimate of their fair market value and an estimate for inventory shrinkage. The Company bases its decision to mark down merchandise upon its current rate of sale, the season and the sell-through of the item. The Company adjusts its inventory based upon an annual physical inventory and shrinkage is estimated in interim periods based upon the historical results of physical inventories in the context of current year facts and circumstances.

 

Cost of Sales

 

In addition to the cost of inventory sold, the Company includes buying, design and distribution expenses, shipping and handling costs on merchandise sold directly to customers, and letter of credit fees in its cost of sales. The Company records all occupancy costs in its cost of sales, except administrative office buildings, which are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. All depreciation is reported on a separate line on the Company’s consolidated statements of operation.

 

Accounting for Equity Compensation and Stock Purchase Plans

 

The Company maintains several equity compensation plans, which are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”). The Compensation Committee is comprised of independent members of the Board of Directors (the “Board”). The Company has granted stock options under its 1996 Stock Option Plan (the “1996 Plan”), its 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “1997 Plan”), and its 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Equity Plan”) (collectively, the “Plans”). The 2005 Equity Plan, which was approved at the June 23, 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, enabled the Compensation Committee to grant multiple forms of equity compensation such as stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards and performance awards. In connection with the adoption of the 2005 Equity Plan, the Compensation Committee agreed not to issue any additional stock options under the 1996 Plan or the 1997 Plan and to limit the aggregate grant of awards under the

 

9



 

2005 Equity Plan during fiscal years 2006 and 2007 to less than 2.5% of the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding on the last day of the 2006 and 2007 fiscal years, respectively. The Company also maintains an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”).

 

Stock Options

 

At the discretion of the Compensation Committee, the Plans provide for granting incentive stock options (“ISOs”) qualified under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code and non-qualified stock options (“NQOs”). Options granted under the Plans have a maximum term of ten years. Exercise prices of options granted under the 2005 Equity Plan may not be less than the fair market value of the underlying shares at the date of the grant. The Plans also contain certain provisions requiring that the exercise price of ISOs granted to stockholders owning greater than 10% of the Company be at least 110% of the fair market value of the underlying shares and a maximum term of five years. Unless otherwise specified by the Compensation Committee:

 

·                  Options granted prior to April 2005 under the 1996 Plan and the 1997 Plan generally vest at 20% a year over a five-year period; and

 

·                  Options granted subsequent to April 2005 under the 1997 Plan and the 2005 Equity Plan generally vest at 25% a year over a four-year period.

 

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Accounting for Share-Based Payments,” (“SFAS 123(R)”), the Company recognizes equity compensation expense for its stock awards on a straight-line basis with the amount of compensation cost recognized at any date at least equal to the portion of the grant-date value of the award that is vested at that date.

 

Effective January 29, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method. Under this method, prior periods are not restated. In applying SFAS 123(R), the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on a Monte Carlo simulation, which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimates, including estimates of how long an employee will hold their vested stock options before exercise, the estimated volatility of the Company’s common stock over the expected term, and the number of options that will be forfeited prior to the completion of vesting requirements. Application of other assumptions could result in significantly different estimates of fair value of stock-based compensation and the related expense recognized in the Company’s financial statements. The provisions of SFAS 123(R) applied to new stock options and stock options outstanding, but not yet vested, as of the effective date of January 29, 2006.

 

Performance Awards

 

Prior to fiscal 2006, equity compensation for key management consisted only of stock option awards. Upon consideration of several factors, including the impact of SFAS 123(R), the Company decided in fiscal 2006 to begin granting performance awards to key members of management, as selected by the Compensation Committee. Performance awards are shares of common stock to be issued to participants if performance criteria, as defined by the Compensation Committee, are met. Performance criteria generally consist of earnings per share or operating income targets over multiple years along with a service requirement on the part of the awardees.

 

Deferred and Restricted Stock Awards

 

The Company’s equity plans also provide for the issuance of deferred and restricted stock awards (“Deferred Stock”). Beginning in fiscal 2006, Company practice has been to issue deferred stock to its employees as opposed to stock options. Deferred stock generally vests equally over three to four years from the date of grant. Compensation expense for deferred stock is determined by the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant, as determined by the average of the high and low trading price, and

 

10



 

is expensed on a straight-line basis over the service period with the amount of compensation cost recognized at any date at least equal to the portion of the grant-date value of the award that is vested at that date.

 

Stock Purchase Plan

 

Prior to September 2006, the Company administered an ESPP. Under the ESPP, eligible employees were permitted to subscribe to purchase shares of Company common stock through payroll deductions of up to 10% of eligible compensation, subject to limitations. The purchase price was 95% of the average high and low prices of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of each monthly offering period, which is deemed to be non-compensatory. In September 2006, the Company suspended its ESPP plan.

 

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

 

The Company reports its earnings (loss) per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share” (“SFAS 128”), which requires the presentation of both basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share on the statements of operations.

 

In accordance with SFAS 128, the following table reconciles income (loss) and share amounts utilized to calculate basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

9,960

 

$

84,271

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

 

(69,527

)

3,119

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(59,567

)

$

87,390

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average common shares

 

29,090

 

28,828

 

Dilutive effect of stock awards

 

558

 

1,079

 

Diluted weighted average common shares

 

29,648

 

29,907

 

Antidilutive stock awards

 

988

 

23

 

 

In accordance with SFAS 128, since the Company had income from continuing operations it considered the dilutive effect of stock awards in computing its diluted earnings-per-share amount.  Additionally, the diluted effect of the Company’s stock awards were considered in computing all other reported diluted per-share amounts even if those amounts were antidilutive to their respective basic per-share amounts.

 

 Antidilutive stock awards for fiscal 2007 represent stock options that had an exercise price greater than the average market price during the period and unvested deferred and restricted shares which would have been antidilutive in the application of SFAS 128. For fiscal 2006, antidilutive stock awards represent stock options that had an exercise price greater than the average market price during the period and were excluded from the computation of diluted shares.

 

Accounting for Royalties due Under the License Agreement

 

In fiscal 2004, the Company entered into a License and Conduct of Business Agreement (the “License Agreement”) to secure the right to use certain Disney intellectual property in the Disney Store business in exchange for ongoing royalty payments. Minimum royalty commitments are recorded on a straight-line basis using an estimated useful life of 15 years based on the initial term of the License

 

11



 

Agreement. During each period, amounts due in excess of the minimum royalty commitment were recorded as an expense if management expected to surpass the minimum royalty commitment on an annual basis, even if the contingency threshold had not been surpassed in that particular period. The royalty percentage does not increase over the initial term of the License Agreement. On April 30, 2008, the License Agreement was terminated as part of the Private Sale (See Note 2).

 

In accordance with the License Agreement, following a two year royalty abatement, the Company began making royalty payments to Disney in November 2006 equal to 5% of net sales from physical Disney Store locations, subject to an additional royalty holiday period of up to eight years from the date of the License Agreement with respect to a limited number of stores. The amortization of the royalty holiday was recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of royalty expense over the term of the License Agreement. In August 2007, the Company and Disney entered into an agreement which modified certain provisions of the License Agreement and created certain additional obligations on the part of the Company (the “Refurbishment Amendment”). The Refurbishment Amendment, among other things, ended the royalty abatement at certain locations identified in the original License Agreement. Deferred royalties were approximately $43.0 million at February 2, 2008.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable consists of credit card receivables, landlord construction incentive receivables and other miscellaneous items. Landlord construction incentive receivables were approximately $24.0 million. See Note 2 – Discontinued Operations for additional information on accounts receivable related to the Disney Stores.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” (“SFAS 133”), as amended and interpreted, requires that each derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) be recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability and measured at its fair value. The statement also requires that changes in the derivative’s fair value be recognized currently in earnings in either income from continuing operations or accumulated other comprehensive income, depending on whether the derivative qualifies for hedge accounting treatment. During the two year period ended February 2, 2008, the Company was not party to any derivative financial instruments.

 

Insurance and Self-Insurance Reserves

 

The Company self-insures and purchases insurance policies to provide for workers’ compensation, general liability and property losses, as well as director and officer’s liability, vehicle liability and employee medical benefits. The Company estimates risks and records a liability based on historical claim experience, insurance deductibles, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. The Company records the current portions of employee medical benefits, workers compensation and general liability reserves in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. As of February 2, 2008, the current portion of these reserves were approximately $5.3 million. The Company records the long-term portions of employee medical benefits, workers compensation and general liability reserves in other long-term liabilities. As of February 2, 2008, the long-term portions of these reserves were approximately $5.1 million.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight line basis over the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset, whichever is shorter. All other property and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis based upon their estimated useful lives, which generally range from three to ten years. Interest costs related to the construction of property and equipment are capitalized as incurred as part of the cost of the constructed asset. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

 

12



 

The Company accounts for internally developed software intended for internal use in accordance with SOP 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.” The Company capitalizes development-stage costs such as direct external costs, direct payroll related costs and interest costs incurred to develop the software prior to implementation. When development is substantially complete, the Company amortizes the cost of the software on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the software. Preliminary project costs and post-implementation costs such as training, maintenance and support are expensed as incurred.

 

Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS 144”), the Company periodically reviews its assets when events indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Such events include a history of operating or cash flow losses or an expectation that an asset will be sold or disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. The Company also evaluates each store’s performance (in the fiscal year after a store has been opened) on a periodic basis and measures the carrying value of each location’s fixed assets, principally leasehold improvements and certain fixtures, versus its undiscounted estimated future cash flows. When the evaluation of a store location indicates that its cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying value of the long-term assets at the store, the store assets are deemed to be impaired and are adjusted to their fair values.

 

Accounting for Exit or Disposal Activities

 

The Company accounts for its exit and disposal costs in accordance with SFAS No. 146, “Accounting Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities” (SFAS 146”) and records costs at fair value to terminate an operating lease or contract when termination occurs before the end of its term and without future economic benefit to the Company. During fiscal 2007, the Company recorded in continuing operations approximately $5.9 million in lease exit costs related to its decision not to proceed forward with the construction of the Emerson Lane administrative office building. The Company also recorded in discontinued operations approximately $6.1 million in costs associated primarily with the cancellation of the Disney Store remodeling program. During fiscal 2006, the Company recorded in discontinued operations approximately $0.8 million in lease exit costs for one store lease (See Note 2).

 

Deferred Financing Costs

 

The Company capitalizes costs directly associated with acquiring third-party financing. Deferred financing costs are included in other assets and are amortized on a straight line basis as interest expense over the term of the related indebtedness. Deferred financing costs were approximately $0.1 million, net of accumulated amortization as of February 2, 2008.

 

Pre-opening Costs

 

Store pre-opening costs, which consist primarily of occupancy costs, payroll, supply, and marketing expenses, are expensed as incurred, and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Occupancy costs incurred during construction, prior to and during store pre-opening activities are considered pre-opening costs, not rent expense.

 

Advertising and Marketing Costs

 

The Company expenses the cost of advertising when the advertising is first run or displayed. Included in selling, general and administrative expenses for continuing operations for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006 are advertising and other marketing costs of approximately $50.5 million and $46.3 million, respectively.

 

13



 

Landlord Construction Allowances

 

The Company accounts for landlord construction allowances as lease incentives and records them as a component of deferred rent, which is amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the lease term.

 

Rent Expense and Deferred Rent

 

Rent expense and lease incentives, including landlord construction allowances, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, commencing generally on the date the Company takes possession of the leased property. The Company records rent expense and the impact of lease incentives for its stores and distribution centers as a component of cost of sales. The unamortized portion of deferred rent is included in deferred rent liabilities.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company computes income taxes using the liability method. This method requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities, measured by enacted rates, attributable to temporary differences between financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities. Temporary differences result primarily from depreciation and amortization differences for book and tax purposes and the non-deductibility of certain reserves and accruals for tax purposes.

 

During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. As a result, the Company recognizes tax liabilities when they become probable and estimable, and the Company’s estimates include taxes and interest. These tax liabilities are recognized when, despite the Company’s belief that its tax return positions are supportable, the Company believes that certain positions are likely to be challenged and may not be fully sustained upon review by tax authorities. The Company believes that its accruals for tax liabilities are adequate for all open audit years based on its assessment of many factors including past experience and interpretations of tax law. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made.

 

Significant judgment is also required in determining any valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management considers all available evidence including past operating results, estimates of future taxable income and the feasibility of ongoing tax planning strategies. In the event that the Company changes its determination as to the amount of deferred tax assets that can be realized, the Company will adjust its valuation allowance with a corresponding impact to income tax expense in the period in which such determination is made.

 

The Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement 109” (“FIN 48”) on February 4, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting and reporting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement criteria for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Under FIN 48, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are included as part of the provision for income taxes.

 

14



 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Values of Financial Instruments,” requires entities to disclose the fair value of financial instruments, both assets and liabilities, recognized and not recognized in the balance sheets, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. For purposes of this disclosure, the fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Fair value is based on quoted market prices for the same or similar financial instruments.

 

As cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and payable, the Company’s credit facilities and certain other short-term financial instruments are all short-term in nature, their carrying amounts approximate fair value.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The Company has determined that the local currencies of its Canadian and Asian subsidiaries are their functional currencies. In accordance with SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation,” the assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange existing at period-end and revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Related translation adjustments are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

 

Legal Contingencies

 

The Company reserves for litigation settlements and contingencies when it determines an adverse outcome is probable and can estimate losses. Estimates are adjusted as facts and circumstances require. The Company is involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of its business. In the opinion of management, any ultimate liability arising out of such proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition. The Company expenses the costs to settle litigation as incurred.

 

Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”) which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and for interim periods within those years, with the exception of all non-financial assets and liabilities which will be effective for years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS 157 on February 3, 2008, the first day of fiscal year 2008. The adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”). This standard permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Most of the provisions in SFAS 159 are elective; however, the amendment to SFAS 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”, applies to all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities. The fair value option established by SFAS 159 permits all entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. A business entity will report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings (or another performance indicator if the business entity does not report earnings) at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option: (a) may be applied instrument by instrument, with a few exceptions, such as investments otherwise accounted for by the equity method; (b) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs); and (c) is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company has chosen not to adopt the elective provisions of SFAS 159 and the remaining provisions did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

15



 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”), which replaces FASB Statement No. 141. SFAS 141R establishes the principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business or a gain from a bargain purchase and determines what information to disclose to enable the users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The provisions of SFAS 141R shall be applied prospectively to business combinations with acquisition dates on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period in which it is initially applied. SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect SFAS 141R to have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

2.  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

In November 2004, the Company acquired, through two wholly-owned subsidiaries, certain assets used to operate the Disney Store retail chain in North America (the “Disney Store business”) from affiliates of The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”). The Company’s subsidiaries that operate the Disney Store business, Hoop Retail Stores, LLC and Hoop Canada, Inc. are referred to herein interchangeably and collectively as “Hoop.” As a result of this acquisition and a subsequent transaction, Hoop acquired 315 Disney Stores, consisting of 313 mall-based existing Disney Stores in the United States and Canada and two Disney flagship stores (together, the “Original Acquisition”), along with certain other assets used in the Disney Store business. The Original Acquisition excluded stores located at Disney theme parks, other flagship stores and certain other Disney properties.

 

Concurrent with the Original Acquisition, the Company entered into a License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) and a Guaranty and Commitment (the “Guaranty and Commitment Agreement”). Under the License Agreement, Hoop had the right to use certain Disney intellectual property, subject to Disney approval, in the Disney Store business in exchange for ongoing royalty payments. These royalty payments commenced in November 2006, after a two-year royalty holiday period subsequent to the Original Acquisition. Royalty payments were equal to 5% of net sales at the physical Disney Store retail locations, subject to a royalty abatement with respect to a limited number of stores. The amortization of the estimated value of the two-year holiday under the License Agreement was recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the License Agreement.

 

The License Agreement, as well as the Company’s credit facilities, placed certain liquidity restrictions on the Company. These agreements restricted the commingling of funds between The Children’s Place and Hoop, limited the borrowings by Hoop from The Children’s Place, and limited distributions other than payment for the allocated costs of shared services from Hoop to The Children’s Place. Since the Original Acquisition, the Company has segregated all cash receipts and disbursements, investments and credit facility borrowings and letter of credit activity.

 

The License Agreement included provisions regarding the manner in which Hoop operated the Disney Store business and required approvals from a Disney affiliate for certain matters, including all uses of Disney intellectual property.

 

Beginning in July 2007, Hoop commenced Internet commerce operations through an alliance with a Disney affiliate for which the Company paid a Disney affiliate fees based on a percentage of e-commerce sales for the use of the Disney Internet commerce website.

 

In August 2007, the Company, Hoop and Disney amended the License Agreement by executing the Refurbishment Amendment (the “Refurbishment Amendment”). Subject to compliance with the terms and satisfaction of the conditions in the Refurbishment Amendment, Disney agreed to forbear from exercising any of its rights or remedies under the License Agreement based on previously asserted breaches of the License Agreement. If the Company breached any of the provisions of the Refurbishment Amendment on three or more occasions and Disney had not previously terminated the Refurbishment

 

16



 

Amendment, the Company would have owed $18.0 million to Disney with respect to the breach fees called for by the License Agreement. If the Company violated any of the provisions of the Refurbishment Amendment on five or more occasions, the Refurbishment Amendment provided that Disney would have the right to immediately terminate the License Agreement, without any right by the Company to defend, counterclaim, protest or cure. The Refurbishment Amendment set forth specific requirements to remodel and otherwise refresh the Disney Stores while the Refurbishment Amendment remained in effect. In connection with the Refurbishment Amendment, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an investment of $175 million to remodel and refresh stores through fiscal 2011.

 

After a thorough review of the Disney Store business, its potential earnings growth, its capital needs and its ability to fund such needs from its own resources, the Company announced on March 20, 2008 that it had decided to exit the Disney Store business. Additionally, Hoop had received notices of several material breaches under the License Agreement. Hoop believed it had cured some of the asserted breaches and intended to cure or to assert defenses to the other asserted breaches.

 

After assessing the above factors and considering Hoop’s liquidity, Hoop’s Board of Directors determined that the best way to complete an orderly wind-down of Hoop’s affairs was for Hoop to seek relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). On March 26, 2008, Hoop Holdings, LLC, Hoop Retail Stores, LLC and Hoop Canada Holdings, Inc. each filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “U.S. Bankruptcy Court”) (Case Nos. 08-10544, 08-10545, and 08-10546, respectively, the “Cases”). On March 27, 2008, Hoop Canada, Inc. filed for protection pursuant to the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (the “CCAA”) in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) (“Canadian Bankruptcy Court”) (Court File No. 08-CL-7453, and together with the Cases, the “Filings”). Each of the foregoing Hoop entities are referred to collectively herein as the “Hoop Entities.”

 

As a result of the filing of the Cases, outstanding indebtedness under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement (as defined in Note 5- Credit Facilities), in the amount of approximately $9.3 million, was frozen and capped as of March 26, 2008. In order to fund the bankruptcy proceedings and all projected working capital needs, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC and Hoop Retail Stores, LLC entered into a Debtor-In-Possession Loan and Security Agreement, which was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and dated as of  March 28, 2008, consisting of a $35 million revolving credit facility (the “DIP Credit Facility”). In addition, all letters of credit issued under the Amended Hoop Credit Facility were be deemed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to be issued under the DIP Credit Facility. Hoop was required to pay a closing fee of approximately $0.3 million for the DIP Credit Facility.

 

Amounts outstanding under the DIP Credit Facility bore interest at a floating rate equal to the prime rate plus 1.50%. Commercial letter of credit fees and standby letter of credit fees were 2.50% and the unused line fee was 0.375%. Credit extended under the DIP Credit Facility was secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all the assets of the domestic Hoop entity as well as a pledge of a portion of the equity interest in Hoop Canada.

 

Since these Filings, the Hoop Entities have managed their properties and have operated their businesses as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court or the Canadian Bankruptcy Court, as applicable, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code or the CCAA, as applicable. Neither the Company, as Hoop’s parent company nor any of the Company’s other subsidiaries, has commenced or plans to commence a Chapter 11 case (or equivalent under applicable bankruptcy laws).

 

After receiving the approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the Canadian Bankruptcy Court, on April 30, 2008, Hoop transferred the Disney Store business in the U.S. and Canada and a substantial portion of the Disney Store assets to affiliates of Disney in an asset sale (the “Private Sale”), pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code (and a similar provision under the CCAA.) Upon closing, affiliates of Disney paid approximately $64.0 million for the acquired assets of the Disney Store business, subject to a post-closing inventory and asset adjustment. Approximately $6.0 million of the purchase price was held in

 

17



 

escrow for such true-up purposes. The proceeds received from the Private Sale will be utilized to settle the Hoop Entities’ liabilities as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court or Canadian Bankruptcy Court, as applicable.

 

According to the terms of the Private Sale, Hoop transferred 217 Disney Stores to affiliates of Disney and granted such affiliates the right to operate and wind-down the affairs of the remaining Disney Stores for a specified time period, after which Disney may choose to return such stores to Hoop’s bankruptcy estate for treatment as approved by the relevant bankruptcy court. Additional claims (liabilities subject to compromise) may arise as a result of the rejection of executory contracts, including leases for the stores returned to the Hoop estate, and from the determination by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court or Canadian Bankruptcy Court (or agreed to by Hoop’s creditors) of claims allowed for contingencies and other related amounts. Claims secured against Hoop’s assets (“secured claims”) also are stayed, although the holders of such claims have the right to petition the U.S. Bankruptcy Court or Canadian Bankruptcy Court, as applicable, for relief from the stay. As a “debtor-in-possession,” Hoop expects to settle its “liabilities subject to compromise” with its restricted assets, by the end of fiscal 2008.

 

In connection with the closing of the Private Sale, Disney’s relevant affiliates released Hoop from its rights and obligations under the License Agreement, as amended by the Refurbishment Amendment and the Guaranty and Commitment Agreement, and any related future liabilities and unlimited claims. Further, in connection with the Private Sale and the satisfaction of other conditions, Disney and its affiliates released the Company from its obligations under the Guaranty and Commitment Agreement and Refurbishment Agreement. Separately, the Company entered into a settlement and release of claims with Hoop and its creditors’ committee, which was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on April 29, 2008. The Company has agreed to provide transitional services and to forgive all pre- and post-bankruptcy petition claims against Hoop, which include inter-company charges for shared services of approximately $24.1 million, a capital contribution the Company made to Hoop of approximately $8.3 million in cash on March 18, 2008 and to pay severance and other employee costs for the Company’s employees servicing Hoop of approximately $7.8 million, and certain other professional fees and other costs the Company may incur during the Hoop Entities’ bankruptcy proceedings, as well as claims that might be asserted against the Company in such bankruptcy proceedings.

 

The Disney Store business has been segregated from continuing operations and included in “Discontinued operations, net of taxes” in the consolidated statements of operation. In discontinued operations, the Company has reversed its allocation of shared services to the Disney Stores and has charged discontinued operations with the administrative and distribution expenses that were attributable to the Disney Stores. Discontinued operations were comprised of (in thousands):

 

18



 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Net sales

 

$

642,230

 

$

612,284

 

Cost of sales

 

439,909

 

394,315

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

202,321

 

217,969

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

219,448

 

189,732

 

Asset impairment charges

 

80,286

 

16,648

 

Restructuring charges

 

6,150

 

761

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,374

 

7,737

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(117,937

)

3,091

 

Interest income, net

 

313

 

1,226

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(117,624

)

4,317

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(48,097

)

1,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

 

$

(69,527

)

$

3,119

 

 

The impairment charges included in the table above relate to the Company’s decision to divest of the operations of the Disney Stores, which reflects the write-down of store and administrative offices to salvage value because these assets were deemed unable to generate sufficient cash flow to cover their carrying value.

 

During fiscal 2006, the Company recorded in discontinued operations asset impairment charges of $16.6 million, comprised of a $9.6 million charge related to the renovation of 29 Mickey prototype stores and $7.1 million related to the Company’s decision not to proceed with a New York City Disney Store location and infrastructure investments that were written off in conjunction with the Company’s decision to form an e-commerce alliance with a Disney affiliate in which select Disney Store merchandise is sold on the disneyshopping.com website. The Company introduced the Mickey store prototype at the Disney Store in fiscal 2005 but was dissatisfied with the prototype from a brand, design and construction standpoint. The impairment charge for the 29 Mickey stores reflects stores that were unable to generate sufficient cash flow to cover the carrying value of their fixed assets prior to their renovation.

 

During fiscal 2007, in conjunction with the Company’s renovation of certain “Mickey” stores, the Company reduced the estimated useful lives of certain store assets. Accordingly, the Company has recognized in discontinued operations approximately $3.6 million in accelerated depreciation in the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008.

 

For the consolidated balance sheet as of February 2, 2008, “Assets held for sale” reflect the assets subsequently sold to affiliates of Disney. They are detailed as follows (in thousands):

 

19



 

 

 

February 2,

 

 

 

2008

 

Current assets held for sale:

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

$

4,555

 

Inventories

 

88,674

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

5,362

 

 

 

$

98,591

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current assets held for sale:

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

3,317

 

Other assets - security deposits

 

846

 

 

 

$

4,163

 

 

20



 

In the consolidated balance sheet as of February 2, 2008, the remaining assets and liabilities of Hoop are included in their respective balance sheet categories and were included in the following asset and liability categories (in thousands):

 

 

 

February 2,

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

12,644

 

Accounts receivable

 

8,627

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1)

 

11,214

 

Total current assets

 

32,485

 

Other assets

 

497

 

Total assets

 

$

32,982

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving loan

 

$

19,415

 

Accounts payable

 

51,795

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (2)

 

41,662

 

Total current liabilities

 

112,872

 

Deferred rent liabilities

 

25,518

 

Deferred royalty

 

42,988

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

1,863

 

Total liabilities

 

$

183,241

 

 


(1)   Prepaid expenses and other current assets are comprised of $6,754 of prepaid property expenses and $4,460 of other prepaid expenses.

 

(2)          Accrued expenses and other current liabilities are comprised of the following:

 

 

 

Amount

 

Accrued construction-in-progress

 

$

8,635

 

Accrued salaries and benefits

 

8,281

 

Accrued exit costs

 

5,725

 

Accrued store expenses

 

5,483

 

Accrued professional fees

 

657

 

Accrued real estate expenses

 

2,555

 

Customer liabilities

 

2,171

 

Sales taxes and other taxes payable

 

1,333

 

Accrued marketing

 

1,216

 

Accrued insurance

 

966

 

Accrued freight

 

550

 

Other accrued expenses

 

4,090

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

$

41,662

 

 

21



 

Cash flows from the Company’s discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

$

(69,527

)

$

3,123

 

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,375

 

7,736

 

Deferred financing fees and related amortization

 

161

 

373

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

1,359

 

740

 

Asset impairments

 

80,286

 

16,649

 

Other costs

 

6,150

 

761

 

Stock-based compensation

 

490

 

537

 

Deferred royalty, net

 

969

 

(120

)

Deferred income taxes

 

1,911

 

18,789

 

Deferred rent expense and lease incentives

 

(772

)

4,122

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(1,901

)

269

 

Inventories

 

(18,106

)

(5,662

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(1,036

)

7,470

 

Other assets

 

(326

)

(144

)

Accounts payable

 

25,699

 

(6,071

)

Accrued expenses, interest and other current liabilities

 

646

 

(4,246

)

Intercompany with continuing operations

 

(76,603

)

(24,540

)

Income taxes payable, net of prepayments

 

(8

)

(1,432

)

Deferred rent liabilities

 

4,282

 

10,335

 

Other liabilities

 

(5,362

)

754

 

Total adjustments

 

32,214

 

26,320

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

(37,313

)

29,443

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment purchases, lease acquisition and software costs

 

(31,084

)

(46,119

)

Purchase of investments

 

(263,620

)

(704,411

)

Sale of investments

 

291,945

 

676,086

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(2,759

)

(74,444

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings under revolving credit facilities

 

166,942

 

98,449

 

Repayments under revolving credit facilities

 

(147,527

)

(98,449

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

19,415

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

586

 

817

 

Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(20,071

)

(44,184

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

32,715

 

76,899

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

 

$

12,644

 

$

32,715

 

 

3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company maintains several equity compensation plans. The Company has granted stock options under its 1996 Plan, its 1997 Plan and its 2005 Equity Plan. Under its 2005 Equity Plan, the Company also has granted other forms of equity compensation, including deferred and restricted stock and performance awards.

 

22



 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Compensation Committee approved the 2008 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”). The LTIP provides for the issuance of deferred stock awards and performance awards to key members of management (the “Participants”). The awards are based on salary level and the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the Compensation Committee approves the grant. The deferred stock awards vest over three years and have a service requirement only. Key features of the performance awards are as follows:

 

·                  Each performance award has a defined number of shares that a Participant can earn (the “Target Shares”). Based on performance levels, Participants can earn up to 200% of their Target Shares.

 

·                  Performance awards have a service requirement and performance criteria that must be achieved for the awards to vest.

 

·                  The performance criteria, which were approved by the Compensation Committee in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, is based on the Company’s achievement of operating income levels in each of the fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010, as well as in the aggregate.

 

·                  Awards may be earned in each of the fiscal years based upon meeting the established performance criteria for that year, however the Participants, except in certain circumstances, must be employed by the Company at the end of the three year performance period or their awards are forfeited.

 

Pursuant to the LTIP, the Compensation Committee approved the issuance of 245,681 deferred stock awards and performance awards that provide for 245,681 Target Shares. Expense was recognized for the deferred stock awards which are based only on service requirements. Since the performance criteria were not approved until the first quarter of fiscal 2008, there was no mutual understanding of the key terms and conditions of the performance awards between the Company and the Participants as of February 2, 2008. Therefore, no grant date was established in fiscal 2007. In addition, the service inception date was not established in fiscal 2007 because no performance criteria were applicable to fiscal 2007 and a substantial future service requirement exists. Accordingly, no expense related to this grant was recorded in fiscal 2007.

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Compensation Committee approved the issuance of 472,833 deferred stock awards, 63,294 restricted stock awards, and 113,696 stock options that vest over periods of three to four years. These awards consisted of annual equity awards to associates, new hire and promotional awards and awards to the Company’s board members. The total awards issued included a catch up for those awards delayed from being issued in fiscal 2006 due to the Company’s stock option investigation.

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company modified 730,742 stock options that had been previously issued with exercise prices below the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the options were granted. The modification increased the exercise price of each option to its grant date fair market value. For 284,633 of the repriced stock options, the modification also included an agreement to pay the option holders a cash payment equal to the change in the exercise price for each option modified. As a result, the Company recorded a stock compensation charge of $0.9 million, a cash payable of $1.1 million, and a reduction to equity of $0.2 million.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company issued performance awards to certain key members of management. Each performance award provided for the issuance of a targeted number of shares of the Company’s common stock with the aggregate number of target shares for all performance awards aggregating 566,500 shares. The awards were based on, among other conditions, achieving a minimum earnings per share level in fiscal 2007 and a minimum cumulative earnings per share level for fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007. The number of shares earned would be equal to the number of target shares multiplied by a factor between 0% and 200% based on the cumulative earnings per share achieved. During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company recorded $2.3 million of related expense based on an

 

23



 

estimated factor of 100%. Prior to filing its fiscal 2006 second quarter results on Form 10-Q, the Company estimated that the minimum target would not be met and accordingly reversed the previously recorded $2.3 million. That assessment remained unchanged and at February 2, 2008, it was concluded that the minimum requirements were not achieved and no shares were earned.

 

During fiscal 2006, the Company promised stock options and deferred stock awards for which it was unable to complete the granting process due to the suspension of equity award grants. Based on the Company’s commitment to honor these grants, liability awards were established. In fiscal 2007 after the suspension was lifted, these awards were converted to equity awards and the related liabilities were transferred to equity.

 

Terminated employees have 90 days from date of termination to exercise their vested options. Due to the suspension of stock option exercises on September 14, 2006, the Company modified options held by terminated employees to extend their expiration dates until after the date the suspension is lifted (i.e., tolled stock options). After the suspension was lifted on December 10, 2007, terminated employees had the same number of days to exercise their options as if the suspension had not occurred. Options that were tolled for employees terminated prior to September 14, 2006 were accounted for as liability awards because the option holders were no longer employees at the time of the modification and because of the Company’s inability to provide shares upon exercise. These options were reclassified to equity awards after the suspension was lifted. Options that were tolled for employees terminated after September 14, 2006 were accounted for as equity awards because their options were tolled in conjunction with their termination.

 

The following tables summarize the Company’s equity and other stock-based compensation expense, which in fiscal 2007 and 2006 was determined in accordance with SFAS 123(R) (in thousands):

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended February 2, 2008

 

 

 

Cost of
Goods Sold

 

Selling,
General &
Administrative

 

Discontinued
Operations

 

Total

 

Stock option expense

 

$

 

$

1,221

 

$

 

$

1,221

 

Stock compensation expense related to the issuance of liability awards

 

 

147

 

(18

)

129

 

Deferred stock expense

 

97

 

415

 

191

 

703

 

Restricted stock expense

 

 

141

 

 

141

 

Expense related to the modification of previously issued stock options, primarily tolling

 

383

 

3,253

 

339

 

3,975

 

Fair market value adjustments of tolled stock options accounted for as liability awards

 

(543

)

(224

)

(22

)

(789

)

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$

(63

)

$

4,953

 

$

490

 

$

5,380

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2007

 

 

 

Cost of
Goods Sold

 

Selling,
General &
Administrative

 

Discontinued
Operations

 

Total

 

Stock option expense

 

$

 

$

1,508

 

$

436

 

$

1,944

 

Stock compensation expense related to the issuance of liability awards

 

 

47

 

50

 

97

 

Expense related to the modification of previously issued stock options, primarily tolling

 

26

 

1,453

 

29

 

1,508

 

Tolled stock options accounted for as liability awards and related fair market value adjustments

 

552

 

258

 

22

 

832

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$

578

 

$

3,266

 

$

537

 

$

4,381

 

 

24



 

The Company recognized tax benefits related to equity compensation expense of approximately $2.1 million and $1.7 million in fiscal 2007and fiscal 2006, respectively.

 

As of February 2, 2008, the Company had the following shares available for grant under its 2005 Equity Plan, assuming that the performance awards issued on December 10, 2008 are earned at 100%:

 

Performance share target assumption

 

0%

 

100%

 

200%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares available at January 28, 2006

 

1,899,400

 

1,899,400

 

1,899,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity award activity during fiscal 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options granted

 

3,000

 

3,000

 

3,000

 

Performance shares authorized

 

 

566,500

 

1,133,000

 

Performance shares cancelled

 

 

(22,521

)

(45,042

)

Net equity award activity during fiscal 2006

 

3,000

 

546,979

 

1,090,958

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares available at February 3, 2007

 

1,896,400

 

1,352,421

 

808,442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity award activity during fiscal 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options granted

 

113,696

 

113,696

 

113,696

 

Stock options forfeited

 

(20,000

)

(20,000

)

(20,000

)

Deferred stock granted

 

536,127

 

536,127

 

536,127

 

Deferred stock forfeited

 

(39,459

)

(39,459

)

(39,459

)

Performance shares authorized

 

 

245,681

 

491,362

 

2006 performance shares cancelled

 

 

(543,979

)

(1,087,958

)

2007 performance shares cancelled

 

 

(35,709

)

(71,418

)

Net equity award activity during fiscal 2007

 

590,364

 

256,357

 

(77,650

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares available at February 2, 2008

 

1,306,036

 

1,096,064

 

886,092

 

 

Stock Options

 

The fair value of issued stock options has been estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, incorporating the following assumptions:

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Dividend yield

 

0%

 

0%

 

Volatility factor (1)

 

45.8%

 

41.4%

 

Weighted average risk-free interest rate (2)

 

3.3%

 

4.4%

 

Expected life of options (3)

 

4.9 years

 

4.8 years

 

Weighted average fair value on grant date

 

$10.67 per share

 

$19.37 per share

 

 


(1)   Expected volatility is based on a 50:50 blend of the historical and implied volatility with a two-year look back on the date of each grant.

 

(2)   The risk-free interest rate is based on the risk-free rate corresponding to the grant date and expected term.

 

25



 

(3)          The expected option term used in the Black-Scholes calculation is based on a Monte Carlo simulation incorporating a forward-looking stock price model and a historical model of employee exercise and post-vest forfeiture behavior.

 

Changes in stock options under equity plans for the two fiscal years in the period ended February 2, 2008 are summarized below:

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2, 2008

 

February 3, 2007

 

 

 

Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Options outstanding at beginning of year

 

2,321,805

 

$

30.36

 

3,494,061

 

$

28.34

 

Repricing (1)

 

 

5.08

 

 

 

Granted

 

113,696

 

24.46

 

3,000

 

46.24

 

Exercised (2)

 

(52,049

)

15.55

 

(1,117,286

)

23.77

 

Forfeited

 

(162,548

)

35.21

 

(57,970

)

36.01

 

Options outstanding at end of year (3)

 

2,220,904

 

$

31.72

 

2,321,805

 

$

30.36

 

Options exercisable at end of year (4)

 

2,093,289

 

$

32.03

 

2,172,138

 

$

30.32

 

Options available for grant at end of year (5)

 

1,096,064

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company repriced 730,742 stock options that had a weighted average exercise price of $33.13. After the repricing, these stock options had a weighted average exercise price of $38.21.

 

 

 

(2)

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised was approximately $0.5 million and $37.0 million for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively.

 

 

 

(3)

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding at the end of fiscal 2007 was approximately $1.3 million.

 

 

 

(4)

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable at the end of fiscal 2007 was zero.

 

 

 

(5)

 

Assumes the issuance of performance shares at 100%, net of cancellations. These awards were authorized but not yet considered granted for accounting purposes. If the performance shares are earned at 200%, the resulting options available for grant would be reduced by approximately 210,000.

 

The following table summarizes information regarding options outstanding at February 2, 2008:

 

26



 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

 

Range of Exercise
Prices

 

Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

 

Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

 

$  8.70

-  $19.16

 

279,861

 

$

14.58

 

5.0

 

233,861

 

$

13.71

 

4.1

 

$19.88

-  $27.65

 

753,714

 

25.00

 

5.1

 

711,016

 

24.88

 

4.8

 

$28.31

-  $42.15

 

621,129

 

35.38

 

6.4

 

596,129

 

35.60

 

6.2

 

$44.12

-  $49.41

 

566,200

 

45.12

 

6.4

 

552,283

 

45.14

 

6.4

 

$  8.70

-  $49.41

 

2,220,904

 

$

31.72

 

5.8

 

2,093,289

 

$

32.03

 

5.6

 

 

27



 

Changes in the Company’s unvested stock options for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 were as follows:

 

 

 

Number of
Options

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Unvested options, beginning of year

 

150

 

$

15.73

 

Granted

 

114

 

9.52

 

Vested

 

(82

)

15.85

 

Forfeited

 

(54

)

15.37

 

Unvested options, end of year

 

128

 

10.25

 

 

Total unrecognized equity compensation expense related to unvested stock options approximated $1.0 million as of February 2, 2008, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.5 years.

 

Deferred and Restricted Stock

 

Changes in the Company’s unvested deferred stock for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 were as follows:

 

 

 

Number of
Performance
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Unvested deferred and restricted stock, beginning of year

 

 

$

 

Granted

 

536

 

29.76

 

Vested

 

(4

)

30.04

 

Forfeited

 

(39

)

30.04

 

Unvested deferred and restricted stock, end of year

 

493

 

$

29.74

 

 

Performance Awards

 

Changes in the Company’s unvested Performance Awards for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 were as follows:

 

28



 

 

 

Number of
Performance
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Unvested performance shares, beginning of year

 

544

 

$

46.70

 

Authorized (1)

 

246

 

19.00

 

Vested

 

 

 

Forfeited (1)

 

(580

)

44.98

 

Unvested performance shares, end of year

 

210

 

$

19.00

 

 


(1)                                  The grant date for accounting purposes of the 2008 LTIP performance awards has not yet occurred. The weighted average grant date fair value is based on the Company’s stock price as of February 2, 2008.

 

29



 

4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

Asset

 

February 2,

 

 

 

Life

 

2008

 

Property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

Land and land improvements

 

 

 

$

3,403

 

Building and improvements

 

 

25 yrs

 

30,450

 

Material handling equipment

 

 

15 yrs

 

31,086

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

Lease life

 

337,536

 

Store fixtures and equipment

 

 

3-10 yrs

 

243,552

 

Capitalized software

 

 

5 yrs

 

51,286

 

Construction in progress

 

 

 

12,033

 

 

 

 

 

709,346

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

(355,205

)

Property and equipment, net

 

 

 

$

354,141

 

 

During fiscal 2007, the Company recorded asset impairments in continuing operations of $16.6 million, comprised of $14.8 million in impairments related to the Company’s decision to cease construction of our Emerson Lane administrative office building and seek a sublease for the site and $1.8 million of impairment charges related to 12 underperforming stores. During fiscal 2006, the Company recorded in continuing operations approximately $0.4 million related to the write down of leasehold improvements and fixtures in five underperforming stores.

 

During fiscal 2007, the Company began operations in a new distribution center in Fort Payne, Alabama. The land on which the distribution center was constructed was donated in return for the Company’s commitment to operate the center in Fort Payne. The fair value of the land was estimated at $1.8 million and was recorded as a credit to additional paid-in capital. In addition, the Company incurred construction costs of $67.3 million to complete the project.

 

The Company capitalized approximately $9.2 million in external software and approximately $0.6 million in programming and development costs of employees in fiscal 2007.  Amortization expense of capitalized software was $7.2 million in fiscal 2007.

 

During fiscal 2007, the Company capitalized approximately $0.6 million of interest costs primarily relating to the construction of the Company’s Fort Payne distribution center and its Emerson Lane administrative facility. During fiscal 2006 the Company capitalized no interest costs.

 

As of February 2, 2008, the Company had $7.4 million in property and equipment in continuing operations for which payment had not been made and $9.8 million in property and equipment in discontinued operations for which payment had not been made. These amounts are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities.

 

5. CREDIT FACILITIES

 

In accordance with certain terms of the License Agreement and the Company’s credit facilities, The Company segregated its credit facility borrowings and letter of credit activity for The Children’s Place and the Disney Store businesses.

 

30



 

2007 Amended Loan Agreement; Letter of Credit Agreement

 

In June 2007, the Company entered into a Fifth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “2007 Amended Loan Agreement”) and a new letter of credit agreement (the “Letter of Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC (“Wells Fargo”) as senior lender and syndication and administrative agent, and the Company’s other senior lenders to support The Children’s Place business, the seasonality of the Company’s capital needs and to reduce the fees associated with its credit facility borrowings . The 2007 Amended Loan Agreement provides a facility maximum of $100 million for borrowings and letters of credit, with a $30 million “accordion” feature that enables the Company, at its option, to increase the facility to an aggregate amount of $130 million, subject to an availability covenant which restricts maximum borrowings to 90% of the facility maximum, or $117 million.

 

There is also a seasonal over-advance feature that enables the Company to borrow up to an additional $20 million from July 1 through October 31, subject to satisfying certain conditions, including a condition relating to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) on a trailing 12 month basis based upon the most recent financial statements furnished to Wells Fargo and the Company’s estimate of projected pro forma EBITDA for the over-advance period. On November 2, 2007, the Company entered into an amendment of the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement (the “First Amendment”), extending the period of the over-advance feature of the credit facility until November 30 for fiscal 2007. The Company paid a fee of $30,000 in connection with this amendment. The term of the facility ends on November 1, 2010. If the Company terminates the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement during the first year, there is a termination fee of 0.5% of the $100 million facility maximum ($130 million if the facility maximum has been increased via the accordion feature) plus any seasonal over-advance amounts in effect. The LIBOR margin is 1.00% to 1.50%, depending on the Company’s average excess availability, and the unused line fee is 0.25%.

 

Credit extended under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than assets in Canada and Puerto Rico and assets owned by Hoop. The amount that can be borrowed under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement depends on levels of inventory and accounts receivable relating to The Children’s Place business. The 2007 Amended Loan Agreement contains covenants, which include limitations on annual capital expenditures, maintenance of certain levels of excess collateral, and a prohibition on the payment of dividends. The 2007 Amended Loan Agreement also contains covenants permitting the Company to invest without restriction in Hoop up to $20 million, $55 million, $36 million and $52 million in fiscal years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and together with the amounts the Company may be required to invest in Hoop pursuant to the Guaranty and Commitment, are not permitted to exceed a maximum aggregate of $175 million over the term of the credit facility.

 

Under the Letter of Credit Agreement, the Company can issue letters of credit for inventory purposes for up to $60 million to support The Children’s Place business. The Letter of Credit Agreement can be terminated at any time by either the Company or Wells Fargo. Interest is paid at the rate of 0.75%(or 1.00% during any period in which amounts remain outstanding under the seasonal over-advance feature under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement)  on the aggregate undrawn amount of all letters of credit outstanding. The Company’s obligations under the Letter of Credit Agreement are secured by a security interest in substantially all of the assets of The Children’s Place business, other than assets in Canada and Puerto Rico, and assets of Hoop. Upon any termination of the Letter of Credit Agreement, the Company would be required to fully collateralize all outstanding letters of credit issued thereunder and, if the Company failed to do so, its outstanding liability under the letter of credit agreement would reduce its borrowing capacity under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement.

 

Prior to the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement, the Company borrowed under the 2004 Amended Loan Agreement, which contained covenants substantially similar to the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement, except the 2004 Amended Loan Agreement: (i) permitted borrowings up to $130 million (including a sublimit for letters of credit of $100 million), (ii) provided for amounts outstanding to bear interest at a

 

31



 

floating rate equal to the prime rate or, at the Company’s option, a LIBOR rate plus a pre-determined margin of 1.50% to 3.00%, and (iii) contained an unused line fee of 0.38%.

 

32



 

As of February 2, 2008, the Company has activated its accordion feature and had access to its seasonal over-advance feature. The following table presents the components (in millions) of the Company’s credit facilities for its Children’s Place business as of February 2, 2008:

 

 

 

February 2,
2008

 

2007 Amended Loan Agreement/2004 Amended Loan Agreement (1)

 

 

 

Outstanding borrowings

 

$

69.6

 

Letters of credit outstanding—merchandise

 

 

Letters of credit outstanding—standby

 

14.3

 

Utilization of credit facility at end of period

 

83.9

 

Availability covenant (2)

 

13.0

 

Availability

 

33.1

 

Facility maximum(3)

 

130.0

 

 

 

 

 

Average loan balance during the period (4)

 

$

44.1

 

Highest borrowings during the period (4)

 

$

116.8

 

Average interest rate

 

7.21

%

Interest rate at end of period

 

6.00

%

Letter of Credit Agreement (4)

 

 

 

Letters of credit outstanding—merchandise

 

$

26.5

 

Letter of credit facility maximum

 

$

60.0

 

 


(1)                                  As of February 2, 2008, the Company was borrowing under its 2007 Amended Loan Agreement and its Letter of Credit Agreement and had activated its accordion feature.

 

(2)                                  Under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement, the Company is required to keep a minimum of the facility maximum available.

 

(3)                                  Under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement, the facility maximum is the lesser of $130 million, subject to an availability covenant which restricts maximum borrowings to 90% of the facility maximum, or The Children’s Place business’ defined borrowing base.

 

(4)                                  The Letter of Credit Agreement can be terminated at any time by either the Company or Wells Fargo.

 

Primarily as a result of the Company’s restatement and the delay in completion of its financial statements, the Company was not in compliance with the financial reporting covenants under the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement during fiscal 2007. However, the Company obtained waivers from its lenders for such noncompliance. There were no fees associated with obtaining these waivers through August 30, 2007; however, the Company was required to pay a fee of $102,000 to extend the waiver from August 30, 2007 through January 1, 2008. In addition, the Company paid an anniversary fee of approximately $163,000 during fiscal 2007.

 

In addition, the Company determined that it was not in compliance with the Amended Loan Agreement because The Children’s Place business had guaranteed three Disney Store operating leases. The Company obtained a waiver from its lenders related to this guarantee.

 

Amended Hoop Loan Agreement

 

In connection with the acquisition of the Disney Store business in 2004, the domestic Hoop entity entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Hoop Loan Agreement”) with Wells Fargo as senior

 

33



 

lender and syndication and administrative agent, and certain other lenders, establishing a senior secured credit facility for Hoop. In June 2007, concurrent with the execution of the 2007 Amended Loan Agreement, and in August 2007, the Company entered into Second and Third Amendments to the Hoop Loan Agreement, both with Wells Fargo, as senior lender and administrative and syndication agent, and the other lenders (together with the Hoop Loan Agreement, the “Amended Hoop Loan Agreement”) to reduce the interest rates charged on outstanding borrowings and letters of credit. The Amended Hoop Loan Agreement provided a facility maximum of $75 million for borrowings and provided for a $25 million accordion feature that enabled the Company to increase the facility to an aggregate amount of $100 million, subject to an availability restriction which limited maximum borrowings to 90% of the facility maximum, or $90 million. The accordion feature was available at the Company’s option, subject to the amount of eligible inventory and accounts receivable of the domestic Hoop entity. The Amended Hoop Loan Agreement was terminated on March 26, 2008 as a result of the filing of the Cases and Hoop was required to pay a termination fee of approximately $0.4 million.

 

Amounts outstanding under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement bore interest at a floating rate equal to the prime rate or, at Hoop’s option, the LIBOR rate plus a pre-determined margin. Depending on the domestic Hoop entity’s level of excess availability, the LIBOR margin was 1.50% or 1.75%, commercial letter of credit fees were 0.75% or 1.00%, and standby letter of credit fees were 1.25% or 1.50%. The unused line fee was 0.25%.

 

Prior to June 2007, the Company borrowed under the Hoop Loan Agreement. Covenants under the Hoop Loan Agreement were substantially similar to those under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement, except that the Hoop Loan Agreement: (i) permitted borrowings up to $100 million (including a sublimit for letters of credit of $90 million), (ii) provided for amounts outstanding to bear interest at a floating rate equal to the prime rate plus a margin of 0.25% or, at Hoop’s option, the LIBOR rate plus a pre-determined margin of 2.00% or 2.25%, depending on the domestic Hoop entity’s level of excess availability, and (iii) contained an unused line fee of 0.30%.

 

Credit extended under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement was secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all the assets of the domestic Hoop entity as well as a pledge of a portion of the equity interests in Hoop Canada. The Amended Hoop Loan Agreement also contained covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, limitations on capital expenditures and restrictions on the payment of dividends and indebtedness.

 

The following table presents the components (in millions) of the Company’s credit facility for its Disney Store business as of February 2, 2008:

 

 

 

February 2,
2008 (1)

 

Amended Hoop Loan Agreement/Hoop Loan Agreement

 

 

 

Outstanding borrowings

 

$

19.4

 

Letters of credit outstanding—merchandise

 

17.6

 

Letters of credit outstanding—standby

 

3.5

 

Utilization of credit facility at end of period

 

40.5

 

Availability

 

18.1

 

Facility maximum (2)

 

58.6

 

 

 

 

 

Average loan balance during the period

 

$

3.1

 

Highest borrowings during the period

 

$

26.1

 

Average interest rate

 

7.41

%

Interest rate charged at end of period

 

6.00

%

 


(1)                                  As of February 2, 2008, the Company was borrowing under its Amended Hoop Loan Agreement and had not activated its accordion feature.

 

34



 

(2)                                  Under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement, the facility maximum is the lesser of $67.5 million (i.e., 90% of permitted borrowings of $75 million) or Hoop’s defined borrowing base. As of February 2, 2008, the Company’s defined borrowing base was $58.6 million.

 

Primarily as a result of the delay in completion of the Company’s financial statements, the Company was not in compliance during fiscal 2007 with the financial reporting covenants under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement or the related provision requiring Hoop to comply with the License Agreement. However, the Company obtained waivers from its lenders for such noncompliance. There were no fees associated with obtaining these waivers through August 30, 2007. However, the Company was required to pay a fee of $48,000 to extend the waiver from August 30, 2007 through January 1, 2008.

 

As a result of the Filings, outstanding indebtedness, in the amount of approximately $9.3 million in borrowings under the Amended Hoop Loan Agreement was frozen and capped as of March 26, 2008 (see Note 2- Discontinued Operations)..

 

Letter of Credit Fees

 

Letter of credit fees, which are included in cost of sales, approximated $0.5 million in fiscal 2007.

 

6. INTEREST INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

 

The following table presents the components of the Company’s interest income (expense), net from continuing operations (in thousands):

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Interest income

 

$

2,808

 

$

1,893

 

Tax-exempt interest income

 

955

 

1,499

 

Total interest income

 

3,763

 

3,392

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense – credit facilities

 

3,205

 

53

 

Capitalized interest

 

(594

)

 

Unused line fee

 

147

 

286

 

Amortization of deferred financing fees

 

59

 

76

 

Other fees

 

1,312

 

270

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

$

(366

)

$

2,707

 

 

7. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets are comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

35



 

 

 

February 2,

 

 

 

2008

 

Prepaid income taxes

 

$

29,092

 

Prepaid property expense

 

17,139

 

Prepaid maintenance contracts

 

3,928

 

Prepaid advertising

 

3,394

 

Prepaid insurance

 

1,226

 

Prepaid supplies

 

596

 

Prepaid assets of Hoop (see Note 2)

 

11,214

 

Other prepaid expenses

 

1,000

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

$

67,589

 

 

36



 

8. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities are comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

February 2,

 

 

 

2008

 

Accrued salaries and benefits

 

$

28,098

 

Customer liabilities

 

20,170

 

Accrued construction-in-progress

 

5,560

 

Accrued store expenses

 

5,191

 

Accrued real estate expenses

 

6,090

 

Accrued professional fees

 

6,988

 

Sales taxes and other taxes payable

 

7,109

 

Accrued marketing

 

3,819

 

Accrued insurance

 

2,434

 

Accrued freight

 

1,966

 

Accrued exit costs

 

1,728

 

Accrued expenses of Hoop (see Note 2)

 

41,662

 

Other accrued expenses

 

6,052

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

$

136,867

 

 

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company has summarized its contractual obligations for its continuing The Children’s Place business and for its discontinued operations, the Disney Store business as of February 2, 2008. To the extent that contractual obligations and commercial commitments were not assumed by Disney in the Private Sale, these obligations and commitments will be resolved under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the Canadian Bankruptcy Court, as applicable.

 

Continuing Operations

 

Operating Lease Commitments

 

The Company leases all of its stores, offices and distribution facilities (except the Ft. Payne, Alabama distribution center which the Company owns), and certain office equipment, store fixtures and automobiles, under operating leases expiring through 2023. The leases require fixed minimum annual rental payments plus, under the terms of certain leases, additional payments for taxes, other expenses and additional rent based upon sales.

 

Store, office and distribution facilities minimum rent, contingent rent and sublease income from continuing operations are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Minimum rentals

 

$

134,848

 

$

121,785

 

Additional rent based upon sales

 

2,025

 

1,735

 

Sublease income

 

(529

)

(559

)

 

37



 

Future minimum annual lease payments under the Company’s operating leases for its continuing operations at February 2, 2008 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Operating
Leases

 

2008

 

$

145,995

 

2009

 

140,200

 

2010

 

124,762

 

2011

 

105,614

 

2012

 

83,390

 

Thereafter

 

245,277

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

$

845,238

 

 

New Store and Remodel Capital Commitments

 

As of February 2, 2008, the Company executed 24 leases for new stores and 12 remodels for The Children’s Place business. The Company estimates the capital expenditures required to open and begin operating these stores will be approximately $36.9 million. The Company also expects to receive landlord lease incentives of approximately $10.4 million related to these stores.

 

Purchase Commitments

 

As of February 2, 2008, the Company has entered into various purchase commitments for merchandise for re-sale of approximately $291 million and approximately $1.3 million for equipment, construction and other non-merchandise commitments.

 

Employment Agreements

 

The Company has entered into employment agreements with certain of its executives which provide for the payment of severance up to one and a half times the executive’s salary and certain benefits following any termination without cause. These contracts commit the Company, in the aggregate, to approximately $2.7 million of employment termination costs, of which approximately $2.4 million represents severance payments. In addition, there is approximately $2.6 million committed to certain executives in the event of a change in control of the Company.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

The commitments and contingencies below reflect the obligations of the Hoop Entities as of February 2, 2008. As further discussed in Note 2- Discontinued Operations, as a result of the Filings, the Hoop Entities have operated their business as a “debtor-in –possession” under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court or Canadian Bankruptcy Court, as applicable. As a “debtor-in-possession,” Hoop expects to settle its “liabilities subject to compromise” with its restricted assets by the end of fiscal 2008.

 

Additionally, as a result of the Private Sale, the Hoop Entities transferred its lease obligations for 217 Disney Stores to affiliates of Disney. In connection with the closing of the Private Sale, Disney’s relevant affiliates released Hoop from its rights and obligations under the License Agreement, the Guaranty and Commitment Agreement and Refurbishment Agreement.

 

Operating Lease Commitments

 

For the Disney Store business, the Company leased all of its stores and its Pasadena office and certain office equipment, store fixtures and automobiles, under operating leases expiring through 2019. The

 

38



 

leases required fixed minimum annual rental payments plus, under the terms of certain leases, additional payments for taxes, other expenses and additional rent based upon sales.

 

Store, office and distribution facilities minimum rent, contingent rent and sublease income from discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands) as of February 2, 2008:

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Minimum rentals

 

$

55,884

 

$

53,824

 

Additional rent based upon sales

 

129

 

288

 

 

Future minimum annual lease payments under the Company’s operating leases for its discontinued operations at February 2, 2008 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Operating
Leases

 

2008

 

$

50,458

 

2009

 

46,794

 

2010

 

44,673

 

2011

 

43,641

 

2012

 

40,880

 

Thereafter

 

111,184

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

$

337,630

 

 

Disney License Agreement Commitments

 

The Company’s acquisition of the DSNA Business was structured to create Hoop as separate legal entities to fund and operate the Disney Store business. The domestic Hoop entity was capitalized with $50 million at the Original Acquisition. In addition, the Company had agreed to invest up to an additional $50 million (which amount was subject to increase if certain distributions are made) to enable Hoop to comply with its respective obligations under the License Agreement and otherwise to fund its operations. On March 18, 2008, the Company had made a capital contribution of $8.3 million to Hoop. The Company also had guaranteed royalty payments and other obligations under the License Agreement up to a maximum of $25 million, plus expenses.

 

Beginning in fiscal 2007, under the License Agreement, as amended in April 2006, Hoop was also subject to minimum royalties. The minimum royalty payment was computed as the greater of:

 

·                  60% of the royalty that would have been payable under the terms of the License Agreement for acquired stores in the base year, which was the year ended October 2, 2004, as if the License Agreement had been in effect in that year, increased at the rate of the Consumer Price Index, or

 

·                  80% of the average of the royalty amount payable in the previous two years.

 

The Company estimated that the minimum royalty under the License Agreement would approximate $300 million over the remainder of the 15-year term of the License Agreement. This estimate did not include future increases or decreases in Disney Store sales and cost of living adjustments since these are unknown contingencies.

 

39



 

The following table represented Hoop’s store opening, remodeling and maintenance commitments for the Disney Store business for the remainder of the initial term of the License Agreement (through fiscal 2019) taking into account the requirements of the Refurbishment Amendment that applied through fiscal 2011. The Company was released from this obligation in conjunction with the Private Sale:

 

 

 

Payment Due By Period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

1 year or
less

 

1—3 years

 

3—5 years

 

More than
5 years

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disney Store remodel and maintenance obligations

 

$

322,198

 

$

46,995

 

$

86,990

 

$

44,145

 

$

144,068

 

 

New Store and Remodel Capital Commitments

 

As of February 2, 2008, the Hoop executed 8 leases for new stores for the Disney Store. Due to the filing of the Cases, no capital expenditures are planned for the Disney Stores.

 

Purchase Commitments

 

As of February 2, 2008, Hoop had entered into various purchase commitments for merchandise for re-sale of approximately $102 million for the Disney Store and approximately $6.2 million in equipment, construction and other non-merchandise commitments.

 

10. LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS

 

The Company is involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of its business and reserves for litigation settlements and contingencies when it can determine that an adverse outcome is probable and can reasonably estimate associated losses. Estimates are adjusted as facts and circumstances require. In the opinion of management, any ultimate liability arising out of such proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

 

Matters Related to Stock Option Practices

 

SEC and U.S. Attorney Investigations

 

On September 29, 2006, the Division of Enforcement of the SEC informed the Company that it had initiated an informal investigation into the Company’s stock option granting practices. In addition, the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey has initiated an investigation into the Company’s option granting practices. The Company has cooperated with these investigations and has briefed both authorities on the results of the Special Committee’s investigation. There have been no developments in these matters since that time.

 

Shareholder Derivative Litigation

 

On January 17, 2007, a stockholder derivative action was filed in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey against certain current members of the Board and certain current and former senior executives. The Company has been named as a nominal defendant. The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors (i) breached their fiduciary duties to the Company and its stockholders and were unjustly enriched by improperly backdating certain grants of stock options to officers and directors of the Company, (ii) caused the Company to file false and misleading reports with the SEC, (iii) violated the Exchange Act and common law, (iv) caused the Company to issue false and misleading public statements, and (v) were negligent and abdicated their responsibilities to the Company and its stockholders. The complaint seeks money damages, an accounting by the defendants for the proceeds of sales of any allegedly backdated stock options, and the costs and disbursements of the lawsuit, as well as equitable relief. The defendants have moved to dismiss the action

 

40



 

and on or about June 15, 2007, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint adding, among other things, a claim for securities fraud under SEC rule 10b-5. On February 4, 2008, the plaintiff filed a second amended complaint adding additional defendants and claims. The outcome of this litigation is uncertain; while the Company believes there are valid defenses to the claims and will defend itself vigorously, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of this litigation. The litigation could distract management and directors from the Company’s affairs, the costs and expenses of the litigation could unfavorably affect the Company’s net earnings and an unfavorable outcome could adversely affect the reputation of the Company.

 

Class Action Litigation

 

On September 21, 2007 a second stockholder class action was filed against the Company and certain current and former senior executives in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York. This complaint alleges, among other things, that certain of the Company’s current and former officers made statements to the investing public which misrepresented material facts about the business and operations of the Company, or omitted to state material facts required in order for the statements made by them not to be misleading, causing the price of the Company’s stock to be artificially inflated in violation of provisions of the Exchange Act, as amended. It alleges that more recent disclosures establish the misleading nature of these earlier disclosures. The complaint seeks money damages plus interest as well as costs and disbursements of the lawsuit. On October 10, 2007, a third stockholder class action was filed in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, against the Company and certain of its current and former senior executives. This complaint alleges, among other things, that certain of the Company’s current and former officers made statements to the investing public which misrepresented material facts about the business and operations of the Company, or omitted to state material facts required in order for the statements made by them not to be misleading, thereby causing the price of the Company’s stock to be artificially inflated in violation of provisions of the Exchange Act, as amended. According to this complaint, more recent disclosures establish the misleading nature of these earlier disclosures. This complaint seeks, among other relief, class certification of the lawsuit, compensatory damages plus interest, and costs and expenses of the lawsuit, including counsel and expert fees. These two actions have been consolidated and the plaintiff filed a consolidated amended class action complaint on February 28, 2008. The outcome of this litigation is uncertain; while we believe there are valid defenses to the claims and we will defend ourselves vigorously, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of this litigation. The litigation could distract our management and directors from the Company’s affairs, the costs and expenses of the litigation could unfavorably affect our net earnings and an unfavorable outcome could adversely affect the reputation of the Company.

 

On or about September 28, 2007, Meghan Ruggiero filed a complaint against the Company and its subsidiary, Hoop Retail Stores, LLC, in the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio on behalf of herself and similarly situated individuals. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (“FACTA”) and seeks class certification, an award of statutory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and injunctive relief. The plaintiff filed an amended complaint on January 25, 2008. The outcome of this litigation is uncertain; while the Company believes there are valid defenses to the claims and will defend itself vigorously, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of this litigation. Effective as of March 26, 2008, the prosecution of this lawsuit against Hoop was stayed under the automatic stay provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code by reason of Hoop’s petition for relief filed that same day.

 

On or about February 21, 2008, a stockholder class action was filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Hudson County against the Company and all of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors. In response to the possibility that Ezra Dabah may acquire the Company, the complaint alleges, among other things, that approval of the proposed acquisition would constitute a breach of Mr. Dabah’s duty of loyalty and would constitute unfair dealing. The complaint also alleges that the proposed acquisition allegedly does not satisfy the entire fairness standard and none of the Board of Directors can, consistent with their fiduciary duties of care and good faith, approve the proposed acquisition. The complaint seeks, among other things, to permanently enjoin the Company from approving the proposed acquisition, declaratory judgment, and fees, expenses and costs. The outcome of this litigation is uncertain; while the Company believes there are valid defenses to the claims and will defend itself

 

41



 

vigorously, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of this litigation. The litigation could distract the management and directors from the Company’s affairs, the costs and expenses of the litigation could unfavorably affect the Company’s net earnings and an unfavorable outcome could adversely affect the reputation of the Company.

 

Other Litigation

 

On or about July 12, 2006, Joy Fong, a former Disney Store manager in the San Francisco district, filed a lawsuit against the Company and its subsidiary Hoop Retail Stores LLC in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. The lawsuit alleges violations of the California Labor Code and California Business and Professions Code and seeks class action status on behalf of Ms. Fong and other individuals similarly situated. The Company filed its answer on August 11, 2006 denying any and all liability, and on January 14, 2007, Ms. Fong filed an amended complaint, adding Disney as a defendant. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the claims. The outcome of this litigation is uncertain; while the Company believes there are valid defenses to the claims, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the amount of loss or range of loss that might be incurred as a result of this matter. Effective as of March 26, 2008, the prosecution of this lawsuit against Hoop was stayed under the automatic stay provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code by reason of Hoop’s petition for relief filed that same day.

 

On or about February 15, 2005, Michael Scott Smith, a former co-sales manager for The Children’s Place in the San Diego district, filed a lawsuit against the Company in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. The lawsuit alleges violations of the California Labor Code and California Business and Professions Code and seeks class action on behalf of Mr. Smith and other individuals similarly situated. On October 19, 2007, the Company entered into a class action settlement with the plaintiff’s counsel and signed a memorandum of understanding providing for, among other things, a maximum total payment of $2.1 million, inclusive of attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses, service payments to the class representative, and administration costs, in exchange for a full release of all claims and dismissal of the lawsuit. The court granted preliminary approval of the settlement on November 29, 2007 in the amount of $1.6 million and set a hearing for final approval of the settlement on March 28, 2008. The Company has accrued $1.6 million and $2.1 million for this settlement as of February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007, respectively.

 

On February 21, 2008, Ezra Dabah filed an action against the Company in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware requesting that the Court compel the Company to hold an annual meeting of stockholders within 45 days from the filing of the action and seeking costs and fees associated with the action. On March 25, 2008, Mr. Dabah’s claims were denied by the Court.

 

Regulatory Matters

 

Nasdaq Proceedings

 

As the Company did not timely file its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended July 29, 2006 and October 28, 2006, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2006, and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended May 5, 2007 and August 4, 2007 (collectively, the “Required Reports”), the Company was out of compliance with the reporting requirements of the SEC and the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) for more than one year. On December 5, 2007, the Company filed the Required Reports with the SEC.

 

On February 6, 2008, the Company received a notice of non-compliance with Nasdaq rules citing our failure to solicit proxies and hold an annual meeting of shareholders for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007, no later than February 3, 2008. Nasdaq listing rules require that all issuers solicit proxies and hold an annual meeting of its shareholders within 12 months of the end of the issuer’s fiscal year end. The Company requested an exception to this rule and submitted a plan of compliance to Nasdaq whereby it anticipates holding the annual shareholders’ meeting on June 27, 2008. On March 20, 2008, the Company appeared before the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel with respect to this request and the Company is awaiting their decision.

 

42



 

Following the resignation of an independent member of the Company’s Board of Directors in February 2008, the Company has six directors, three of whom are independent directors. As a result of this resignation, the Company’s Board is no longer comprised of a majority of independent directors and therefore is not in compliance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4350(c)(1). On March 5, 2008, the Company received a notice of non-compliance with Nasdaq’s independent director requirements. The Company has until August 2008 to regain compliance to avoid delisting. There can be no assurance that the Company will find a suitable, qualified candidate to fill the vacancy and regain compliance with this listing standard.

 

43



 

11. INCOME TAXES

 

Components of the Company’s (benefit) provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Continuing Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Current -

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

37,184

 

$

33,427

 

State

 

14,923

 

11,034

 

Foreign

 

21,774

 

19,578

 

Total current

 

73,881

 

64,039

 

Deferred -

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

(46,153

)

(23,877

)

State

 

(10,734

)

(4,346

)

Foreign

 

1,919

 

(1,076

)

Total deferred

 

(54,968

)

(29,299

)

Tax provision as shown on the consolidated statements of income

 

$

18,913

 

$

34,740

 

Effective tax rate

 

65.5

%

29.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

(35,667

)

$

1,069

 

State

 

(10,676

)

408

 

Foreign

 

(1,754

)

(279

)

Total (benefit) provision

 

$

(48,097

)

$

1,198

 

 

U.S. and foreign pretax income (loss) from continuing operations was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

U.S.

 

$

(50,308

)

$

56,042

 

Foreign

 

79,181

 

62,969

 

Total

 

$

28,873

 

$

119,011

 

 

44



 

A reconciliation between the calculated tax provision on income based on the statutory rates in effect and the effective tax rate for continuing operations is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Continuing Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Calculated income tax (benefit) provision at Federal statutory rate

 

$

10,106

 

$

41,654

 

State income taxes, net of Federal benefit

 

2,723

 

4,348

 

Foreign tax rate differential

 

(4,023

)

(5,412

)

Stock option related expenses

 

27

 

(65

)

Repatriation of foreign income

 

6,122

 

 

Nondeductible expenses

 

3,518

 

2,564

 

Foreign tax credits

 

 

(9,479

)

Other

 

440

 

1,130

 

Total tax provision

 

$

18,913

 

$

34,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Calculated income tax (benefit) provision at Federal statutory rate

 

$

(41,169

)

$

1,510

 

State income taxes, net of Federal benefit

 

(6,940

)

265

 

Foreign tax rate differential

 

359

 

147

 

Nondeductible expenses

 

(287

)

(565

)

Other

 

(60

)

(159

)

Total tax (benefit) provision

 

$

(48,097

)

$

1,198

 

 

Temporary differences which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

February 2,

 

 

 

2008

 

Current –

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

Inventory

 

$

15,697

 

Reserves

 

15,559

 

Foreign tax credits

 

 

Total current assets

 

31,256

 

Liabilities – prepaid expenses

 

(5,935

)

Total current, net

 

25,321

 

Noncurrent –

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 

62,182

 

Deferred rent

 

19,744

 

Deferred royalty

 

17,085

 

Equity compensation

 

6,888

 

Foreign tax credits

 

12,704

 

Reserves

 

5,699

 

Other

 

3,207

 

Total gross noncurrent

 

127,509

 

Valuation allowance

 

(2,217

)

Net noncurrent

 

125,292

 

Total deferred tax asset, net

 

$

150,613

 

 

45



 

During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company received a cash dividend of approximately $45 million from its Hong Kong subsidiary. The Company has provided U.S. tax on its foreign earnings associated with the subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Shanghai since it is no longer permanently reinvested in these earnings. The Company’s fiscal 2007 tax provision was increased by approximately $6.1 million due to this transaction.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company received a one time cash dividend of approximately $17 million from some of its Canadian subsidiaries. This dividend brought with it approximately $24 million of foreign tax credits. These foreign tax credits can be utilized to reduce U.S. income tax and expire in 2016. The Company’s fiscal 2006 tax provision was reduced by approximately $9.5 million after the effect of this transaction. Foreign tax credits are allowed to be carried back one year and carried forward for 10 years.

 

As of February 2, 2008, the Company has not provided for Federal taxes on approximately $42 million of unremitted earnings of its foreign subsidiaries located in Canada and Barbados. The Company intends to reinvest these earnings overseas to fund expansion in these markets. Accordingly, the Company has not provided any provision for income tax expense in excess of foreign jurisdiction income tax requirements relative to such unremitted earnings in the accompanying financial statements.

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become realizable. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are realizable as of February 2, 2008, management believes the Company has recorded an amount that is more likely than not realizable related to the benefits of these assets. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance of approximately $2.2 million on deferred tax assets related to its Canadian Hoop entity.

 

The Company is subject to tax in the United States and in various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company, joined by its domestic subsidiaries, files a consolidated income tax return for Federal income tax purposes. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal, state and local income tax or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for tax years before fiscal 2004. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. consolidated income tax returns for the years 2004 through 2006 during the second quarter of fiscal 2007. Based on its work to date, the IRS has not proposed any adjustments to any of the Company’s tax positions.

 

Adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”

 

The Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement 109” (“FIN 48”) on February 4, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting and reporting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement criteria for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Under FIN 48, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

 

The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 was an approximate $6.6 million decrease to beginning retained earnings as of February 4, 2007. Consistent with the provisions of FIN 48, the Company reclassified approximately $6.2 million of income tax liabilities from current to non-current liabilities because payment of cash is not anticipated within one year of the balance sheet date and increased its tax

 

46



 

reserves approximately $15.1 million. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of the date of adoption was approximately $21.3 million. Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits on February 4, 2007, is a net amount of approximately $12.8 million that, if recognized, would favorably affect the Company’s effective tax rate and a balance of approximately $8.5 million relating to offsetting tax benefits associated with the federal tax benefit from state income taxes, the federal and state tax benefit of interest, and timing adjustments. The Company does not anticipate any significant payments with respect to any of these liabilities in the next 12 months.

 

The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on February 4, 2007. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued interest and penalties, is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Amount

 

Beginning balance at February 4, 2007 (date of adoption)

 

$

16,109

 

Additions for current year tax positions

 

2,038

 

Additions for prior year tax positions

 

271

 

Reductions for prior year tax positions

 

(1,364

)

Settlements

 

(204

)

Reductions due to a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations

 

(359

)

Ending balance at February 2, 2008

 

$

16,491

 

 

Approximately $14.0 million of unrecognized tax benefits at February 2, 2008 would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized.

 

The Company accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of the provision for income taxes. At February 2, 2008 and February 4, 2007 (the date of adoption), accrued interest and penalties included in the FIN 48 reserve amounted to approximately $7.0 million and $5.2 million, respectively. During fiscal 2007, the Company recognized interest and penalties of approximately $1.0 million and $0.3 million, net of tax benefit, respectively. The Company recorded approximately $1.4 million of FIN 48 expense during the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008, which is included in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

12. SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLANS

 

The Company has adopted The Children’s Place 401(k) Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The 401(k) Plan is a defined contribution plan established to provide retirement benefits for employees. The 401(k) Plan is employee funded up to an elective annual deferral and also provides for the Company to make matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan.

 

The 401(k) Plan is available for all employees who have completed 90 days of service with the Company. Following guidance in IRS Notice 98-52 related to the design-based alternative, or “safe harbor,” 401(k) plan method, the Company has modified its 401(k) Plan regarding future Company match contributions for non-highly compensated associates, as defined in the Code. For non-highly compensated associates, the Company matches the first 3% of the participant’s contribution and 50% of the next 2% of the participant’s contribution and the Company match contribution vests immediately. For highly compensated associates, the Company matches the lesser of 50% of the participant’s contribution or 2.5% of the participant’s covered compensation and the Company match contribution vests over five years. The Company’s fiscal 2007 matching contributions were approximately $2.0 million.

 

Under statutory requirements, the Company contributes to retirement plans for its Canadian and Asian operations. Contributions under these plans in fiscal 2007 were approximately $0.2 million.

 

47



 

Stock Purchase Plans

 

The Company’s ESPP was authorized to issue up to 360,000 shares of common stock for employee purchase through payroll deductions. During fiscal 2007, employees purchased stock at 95% of fair market value. As of February 2, 2008, there were 174,693 shares available for grant under the ESPP. All employees of the Company who have completed at least 90 days of employment and attained 21 years of age are eligible to participate, except for employees who own common stock or options on such common stock which represents 5% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock. On September 14, 2006, as a result of the Company’s investigation into its stock option practices, the Company suspended employee deductions and related stock purchases under the ESPP. During fiscal 2007, the Company did not resume the ESPP after the completion of the stock option investigation. During fiscal 2007, there were no shares issued under the ESPP.

 

13. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

Since the acquisition of the Disney Stores in November 2004, the Company had segregated its operations based on management responsibility: The Children’s Place business and the Disney Stores. Since the Disney Stores have been reported as a discontinued operation, the Company manages its business as one entity and will no longer provide segment information.

 

Revenues form continuing operations attributable to domestic and foreign operations were as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

February 2,

 

February 3,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

United States and Puerto Rico

 

$

1,325.6

 

$

1,245.4

 

Canada

 

194.7

 

160.0

 

Total

 

$

1,520.3

 

$

1,405.4

 

 

The Company’s long-lived assets from continuing operations, by geographic region, are comprised of net property and equipment, long-term deferred income taxes and other assets, and are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

February 2,

 

 

 

2008

 

United States and Puerto Rico

 

$

443.0

 

Canada

 

35.2

 

Asia

 

4.3

 

Total

 

$

482.5

 

 

14. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

 

In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements presented below contain all material adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position and results of operations and have been prepared in a manner consistent with the audited financial statements contained herein. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, the results of operations in any given interim period are not indicative of operating results for a full fiscal year.

 

48



 

The following tables reflect the quarterly consolidated statements of income for the periods indicated (unaudited):

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended February 2, 2008

 

 

 

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter (1)

 

Net sales

 

$

355,995

 

$

290,498

 

$

430,572

 

$

443,264

 

Gross profit

 

151,974

 

93,444

 

172,321

 

178,403

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

107,775

 

109,219

 

131,004

 

131,144

 

Asset impairment charges

 

 

635

 

947

 

14,983

 

Other costs

 

 

 

 

5,870

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,597

 

15,154

 

17,063

 

18,512

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

 

30,602

 

(31,136

)

22,511

 

6,896

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

11,533

 

(11,330

)

7,586

 

11,124

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

19,069

 

(19,806

)

14,925

 

(4,228

)

(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

(4,355

)

(8,285

)

(2,622

)

(54,265

)

Net income (loss)

 

14,714

 

(28,091

)

12,303

 

(58,493

)

Basic earnings (loss) per share amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

0.66

 

$

(0.68

)

$

0.51

 

$

(0.15

)

(Loss) from discontinued operations

 

(0.15

)

(0.28

)

(0.09

)

(1.86

)

Net income (loss)

 

0.51

 

(0.97

)

0.42

 

(2.01

)

Basic weighted average common share outstanding

 

29,084

 

29,084

 

29,084

 

29,107

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

0.64

 

$

(0.68

)

$

0.51

 

$

(0.15

)

(Loss) from discontinued operations

 

(0.15

)

(0.28

)

(0.09

)

(1.86

)

Net income (loss)

 

0.49

 

(0.97

)

0.42

 

(2.01

)

Diluted weighted average common share outstanding

 

30,002

 

29,084

 

29,359

 

29,107

 

 


(1)                                  Significant items impacting the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 include: (a) $14.8 million in asset impairment charges related to our decision to cease construction of our Emerson Lane administrative office building; (b) $5.9 million in other costs related to the Emerson Lane administrative office lease; and (c) $54.3 million loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, which was comprised of: (i) $80.3 million, before income taxes, in asset impairment charges related to our decision to exit the Disney Store business; and (ii) $6.1 million, before income taxes, in costs associated primarily with the cancellation of the Disney Store remodeling program.

 

49



 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2007

 

 

 

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter (1)

 

Net sales

 

$

322,011

 

$

269,390

 

$

397,238

 

$

416,790

 

Gross profit

 

136,071

 

96,289

 

185,749

 

192,335

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

92,556

 

99,508

 

114,209

 

129,485

 

Asset impairment charges

 

 

 

417

 

1

 

Other costs

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

13,168

 

14,293

 

14,133

 

16,370

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

 

30,886

 

(17,020

)

57,425

 

47,720

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

11,926

 

(5,886

)

20,836

 

7,864

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

18,960

 

(11,134

)

36,589

 

39,856

 

(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

(4,240

)

(2,385

)

4,939

 

4,805

 

Net income (loss)

 

14,720

 

(13,519

)

41,528

 

44,661

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

0.67

 

$

(0.39

)

$

1.26

 

$

1.37

 

(Loss) from discontinued operations

 

(0.15

)

(0.08

)

0.17

 

0.17

 

Net income (loss)

 

0.52

 

(0.47

)

1.43

 

1.54

 

Basic weighted average common share outstanding

 

28,242

 

28,899

 

29,074

 

29,084

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

0.64

 

$

(0.39

)

$

1.22

 

$

1.32

 

(Loss) from discontinued operations

 

(0.14

)

(0.08

)

0.16

 

0.16

 

Net income (loss)

 

0.50

 

(0.47

)

1.38

 

1.48

 

Diluted weighted average common share outstanding

 

29,503

 

28,899

 

30,061

 

30,096

 

 

15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Merchandise for Re-Sale

 

During fiscal 2007and 2006, the Company purchased approximately $6.3 million and $3.2 million, respectively, of footwear from Nina Footwear Corporation. Stanley Silverstein, who is a member of the Board and the father-in-law of Ezra Dabah, who is also a member of the Board and was the former CEO, owns Nina Footwear Corporation with his brother.

 

Employment of Family Members

 

Ezra Dabah, was the CEO of the Company until his resignation on September 24, 2007 and is a current director on our Board of Directors. He is also the son-in-law of Stanley Silverstein, a member of the Board of Directors. Nina Miner, who is Mr. Silverstein’s daughter and Mr. Dabah’s sister-in-law, is employed by the Company and serves as Chief Creative Design Director for The Children’s Place business.

 

Jason Yagoda, Mr. Dabah’s son-in-law and the husband of Mr. Silverstein’s granddaughter, was employed as Vice President, Marketing, Disney Store and left the employ of the Company effective January 19, 2007. The aggregate compensation paid to Mr. Dabah’s relatives, including Ms. Miner and Mr. Yagoda, employed by the Company is as follows (in thousands, except share amounts):

 

Fiscal year ended:

 

Cash
Compensation(2)

 

Stock
Options

 

Performance
Shares(3)

 

February 2, 2008

 

$

653

 

 

 

February 3, 2007(1)

 

1,583

 

 

79,019

 

 

50



 


(1)

 

Reflects the aggregate compensation to Mr. Dabah’s immediate family members, as defined in Item 404(a) of the Exchange Act. During fiscal 2007, one immediate family member was employed by the Company and during fiscal 2006, there were two immediate family members employed by the Company.

 

 

 

(2)

 

Cash compensation in fiscal 2006 includes a housing allowance for Mr. Yagoda.

 

 

 

(3)

 

The 22,521 performance shares awarded to Mr. Yagoda in fiscal 2006 were forfeited upon his departure from the Company. The remainder of the Performance Shares awarded in fiscal 2006 was forfeited when it was determined that the performance criteria would not be achieved.

 

51


Exhibit 99.4

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. PROVIDES UPDATED AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

Secaucus, New Jersey — August 6, 2008 — The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCE), today announced that it has filed a Form 8-K providing audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the previous two fiscal years ended February 2, 2008 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, reflecting the Disney Store business as a discontinued operation. In addition, the Company has filed a Form 8-K/A providing an unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of February 2, 2008, and unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three fiscal years ended February 2, 2008 and accompanying notes, to illustrate the effect of the transfer of a substantial portion of the Disney Store business and assets (the “Private Sale”).

 

As previously announced, The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc.’s subsidiaries, Hoop Retail Stores, LLC and Hoop Canada, Inc., closed on the Private Sale to affiliates of The Walt Disney Company on April 30, 2008. As a result, the Disney Store business was classified as a discontinued operation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) reflecting the Company exit of the business.  On May 22, 2008, The Children’s Place reported results from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2008 and 2007 based on The Children’s Place business only.

 

The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of children’s merchandise.  The Company designs, contracts to manufacture and sells high-quality, value-priced merchandise under the proprietary “The Children’s Place” brand name.  As of July 5, 2008, the Company owned and operated 903 stores and its online store at www.childrensplace.com.

 

This press release (and above referenced filings) may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding future circumstances. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.  Some of these risks and uncertainties are described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the “Risk Factors” section of its report on Form 10-K. Risks and uncertainties relating to the exit of the Disney Store business, including the risk that claims may be asserted against the Company or its subsidiaries other than Hoop, whether or not such claims have any merit, and the Company’s ability to successfully defend such claims, the risk that Disney may bring litigation against the Company and assert various claims under the agreements relating to the Company’s exit from the Disney Store business and the Private Sale, as well as risks and uncertainties relating to other elements of the Company’s strategic review, could cause actual results, events and performance, to differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The inclusion of any statement in this release does not constitute an admission by the Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.

 

CONTACT:

The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc.

 

Jane Singer, Vice President, Investor Relations, (201) 453-6955

 

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