ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
We are a growing, mall-based specialty retailer of fashionable, value-priced apparel and accessories targeting young women in their teens and twenties. As of September 29, 2007, we operated a total of 432 Charlotte Russe stores throughout 44 states and Puerto Rico. Through our fashion content, merchandise mix, store layout and design and merchandise presentation, we project fashion attitudes that appeal to customers across age and socioeconomic boundaries, with a core emphasis on the fashion and lifestyle needs of young women.
Our Charlotte Russe stores are located predominantly in well-positioned mall locations in spaces that average approximately 7,100 square feet. Our stores are designed to create an environment that accentuates the fashion, breadth and value of our merchandise selection.
Our broad assortment of merchandise is centered on styles that are affordable, feminine and reflect the latest fashion trends. Our breadth of merchandise enables our customers to assemble coordinated and complete outfits that satisfy many of their lifestyle needs. Our stores offer merchandise at value-oriented prices and we estimate that most of our merchandise is sold under our proprietary Charlotte Russe labels consisting of Charlotte Russe, Refuge and blu Chic. The remainder of our merchandise consists of nationally-recognized brands popular with our customers.
From fiscal 1998 thru fiscal 2006 we operated a second concept targeting young women seeking contemporary fashion assortments under the name Rampage. A total of 64 stores were operated at the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. To focus on the growth of our core Charlotte Russe concept, we sold the lease rights, store fixtures and equipment associated with 43 Rampage store locations during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Of the remaining 21 Rampage stores, we converted eight stores into Charlotte Russe locations and returned 13 properties back to the respective landlords prior to the end of fiscal 2006.
Our Stores
Based on historical results and assessment of future opportunity, we believe we are positioned for continued growth over the next several years. We plan to continue to open new Charlotte Russe stores at a measured rate, including approximately 60 new Charlotte Russe locations in fiscal 2008. We expect to open these new stores in existing markets as well as in markets in which we currently do not have a presence.
The number of our stores located in each state is shown in the following map:
The following table provides the number of Charlotte Russe stores, by geographic region, for each of the last five fiscal years:
Our Strategy
The elements of our business strategy combine to create a concept that appeals to consumers from a broad range of socioeconomic, demographic and cultural profiles and that differentiates us from our competitors. The principal elements of our business strategy include the following:
Value Priced Offering. We offer a broad assortment of fashionable, quality merchandise at prices that are competitive with other mall-based specialty retailers. Because of our affordable price points and quality of merchandise, we create good value for shoppers that we believe has enabled us to build a broad and loyal base of customers.
Distinct Brand Image. We have created a focused and differentiated brand image based on fashion attitude, value pricing and quality. This image is consistently communicated throughout our business, including merchandise assortments, in-store visual merchandising and marketing materials. We also enhance brand recognition by offering a majority of our merchandise under our proprietary Charlotte Russe brands (Charlotte Russe, Refuge and blu Chic).
Broad Merchandise Assortment. We offer a broad assortment of apparel and accessories that conveys a consistent fashion attitude. Our merchandise includes ready-to-wear apparel such as knit and woven tops, dresses, shorts, pants and skirts, as well as accessories such as shoes, handbags and jewelry that enable our customers to create ensembles complemented by color coordinated and fashion-forward accessory items. We frequently introduce new fashion merchandise into our stores and regularly update our merchandise displays.
Active Inventory Management. We deal primarily with domestic vendors, which, in our experience, has generally resulted in relatively shorter lead times permitting us to react to sell-through trends and fashion preferences. Our relatively quick inventory turnover rates, along with our approach to managing the merchandise mix, have helped contribute to our achievement of consistent merchandise gross margins.
Our Customers
We target young, fashion-conscious women. Our customer is a young woman who desires established trends at substantial value. She is a hip teenager seeking the current fashion trends, as well as the fashionable working woman looking for career dressing. Regardless of her age, our customer is feminine and body conscious.
Our Visual Merchandising
Our merchandise presentation communicates a clear fashion point-of-view to our customers and encourages the purchase of coordinated outfits. We rely on exciting in-store graphics and window displays to convey our fashion-forward orientation. We generally group our apparel merchandise by lifestyles and colors, we feature a “trend zone” at the front of our stores that promotes our freshest fashion offerings and we utilize a well merchandised denim wall to promote our private label Refuge jeans. We also present, in our “brite” store format (approximately 55% of our store locations), “backlit” wall presentations that emphasize our jewelry and footwear assortments and focus attention on our offerings throughout the store.
Our Merchandise Planning, Allocation and Distribution
Our merchandise planning and allocation team works closely with our merchants and store personnel to meet the requirements of individual stores for appropriate merchandise in sufficient quantities. This team is also responsible for managing inventory levels, allocating merchandise to stores and replenishing inventory based upon information generated by our management information systems. Our merchandise is distributed through two distribution facilities: our 265,000 square foot distribution facility in Ontario, California, which we opened in April 2002, and our 125,000 square foot distribution facility (which includes our corporate offices) in San Diego, California, which we opened in April 1998. We estimate that we have the distribution capacity to service our current goal of operating at least 600 Charlotte Russe stores.
Our Locations in Regional Malls
Our Charlotte Russe stores, which average approximately 7,100 square feet, provide a comfortable and spacious shopping environment that accentuates the breadth of our merchandise offering. We believe that our store design features, including hardwood floors, bright store lighting systems and enhanced merchandise displays, help create a store environment that appeals to young women who shop in regional malls. We have historically been able to locate our stores in malls catering to different socioeconomic, demographic and cultural profiles. Accordingly, we seek to identify favorable store locations in existing or new markets with criteria that include:
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a careful assessment of mall traffic;
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the performance of other retailers within the mall and in particular those serving our target customers;
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the proposed location within the mall;
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population and demographic characteristics of the area; and
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projected profitability and cash return on investment.
Our Business Seasonality
We have historically experienced and expect to continue to experience seasonal and quarterly fluctuations in our net sales and operating income. As is the case with many retailers of apparel and related merchandise, our business is subject to seasonal influences, characterized by strong sales during the back-to-school, Easter and winter holiday seasons. The strength of each of these three seasons generally provides relatively balanced sales during our first, third and fourth fiscal quarters. We typically experience lower net sales and net income during the second quarter of each fiscal year.
Our Information Technology Systems
We are investing in and continually upgrading our information technology systems, as we believe those systems are critical to implementing our expansion strategy in an efficient manner. Our information technology systems address an array of operations information. We implemented a new inventory software system that became operational for our Charlotte Russe stores during fiscal 2005. In addition, we converted all stores to a
new point-of-sale register system and launched our new e-commerce website during fiscal 2007.
Our Intellectual Property
We believe that our trademarks are important to our success. Our Charlotte Russe, Refuge, blu Chic and Heart Moon Star trademarks are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Our Competition
We compete with other retailers for vendors, customers, suitable retail locations and qualified associates. Our stores currently compete with other mall-based retailers focused on teenage and young adult women such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Hot Topic, Forever 21 and Wet Seal.
Our Employees
As of September 29, 2007, we employed 8,961 employees of which 6,892 were classified as part-time. The number of part-time employees fluctuates depending on our seasonal needs. None of our employees are represented by a labor union.
Our Corporate Information
We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act; therefore, we file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information may be obtained by visiting the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549 or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically.
Our Internet address is http://www.charlotterusse.com. We make available through our Internet website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports and amendments are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.
Our principal executive offices are located at 4645 Morena Boulevard, San Diego, California 92117. Our telephone number is (858) 587-1500. We were founded in 1975 and incorporated in 1996 under Delaware law.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should consider carefully the following information about the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this annual report on Form 10-K and in our other filings with the SEC, before you decide to buy or maintain an investment in our common stock. We believe the risks described below are the risks that are material to us as of the date of this annual report. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects would likely be materially and adversely affected. In these circumstances, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of the money you paid to buy our common stock.
Our success depends on our ability to identify and rapidly respond to consumer fashion tastes.
The fashion retail industry is subject to rapidly evolving fashion trends and shifting consumer demands. Accordingly, our success is heavily dependent both on the priority our target customers place on fashion and on our ability to anticipate, identify and capitalize upon emerging fashion trends in a timely manner. If we do not anticipate, identify or react appropriately and timely to changes in styles, trends, desired images or brand preferences, it may lead to, among other things, excess inventories and higher markdowns, as well as decreased appeal of our Charlotte Russe brand.
We intend to continue to open new stores, which could strain our resources and cause us to operate our business less effectively.
Our growth will largely depend on successfully opening and operating new stores. We opened 50 new Charlotte Russe stores and closed 5 stores for a net total of 45 additional stores in fiscal 2007. This represented a 12% net increase from the number of Charlotte Russe stores open at the end of fiscal 2006. We intend to continue to increase our number of Charlotte Russe stores for at least the next several years.
In order to support our planned expansion we will need to continually monitor and upgrade our management information and other systems. This expansion also will place increased demand on our managerial, operational, and administrative resources. These increased demands and operating complexities could cause us to operate our business less effectively, which in turn could cause deterioration in the financial performance of our individual stores and our company as a whole and slow our new store growth.
Our planned expansion involves a number of risks that could prevent or delay the successful opening of new stores as well as impact the performance of our existing stores.
Our ability to open and operate new stores successfully depends on many factors, including, among others, our ability to:
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identify suitable store locations, the availability of which is outside of our control;
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negotiate acceptable lease terms, including desired tenant improvement allowances;
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source sufficient levels of inventory to meet the needs of new stores;
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hire, train and retain store personnel;
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successfully integrate new stores into our existing operations; and
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identify and satisfy the fashion preferences of new geographic areas.
In addition, some of our new stores will be opened in regions of the United States in which we currently have few or no stores. The expansion into new markets may present competitive, merchandising and distribution challenges that are different from those currently encountered in our existing markets. Any of these challenges could adversely affect our business and results of operations. In addition, to the extent our new store openings are in existing markets, we may experience reduced net sales volumes in existing stores in those markets.
A decline in general economic conditions may lead to reduced consumer demand for our apparel and accessories.
Consumer spending habits, including spending for the fashionable apparel and related accessories that we sell, are affected by, among other things, prevailing economic conditions, levels of employment, salaries and wage rates, consumer confidence and consumer perception of economic conditions. A general slowdown in the United States economy and an uncertain economic outlook could adversely affect consumer spending habits and mall traffic, which could result in lower net sales than expected and could cause us to slow our expansion plans.
Our stores are heavily dependent on the customer traffic generated by shopping malls.
Most of our store locations are not sufficiently concentrated to make significant marketing expenditures cost effective. As a result, we depend heavily on locating our stores in prominent locations within successful shopping malls in order to generate customer traffic. We cannot control the development of new shopping malls, the availability or cost of appropriate locations within existing or new shopping malls or the success of individual shopping malls.
Our market share may be adversely impacted at any time by a significant number of competitors.
We operate in a highly competitive environment characterized by low barriers to entry. We compete against a diverse group of retailers, including national and local specialty retail stores, regional retail chains, traditional department stores and, to a lesser extent, mass merchandisers. Our market share and results of operations may be adversely impacted by this significant number of competitors. Many of our competitors also are larger and have substantially greater resources than we do.
We rely on our good relationships with vendors to implement our business strategy successfully.
Our business is dependent on continued good relations with our vendors. In particular, we believe that we generally are able to obtain attractive pricing and other terms from vendors because we are perceived as a desirable customer. Our merchandise strategy also relies in large part on our ability to obtain much of our merchandise from our vendors within one to two months from the date of order. Our failure to maintain good relations with our vendors could increase our exposure to changing fashion cycles, which may in turn lead to increased inventory markdown rates.
If at any time our comparable store sales and quarterly results of operations decline or do not meet the expectations of research analysts, the price of our common stock could decline substantially.
Our quarterly results of operations for our individual stores have fluctuated in the past and can be expected to continue to fluctuate in the future. For instance, our quarterly comparable store sales percentages for the Charlotte Russe stores have ranged as high as positive 21.0% and as low as negative 5.3% over the last eight fiscal quarters. Our net sales and operating results are typically lower in the second quarter of our fiscal year due to the traditional retail slowdown immediately following the winter holiday season. Our comparable store sales and quarterly results of operations are affected by a variety of factors, including:
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the timing of new store openings and the relative proportion of new stores to mature stores;
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calendar shifts of holiday or seasonal periods;
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our ability to maintain appropriate inventory levels;
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fashion trends;
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changes in our merchandise mix and timing of promotional events;
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general economic conditions and, in particular, the retail sales environment;
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actions by competitors or mall anchor tenants; and
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weather conditions.
We rely on our management team to implement our business strategy successfully.
Our success depends to a significant extent upon the continued services of our key personnel, including senior management, who are “at will” employees and have made a significant contribution to our business. If any of our key personnel were to leave us, such a loss could reduce future sales, increase costs or both. Our success in the future will also depend upon our ability to attract, train and retain talented and qualified personnel.
The failure to efficiently complete any upgrades or enhancements to certain of our technology and information systems could negatively impact our business.
The efficient operation of our business is heavily dependent on information systems. In particular, we rely upon technology and information systems for inventory control, point-of-sale processing and other critical information. We periodically review, improve and, under certain circumstances, replace information systems to provide enhanced support to all operating areas. If such upgrades and enhancements are not successfully implemented, then the current systems may not be able to continue to adequately support our information requirements.
The loss of, or disruption of operations in, either of our two distribution centers could negatively impact our business.
Our merchandise is distributed through two facilities that use automated systems for sorting apparel and shipping merchandise. We depend on the orderly operation of our facilities and distribution processes, as well as sufficient shipping resources. Disruptions in these operations due to fire, earthquake or other catastrophic events, employee matters, shipping problems or other events could result in delays in the delivery of merchandise to our stores.
The effects of war or acts of terrorism could adversely affect our business.
The continued threat of terrorism, heightened security measures and military action in response to acts of terrorism has disrupted commerce and has intensified concerns regarding the United States economy. Any further acts of terrorism, particularly directed at malls, or new or extended hostilities may disrupt commerce and undermine consumer confidence, which could negatively impact our sales by causing mall traffic or consumer spending to decline.
Failure of our suppliers to use acceptable ethical business practices could negatively impact our business.
We require our suppliers to operate in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations regarding working conditions, employment practices, environmental compliance and trademark and copyright licensing. However, we do not control their labor and other business practices. If one of our suppliers violate labor or other laws or implements labor or other business practices that are regarded as unethical, the shipment of finished products to us could be interrupted, orders could be canceled, relationships could be terminated and our reputation could be damaged. If one of our suppliers fails to procure necessary license rights to trademarks, copyrights or patents, legal action could be taken against us that could impact the salability of our inventory and expose us to financial obligations to a third party. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our sales and results of operations.
Our business could be adversely impacted by unfavorable international conditions.
We receive apparel and other merchandise from foreign sources, both purchased directly in foreign markets and indirectly through domestic vendors with foreign sources. To the extent that any of our vendors are located overseas or rely on overseas sources for a large portion of their products, any event causing a disruption of imports, including the imposition of import restrictions, could harm our ability to source product. This disruption could materially limit the merchandise that we would have available for sale and reduce our revenues and earnings. The flow of merchandise from our vendors could also be adversely affected by financial or political instability, or war, in or affecting any of the countries in which the goods we purchase are manufactured or through which they flow.
Trade restrictions in the form of tariffs or quotas, or both, that are applicable to the products that we sell also could affect the import of those products and could increase the cost and reduce the supply of products available to us. Any material increase in tariff levels, or any material decrease in quota levels or available quota allocation, could negatively impact our business. Further, changes in tariffs or quotas for merchandise imported from individual foreign countries could lead us to shift our sources of supply among various countries. Any shift we might undertake in the future could result in a disruption of our sources of supply and lead to a reduction in our revenues and earnings. Supply chain security initiatives undertaken by the United States government that impede the normal flow of product could also negatively impact our business.
We may be liable for any defaults with respect to the leases for our Rampage stores disposed of in fiscal 2006.
In fiscal 2006, we sold the lease rights, store fixtures and equipment for 43 Rampage store locations to Forever 21 Retail, Inc., and Forever 21, Inc., the parent company of Forever 21 Retail, guaranteed Forever 21 Retail’s obligations under the leases that it assumed in connection with the transaction. In the event Forever 21 Retail or Forever 21 defaults on their obligations under certain of these leases or the guarantee, we may be liable for any damages or costs associated with such a default, which could adversely impact our future results.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Like other seasoned issuers, we from time to time receive written comments from the staff of the SEC regarding our periodic or current reports under the Exchange Act. There are no comments that remain unresolved that we received not less than 180 days before the end of our 2007 fiscal year to which this Form 10-K relates.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We operated 432 stores throughout 44 states and Puerto Rico as of September 29, 2007. We currently lease all of our store locations. Most leases have an initial term of at least ten years and do not contain options to extend the lease. Our leases, however, often allow for termination by us generally after three years if sales at an affected store do not exceed specified levels, although in many instances we are required to pay back a portion of any landlord allowances received.
We lease approximately 125,000 square feet of space for our executive offices and distribution center in San Diego, California, under a lease that expires in August 2009. We also lease approximately 10,300 square feet of additional administrative office space near our main facility in San Diego under a lease that expires in December 2007, which we are in the process of extending for 18 months. In addition, we lease approximately 265,000 square feet of space for our distribution center in Ontario, California, under a lease that expires in July 2012. We believe our distribution capacity at the San Diego facility and the Ontario facility should be sufficient to accommodate our expected store growth through the next several years.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations. As of the date of this annual report on Form 10-K, we are not engaged in any legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information and Holders
Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “CHIC.” The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low sales prices per share of our common stock on The NASDAQ Stock Market or its predecessor, the NASDAQ National Market:
As of November 13, 2007, the number of holders of record of our common stock was 22. The closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on November 21, 2007 was $14.78 per share.
Dividends
We have never declared nor paid dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain earnings to finance future operations, fund store expansion and execute stock repurchases within the current stock repurchase program approved by our Board of Directors in August 2007. Moreover, under the terms of our credit facility, stock dividends and distributions are restricted.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The shares disclosed in column “(c)” in the schedule below include 183,823 shares of common stock issuable under our 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Please see Note 3 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for more information regarding our equity compensation plans.
Performance Measurement Comparison
The material in this section is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Charlotte Russe under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
The following graph shows a comparison of the five year total cumulative returns of an investment of $100 in cash (i) in our common stock on September 28, 2002, (ii) the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and (iii) the Standard & Poor’s Apparel Retail Index. The comparisons in the graph are required by the SEC and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of the possible future performance of our common stock. The graph assumes that all dividends have been reinvested (to date, we have not declared any dividends).
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
On August 7, 2007, we announced that our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $25 million of our common stock. The repurchases were to be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices or in negotiated transactions off the market. The repurchase program is expected to continue over the next ten months unless extended or shortened by our Board of Directors. To date, there have been 464,700 shares repurchased at a total cost of $7,829,239 (excluding transaction costs of approximately $14,000) which equals an average price of $16.85 per share.
The following table summarizes repurchase activity during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data set forth below is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.
(1) Due to the discontinuance of the Rampage stores in fiscal 2006, the results of these stores have been segregated and reclassified as discontinued operations and are excluded from amounts shown in this table unless otherwise noted.
(2) See Notes 1 and 11 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for the method used to calculate the earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding.
(3) Our average square footage per store is based on all Charlotte Russe stores open at the end of the period.
(4) Our comparable store sales percentages are based on net sales for Charlotte Russe stores beginning on the first day of the month following the fourteenth full month of sales. In addition, stores with square footage expansion of greater than 20% upon remodeling are excluded for the 12 full months following completion of the remodel.
(5) Our average store sales are based on the time weighted average of all Charlotte Russe stores open in the period. Fiscal 2006 was a 53-week year. Adjusting out the extra week in fiscal 2006, average store sales would have been $1,866,000 per store.
(6) Our sales per square foot consist of net sales divided by the time weighted average of gross square footage of all Charlotte Russe stores open in the period. Fiscal 2006 was a 53-week year. Adjusting out the extra week in fiscal 2006, sales per square foot would have been $262 per store.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K. The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Important Factors Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this annual report on Form 10-K. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” in this annual report on Form 10-K.
OVERVIEW
In the five fiscal years ended September 29, 2007, we grew from 197 stores to 432 stores, representing a compound annual growth rate of 17.0%, and increased our annual revenues from $316.7 million in fiscal 2002 to $740.9 million in fiscal 2007, representing a compound annual growth rate of 18.5%. In the same period, income from continuing operations has grown from $14.3 million to $36.3 million, representing a compound annual growth rate of 20.6%. From fiscal 2001 to the middle of fiscal 2004, we experienced successive quarters of comparable store sales declines that reduced our average annual sales per store by over 20%. Most of our store level expenses, such as rent and occupancy costs, are generally fixed in nature and they rose as a percentage of sales for these periods as these costs were being spread over a smaller average sales base. In response, we began to initiate a series of management, operational and systems development changes in late fiscal 2003 intended to improve our merchandise assortments and enhance our execution in store. Our goal was to increase the average store volumes, re-leverage our store rent and occupancy expenses and improve our financial performance, while investing in our infrastructure to support long term growth.
Our comparable store sales trends improved in late fiscal 2005 and during each quarter of fiscal 2006. We experienced improved selling of apparel and accessories merchandise and achieved a comparable store sales increase of 15.3% during fiscal 2006, as compared to an increase of 0.3% during fiscal 2005. As expected, the increase in our average store volumes improved our expense ratios and we achieved improved financial results in fiscal 2006.
Our comparable store sales trends continued to improve for the first three quarters of fiscal 2007, growing 2.5%, however, fourth quarter comparable sales declined 5.3% driven by a slowdown in consumer spending and traffic consistent with weakness in the broader retail market. The fourth quarter decline partially offset the increase of the first three quarters, resulting in a comparable store sales increase of 0.5% for the fiscal year 2007.
During fiscal 2007, we improved our product margins by 1.2 percentage points, driven by higher initial mark-ups and lower markdowns. These improvements were primarily due to improved product pricing, increased import penetration and successful inventory management, including utilization of our new markdown optimization software.
Our operating margin declined from 8.7% in fiscal 2006 to 7.3% in fiscal 2007. The existence of a 53rd week in fiscal 2006 was responsible for 0.4 percentage points , or almost 30%, of the reduction. The remainder of the decline was due to the growth in expenses outpacing the 0.5% comparable stores sales increase. We generally target a 3-4% comparable store sales increase in order to leverage our operating expenses such as store payroll, rent and occupancy and other store operating expenses. In addition, in fiscal 2007, we made infrastructure investments to further improve execution and support our long term growth objectives, including installation of a new point-of-sale system chainwide, implementation of new markdown optimization software and the launch of our new e-commerce website. These investments also contributed to the reduction in operating margin but, we believe, position us to continue to improve operating productivity, enhance customer service and support our growth strategies.
In fiscal 2007, we opened 50 new stores, closed 5 stores and remodeled 32 stores. We continue to be committed to our store expansion plans and we are targeting to open approximately 60 new stores in fiscal 2008.
We use a number of key performance indicators to evaluate our business, including the following:
(1) Our average store sales are based on the time weighted average of all Charlotte Russe stores open in the period. Fiscal 2006 was a 53-week year. Adjusting out the extra week in fiscal 2006, average store sales would be $1,866,000 per store.
Discontinued Operations
We acquired the Rampage chain in fiscal 1998 as an additional growth vehicle for our company that would target young women seeking contemporary fashion assortments. While this business was successful and profitable through fiscal 2003, the business trends turned negative and we experienced operating losses from these stores during fiscal 2004 and thereafter. Our effort to reposition these stores to more effectively compete with other aspirationally-branded retailers, despite some modest success in fiscal 2005, was not financially successful.
Based upon a review of the carrying value of the long-lived assets of the Rampage stores compared with the estimated future discounted and non-discounted cash flows from their operations, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $22.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2006. This charge represented a write down of substantially all of the carrying value of the Rampage long-lived assets. During the subsequent quarter, we completed an evaluation of the strategic alternatives for the Rampage stores. That review indicated that certain assets for a majority of the 64 Rampage stores could be sold based upon specific interest shown by other retailers, while the remaining stores could either be closed or converted to the Charlotte Russe format. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, we sold the lease rights, store fixtures and equipment associated with 43 Rampage store locations for approximately $13.6 million. Of the remaining 21 Rampage stores in operation at the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, we converted eight stores into Charlotte Russe locations and returned 13 properties back to their respective landlords prior to the end of fiscal 2006.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth our operating results, expressed as a percentage of sales, and store information for the periods indicated.
Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2007 (52 weeks) Compared to Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2006 (53 weeks)
Net Sales. Our net sales increased to $740.9 million from $681.5 million, an increase of $59.4 million, or 8.7%, over the prior fiscal year. This increase reflects $ 67.8 million of additional net sales from the new stores opened during fiscal 2007 as well as other stores opened in prior fiscal years that did not qualify as comparable stores. This increase also benefited from a 0.5% increase in comparable store sales, which resulted in additional sales, on a 52-week basis, of $3.1 million compared to the prior fiscal year. Offsetting these increases was the fact that, consistent with our fiscal year policy, fiscal 2006 included an extra week of business as the fiscal year end was reset at September 30, 2006. Our net sales in 2006 included $11.5 million of sales generated during this additional week in fiscal 2006.
Gross Profit. Gross profit represents net sales less cost of goods sold, which includes buying, distribution and occupancy costs. Our gross profit increased to $204.2 million from $189.8 million, an increase of $14.4` million, or 7.6%, over the prior fiscal year. This increase in amount was primarily the result of higher net sales. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased to 27.5% from 27.9%, or 0.4 percentage points, from the prior fiscal year. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales was principally due to de-leveraging of store rent and occupancy costs (1.4 percentage point impact) and slightly higher distribution center and buying expenses (0.2 percentage point impact), partially offset by higher product margins (1.2 percentage points) primarily due to higher initial mark-ups (0.9 percentage point impact) and lower markdowns (0.5 percentage point impact), offset by other operating factors (0.2 percentage point impact).
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $149.9 million from $130.8 million, an increase of $19.1 million, or 14.6%, over the prior fiscal year. This increase in amount was attributable to new store expansion and increased corporate expenses, including higher store payroll and operating expenses and higher central office payroll and related expenses. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 20.2% from 19.2%, or 1.0 percentage point, from the prior fiscal year. The increase in expenses as a percentage of net sales was principally due to an increase in store payroll expenses (0.4 percentage point impact) and store operating expenses (0.2 percentage point impact) and higher home office payroll and other expenses (0.4 percentage point impact).
Income Taxes. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2007 of 38.6% approximates our statutory income tax rate. It is lower than the 39.7% rate utilized in the prior fiscal year due to a favorable adjustment in fiscal 2007 to the prior year’s stock-based compensation tax benefit.
Income from Continuing Operations. Our income from continuing operations decreased to $36.3 million from $37.2 million, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 2.3%, from the prior fiscal year. The decrease was primarily attributable to the additional week included in our fiscal 2006 results due to the fiscal year calendar change. Our income from continuing operations included $2.4 million of income generated during this additional week in fiscal 2006. When compared on a 52- week basis, income from continuing operations increased $1.7 million, primarily due to higher gross margins partially offset by the growth in operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses.
Loss on Discontinued Operations. As a result of their disposition, our Rampage stores met the criteria in fiscal 2006 to be classified as discontinued operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles. All of the stores were shut down in fiscal 2006 and all of the related financial impacts occurred in fiscal 2006, therefore we had no profit or loss in fiscal 2007 from discontinued operations. In fiscal 2006 the loss from discontinued operations was $12.0 million.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2006 (53 weeks) Compared to Fiscal Year Ended September 24, 2005 (52 weeks)
Net Sales. Our net sales increased to $681.5 million from $511.3 million, an increase of $170.2 million, or 33.3%, over the prior fiscal year. This increase reflects $86.6 million of additional net sales, on a 52-week basis, from the new stores opened during fiscal 2006 as well as other stores opened in prior fiscal years that did not qualify as comparable stores. This increase also benefited from a 15.3% increase in comparable store sales, which resulted in additional sales, on a 52-week basis, of $72.1 million compared to the prior fiscal year. Consistent with our fiscal year policy, fiscal 2006 included an extra week of business as the fiscal year end was reset at September 30, 2006. Our net sales included $11.5 million of sales generated during this additional week in fiscal 2006.
Gross Profit. Gross profit represents net sales less cost of goods sold, which includes buying, distribution and occupancy costs. Our gross profit increased to $189.8 million from $134.0 million, an increase of $55.8 million, or 41.6%, over the prior fiscal year. This increase in amount was primarily the result of higher net sales. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 27.9% from 26.2%, or 1.7 percentage points, from the prior fiscal year. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales was principally due to leveraging of store rent and occupancy costs as these expenses were spread over a higher average store sales volume (2.6 percentage point impact) and improved distribution center expenses (0.5 percentage point impact). These favorable factors were partially offset by higher markdown expense (0.7 percentage point impact) and higher freight costs (0.5 percentage point impact).
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $130.8 million from $107.7 million, an increase of $23.1 million, or 21.5%, over the prior fiscal year. This increase in amount was attributable to new store expansion and increased corporate expenses, including higher store payroll and operating expenses and higher central office payroll and related expenses. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 19.2% from 21.0%, or 1.8 percentage points, from the prior fiscal year. The decrease in expenses as a percentage of net sales was principally due to a reduction in store payroll expenses (1.3 percentage point impact) and store operating expenses (0.4 percentage point impact), as many of these expenses were spread over a higher average store sales volume, lower home office payroll expenses (0.4 percentage point impact) and the costs for the settlement of two class action lawsuits in the prior fiscal year (0.2 percentage point impact). These favorable factors were partially offset by stock based compensation expense that was initiated in fiscal 2006, in connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) (0.3 percentage point impact) and achievement of the management bonus plan performance targets for which no similar amount was recorded in the prior year (0.3 percentage point impact).
Income Taxes. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2006 of 39.7% approximates our statutory income tax rate. It is higher than the 37.7% rate utilized in the prior fiscal year as we adjusted our tax liabilities in fiscal 2005 to reflect the reassessment of tax contingency balances.
Income from Continuing Operations. Our income from continuing operations increased to $37.2 million from $16.8 million, an increase of $20.4 million, or 121%, over the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to an increase in gross profit which was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses and income taxes.
Loss on Discontinued Operations. As a result of their disposition, our Rampage stores met the criteria to be classified as discontinued operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles. Our net loss increased to $12.0 million from $6.0 million, an increase of $6.0 million, or 100%, over the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to higher store operating losses as our efforts to reposition the Rampage stores proved unsuccessful. The fiscal 2006 results included a $22.5 million pre-tax impairment charge in the second quarter which was offset by a $21.4 million pre-tax gain on the asset dispositions in the fourth quarter.
QUARTERLY RESULTS AND SEASONALITY
We have historically experienced and expect to continue to experience seasonal and quarterly fluctuations in our net sales and operating income. As is the case with many retailers of apparel and related merchandise, our business is subject to seasonal influences, characterized by strong sales during the back-to-school, Easter and winter holiday seasons. The strength of each of these three seasons generally provides relatively balanced sales during our first, third and fourth fiscal quarters. We typically experience lower net sales and net income during the second quarter of each fiscal year. Our quarterly results of operations may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including the timing of new store openings, fashion trends and shifts in timing of certain holidays, as well as other factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this annual report on Form 10-K.
The following table includes our unaudited quarterly results of operations data for each of the eight quarters during the two-year period ended September 29, 2007. This data has been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements. We believe that this information has been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements and that all necessary adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, have been included to present fairly the selected quarterly information when read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our working capital requirements vary consistent with the seasonality of our business. Our capital requirements result primarily from capital expenditures related to new store openings, store remodels and information technology expenditures. We have historically satisfied our cash requirements principally through cash flow from operations. Due to the rapid turnover of our inventory, we generate trade payables and other accrued liabilities sufficient to offset most of our working capital requirements, and this allows us to generally operate with limited working capital investment. As of September 29, 2007, we had working capital of approximately $104.4 million which included cash and cash equivalents of $68.2 million. Our short term investments have a weighted average maturity of less than 37 days and are predominantly invested in money market instruments and obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury and foreign governments, commercial paper, and notes and bonds issued by U.S. and foreign corporations with less than 2% invested in asset backed securities.
The following chart provides a summary of our sources and uses of cash during the past three years.
In fiscal year 2007, our net cash provided by operating activities decreased $33.0 million over the prior year amount due to a $0.8 million reduction in income from continuing operations, $14.8 million increase in inventories, $18.7 million increase to all other working capital accounts and $7.0 million reduction in cash provided from discontinued operations as a result of disposing of the Rampage assets in 2006. These unfavorable items were partially offset by a $0.9 million increase in depreciation net of construction allowance amortization, a $4.7 million increase in landlord construction allowances in fiscal 2007 and $2.7 million of other factors, including stock-based compensation expense and deferred rent charges.
Net cash used in investing activities primarily consists of capital expenditures. It increased $35.4 million during fiscal 2007 as a result of increased capital spending associated with the implementation of our new point-of-sale system, the opening of 50 new stores (compared to 40 new stores in fiscal 2006), funding for 32 remodeled stores (compared to 11 in fiscal 2006) and increased investments in our information systems and other corporate projects.
Net cash provided by financing activities primarily consists of cash and income tax benefits associated with stock option exercises offset by the repurchase of 464,700 shares
of our common stock and stock offering costs paid by us. It decreased $10.2 million in fiscal 2007 due to the repurchase of our common stock ($7.8 million), and a fewer number of stock option exercises during the fiscal year ($2.8 million), partially offset by stock offering costs ($400,000) we incurred in 2006 related to costs of a registered offering in which shares were sold by two funds managed by Apax Partners, L.P.
We expect to continue to invest in capital expenditures to support our growth. After taking into account new store construction, existing store remodeling and other corporate capital projects, total capital expenditures for fiscal 2008 are projected to range from approximately $70 million to $75 million.
We currently have a $40.0 million secured revolving credit facility, referred to as the Credit Facility, with Bank of America, N.A., which expires on June 30, 2010. Under the terms of the Credit Facility, we may borrow up to the maximum borrowing limit of $40.0 million less any outstanding letters of credit, and we have set the initial loan ceiling amount at $30.0 million. Interest on the Credit Facility is payable quarterly, at our option, at either (i) the Bank’s prime rate plus 0.50% to 1.00% or (ii) 1.00% to 1.50% over the average interest settlement rate for deposits in the London interbank market banks subject to certain adjustments. Our ability to receive loan advances under the Credit Facility is subject to our continued compliance with various covenants, representations and warranties, and conditions, including but not limited to negative covenants against the incurrence of debt or liens. The Credit Facility also contains events of default customary for facilities of this type and provides that, upon the occurrence of an event of default, payment of all outstanding loans may be accelerated and/or the lenders’ commitments may be terminated. Pursuant to this agreement, we and our wholly-owned subsidiaries have (i) provided an unconditional guarantee of the full and punctual payment of obligations under the Credit Facility, (ii) pledged certain of our securities to the collateral agent as security for the full payment and performance of our obligations under the Credit Facility and (iii) granted a security interest in essentially all of our personal property as security for the full payment and performance of our obligations under the Credit Facility. At September 29, 2007, there was no outstanding debt under the Credit Facility and we were in compliance with the terms of the bank credit agreement. As of September 29, 2007, we had $21.2 million of borrowing availability under the Credit Facility.
We believe that our cash flows from operations, our current cash balance and the funds available under our Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs and contemplated capital expenditure requirements through fiscal 2008. If our cash flow from operations should decline significantly, it may be necessary for us to seek additional sources of capital or to reduce planned new store openings and/or store remodels.
CONTRACTUAL AND COMMERCIAL OBLIGATIONS
Our commitment to make future payments under long-term contractual obligations and commercial obligations as of September 29, 2007 was as follows:
During fiscal 2006, we sold lease rights for 43 locations that were formerly operated as Rampage stores to Forever 21 Retail, Inc., and its parent company guaranteed its obligations under the leases it assumed. In the event of default, we could be liable for obligations associated with 39 real estate leases which have future lease payments (undiscounted) of approximately $41.7 million through the end of fiscal 2016 which are not reflected in the tables above. The scheduled future minimum rentals for these leases over the next four fiscal years and thereafter are $8.5 million, $8.6 million, $8.2 million, $7.1 million and $9.3 million, respectively. We believe that the likelihood of material liability being triggered under these leases is remote, and no liability has been accrued for these contingent lease obligations as of September 29, 2007.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as revenues and expenses during the reported periods.
As a retailer of women’s apparel and accessories, our financial statements are affected by several critical accounting policies, many of which affect management’s use of estimates and judgments, as described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments regarding revenues, inventories, long lived assets, intangible assets, accrued liabilities, stock based compensation, self-insurance programs, income taxes and contingencies and litigation.
Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results from this evaluation form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Under different assumptions or conditions, alternative estimates and judgments could be derived which would differ from the estimates being used by management. Actual results could differ from any or all of these estimates.
Revenue
We sell merchandise directly to retail customers and generally recognize revenue at the point of sale. Customers have the right to return merchandise to us, and we maintain a reserve for the financial impact of returns which occur subsequent to the current reporting period.
Our policy with respect to gift cards is to record revenue as the gift cards are redeemed for merchandise. Prior to their redemption, unredeemed gift cards are recorded as a liability and are included within other current liabilities. Beginning with the second quarter of fiscal 2006, we adjust the gift card liability balances on a quarterly basis to recognize estimated unredeemed amounts under the redemptive recognition method. This method records gift card breakage as additional sales on a proportional basis over the redemption period based on historical redemption trends. Such adjustments are included in net sales and operating income.
Inventory
Our merchandise is initially offered for sale at a regular price, but is often marked down prior to the ultimate sale of all units that were purchased. We utilize the retail method of accounting for our inventory valuation, which inherently reduces the carrying value of inventory as permanent markdowns are initiated. In addition, we maintain a reserve for the financial impact of markdowns that we believe are likely to be encountered in the future. If actual demand or market conditions are more or less favorable than those projected by management, the level of the reserve for future markdowns would be subject to change in subsequent reporting periods.
We also provide for estimated inventory losses for damaged, lost or stolen inventory for the period from the last physical inventory to the financial statement date. These estimates are based on historical experience and other factors.
We receive certain allowances from our vendors primarily related to distribution center handling expenses or defective merchandise. These allowances are reflected as a reduction of merchandise inventory in the period they are received and allocated to cost of sales during the period in which the items were sold.
Goodwill and Long-lived Assets
We have recorded a goodwill asset of $32.9 million that arose from the acquisition of our business in September 1996. Subsequent amortization of $4.1 million reduced its carrying value to $28.8 million. This asset is tested for possible impairment on at least an
annual basis in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles,” utilizing discounted cash flow valuation techniques and reference to the market value of our outstanding common stock. No impairment adjustments have been required to date. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets,” we assess the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors considered important that could trigger an impairment review include a significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, a significant change in the manner of the use of the asset or a significant negative industry or economic trend. Upon determining that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment, we estimate the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets.
Operating Leases
We record rent expense on non-cancellable leases containing known future scheduled rent increases on a straight-line basis over the respective leases beginning when we receive possession of the leased property for construction purposes. The difference between rent expense and rent paid is accounted for as deferred rent. Landlord construction allowances and other such lease incentives are recorded as deferred lease credits, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease as a reduction to rent expense.
Stock-Based Compensation
We estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula and a multiple option award approach. This fair value is then amortized over the requisite service periods of the awards. This option-pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the option’s expected life, price volatility of the underlying stock, risk free interest rate and expected dividend rate. As stock-based compensation expense is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience.
Self-Insurance Liabilities
Based on our assessment of risk and cost efficiency, we self-insure and purchase insurance policies to provide for workers’ compensation, employee group medical benefits, general liability, property losses and director’s and officer’s liability. 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.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes using the liability method as prescribed by SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the differences between the financial statement carrying value of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Inherent in the measurement of these deferred balances are certain judgments and interpretations of existing tax law and other published guidance. No valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets, since we anticipate that the full amount of these assets should be realized in the future. Our effective tax rate considers our judgment of expected tax liabilities in the various taxing jurisdictions within which we are subject to tax. The recorded amounts of income tax are subject to adjustment upon audit, changes in interpretation and changes in judgment utilized in determining estimates.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of September 29, 2007, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. In addition, we do not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts. As such, we are not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in these relationships.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Information with respect to recent accounting pronouncements is incorporated by reference to Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 29, 2007, on pages and.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our market risk relates primarily to changes in interest rates. We bear this risk in two specific ways. First, the Credit Facility carries a variable interest rate that is tied to market indices and, therefore, our statement of income and our cash flows will be exposed to changes in interest rates. As of September 29, 2007, we had no borrowings against the Credit Facility. However, we may borrow funds under the Credit Facility as needed.
The second component of interest rate risk involves the short-term investment of excess cash in short-term, investment-grade interest-bearing securities. These investments are considered to be cash equivalents and are shown that way on our balance sheet. If there are changes in interest rates, those changes would affect the investment income we earn on these investments and, therefore, impact our cash flows and results of operations.
We believe our market risk exposure is minimal.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference to Item 15 of Part IV of this annual report on Form 10-K, “Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.”
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as such item is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 29, 2007 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During our fourth fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2007, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). With the supervision and participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 29, 2007.
Our independent auditor, Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued a report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc.
We have audited Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 29, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Charlotte Russe Holding’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit 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 effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 29, 2007, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc. as of September 29, 2007 and September 30, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 29, 2007 of Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc. and our report dated November 15, 2007, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ ERNST AND YOUNG
San Diego, California
November 15, 2007
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year.
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our officers, directors and employees and a Code of Ethics for Financial Employees that applies to our Chief Executive Officer and employees serving in a finance, accounting or investor relations capacity. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Code of Ethics for Financial Employees are available on our website at http://www.charlotterusse.com. If we make any substantive amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or grant any waiver from a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to any executive officer or director, we will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver on our website, as well as via any other means then required by the NASDAQ listing standards or applicable law.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) (1) The financial statements listed in the “Index to Financial Statements” at page are filed as part of this report.
(a) (2) Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission other than the ones listed on page are not required under the related instructions or are not applicable, and therefore, have been omitted.
(a) (3) The exhibits are listed in the Exhibit Index, which is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) See Item 15(a)(3) above.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this annual report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of California, on the 26th day of November 2007.
CHARLOTTE RUSSE HOLDING, INC.
/s/ PATRICIA K. JOHNSON
Patricia K. Johnson
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Mark A. Hoffman and Patricia K. Johnson, and each of them acting individually, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capabilities, to sign any and all amendments to this annual report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of each to act alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this annual report on Form 10-K has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc. as of September 29, 2007 and September 30, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 29, 2007. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (a)(2). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule 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 financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc. at September 29, 2007 and September 30, 2006, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 29, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated November 15, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
As discussed in Note 3 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under the heading Stock-Based Compensation and Equity, in fiscal 2006 Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc. changed its method of accounting for stock-based compensation.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
San Diego, California
November 15, 2007
CHARLOTTE RUSSE HOLDING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
See accompanying notes.
CHARLOTTE RUSSE HOLDING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
See accompanying notes.
CHARLOTTE RUSSE HOLDING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
See accompanying notes.
CHARLOTTE RUSSE HOLDING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
See accompanying notes.
CHARLOTTE RUSSE HOLDING, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware in July 1996. On September 27, 1996, the Company was capitalized through the issuance of Common Stock and long-term debt. Effective September 27, 1996, the Company acquired all of the stock of Lawrence Merchandising Corporation, a California corporation, and its affiliates, Lawrence Merchandising Corporation of Nevada and Lawrence Merchandising Corporation of Nevada II, both Nevada corporations, (collectively, the “Predecessor” companies) for approximately $35.0 million in cash. In addition, the Company repaid $5.0 million of the Predecessor’s short-term borrowings concurrent with the consummation of the purchase transaction. The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired of approximately $32.9 million was recognized as goodwill.
Description of Business
The Company is comprised entirely of specialty retail operations. It distributes and sells apparel and accessories to young women through its mall-based retail concepts which are labeled as Charlotte Russe. As of September 29, 2007, the Company operated 432 Charlotte Russe retail stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico.
From fiscal 1998 to fiscal 2006 the Company operated a second concept targeting young women seeking contemporary fashion assortments under the name Rampage. A total of 64 stores were operated at the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. To focus on the growth of its core Charlotte Russe concept, the Company sold the lease rights, store fixtures and equipment associated with 43 Rampage store locations during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Of the remaining 21 Rampage stores, the Company converted eight stores into Charlotte Russe locations and returned 13 properties back to the respective landlords prior to the end of fiscal 2006. The results of the Rampage concept are reported as discontinued operations in these financial statements.
The Company has evaluated the guidance provided by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” and has aggregated its business into one reportable segment.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, include the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of all wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Fiscal Year
The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending on the last Saturday in September. All years presented contained 52 weeks, except for fiscal 2006 which contained 53 weeks.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and disclosed in the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Inventories
Inventories consist primarily of apparel and accessories purchased for resale. Inventories are accounted for by the retail inventory method. The cost of inventory is determined at the lower of the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method or market.
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are stated at cost. Depreciation of fixtures and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally five to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter. Maintenance, repairs and minor remodels are charged to expense when incurred. Upon disposition of an asset, its accumulated depreciation is deducted from the original cost, and any gain or loss is reflected in current operations. Depreciation expense for the fiscal years ended September 29, 2007, September 30, 2006 and September 24, 2005 amounted to $36,545,667, $31,302,413 and $27,419,178, respectively.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair value of net assets acquired. The Company adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” at the beginning of fiscal 2002. SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill be tested annually for impairment or more frequently if events and circumstances warrant, utilizing a test that begins with an estimate of the fair value of the reporting unit or intangible asset. The Company tests goodwill annually and whenever events or circumstances occur indicating that goodwill might be impaired.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of its assets might not be recoverable, the Company, using its best estimates based upon reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections, reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets for impairment.
Impairment for long-lived assets to be held is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value. Impairment is reviewed at the lowest levels for which there are identifiable cash flows that are independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. The Company performs such analysis on an individual store basis and estimates fair values based on sales prices for comparable assets. The Company measures impairment for long-lived assets to be disposed of at the lower of the carrying amount or net realizable value (fair market value less cost to dispose). See Note 2 for a discussion of the $22.5 million impairment charge taken in the second quarter of fiscal 2006 associated with the Rampage long-lived assets. There was no impairment in fiscal 2007.
Deferred Rent
Rent expense on non-cancellable leases containing known future scheduled rent increases are recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective leases beginning when the Company receives possession of the leased property for construction purposes. The difference between rent expense and rent paid is accounted for as deferred rent. Landlord construction allowances and other such lease incentives are recorded as deferred lease credits and are amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction to rent expense.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method as prescribed by SFAS No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the differences between the financial statement carrying value of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Inherent in the measurement of these deferred balances are certain judgments and interpretations of existing tax law and other published guidance. No valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets, since management anticipates that the full amount of these assets should be realized in the future. The Company’s effective tax rate considers the judgment of expected tax liabilities in the various taxing jurisdictions within which it is subject to tax.
Revenue Recognition
The Company sells merchandise directly to retail customers and generally recognizes revenue at the point of sale. Customers have the right to return merchandise to the Company, and the Company maintains a reserve for the financial impact of returns which occur subsequent to the current reporting period.
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, unredeemed gift cards are recorded as a liability and are included within other current liabilities. Beginning with the
second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company adjusts the gift card liability balances on a quarterly basis to recognize estimated unredeemed amounts under the redemptive recognition method. This method records gift card breakage as additional sales on a proportional basis over the redemption period based on historical redemption trends. Such adjustments are included in net sales and operating income.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Vendor Allowances
The Company receives certain allowances from its vendors primarily related to distribution center handling expenses or defective merchandise. These allowances are reflected as a reduction of merchandise inventory in the period they are received and allocated to cost of sales during the period in which the items are sold.
Store Pre-opening Costs
Costs incurred in connection with the opening of a new store are expensed as incurred.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated based on the weighted average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated based on the weighted average outstanding shares and potentially dilutive stock options and warrants.
Comprehensive Income
The Company reports comprehensive income in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income.” SFAS No. 130 established standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income. Components of comprehensive income could include net income, foreign currency translation adjustments and gains or losses associated with investments available for sale. There was no difference between net income and comprehensive income for any of the periods presented.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts payable, accrued expenses and income tax payable are carried at cost, which management believes approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. There was no long-term debt at September 29, 2007 or September 30, 2006.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for
uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is in the process of determining the impact that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on its financial position and results of operations.
In June 2006, the FASB ratified the consensuses of Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 06-3, “How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement.” EITF Issue No. 06-3 indicates that the income statement presentation on either a gross basis or a net basis of the taxes within the scope of the issue is an accounting policy decision. The Company’s accounting policy is to present the taxes within the scope of EITF Issue No. 06-3 on a net basis. The adoption of EITF Issue No. 06-3 in the first fiscal quarter of 2007 did not result in a change to the Company’s accounting policy and, accordingly, did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”. SFAS No. 157 provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and only applies when other standards require or permit the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities. It does not expand the use of fair value measurement. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is in the process of determining the impact that the adoption of SFAS No.157 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. SFAS No. 159 allows companies to elect to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. This standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
2. Discontinued Operations
The Company’s efforts to reposition the Rampage stores proved unsuccessful and management determined that sufficient indicators of impairment of the Rampage long-lived assets existed as of March 25, 2006. These assets principally consisted of the store leasehold improvements, store fixtures and store equipment. As a result, a $22.5 million non-cash impairment charge was recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2006 to write down substantially all of the carrying value of the Rampage long-lived assets as of March 25, 2006.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, management completed an evaluation of the strategic alternatives for the Rampage stores. That review indicated that certain assets for a majority of the 64 Rampage stores could be sold, based upon specific interest shown by other retailers, while the remaining stores could either be closed or converted to the Charlotte Russe format. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the lease rights, store fixtures and equipment associated with 43 Rampage store locations were sold for approximately
$13.6 million. Of the remaining 21 Rampage stores in operation at the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company converted eight stores into Charlotte Russe locations and returned 13 properties back to their respective landlords prior to the end of fiscal 2006.
As a result, operating results for all Rampage stores have been segregated and shown as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Details of those results were as follows:
3. Stock-Based Compensation and Equity
Stock Plan Activity
Under the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the Company grants stock options to purchase common stock to some of its employees and non-employee directors at prices equal to the market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Although the Plan allows for issuance of incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock awards, deferred stock awards and performance awards, no such awards have been granted through the end of fiscal 2007. Stock options generally vest ratably over five years and expire after 10 years. Starting in fiscal 2008, options will generally vest over three years. Outstanding awards that were previously granted under predecessor plans also remain in effect in accordance with their terms. Stock option activity for the past three fiscal years is as follows:
Intrinsic value is defined as the difference between the relevant current market value of the common stock and the grant price for options with exercise prices less than the market values on such dates. Cash received from stock options exercised during fiscal 2007 was $7.0 million and the actual tax benefit realized from these exercises was $2.6 million.
Options outstanding and exercisable at September 29, 2007 were as follows:
The Weighted Average Remaining Term of options outstanding and exercisable at September 29, 2007 was 7.2 years. Subject to adjustments for stock splits and similar events, there were a total of 2,250,000 shares of common stock authorized under the Plan at September 24, 2005. On February 7, 2006, an additional 1,000,000 shares of common stock was authorized by the Company’s stockholders. Of the 3,250,000 shares of common stock authorized, 962,000 were available for future issuance at September 29, 2007. There were 183,823 shares of common stock available for future purchase under the Company’s 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) at September 29, 2007.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Prior to the beginning of fiscal 2006, the Company did not record compensation expense for its stock-based compensation plans, except for options granted just prior to the Company’s initial public offering for 120,000 shares, as such treatment was permitted under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” related interpretations, and SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” The Company provided the requisite pro forma disclosures and complied with provisions of SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosures.”
Effective the beginning of fiscal 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” using the modified prospective transition method. Under this transition method, compensation expense includes options vesting for (1) share-based payments granted prior to, but not vested as of September 24, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123; (2) share-based payments granted after September 24, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R); and (3) shares sold under the ESPP after September 24, 2005, based on calculations of fair value which are similar to how stock option valuations
are made. Because this transition method was selected, results of prior periods have not been restated.
The Company recognized the following stock-based compensation expense for its stock option and employee stock purchase plans during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006:
As of September 29, 2007, there was $2.7 million (before any related tax benefit) of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested share based compensation that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years.
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) to share based compensation using the Black-Scholes valuation model with straight-line amortization of the expense over the respective vesting periods of the awards:
Stock Purchase Plan
On September 27, 1999, the Company approved the adoption of the ESPP, which authorized up to 350,000 shares of common stock available for employee purchase through payroll deductions at 85% of fair market value. All eligible employees of the Company may participate. Eligibility is defined as those employees who have completed at least six months of employment and work at least 20 hours per week, except for employees who own common stock or options on such common stock that represents 5%
or more of the Company’s total equity ownership. There were 11,747, 17,108 and 22,005 shares of common stock issued under the ESPP during the fiscal years ended September 29, 2007, September 30, 2006 and September 24, 2005, respectively.
Warrants
In conjunction with the issuance of two senior subordinated note agreements in September 1996 with affiliated investors that were paid off in June 1999, the Company issued warrants to purchase 1,964,410 shares of common stock at $1.00 per share. The number of shares of common stock issuable under these warrants was increased by an aggregate of 1,030 shares pursuant to certain anti-dilution provisions. The warrants were fully exercised during September 2006 with the issuance of 1,965,440 shares of common stock upon receipt of $1,964,410.
Shares Reserved for Future Issuance
Calculation of Fair Value of Stock Options
The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option valuation model and a multiple option award approach. The expected life of options represents the period of time the options are expected to be outstanding and is based on historical trends and other subjective factors. The expected stock volatility is based on the average of historical volatility of the Company’s common stock and other subjective factors. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time awards are granted, and the expected dividend rate takes into account the absence of any historical payments and management’s intention to retain all earnings for future operations and expansion.
The following table presents the weighted average assumptions used in the pricing model for stock options granted during the following periods:
4. Fixed Assets
A summary of fixed assets is as follows:
5. Credit Arrangement
On June 24, 2005, the Company entered into a new $40.0 million secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Bank of America, N.A., which expires on June 30, 2010. Under the terms of the Credit Facility, the Company may borrow up to the maximum borrowing limit of $40 million less any outstanding letters of credit, and the Company has set the initial loan ceiling amount at $30 million. Interest on the Credit Facility is payable quarterly, at the Company’s option, at either (i) the Bank’s prime rate plus 0.50% to 1.00%, or (ii) 1.00% to 1.50% over the average interest settlement rate for deposits in the London interbank market banks (“Eurodollar Rate”) subject to certain adjustments. The Company’s ability to receive loan advances under the Credit Facility is subject to the continued compliance with various covenants, representations, warranties, and conditions, including but not limited to negative covenants against the incurrence of debt or liens. The Credit Facility also contains events of default customary for facilities of this type and provides that, upon the occurrence of an event of default, payment of all outstanding loans may be accelerated and/or the lenders’ commitments may be terminated. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries have (i) provided an unconditional guarantee of the full and punctual payment of obligations under the Credit Facility, (ii) pledged certain of the securities of the Company’s subsidiaries to the collateral agent as security for the full payment and performance of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility and (iii) granted a security interest in essentially all of the Company’s personal property as security for the full payment and performance of the obligations under the Credit Facility. At September 29, 2007, there was no outstanding debt under the Credit Facility and the Company was in compliance with the terms of the bank credit agreement. As of September 29, 2007, the Company had $21.2 million of borrowing availability under the Credit Facility.
Pursuant to the terms of the new secured credit facility, the Company can issue up to $20.0 million of documentary or standby letters of credit. The Company is charged a fee equal to the Bank’s Eurodollar Rate for the average daily face amount of outstanding letters of credit and customary issuance and amendment charges. Fees are paid quarterly in arrears and charges are paid as incurred. At September 29, 2007, there were outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $8.8 million.
6. Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
The Company leases its retail stores, distribution centers, and office facilities under various non-cancelable operating leases that expire between 2008 and 2018. Under certain retail store leases, the Company is required to pay the greater of a minimum lease payment or 5% to 13% of annual sales volume. Rent expense, including reimbursement of the Company’s proportional share of common area maintenance expenses, for the years ended September 29, 2007, September 30, 2006 and September 24, 2005 amounted to $118.5 million, $100.7 million and $85.0 million, respectively, including $6.2 million, $6.5 million and $5.0 million, respectively, of contingent rentals.
As of September 29, 2007, aggregate future minimum rentals are as follows:
During fiscal 2006, the Company sold lease rights for 43 locations that were formerly operated as Rampage stores to Forever 21 Retail, Inc., and its parent company guaranteed its obligations under the leases that it assumed. In the event of default, the Company could be liable for obligations associated with 39 real estate leases which have future lease payments (undiscounted) of approximately $41.7 million through the end of fiscal 2016 which are not reflected in the table above. The scheduled future minimum rentals for these leases over the next four fiscal years and thereafter are $8.5 million, $8.6 million, $8.2 million, $7.1 million and $9.3 million, respectively. Management believes that the likelihood of material liability being triggered under these leases is remote, and no liability has been accrued for these contingent lease obligations as of September 29, 2007.
License Agreement
In conjunction with the acquisition of Rampage assets on September 30, 1997, the Company entered into a license agreement enabling the Company to operate stores under the Rampage name. The license fee was calculated as the greater of an annual fee (ranging between $600,000 to $750,000) or a percent of sales at stores operating under the Rampage name (ranging between 0.5% and 1.0%).
The license agreement had an initial term that expires in 2012. Consistent with the Company’s decision in 2006 to dispose of the Rampage stores, a termination of this agreement was negotiated which required the Company to pay an early termination fee of $1.4 million. The accrual for this charge is included within other current liabilities in the
accompanying balance sheet at September 30, 2006. This liability was paid in fiscal 2007. License fees incurred during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 were $2,176,661 and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of income.
Litigation
From time to time, the Company may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations. As of the date of this filing, the Company is not engaged in any legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.
7. Income Taxes
Income taxes consist of the following:
A reconciliation of the calculated income tax provision based on statutory tax rates in effect and the effective tax rate follows:
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The Company has not recorded a valuation allowance for all periods presented as the utilization of the deferred tax assets is deemed to be more likely than not.
Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows:
8. Supplemental Cash Flows Disclosures
9. Related Party Transactions
The Company, its Chairman of the Board and two funds managed by Apax Partners, L.P. (“Apax”), entered into a stockholders’ agreement in 1999. This agreement provided that, among other things: (1) as long as Apax owned more than 25% of the Company’s outstanding shares, it would have the right to nominate three directors, and (2) as long as Apax owned at least 1,820,735 shares of Common Stock, including shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants, it would have the right to nominate two directors. The stockholders agreement also granted, subject to limitations and exceptions and only so long as Apax owned at least 1,820,735 shares, demand registration rights to Apax. The Company was responsible for certain costs of these registered offerings. Lastly, as long as Apax owned at least 1,820,735 shares, the Company was required to pay an annual fee of $250,000 in exchange for certain financial advisory services.
In conjunction with a securities offering in Fiscal 2006, Apax’s holdings of the Company’s common stock were reduced below 1,820,735 shares, as a result of which provisions of the agreement with Apax discussed above are no longer in effect.
Pursuant to this agreement, the Company incurred financial advisory service fees of $250,000 in fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2006. In addition, the Company incurred certain costs of a registered offering in which shares were sold by Apax of $400,000 during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. Given the historical nature of this obligation, these costs were treated as reductions to stockholders’ equity as an offset to proceeds received from shares sold by the Company, if any. There were no related party transactions in fiscal 2007
No purchases from related parties were made in fiscal 2007, 2006 or 2005. There were no related party accounts payable balances at September 29, 2007 or September 30, 2006.
10. Employee Savings Plan
The Company has an Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k) profit-sharing plan (the “401(k) Plan”) for eligible employees. The 401(k) Plan is funded by employee contributions and provides for the Company to make discretionary contributions. The Company matches 25% of participants’ contributions up to 4% of eligible compensation. Amounts contributed and expensed under the 401(k) Plan were $136,963, $128,147 and $126,954 for the fiscal years ended September 29, 2007, September 30, 2006 and September 24, 2005, respectively.
11. Earnings Per Share
The calculation of dilutive shares excludes the effect of the following options and warrants that are considered anti-dilutive:
SCHEDULE II
CHARLOTTE RUSSE HOLDING, INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Three fiscal years ended September 29, 2007
(amounts in thousands)
EXHIBIT INDEX
(a) Exhibits marked with an asterisk are filed herewith. The remainder of the exhibits have heretofore been filed with the SEC and are incorporated herein by reference.