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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended January 30, 1999
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File No. 1-8899
Claire's Stores, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 59-0940416
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization) identification No.)
3 S.W. 129th Avenue, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33027
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (954) 433-3900
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Name of each exchange on
Title of each class which registered
Common Stock, $.05 par value New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of each class
Class A Common Stock, $.05 par value
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]
At March 31, 1999, the aggregate market value of the 44,628,050 shares of
voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $1,344,420,006.
At March 31, 1999, there were outstanding 48,123,494 shares of
registrant's Common Stock, $.05 par value, and 2,887,761 shares of the
registrant's Class A Common Stock, $.05 par value, including Treasury Shares.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The Proxy Statement for the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be
filed no later than 120 days after the end of the Registrant's Fiscal year
covered by this report, is incorporated by reference into Part III.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item Page No.
1. Business................................................ 3
2. Properties.............................................. 6
3. Legal Proceedings....................................... 8
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders..... 8
PART II
5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters..................................... 8
6. Selected Financial Data................................. 9
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations..................... 10-17
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risks............................................ 17
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data............. 19-35
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure...................... 35
PART III
10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant....... 35
11. Executive Compensation.................................. 35
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management.......................................... 35
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.......... 35
PART IV
14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and
Reports on Form 8-K..................................... 35-37
PART I
Item 1. Business
General
Claire's Stores, Inc. (the "Company"), operating through its wholly-owned
subsidiaries, Claire's Boutiques, Inc. ("Claire's"), Claire's Puerto Rico
Corp. ("CPRC"), Claire's Canada Corp. ("CCC"),Claire's Accessories UK Ltd.
("CUK"),Bijoux One Trading AG ("Bijoux"), Lux Corporation ("Lux") and its
50%-owned subsidiary Claire's Nippon Co., Ltd. ("Nippon"), is a leading
mall-based retailer of popular-priced fashion accessories and apparel
targeted towards teenagers. As of March 31, 1999, the Company operated a
total of 2,067 such stores in 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, the United
Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Japan. The stores are operated
mainly under the trade names "Claire's Boutiques" or "Claire's Accessories",
"The Icing", "Claire's Etc.", "Bow Bangles" and "Bijoux One" (collectively
the "Fashion Accessory Stores")and "Mr. Rags"(the "Apparel Stores").
In January 1999, the Board of Directors authorized the discontinuance of Just
Nikki, Inc. ("Nikki"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company selling
apparel and accessories targeted to female teenagers through catalogs
distributed under the "Just Nikki :)" trade name. Continued operating losses
made the discontinuance desirable despite the significant investment made by
the Company. The operations of Nikki have been accounted for as a
discontinued operation in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements
dated as of January 30, 1999 ("Fiscal 1999") and therefore, the following
discussion does not include the operations of Nikki.
In April 1998, the Company completed its acquisition of Lux, a closely held
specialty apparel chain operating under the trade name of "Mr. Rags", in a
stock-for-stock merger. The stores specialize in selling clothing and
accessories to the male teen market. In connection with the merger, the
Company issued 2,070,286 shares of common stock in exchange for all the
outstanding common stock of Lux. The merger has been accounted for as a
pooling of interests business combination. Accordingly, all accompanying
consolidated financial information and the discussion below have been
restated to include the accounts of Lux as if the companies had combined at
the beginning of the first period presented.
In November 1998, the Company completed its acquisition of Bijoux, a
privately held 53-store fashion accessory chain. Bijoux, headquartered in
Zurich, Switzerland, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The
transaction has been accounted for as a purchase. The purchase price was
comprised of cash and the issuance of 100,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock. Excess purchase price over fair market value of the underlying assets
was allocated to goodwill, which will be amortized over twenty-five years.
The Fashion Accessory Stores specialize in selling popular-priced fashion
accessories designed to predominantly appeal to teenage females. Merchandise
in the Fashion Accessory Stores typically ranges in price between $2 and $20,
with the average product priced at about $4. The Fashion Accessory Stores
are similar in format and the different trade names give the Company the
ability to have multiple store locations in malls. Although the Company's
stores are operated under several different trademarks, the Company considers
that its registered trademark "Claire's" is the only one of material
significance to its business. Although the Company faces competition from a
number of small specialty store chains and others selling fashion
accessories, in addition to one chain of approximately 800 stores, the
Company believes that its Fashion Accessory Stores comprise the largest and
most successful chain of specialty retail stores in the World devoted to the
sale of popular-priced teens' fashion accessories.
Lux operates retail stores under the trade name "Mr. Rags". These stores
sell casual lifestyle, skater/urban fashion apparel and accessories for the
male teenage market. The market for Lux is highly competitive. There are
numerous specialty retail chains that target male teenagers, many of whom are
much larger than Lux. The Company believes Lux can successfully compete due
to its superior store design and merchandise focus.
The Company's operations are divided into three principal product categories.
Jewelry consists of costume jewelry, including earrings and ear piercing
services, while Accessories consists of other fashion accessories, hair
ornaments, totebags and novelty items. Apparel includes name-brand as well
as private label shirts and pants. The following table compares sales of
each product category of merchandise sold by the Company for the last three
fiscal years:
Fiscal Year Ended
Jan. 30, Jan. 31, Feb. 1,
1999 1998 1997
(In thousands)
Jewelry $288,053 43.5% $241,955 45.1% $233,833 50.1%
Accessories 314,135 47.5 256,647 47.8 204,351 43.9
Apparel 59,668 9.0 38,152 7.1 28,116 6.0
$661,856 100.0% $536,754 100.0% $466,300 100.0%
Sales of each category of merchandise vary from period to period depending on
current fashion trends. The Company experiences the traditional retail
pattern of peak sales during the Christmas, Easter and back-to-school
periods. Sales, as a percentage of total sales in each of the four quarters
of Fiscal 1999 were 20%, 22%, 24% and 34% in the first, second, third and
fourth quarters, respectively.
At March 31, 1999, the Company had approximately 11,350 employees, 57% of
whom were part-time. Part-time employees typically work up to 20 hours per
week. The Company has no collective bargaining agreements with any labor
unions and considers its employee relations to be good.
Fashion Accessory Stores
The stores operated in North America under the names Claire's Boutiques and
Claire's Accessories average approximately 960 square feet while those stores
operating under the names "The Icing" and "Claire's Etc." average 1,375
square feet and are located primarily in enclosed shopping malls. The stores
operated in the United Kingdom, Europe and Japan average 570 square feet and
are located in enclosed shopping malls and central business districts. Each
store uses Company-designed displays which permit the presentation of a wide
variety of items in a relatively small space.
The stores are distinctively designed for customer identification, ease of
shopping and quantity of selection. Store hours are dictated by the mall
operators and the stores are typically open from 10:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.,
Monday through Saturday, and, where permitted by law, from Noon to 5:00 P.M.
on Sunday.
Virtually all sales are made in cash, although the stores also accept credit
cards. The Company permits, with restrictions on certain items, returns for
exchange or refund.
The Company purchases its merchandise from approximately 300 suppliers. The
Company is not dependent on an individual vendor for merchandise purchased.
Substantially all of the costume jewelry and fashion accessories sold are
purchased from importers or imported directly. All merchandise is shipped
from the suppliers to the Company's distribution facility in Hoffman Estates,
Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, which services the North American and Japanese
stores or the distribution facility in Birmingham, England, which services
the stores in the United Kingdom, or the distribution facilities in Zurich,
Switzerland or Vienna, Austria, which service the European stores. After
inspection, merchandise is shipped via common carrier to the individual
stores. Stores typically receive three to five shipments a week.
Except as stated below, responsibility for managing the Fashion Accessory
Stores in North America rests with the President and Chief Operating Officer
of Claire's, who reports to the President of the Company. The Company
currently employs a total of 205 District Managers, each of whom oversees
approximately ten stores in his or her respective geographic area and reports
to one of 21 Regional Managers. Each Regional Manager reports to one of five
Territorial Vice Presidents, who in turn report to the Senior Vice President
of store operations. Each store is staffed by a Manager, an Assistant
Manager and one or more part-time employees. A majority of the District
Managers have been promoted from within the organization, while a majority of
the Regional Managers were hired externally. All of the Territorial Vice
Presidents were promoted from within the organization. The reporting
structure for the Fashion Accessory Stores in the United Kingdom and Europe
are similar to the reporting structure in North America. The President of
CUK reports to the President of the Company. The President of the Bijoux
operations reports to the President of CUK.
In Fiscal 1999, the Company continued to expand its international operations
by opening 83 Fashion Accessory stores in the United Kingdom, bringing the
total number of stores operating there to 184, and by acquiring 31 stores in
Switzerland, 21 stores in Austria and one in Germany. The Company plans to
open approximately 100 stores in North America , 80 stores in the United
Kingdom and 10 to 15 stores in Canada in the fiscal year ending January 29,
2000 ("Fiscal 2000"). No store openings are planned for Continental Europe in
Fiscal 2000. Store expansion continued in Japan as the Company, with its
joint venture partner, Jusco Co., Ltd., a Japanese Company, opened a net 11
stores in Fiscal 1999, bringing the total number of stores operating in Japan
to 65. Current plans call for opening up to 38 additional stores in Japan in
Fiscal 2000.
Apparel Stores
The Apparel stores are located in enclosed regional shopping malls. The
Apparel stores range in size from approximately 1,500 to 2,400 square feet
with an average size of 1,900 square feet.
The representative price range for merchandise is $2 to $217, with an average
sale of approximately $72. Cash and major credit cards are accepted for
payment.
The stores are distinctively designed and well lit, with merchandise
displayed in a manner to create visual excitement. Marketing is aimed at the
male teenager.
The Apparel stores conduct merchandise purchasing from offices in Seattle,
Washington. Distribution operations are conducted from the Company's
distribution facility in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The merchandise is
shipped via common carrier to the stores, as required.
The President of Lux is responsible for managing the Apparel stores. The
President of Lux reports to the President of the Company. The field
organization of Lux is similar in structure to that of Claire's. Supervision
of the stores rests with the Senior Vice President of store operations who
reports to the President of Lux. The Vice President of store operations, who
reports to the Senior Vice President of store operations, supervises 12
district managers who, in turn, are responsible for overseeing approximately
7 stores in his or her geographic areas. Each store is staffed by a Manager,
Assistant Manager and part-time employees, as required.
Item 2. Properties
The Company's 2,067 stores operating as of March 31, 1999 are located in 50
states, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, the
Caribbean and Japan. The Company leases all of its store locations,
generally for terms of seven to ten years (up to 25 years in the United
Kingdom and Continental Europe). Under the leases, the Company pays a fixed
minimum rent and/or rentals based on gross sales in excess of specified
amounts. The Company also pays certain other expenses (e.g., common area
maintenance charges and real estate taxes) under the leases. The internal
layout and fixtures of each store are designed by management and constructed
under contracts with third parties.
Most of the Company's stores are located in enclosed shopping malls, while
some stores are located within central business districts and others are
located in "open-air" outlet malls. The Company actively seeks locations
that meet its criteria and opens new stores when opportunities are found
within its budget for expansion. Criteria include geographic location and
demographic aspects of communities surrounding the store site, acceptable
anchor tenants, suitable location within a mall, appropriate space
availability and proposed rental rates. In choosing new locations, the
Company generally attempts to cluster stores geographically, thus affording
economies of scale in supervision. The Company believes that sufficient
desirable locations are available to accommodate its expansion plans. The
Company refurbishes its existing stores on a regular basis.
The Company has closed 148 stores in the last three fiscal years, primarily
due to not meeting Company established profit benchmarks or the unwillingness
of the landlord to renew the lease on terms acceptable to the Company. The
Company has not experienced any substantial difficulty in renewing desired
store leases and has no reason to expect any such difficulty in the future.
For each of the last three years, no individual store accounted for more than
one percent of total sales.
The Company opened or purchased, through acquisition, 286 stores during Fiscal
1999 and has opened, as of March 31, 1999, 37 stores in the first two months
of Fiscal 2000. The Company plans to continue opening stores when suitable
locations are found and satisfactory lease negotiations are concluded. The
Company's initial investment in new stores opened during the last fiscal year,
including leasehold improvements and fixtures, but excluding inventories,
averaged approximately $111,000 and $203,000 per store for a Fashion Accessory
Store and an Apparel Store, respectively.
The offices of Claire's and the distribution center for the Company's stores
in North America and Japan are located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. This
Company-owned facility is located on 24.8 acres and consists of 520,000 total
square feet with 404,000 square feet devoted to receiving and distribution
and 116,000 square feet for office space.
The Company maintains a distribution facility and offices in Birmingham,
England which services those stores located in the United Kingdom. This
facility is leased and consists of 26,000 square feet of office and
distribution space. This lease expires on March 25, 2012. In March 1999,
CUK entered into a lease to relocate its distribution facility and office
space to accommodate the growth in the business in the United Kingdom. The
new lease commences in December 1999 and terminates in December 2024. CUK
has the right to assign or sublet this lease at any time during the term of
the lease. The new facility will consist of 25,000 square feet of office
space and 60,000 square feet of distribution space. CUK intends to assign or
sublet the old lease and does not anticipate any difficulties.
The Bijoux stores are serviced by distribution centers and offices in Zurich,
Switzerland and Vienna, Austria. The facility maintained in Zurich,
Switzerland consists of 11,600 square feet devoted to distribution and 5,400
square feet devoted to offices. The lease for this location expires on
December 31, 2001. In Vienna, Austria, the facility consists of 11,000
square feet devoted to distribution and 3,000 square feet devoted to offices.
The lease on this facility does not have an expiration date but can be
terminated by Bijoux with notice to the landlord at any time.
In August 1990, Claire's entered into a lease which expires on July 31, 2001
for 40,000 square feet of office space in Wood Dale, Illinois. Under the
terms of the lease, Claire's is required to pay taxes, utilities, insurance
costs and maintenance costs. Due to a downsizing of the corporate staff, it
was decided that the additional space would not be needed, and therefore the
space has been subleased to unrelated third parties. The subleases' terms
run parallel to the original lease.
The Company leases from Rowland Schaefer & Associates (formerly Two Centrum
Plaza Associates) approximately 33,000 square feet in Pembroke Pines, Florida,
where it maintains its executive, accounting and finance offices. Rowland
Schaefer & Associates is a general partnership of two corporate general
partners which are owned by immediate family members of the Chairman of the
Board and President of the Company, two of whom are Co-Vice Chairmen of the
Company. The lease provides for the payment by the Company of annual base
rent of approximately $573,600, which is subject to annual cost-of-living
increases, and a proportionate share of all taxes and operating expenses of
the building. The lease expires on July 31, 2000 and may be extended, at the
option of the Company, for an additional five-year term.
The Company also owns 10,000 square feet of office/warehouse space in Miami,
Florida. The property is being utilized as a storage facility for the
Company. The Company also leases executive office space in New York City
under a month to month lease and is the beneficial owner of a cooperative
apartment in New York City.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
There are no material legal proceedings pending to which the Company or any of
its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is subject.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the
fourth quarter of Fiscal 1999.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
The Company has two classes of Common Stock, par value $.05 per share,
outstanding: Common Stock having one vote per share and Class A Common Stock
having ten votes per share. The Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE") under the symbol CLE. The Class A Common Stock has
only limited transferability and is not traded on any stock exchange or in any
organized market. However, the Class A Common Stock is convertible on a
share-for-share basis into Common Stock and may be sold, as Common Stock, in
open market transactions. The following table sets forth, for the fiscal
quarters indicated, the high and low closing prices of the Common Stock on the
NYSE Composite Tape and the per share dividends declared on the Common Stock
and the Class A Common Stock. At March 31, 1999, the approximate number of
record holders of shares of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock was 1,935
and 744, respectively.
Closing Prices Dividends Dividends
of on on Class A
Common Stock Common Stock Common Stock
Year Ended January 30, 1999 High Low
First Quarter $24.13 $14.94 $.04 $.02
Second Quarter 23.50 16.94 .04 .02
Third Quarter 21.31 14.75 .04 .02
Fourth Quarter 22.75 16.19 .04 .02
Year Ended January 31, 1998
First Quarter $19.13 $13.38 $.03 $.015
Second Quarter 21.81 17.00 .03 .015
Third Quarter 24.00 19.00 .03 .015
Fourth Quarter 23.88 14.31 .03 .015
In 1985, the Board of Directors instituted a quarterly dividend on the Common
Stock of $.011 per share. In February 1994, the Board of Directors increased
the quarterly dividend to $.013 per share and in July 1994 declared a
quarterly dividend of $.007 per share on the Class A Common Stock. In
January 1996, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend to $.02
per share on the Common Stock and $.01 per share on the Class A Common Stock.
In October 1996, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend to
$.03 per share on the Common Stock and $.015 per share on the Class A Common
Stock. The Board of Directors again increased the quarterly dividend to $.04
per share on the Common Stock and $.02 per share on the Class A Common Stock
in April 1998. The Company expects to continue paying dividends; however,
there is no assurance in this regard since the declaration and payment of
dividends are within the discretion of the Board of Directors and are subject
to a variety of contingencies such as the earnings and the financial
condition of the Company.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Fiscal Year Ended (4)
Jan. 30, Jan. 31, Feb. 1, Feb. 3, Jan. 28,
1999 1998 1997(2) 1996(1)(2) 1995(2)
(In thousands except per share amounts)
Operating Statement Data:
Net sales $661,856 $536,754 $466,300 $364,347 $317,818
Income from continuing
operations 71,652 59,595 45,932 31,767 24,597
Net income 62,280 59,595 45,932 31,767 24,597
Income Per Share(3):
Basic:
From continuing
operations $ 1.41 $ 1.19 $ .92 $ .65 $ .51
Net income 1.23 1.19 .92 .65 .51
Diluted:
From continuing
operations $ 1.40 $ 1.17 $ .90 $ .64 $ .50
Net income 1.22 1.17 .90 .64 .50
Cash Dividends Per
Share:
Common stock $ .16 $ .12 $ .10 $ .053 $ .053
Class A Common stock .08 .06 .05 .027 .02
Balance Sheet Data:
Current assets $239,618 $204,198 $157,089 $108,315 $ 82,144
Current liabilities 69,091 51,264 45,906 32,196 31,267
Working capital 170,527 152,934 111,183 76,119 50,877
Total assets 394,272 317,067 252,237 194,780 164,277
Long-term obligations 10,963 8,545 5,787 4,325 6,464
Stockholders' equity 314,218 257,258 200,544 158,259 126,546
(1) Consists of 53 weeks.
(2) Adjusted to give effect to the three-for-two Stock splits effective
February 21, 1996 and August 29, 1996.
(3) In Fiscal 1998, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings per Share"
which established new guidelines for the calculation of earnings per
share. Basic earnings per share have been computed by dividing net income
by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year.
Diluted earnings per share have been computed assuming the exercise of
stock options, as well as their related income tax effects. Earnings per
share for all periods have been restated to reflect the provisions of this
Statement.
(4) In April 1998, the Company acquired Lux through the exchange of 2,070,286
shares of the Company's common stock for all of the outstanding common
stock of Lux. The acquisition was accounted for as a pooling of interests
and accordingly, the accompanying selected financial data has been
retroactively adjusted to include the operations of Lux for all periods
prior to the acquisition.
The Company adopted a plan to discontinue the operation of its Just Nikki
catalog segment in January 1999 (see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements for additional details).
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, percentages which
certain items reflected in the financial data bear to net sales of the
Company:
Fiscal Year Ended
January 30, January 31, February 1,
1999 1998 1997
Net sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales, occupancy and
buying expenses 48.2 48.1 48.3
Gross profit 51.8 51.9 51.7
Other expenses:
Selling, general and administrative 31.5 32.1 33.1
Depreciation and amortization 3.3 3.4 3.5
Interest income, net (.9) (.9) (.6)
Loss (gain) on investments .7 (.4) -
34.6 34.1 36.0
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes 17.2 17.8 15.8
Income taxes 6.4 6.7 5.9
Income from continuing operations 10.8 11.1 9.9
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes:
Loss from discontinued operations .9 - -
Loss on disposal of discontinued
operations .5 - -
Net loss from discontinued operations 1.4 - -
Net income 9.4% 11.1% 9.9%
Results of Continuing Operations
From the fiscal year ended February 1, 1997("Fiscal 1997") to January 30, 1999
("Fiscal 1999"), the Company's net sales increased at a compounded annual rate
of 19%. Income from continuing operations increased from $45,932,000 in
Fiscal 1997 to $71,652,000 in Fiscal 1999. The operating results of Claire's
Nippon Co., Ltd., which are accounted for under the equity method, are not
part of the consolidated group of Claire's Stores, Inc. and therefore not
included in the following analysis. All prior year balances have been
restated to reflect the accounts of Lux as if the Companies had combined at
the beginning of the first period presented.
Fiscal 1999 Compared to Fiscal 1998
Net sales increased by $125,102,000, or 23%, to $661,856,000 in Fiscal 1999
compared to $536,754,000 for the year ended January 31, 1998 ("Fiscal 1998").
This increase resulted primarily from the net addition of 235 stores and same-
store sales increases of 7%. The same-store sales increases were mainly
attributable to an increase in the average unit retail price of merchandise
sold in Fiscal 1999 compared to Fiscal 1998 and an increase in the number of
overall transactions per store.
Cost of sales, occupancy and buying expenses increased by $60,954,000, or 24%,
to $319,067,000 in Fiscal 1999 compared to $258,113,000 in Fiscal 1998.
Principal reasons for this increase were the rise in the number of stores and
the volume of merchandise sold. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses
increased slightly to 48.2% for Fiscal 1999 compared to 48.1% for Fiscal 1998.
This increase of 10 basis points is the net result of decreased product
margins (60 basis points) due to changes in merchandise mix offset by
increased leverage of occupancy and buying expenses (50 basis points) which
are relatively fixed in nature.
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased by
$36,343,000, or 21%, to $208,631,000 in Fiscal 1999 from the Fiscal 1998
level of $172,288,000. The increase noted was due to the increase in the cost
of operating the additional stores. As a percentage of net sales, these
expenses decreased to approximately 31.5% in Fiscal 1999 compared to 32.1% in
Fiscal 1998. The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of sales is primarily
attributable to the increase in same-store sales as previously discussed and
the leveraging of fixed corporate expenses with the addition of a net 235
stores.
Depreciation and amortization increased by $3,876,000, or 22%, to $21,878,000
in Fiscal 1999 from the Fiscal 1998 level of $18,002,000. The increase was
primarily due to the investment in 286 new and acquired stores, the remodeling
of approximately 100 stores and the completion of the Company's expansion of
its distribution facility in Hoffman Estates, Illinois in Fiscal 1999.
Due to the increase in cash and short-term investment levels and the absence
of long-term debt, interest income exceeded interest expense in Fiscal 1999.
As a percentage of sales, interest income, net was .9% for Fiscal 1999 which
was comparable to Fiscal 1998. The cash and cash equivalents, and short-term
investments balance during Fiscal 1999 averaged approximately $149,561,000
compared to approximately $103,117,000 in Fiscal 1998.
Income taxes increased by $796,000 to $36,553,000 in Fiscal 1999 compared to
$35,757,000 in Fiscal 1998. The Company's effective tax rates declined
slightly as a result of increased profitable foreign operations which have
lower effective tax rates than the United States.
In Fiscal 1999, the Company recognized a loss on investments of $4,800,000
compared to a gain on investments of $2,099,000 in Fiscal 1998. The Fiscal
1999 loss did not result from the sale of investments but rather from the
write-down of investments, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles, to better reflect the current economic value of the investments.
Fiscal 1998 Compared to Fiscal 1997
Net sales increased by $70,454,000, or 15%, to $536,754,000 in Fiscal 1998
compared to $466,300,000 for Fiscal 1997. The increase for the period
resulted primarily from the addition of a net 178 stores and same-store sales
increases of approximately 3%. The same-store sales increases were mainly
attributable to an increase in the average retail value per transaction in
Fiscal 1998 compared to Fiscal 1997. This increase was realized due to an
increase in the average unit retail price in Fiscal 1998 compared to Fiscal
1997. The increase in the average unit retail was offset by a decrease in
the average units per transaction.
Cost of sales, occupancy and buying expenses increased by $33,118,000, or
15%, to $258,113,000 in Fiscal 1998 compared to $224,995,000 in Fiscal 1997.
Principal reasons for this increase were the rise in the number of stores and
the volume of merchandise sold. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses
decreased to 48.1% for Fiscal 1998 compared to 48.3% for Fiscal 1997. The
decrease as a percentage of sales was due to the Company increasing the total
merchandise purchased directly from manufacturers overseas and utilizing the
Company's ever increasing buying power to negotiate lower prices from vendors
which resulted in higher maintained markups. These efforts resulted in a
merchandise margin gain of approximately 30 basis points. This increase
would have been more acute except for the effects of the employee strike at
UPS, the Company's primary carrier used to ship merchandise from the
Company's distribution center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois to our stores in
the United States. Estimating the total cost of the strike to the Company is
not possible, as lost sales cannot be quantified. However, the Company
estimates the additional cost of transporting merchandise via other common
carriers was approximately $1,000,000. Rent, rent support and the cost of
the merchandising department, which are included in cost of sales and are
relatively fixed in nature, increased 10 basis points as a percentage of
sales from Fiscal 1998 compared to Fiscal 1997.
SG&A expenses increased by $17,778,000, or 12%, to $172,288,000 in Fiscal
1998 from the Fiscal 1997 level of $154,510,000. The increase noted was due
to the increase in the cost of operating the additional stores. As a
percentage of net sales, these expenses decreased to approximately 32.1% in
Fiscal 1998 compared to 33.1% in Fiscal 1997. The decrease in SG&A as a
percentage of sales is primarily attributable to the increase in same-store
sales as previously discussed and the leveraging of fixed corporate expenses
with the addition of 178 net stores.
Depreciation and amortization increased by $1,820,000, or 11%, to $18,002,000
in Fiscal 1998 from the Fiscal 1997 level of $16,182,000. The increase was
primarily due to the investment in 234 new stores, and the remodeling of
approximately 150 stores.
Due to the increase in cash levels and the absence of long-term debt,
interest income exceeded interest expense in Fiscal 1998. As a percentage of
sales, interest income, net was .9% for Fiscal 1998 compared to .6% in Fiscal
1997. The Company had no long-term debt in Fiscal 1998 and Fiscal 1997. The
cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments balance during Fiscal
1998 averaged approximately $103,117,000 compared to approximately
$67,000,000 in Fiscal 1997.
Income taxes increased by $8,122,000 to $35,757,000 in Fiscal 1998 compared
to $27,635,000 in Fiscal 1997. The Company's effective tax rates remained
relatively constant from fiscal year to fiscal year.
Discontinued Operations
In January 1999, the Company announced its decision to discontinue the
operations of Just Nikki, Inc. ("Nikki"), a wholly-owned subsidiary
representing its catalog segment. The operations of Nikki have been
accounted for as a discontinued operation in the Fiscal 1999 consolidated
financial statements. Nikki had no significant operations prior to Fiscal
1999. The Company is in the process of liquidating Nikki's inventory and
intends to sell or dispose of any remaining assets during the first half of
the fiscal year ending January 29, 2000 ("Fiscal 2000"). Included in accrued
expenses on the accompanying balance sheet, in connection therewith, is a
$1,160,000 reserve to fund future associated wind-down operations and costs.
Impact of Inflation
Inflation has not affected the Company, as it has generally been able to pass
along inflationary increases in its costs through increased sales prices.
Year 2000
In prior years, certain computer programs were written using two digits
rather than four to define the applicable year. These programs were written
without considering the impact of the upcoming change in the century and may
experience problems handling dates beyond the year 1999. This could cause
certain computer applications to fail or to create erroneous results unless
corrective measures are taken.
The Company has been executing a plan to identify and address any possible
deficiencies that the Year 2000 issue may have on its computer systems, which
include both proprietary and third party computer systems; related hardware,
software and data and telephone networks and information systems service
providers. This plan addresses the Year 2000 issue in multiple phases
including (i) identification of critical systems, vendors and third party
administrators that may be vulnerable to system failures or processing errors
as a result of Year 2000 issues, (ii) assessment and prioritization of
identified risks associated with the failure to be Year 2000 compliant, (iii)
testing of systems to determine Year 2000 compliance, (iv) remediation and
implementation of systems and equipment, and (v) contingency planning to
assess reasonably likely worst case scenarios. As of March 1999, the Company
has completed phases (i) and (ii), and is approximately 50% complete with
phases (iii) and (iv), referred to above. Phase (v) will be addressed in the
upcoming months. Project plans call for the completion of the solution
implementation phase and testing of those solutions by the end of 1999, prior
to any anticipated impact on the Company's systems.
The Company is dependent on basic public infrastructure, such as
telecommunications and utilities, in order to function normally. Significant
long-term interruptions of this infrastructure could have an adverse effect
on the operations of the Company. Additionally, the Company must rely on
assurances from suppliers and vendors that their information systems and key
services will be Year 2000 compliant. The Company is in the process of
evaluating each major supplier, vendor and third party administrator to
assess their Year 2000 readiness and initiatives. As of March 1999, the
Company is approximately 35% complete with the process and anticipates
completion by the end of 1999. While the Company plans to validate
representations from these parties, it cannot be sure that their tests will
be adequate, or that, if problems are identified, they will be addressed in
a timely and satisfactory manner. Even if the Company, in a timely manner,
completes all of its assessments, implements and tests all remediation plans
it believes to be adequate, and develops contingency plans believed to be
adequate, some problems may not be identified or corrected in time to prevent
material adverse consequences or business interruptions to the Company.
Furthermore, there may be certain third parties such as utilities,
telecommunications companies, or vendors where alternative arrangements or
sources are limited or unavailable. The Company has not yet determined the
extent of contingency planning that may be required as this is dependent on
completion of these ongoing assessments of its vendors, suppliers and third
party administrators.
The extent and magnitude of the Year 2000 issue is difficult to predict or
quantify for a number of reasons including the lack of control over third
party systems and complexities associated with testing interconnected systems
networks and applications. The Company expects that the maximum external
cost which could be incurred in conjunction with the testing and remediation
of all hardware and software systems and applications is approximately
$350,000 through completion in 1999, of which, approximately $175,000 has
been incurred to date. Such costs have been and will be funded by the
Company's operating cash flows. This estimate of maximum costs does not
include the costs, if any, that might be incurred as a result of Year
2000-related failures that occur despite the Company's implementation of the
Year 2000 plan.
The cost of the Company's plan to address the Year 2000 issue and the
anticipated date on which the Company plans to complete the necessary Year
2000 conversion efforts are based on management's best estimates, which were
derived from numerous assumptions of future events, including the
availability of resources, vendor remediation plans, and other factors.
Although the Company is not currently aware of any material operational
issues associated with preparing its systems for the Year 2000, or material
issues with respect to the adequacy of major vendors', suppliers' or third
party administrators' systems, there can be no assurance, due to the overall
complexity of the Year 2000 issue, that the Company will not experience
material unanticipated negative consequences and/or material costs caused by
undetected errors or defects in such systems or by the Company's failure to
adequately prepare for the results of such errors or defects, including costs
or related litigation, if any. Such consequences could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of
operations.
Forward-Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("the Act") provides a
safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the
Company. The Company and its representatives may from time to time make
written or verbal forward-looking statements, including statements contained
in this and other Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and in our reports to shareholders. All statements which address operating
performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur
in the future, including statements relating to sales growth and earnings per
share growth or statements expressing general optimism about future operating
results, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. The
forward-looking statements are and will be based on management's then current
views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance.
The following are some of the factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from estimates contained in the Company's forward-looking
statements:
The ability to generate sufficient cash flows to support capital expansion
plans and general operating activities.
Competitive product and pricing pressures. While we believe our
opportunities for sustained, profitable growth are considerable,
unanticipated actions of competitors could impact our earnings and sales
growth.
Changes in laws and regulations, including changes in accounting standards,
taxation requirements (including tax rate changes, new tax laws and revised
tax law interpretation) and laws in domestic or foreign jurisdictions.
Fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw materials to the Company's
vendors and the ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and
relationships.
The ability to achieve earnings forecasts, which are generated based on
projected sales of many product types, some of which are more profitable
than others. There can be no assurance that we will achieve the projected
level or mix of product sales.
The ability to penetrate new markets, which also depends on economic and
political conditions.
The effectiveness of our marketing and promotional programs.
The uncertainties of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties
detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings.
Adverse weather conditions, which could affect customer shopping patterns.
The ability of the Company and its suppliers to replace, modify or upgrade
computer programs in ways that adequately address the Year 2000 issue.
Changes in consumer preferences for teen apparel and fashion accessories.
The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Company operations have historically provided a strong, positive cash flow
which, together with the Company's credit facilities, provides adequate
liquidity to meet the Company's operational needs. Cash and cash
equivalents, including short-term investments, totaled $153,304,000 at the
end of Fiscal 1999.
Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $85,816,000 in Fiscal
1999 compared to $76,954,000 in Fiscal 1998 and $59,548,000 in Fiscal 1997.
The Company's current ratio (current assets over current liabilities) was
3.5:1.0 for Fiscal 1999 and 4.0:1.0 for Fiscal 1998.
At the end of Fiscal 1999, the Company had credit lines available of
approximately $12 million with various banks to finance the Company's letters
of credit and working capital requirements. These facilities mature on
various dates in 1999. Although there is no assurance, the Company believes
that it will be able to renew these facilities on satisfactory terms and
conditions.
At the end of Fiscal 1999, the Company increased its investment in
inventories to $63,334,000, or 21%, from the Fiscal 1998 balance of
$52,437,000. During this period inventory turnover remained constant at
3.0x consistent with Fiscal 1998. The increase in inventories is due to the
Company operating 246 additional stores at the end of Fiscal 1999 compared to
Fiscal 1998 - a 14% increase. In addition, inventories on a per square foot
basis increased 5%. Management believes inventories are appropriate given
the increase in the number of stores and the level of sales currently being
achieved.
During Fiscal 1999, the Company continued to expand and remodel its store
base. Significant capital projects included the opening and purchase,
through acquisition, of 286 new stores, remodeling approximately 100 stores
and the expansion of its distribution facility located in Hoffman Estates,
Illinois to approximately 520,000 square feet from its previous size of
247,000 square feet. Funds expended for capital improvements in Fiscal 1999
totaled $45,211,000 compared to $36,306,000 in Fiscal 1998 and $20,558,000 in
Fiscal 1997. In Fiscal 2000, capital expenditures are expected to be
approximately $42,000,000 as the Company continues to invest in its store
base and technology.
The Company has significant cash balances, a consistent ability to generate
cash flow from operations and available funds under its credit lines. The
Company foresees no difficulty in maintaining its present financial condition
and liquidity and the ability to finance its capital expenditure plans and
other foreseeable future needs.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Effective February 1, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income." This statement established standards for reporting
and presentation of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of
financial statements. Comprehensive income consists of foreign currency
translation adjustments and is presented in the consolidated statements of
income and stockholders' equity. The statement requires only additional
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements; it does not affect the
Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Prior
year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the
requirements of SFAS No. 130.
Effective February 1, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures
about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." This statement
established standards for the way public business enterprises report
information about operating segments in their financial statements; it does
not affect the Company's consolidated financial position, results of
operations or cash flows.
In April 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position 98-5 ("SOP 98-5"), "Reporting of the Costs of Start-up
Activities." SOP 98-5 is effective for financial statements issued for years
beginning after December 15, 1998; therefore, the Company will be required to
implement its provisions in the first quarter of Fiscal 2000. SOP 98-5
requires that pre-opening costs be expensed as incurred. Adoption of this
statement will not have a material impact on the Company's financial
position, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company adopted SFAS No. 128, "Earning Per Share", in Fiscal 1998. In
accordance with SFAS No. 128, the Company has presented both basic net income
per share and diluted net income per share in the financial statements.
Earnings per share for all periods have been restated to reflect the
provisions of this statement.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risk
Foreign Currency
The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on the
U.S. dollar value of foreign currency denominated transactions. Based on the
Company's average net currency positions in Fiscal 1999, the potential loss
due to a 10% adverse change on foreign currency exchange rates is immaterial.
Interest Rates
The Company's exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates is
limited to its cash, cash equivalents and short-term investment portfolio.
Based on the Company's average invested cash balances during Fiscal 1999, a
10% decrease in the average effective interest rate in Fiscal 1999 would not
materially impact the Company's annual interest income.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Page No.
Independent Auditors' Report 18
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 30, 1999 and
January 31, 1998 19
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
for the three fiscal years ended January 30, 1999 20
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
for the three fiscal years ended January 30, 1999 21
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for
the three fiscal years ended January 30, 1999 22
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 23-33
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) 34
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Claire's Stores, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Claire's
Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998,
and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income,
changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended January 30, 1999. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Claire's
Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998,
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
years in the three-year period ended January 30, 1999 in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
/S/KPMG LLP
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
March 26, 1999
CLAIRE'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Jan. 30, Jan. 31,
1999 1998
(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $117,546 $122,491
Short-term investments 35,758 10,215
Inventories 63,334 52,437
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets 22,980 19,055
Total current assets 239,618 204,198
Property and equipment:
Land and building 15,969 8,827
Furniture, fixtures and equipment 123,390 100,976
Leasehold improvements 94,421 80,575
233,780 190,378
Less accumulated depreciation
and amortization (118,272) (97,810)
115,508 92,568
Other assets 39,146 20,301
$394,272 $317,067
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Loan payable to bank $ 893 $ 1,600
Trade accounts payable 23,165 20,065
Income taxes payable 16,803 10,691
Accrued expenses 26,199 17,442
Dividends payable 2,031 1,466
Total current liabilities 69,091 51,264
Deferred credits 10,963 8,545
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per
share; authorized 1,000,000 shares,
issued and outstanding 0 shares - -
Class A common stock, par value $.05 per
share; authorized 20,000,000 shares,
issued 2,891,074 shares and 2,904,745
shares 145 145
Common stock, par value $.05 per
share; authorized 150,000,000 shares,
issued 48,024,707 shares and 47,645,701
shares 2,401 2,382
Additional paid-in capital 25,398 22,053
Accumulated other comprehensive income (895) (558)
Retained earnings 287,621 233,688
314,670 257,710
Treasury stock, at cost (109,882 shares) (452) (452)
314,218 257,258
Commitments and contingencies
$394,272 $317,067
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CLAIRE'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Fiscal Year Ended
Jan. 30, Jan. 31, Feb. 1,
1999 1998 1997
(In thousands except per share amounts)
Net sales $661,856 $536,754 $466,300
Cost of sales, occupancy and
buying expenses 319,067 258,113 224,995
Gross profit 342,789 278,641 241,305
Other expenses:
Selling, general and
administrative 208,631 172,288 154,510
Depreciation and amortization 21,878 18,002 16,182
Interest income, net (6,256) (4,902) (2,954)
Loss (gain) on investments 4,800 (2,099) -
229,053 183,289 167,738
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes 113,736 95,352 73,567
Income taxes 42,084 35,757 27,635
Income from continuing operations 71,652 59,595 45,932
Discontinued operations:
Loss from discontinued operations
(less applicable income taxes of
$3,718) 6,285 - -
Loss on disposal of discontinued
operations (less applicable income
taxes of $1,813) 3,087 - -
Net loss from discontinued operations 9,372 - -
Net income 62,280 59,595 45,932
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation
adjustments (337) (619) 83
Comprehensive income $ 61,943 $ 58,976 $ 46,015
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic:
From continuing operations $ 1.41 $ 1.19 $ .92
From discontinued operations (.18) - -
Net income $ 1.23 $ 1.19 $ .92
Diluted:
From continuing operations $ 1.40 $ 1.17 $ .90
From discontinued operations (.18) - -
Net income $ 1.22 $ 1.17 $ .90
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CLAIRE'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accumulated
Class A Additional Other
Common Common Paid-In Comprehensive Retained Treasury
Stock Stock Capital Income Earnings Stock Total
(In thousands)
Balance,
February 3, 1996 $ 96 $1,591 $ 16,288 $ (22) $141,958 $ (768) $159,143
Net income - - - - 45,932 - 45,932
Class A Common Stock
converted to Common
Stock 1 (1) - - - - -
Stock options exercised - 26 60 - - 4,558 4,644
Purchase of Treasury
Stock - - - - - (4,242) (4,242)
Cash dividends ($.10 per
Common share and $.05
per Class A Common
share) - - - - (4,639) - (4,639)
Three-for-two stock
split 49 748 - - (797) - -
Distributions to former
shareholders of pooled
entity - - - - (977) - (977)
Tax benefit from
exercised stock
options - - 600 - - - 600
Foreign currency
translation adjustment - - - 83 - - 83
Balance,
February 1, 1997 146 2,364 16,948 61 181,477 (452) 200,544
Net income - - - - 59,595 - 59,595
Class A Common Stock
converted to Common
Stock (1) 1 - - - - -
Stock options exercised - 17 1,705 - - - 1,722
Cash dividends ($.12 per
Common share and $.06
per Class A Common
share) - - - - (5,622) - (5,622)
Distributions to former
shareholders of pooled
entity - - - - (1,762) - (1,762)
Tax benefit from
exercised stock
options - - 3,400 - - - 3,400
Foreign currency
translation adjustment - - - (619) - - (619)
Balance,
January 31, 1998 145 2,382 22,053 (558) 233,688 (452) 257,258
Net income - - - - 62,280 - 62,280
Issued shares for
acquisition - 5 1,876 - - - 1,881
Stock options exercised - 14 419 - - - 433
Cash dividends ($.16 per
Common share and $.08
per Class A Common
share) - - - - (7,892) - (7,892)
Distributions to former
shareholders of pooled
entity - - - - (455) - (455)
Tax benefit from
exercised stock
options - - 1,050 - - - 1,050
Foreign currency
translation adjustment - - - (337) - - (337)
Balance,
January 30, 1999 $ 145 $2,401 $ 25,398 $ (895) $287,621 $(452) $314,218
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CLAIRE'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Fiscal Year Ended
Jan. 30, Jan. 31, Feb. 1,
1999 1998 1997
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 62,280 $ 59,595 $ 45,932
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations, net of
tax benefit 6,285 - -
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations,
net of tax benefit 3,087 - -
Depreciation and amortization 21,878 18,002 16,182
Deferred income taxes (1,484) 213 (500)
Loss on retirement of property and
equipment 1,703 1,671 1,935
Loss on investments 4,800 - -
Change in assets and liabilities, net of
effects of companies purchased:
(Increase) in -
Inventories (9,711) (4,380) (10,766)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (12,719) (5,624) (6,863)
Increase in -
Trade accounts payable 2,441 1,448 6,147
Income taxes payable 6,103 860 3,631
Accrued expenses 6,578 2,411 2,702
Deferred credits 2,418 2,758 1,148
Net cash provided by continuing operations 93,659 76,954 59,548
Net cash used by discontinued operations (7,843) - -
Net cash provided by operating activities 85,816 76,954 59,548
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment (45,211) (36,306) (20,558)
Purchases of short-term investments, net (28,842) (290) (9,925)
Capital expenditures of discontinued
operations (185) - -
Purchase of Bijoux One, net of cash
acquired (7,815) - -
Net cash used in investing activities (82,053) (36,596) (30,483)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal (payments) borrowings on debt (1,617) 1,600 -
Proceeds from stock options exercised 1,482 5,087 1,638
Dividends paid (7,781) (5,606) (4,174)
Distributions to former shareholders of
pooled entity (455) (2,739) -
Purchase of treasury stock - - (1,235)
Net cash used in financing activities (8,371) (1,658) ( 3,771)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate
changes on cash and cash equivalents (337) (619) 83
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents (4,945) 38,081 25,377
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
year 122,491 84,410 59,033
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $117,546 $122,491 $ 84,410
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CLAIRE'S STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations - Claire's Stores, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, and
subsidiaries (collectively the "Company"), is a leading retailer of popular
priced fashion accessories and apparel targeted towards teenagers. The
Company operates stores throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean,
United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Japan.
Principles of Consolidation/Reclassifications - The consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned
subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation. In January 1999, the Company adopted a plan to
discontinue its Just Nikki Inc. ("Nikki") catalog segment. In April 1998,
the Company completed its acquisition of Lux Corporation ("Lux"), which was
accounted for as a pooling-of-interest business combination. As a result of
these two transactions, the consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto have been reclassified for all periods presented.
Fiscal Year - The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to
January 31. Fiscal years 1999, 1998 and 1997 each consisted of 52 weeks.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all highly liquid debt
instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash
equivalents.
Short-term Investments - These investments consist of highly liquid debt
instruments purchased with a maturity greater than three months but less than
one year and equity securities. At January 30, 1999, the Company classified
its debt and equity securities as available for sale. Available for sale
securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses,
net of the related tax effect, on available for sale securities are excluded
from earnings and are reported as a separate component of stockholders'
equity until realized. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available
for sale securities are determined on a specific identification basis.
A decline in the market value of any available for sale security below cost
that is deemed to be other than temporary results in a reduction in carrying
amount to fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost
basis for the security is established. Dividend and interest income are
recognized when earned.
Inventories - Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of cost or
market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out basis using the retail
method.
Property and Equipment - Property and equipment are recorded at cost.
Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the building and the furniture, fixtures and equipment, which
range from three to twenty-five years. Amortization of leasehold
improvements is computed on the straight-line method based upon the shorter
of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the terms of the respective
leases.
Goodwill - Goodwill, which is included in "Other assets" in the accompanying
balance sheets, represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value
of net assets acquired. It is amortized on a straight-line basis over the
expected periods to be benefitted, generally twenty-five years. The Company
continually evaluates the recoverability of goodwill by assessing current
facts and circumstances and expectations of operating income and cash flow
for each acquired entity.
Net Income Per Share - Basic net income per share is based on the weighted
average number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock outstanding
during the period (50,649,000 shares in Fiscal 1999, 50,222,000 shares in
Fiscal 1998 and 49,661,000 shares in Fiscal 1997). Diluted net income per
share includes the dilutive effect of stock options (51,108,000 shares in
Fiscal 1999, 51,132,000 shares in Fiscal 1998 and 50,910,000 shares in Fiscal
1997). Options to purchase 161,000 and 124,000 shares of common stock, at
prices ranging from $19.73 to $22.88 per share and $19.73 to $22.38 per
share, respectively, were outstanding for the years ended January 30, 1999
and January 31, 1998, respectively, but were not included in the computation
of diluted earnings per share because the options' exercise prices were
greater than the average market price of the common shares for the respective
fiscal year.
Income Taxes - The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 109 which generally
requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected
future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial
statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and
liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial
statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates
in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. In
addition, SFAS No. 109 requires the adjustment of previously deferred income
taxes for changes in tax rates under the liability method.
Foreign Currency Translation - The financial statements of the Company's
foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities
are translated at current exchange rates while income and expense accounts
are translated at the average rates in effect during the year. Resulting
translation adjustments are accumulated as a component of stockholders'
equity. Foreign currency gains and losses resulting from transactions
denominated in foreign currencies, including intercompany transactions,
except for intercompany loans of a long-term investment nature, are included
in results of operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments - The Company's financial instruments
consist primarily of current assets and current liabilities. Current assets
and liabilities are stated at fair market value.
Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - The Company accounts for long-lived assets
in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of."
This Statement requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable
intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a
comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows
expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be
impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which
the carrying amount of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets.
Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or
fair value less costs to sell.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Effective February 1, 1998, the Company
adopted SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." This statement
established standards for reporting and presentation of comprehensive income
and its components in a full set of financial statements. Comprehensive
income consists of foreign currency translation adjustments and is presented
in the consolidated statements of income and stockholders' equity. The
statement requires only additional disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements; it does not affect the Company's financial position, results of
operations or cash flows. Prior year financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the requirements of SFAS No. 130.
Effective February 1, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures
about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." This statement
established standards for the way public business enterprises report
information about operating segments in their financial statements; it does
not affect the Company's consolidated financial position, results of
operations or cash flows.
In April 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position 98-5 ("SOP 98-5"), "Reporting of the Costs of Start-up
Activities." SOP 98-5 is effective for financial statements issued for years
beginning after December 15, 1998; therefore, the Company will be required to
implement its provisions in the first quarter of Fiscal 2000. SOP 98-5
requires that pre-opening costs be expensed as incurred. Adoption of this
statement will not have a material impact on the Company's financial
position, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company adopted SFAS No. 128, "Earning Per Share", in Fiscal 1998. In
accordance with SFAS No. 128, the Company has presented both basic net income
per share and diluted net income per share in the financial statements.
Earnings per share for all periods have been restated to reflect the
provisions of this statement.
2. CREDIT FACILITIES
The Company has an unsecured revolving line of credit of $10 million with a
bank for letters of credit and working capital needs. Interest on the
outstanding balance is at the bank's prime rate. The credit agreement
matures on July 31, 1999. At January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998, no
borrowings were outstanding under this line of credit.
The Company's non-U.S. subsidiaries have credit facilities totaling
approximately $2,225,000 with a bank. The facilities are used for working
capital requirements, letters of credit and various guarantees. These credit
facilities have been arranged in accordance with customary lending practices
in their respective countries of operation. At January 30, 1999, the
borrowings totaled $893,000,bear interest at rates ranging from 3.5% to 3.38%
and mature within six months.
In Fiscal 1998, Lux had an unsecured revolving line of credit of $2 million
with a bank which was guaranteed by two former stockholders of Lux and which
required those stockholders to maintain liquid assets in the form of cash
and/or readily marketable securities in the minimum amount of $1,000,000.
Interest on the outstanding balance was at the bank's prime rate plus .75%
and there was a .25% facility fee. At January 31, 1998, $1,600,000 was
outstanding, representing the maximum borrowings during the fiscal year under
the line of credit. The credit agreement matured in April 1998, was paid in
full and was not renewed.
3. INCOME TAXES
Income before income taxes from continuing operations is as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended
1999 1998 1997
(In thousands)
Domestic $ 91,461 $ 85,159 $ 70,832
Foreign 21,275 10,193 2,735
$113,736 $ 95,352 $ 73,567
The components of income tax expense (benefit) consist of the following:
Fiscal Year Ended
Jan. 30, Jan. 31, Feb. 1,
1999 1998 1997
(In thousands)
Federal:
Current $ 32,095 $ 28,385 $ 24,551
Deferred (1,266) 191 (448)
30,829 28,576 24,103
State:
Current 4,473 3,659 2,959
Deferred (218) 22 (52)
4,255 3,681 2,907
Foreign:
Current 7,000 3,500 625
Total income tax expense
from continuing operations 42,084 35,757 27,635
Tax benefit of discontinued
operations (5,531) - -
Total income tax expense $ 36,553 $ 35,757 $ 27,635
The approximate tax effect on each type of significant components of the
Company's net deferred tax asset are as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended
Jan. 30, Jan. 31,
1999 1998
(In thousands)
Depreciation $ 3,151 $ 3,453
Accrued expenses 4,073 1,742
Deferred rent 2,009 1,619
Loss on investments 1,286 -
Operating leases (1,109) -
Inventory reserves 543 -
Other 547 304
$10,500 $ 7,118
The Company believes that the realization of the deferred tax assets is more
likely than not, based on the expectation that the Company will generate the
necessary taxable income in future periods.
The provision for income taxes from continuing operations differs from an
amount computed at the statutory rates as follows:
Jan. 30, Jan. 31, Feb. 1,
1999 1998 1997
U.S. income taxes at
statutory rates 35% 35% 35%
Foreign income tax benefit
at less than domestic rates (1) - -
State and local income taxes,
net of federal tax benefit 3 3 3
37% 38% 38%
As of January 30, 1999, there are accumulated unremitted earnings from the
Company's United Kingdom subsidiary on which deferred taxes have not been
provided as the undistributed earnings of the foreign subsidiary are
indefinitely reinvested. Based on the current United States and United
Kingdom income tax rates, it is estimated that United States taxes, net of
foreign tax credits, of approximately $650,000 would be due.
4. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Stock Splits - In January 1996 and August 1996, the Company's Board of
Directors declared 3-for-2 stock splits of its Common stock and Class A
common stock in the form of 50% stock dividend distributions.
On February 21, 1996 and September 12, 1996, 14,860,020 and 14,954,616
shares, respectively, of Common stock and 980,711 and 975,933 shares,
respectively, of Class A common stock were distributed to stockholders of
record as of February 7, 1996 and August 29, 1996. Stockholders' equity has
been adjusted to give recognition of the stock splits by reclassifying from
retained earnings to the Common stock and Class A common stock accounts the
par value of the additional shares arising from the splits. All references
in the financial statements to number of shares, per share amounts, stock
option data and market prices of the Company's stock have been restated.
Preferred Stock - The Company has authorized 1,000,000 shares of $1 par value
preferred stock, none of which has been issued. The rights and preferences of
such stock may be designated in the future by the Board of Directors.
Class A Common Stock - The Class A common stock has only limited
transferability and is not traded on any stock exchange or any organized
market. However, the Class A common stock is convertible on a share-for-share
basis into Common stock and may be sold, as Common stock, in open market
transactions. The Class A common stock has ten votes per share. Dividends
declared on the Class A common stock are limited to 50% of the dividends
declared on the Common stock.
Treasury Stock - Treasury stock acquired is recorded at cost. Occasionally,
the Company uses treasury stock to fulfill its obligations under its stock
option plans. When stock is issued pursuant to the stock option plans, the
difference between the cost of treasury stock issued and the option price is
charged or credited to additional paid-in capital.
5. STOCK OPTIONS
In August 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted, and on June
16, 1997 the Company's stockholders approved, the Claire's Stores, Inc. 1996
Stock Option Plan (the "1996 Plan"). The 1996 Plan replaced the Company's
1991 Stock Option Plan (the "1991 Plan"), which had replaced the Company's
1982 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "1982 Plan") and the Company's 1985
Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the "1985 Plan"), although options granted
under the 1991 Plan remain outstanding. Under the 1996 Plan, the Company may
grant either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options to
purchase up to 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock, plus any shares unused or
recaptured under the 1982 Plan, the 1985 Plan or the 1991 Plan. Incentive
stock options granted under the 1996 Plan are exercisable at prices equal to
the fair market value of shares at the date of grant, except that incentive
stock options granted to any person holding 10% or more of the total combined
voting power or value of all classes of capital stock of the Company, or any
subsidiary of the Company, carry an exercise price equal to 110% of the fair
market value at the date of grant. The aggregate number of shares granted to
any one person may not exceed 500,000, and no stock option may be exercised
less than one year after the date granted. Each incentive stock option or
non-qualified stock option will terminate ten years after the date of grant
(or such shorter period as specified in the grant) and may not be exercised
thereafter.
Incentive stock options currently outstanding are exercisable at various
rates beginning one year from the date of grant, and expire five to ten years
after the date of grant. Non-qualified stock options currently outstanding
are exercisable at prices equal to the fair market value of the shares, or
one dollar below the fair market value, at the date of grant and expire five
to ten years after the date of grant.
At January 30, 1999, options to purchase 482,487 and 2,500 shares of Common
Stock were exercisable under the 1991 Plan and 1996 Plan, respectively. No
options were exercisable under the 1982 Plan or 1985 Plan as of January 30,
1999. Options to purchase an additional 359,351 and 377,950 shares were
outstanding, but not yet exercisable, at January 30, 1999 under the 1991 Plan
and 1996 Plan, respectively. There were 3,407,506 shares of Common stock
available for future option grants under the 1996 Plan at January 30, 1999.
The weighted average exercise price of options under the 1991 Plan and 1996
Plan as of January 30, 1999 was $10.96 and $19.74, respectively, compared to
$9.86 and $21.64 under the 1991 Plan and 1996 Plan, respectively as of
January 31, 1998. No options were outstanding under the 1982 and 1985 Plans
as of January 30, 1999.
The per share weighted average fair value of stock options granted during the
fiscal years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997
was $19.27, $21.64 and $8.74, respectively.
Transactions and other information relating to the 1982 Plan, 1985 Plan, 1991
Plan and the 1996 Plan are summarized as follows:
1982 Plan 1985 Plan 1991 Plan 1996 Plan Range of
Number of Number of Number of Number of option price
shares shares shares shares per share
Outstanding,
February 3, 1996 154,688 78,750 1,794,487 - $2.89 - $8.72
Granted - - 600,000 - 10.17 - 21.25
Exercised (92,813) - (320,948) - 2.89 - 8.72
Canceled (5,625) - (1,125) - 5.22 - 5.22
Outstanding,
February 1, 1997 56,250 78,750 2,072,414 - 3.11 - 21.25
Granted - - - 65,000 17.75 - 22.38
Exercised - - (300,531) - 3.11 - 11.75
Canceled (6,250) (7,875) (491,614) - 5.11 - 21.25
Outstanding,
January 31, 1998 50,000 70,875 1,280,269 65,000 4.67 - 22.38
Granted - - - 455,000 16.44 - 22.88
Exercised (50,000) (70,875) (209,888) (550) 4.67 - 17.75
Canceled - - (228,540) (139,000) 5.11 - 22.38
Outstanding,
January 30, 1999 - - 841,841 380,450 5.11 - 22.88
At January 30, 1999, the weighted-average remaining contractual life of
outstanding options was 5.79 years and 8.71 years for the 1991 Plan and 1996
Plan, respectively.
The Company adopted SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation",
issued in October 1995. As permitted under the provisions of SFAS No. 123,
the Company applies APB Opinion 25 and related Interpretations in accounting
for its stock option plans and, accordingly, does not recognize compensation
cost. If the Company had elected to recognize compensation cost based on the
fair value of the options granted at grant date as prescribed by SFAS No.
123, net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro
forma amounts indicated in the table below (in thousands except per share
amounts):
Fiscal Year Ended
1999 1998 1997
Net income - as reported $62,280 $59,595 $45,932
Net income - pro forma 61,971 59,227 45,215
Diluted net income per share - as reported 1.22 1.17 .90
Diluted net income per share - pro forma 1.21 1.16 .89
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:
1999 1998 1997
Expected dividend yield .72% .62% .67%
Expected stock price volatility36.62% 36.21% 38.05%
Risk-Free interest rate 5.50% 6.00% 6.50%
Expected life of options 4.5 and 9.5 years 4.5 and 9.5 years 4.5 and 9.5 years
6. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company has adopted a Profit Sharing Plan under Section 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code. This plan allows employees who serve more than 1,000
hours per year to defer up to 18% of their income through contributions to
the plan. In line with the provisions of the plan, for every dollar the
employee contributes the Company will contribute an additional $.50, up to 2%
of the employee's salary. In Fiscal 1999, Fiscal 1998 and Fiscal 1997, the
cost of Company matching contributions was $378,000, $381,000 and $378,000,
respectively.
Prior to the Lux merger (see Note 11), Lux had a profit sharing plan covering
all employees over 21 years old with over one year of service. Lux's
contributions to the plan were discretionary. The Company intends to
discontinue this plan during Fiscal 2000.
7. COMMITMENTS
The Company leases retail stores, offices and warehouse space and certain
equipment under operating leases which expire at various dates through the
year 2025 with options to renew certain of such leases for additional
periods. The lease agreements covering retail store space provide for
minimum rentals and/or rentals based on a percentage of net sales. Rental
expense for each of the three fiscal years ended January 30, 1999 was as
follows:
1999 1998 1997
(In thousands)
Minimum rentals $75,749 $62,362 $54,471
Rentals based on net sales 1,975 1,641 1,546
Other rental expense-equipment 13,565 10,534 9,286
Total rental expense $91,289 $74,537 $65,303
Minimum aggregate rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases
are summarized by fiscal year ending as follows:
(In thousands)
2000 $ 90,662
2001 83,869
2002 76,550
2003 69,566
2004 62,401
Thereafter 236,493
$619,541
Certain leases provide for payment of real estate taxes, insurance and other
operating expenses of the properties. In other leases, some of these costs
are included in the basic contractual rental payments.
8. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Payments of income taxes were $33,299,000 in Fiscal 1999, $30,441,000 in
Fiscal 1998 and $24,022,000 in Fiscal 1997. Payments of interest were
$67,000 in Fiscal 1999, $270,000 in Fiscal 1998 and $96,000 in Fiscal 1997.
9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company leases from Rowland Schaefer & Associates (formerly Two Centrum
Plaza Associates) approximately 33,000 square feet of office space in a
building where it maintains its executive and accounting and finance offices.
The lease for this space expires on July 31, 2000 and may be extended at the
option of the Company for an additional five-year term. Rowland Schaefer &
Associates is a general partnership of two corporate general partnerships
which are owned by immediate family members of the Chairman of the Board and
President of the Company, two of whom are Co-Vice Chairmen of the Company.
The lease provides for the payment by the Company of annual base rent of
approximately $573,600, which is subject to annual cost-of-living increases,
and a proportionate share of all taxes and operating expenses of the
building.
10. SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company is primarily organized based on the geographic markets in which
it operates. Under this organizational structure, the Company currently has
three reportable segments: North America, United Kingdom and Europe. The
Company's reportable segments are managed separately because each geographic
market requires different marketing strategies and maintains separate local
offices and distribution centers.
Information about the Company's operations by segment is as follows
(in thousands):
Fiscal Year Ending
1999 1998 1997
Net sales:
North America $579,442 $503,202 $450,841
United Kingdom 76,900 33,552 15,459
Europe 5,514 - -
Total net sales $661,856 $536,754 $466,300
Operating income:
North America $113,831 $ 99,101 $ 85,950
United Kingdom 19,687 7,252 845
Europe 640 - -
Total operating income 134,158 106,353 86,795
Depreciation and amortization 21,878 18,002 16,182
Interest income, net (6,256) (4,902) (2,954)
Loss (gain)on investments 4,800 (2,099) -
Income from continuing
operations before income
taxes $113,736 $ 95,352 $ 73,567
Identifiable assets:
North America $205,423 $166,657 $147,603
United Kingdom 42,748 17,896 5,760
Europe 6,998 - -
Corporate 139,103 132,514 98,874
Total assets $394,272 $317,067 $252,237
Capital expenditures:
North America $ 34,632 $ 28,637 $ 19,228
United Kingdom 10,579 7,669 1,330
Europe - - -
$ 45,211 $ 36,306 $ 20,558
Identifiable assets are those assets that are identified with the operations
of each segment. Corporate assets consist mainly of cash and cash
equivalents, investments in affiliated companies and other assets.
11. ACQUISITIONS
In April 1998, the Company completed its acquisition of Lux, a closely held
specialty apparel chain operating under the name of "Mr. Rags," in a
stock-for-stock merger. The stores specialize in selling clothing and
accessories to the male teen market. In connection with the merger, the
Company issued 2,070,286 shares of common stock in exchange for all the
outstanding common stock of Lux. The merger has been accounted for as a
pooling of interests business combination. Accordingly, the accompanying
consolidated financial statements have been restated to include the accounts
of Lux as if the companies had combined at the beginning of the first period
presented. Prior to the merger, Lux's fiscal year ended on November 30. In
recording the business combination, Lux's prior year financial statements
have been restated to conform with the Company's fiscal year end. Net
sales and net income of the separate entities for the periods preceding the
merger are as follows (in thousands):
Three Months
Ended Fiscal Year Ended
May 2, 1998 1998 1997
(unaudited)
Net sales:
Claire's Stores, Inc. and
subsidiaries $ 123,775 $500,152 $440,184
Lux Corporation 9,187 36,602 26,116
Combined $ 132,962 $536,754 $466,300
Net income:
Claire's Stores, Inc. and
subsidiaries $ 9,584 $ 58,189 $ 45,130
Lux Corporation 357 1,406 802
Combined $ 9,941 $ 59,595 $ 45,932
In November 1998, the Company completed its acquisition of Bijoux One Trading
AG ("Bijoux"), a privately held 53-store fashion accessory chain. Bijoux,
headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company. The transaction has been accounted for as a purchase and,
accordingly, Bijoux's operations have been consolidated with the Company as of
November 1, 1998. The $9.4 million purchase price was comprised of cash and
the issuance of 100,000 shares of the Company's stock, valued at $1.9
million. Excess purchase price over fair market value of the underlying
assets was allocated to goodwill, which will be amortized over twenty-five
years. Operating results on a pro forma basis, including Bijoux as if the
purchase had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented, are not
disclosed due to immateriality.
12. DISCONTINUED OPERATION
In January 1999, the Company announced its decision to discontinue the
operations of Nikki, a wholly-owned subsidiary representing its catalog
segment. The operations of Nikki have been accounted for as a discontinued
operation in the Fiscal 1999 consolidated financial statements. Nikki had no
significant operations prior to Fiscal 1999. The Company is in the process of
liquidating Nikki's inventory and intends to sell or dispose of any remaining
assets during the first half of Fiscal 2000. Included in accrued expenses on
the accompanying balance sheet, is a $1,160,000 reserve to fund future
associated wind-down operations and costs. Nikki's net sales during Fiscal
1999 were $14,717,000.
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
In May 1996, the Company entered into an agreement (the "agreement") with the
former sole shareholder of one of the Company's subsidiaries. The agreement
provided the individual with the right to purchase up to 20% of the
outstanding shares, (the "shares") of the subsidiary at a specified price. As
part of the agreement, the Company has the right to serve on the individual an
offer notice to purchase such shares. The offer notice shall constitute an
irrevocable offer to purchase such shares at market value.
In February 1999, the individual exercised the right to purchase the shares
pursuant to the agreement and the Company served the individual with an offer
notice. The individual accepted the offer notice and in February 1999, the
Company paid $18,000,000 to the individual for the shares and recorded this
amount as goodwill.
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
Fiscal Year Ended January 30, 1999 (2)
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr Year
(In thousands except per share amounts)
Net sales $131,492 $148,482 $157,089 $224,793 $661,856
Gross profit 66,046 74,738 77,369 124,636 342,789
Income (loss) from:
Continuing operations 10,451 14,612 12,716 33,873 71,652
Discontinued operations (510) (1,881) (2,023) (4,958) (9,372)
Net income $ 9,941 $ 12,731 $ 10,693 $ 28,915 $ 62,280
Basic net income (loss)
per share from (1):
Continuing operations $ .21 $ .29 $ .25 $ .67 $ 1.41
Discontinued operations (.01) (.04) (.04) (.10) (.18)
Net income $ .20 $ .25 $ .21 $ .57 $ 1.23
Diluted net income (loss)
per share from (1):
Continuing operations $ .20 $ .29 $ .25 $ .66 $ 1.40
Discontinued operations (.01) (.04) (.04) (.10) (.18)
Net income $ .19 $ .25 $ .21 $ .57 $ 1.22
Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 1998 (2)
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr Year
(In thousands except per share amounts)
Net sales $114,381 $124,242 $124,622 $173,509 $536,754
Gross profit 56,406 62,849 62,515 96,871 278,641
Net income 8,614 10,792 11,387 28,802 59,595
Basic net income
per share(1) $ .17 $ .22 $ .23 $ .57 $ 1.19
Diluted net income
per share(1) $ .17 $ .21 $ .22 $ .56 $ 1.17
(1) In Fiscal 1998, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings per Share"
which established new guidelines for the calculation of earnings per
share. Basic earnings per share have been computed by dividing net
income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the
period. Diluted earnings per share have been computed assuming the
exercise of stock options, as well as their related income tax effects.
Earnings per share for all periods have been restated to reflect the
provisions of this Statement.
(2) Quarterly amounts for Fiscal 1999 and 1998 were adjusted to include the
operations of Lux for all periods prior to the acquisition.
Quarterly amounts for Fiscal 1999 were also reclassified to segregate
the effects of Nikki from continuing operations. Nikki had no
significant operations prior to Fiscal 1999.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
Inapplicable.
PART III
Items 10,11,12 and 13. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant;
Executive Compensation ; Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management; and Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
The information called for by Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 will be contained in the
Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later
than 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year covered by this
report pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) List of documents filed as part of this report.
Page No.
1. Financial Statements
Independent Auditors' Report 18
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 30, 1999 and
January 31, 1998 19
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
for the three fiscal years ended January 30, 1999 20
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders'
Equity for the three fiscal years ended January 30, 1999 21
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the three fiscal years ended January 30, 1999 22
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 23-33
2. Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules have been omitted since the required information is
included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto,
or the omitted schedules are not applicable.
3. Exhibits
(2)(a) Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 9, 1998 among
the Company, CSI Acquisition Corp., Lux Corporation, and David
Shih, Eva Shih, Daniel Shih, Douglas Shih, the Shih
Irrevocable Trust and Crestwood Partners LLC, as amended by
letter amendment dated March 23, 1998 and addendum thereto
dated March 24, 1998.
(2)(b) Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of November 11, 1998 between the
Company and Peter Bossert, an individual, for any and all
shares/Company contributions of: Bijoux One AG, Zurich, Switzerland,
Bijoux One Trading AG, Zurich, Switzerland, Bijoux One Trading
GesmbH, Brunn am Gebirge, Austria and Bosco GmbH, Stuttgart,
Germany (omitted schedules will be furnished supplementally to the
Commission upon request.
(3)(a) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Company's Annual
Report on form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 1992).
(3)(b) Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3
(Registration No. 333-58549 (the "Registration Statement")).
(3)(c) Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.3 to the Registration Statement).
(3)(d) Amended By-laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3(b) to the Company's Annual Report on form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended January 28, 1995).
(4)(a) Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 19, 1996 between the
Company and its subsidiaries and Bank Leumi Trust Company.
(10)(a) Incentive Stock Option Plan of the Company, as amended (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 1986).
(10)(b) Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan of the Company, as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 1986).
(10)(c) 1991 Stock Option Plan of the Company (incorporated by reference to
Appendix A to the Company's Proxy Statement relating to the 1991
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Commission File No. 1-8899).
(10)(d) 1996 Stock Option Plan of the Company (incorporated by reference to
Appendix A to the Company's Proxy Statement relating to the 1997
Annual meeting of stockholders, Commission File No. 1-8899).
(10)(e) 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10(e) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended February 1, 1992).
(10)(f) Office Lease Agreement dated September 8, 1989 between the Company
and Two Centrum Plaza Associates (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10(h) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended February 2, 1991).
(10)(g) Amendment of Office Lease Agreement dated July 31, 1990 between the
Company and Two Centrum Plaza Associates.
(10)(h) Addendum to Office Lease dated September 8, 1989 between the Company
and Two Centrum Plaza Associates (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10(j) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended February 2, 1991).
(10)(i) Second addendum to office lease dated January 30, 1997 between the
Company and Two Centrum Plaza Associates (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10(g) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended February 1, 1997).
(10)(j) Lease between Chancellory Commons I Limited Partnership and Claire's
Boutiques, Inc. dated August 31, 1990 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10(i) to the Company's Annual Report on form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended February 1, 1992).
(21) Subsidiaries of the Company.
(23) Consent of KPMG LLP relating to the Company's Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (registration No. 333-42027) and Form S-3
(registration No. 333-58549).
(27) Financial Data Schedule of the Company.
Each management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement to be
filed as an exhibit to this report pursuant to Item 14(c) is listed
in exhibits nos. 10(a), 10(b), 10(c), 10(d) and 10(e).
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CLAIRE'S STORES, INC.
By /S/Rowland Schaefer
Rowland Schaefer
President and Chairman
of the Board of Directors
April 29, 1999
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities indicated on April 8, 1999.
/S/ Rowland Schaefer President and
Rowland Schaefer Chairman of the Board of Directors
(Principal Executive Officer)
/S/ Marla Schaefer Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
Marla Schaefer
/S/ Eileen B. Schaefer Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
Eileen B. Schaefer
/S/ Ira D. Kaplan Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Ira D. Kaplan Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/S/ Harold E. Berritt Director
Harold E. Berritt
/S/ Irwin Kellner Director
Irwin Kellner
/S/ Bruce G. Miller Director
Bruce G. Miller
/S/ Sylvia Schaefer Director
Sylvia Schaefer
/S/ Steven Tishman Director
Steven Tishman
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CLAIRE'S STORES, INC.
By
Rowland Schaefer
President and Chairman
of the Board of Directors
April 29, 1999
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities indicated on April 8, 1999.
President and
Rowland Schaefer Chairman of the Board of Directors
(Principal Executive Officer)
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
Marla Schaefer
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
Eileen B. Schaefer
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Ira D. Kaplan Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Director
Harold E. Berritt
Director
Irwin Kellner
Director
Bruce G. Miller
Director
Sylvia Schaefer
Director
Steven Tishman