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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-Q

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended:      September 27, 2003

Commission File Number:     001-15023

THE YANKEE CANDLE COMPANY, INC.

16 YANKEE CANDLE WAY
SOUTH DEERFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 01373
(Address of principal executive office and zip code)

(413) 665-8306
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether 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 x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2). Yes x No o

The registrant had 50,851,518 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01, outstanding as of November 5, 2003.

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THE YANKEE CANDLE COMPANY, INC.

FORM 10-Q – Quarter Ended September 27, 2003

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains a number of forward-looking statements. Any statements contained herein, including without limitation statements to the effect that The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Yankee Candle”, the “Company”, “we”, and “us”) or its management “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans” and similar expressions, that relate to prospective events or developments should be considered forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. There are a number of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, those set forth below in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Future Operating Results.” We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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PART I. Financial Information

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

THE YANKEE CANDLE COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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THE YANKEE CANDLE COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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THE YANKEE CANDLE COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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THE YANKEE CANDLE COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“generally accepted accounting principles”). The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, in the opinion of management such information reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, cash flows and comprehensive income for such periods. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal years.

Certain information and disclosures normally included in the notes to consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 28, 2002 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

2. INVENTORIES

The components of inventory were as follows:

3. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate was 39.5% for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 and 39.0% for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. The Company provides for income taxes at the end of each interim period based on the estimated effective tax rate for a full fiscal year. Management re-evaluates the Company’s effective tax rate on a quarterly basis.

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4. EARNINGS PER SHARE

SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share,” requires two presentations of earnings per share, “basic” and “diluted.” Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders (the numerator) by the weighted- average number of common shares outstanding (the denominator) for the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share is similar to basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive common shares had been issued. There were no antidilutive securities for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003, 497 potential common shares which could dilute basic earnings per share in the future were excluded since their inclusion would have been antidilutive. There were no antidilutive securities for the thirteen or thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. The following summarizes the effects of the assumed issuance of dilutive securities on weighted-average shares.

5. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

The Company currently sponsors stock option plans. Prior to the third quarter 2003, the Company accounted for employee options or share awards under the intrinsic-value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” Pro forma disclosures of net earnings and earnings per share had been provided supplementally, as if the fair value method of accounting defined in SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation” had been applied. Effective September 27, 2003, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 using the prospective transition method. Under the prospective transition method, the Company has valued all stock option grants beginning with grants made in fiscal 2003. These will be expensed over the vesting period based on the fair value at the date of the grant. The adoption of the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation resulted in a charge of $427 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003. Approximately $100 of this charge related to the first six months of 2003.

Awards under the Company’s option plan vest, in general, over a four year period. Therefore, the cost related to stock-based employee compensation included in the determination of net income for all periods presented in this Form 10-Q is less than that which would have been recognized if the fair value based method had been applied to all awards since the original effective date of SFAS No. 123. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the fair value based method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested awards in each period.

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6. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income includes all changes in equity from non-stockholders’ sources during the period. It has two components: net income and other comprehensive income. Comprehensive income, net of related tax effects, is as follows:

7. STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

On May 9, 2003 the Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $100.0 million of Yankee Candle common stock. During the fiscal 2003 third quarter the Company repurchased a total of 2,727,800 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $63.9 million. From May 2003 through the end of the fiscal 2003 third quarter, the Company purchased a cumulative total of 3,153,900 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $73.8 million.

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8. SEGMENTS OF ENTERPRISE AND RELATED INFORMATION

The Company has segmented its operations in a manner that reflects how its chief operating decision-maker (the “CEO”) currently reviews the results of the Company and its subsidiaries’ businesses. The Company has two reportable segments - retail and wholesale. The identification of these segments results from management’s recognition that while the product sold is similar, the type of customer for the product and the service methods used to distribute the product are different.

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9. RESTRUCTURING RESERVE

A restructuring charge for $8.0 million was recorded in fiscal 2001 to record costs associated with the Company’s decision to consolidate and restructure distribution and manufacturing operations. The Company closed its Utah distribution facility and restructured its distribution and manufacturing work-force during 2001. Included in the restructuring charge were severance and other employee related costs, the non-cash write-down of non-recoverable leasehold improvements, fixture and equipment investments and estimated continuing occupancy expenses for abandoned facilities, net of anticipated sub-lease income. An analysis of the activity within the remaining restructuring reserve is as follows for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003:

During the second quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company was successful in subletting the facility for the remaining lease term. The future sublet income approximates that originally estimated by the Company; therefore the initial occupancy reserve remained unchanged after this sublet.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the 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. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to inventories, restructuring costs, bad debts, intangible assets, income taxes, debt service and contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about operating results and the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Management believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, involve its more significant estimates and judgments and are therefore particularly important to an understanding of our results of operations and financial position.

REVENUE / RECEIVABLES

We sell our products both directly to retail customers and through wholesale channels. Revenue from the sale of merchandise to retail customers is recognized at the time of sale, while revenue from wholesale customers is recognized when shipped and when risk of loss has transferred to the buyer. We believe that this is the time that persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue is recognized net of any applicable discounts and allowances. Customers, be they retail or wholesale, do have the right to return product to us in certain limited situations. Such rights of return do not preclude revenue recognition because we have a long history with such returns, which we use in constructing a reserve. This reserve, however, is subject to change. In addition to returns, we bear credit risk relative to our wholesale customers. We have provided a reserve for bad debts in our financial statements based on our estimates of the creditworthiness of our customers. However, this reserve is also subject to change. Changes in these reserves could affect our operating results and cash flows.

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INVENTORY

We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value less costs to sell, based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual future demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. Cost is based on standard costs estimated at the beginning of the year. Fluctuations in production quantities, wage rates and the cost of raw materials could impact the carrying value of our inventory. Accordingly, we periodically adjust the standard costs for variances attributable to these fluctuations. Changes in the carrying value of inventory could affect our operating results and cash flows.

In addition, our inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market on a last-in first-out (“LIFO”) basis. A LIFO reserve has been established and is recomputed on an annual basis. We make interim judgments about the anticipated year-end reserve on a quarterly basis. Changes in anticipated year-end inventory levels could affect our operating results.

TAXES

We have a significant deferred tax asset recorded on our financial statements. This asset arose at the time of our recapitalization in 1998 and is a future tax deduction for us. The recoverability of this future tax deduction is dependent upon our future profitability. We have made an assessment that this asset is likely to be recovered and is appropriately reflected on the balance sheet. Should we find that we are not able to utilize this deduction in the future, we would have to record a reserve for all or a part of this asset, which would adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.

VALUE OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS, INCLUDING INTANGIBLES

Long-lived assets on our balance sheet consist primarily of property, plant and equipment and trademarks. We periodically review the carrying value of all of these assets based, in part, upon current estimated market values, and our projections of anticipated future cash flows. We undertake this review when facts and circumstances suggest that cash flows emanating from those assets may be diminished. Any impairment charge that we record reduces our earnings. While we believe that our future estimates are reasonable, different assumptions regarding items such as future cash flows and the volatility inherent in markets which we serve could affect our evaluations and result in impairment charges against the carrying value of those assets.

CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING

Effective September 27, 2003, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123. Under the prospective transition method selected by the Company as described in SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of SFAS No. 123” all stock option grants beginning with grants made in fiscal 2003 will be expensed over the vesting period, based on the fair value at the date of the grant. We recorded a charge of approximately $0.4 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

We measure the performance of our retail and wholesale segments through a segment margin calculation, which specifically identifies not only gross profit on the sales of products through the two channels but also costs and expenses specifically related to each segment.

FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS

We have experienced, and may experience in the future, fluctuations in our quarterly operating results. There are numerous factors that can contribute to these fluctuations; however, the principal forseeable factors are seasonality and new store openings.

Seasonality. We have historically realized higher revenues and operating income in our fourth quarter, particularly in our retail business. We believe that this has been due primarily to the increase in the number of our retail stores and to increased sales in the giftware industry during the holiday season of our fourth quarter.

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New Store Openings. The timing of our new store openings may also have an impact on our quarterly results. First, we incur certain one-time expenses related to opening each new store. These expenses, which consist primarily of salaries, supplies and marketing costs, are expensed as incurred. Second, most store expenses vary proportionately with sales, but there is a fixed cost component. This typically results in lower store profitability when a new store opens because new stores generally have lower sales than mature stores. Due to both of these factors, during periods when new store openings as a percentage of the base are higher, operating profit may decline in dollars and/or as a percentage of sales. As the overall store base matures, the fixed cost component of selling expenses is spread over an increased level of sales, assuming sales increase as stores age, resulting in a decrease in selling and other expenses as a percentage of sales.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Thirteen and Thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 versus September 28, 2002

SALES

Sales increased 15.2% to $114.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 from $99.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002; and increased 13.1% to $303.6 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 from $268.5 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002.

Wholesale sales, including European operations, increased 18.1% to $62.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 from $53.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002; and increased 16.9% to $162.9 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 from $139.5 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. This growth was achieved primarily by increasing sales to existing customers and to a lesser extent by increasing the number of wholesale locations.

Retail sales increased 12.0% to $51.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 from $45.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2002; and increased 8.9% to $140.6 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 from $129.1 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. The increase in retail sales for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003, as compared to the prior year quarter, was due primarily to the addition of new stores opened in 2003 and to a lesser extent increased sales attributable to the 47 stores opened in 2002 (which in 2002 were open for less than a full year). The increase in retail sales for the thirty-nine week periods ended September 27, 2003, compared to prior year, was due primarily to increased sales attributable to the 47 stores opened in 2002 (which in 2002 were open for less than a full year), and to the addition of new stores opened in 2003. The increase for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 was partially offset by a decrease in retail comparable store and catalog and Internet sales. In addition, sales were unfavorably impacted for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 by the President’s Day (February 16-17) snowstorm which affected most of our store base in the Eastern half of the United States. Comparable store and catalog and Internet sales decreased 1.0% for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 as compared to the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002 and decreased 5.0% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 as compared to the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. Retail comparable store sales were flat for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 as compared to the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002 and decreased 5.0% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 as compared to the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2002. The primary factor for the decrease in retail comparable store sales was a decline in store traffic and mall traffic generally. Comparable store sales represent a comparison of the sales, during the corresponding fiscal periods of the two fiscal years compared, of the stores included in our comparable store sales base. A store first enters our comparable store sales base after completing 13 fiscal months of operation. There were 226 retail stores included in the comparable store base as of September 27, 2003. There were 282 retail stores open as of September 27, 2003 compared to 236 retail stores open as of September 28, 2002 and 239 retail stores open as of December 28, 2002.

GROSS PROFIT

Gross profit increased 18.5% to $64.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 from $54.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002; and increased 17.1% to $168.4 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 from $143.8 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. As a percentage of sales, gross profit increased to 56.3% for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 from 54.7% for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002; and increased to 55.0% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 from 53.6% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. The improvement in gross profit rate for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 compared to the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002 was primarily due to continued productivity improvements in supply chain operations, more efficient sourcing of non-manufactured product, the avoidance of deep discounting at our retail stores and to a lesser extent a continued focus on shrink improvement at the retail stores. The increase in gross profit dollars for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks

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ended September 27, 2003 compared to the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002 was primarily attributable to an increase in sales and to a lesser extent improved productivity in supply chain operations.

SELLING EXPENSES

Selling expenses increased 21.2% to $28.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 from $23.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002; and increased 19.1% to $80.2 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 from $67.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. These expenses are related to both wholesale and retail operations and consist of payroll, occupancy, advertising and other operating costs, as well as pre-opening costs, which are expensed as incurred. As a percentage of sales, selling expenses increased to 25.1% for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 from 23.9% for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002; and increased to 26.4% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 from 25.1% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. The increase in selling expenses in dollars and as a percentage of sales was primarily related to the continued growth in the number of retail stores, the effect of which is an increase in the weighting of immature stores. Immature stores are generally stores that are less than four years old. Immature stores typically generate higher selling expenses as a percentage of sales than stores that have been open for more than four years since fixed costs, as a percent of sales, are higher during the early sales maturation period. The increase in selling expense as a percentage of sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 is also explained by the decrease in retail comparable store sales since the fixed components of labor and occupancy do not decrease with negative comparable store sales.

SEGMENT PROFITABILITY

Segment profitability is sales less cost of goods sold and selling expenses. Segment profitability for our wholesale operations, including Europe, was $26.1 million, or 41.6% of wholesale sales for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 compared to $22.6 million or 42.4% of wholesale sales for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002. Segment profitability for our retail operations was $9.5 million, or 18.4% of retail sales, for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 compared to $8.0 million, or 17.4% of retail sales, for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002. The increase in wholesale segment profitability in dollars was primarily attributable to increased wholesale sales and improved productivity in supply chain operations. The decrease in wholesale segment profitability as a percentage of sales was primarily due to an increase in sales mix of non-candle products, which generally have lower margins than our candle products, offset in part by improved productivity in supply chain operations. The increase in retail segment profitability was primarily attributable to an increase in sales, improved productivity in supply chain operations, the avoidance of deep discounting at our retail stores and a decrease in shrink expense, offset in part by the impact of our most immature stores, the 2002 and 2003 store classes and a decrease in comparable store and catalog and Internet sales.

Segment profitability for our wholesale operations, including Europe, was $66.6 million, or 40.9% of wholesale sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 compared to $56.7 million or 40.6% of wholesale sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. Segment profitability for our retail operations was $21.6 million, or 15.3% of retail sales, for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 compared to $19.8 million, or 15.4% of retail sales, for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. The increase in wholesale segment profitability was primarily attributable to increased wholesale sales and improved productivity in supply chain operations. The increase in retail segment profitability in dollars was primarily attributable to an increase in sales, improved productivity in supply chain operations, the avoidance of deep discounting at our retail stores and a decrease in shrink expense, offset in part by a decrease in comparable store and catalog and Internet sales. The decrease in retail segment profitability as a percentage of sales was primarily due to the decrease in retail comparable store sales and the impact of our most immature stores, the 2002 and 2003 store classes, offset in part by improved productivity in supply chain operations.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

General and administrative expenses, which consist primarily of personnel-related costs incurred in support functions, increased 12.3% to $12.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 from $10.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002; and increased 12.0% to $36.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 from $32.4 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. As a percentage of sales, general and administrative expenses decreased to 10.6% for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 from 10.9% for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002; and was 12.0% for both the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 compared to September 28, 2002 was primarily attributable to $0.4 million of stock option expense with approximately $0.1 million of this charge related to the first six months of 2003, headcount additions in the latter part of 2002 and in 2003, expense associated with the fiscal 2003 bonus program and to a lesser extent increased insurance costs associated with the Company’s Directors and Officers insurance policy.

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The increase in general and administrative expenses for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 compared to September 28, 2002 was primarily attributable to consulting costs related to a strategic planning project that began in late February, headcount additions in the latter part of 2002 and in 2003, stock option accounting expense, and to a lesser extent increased insurance costs associated with the Company’s Directors and Officers insurance policy. The decrease in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 was primarily attributable to the Company’s leveraging of these expenses over a larger sales base and its continued focus on expense control.

Effective September 27, 2003, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123. Under the prospective transition method selected by the Company as described in SFAS 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of SFAS No. 123” all stock option grants beginning with grants made in fiscal 2003 will be expensed over the vesting period, based on the fair value at the date of the grant.

NET OTHER EXPENSE

Net other expense was $0.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003, compared to $1.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002; and $2.6 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003, compared to $3.6 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. The primary component of the expense in each of these periods was interest expense, which was $0.9 million in the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2003 compared to $1.3 million in the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2002; and $2.5 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 compared to $3.7 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002. Interest expense in the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 decreased compared to the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2002 primarily due to a reduction in the average daily debt outstanding.

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

The effective tax rate was 39.5% for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 and 39.0% for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2002. We are currently providing a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax asset for our international operations. As a result, it is anticipated that our effective tax rate for 2003 will be approximately 39.5%. We re-evaluate our effective tax rate on a quarterly basis.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash and cash equivalents at September 27, 2003 decreased by $34.8 million compared to December 28, 2002. This decrease was primarily attributable to seasonal increases in inventory and accounts receivable, net cash used in investing activities of $15.2 million, final payments of corporate income taxes for fiscal 2002 and principal payments on long term debt. Capital expenditures for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 were $15.2 million, primarily related to the capital requirements to open 45 new stores and investments in manufacturing and logistics operations. Net cash used in financing activities was $23.4 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 which primarily represents principal payments on long-term debt of $24.0 million and $73.8 million of payments for the redemption of common stock funded by $73.4 million of borrowings under the credit facility.

On May 9, 2003 we announced that our Board of Directors had approved a stock repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to $100.0 million of Yankee Candle common stock. During the fiscal 2003 third quarter we repurchased a total of 2,727,800 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $63.9 million. From May 2003 through the end of the fiscal 2003 third quarter, we purchased a cumulative total of 3,153,900 shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $73.8 million.

As of September 27, 2003, we were in compliance with all covenants under our credit facility. We currently have available borrowings under the revolving credit facility of $67.0 million. This facility will expire on July 7, 2004 and we have accordingly classified all our debt as current on our balance sheet. However, we are currently in negotiations for a new facility that should provide us with more than adequate liquidity for the future. We expect to have a new credit facility in place well before the current facility expires. See our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of the credit facility.

We opened 45 stores, closed two stores and converted three temporary outlet stores to permanent locations with multi-year leases during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 and we expect to open approximately 5 additional stores during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003. We expect to meet our cash requirements for these new store openings and all other corporate purposes through a combination of available cash, operating cash flow and borrowings under our credit facility.

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We expect that the principal sources of funding for our planned store openings and other working capital needs, capital expenditures, debt service obligations and stock repurchase program will be a combination of our available cash and cash equivalents, funds generated from operations, and borrowings under our credit facility. We believe that our current funds and sources of funds will be sufficient to fund our liquidity needs for at least the next 12 months. However, there are a number of factors that may negatively impact our available sources of funds. The amount of cash generated from operations will be dependent upon factors such as the successful execution of our business plan and worldwide economic conditions. In addition, borrowings under our credit facility are dependent upon our continued compliance with the financial and other covenants contained therein.

FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS

As referenced above, there are a number of factors that might cause our actual results to differ significantly from the results reflected by the forward-looking statements contained herein. In addition to factors generally affecting the political, economic and competitive conditions in the United States and abroad, such factors include those set forth below.

If we fail to grow our business as planned, our business could suffer and financial results could decline. As we grow it will be difficult to maintain our historical growth rates.

We intend to continue to pursue a business strategy of increasing sales and earnings by expanding our retail and wholesale operations both in the United States and internationally. Our current plans are to grow internally and not by acquisition, although from time to time we do consider possible acquisition candidates. In particular, our retail growth strategy depends in large part on our ability to open new stores in both existing and new geographic markets. Since our ability to implement our growth strategy successfully will be dependent in part on factors beyond our control, including consumer preferences and the competitive environment, we may not be able to achieve our planned growth or sustain our financial performance. Our ability to anticipate changes in the candle and giftware industries, and identify industry trends, will be critical factors in our ability to remain competitive.

We expect that, as we grow, it will become more difficult to maintain our historical growth rate, which could negatively impact our operating margins and results of operations. New stores typically generate lower operating margin contributions than mature stores because fixed costs, as a percentage of sales, are higher and because pre-opening costs are fully expensed in the year of opening. In addition, our retail sales generate lower margins than our wholesale sales. Our wholesale business has grown by increasing sales to existing customers and by adding new customers. If we are not able to continue this, our sales growth and profitability could be adversely affected. In addition, if we do not effectively manage our growth, we may experience problems such as the supply chain inefficiencies that occurred in 2000 due to overstaffing in our manufacturing and logistics operations. These inefficiencies were corrected in 2001 through a workforce reduction and the closing of our Salt Lake City distribution center, but resulted in a decline in our gross profit in the last quarter of 2000 and a restructuring charge of $8.0 million in 2001. We cannot assure you that we will continue to grow at a rate comparable to our historic growth rate or that our historic financial performance will continue as we grow.

We face significant competition in the giftware industry. This competition could cause our revenues or margins to fall short of expectations which could adversely affect our future operating results, financial condition and liquidity and our ability to continue to grow our business.

We compete generally for the disposable income of consumers with other producers in the giftware industry. The giftware industry is highly competitive with a large number of both large and small participants. Our products compete with other scented and unscented candle and personal care products and with other gifts within a comparable price range, like boxes of candy, flowers, wine, fine soap and related merchandise. Our retail stores compete with franchised candle store chains, specialty candle stores and gift and houseware retailers. Some of our competitors are part of large, diversified companies which have greater financial resources and a wider range of product offerings than we do. This competitive environment could adversely affect our future revenues and profits, financial condition and liquidity and our ability to continue to grow our business.

A material decline in consumers’ discretionary income could cause our sales and income to decline.

Our results depend on consumer spending, which is influenced by general economic conditions and the availability of discretionary income. Accordingly, we may experience declines in sales during economic downturns or during periods of uncertainty like that which followed the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States or which result

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from the threat of war or the possibility of further terrorist attacks. Any material decline in the amount of discretionary spending could have a material adverse effect on our sales and income.

Because we are not a diversified company and are effectively dependent upon one industry, we have less flexibility in reacting to unfavorable consumer trends, adverse economic conditions or business cycles.

We rely primarily on the sale of premium scented candles and related products in the giftware industry. In the event that sales of these products decline or do not meet our expectations, we cannot rely on the sales of other products to offset such a shortfall. As a significant portion of our expenses is comprised of fixed costs, such as lease payments, our ability to decrease expenses in response to adverse business conditions is limited in the short term. As a result, unfavorable consumer trends, adverse economic conditions or changes in the business cycle could have a material and adverse impact on our earnings.

If we lose our senior executive officers, our business could be disrupted and our financial performance could suffer.

Our success is substantially dependent upon the retention of our senior executive officers. If our senior executive officers become unable or unwilling to participate in our business, our future business and financial performance could be materially affected.

Many aspects of our manufacturing and distribution facilities are customized for our business; as a result, the loss of one of these facilities would disrupt our operations.

Approximately 76% of our sales in 2002 were generated by products we manufacture at our manufacturing facility in Whately, Massachusetts and we rely primarily on our distribution facilities in South Deerfield, Massachusetts to distribute our products. Because most of our machinery is designed or customized by us to manufacture our products, and because we have strict quality control standards for our products, the loss of our manufacturing facility, due to natural disaster or otherwise, would materially affect our operations. Similarly, our distribution facilities rely upon customized machinery, systems and operations, the loss of which would materially affect our operations. Although our manufacturing and distribution facilities are adequately insured, we believe it would take up to twelve months to resume operations at a level equivalent to current operations.

Seasonal, quarterly and other fluctuations in our business, and general industry and market conditions, could affect the market for our common stock.

Our sales and operating results vary from quarter to quarter. We have historically realized higher sales and operating income in our fourth quarter, particularly in our retail business, which accounts for a larger portion of our sales. We believe that this has been due primarily to an increase in giftware industry sales during the holiday season of the fourth quarter. As a result of this seasonality, we believe that quarter to quarter comparisons of our operating results are not necessarily meaningful and that these comparisons cannot be relied upon as indicators of future performance. In addition, we may also experience quarterly fluctuations in our sales and income depending on various factors, including, among other things, the number of new retail stores we open in a particular quarter, changes in the ordering patterns of our wholesale customers during a particular quarter, and the mix of products sold. Most of our operating expenses, such as rent expense, advertising and promotional expense and employee wages and salaries, do not vary directly with sales and are difficult to adjust in the short term. As a result, if sales for a particular quarter are below our expectations, we might not be able to proportionately reduce operating expenses for that quarter, and therefore a sales shortfall could have a disproportionate effect on our operating results for that quarter. Further, our comparable store sales from our retail business in a particular quarter could be adversely affected by competition, economic or other general conditions or our inability to execute a particular business strategy. As a result of these factors, we may report in the future sales, operating results or comparable store sales that do not match the expectations of market analysts and investors. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline. In addition, broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance.

Public health epidemics such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome may affect our operating results.

Approximately 12% of our sales in 2002 were generated by products, primarily accessories, that we purchased overseas. Substantially all of these products were purchased from East Asia. A sustained interruption of the operations of our suppliers, as a result of the impact of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or other similar health epidemics, could have an adverse effect on our ability to receive timely shipments of certain of our products and could result in scrutiny or embargoing of goods produced in infected areas.

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Provisions in our corporate documents and Massachusetts law could delay or prevent a change in control of Yankee Candle.

Our Articles of Organization and By-Laws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition involving Yankee Candle that our stockholders may consider favorable, by:

•		authorizing the issuance of preferred stock, the terms of which may be determined at the sole discretion of the board of directors,
•		providing for a classified board of directors, with staggered three-year terms, and
•		establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at meetings.

Massachusetts law may also discourage, delay or prevent someone from acquiring or merging with us.

We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our capital stock.

We have never paid a cash dividend on our common stock as a public company and we do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our results of operations, our financial condition, contractual and legal restrictions, and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Under the terms of our existing credit agreement (which is scheduled to expire on July 7, 2004), we may not declare or pay dividends on our common stock unless our ratio of consolidated total debt to consolidated EBITDA (as defined in our credit agreement) is less than or equal to 2:1 or our aggregate principal amount of loans and letters of credit outstanding is less than $100 million. Although we currently meet this requirement, we do not currently intend to pay dividends.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our market risks relate primarily to changes in interest rates. We bear this risk in our outstanding bank debt. At September 27, 2003, there was $110.0 million of bank debt outstanding, which consisted of $27.0 million in term loans and $83.0 million from our revolving credit facility. Because this bank debt carries a variable interest rate pegged to market indices, our results of operations and cash flows are exposed to changes in interest rates.

We buy a variety of raw materials for inclusion in our products. The only raw material that we consider to be of a commodity nature is wax. Wax is a petroleum-based product; however, its market price has not historically fluctuated with the movement of oil prices. Rather, over the past five years wax prices have moved with inflation.

At this point in time, our operations outside of the United States are immaterial. Accordingly, we are not exposed to substantial risks arising from foreign currency exchange rates.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of September 27, 2003. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of September 27, 2003, our disclosure controls and procedures were (1) designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to our chief executive officer and chief financial officer by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared and (2) effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance that information that we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 27, 2003 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Not Applicable

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not Applicable

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

Not Applicable

Item 5. Other Information

Not Applicable

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)

Exhibits

			Exhibit 31.1 Certification of Craig W. Rydin pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
			Exhibit 31.2 Certification of Robert R. Spellman pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
			Exhibit 32.1 Certification of Craig W. Rydin pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
			Exhibit 32.2 Certification of Robert R. Spellman pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b)

Reports on Form 8-K

			The Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 22, 2003 pursuant to which it furnished, under Items 7 and 9, its earnings release for the period ended June 28, 2002.
			The Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 3, 2003 pursuant to which it disclosed under Item 5 certain information relating to its Registration Statement on Form S-3 and filed under Item 7 the Underwriting Agreement relating to such Registration Statement.

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SIGNATURES

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

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