Back to GetFilings.com

Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

Commission file number 33-66342

COLE NATIONAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act: None

The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this form in the reduced disclosure format.

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. X YES      NO

All of the outstanding capital stock of the registrant is held by Cole National Corporation.

As of March 29, 2002, 1,100 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding.

Documents incorporated by reference: None

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

PART I

Item 1. Business

General

         Cole National Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Cole National Corporation, was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in July 1993 as a successor to companies that began operations approximately 60 years ago. Cole National Group is a leading provider of vision care products and services, managed vision care programs and personalized gifts with 2,917 retail locations in 50 states, Canada and the Caribbean. References herein to the “Company” include Cole National Group, its direct and indirect subsidiaries, and its predecessor companies. The Company’s retail vision locations do business primarily under the names “Pearle Vision”, “Sears Optical”, “Target Optical” and “BJ’s Optical” and its managed vision care programs are offered primarily through Cole Managed Vision. Collectively these businesses are referred to herein as “Cole Vision.” Personalized gifts are offered through retail locations, e-commerce and catalogs by Things Remembered. The Company believes that, based on industry data, it is one of the largest retail optical companies in the world and operates the only nationwide chain of personalized gift stores. The Company differentiates itself from other specialty retailers by providing value-added services at the point of sale at all of its retail locations.

Cole Vision

         Cole Vision contributed 75% of the Company’s net revenue in fiscal 2001 with 2,143 company-owned and franchised retail locations throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean as of February 2, 2002. The Cole Managed Vision programs provide vision care benefits to participants through access to a network of company-owned, franchised and third-party optical locations.

Cole Licensed Brands

         Cole Licensed Brands operates principally under the “Sears Optical”, “Target Optical” and “BJ’s Optical” names. As of February 2, 2002, Cole Licensed Brands operated 1,280 retail locations in 47 states and Canada, including 816 departments on the premises of Sears department stores, 124 freestanding Sears Optical stores, 116 departments in BJ’s Wholesale Club stores, and 224 departments in Target stores. Retail locations are generally operated under a lease or license arrangement through which the host store collects the sales receipts, retains an agreed upon percentage of sales and remits the remainder on a weekly or monthly basis.

         Locations are, in most cases, retail eyecare stores offering brand name and private label prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses and accessories, which make available services of a doctor of optometry who performs complete eye examinations and prescribes eyeglasses and contact lenses. Most optical departments, which are typically 1,000 square feet in size, operate with a department manager and support staff of one to seven associates depending on store sales volume. In a majority of the stores, eye examination services are available from independent doctors of optometry, as is often required by state law, with the remainder being employed by Cole Licensed Brands.

         Each of the United States retail locations is computer linked to six centralized laboratory facilities, which grind, cut and fit lenses to order and ship them to the stores. The Canadian retail locations are served by a centralized laboratory located near Toronto. Next day delivery is provided on most eyewear when requested by customers. All of the frames and most lenses used in eyeglasses are purchased from outside suppliers, both in the United States and several foreign countries.

         A variety of marketing and promotional efforts, primarily host advertising, newspaper, direct mail, magazines and yellow pages are used to build and maintain the customer base for each of the Cole Licensed Brands stores. Host advertising includes the placement of promotional material within sales circulars or credit card billings sent out by the host store to its customers.

         The Company believes it has developed excellent relationships with the host stores in which Cole Licensed Brands operates. The Company has maintained its relationships in the optical business with Sears for over 40 years. Although leases and licenses with major hosts are terminable upon relatively short notice, Cole Licensed Brands has never had a lease terminated other than in connection with a store closing, relocation or major remodeling.

Pearle

         At February 2, 2002, Pearle’s operations consisted of 423 company-owned and 440 franchised stores located in 45 states, Canada, and the Caribbean. Most Pearle stores operate in either an “Express” or “Mainline” store format. Express stores contain a full surfacing lab that can produce most glasses in approximately one hour. Mainline stores can produce over 50% of

1

Table of Contents

prescriptions on-site in approximately one hour. Other prescriptions are sent to Pearle’s central laboratory in Dallas. At February 2, 2002, 275 of the company-owned stores and 129 of the franchised stores were Express, with the balance being Mainline.

         The Express stores typically are located in high traffic freestanding, strip centers and mall locations with most stores averaging 3,000 square feet. The Express stores are usually staffed with a manager and a support staff of four to eight associates. Mainline stores have an average size of 1,700 square feet and are also located in freestanding buildings, or in smaller strip or regional centers. Mainline stores are usually staffed with a manager and two to three associates. Most Pearle stores make exams available by on site doctors of optometry with approximately 80% leasing space from Pearle on an independent basis with most of the remaining being direct employees of Pearle. In California, eye exams are provided by doctors of optometry employed by Pearle Vision Care, Inc. a licensed health care service plan.

         Pearle’s marketing strategy employs a wide range of media at both the national and local levels. The franchised and company-owned stores each contribute a percentage of revenues to Pearle’s marketing budget with a significant amount of Pearle’s marketing expenditures devoted to television. Pearle’s brand positioning of high quality eyecare products and services has been reinforced by an advertising and promotions program, which includes Pearle’s long standing advertising slogan: “Nobody Cares for Eyes More Than Pearle”.

         Pearle operates a central lab and distribution center in Dallas that inventories and distributes a comprehensive product line, including frames, eyeglass lenses, contact lenses, optical supplies and eyewear accessories to company-owned and franchised locations.

         Pearle has maintained a franchise program since 1980. Most of the franchised stores are single store franchise operations, with no franchisee operating more than ten stores. Each franchisee is required to enter into a franchise agreement requiring payment of an initial franchise fee. The term of the typical franchise agreement is equal to the lesser of ten years or the term of the underlying base lease. Royalty and advertising contributions typically have been based on a percentage of the franchisee’s gross revenues from the retail operation, excluding nonsurgical professional fees and third party revenues. The total monthly advertising contribution is distributed to Pearle’s system-wide advertising fund and the local co-op market advertising fund. Franchisees are generally eligible to participate in Cole Vision’s managed vision care programs. In fiscal 2001, 27 new franchise locations were opened.

Cole Managed Vision

         Cole Vision’s managed vision care programs provide comprehensive eyecare benefits primarily marketed directly to large employers, HMOs and other organizations. Its Vision One discount program gives plan sponsors the opportunity to offer their members a group discount at locations within Cole’s managed vision care network with minimal direct cost to the plan sponsor. It also offers enhanced programs to plan sponsors to provide their members with prepaid eye examinations, as well as pricing discounts or funded materials benefits.

         Cole Managed Vision offers multiple provider panels to its clients, including a network of more than 20,000 providers. Managed vision care programs generated approximately 37% of Cole Vision’s revenues in fiscal 2001.

Things Remembered

         Things Remembered contributed 25% of the Company’s net revenue in fiscal 2001. As of February 2, 2002, Things Remembered operated 774 stores and kiosks generally located in large, enclosed shopping malls located in 46 states. Each location carries a wide assortment of engravable items and provides “while you shop” personalization services for any occasion including holiday, wedding, business recognition and other special occasion gift events. Engraving is offered for items purchased at the store as well as for items purchased elsewhere. Customers can also access Things Remembered’s broad gift assortment through its catalogs (1-800-274-7367) and its e-commerce site, www.thingsremembered.com.

         Merchandise sold at Things Remembered stores and through the catalog and internet consists of a broad selection of moderately priced gift categories and items at prices generally ranging from $15 to $150. The gift offerings include writing instruments, clocks, music boxes, picture frames and albums, executive desk sets and accessories, engravable jewelry, glassware, lighters, keys and key rings, door knockers and Christmas ornaments. Things Remembered features brand name merchandise as well as higher margin private label merchandise. At some locations computer-controlled embroidery equipment is utilized for the personalization of merchandise, such as throws, pillows, polo shirts, bathrobes, jackets, baby apparel and baby blankets. These softgoods are also available in most of Things Remembered’s other locations with personalization services provided from a central fulfillment facility.

2

Table of Contents

         At February 2, 2002, Things Remembered locations consisted of 456 stores and 318 kiosks. The typical store consists of about 1,300 square feet, while kiosks, which are units generally located in the center of the common mall area, are typically 200 square feet in size.

         Things Remembered locations are usually operated by one or two employees during nonpeak periods and up to 15 employees during the peak Christmas season. Locations typically employ a store manager on a full-time basis, an assistant store manager on a full or part-time basis and the balance of employees are part-time sales associates.

         Nearly all locations are equipped with computerized engravers and key duplicating machines. Most stores also have equipment for etching glassware items. All locations are equipped with point-of-sale terminals.

         Most of Things Remembered’s store merchandise is shipped through its centralized warehouse and distribution facility located near Youngstown, Ohio. The warehouse utilizes a computerized carousel system to automate the process of locating merchandise needed to fulfill store orders. Systems and support are also provided to handle e-commerce, catalog and direct mail fulfillment.

Purchasing

         The merchandise, supplies and component parts required for the various products sold by the Company are purchased from a large number of suppliers and manufacturers and are generally readily available. In most cases, such purchases are not made under long-term contracts. The Company believes that the loss of any one supplier or manufacturer would not have a material adverse effect on its operations.

Competition

         The Company operates in highly competitive businesses. Cole Vision competes with other optical companies, private ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians and HMOs and other managed vision care companies in a highly fragmented marketplace on the basis of the service it provides, as well as price and product quality. In addition, Pearle competes on the basis of its highly recognized brand name and one-hour express service. The Company believes that, based on industry data, Cole Vision is one of the largest optical retail companies in the world. Although Things Remembered operates the only nationwide chain of gift stores offering “while you shop” gift engraving, key duplicating, glass etching and monogramming, as well as related merchandise, it competes with many other retailers that sell gift items. Things Remembered competes with such other retailers primarily on the basis of the value-added point of sale services, as well as price and product quality. Some competitors have greater financial resources than the Company.

Employees

         As of February 2, 2002, the Company and its subsidiaries had approximately 9,600 full-time employees. This full-time work force is supplemented by 7,400 part-time and seasonal employees. Approximately 140 Pearle employees are represented by labor unions. The Company considers its present labor relations to be satisfactory.

Segment Information

         Information for the Company’s two reportable segments and geographical information are contained in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 2. Properties

         The Company leases its executive offices in Mayfield Heights, Ohio.

         In January 2001, the Company completed a third party sale and leaseback of its office facility in Twinsburg, Ohio, which comprises approximately 175,000 square feet of space. The lease expires in 2019 and includes two options to renew for ten-year terms. Cole Vision’s home office functions are located in this facility.

         All Cole Licensed Brands retail locations are leased or operated under a license with the host store, and none of the individual retail locations is material to operations. Leases for departments operated in Sears, Target and BJ’s Wholesale Club stores are terminable upon relatively short notice. Freestanding stores operated under the name “Sears Optical” are leased for five year terms.

3

Table of Contents

         Cole Licensed Brands leases six optical laboratory facilities, located in Columbus, Ohio; Knoxville, Tennessee (two); Memphis, Tennessee; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Richmond, Virginia, pursuant to leases expiring (including renewal options) between 2005 and 2017.

         Pearle leases most of their retail stores under noncancelable operating leases with terms generally ranging from five to ten years and which generally contain renewal options for additional periods. Pearle is the principal lessee on a majority of stores operated by franchisees who sublease the facilities from Pearle.

         In January 2002, Pearle completed a sale and leaseback of its Dallas Support Center, which comprises approximately 129,000 square feet of laboratory and distribution facilities. The lease expires in 2017 and includes four options to renew for five-year terms. An adjoining office facility no longer used for operations was sold in April 2001. Pearle also owns a small headquarters and laboratory in Puerto Rico.

         Cole Vision also leases a home office, an optical laboratory and a distribution facility, near Toronto, Ontario for its Canadian operations pursuant to leases expiring in 2004.

         Leases for Things Remembered stores and kiosks are generally for terms of ten and five years, respectively. Things Remembered’s home office functions are located in a 50,000 square foot leased facility in Highland Heights, Ohio. The lease expires (including renewal options) in 2007. Things Remembered leases its 210,000 square foot warehouse and distribution facility located near Youngstown, Ohio. The lease expires in 2013 and includes three options to renew for five-year terms.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

         From time to time during the ordinary course of business, the Company is threatened with, or may become a party to a variety of legal actions and other proceedings incidental to its business.

         A complaint was filed on February 14, 2002 in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego against Cole National Corporation, its affiliates and certain of its officers by the Attorney General of the State of California. An amended complaint was filed on February 22, 2002. The case, captioned State of California v. Cole National Corporation, Cole National Group, Inc., Cole Vision Corporation, Cole Vision Services, Inc., Pearle, Inc., Pearle Vision, Inc., Pearle Visioncare, Inc., Stanley Pearle, Jeffrey Cole, Peggy Deal, Joseph Gaglioti, Steven Holden, Dennis Osgood, Larry Pollock, David Sherriff and David Stefko, Case No. GIC783135, alleges claims for various statutory violations related to the operation of 24 Pearle Vision Centers in California. The claims include untrue or misleading advertising, illegal dilation fees, unlawful advertising of eye exams, maintaining an optometrist on or near the premises by a registered dispensing optometrist, unlawful advertising of an optometrist, unlicensed practice of optometry, and illegal relationships between dispensing opticians, optical retailers and optometrists. The action seeks unspecified damages, restitution and injunctive relief.

         The case is in its very early stages. The Company intends to defend the suit vigorously and believes it is in compliance with California law. The Company believes that the outcome of the suit will not be material to the Company.

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

         Information required by this item has been omitted pursuant to General Instruction I of Form 10-K.

4

Table of Contents

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

         The Registrant is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cole National Corporation and has no equity securities that trade.

         The covenants in certain debt instruments to which the Company and certain of its subsidiaries are parties restrict the ability of the Company and such subsidiaries to make distributions to Cole National Corporation or the Company, respectively. A credit facility to which the Company and its subsidiaries are parties permits payment of dividends by the Company’s subsidiaries to the Company annually of up to $8.0 million plus 0.25% of the net annual sales of the Company’s subsidiaries to meet expenses of the Company or Cole National Corporation, together with amounts necessary to pay principal and interest on the Company’s 8-5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 and 9-7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 and to meet tax obligations. In addition, dividends of up to $30.0 million are permitted to repurchase the 8-5/8% notes and/or 9-7/8% notes.

         So long as no default or event of default has occurred under the indentures relating to the 8-5/8% notes and/or the 9-7/8% notes and the Company has met a specified fixed charge coverage ratio test, payments of dividends to Cole National Corporation of amounts contributed by Cole National Corporation to the equity of the Company subsequent to September 30, 1993, plus up to one-half of the consolidated net income of the Company since October 31, 1993 are permitted. No dividends were paid during 2001, 2000 or 1999.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

         Information required by this item has been omitted pursuant to General Instruction I of Form 10-K.

5

Table of Contents

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

         Certain information required by this item has been omitted pursuant to General Instruction I of Form 10-K.

         Fiscal years end on the Saturday closest to January 31 and are identified according to the calendar year in which they begin. For example, the fiscal year ended February 2, 2002 is referred to as “fiscal 2001.” Fiscal 2001 and fiscal 1999 each consisted of a 52-week period, and fiscal 2000 consisted of a 53-week period.

         The Company has two reportable segments: Cole Vision, which accounted for 75% of total revenue in fiscal 2001, and Things Remembered, which accounted for 25% of total revenue in fiscal 2001. Most of Cole Vision’s revenue represents sales of prescription eyewear, accessories and services through its Cole Licensed Brands and Pearle retail locations. Cole Vision’s revenue also includes sales of merchandise to franchisees, royalties based on franchise sales, interest income on franchise notes receivable, initial franchise fees and fees from managed vision care programs. Things Remembered’s revenue represents sales of engravable gift merchandise and personalization and other services primarily through retail stores and kiosks. See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of reportable segments.

6

Table of Contents

Results of Operations

         The following is a discussion of the results of continuing operations for the three fiscal years ended February 2, 2002. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. The following table sets forth certain operating information for each period (dollars in millions):

7

Table of Contents

Fiscal 2001 Compared to Fiscal 2000

         The increase in net revenue for fiscal 2001 was attributable to increases in consolidated comparable store sales, the Target Optical expansion, growth in managed vision care revenue and increases in direct channel revenues (both catalog and Internet) at Things Remembered. These increases were partially offset by one less week of revenue in fiscal 2001. The 53rd week in fiscal 2000 provided approximately $18.5 million in revenue.

         At Cole Licensed Brands, the comparable store sales increased by 3.8% primarily reflecting an increase in the average spectacle selling price. At Pearle company-owned stores, the comparable store sales increased 2.6% reflecting an increase in average transaction selling price for the first nine months and an increase in the number of transactions for the fourth quarter. The increase in average transaction selling price was due, in part, to not repeating a “50% off frame” promotion that ran during the entire first quarter of fiscal 2000. At Things Remembered, the comparable store sales decline was attributable to the general slowdown in mall traffic which worsened following the events of September 11 and from not repeating February 2000’s aggressive merchandise clearance promotion. However, the average transaction selling price increased as a result of sales of new merchandise at higher average unit retails, more personalization and less promotion.

         The gross margin dollar increase in fiscal 2001 resulted from increased net revenue at Cole Vision and improvements in gross margin rate at Things Remembered. The gross margin rate at Cole Vision was flat compared to the prior year, inclusive of a 0.7 percentage point decline in the second half of fiscal 2001 primarily because more customers selected merchandise from Cole Licensed Brand’s new, higher cost frame assortment at Sears. Higher revenue from managed vision care partially offset the impact of the decline in frame margins in fiscal 2001. The offset equaled 0.3% of the gross margin rate. At Things Remembered, the gross margin rate improved 0.5 percentage points compared to the prior year reflecting the improvement in average selling price and less inventory shrinkage.

         Operating expenses as a percentage of net revenue were flat with fiscal 2000. The dollar increase in operating expenses was primarily due to higher store payroll, store occupancy and other store costs incurred to support the increases in revenues and the Target Optical expansion. The Company opened 107 new Target Optical stores during fiscal 2001. Operating margin improvements from non-store overhead expenses and reduced advertising expenditures were offset by the negative operating margin impact of fixed payroll and occupancy costs due to lower sales volume following September 11. In fiscal 2000, operating expenses also included a $1.8 million first quarter severance charge in connection with a personnel reduction at Cole Vision.

         In fiscal 2001, the Company’s operating income improved 6.7% from $34.1 million to $36.4 million while maintaining expense ratios despite one less week of sales, the absorption of increased losses from the continued expansion of Target Optical and the third quarter decrease in operating expense leverage attributable to the modest growth in net revenues following September 11. The losses associated with the Target Optical expansion are expected to decline as older stores ramp up to profitability, as a result of the new focus on opening only in Super Target stores and with a switch from fixed to percentage rent. The average time to store level profitability is also expected to reduce.

         Interest and other (income) expense, net, decreased $1.9 million in fiscal 2001. Contributing factors included one less week of interest expense, no seasonal borrowing during fiscal 2001 and higher interest income from increased temporary cash investments and a $0.7 million gain from the sale of a Dallas office facility no longer needed for Pearle’s operations.

         The effective income tax rate was 53.0% in fiscal 2001 compared to 69.8% in fiscal 2000. The effective rates are significantly above the statutory rate because of the impact of nondeductible goodwill. The decrease in the rate for fiscal 2001 versus fiscal 2000 was primarily a result of the increase in pretax income. A more complete discussion of income taxes is included in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fiscal 2000 Compared to Fiscal 1999

         The increase in net revenue for fiscal 2000 was primarily attributable to increases in consolidated comparable store sales, the 53rd week, revenue associated with the MetLife vision care business acquired in October 1999 and the Target Optical expansion. These increases were partially offset by the closing of poor performing stores at Pearle and Things Remembered and the closing of 150 optical departments at Montgomery Ward in December 1999. See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the closing of the Montgomery Ward departments.

         At Cole Licensed Brands and Pearle company-owned stores, the comparable store sales increases primarily reflected increases in the average selling price. The number of transactions at Cole Licensed Brands was even with last year. At Pearle company-owned stores, the average transaction increase was partially offset by a decrease in the number of transactions during the first half of the year. At Things Remembered, the comparable store sales increase reflected an increase in sales of new merchandise at higher average unit retails.

8

Table of Contents

         The gross margin dollar increase was attributable to the revenue increase at Pearle and Things Remembered, the additional revenue associated with the MetLife vision care business and an improvement in gross margin as a percentage of net revenue. The improvement in the gross margin rate was primarily the result of higher average selling prices in the optical businesses. Other factors in the improvement were additional MetLife vision care revenues, resolution of problems experienced during 1999’s integration of new manufacturing and merchandise/inventory management systems at Pearle and 1999’s inventory write-off due to the closing of the Ward Optical departments. At Cole Vision, the gross margin rate improved 2.5 percentage points in fiscal 2000 compared to fiscal 1999. The gross margin rate at Things Remembered decreased 0.3 percentage points to fiscal 1999 reflecting the impact of an aggressive merchandise clearance promotion in the first quarter of fiscal 2000.

         The fiscal 2000 operating expense increase was due primarily to increases in staffing for improved service levels in the optical businesses, increases in expenses associated with the 53rd week and the Target Optical expansion, increases in managed vision care costs (primarily associated with the MetLife vision care business) and increases in incentive bonus expense due to improved performance at Cole Vision. As a percentage of net revenue, operating expenses lost leverage in fiscal 2000 because payroll costs increased 2.0 percentage points compared to a year ago for the reasons discussed above. A decline in comparable store sales at Pearle company-owned stores during the first six months of fiscal 2000 and a $1.8 million first quarter 2000 charge for severance costs recorded in connection with a personnel reduction at Cole Vision also impacted the comparison.

         Operating income in fiscal 2000 was slightly below fiscal 1999 reflecting improved operating results at both Cole Vision and Things Remembered offset by increased Corporate expenses and the first quarter severance costs. The operating income at Cole Vision improved despite absorbing increased losses associated with the Target Optical start up and store opening program.

         Interest and other (income) expense, net, increased in fiscal 2000 compared to fiscal 1999 because of increased interest expense from the 53rd week, seasonal borrowing and less income from reduced temporary cash investments.

         The effective income tax rate was 69.8% in fiscal 2000 compared to 47.4% in fiscal 1999. The rates reflect the significant impact of nondeductible goodwill in both years. In fiscal 2000, the increase in rate was primarily a result of the lower pretax income.

Significant Accounting Policies

         Management relies on the use of estimates and makes assumptions that impact the Company’s financial position and results of operations. These estimates are based on historical results and trends as well as our forecasts as to how these might change in the future. A more complete discussion of the Company’s accounting policies is included in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Some of the most critical accounting policies that might materially impact the Company’s results include:

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – Most of the Company’s accounts and notes receivable are due from Licensed Brands’ host stores, managed vision care accounts and Pearle franchisees. Estimates are used in determining the Company’s allowance for bad debts and are based on historical experience, current trends, credit policy and a percentage of accounts receivable by aging category.

Reserve for Excess and Obsolete Inventory – Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value and have been reduced by a reserve for excess and obsolete inventories. The estimated reserve is based on management’s review of inventories on hand compared to estimated future usage and sales. Factors considered include inventory age, condition and whether reorder of the product has been or is about to be discontinued.

Valuation of Systems Development Costs and Software – Systems development costs and software are amortized over the useful life of the software. Useful lives are based on management’s estimates of the period the software will be in service. These assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the software’s future usefulness has been adversely impacted.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets – Property and equipment, goodwill and other intangibles are amortized over their useful lives. Useful lives are based on management’s estimates of the period that the assets will generate revenue. These assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company is subject to financial statement risk to the extent goodwill and tradenames become impaired. A discussion of the fiscal 2002 impact of a change in accounting required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) that will affect the Company’s accounting for goodwill and tradenames is included in “New Accounting Pronouncements” below.

9

Table of Contents

Valuation of Deferred Income Taxes – Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Management regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and establishes a valuation allowance for tax assets based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. In determining the valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets, management estimates taxable income into the future. Future taxable income could be materially different from amounts estimated, in which case the valuation allowance and future net income would need to be adjusted.

New Accounting Pronouncements

         In June 2001, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS 142). This statement requires that goodwill and certain intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives will no longer be amortized, but instead, will be subject to annual reviews for impairment. The Company will apply these rules in accounting for its goodwill and tradenames beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. The Company is in the process of quantifying the impact of adopting each of the provisions of SFAS 142.

         Amortization of goodwill and tradenames totaled $5.8 million in fiscal 2001. A substantial portion of the goodwill amortization is nondeductible for tax purposes. Upon adoption of SFAS 142, the Company expects to stop amortizing goodwill and tradenames which would have the effect of increasing net income and reducing the Company’s annual effective tax rate.

         The FASB has also issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, “Business Combinations” (SFAS 141), No. 143 “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (SFAS 143) and No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (SFAS 144). SFAS 141 changes the accounting for business combinations by, among other things, prohibiting the use of the pooling of interests method. SFAS 143 provides guidance for legal obligations arising from the retirement of long-lived assets. SFAS 144 addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. None of these standards is expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or operations.

Forward-Looking Information

         The Company’s management expects its continued emphasis on becoming better retailers to have an ongoing positive impact on the Company’s results in fiscal 2002, enabling the Company to continue the earnings turnaround that began with the fourth quarter 2000. Management estimates that net income could increase approximately 15% to 20% in fiscal 2002 from fiscal 2001 with fiscal 2001 adjusted for the pro forma impacts of SFAS 142 and fiscal 2002’s estimated annual effective tax rate of 40%. Achieving these results assumes, among other things, that the current economic environment does not worsen.

         Certain sections of this Annual Report Form 10-K, including this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those forecast due to a variety of factors that can adversely affect operating results, liquidity and financial condition, such as risks associated with the timing and achievement of improvements in the operations of the optical business, the nature and extent of disruptions of the economy from terrorist activities and from governmental and consumer responses to such acts, the success of new store openings and the rate at which new stores achieve profitability, the Company’s relationships with host stores and franchisees, the Company’s ability to select, stock and price merchandise attractive to customers, success of systems development and integration, competition and regulation in the optical industry, integration of acquired businesses, economic, political and weather factors affecting consumer spending, operating factors affecting customer satisfaction, including manufacturing quality of optical and engraved goods, the mix of goods sold, pricing and other competitive factors, the seasonality of the Company’s business and the actual effect of implementation of new accounting standards. Forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company. All forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty.

Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

         The Company’s major market risk exposure is to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which could impact its results of operations and financial condition. Foreign exchange risk arises from the Company’s exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates because the Company’s reporting currency is the United States dollar. Management seeks to minimize the exposure to foreign currency fluctuations through natural internal offsets to the fullest extent possible.

10

Table of Contents

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

         Information required by this item appears on pages F-1 through F-22 of this Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference. Other financial statements and schedules are filed herewith as “Financial Statement Schedules” pursuant to Item 14.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

         Arthur Andersen LLP has been the independent auditor of the Company, and the Company presently intends to utilize Arthur Andersen LLP in the review of its quarterly results during the fiscal year ending February 1, 2003.

         However, in light of the current environment, the Audit Committee has met with senior management of Arthur Andersen LLP and is closely monitoring the evolving events. The Audit Committee has taken appropriate contingency planning steps to interview and evaluate other independent auditors in the event that the Audit Committee exercises its right to change independent auditors.

PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

         Information required by this item has been omitted pursuant to General Instruction I of Form 10-K.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

         Information required by this item has been omitted pursuant to General Instruction I of Form 10-K.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

         Information required by this item has been omitted pursuant to General Instruction I of Form 10-K.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

         Information required by this item has been omitted pursuant to General Instruction I of Form 10-K.

11

Table of Contents

PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

Supplemental information to be furnished with reports filed pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act by Registrants which have not registered securities pursuant to Section 12 of the Act.

         No annual report or proxy statement covering Cole National Group’s last fiscal year has been or will be circulated to security holders.

12

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of section 13 or 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.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

*     The undersigned, by signing his name hereto, does sign and execute this report on Form 10-K pursuant to the Powers of Attorney executed by the above-named officers and directors of Cole National Group, Inc. and which are being filed herewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of such officers and directors.

13

Table of Contents

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES

All financial statement schedules not included have been omitted because they are not applicable or because the required information is otherwise furnished.

F-1

Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To the Board of Directors of Cole National Group, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cole National Group, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and Subsidiaries as of February 2, 2002 and February 3, 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and stockholder’s equity and comprehensive income for each of the three years in the period ended February 2, 2002. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cole National Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of February 2, 2002 and February 3, 2001, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 2, 2002 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Cleveland, Ohio,
March 19, 2002.

F-2

Table of Contents

COLE NATIONAL GROUP, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)

         The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.

F-3

Table of Contents

COLE NATIONAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands)

         The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

F-4

Table of Contents

COLE NATIONAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)

         The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

F-5

Table of Contents

COLE NATIONAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands )