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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - SEARS HOMETOWN & OUTLET STORES, INC.sho02032018-10kxex321.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - SEARS HOMETOWN & OUTLET STORES, INC.sho02032018-10kxex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - SEARS HOMETOWN & OUTLET STORES, INC.sho02032018-10kxex311.htm
EX-24 - EXHIBIT 24 - SEARS HOMETOWN & OUTLET STORES, INC.sho02032018-10kxex24.htm
EX-23 - EXHIBIT 23 - SEARS HOMETOWN & OUTLET STORES, INC.sho02032018-10kxex23.htm
EX-21 - EXHIBIT 21 - SEARS HOMETOWN & OUTLET STORES, INC.sho02032018-10kxex21.htm
EX-10.44 - EXHIBIT 10.44 - SEARS HOMETOWN & OUTLET STORES, INC.sho02032018-10kxex1044.htm
EX-10.23 - EXHIBIT 10.23 - SEARS HOMETOWN & OUTLET STORES, INC.sho02032018-10kxex1023.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 
_______________________________________________
FORM 10-K
_______________________________________________ 
ý
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 3, 2018
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 001-35641 
_______________________________________________
SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
_______________________________________________
 
 
 
DELAWARE
 
80-0808358
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
5500 TRILLIUM BOULEVARD, SUITE 501 HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS
 
60192
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (847) 286-7000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market
 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
_______________________________________________
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes  ¨ No  ý
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes  ¨ No  ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨



Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
 
¨
  
Accelerated filer
 
¨

 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
ý
  
Smaller reporting company
 
¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
As of April 18, 2018 Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. had 22,702,132 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding. The aggregate market value (based on the closing price of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.'s common stock quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market) of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.'s common stock owned by non-affiliates, as of the last business day of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.'s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $32,257,000.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporates by reference certain information from our definitive 2018 Proxy Statement relating to our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 23, 2018, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this Annual Report on Form 10-K relates.
 



SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
PART I
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 1B.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
Item 7.
 
 
 
Item 7A.
 
 
 
Item 8.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 9.
 
 
 
Item 9A.
 
 
 
PART III
 
 
 
 
Item 10.
 
 
 







Part I

Item 1. Business

We are a national retailer primarily focused on selling home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, tools, and hardware at our stores and on our websites. We also offer our customers the opportunity to acquire home appliance, lawn and garden, fitness, bedding, and other categories of merchandise and product protection agreements through our lease-to-own program that we operate by agreement with a third party. As of February 3, 2018, the Company or its independent dealers and franchisees ("our dealers and franchisees") operated a total of 900 stores across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda. In addition to merchandise, we provide our customers with access to a full suite of related services, including home delivery, installation, and extended-service plans. In this Annual Report on Form 10-K we refer to ourselves as "SHO," "our company," the "Company," "we," "our," or "us." We became a publicly held company immediately following our October 11, 2012 separation (the "Separation") from Sears Holdings Corporation ("Sears Holdings").

We operate through two segments—the Sears Hometown and Hardware segment ("Hometown") and the Sears Outlet segment ("Outlet"). Our Hometown stores are designed to provide our customers with in-store and online access to a wide selection of national brands of home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, tools, sporting goods, and household goods, depending on the particular store. Our Outlet stores are designed to provide in-store and online access to purchase new, one-of-a-kind, out-of-carton, discontinued, obsolete, used, reconditioned, overstocked, and scratched and dented products, collectively "outlet-value products" across a broad assortment of merchandise categories, including home appliances, mattresses, furniture, and lawn and garden equipment at value-oriented prices. See Note 8 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information about our segments.

The majority of our Hometown stores are operated by our dealers and franchisees. SHO provides brand and marketing support and inventory on consignment. We initiated efforts to franchise Outlet stores in 2012, with the first stores transferred to franchisees during the 2013 fiscal year. Since the second quarter of 2015, franchising of additional Hometown and Outlet stores except to existing Company franchisees has been suspended by the Company. We pay our dealers and franchisees commissions based on their net sales of our inventory that we consign to them. We also authorize our dealers and franchisees to sell post-sale services, such as extended-service plans, for which we also pay commissions.

Hometown

As of February 3, 2018, the Company or our dealers and franchisees operated a total of 768 Sears Hometown and Hardware stores located across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda.

Our Hometown segment operates through three distinct formats: Sears Hometown Stores ("Hometown Stores"), Sears Hardware Stores ("Hardware Stores"), and Sears Home Appliance Showrooms ("Home Appliance Showrooms"). Each format has its owns website.

Hometown Stores. Our Hometown Stores and website offer products and services across a wide selection of merchandise categories, including home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, tools, sporting goods, and household goods, with the majority of business driven by big-ticket home appliance and lawn and garden sales. Most of our Hometown Stores carry Sears-branded products, including products branded with the KENMORE®, CRAFTSMAN®, and DIEHARD® marks (the "KCD Marks"), and an assortment of other national brands. Primarily independently operated, predominantly located in smaller communities and averaging approximately 8,500 square feet, Hometown Stores are designed to serve trade areas that may not support a full-service big-box retailer. As of February 3, 2018, there were 713 Hometown Stores in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Bermuda. Hometown Stores also sell products and services through our website www.searshometownstores.com. When a dealer exits a location, the Company may take over the operation of a store, generally on an interim basis, until the location can be transferred to another dealer. At any given time the Company is generally operating a number of stores that are in transition from one dealer to another dealer. Transition stores are not included in our count of Company-operated locations due to the expected short-term nature of transition operation. Dealers operated 706, and we operated seven, Hometown stores.

Hardware Stores. Our Hardware Stores and website offer products and services across a wide selection of merchandise categories with sales primarily driven by home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, tools, and other home improvement products including products typically found in local hardware stores, such as fasteners, electrical supplies, and plumbing supplies. Our Hardware stores average approximately 24,000 square feet in size, are primarily located in suburban trade areas and are positioned as local stores designed to appeal to convenience-oriented customers These stores carry Craftsman brand tools and lawn and garden equipment, and a wide assortment of other national brands and other home improvement



products. As of February 3, 2018, there were 19 Hardware Stores in 10 states, all of which carry a selection of Kenmore and other national brands of home appliances. Hardware Stores also sell products and services through our website www.searshardwarestores.com. Franchisees operated nine, and we operated ten, of these stores.

Home Appliance Showrooms. Our Home Appliance Showrooms and website offer home appliances and related services in stores primarily located in strip malls and lifestyle centers in metropolitan areas. Averaging 5,000 square feet with a simple, primarily appliance-showroom design, our Home Appliance Showrooms offer quality-focused customers a unique store shopping experience. Home Appliance Showroom sales are primarily driven by home appliances as well as, in certain stores, mattresses. These stores carry Kenmore and other national brands of home appliances. As of February 3, 2018, there were 36 Home Appliance Showrooms in 12 states. Home Appliance Showrooms also sell products and services through our website www.searshomeapplianceshowroom.com. Franchisees operated 23 of these stores, and we operated 13 stores.

In 2017 revenue from our Hometown segment was $1,177.2 million.

Outlet

Our Sears Outlet stores (the "Outlet Stores") are designed to provide in-store and online access to purchase outlet-value products across a broad assortment of merchandise categories, including home appliances, mattresses, apparel, sporting goods, lawn and garden equipment, tools, and other household goods, including furniture, at prices that are significantly lower than list prices. Outlet Stores serve as a liquidation channel for outlet-value home appliances from major appliance vendors. In 2017 Outlet’s most significant merchandise category was home appliances, which made up 82.2% of our Outlet sales revenue. Outlet-value products are generally covered by a warranty. Outlet Stores also offer a full suite of extended-service plans and services. As of February 3, 2018, Outlet operated 132 locations in 33 states and Puerto Rico, of which all offer a wide range of outlet-value products. Outlet also sells products and services through our website www.searsoutlet.com. As of February 3, 2018, we operated 118 Outlet Stores and franchisees operated 14 Outlet Stores.

In 2017 revenue from our Outlet segment was $542.7 million.

Competition

Hometown

Our Hometown business is subject to highly competitive conditions, with varying levels of competition in each store’s trade area. Hometown Stores and Hardware Stores compete with a wide variety of retailers handling similar lines of merchandise, including department stores, discounters, mass merchandisers, specialty retailers, wholesale clubs, and many other competitors operating on a national, regional, or local level. Hometown Stores and Hardware Stores also compete with online and catalog businesses that have similar merchandise offerings. Home Appliance Showrooms compete with all of the previously listed competitors to the extent that they sell home appliances.

The key national competitors of the Hometown Stores, the Hardware Stores, and the Home Appliance Showrooms are The Home Depot and Lowe’s, as well as Ace Hardware and True Value for the Hardware Stores, and Tractor Supply for the Hometown Stores and the Hardware Stores, all of which offer consumers lines of merchandise that are the same as or similar to lines of merchandise offered by the Hometown Stores, the Hardware Stores, and the Home Appliance Showrooms. Sears Holdings' stores offer consumers lines of merchandise that are similar to the lines of merchandise offered by the Hometown Stores, the Hardware Stores, and the Home Appliance Showrooms. We believe that, historically, the Hometown Stores, the Hardware Stores, and the Home Appliance Showrooms generally did not compete significantly with Sears Holdings' stores. As our stores have expanded their merchandise offerings, the level of competition between the Hometown Stores, the Hardware Stores, and the Home Appliance Showrooms and Sears Holdings' stores has increased. In addition to being the principal merchandise vendor for the Hometown business, Sears Holdings also continues to provide some e-commerce services and support to SHO, and Sears Holdings' online sales compete with our business.

We believe that the results of operations for our businesses in fiscal 2017 were, and will continue to be, adversely affected by the continuing growth at other retailers of online sales of merchandise in our important product categories, especially home appliances. Our rights to engage in our own online initiatives that would leverage www.sears.com, and our rights to engage on our own terms and conditions in our own online initiatives that would be independent of www.sears.com, were constrained significantly by our agreements with Sears Holdings until those agreements were amended in May 2016, which amendments granted us contractual rights to transactional Hometown websites, subject to various conditions. Our Hometown websites launched in November 2016. The constraints prevented us from conducting and growing our online business during a period of significant growth in that channel.

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As a consequence, we believe that the constraints which delayed the launch of our websites adversely impacted our ability to conduct and grow our online business during 2017 and our results of operations during 2017.

We believe that the key differentiating factors among competitors operating in this industry include price, product assortment and quality, service and convenience, brand recognition, existence of loyalty programs, online and multichannel capabilities and availability of retail-related services such as access to lease-to-own and credit-card programs and product delivery, installation, assembly and repair.

Outlet

The Outlet Stores and searsoutlet.com operate in the highly fragmented outlet-value retail industry. In our primary product category, appliances, our Outlet Stores and searsoutlet.com compete at one end of the spectrum with big-box retailers that sell primarily new, in-box product, as new in-box product competes both with new in-box product and out-of-box product sold in the Outlet Stores. To the extent these big-box competitors choose to liquidate their own out-of-box product on their sales floors, this product would compete directly with out-of-box product sold in the Outlet Stores. At the other end of the spectrum are the locally owned appliance retailers that have historically comprised the bulk of the Outlet Stores' direct competition for sales of out-of-box product. These locally owned appliance retailers generally sell both out-of-box and new in-box appliances. Online retailers that sell new or out-of-box appliances are also competitors.

The Outlet Stores' key national competitors with respect to new, in-box appliances are The Home Depot and Lowe’s. With respect to as-is appliances, which represent 61% of the Outlet segment's 2017 sales, there are no national competitors. In addition, as we continue to expand our product lines into categories such as mattresses and furniture, we expect to face additional competition from other discount retailers that focus on those product categories. While Sears Holdings' stores provide similar lines of merchandise as the Outlet Stores, the Outlet Stores are primarily value-price sellers of distressed, refurbished, and marked-out-of-stock merchandise, which merchandise Sears Holdings' stores generally do not sell in what we believe are significant volumes to consumers. Consequently, we believe that, historically, the Outlet Stores have not competed significantly with Sears Holdings' stores. As our Outlet business expands its merchandise offerings (for example, our recent increased emphasis on mattresses and furniture), the level of competition between the Outlet Stores and Sears Holdings' stores may increase.

We believe that the key differentiating factor between competitors operating in the outlet-value retail industry is price. Other factors include product assortment and quality, service and convenience, brand recognition, existence of loyalty programs, online and multichannel capabilities, and availability of retail-related services such as access to credit and product delivery.

Our Strengths

We believe that our competitive strengths are the following:

Our stores carry a wide variety of well-known, brand-name merchandise.
We offer our customers a broad selection of products, including well-known consumer brand names such as Kenmore, Whirlpool®, Samsung, and Craftsman, and we strive to offer high in-stock levels. Our Hometown stores are the only national retail chain that carries the top 10 brands for home appliances. This ability to offer a wide variety of well-known, consumer brand-name merchandise enables us to remain competitive in our trade areas and to continue to attract customers.

We operate across the nation through distinctly tailored store formats.
Our different store formats are targeted to the trade areas in which they compete. Our Hometown Stores offer customers in more rural communities a wide variety of merchandise. In those trade areas, we compete against larger national or regional big-box stores on the basis of the convenient shopping experience we provide, and we compete against local independent stores based on our product offerings and competitive pricing.

Our Hardware Stores are located in neighborhood centers in suburban areas where customers can fulfill their hardware, lawn and garden and home appliance needs. These stores compete against larger warehouse home centers and smaller local hardware stores by offering a broad assortment of products, convenient outlets, and personalized customer assistance.

Our Home Appliance Showrooms include appealing display floors in metropolitan trade areas where we compete with big-box retailers by offering a compelling service model, a wide assortment of brand-name home appliances, significant online and multi-channel capabilities, and convenient locations. We differentiate ourselves from our competitors by providing our customers with a consultative and educational purchase experience.

Our Outlet Stores offer customers a wide range of outlet-value products at locations across the United States and Puerto Rico.

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Our Outlet Stores differentiate themselves from their competitors by providing a wide range of outlet-value brand-name products, including Kenmore, Whirlpool, GE, LG, Maytag, and Samsung products, at prices that are significantly lower than list prices.

In addition, SHO has stores located in all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico and Bermuda, with over 98% of sales in the United States. The ability to generate revenues with a wide variety of products across a diversified mix of regions and trade areas positions us to be able to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.

The fact that our Hometown Stores are primarily operated by dealers allows us to leverage their knowledge, experience, motivation, and capital.
Our Hometown Stores are primarily owned and operated by individual dealers. Under both our dealer model and our franchise model, SHO provides inventory (on a consignment basis), branding, and marketing to the stores and the dealer or franchisee is responsible for start-up costs, lease payments, and other operating costs including payroll. Our dealer and franchise models allow us to leverage the entrepreneurial spirit of our dealers and franchisees and their local trade-area knowledge to better serve their customers. In addition, these models free up capital and enable us to focus on strategic planning, marketing, and pricing strategies. We regularly evaluate the performance of franchised and dealer stores and require compliance with established customer service and other operational guidelines.

Our Outlet Stores are the leading liquidation channel of value-priced home appliances.
As the nation’s largest chain retailer of outlet-value home appliances, our Outlet business has become increasingly relevant to major appliance vendors as a liquidation channel for outlet-value appliances. We do not believe that we have any national competitors for outlet-value appliances.

Our Strategy

We plan to continue to enhance our competitive position, grow our business, and increase our net sales and profitability by implementing the following strategies:

Expand Product Assortment and Optimize Service Offerings.
We strive to provide our customers with complete solutions for their home appliance, lawn and garden, hardware, and other related home needs. We regularly evaluate other merchandise categories and types of services to enhance our product and service offerings and to create cross-selling opportunities for adjacent products and services. For example, our initiatives to increase product offerings include expanding furniture in our Outlet Stores and adding mattresses in our Home Appliance Showrooms.

Promote Customer Growth through Enhanced Marketing, Improved Customer Experience, and Integrated Multi-Channel Capabilities.
We seek to serve our customers’ needs and drive revenue growth through our integrated multi-channel sale capabilities. We launched e-commerce capabilities for our Hometown segment and we continue to seek to enhance our e-commerce operations and our online product selection to improve our customers’ online shopping experiences. We seek to integrate our online business and our brick-and-mortar stores to provide our customers with a seamless shopping experience across channels. On Company-operated websites we offer our customers the option to purchase items online and pick them up in our local stores as well as order out-of-stock and other items from our in-store kiosks. In addition, Sears.com offers customers the option to purchase items online and pick them up in our local stores. These capabilities allow us to better serve customers across various channels and improve sales. See, however, "We rely on Sears Holdings for services related to our online business and the processing of online orders" in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We also plan to drive customer growth by refining our marketing initiatives. We believe that we can grow our customer base through advertising in a number of different media, particularly through various forms of digital marketing, including search, social media ads and email marketing. We launched a fully integrated print, digital and television marketing campaign in March 2018 to highlight the unique market position of the Hometown Stores and our strengths in the home appliances category. This includes the Company’s first ever national television commercials.

We believe that quality customer service contributes to increased store visits and purchases by our customers. We are focused on building long-term relationships with customers and members by improving their in-store and post-sale experiences. We conduct quality control checks of our store managers and sales associates and our dealers and franchisees to improve the quality of customer interaction and product knowledge in the stores we operate and the stores operated by our dealers and franchisees. We continue to improve and augment our post-sale engagement with customers through access to delivery, assembly, and installation services as well as extended-service plans.


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Diversify Our Supply Chain. We intend to continue our efforts to diversify our network of merchandise suppliers and service providers. Such diversification, particularly with respect to merchandise suppliers, is intended to reduce our reliance on Sears Holdings for our inventory. In 2017, we leveraged new systems functionality, enabled by our investments in the IT systems transformation initiative, to enhance our merchandise sourcing and inventory management capabilities. We have established direct purchasing relationships with several of our key strategic product manufacturers which hold significant market share in the product categories we compete in across the industry. SHO's purchases of inventory from Sears Holdings declined to 78% of total purchases in 2017 compared to 80% in 2016. We expect the percentage of total purchases of inventory acquired from subsidiaries of Sears Holdings to decrease in the future as we increase our direct purchases from other merchandise vendors.

Provide Industry-Leading Financing Options. We intend to continue to provide our customers many convenient methods of financing their purchases including extended credit-card offers and lease-to-own alternatives. We believe that our store operating practices and our relationships with the issuer of the Sears credit card and our lease-to-own provider allow us to offer attractive financing choices for our customers that we believe will lead to higher customer loyalty and profitability for the Company. Year-over-year leasing comparable store sales increased 105% in fiscal 2017. Our leasing share of the total business more than doubled versus the prior year, growing to 6.2% share in the 2017. Additionally, third-party commissions received on leasing sales became a more meaningful contributor to our margin improvement.

Grow Commercial Sales. We are seeking to continue to grow our revenue with business customers who can benefit from our extensive merchandise offerings, broad store network, and delivery and service capabilities. Businesses such as builders, landlords, and apartment operators represent an attractive incremental customer base in the communities where we operate. In 2017, commercial sales grew 23%. Gross margin rate, net of commissions paid, improved as a result of a more disciplined commercial pricing process. Dealer and franchisee adoption of the program also continued to grow, with 52% of stores participating in 2017 versus 42% in 2016.

Transform our IT Infrastructure. We are replacing the large majority of our information technology infrastructure, which has been provided by Sears Holdings since the Separation, with new systems and processes. We expect this change will provide much greater strategic and operational flexibility, allow better control of our systems and processes, and reduce some of the risks relating to our relationship with, and dependence on, Sears Holdings. See also "We rely on Sears Holdings and other third parties to provide us with key products and services in connection with the administration of many critical aspects of our business, and we may be required to develop our own systems quickly in order to reduce such dependence" in Part 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the conversion and migration of our information technology infrastructure.

Improve Operating Performance. We plan to focus on various initiatives intended to improve our gross margins and our inventory management. Our inventory-procurement operations are focused on developing customized merchandise assortments based on store demographics, sales history, customer preferences and margin by product division. Our inventory management focuses on rightsizing total inventory investment to each store's turnover as well as seeking to keep the products with higher customer demand in stock. In addition, we intend to focus on controlling costs across our business lines, particularly selling and administrative expenses.

Store Activity. We will continue to take proactive steps to make the best use of capital and reduce costs by closing stores that we determine are not sufficiently profitable. We will also continue to selectively identify trade-area opportunities for new stores over the long term based on market potential, including  trade areas where Sears Holdings has closed a full-line department store. 

Our Products and Suppliers

Our focus on the preferences of our customers drives our merchandise selection. Our goal is to offer our customers a selection of brands and products within each of our product categories. Our largest revenue-generating category in 2017 was home appliances, representing approximately 73% of net sales.

We are party to an Amended and Restated Merchandising Agreement (as amended, the "Merchandising Agreement") with Sears Holdings, Kmart Corporation, ("Kmart") and Sears, Roebuck and Co. ("SRC") (Kmart and SRC are wholly owned subsidiaries of Sears Holdings) pursuant to which Kmart and SRC (1) sell to us, with respect to certain specified product categories, Sears-branded products (including products branded with the KCD Marks ("KCD Products")) and vendor-branded products obtained from Kmart’s and SRC’s vendors and suppliers and (2) grant us licenses to use the trademarks owned by Kmart, SRC or other subsidiaries of Sears Holdings, including the KCD Marks, in connection with the marketing and sale of products sold under the Sears marks. The initial term of the Merchandising Agreement will expire February 1, 2020 with our right to exercise one three-year extension with respect to KCD Products subject to specified Sears Holdings termination rights and other conditions in the Merchandising Agreement. We expect that our Hometown business will continue to rely on Sears Holdings for a significant majority of its inventory in 2018.

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For the year ended February 3, 2018, products that we acquired through Sears Holdings accounted for approximately 78% of SHO's merchandise purchases. Although most merchandise purchases are sourced through Sears Holdings, this percentage decreased from 80% in 2016. We expect this percentage to continue to decline as we fully operationalize more direct purchasing agreements. For example, fourth quarter 2017 purchases from Sears Holdings accounted for 74% of total purchases compared to 84% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 76% in the third quarter of 2017. During the second half of 2017 and in early 2018, we entered into direct purchasing agreements with Whirlpool Corp., Husqvarna, LG Electronics USA Inc., GE Appliances, Samsung Electronics America Inc., and Stanley, Black and Decker. We did not purchase merchandise under several of these agreements until 2018. Our Outlet business primarily relies on suppliers other than Sears Holdings for a significant portion of its inventory. For the year ended February 3, 2018, products that we acquired through Sears Holdings accounted for approximately 31% of total Outlet purchases.

As described in greater detail in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report 1A, we have entered into agreements with Sears Holdings, as well as with third-party service providers, to provide processing and administrative functions over a broad range of areas.

Our Dealer and Franchise Models

Dealer Model

As of February 3, 2018, 707 of our Hometown Stores were operated by independent authorized dealers who own and operate their stores. The dealer bears responsibility for store operating costs, including all payroll and occupancy costs. SHO provides the inventory to the dealer on a consignment basis, and the dealer earns a variable commission on sales of merchandise, extended-service plans, and other services. SHO also provides support to dealers for recruiting and training dealer staff, marketing, and other support services.

The dealer relationship is governed by a dealer agreement, which generally has either a three or five-year term (depending on its terms and conditions). If a dealer defaults or fails to renew its dealer agreement, SHO may assume responsibility for the operation of the store until a new dealer is recruited to operate the store.

Franchise Model
As of February 3, 2018, 23 of our Home Appliance Showrooms, 9 of our Hardware Stores, and 11 of our Outlet Stores were operated by independent franchisees. Under our primary franchise model, the franchisee operates the store and is responsible for its operating costs, including payroll and leasing costs. SHO provides inventory to the franchisee on a consignment basis, and the franchisee earns variable commissions on sales of merchandise, extended-service plans, and other services. SHO also provides brand and marketing services to the franchisee. In certain cases, SHO remains responsible for lease costs in the case of a default by the franchisees until the expiration of the leases, at which time our franchisees may be required to negotiate new leases to which SHO will not be a party.

The franchise relationship is governed by a franchise agreement with each franchisee that generally has a ten-year term and includes the franchisee's right to extend the term for an additional five years subject to the franchisee's satisfaction of renewal conditions that are specified in the franchise agreement. The franchise agreement also currently obligates the franchisee to pay to SHO specified fees, including an initial franchise fee, training fees, transfer fees, and successor franchise fees.

Since the second quarter of 2015, franchising of additional Hometown and Outlet stores except to existing Company franchisees has been suspended by the Company.

Distribution and Systems Infrastructure

The majority of our merchandise comes to our stores directly from vendors or distributors (including Sears Holdings) through our agreements with Sears Holdings. Home delivery is provided by the selling dealers and franchisees, by Sears Holdings, and by other parties.

We rely extensively on computer systems to process transactions, summarize results, and manage our business. Given the number of individual transactions we have each year, it is critical that we maintain uninterrupted operation of our computer and communications hardware and software systems. We currently rely on Sears Holdings to provide us with the computer systems and infrastructure that enable our distribution systems. See "If we do not maintain the security of our customer, associate, and company information, we could damage our reputation, incur substantial additional costs, and become subject to litigation" in

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Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For information regarding the migration of the current information technology systems and processes provided to us by Sears Holdings to new, state-of-art business and technology infrastructure and systems see "We rely on Sears Holdings and other third parties to provide us with key products and services in connection with the administration of many critical aspects of our business, and we may be required to develop our own systems quickly in order to reduce such dependence" in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In addition, we also rely on Sears Holdings for warehousing and other logistics services.

We are party to a Services Agreement pursuant to which Sears Holdings Management Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings ("SHMC") provides us with a number of services, including logistics and distribution, information technology (including the point-of-sale system used by the Company and our dealers and franchisees), product repair, ecommerce, and payment clearing and other financial services (as amended, the "Services Agreement"). The term of the Services Agreement will expire on February 1, 2020, subject to specified termination rights. We pay fees and rates for the services received in accordance with the Services Agreement. In addition, we are responsible for the payment of all taxes payable in connection with the Services provided under the Services Agreement, including sales, use, excise, value-added, business, service, goods and service, consumption, withholding and other similar taxes or duties. See "Certain Relationships and Transactions" in the definitive 2018 Proxy Statement relating to our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 23, 2018, which is incorporated by reference into Item 13 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "2018 Proxy Statement), for a general description of the Services Agreement.

Geographic Information

The vast majority of our revenues are generated within the United States. During 2017, 2016, and 2015, 1.7%, 1.6% and 1.5%, of our revenues, respectively, were generated in Puerto Rico. The vast majority of our long-lived assets are located within the United States.

Employees

As of February 3, 2018, we had 2,962 employees, of which 51% were full-time employees and less than 1% were represented by a union. We believe that we have a good working relationship with our employees and we have never experienced a material interruption of business as a result of labor disputes. We offer a broad range of company-paid benefits to our employees. These company-paid benefits include a 401(k) savings plan, medical and dental plans, disability insurance, paid vacation, various employee assistance programs, life insurance, and merchandise discounts.

Intellectual Property

We are party to several Store License Agreements with SRC pursuant to which SRC has granted us, on a royalty-free basis, among other things, (1) an exclusive, non-transferable and terminable license to operate, and to authorize our dealers and franchisees to operate, retail stores and stores-within-a-store using the "Sears Outlet Store," "Sears Authorized Hometown Store," "Sears Hometown Store," "Sears Home Appliance Showroom," "Sears Hardware Store," and "Sears Appliance & Hardware," store names (together, the "store names"), (2) an exclusive, non-transferable and terminable license to use the store names to promote our products, and services related to our products, by all current and future electronic means, channels, processes and methods, including via the Internet, (3) a non-exclusive, nontransferable and terminable license to use, and to authorize our dealers and franchisees to use, certain other trademarks to market and sell services related to our products under those trademarks and (4) an exclusive, non-transferable and terminable license to use certain domain names in connection with the promotion of our stores, the marketing, distribution and sale of our products and the marketing and offering of services related to our products (collectively, the "Store License Agreements"). We are also party to a Trademark License Agreement with SRC pursuant to which SRC has granted us, on a royalty-free basis, a non-exclusive, non-transferable and terminable right to use the "Sears" name in our corporate name and to promote our business (the "Trademark License Agreement"). The Store License Agreements and the Trademark License Agreement will expire in 2029, subject to specified termination rights. For additional information regarding the Store License Agreements and the Trademark License Agreement see "Certain Relationships and Transactions" in the 2018 Proxy Statement.

In the Merchandising Agreement Kmart and SRC agree to (1) sell to us, with respect to certain specified product categories, Sears-branded products (including KCD Products) and vendor-branded products obtained from Kmart’s and SRC’s vendors and suppliers and (2) grant us licenses to use the trademarks owned by Kmart, SRC, or other subsidiaries of Sears Holdings (together, the "Sears marks"), including the KCD Marks, in connection with the marketing and sale of products sold under the Sears marks. We pay, on a weekly basis, a royalty determined by multiplying our net sales of the KCD Products by specified fixed royalties rates for each brand’s licensed products.



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Seasonality

Our business is not concentrated in the holiday season, as the majority of the products we sell are not typically thought of as holiday gifts. Lawn and garden sales generally peak in our second quarter as customers prepare for and execute outdoor projects during the spring and early summer, although this can vary with weather conditions. Quarterly data on the revenue, cost, and net income of the business is available in the Quarterly Financial Data in Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

History and Relationship with Sears Holdings

Our Sears Hometown and Hardware and Sears Outlet businesses operated as part of Sears Holdings’ from their inception through the Separation.

In connection with the Separation, we entered into various agreements with Sears Holdings which, among other things, (1) govern certain aspects of our relationship with Sears Holdings following the Separation, (2) establish terms under which subsidiaries of Sears Holdings will provide us with services following the Separation, and (3) establish terms pursuant to which subsidiaries of Sears Holdings will obtain merchandise for us. The terms and conditions of these agreements (as amended, the "SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements") were agreed to in the context of a parent-subsidiary relationship and in the overall context of the Separation (except for amendments that were approved by the Audit Committee of SHO's Board of Directors after the Separation).  Accordingly, the terms and conditions of the SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements may be more or less favorable than those we could have negotiated with unaffiliated third parties. See also "Certain Relationships and Transactions" in the 2018 Proxy Statement.

Corporate Information; Our Website; Availability of SEC Reports and Other Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 5500 Trillium Boulevard, Suite 501, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60192 and our telephone number is (847) 286-7000. Our website address is www.shos.com.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K, and the amendments, if any, to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") are available, free of charge, through the "Investors-U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Filings" link at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

The Corporate Governance Guidelines of our Board of Directors, the charters of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, our Code of Conduct, our Board of Directors Code of Conduct, and our Code of Vendor Conduct are available at the "Corporate Governance " and the "Vendors" links at www.shos.com. References to www.shos.com do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information at www.shos.com, and the information at www.shos.com is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


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Item 1A. Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (including without limitation "Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking and Other Information" in this Part I), in evaluating SHO and our common stock. Each of the following risk factors could materially and adversely affect, among other things, our business, results of operations, financial condition, stock price, and prospects.

Risks Relating to Our Relationship with, and Dependence on, Sears Holdings

We depend on Sears Holdings to provide us with most key products and services for our business. Consequently, if Sears Holdings is unwilling, unable, or otherwise fails to provide these key products and services or if Sears Holdings’s brands are impaired, we could be materially and adversely affected.

We rely heavily on the products and services provided by Sears Holdings or its subsidiaries (the "key products and services") including the following:

Inventory procurement from third-party vendors, including KCD Products and other products which collectively account for a majority of our revenue;
Logistical, supply chain, and inventory support services;
Accounting and financial reporting services;
Risk management, tax, and insurance services;
Online, computer and information technology infrastructure (including the point-of-sale system used by the Company and our dealers and franchisees) and support;
Certain of our store leases and the leases for stores that we have subleased, or in the future may sublease, to franchisees or others are leased or subleased to us by subsidiaries of Sears Holdings until their expiration at which time we will be required to renegotiate with the landlords directly;
Our stores continue to use the Sears brand name, and other intellectual property owned by Sears Holdings through our license agreements with Sears Holdings;
Our stores continue to participate in the SYW program and rely on the customer data and other information provided by the SYW program; and
Our stores continue to accept Sears-branded credit cards.

As a result of our dependence on Sears Holdings, we are exposed to the risk that Sears Holdings will become unable or unwilling to fulfill its contractual obligations to us in accordance with their terms. Sears Holdings is subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could adversely and materially affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and cash flows. Such risks include (1) risks related to the retail industry, (2) risks related to worldwide economic conditions, (3) risks associated with Sears Holdings' computer systems and infrastructure, (4) risks related to Sears Holdings' ability to access capital markets and other financing sources, (5) risks associated with what appears to us to be Sears Holdings' increasing inability to obtain merchandise on commercially reasonable terms for its businesses and for resale to us, and (6) risks related to what appears to us to be Sears Holdings' declining financial condition and results of operations.

SHO receives from Sears Holdings specified portions of merchandise subsidies collected by Sears Holdings from its merchandise vendors and specified portions of cash discounts earned by Sears Holdings as a result of its early payment of merchandise-vendor payables (together "Vendor Funds"). If SHO's portion of Vendor Funds were to decline, SHO's results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected to a material extent.

We have been taking action to reduce our dependence on Sears Holdings to enable us to take advantage of what we believe are lower costs, or better terms and conditions, from alternative merchandise and services vendors and to reduce our Sears Holdings-related risks. We will continue to evaluate actions that will enable us to reduce our costs and risks by reducing our dependence on Sears Holdings.

We believe it is necessary for Sears Holdings to continue to provide products and services to us in accordance with the SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements to facilitate the continued successful operation of our business. Sears Holdings has no obligation to provide assistance to us other than to provide the products and services required to be provided pursuant to the SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements. Although Sears Holdings is generally obligated to provide us with these products and services until February 1, 2020, these products and services may not be provided at the same level, at the same prices, and, with respect to products, the same amounts of Vendor Funds during the entire duration of the agreements, and we may not be able to obtain the same benefits from these products and services. Generally, we expect to need to rely on Sears Holdings for some products and services for the entire duration of the SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements. In addition, to the extent that our growth depends on expanding the

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number of stores we operate, we may need to rely on Sears Holdings to supply the same products and services in new regions, trade areas, and store formats. When Sears Holdings is no longer obligated to provide these products and services to us, we may not be able to replace some of these products and services on terms and conditions, including costs, as favorable as those we have with Sears Holdings. See "Certain Relationships and Transactions" in the 2018 Proxy Statement.

The service fees we are obligated to pay to Sears Holdings are not firm and higher service fees could result.

The Services Agreement provides that it will expire on February 1, 2020 unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms. The Services Agreement also provides that we will pay the service fees specified in the Services Agreement for its duration, subject to (1) fee increases from Sears Holdings' third-party providers providing services and (2) Sears Holdings' right to increase fees for services if a change in legislation, regulation, business conditions, or Sears Holdings’s operations results in an increase in Sears Holdings’s costs associated with one or more of the services.

We depend on Sears Holdings and other vendors to provide our inventory.

Our Hometown and Outlet businesses rely on Sears Holdings (or its subsidiaries) for a significant portion of their inventory, including KCD Products. For the year ended February 3, 2018, products which we acquired through Sears Holdings accounted for approximately 78% of our merchandise purchases. Hometown merchandise purchases are sourced predominantly through Sears Holdings.

If we are unable to obtain adequate amounts and assortments of merchandise from Sears Holdings, we may be unable on short notice to find alternative sources of supply on terms and conditions that we believe are commercially reasonable, or at all. In addition, the third-party vendors from whom Sears Holdings currently obtains merchandise for us may not be willing to continue to sell merchandise to Sears Holdings on terms and conditions that it believes are commercially reasonable. During the fourth quarter of 2017 we experienced a growing inability to obtain from Sears Holdings sufficient quantities of Craftsman tools in product categories important to us, many of which categories we cannot quickly source from other vendors.

In addition, our Outlet business also relies on merchandise vendors other than Sears Holdings ("Other Vendors") for a significant portion of Outlet inventory. For the year ended February 3, 2018, purchases from Other Vendors accounted for approximately 69% of total Outlet purchases. We intend to increase the portion of our Outlet business's inventory that we purchase from Other Vendors if we believe that action will improve our customer service or profitability. Our agreements with Other Vendors generally do not guarantee the availability of specified amounts of merchandise at any given time, and we have no assurance that any of these agreements will be renewed on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If the Other Vendors decrease their output of merchandise, raise their prices, or find alternative distribution channels for their products, or all of these, and we are required to find one or more additional Other Vendors, we may not be able to contract with them on a timely basis, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. This could lead to higher prices, decreased inventory, our inability to maintain an appropriate assortment of merchandise in our stores and could cause us to accelerate store closings, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and stock price. In addition, if we do not maintain our existing relationships, or build new relationships, with Other Vendors we may not be able to maintain an appropriate assortment of merchandise, and customers may not purchase from our stores.

We rely on Sears Holdings and other third parties to provide us with key products and services in connection with the administration of many critical aspects of our business, and we may be required to develop our own systems quickly in order to reduce such dependence.

We are party to various agreements with Sears Holdings (including without limitation the Services Agreement), as well as with third-party service providers, to provide us with processing and administrative functions over a broad range of areas, and we expect to continue to do so in the future. Key products and services provided by Sears Holdings or other third parties as a part of outsourcing initiatives could be interrupted as a result of many factors, such as acts of God or contract disputes, and any failure by third parties to provide us with these key products and services on a timely basis or within our service level expectations and performance standards could result in a disruption to our business.

We rely heavily on the infrastructure of Sears Holdings for a variety of key products and services. Our various agreements with Sears Holdings (including without limitation the Services Agreement and the Merchandising Agreement), which govern the provision of these key products and services, are not long term, and we may seek to continue to rely on the infrastructure of Sears Holdings after February 1, 2020. Our business plans with respect to approximately the next 18 to 24 months depend to a significant extent on Sears Holdings’ willingness and ability to continue to provide us with these key products (including KCD Products) and services. Any failure to maintain Sears Holdings as a service provider, or any actions by Sears Holdings, during that period when

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permitted under the applicable agreement, to raise the prices it charges us for these key products and services, could have a material adverse impact on our business and our results of operations.

In addition, disruptions in the computer and communications hardware and software systems provided by Sears Holdings could harm our ability to run our business, result in the compromise of confidential customer data, lead to costly litigation, and damage our reputation with our customers. Any significant interruption in our computer operations may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. As a result of our reliance on the computer and information technology infrastructure of Sears Holdings, we have limited control over the timing and implementation of upgrades to our computer and information technology systems that we may believe are integral to the successful operation of our business.

We have entered into a Master Services Agreement with a vendor (the "systems-migration vendor") in which it agrees to provide business process outsourcing services and services for the migration of the current information technology systems and processes provided by Sears Holdings to new business and technology infrastructure and systems provided by a second vendor (collectively, the “BPO”). We expect the new infrastructure and systems will provide greater strategic and operational flexibility, provide better control of our systems and processes, reduce our total cost of information-system operation following implementation of the migration, and reduce some of the risks inherent in our services relationship with, and reduce our dependence on, Sears Holdings. The new infrastructure and systems should enable us, and we currently intend, to replace many of the corporate services provided by Sears Holdings with services that we will provide ourselves using the new system, other third-party providers, and, on a limited-basis, internally by SHO.  The replaced services could include tax, accounting, non-merchandise procurement, risk management and insurance, advertising and marketing, human resources, loss prevention, environmental, product and human safety, facilities, information technology, online, payment clearing, and other financial, real estate management, merchandising, and other support services.   Selling and administrative expenses related to the BPO were $34.4 million for fiscal 2017. We expect a decline in BPO-related corporate expenses in fiscal 2018.

Implementation of the BPO involves significant risks for us. The risks include, among other things, the following: conversion and migration of data; availability and customization of solutions that meet our needs and the needs of our dealers and franchisees (especially with respect to our point-of-sale system); availability of Company personnel and other resources to manage and implement the project; expansion of migration, implementation, and conversion scope, cost, and timing; current and future disagreements with the systems-migration vendor regarding its and our contractual rights and obligations (in particular with respect to the growing costs of the migration and increasing implementation delays) and the contractual rights and obligations of the systems-migration vendor's contractors regarding, among other things, the suitability of the migration solutions proposed by the systems-migration vendor and its ability and willingness to complete the BPO in accordance with our plans and expectations and on the timetable and at the cost to the Company that we believe we have negotiated with the systems-migration vendor as reflected in the Master Services Agreement. Key BPO conversion and migration milestones have not been, or will not be, met by the systems-migration vendor in accordance with agreed-upon deadlines. The Company believes that the systems-migration vendor is responsible, in all significant respects, for the delays. Other risks include the amount, quality, and timing of cooperation that we receive from Sears Holdings and other contracted service providers with respect to the BPO and disruption of our day-to-day business activities. The risks described above in this paragraph and other risks with respect to the BPO could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

If our relationships with our vendors, including Sears Holdings, were to be impaired, it could have a negative impact on our competitive position and our business and financial performance.

We obtain our merchandise from Sears Holdings and Other Vendors. For the year ended February 3, 2018, products which we acquired from Sears Holdings, including KCD Products and other products, accounted for approximately 78% of our total purchases of inventory from all vendors. The loss of or a reduction in the amount of merchandise made available to us by Sears Holdings could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Pursuant to the Merchandising Agreement, subsidiaries of Sears Holdings have agreed to sell non-Sears-branded products to us until February 1, 2020. If we want to continue to purchase non-Sears-branded products from Sears Holdings after February 1, 2020 we will need to seek to extend or renegotiate on comparable terms and conditions the duration of the Merchandising Agreement with respect to non-Sears-branded products. If those efforts were unsuccessful we might not be able to replace the inventory provided under the Merchandising Agreement on commercially reasonable terms, or at all and any such inability could have a material adverse effect on our prospects and results of operations and our ability to operate our business could be significantly impaired, as we would have to find new sources for our inventory. We now purchase and, when in the Company's best interest, intend to accelerate our purchases of non-Sears-branded products from Other Vendors.

Our vendor arrangements with Sears Holdings and Other Vendors generally are not long-term agreements and none of them guarantee the availability of merchandise in the future. Our growth strategy depends to a significant extent on the willingness and

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ability of our vendors to supply us with sufficient inventory. As a result, our success depends on maintaining good relations with our existing vendors and developing relationships with new vendors. If we fail to maintain our relations with our existing vendors (including without limitation maintaining an effective and productive business relationship with Sears Holdings) or the quality and quantity of merchandise they supply us, or if we cannot acquire new vendors of favored brand-name merchandise, our ability to obtain a sufficient amount and variety of merchandise at acceptable prices may be limited, which would have a negative impact on our competitive position. In addition, to the extent we are able to develop relationships with new vendors and obtain merchandise from alternative sources, the merchandise obtained may be of a lesser quality and more expensive than the merchandise we currently purchase.

We license from Sears Holdings the use of our current store names, specified domain names, and specified trademarks used to brand our products.

We license from Sears Holdings the use of the "Sears" trademark, the KCD Marks, and the "Sears Hometown Store," "Sears Authorized Hometown Store," "Sears Hardware Store," "Sears Home Appliance Showroom," "Sears Appliance & Hardware," and "Sears Outlet" store names (collectively, the "store names") and domain names for websites we operate (the "domain names"). Pursuant to the Merchandising Agreement, our licenses to use the KCD Marks will expire February 1, 2020 or, if renewed for the renewal term, February 1, 2023. Pursuant to the Store License Agreements and Trademark License Agreement, our licenses to use the Sears trademark, the store names, and the domain names (except as provided in the next sentence) will expire in 2029, subject to specified termination rights. In accordance with the Services Agreement our license from Sears Holdings to use the domain name "searsoutlet.com" on a web platform not operated by Sears Holdings will expire on February 1, 2020. For additional information regarding our license rights see "Certain Relationships and Transactions" in the 2018 Proxy Statement.

If the value of the Sears trademark, the KCD Marks, the store names, or the domain names diminishes, if we are unable to extend, renew, or renegotiate the Merchandising Agreement, the Store License Agreements, or the Trademark License Agreement on comparable terms, or at all, or if in connection with an insolvency proceeding with respect to Sears Holdings one or more of these agreements (or other then-available rights to use the KCD Marks, the store names, or the domain names) were rejected or otherwise terminated, our prospects and results of operations could be adversely affected and our ability to operate our business could be impaired, as it would require us to stop using one or more of the aforementioned names in our stores, in our online activities, and in our product advertising.

Several of our agreements with subsidiaries of Sears Holdings contain early termination provisions that are outside of our control and, if triggered, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate our business and our financial performance.

Our agreements with subsidiaries of Sears Holdings contain various default and termination provisions, some of which are not within our control. For example, under the Merchandising Agreement, if (i) an unaffiliated third party acquires all rights, title, and interest in and to one or more (but not all) of the KCD Marks, then subsidiaries of Sears Holdings may terminate their obligation to sell to us the products that are branded with the KCD Marks that were subject to such acquisition and (ii) if an unaffiliated third party acquires all rights, title, and interest in and to all of the KCD Marks, then subsidiaries of Sears Holdings may terminate the Merchandising Agreement in its entirety. See "The sale of KCD Products to other retailers, including certain of our competitors, may adversely affect our results of operations" in this Item 1A regarding Sears Holdings' sale on March 9, 2017 of its Craftsman brand to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. Furthermore, the Merchandising Agreement and our other agreements with subsidiaries of Sears Holdings may also be terminated by either party upon a material breach if breaching party fails to cure such breach within 30 days following written notice of such breach or, if such breach is not curable, immediately upon delivery of notice of the non-breaching party’s intention to terminate. The Merchandising Agreement provides that neither Sears Holdings nor SHO may exercise its express termination rights if it or its affiliates have failed to comply with any of its material obligations in the Merchandising Agreement and the failure is continuing.

In addition, a number of our agreements with subsidiaries of Sears Holdings contain cross-termination provisions such that, if a breach of or default under one of the agreements by one party were to result in the termination of such agreement, the other party may terminate a number of the additional agreements between the parties. If one or more of our agreements with subsidiaries of Sears Holdings were to be terminated earlier than currently anticipated, it could have a material adverse effect on our prospects and results of operations and our ability to operate our business would be significantly impaired. For additional information see "Certain Relationships and Transactions" in the 2018 Proxy Statement. The Company's Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with a syndicate of lenders, including Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (the "Senior ABL Facility"), and the Company's Term Loan Credit Agreement with Gordon Brothers Finance Company, as agent, lead arranger, and sole bookrunner, and Gordon Brothers Finance Company, LLC as lender (the “Term Loan Agreement”) each provides that an "Event of Default" would occur with specified consequences if SHC or its subsidiaries terminated each of the Merchandising Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Store License Agreements, the Trademark License Agreement, the Tax Sharing Agreement

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between the Company and Sears Holdings (the "Tax Sharing Agreement"), and the Employee Transition and Administrative Services Agreement between the Company and SHMC. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Senior ABL Facility" and "Term Loan Credit Agreement" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The sale of KCD Products to other retailers, including certain of our competitors, may adversely affect our results of operations.

KCD Products accounted for approximately 54% of our consolidated revenue during fiscal year 2017. Sears Holdings has agreed to supply several other retailers, including several of our competitors, with a number of Craftsman and DieHard-branded products that previously were only sold through affiliates of Sears Holdings. If Sears Holdings continues to supply other retailers, including our competitors, with Craftsman- and DieHard-branded products, or begins to supply other retailers with Kenmore-branded products, our revenue may be adversely affected.

During 2016 Sears Holdings announced that it would explore alternatives for its Kenmore, Craftsman, and Diehard businesses and further expand the presence of these brands. During 2017 Sears Holdings announced that it had completed its sale to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. of Sears Holdings' Craftsman business (the "Stanley Purchase"), including the Craftsman brand name and related intellectual property rights. The Stanley Purchase provides Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. with the rights to develop, manufacture, and sell Craftsman-branded products in non-Sears Holdings and non-Company retail, industrial, and online sales channels across the U.S. and in other countries. As part of the agreement, Sears Holdings will continue to offer specified Craftsman-branded products, sourced from existing suppliers, through its current retail channels, including the Company, via a perpetual license from Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. As part of the Stanley Purchase Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. agrees that Sears Holdings' license right to sell specified Craftsman-branded products to the Company is exclusive. The Company believes that the Stanley Purchase will enable Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. to significantly increase Craftsman sales through the Company's competitors, such as The Home Depot and Lowe’s. In connection with the Stanley Purchase, Sears Holdings has waived its right in the Merchandising Agreement to terminate, solely as a result of the Stanley Purchase, the Company's rights to buy from Sears Holdings merchandise branded with the Craftsman brand. For additional information see the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35641) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2017 regarding the Amendment to Amended and Restated Merchandising Agreement dated as of March 8, 2017 among the Company, Sears Holdings, and Stanley Black & Decker. Inc. On July 20, 2017 Sears Holdings announced the launch of Kenmore products on Amazon.com and that Sears Holdings planned to make the full line of Kenmore home appliances available on Amazon.com.

Our agreements with Sears Holdings restrict our ability to expand into certain geographic areas.

Currently, Sears full-line stores, Kmart stores, and certain specialty retail stores owned by Sears Holdings sell product lines that are similar to ours. The Merchandising Agreement prohibits us, subject to specified conditions, from opening new Hometown Stores and Hardware Stores in specified areas and from selling new home appliance, patio, and Craftsman lawn and garden merchandise in new Outlet Stores that are located within two miles of an operating Sears Holdings store. These non-competition obligations restrict our ability to open new stores and sell certain types of products in the specified areas that we might otherwise consider as possible targets for expansion and may limit our growth potential.

In connection with the Company’s operation of its websites, the Company has agreed in the Services Agreement to pay to Sears Holdings a fixed commission on web to home sales transacted on the Company's websites. The Company has also agreed in the Services Agreement to pay a higher fixed fee to Sears Holdings on these customer sales outside of specified territories when the customers find the Company's offers through the Company's eCommerce marketing, subject to exceptions.

As a publicly traded company separate from Sears Holdings, we may experience increased costs resulting from a decrease in the purchasing power we enjoyed pre-Separation.

Prior to the Separation, we were able to take advantage of Sears Holdings’ size and purchasing power in procuring services, including advertising, shipping and receiving, logistics, store maintenance contracts, employee benefit support, insurance, credit and debit card interchange fees and other services. Following the Separation, we have been a smaller company than Sears Holdings. We do not yet have direct access to all of these services from other vendors on terms that are comparable to the terms of services that were available to us as part of Sears Holdings prior to the Separation. Although Sears Holdings continues to reduce the number of stores that it operates and although its financial condition is not strong, our contractual relationships with Sears Holdings continue to make available to us at least some of these services on favorable terms. As a result we plan to continue to leverage our ongoing relationship with Sears Holdings to seek to obtain the benefits of its purchasing power (which is subject to the risk that Sears Holdings may be unable to continue to purchase for us the merchandise and services we seek on commercially reasonable terms, which risk we believe is growing). This will enable us to continue to purchase Craftsman and Kenmore merchandise, and to enable us to continue to purchase other available merchandise on terms that are financially beneficial to us. At the same time we are expanding our direct purchasing relationships with many of our most important vendors. Despite these actions, we may be unable

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to obtain goods, technology, and services at prices and on terms as favorable as those available to us prior to the Separation, which could increase our costs and reduce our profitability.

We may have been able to receive better terms from unaffiliated third parties than the terms we received in our agreements with Sears Holdings.

The agreements related to the Separation, including the Services Agreement, the Store License Agreements, the Trademark License Agreement, the Merchandising Agreement, and the Retail Establishment Agreement (other than the post-Separation amendments to these agreements, which have been approved by the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors), were agreed to in the context of a parent-subsidiary relationship and in the overall context of the Separation. Accordingly, they may not represent the best terms that could have been available to us from third parties. The terms of the agreements negotiated in the context of the Separation relate to, among other things, the principal actions needed to be taken in connection with the Separation, indemnification, and other obligations among Sears Holdings and us, and the nature of the commercial arrangements between us and Sears Holdings following the Separation. For additional information see "Certain Relationships and Transactions" in the 2018 Proxy Statement.

We may not be able to continue to resolve successfully future contractual disputes and other conflicts with Sears Holdings.

Several of our agreements with Sears Holdings, such as the Services Agreement, the Store License Agreements, the Trademark License Agreement, and the Merchandising Agreement, were agreed to in the context of a parent-subsidiary relationship and in the overall context of the Separation (other than the post-Separation amendments to these agreements, which have been approved by the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors). We may be unable to obtain expeditious and economical resolution of future disputes that could arise with respect to the following matters, among others, which also could materially and adversely affect our ability to conduct our business: business opportunities that may be attractive to both Sears Holdings and us; the nature, quality and pricing of services Sears Holdings has agreed to provide to us; tax, real estate (including sublease obligations) and other matters arising from the Separation; defense and indemnification arising from losses caused by Sears Holdings; major business combinations involving us; employee retention and recruiting; SHO's intellectual property rights; the extent of SHO's rights to conduct multi-channel retailing; and competition between our stores and websites and Sears Holdings’ stores and websites.

If Sears Holdings seeks the protection of the U.S. bankruptcy laws, our ability to operate our business and our financial performance could be materially and adversely affected.

If Sears Holdings' seeks the protection of the U.S. bankruptcy laws, the automatic-stay provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code could prohibit SHO’s attempts to collect (including by set off) amounts due from Sears Holdings that arose prior to its filing of a bankruptcy petition, and Sears Holdings’s unpaid pre-petition obligations to SHO could become general unsecured creditor claims of Sears Holdings that could become relatively valueless. Examples of Sears Holdings' unpaid pre-petition obligations to SHO could include (1) amounts that Sears Holdings collects on behalf of, but does not remit to, SHO, such as vendor subsidies, credit card income, and merchandise credits, (2) amounts that SHO pays to Sears Holdings to pay to others on SHO's behalf but that Sears Holdings does not pay, such as for SHO merchandise purchases from third parties, occupancy costs, and utilities, and (3) accounting adjustments and credits, such as Outlet merchandise cost credits.

We depend on Sears Holdings to provide us with key products and services in the operation of our business. For example, during fiscal year 2017 , merchandise acquired from subsidiaries of Sears Holdings, including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and other products, accounted for approximately 78% of total purchases of all inventory from all vendors. If Sears Holdings seeks the protection of the U.S. bankruptcy laws, a court could, among other things, permit or require Sears Holdings to reject or otherwise terminate one or more of its existing agreements with us, including without limitation the Merchandising Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Store License Agreements, and store leases and subleases (many of which are subleased to our dealers and franchisees). Sears Holdings could also choose, or be required, to sell assets, such as its rights to the Kenmore and Diehard marks and its remaining rights to the Craftsman mark and its rights to the trademarks and service names under which we operate our stores that are used by us in the operation of our business, to satisfy Sears Holdings' obligations to its creditors. If Sears Holdings' contractual obligations to us are terminated or assigned to others or if Sears Holdings sells to third parties rights to assets that we use in the course of our business, we could be materially and adversely affected. A termination of our agreements with Sears Holdings could require us to, among other things, find different service and product providers, possibly on short notice. Even if we are able to find replacement products and services, these products and services may not be of the same type or quality as those which are currently provided by Sears Holdings. If we are forced to enter into new contracts for replacement products and services, the new contracts may have terms and conditions that are less favorable to us than those to which we are currently bound. Different products and services, especially if lower in quality and value, and potential increased costs from less favorable contract terms could materially and adversely affect our ability to do business and our financial performance.


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If Sears Holdings seeks the protection of the U.S. bankruptcy laws, the consequences to the Company with respect to its rights under the Senior ABL Facility could be materially adverse. For example, (1) the lenders under the Senior ABL Facility could become uncomfortable lending to the Company due to its close contractual relationships with Sears Holdings, (2) the Senior ABL Facility provides for significant lender discretion, such as the ability to reduce loan advance-rates, which could reduce the amounts that the Company could borrow, (3) the lenders could assert that they have no obligation to extend to the Company additional loans on the basis that the Company has suffered a “Material Adverse Effect,” and (4) Sears Holdings’s rejection or termination of all of the agreements between the Company and Sears Holdings specified in the Senior ABL Facility would be an “Event of Default” under the Senior ABL Facility that would permit the lenders to accelerate and immediately call due all of the Company's outstanding loans. The consequences to the Company with respect to its rights under the Term Loan Agreement also could be materially adverse. For example, (1) the Term Loan Agreement provides for significant lender discretion, such as the ability to increase reserves with respect to the Term Loan Agreement's borrowing base, which could require the establishment and maintenance of a reserve under, and thereby reduce the amounts that the Company could borrow under, the Senior ABL Facility and could cause the Company's breach of a covenant under the Senior ABL Facility that limits indebtedness, (2) Sears Holdings’s rejection or termination of all of the agreements between the Company and Sears Holdings specified in the Term Loan Agreement would be an “Event of Default” under the Term Loan Agreement that would permit the lender to accelerate and immediately call due the Company's outstanding loan under the Term Loan Agreement.

Risks Relating to Our Business

If we fail to offer merchandise and services that our customers want, our sales may be limited, which would reduce our revenues and profits.

In order for our business to be successful, we must identify, obtain supplies of, and offer to our customers, attractive, innovative and high-quality merchandise on a continuous basis. Our products and services must satisfy the desires of our customers, whose preferences in appliances, hardware and lawn and garden products may change in the future. If we misjudge either the demand for the products we sell or our customers' purchasing habits and tastes, we may be faced with excess inventories of some products and missed opportunities for products we chose not to offer. In addition, our sales may decline or we may be required to sell the merchandise we have obtained at lower prices, increasing our inventory markdowns and promotional expenses. This would have a negative effect on our business and results of operations.

Our business has been and will continue to be affected by worldwide economic conditions; a failure of the economy to sustain its recovery, a renewed decline in consumer-spending levels and other conditions, including inflation, could lead to reduced revenues and gross margins, and negatively impact our results of operations.

Many economic and other factors are outside of our control, including, consumer confidence and spending levels, consumer and commercial credit availability, inflation, employment levels, housing sales and remodels, lower housing turnover, increased mortgage delinquency and foreclosure rates, consumer debt levels, fuel costs and other challenges currently affecting the global economy, the full impact of which on our business, results of operations and financial condition cannot be predicted with certainty. These economic conditions adversely affect the disposable income levels of, and the credit available to, our customers, which could lead to reduced demand for our merchandise. Also affected are our vendors, upon which we depend to provide us with inventory and services. Our vendors could seek to change the terms under which they sell inventory or other services to us which could negatively impact our financial condition. In addition, the inability of vendors to access liquidity, or the insolvency of vendors, could lead to their failure to deliver inventory or other services.

The domestic and international political situation also affects consumer confidence. The threat, outbreak or escalation of terrorism, military conflicts or other hostilities could lead to a decrease in consumer spending. Any of these events and factors could cause us to increase inventory markdowns and promotional expenses, thereby reducing our gross margins and operating results.

If we do not successfully manage our inventory levels, our operating results will be adversely affected.

We must maintain sufficient inventory levels to operate our business successfully. However, we also must avoid accumulating excess inventory as we seek to minimize out-of-stock levels across all product categories and to maintain in-stock levels. We continue to rely on and obtain significant portions of our inventory through Sears Holdings, which obtains a significant portion of inventory from vendors located outside the United States. Some of these vendors often require us to provide, through Sears Holdings, lengthy advance notice of our requirements in order to be able to supply products in the quantities we request. This usually requires us, through Sears Holdings, to order merchandise, and enter into purchase order contracts for the purchase and manufacture of such merchandise, well in advance of the time these products will be offered for sale. As a result, we may experience difficulty in responding to a changing retail environment, which makes us vulnerable to changes in price and consumer preferences.

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If we do not accurately anticipate the future demand for a particular product or the time it will take to obtain new inventory, our inventory levels will not be appropriate and our results of operations may be negatively impacted.

If we are unable to compete effectively in the highly competitive retail industry, our business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

The retail industry is intensely competitive and highly fragmented. In addition, there are few barriers to entry into our current trade areas and new competitors may enter our trade areas at any time. We compete with a wide variety of retailers, including department stores, discounters, mass merchandisers, hardware stores, independent dealers, home improvement stores, home appliance and consumer electronics retailers, auto service providers, specialty retailers, wholesale clubs and many other competitors operating on a national, regional or local level. Some of our competitors are actively engaged in new store expansion. Online and catalog businesses, which handle similar lines of merchandise, also compete with us.

We may not be able to compete successfully against existing and future competitors. Some of our competitors have financial resources that are substantially greater than ours and may be able to purchase inventory at lower costs and better endure the current or future economic downturns. As a result, our sales may decline if we cannot offer competitive prices to our customers or we may be required to accept lower profit margins. Our competitors may respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and consumer preferences and may have greater resources to devote to promotion and sale of products and services.
Our existing competitors or new entrants into our industry may use a number of different strategies to compete against us, including the following:

Expansion into the suburban and rural trade areas in which many of our stores operate;
Lower pricing, particularly with respect to new, in-box appliances (which, among other things, makes the pricing of our Outlet merchandise less compelling);
Expanding the offering of free delivery and installation of merchandise and other consumer benefits;
Expanding online sales;
Extension of credit to customers on terms more favorable than we offer; and
Larger store size, which may result in greater operational efficiencies, or innovative store formats, and use of disruptive technology.

Competition from any of these sources could cause us to lose trade area share, sales and customers, increase expenditures or reduce prices, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our operating results are tied in part to the success of our dealers and franchisees, and the inability of our dealers and franchisees to continue operating their stores profitably could adversely affect our operating results.

As of February 3, 2018, the significant majority of the stores in our Hometown business were operated by our dealers and franchisees that sell our inventory on a consignment basis. Our dealers’ and franchisees’ ability to continue operating their stores profitably depends on various factors, including their business abilities, financial capabilities (including their access to credit for operating capital), the negotiation of acceptable leases, and general economic conditions. Many of the foregoing factors are beyond the control of both SHO and our dealers and franchisees. If our dealers and franchisees are unable or unwilling to operate their stores profitably, this could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations including the necessity that we record additional accelerated store-closing costs and additional non-cash provisions for losses on franchisee receivables. During our 2017 fiscal year we entered into franchise termination agreements with, or otherwise terminated, franchises in 32 locations.

In addition, if our dealers are unable or unwilling to operate their stores profitably or in a manner consistent with our concepts and standards, we may be required to take over one or more stores from our dealers from time to time. Generally, at any given time, we operate approximately 3-5% of our Sears Hometown Stores as a result of our taking such stores over from our authorized dealers.

Our dealers and franchisees may damage our business or increase our costs by failing to comply with our operating standards or our dealer and franchise agreements.

Our dealers and franchisees operate their stores pursuant to dealer agreements and franchise agreements, respectively, with us. If our dealers and franchisees do not comply with our established operating concepts and standards or the terms in the franchise or dealer agreements, our business may be damaged. We may incur significant additional costs, including time-consuming and expensive litigation, to enforce our rights under the dealer agreements and the franchise agreements. Furthermore, as a franchisor we have obligations to our franchisees. Franchisees may challenge the performance of our obligations under the franchise

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agreements and subject us to costs in defending these claims and, if the claims are successful, costs in connection with their compliance.

In addition, as a franchisor we are subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission and are subject to state laws that govern the offer, sale and termination of franchises and the refusal to renew franchises. The failure to comply with these regulations in any jurisdiction or to obtain required approvals could result in a ban or temporary suspension on future franchise sales, fines or require us to make a rescission offer to franchisees, any of which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

Our sales may fluctuate for a variety of reasons, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our business is sensitive to customers' spending patterns, which in turn are subject to prevailing and perceived longer-term economic conditions. Our sales and results of operations have fluctuated in the past and we expect them to continue to fluctuate in the future. A variety of other factors affect our sales and financial performance, including the following:
Actions by our competitors, including opening of new stores in our existing trade areas or changes to the way these competitors conduct business online;
Increases to the level of discount on promotional pricing of new-in-box appliances in the industry, which could continue to adversely impact our sales of out-of-box appliances and associated margin;
The extent to which we are able to generate profitable sales of merchandise and services on our transactional ecommerce websites in the amounts we have planned to generate;
The availability on commercially reasonable terms of the various types of inventory that we need to sell for the profitable operation of our stores;
Changes in our merchandise strategy and mix;
Real estate and maintenance costs for our existing stores;
Changes in population and other demographics;
Timing and effectiveness of our promotional events;
Weather conditions, including level of rainfall, particularly drought, level of snowfall, average temperature, major storms, and delays in, or advances to, the start of seasonal changes;
The availability of locations for new stores that can be operated profitability by the Company and by our dealers and franchisees; and
The growth of online shopping in which we may not be able to fully participate

Accordingly, our results for any one quarter or year are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other quarter or year, and comparable store sales for any particular future period may increase or decrease. For more information on our results of operations, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ESL Investments, Inc. and its investment affiliates, whose interests may be different from the interests of other stockholders, may be able to exert substantial influence over our Company.

According to publicly available information, ESL Investments, Inc. and its investment affiliates including Edward S. Lampert (together, "ESL") owns 58.8% of our outstanding shares of common stock. Accordingly, ESL could have substantial influence over many, if not all, actions to be taken or approved by our stockholders, and will have a significant voice in the election of directors and any transactions involving a change of control, among other matters affecting the Company.

The interests of ESL, which has investments in other companies (including, according to publicly available information, ownership of more than 50% of the outstanding common stock of Sears Holdings) may from time to time differ from, or be opposed to, the interests of our other stockholders.

Edward S. Lampert is the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of Sears Holdings.

We may be subject to product liability claims if people or properties are harmed by the products we sell or the services we offer.

Some of the products we sell may expose us to product liability claims relating to personal injury, death, or property damage caused by such products, and may require us to take actions such as product recalls. Although we maintain liability insurance, we cannot be certain that our coverage will be adequate for liabilities actually incurred or that insurance will continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.



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We may be subject to periodic litigation and regulatory proceedings. These proceedings may be affected by changes in laws and government regulations or changes in the enforcement thereof.

From time to time, we may be involved in lawsuits and regulatory actions relating to our business, certain of which may be in jurisdictions with reputations for aggressive application of laws and procedures against corporate defendants. We are impacted by trends in litigation, including class-action allegations brought under various consumer protection and employment laws, including wage and hour laws. We conduct business in all fifty states. Some jurisdictions in which we operate aggressively apply laws and procedures against corporate defendants. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation and regulatory proceedings, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings. An unfavorable outcome could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, regardless of the outcome of any litigation or regulatory proceedings, these proceedings could result in substantial costs and may require that we devote substantial time and resources to defend our Company. Further, changes in governmental regulations in the United States could have adverse effects on our business and subject us to additional regulatory actions.

If we do not maintain the security of our customer, associate, and company information, we could damage our reputation, incur substantial additional costs, and become subject to litigation.

In the ordinary course of our business, we collect, process, and store a large amount of customer, associate, and Company information, including financial information and sensitive personal information. Until we complete the implementation of the BPO we will continue to rely heavily on Sears Holdings’ computer and communications hardware and software systems (such as the point-of-sale system used by the Company and our dealers and franchisees) and related security systems (collectively the "Sears Holdings Systems") to collect, process, and store this information. Sears Holdings Systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches, catastrophic events such as fires, tornadoes and hurricanes, and usage errors by Sears Holdings' associates, our associates, and the associates of our dealers and franchisees. The Sears Holdings Systems may be compromised as a result of criminal activity, negligence, or otherwise. Threats may result from human error, fraud, or malice on the part of Sears Holdings' associates, our associates, and the associates of our dealers, franchisees, and other third parties, or may result from accidental technological failure. Any significant compromise or breach of the Sears Holdings Systems could significantly damage our reputation and result in additional costs, lost sales, fines, government investigations, and lawsuits against, or otherwise adversely affecting, SHO. The regulatory environment related to information security and privacy is increasingly rigorous and complex, with new and constantly changing requirements applicable to our business, and compliance with those requirements could result in additional costs. Additionally, several recent, highly publicized data-security breaches and cyber attacks at other large, nationwide retail companies have heightened consumer awareness of this issue and may embolden individuals or groups to target SHO and the Sears Holdings Systems. There is no guarantee that our reliance on the Sears Holdings Systems and related security measures provided by Sears Holdings will protect information against unauthorized access or that the Sears Holdings Systems and related security measures are adequate to safeguard against data-security breaches. On April 4, 2018 Sears Holdings announced a data breach incident leading to unauthorized access to customer payment information in September 2017. Sears Holdings also indicated that the breach was found and resolved in October 2017 with no impact to customers or internal systems. If the Sears Holdings Systems experience a significant data-security breach or if Sears Holdings or SHO fails to detect and appropriately respond to a significant data-security breach, with respect to our customer, associate, or Company information, we could be exposed to government enforcement actions and private litigation. In addition, our customers could lose confidence in our ability to protect their information, which could cause them to stop shopping with us altogether. Kmart, owned by Sears Holdings, announced in October 2014 that its payment-data systems had been breached and on April 4, 2018 Sears Holdings announced that one of its vendors that provides online support services to Sears and Kmart had notified Sears Holdings that the vendor had experienced a security incident during 2017 that involved unauthorized access to credit card information with respect to less than 100,000 Sears Holdings's customers.

When we complete the implementation of the BPO our systems will be subject to the same information-system risks that are described in the preceding paragraph. See "We rely on Sears Holdings and other third parties to provide us with key products and services in connection with the administration of many critical aspects of our business, and we may be required to develop our own systems quickly in order to reduce such dependence" in this Item 1A for additional information and risks regarding the implementation of the BPO.

If we are unable to renew or enter into new store leases on competitive terms, our revenues or results of operations could be negatively impacted.

A small number of our stores are in locations where Sears Holdings currently operates one of its stores. In such cases we entered into a lease or sublease with Sears Holdings (or one of its subsidiaries) for the portion of the space in which our store will operate and pay rent directly to Sears Holdings (or one of its subsidiaries) on the terms negotiated in connection with the Separation. If

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we are unable to negotiate leases or subleases with Sears Holdings (or one of its subsidiaries) on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, we may be forced to close the affected stores, which could negatively impact our results of operations.

As of February 3, 2018, we leased 94 Company-operated Sears Outlet store locations under long-term agreements with landlords that are unaffiliated with Sears Holdings, leased 23 locations with landlords affiliated with Sears Holdings, operated two locations that were co-located with a Sears Appliance and Hardware store which were leased by the Hometown segment, and owned two buildings. Additionally, we are the obligor on nine leases which are sublet to our franchisees that are unaffiliated with Sears Holdings and one lease is sublet to franchisees with landlords affiliated with Sears Holdings, and four locations are leased by franchisees. If our cost of leasing existing stores increases, we may be unable to maintain our existing store locations as leases expire. Our profitability may decline if we fail to enter into new leases on competitive terms or at all, or we may not be able to locate suitable alternative stores or additional sites for new-store expansion in a timely manner. Furthermore, 66 of our 132 Sears Outlet leases will expire within the next three years and, with respect to 27 of these locations, we do not have lease-renewal rights. A failure to renew or enter into new leases could reduce our revenues and negatively impact our results of operations.

As of February 3, 2018, our Sears Hometown business leased 29 Company-operated locations under long-term agreements with landlords that are unaffiliated with Sears Holdings and leased one Company-operated locations under long-term agreements with landlords affiliated with Sears Holdings. Additionally, we are the obligor on an additional six leases which are sublet to our franchisees. If our franchisees are unable to maintain the payments under either our sublease or assigned lease arrangements, we will be required to make payments under the lease. In addition, upon the expiration of the initial lease term, our franchisees are responsible for entering into new leases with existing landlords. If our franchisees are unable to negotiate new leases with existing landlords on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, our franchisees may be required to move or close certain of our stores. A failure to maintain payments or to enter into new leases by our franchisees could negatively impact our results of operations.

As of February 3, 2018, our Sears Hometown and Sears Outlet businesses leased 12 locations and seven locations, respectively, where we closed retail stores but continued to be obligated on the lease. In addition, we are leasing one location currently under construction to open a new store.

A number of the leases for both our Outlet and Hometown stores were negotiated by and entered into by a subsidiary of Sears Holdings. Upon the expiration of these leases, we will be required to enter into new leases with the landlords for such properties and we may be unable to enter into new leases as a company independent from Sears Holdings on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Further, a number of our leases were entered into at a time when the commercial real estate market was depressed. We may be required to enter into negotiations with landlords for new leases in the future at times when the commercial real estate market has rebounded and rental payments are generally higher for commercial real estate. Higher leasing costs could negatively impact our results of operations.

If we fail to timely and effectively obtain shipments of product from our vendors and deliver merchandise to our customers, our operating results will be adversely affected.

We cannot control all of the various factors that might affect our timely and effective procurement of supplies of product from our vendors, including Sears Holdings, and delivery of merchandise to our customers. Our utilization of foreign imports also makes us vulnerable to risks associated with products manufactured abroad, including, among other things, risks of damage, destruction or confiscation of products while in transit to our stores, work stoppages including as a result of events such as strikes, transportation and other delays in shipments including as a result of heightened security screening and inspection processes or other port-of-entry limitations or restrictions in the United States, lack of freight availability and freight cost increases. In addition, if we experience a shortage of a popular item, we may be required to arrange for additional quantities of the item, if available, to be delivered to us through airfreight, which is significantly more expensive than standard shipping by sea. As a result, we may not be able to obtain sufficient freight capacity on a timely basis or at favorable shipping rates and, therefore, we may not be able to timely receive merchandise from our vendors or deliver our products to our customers.

We rely upon Sears Holdings and other third-party land-based carriers for merchandise shipments to our stores and customers. Accordingly, we are subject to the risks, including labor disputes, union organizing activity, inclement weather and increased transportation costs, associated with such carriers' ability to provide delivery services to meet our inbound and outbound shipping needs. In addition, if there was an increase in the cost of fuel above current levels, the cost to deliver merchandise to our stores may rise which could have an adverse impact on our profitability. Failure to procure and deliver merchandise either to us or to our customers in a timely, effective and economically viable manner could damage our reputation and adversely affect our business. In addition, any increase in distribution costs and expenses could adversely affect our future financial performance.




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Failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley could have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our common stock.

As a public company, we are required to document and test our internal control over financial reporting in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Testing and maintaining internal control can divert our management’s attention from other matters that are also important to the operation of our business. The imposition of these regulations has increased, and may continue to increase, our legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more difficult, time consuming and costly. We may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. If we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, which would likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock. In addition, if we do not maintain effective internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial information on a timely basis, which could harm the trading price of our common stock, impair our ability to raise additional capital, or jeopardize our continued listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market or any other stock exchange on which our common stock may be listed.

Risks Relating to our Indebtedness

We and our subsidiaries may incur additional debt, which could substantially reduce our profitability, limit our ability to pursue certain business opportunities, and reduce the value of your investment.

At February 3, 2018 we had approximately $137.9 million of debt outstanding. While the instruments governing our indebtedness include restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, they do not completely prevent us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional debt in the future and do not prevent us or our subsidiaries from incurring other obligations that do not constitute indebtedness, which could increase the risks described below and lead to other risks. For additional information regarding the Senior ABL Facility and the Term Loan Agreement see, "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Analysis of Financial Condition" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The amount of our debt or such other obligations could have important consequences for holders of our common stock, including, but not limited to:

our ability to satisfy obligations to lenders may be impaired, resulting in possible defaults on and acceleration of our indebtedness;
our ability to obtain additional financing for refinancing of existing indebtedness, working capital, capital expenditures, product and service development, acquisitions, general corporate purposes and other purposes may be impaired;
a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations could be dedicated to the payment of the principal and interest on our debt;
we may be increasingly vulnerable to economic downturns and increases in interest rates;
our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and the retail industry may be limited; and
we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage relative to other companies in our industry.

The Senior ABL Facility and the Term Loan Agreement contain financial and operating covenants and restrictions that limit our operations and could lead to adverse consequences if we fail to comply with them.

The Senior ABL Facility and the Term Loan Agreement each contains financial and operating covenants and other restrictions relating to, among other things, an excess availability requirement and a fixed charge coverage ratio, as well as limitations on indebtedness (including guarantees of additional indebtedness) and liens, mergers, consolidations and dissolutions, sales of assets, investments and acquisitions, dividends and other restricted payments (such as stock repurchases), and transactions with affiliates. See "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Analysis of Financial Condition" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Failure to comply with these financial and operating covenants could result from, among other things, changes in our results of operations, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, or changes in general economic conditions, which may be beyond our control. The breach of any of these covenants or restrictions could result in a default under the Senior ABL Facility and the Term Loan Agreement that would permit the lenders to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest. If we are unable to repay such amounts, lenders having secured obligations, such as the lenders under the Senior ABL Facility and the lender under the Term Loan Agreement, could proceed against the collateral securing the secured obligations. In any such case, we may be unable to borrow under the Senior ABL Facility and may not be able to repay amounts due under such facility and under the Term Loan Agreement. This could have serious consequences to our financial condition and results of operations and could cause us to become bankrupt or insolvent. In addition, these covenants may restrict our ability to engage in transactions (i) that we believe would otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders or (ii) without which our

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business and operations could be harmed. See also "If Sears Holdings' seeks the protection of the U.S. bankruptcy laws, our ability to operate our business and our financial performance could be materially and adversely affected" in this Item 1A.

Increases in interest rates would increase the cost of servicing our debt and could reduce our profitability.

A significant portion of our outstanding debt, including amounts under the Senior ABL Facility and the Term Loan Agreement, bears interest at variable rates. As a result, increases in interest rates would increase the cost of servicing our debt and could materially reduce our profitability and cash flows. Assuming our Senior ABL Facility were fully drawn in a principal amount equal to $170 million, each one percentage point change in interest rates would result in a $1.7 million change in annual cash interest expense on our Senior ABL Facility. Assuming our Term Loan Agreement were fully drawn in a principal amount equal to $40 million, each one percentage point change in interest rates would result in a $0.4 million change in annual cash interest expense on our Term Loan Agreement.

We may have future capital needs and may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms.

Any reductions in our available borrowing capacity under the Senior ABL Facility or the Term Loan Agreement, or our inability to renew or replace our Senior ABL Facility, when required or when business conditions warrant, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The economic conditions, credit market conditions and economic climate affecting the retail industry, as well as other factors, may constrain our financing abilities. Our ability to secure additional financing, if available, and to satisfy our financial obligations under indebtedness outstanding from time to time will depend upon our future operating performance, the availability of credit generally, economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. The market conditions and the macroeconomic conditions that affect the retail industry could have a material adverse effect on our ability to secure financing on favorable terms, if at all. See also "If Sears Holdings' seeks the protection of the U.S. bankruptcy laws, our ability to operate our business and our financial performance could be materially and adversely affected" in this Item 1A.

We may be unable to secure additional financing or financing on favorable terms or our operating cash flow may be insufficient to satisfy our financial obligations under the indebtedness outstanding from time to time. Furthermore, if financing is not available when needed, or is available on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to secure debt financing and instead raise funds through the issuance of additional equity securities, our stockholders may experience significant dilution.

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock

If our share price fluctuates, you could lose all or a significant part of your investment.

Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol "SHOS." We neither can provide any assurance that a trading market for our common stock will continue to exist nor can we predict the prices at which our common stock may trade in the future. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate widely, depending on many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including the following:

Our business profile and market capitalization may not continue to fit the investment objectives of some stockholders and, as a result, these stockholders may sell our shares;
Actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results due to factors related to our business;
Our ability to decrease our reliance on products and services provided by Sears Holdings and ability to diversify our supply chain;
Success or failure of our business strategy;
Sears Holdings' financial performance, condition, and prospects, including the risk of insolvency proceedings;
Our relationship with Sears Holdings;
Actual or anticipated changes in the U.S. economy or the retailing environment;
Our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;
Our ability to obtain third-party financing as needed;
Announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions or dispositions;
The failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock;
Changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;
The operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;
Overall market fluctuations;
Changes in laws and regulations affecting our business;

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Actual or anticipated sales or distributions of our capital stock by our officers, directors or significant stockholders;
Terrorist acts or wars; and
General economic conditions and other external factors.

In addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies like us. These broad market and industry factors may materially reduce the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance.

Our common stock may have a low trading volume and limited liquidity, resulting from a continued lack of analyst coverage and institutional interest.

Our common stock may continue to receive limited attention from market analysts. Lack of up-to-date analyst coverage may make it difficult for potential investors to fully understand our operations and business fundamentals, which may limit our trading volume. Low trading volumes and lack of analyst coverage may limit your ability to resell your common stock.

Our common stock price may decline if ESL decides to sell a portion of its holdings of our common stock.

According to publicly available information ESL owns approximately 58.8% of our outstanding common stock. ESL will, in its sole discretion, determine the timing and terms of any transactions with respect to its shares in us, taking into account business and market conditions and other factors that it deems relevant. ESL is not subject to any contractual obligation to maintain its ownership position in us, although it may be subject to certain transfer restrictions imposed by securities laws. Consequently, we cannot assure you that ESL will maintain its ownership interest in us. Any sale by ESL of our common stock or any announcement by ESL that it has decided to sell shares of our common stock, or the perception by the investment community that ESL has sold or decided to sell shares of our common stock, could have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.

Your percentage ownership in us may be diluted in the future.

Your percentage ownership in SHO may be diluted in the future because of equity awards that may be granted to our directors, officers and employees in the future. We may in the future decide to make equity-based awards, as well as establish equity incentive plans that may provide for the grant of common stock-based equity awards to our directors, officers and other employees. In addition, we may issue equity in order to raise capital or in connection with future acquisitions and strategic investments, which would dilute your percentage ownership.

We do not expect to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.

We do not expect to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. As a result, you may not receive any return on an investment in our common stock in the form of cash dividends. The Senior ABL Facility would not have permitted us to pay cash dividends on our common stock as of February 3, 2018.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

21


Item 2. Properties

As of February 3, 2018, our Hometown business included 768 stores and our Outlet business included 132 stores.

As of February 3, 2018, 705 of our Hometown Store locations were leased by independent dealers from landlords not affiliated with SHO. Also as of that date (1) franchisees leased a total of 26 Home Appliance Showrooms and Hardware Stores directly from landlords not affiliated with SHO and (2) SHO subleased to franchisees a total of six Home Appliance Showrooms and Hardware stores. As part of our sublease arrangements, the franchisees agree with SHO to pay rent to SHO and perform the other lease obligations. As of February 3, 2018 SHO operated 23 leased Home Appliance Showrooms and Hardware Stores and operated eight leased Hometown Stores. Also as of that date SHO operated 117 leased Outlet Stores (including three stores which we subleased to a franchisee but operated as company stores under a management agreement), owned and operated two Outlet Stores, subleased seven Outlet Stores to franchisees, four locations were leased directly by franchisees, and two locations were in premises leased by Hardware stores.

As of February 3, 2018, SHO subleased or leased from Sears Holdings a total of 25 Company-operated locations. In some of these locations Sears Holdings currently operates one of its stores or engages in other or, in some cases, no business activity. In most such circumstances we have entered into a sublease with Sears Holdings (or one of its subsidiaries) for the portion of the space in which our store operates and we pay rent directly to Sears Holdings per negotiated terms. We also lease from Sears Holdings approximately 40,000 square feet of office space for our corporate headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. We believe that our facilities are adequately maintained and are sufficient to meet our current and projected needs. We review all subleases and leases set to expire in the near-term to determine the appropriate action to take with respect to them, including closing stores and entering into new store subleases or leases.
    
Generally, the form of sublease from Sears Holdings to us with respect to our subleased premises provides for the following, among other terms and conditions: (1) the duration of the sublease and the rent payable by us to Sears Holdings are the same as the duration and the rent payable by Sears Holdings to its landlord; (2) the premises are subleased to us on an "as is" basis and that Sears Holdings, as sublandlord, makes no representation to us regarding the condition of the subleased premises; (3) we as subtenant (A) are subject to easements, covenants, conditions, and restrictions of Sears Holdings' lease from its landlord and (B) are required to comply with and perform obligations of Sears Holdings as tenant under its lease from its landlord; (4) we are required to indemnify and defend Sears Holdings from and against claims by (A) Sears Holdings' landlord that we have not performed Sears Holdings' obligations as tenant under Sears Holdings' lease from the landlord and (B) any person as a result of our use or occupancy of the subleased premises or our failure to comply with the terms of the sublease or Sears Holdings' lease from its landlord; (5) we may not sublet or assign the sublease without the consent of Sears Holdings; and (6) upon specified defaults by us (including our failure to observe and perform any provision of the sublease to be performed by us) Sears Holdings may, among other remedies, (A) reenter the subleased premises and expel us and (B) recover damages from us.

Logistics
We support the distribution of product sold through our Outlet locations through strategically located distribution locations. As of February 3, 2018, we operated 14 distribution locations in 12 states and one in Puerto Rico, with an aggregate square footage of 1,659,000. During 2017, we closed four distribution locations in three states with an aggregate square footage of 214,000. On occasion, we may lease additional facilities to support additional distribution needs.

Store Openings and Closures
Store opening and closure data for fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017 is contained in the following table.
 
 
Fiscal Year
 
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
Beginning Store Count
 
1,260

 
1,160

 
1,020

Store Openings
 
37

 
20

 
7

Store Closures
 
(137
)
 
(160
)
 
(127
)
Ending Store Count
 
1,160

 
1,020

 
900


As of February 3, 2018, we had 900 stores in operation, with stores in each state in the U.S., as well as a store in Bermuda and stores in Puerto Rico.


22


Store Count by State
 
 
Hometown
 
Outlet
 
 
Company Operated
Dealer/Franchise
 
Company Operated
Franchise
BR
Bermuda
1
 
AK
Alaska
1
 
AL
Alabama
21
 
1
AR
Arkansas
32
 
AZ
Arizona
15
 
5
CA
California
3
31
 
19
CO
Colorado
15
 
2
CT
Connecticut
2
 
2
DE
Delaware
3
 
1
FL
Florida
18
 
10
GA
Georgia
27
 
4
HI
Hawaii
1
 
1
IA
Iowa
15
 
ID
Idaho
8
 
1
IL
Illinois
2
22
 
8
IN
Indiana
1
20
 
2
KS
Kansas
19
 
2
KY
Kentucky
16
 
1
LA
Louisiana
18
 
1
MA
Massachusetts
3
 
3
MD
Maryland
1
4
 
3
ME
Maine
7
 
MI
Michigan
29
 
4
1
MN
Minnesota
17
 
1
MO
Missouri
1
28
 
2
MS
Mississippi
21
 
MT
Montana
10
 
NC
North Carolina
24
 
4
ND
North Dakota
3
 
NE
Nebraska
9
 
NH
New Hampshire
1
7
 
NJ
New Jersey
3
1
 
5
NM
New Mexico
7
 
NV
Nevada
1
5
 
3
NY
New York
15
 
2
OH
Ohio
3
19
 
7
OK
Oklahoma
22
 
OR
Oregon
23
 
2
PA
Pennsylvania
7
13
 
4
PR
Puerto Rico
8
 
1
RI
Rhode Island
2
 
SC
South Carolina
13
 
2
SD
South Dakota
5
 
TN
Tennessee
15
 
3
TX
Texas
4
74
 
12
4
UT
Utah
3
 
VA
Virginia
9
 
3

23


VT
Vermont
7
 
WA
Washington
1
16
 
3
WV
West Virginia
6
 
WI
Wisconsin
1
24
 
3
WY
Wyoming
5
 
Total
29
739
 
121
11

Store Ownership Type
 
Hometown
 
Outlet
Company operated stores:
 
 
 
Owned
 
2
Leased
29
 
119
Total company operated
29
 
121
Independently owned and operated
739
 
11
Total store count as of February 3, 2018
768
 
132


24


Item 3. Legal Proceedings

As of the date hereof, we are not party to any litigation which we consider material to our operations.

Notwithstanding the above, from time to time we are (or in the future could be), and will continue to be, subject to legal claims, including without limitation those alleging wage and hour violations, employment discrimination, unlawful employment practices, Americans with Disabilities Act claims, breach of contract and other claims by our independent dealers and franchisees, product liability claims as a result of the sale of certain products, as well as various legal and governmental proceedings. Litigation is inherently unpredictable and each proceeding, claim, and regulatory action against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in significant legal expenses, require significant amounts of management time, result in the diversion of significant operational resources, require changes in our methods of doing business that could be costly to implement, reduce our net sales, increase our expenses, require us to make substantial payments to settle claims or satisfy judgments, require us to cease conducting certain operations or offering certain products in certain areas or generally, and otherwise harm our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, perhaps materially. See also "Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Relationship with, and Dependence on, Sears Holdings" and "Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Business" in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.





25


Part II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our common stock is listed and traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol SHOS. We had 253 stockholders of record at the close of business on April 3, 2018. The following table presents the high and low sales prices on NASDAQ of our common stock for each of the periods indicated:
2017
 
High
 
Low
First Quarter
 
$
4.00

 
$
3.35

Second Quarter
 
3.45

 
2.15

Third Quarter
 
2.60

 
1.70

Fourth Quarter
 
2.90

 
1.48

2016
 
High
 
Low
First Quarter
 
$
7.04

 
$
5.30

Second Quarter
 
7.14

 
5.38

Third Quarter
 
6.88

 
4.75

Fourth Quarter
 
7.25

 
3.70


Dividends

We did not declare any cash dividends on our common stock during fiscal year 2017. We do not expect to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Cash dividends are dependent upon our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, the satisfaction of certain conditions (described below in "Share Repurchases") under the Senior ABL Facility and the Term Loan Agreement, availability of surplus, and such other factors as our Board of Directors may deem relevant. See "We do not expect to pay dividends for the foreseeable future" in Item 1A-Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Share Repurchases

On August 28, 2013 the Company's Board of Directors authorized a $25 million repurchase program for the Company's outstanding shares of common stock. At February 3, 2018 we had $12.5 million of remaining authorization under the repurchase program. The timing and amount of repurchases depend on various factors, including market conditions, the Company's capital position and internal cash generation, and other factors. The Company's repurchase program does not include specific price targets, may be executed through open-market, privately negotiated, and other transactions that may be available, and may include utilization of Rule 10b5-1 plans. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any dollar amount, or any number of shares, of common stock. The repurchase program does not have a termination date, and the Company may suspend or terminate the repurchase program at any time. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during our 2017 fiscal year. The Senior ABL Facility would not have permitted us to repurchase our common stock as of February 3, 2018. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis--Financing Arrangements--Covenants" regarding the Senior ABL Facility's and the Term Loan Agreement's limits on SHO’s ability to repurchase its common stock. 

Shares that are repurchased by the Company pursuant to the repurchase program will be retired and will resume the status of authorized and unissued shares of common stock.     

The Senior ABL Facility and the Term Loan Agreement also impose various other requirements, such as a cash dominion requirement. In addition, the Senior ABL Facility requires the Company to comply with a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio upon excess availability falling below a specified level and the Term Loan Agreement provides that the Borrowers will not permit availability under the Term Loan Agreement and the Senior ABL Facility to be less than 10% of a combined loan cap.

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative stockholder return on our common stock with the return on the Total Return Index for The S&P 500 Stock Index and The S&P 500 Retailing Industry Group Total Return Index. The graph and table below assume that $100 was invested on February 2, 2013 in each of our common stock, The S&P 500 Stock Index and The S&P 500 Retailing Industry Group Total Return Index.

26


chart-85dc0b80e3005c16a09.jpg
 
 
January 31, 2014
 
January 30, 2015
 
January 29, 2016
 
January 27, 2017
 
February 3, 2018
SHOS
 
$
52.55

 
$
28.42

 
$
17.43

 
$
9.51

 
$
5.76

S&P 500 INDEX
 
$
119.18

 
$
133.38

 
$
129.72

 
$
152.50

 
$
177.10

S&P 500 RETAILING INDEX
 
$
129.60

 
$
153.90

 
$
177.84

 
$
208.59

 
$
281.55



27


Item 6. Selected Financial Data

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

The Consolidated Statement of Operations Data, the Per Common Share Data, the Consolidated Balance Sheet Data, and the Other Financial and Operation Data provided in the table below in this Item 6 with respect to our 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013 fiscal years are derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (for the 2017, 2016, and 2015 fiscal years), the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017 (for the 2014 fiscal year), and the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016 (for the 2013 fiscal year).

All of the information provided in the table below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

For additional information about our past financial performance and the basis of presentation of our financial statements, see "Selected Historical Financial and Other Data," "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and our financial statements and the notes thereto included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Fiscal years and thousands except for per share amounts and number of stores
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
1,719,951
 
2,070,056
 
2,287,788
 
2,356,033
 
2,421,562
Net (loss) income
 
(95,057
)
 
(131,919
)
 
(27,261
)
 
(168,805
)
 
35,550

Per Common Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
(4.19
)
 
(5.81
)
 
(1.20
)
 
(7.45
)
 
1.55

Diluted
 
(4.19
)
 
(5.81
)
 
(1.20
)
 
(7.45
)
 
1.55

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
 
412,688

 
468,426

 
633,833

 
645,722

 
847,185

Long-term debt
 

 

 

 

 

Long-term capital lease obligations
 
$
346

 
$
274

 
$
382

 
$
176

 
$
95

Other Financial and Operational Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA (2)
 
$
(14,525
)
 
$
(18,521
)
 
$
9,386

 
$
2,047

 
$
45,907

Number of stores
 
900

 
1,020

 
1,160

 
1,260

 
1,260

Sears Outlet - Comparable Store Sales %
 
(9.1
)%
 
(5.1
)%
 
(4.1
)%
 
(1.2
)%
 
1.2
 %
Sears Hometown and Hardware - Comparable Store Sales %
 
(8.1
)%
 
(4.2
)%
 
(0.1
)%
 
(7.1
)%
 
(3.2
)%
 
(1)
Our fiscal year end is the Saturday closest to January 31 each year. Fiscal year 2017 was a 53-week year and fiscal years 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, were 52-week years.
(2)
Adjusted EBITDA—In addition to our net income (loss) determined in accordance with GAAP, for purposes of evaluating operating performance, we use Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, or "adjusted EBITDA," which is adjusted to exclude certain significant items as set forth below. Our management uses adjusted EBITDA, among other metrics, to evaluate the operating performance of our business for comparable periods. Adjusted EBITDA should not be used by investors or other third parties as the sole basis for formulating investment decisions as it excludes a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute for GAAP measurements.

While adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, we believe it is an important indicator of operating performance for investors because:
EBITDA excludes the effects of financing and investing activities by eliminating the effects of interest and depreciation costs; and
Other significant items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and may have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects comparability of results. These items may also include cash charges such as Severance and executive transition costs and IT transformation investments that make it difficult for investors to assess the Company's core operating performance.


28


Starting with the second quarter of 2015, the Company began excluding initial franchise revenues from Adjusted EBITDA. This change was based on (1) the Company's decision to indefinitely suspend its franchising of additional stores except to existing Company franchisees and (2) to better align Adjusted EBITDA for purposes of incentive compensation.

The Company has undertaken an initiative on a limited number of occasions to accelerate the closing of under-performing stores in an effort to improve profitability and make the most productive use of capital. Under-performing stores are typically closed during the normal course of business at the termination of a lease or expiration of a franchise or dealer agreement and, as a result, do not have significant future lease, severance, or other non-recurring store-closing costs. When we close a significant number of stores or close them on an accelerated basis (closing prior to termination or expiration), the Company excludes the associated costs of the closings from adjusted EBITDA. In 2017 and 2016, we excluded $14.4 million and $17.1 million, respectively, of costs associated with the accelerated closure of under-performing stores.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most comparable GAAP measure, for each of the periods indicated:
 
 
Fiscal
thousands
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Net loss
 
$
(95,057
)
 
$
(131,919
)
 
$
(27,261
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
 
504

 
81,491

 
(15,152
)
Other income
 
(925
)
 
(1,490
)
 
(2,585
)
Interest expense
 
8,058

 
4,263

 
2,826

Operating loss
 
(87,420
)
 
(47,655
)
 
(42,172
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
13,039

 
13,458

 
10,562

Gain on the sale of assets
 

 
(25,203
)
 

Impairment of property and equipment
 
3,357

 
9,356

 
3,984

Severance and executive transition costs
 
348

 

 
1,066

Provision for loan losses, net of franchise revenues
 
7,361

 
(552
)
 
25,086

IT transformation investments
 
34,374

 
14,974

 
10,860

Accelerated closure of under-performing stores

 
14,416

 
17,101

 

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
(14,525
)
 
$
(18,521
)
 
$
9,386

 



29


Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking and Other Information."

Overview

We are a national retailer primarily focused on selling home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, tools, and hardware. In addition to merchandise, we provide our customers with access to a full suite of related services, including home delivery, installation, and extended-service plans. As of February 3, 2018, we and our independent dealers and franchisees operated a total of 900 stores across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda. In fiscal year 2017, the Company opened 7 stores and closed 127 stores.

Our Hometown stores are designed to provide our customers with in-store and online access to a wide selection of national brands of home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, tools, sporting goods, and household goods, depending on the format. Our Outlet stores are designed to provide our customers with in-store and online access to purchase, at prices that are significantly lower than list prices, new, one-of-a-kind, out-of-carton, discontinued, obsolete, used, reconditioned, overstocked, and scratched and dented products across a broad assortment of merchandise categories, including home appliances, apparel, mattresses, lawn and garden equipment, sporting goods and tools.

As of February 3, 2018, Hometown consisted of 768 stores as follows:

713 Hometown Stores—Primarily independently operated stores, predominantly located in smaller communities, and offering home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, tools, sporting goods, and household goods. All of our Hometown Stores carry proprietary Sears-branded products, such as Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard, as well as a wide assortment of other national brands.

19 Hardware Stores—Hardware stores that offer primarily home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, tools, and other home improvement products, and featuring Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard, as well as a wide assortment of other national brands.

36 Home Appliance Showrooms—Stores that have a simple, primarily appliance showroom design that are located in metropolitan areas.

As of February 3, 2018, our Hometown segment included 707 dealer-operated stores, 32 franchisee-operated stores, and 29 Company-operated stores. The business model and economic structure of the dealer-operated and franchisee-operated stores, which are independently owned, are substantially similar to Company-operated stores in many respects. The Company requires all of the stores to operate under specified circumstances according to the Company’s standards. Stores must display the required merchandise, offer all required products and services, and use the Company’s point of sale system. Also, the Company has the right to approve advertising and promotional and marketing materials and imposes specified advertising requirements on the owners. The Company owns the merchandise, establishes all selling prices for the merchandise, and bears general inventory risk (with specific exceptions) until sale of the merchandise and if the customer returns the merchandise. In addition, because each transaction is recorded in the Company’s point of sale system, the Company bears customer credit risk. The Company establishes a commission structure for stores operated by our dealers and franchisees and pays commissions when our dealers and franchisees sell the merchandise and provide services.

Historically, all of the Company's Outlet stores were operated by the Company. We initiated efforts to franchise Outlet stores in 2012, with the first stores transferred to franchisees during the 2013 fiscal year. During the second quarter of 2015 the Company suspended its franchising of additional stores except to existing Company franchisees, and the suspension is continuing. As of February 3, 2018, 11 of the 132 Sears Outlet stores were operated by franchisees.

Our dealers and franchisees exercise control over the operations of their stores, including complete responsibility for supervising their store management and their store employees and making capital decisions. Several of the primary differences between Company-operated stores and dealer or franchisee-operated stores are that (1) the Company is responsible for occupancy and

30


payroll costs associated with Company-operated stores while our dealers and franchisees are responsible for these costs for their stores, (2) the Company is responsible for all terms and conditions of employment for the employees in the Company-operated stores and our dealers and franchisees are responsible for all terms and conditions of employment for the employees in their stores, and (3) we pay commissions to our dealers and franchisees.

In the normal course of business, stores can transition from Company-operated to franchisee or dealer-operated, and vice-versa. Potential new store locations may be identified by the Company, an existing dealer or franchisee, or a potential dealer or franchisee. If the Company identifies and develops a location, it will generally seek to transfer that store to a dealer. When the Company takes back a store from a franchisee, the Company's gross margin will generally decrease as the our cost of occupancy, which is reflected in cost of sales and occupancy will increase. In addition, the Company's selling and administrative expense will decrease as the Company's commission payments, which are reflected in selling and administrative expense, will decrease. The decrease in commission payments will be partially offset by higher payroll and benefits expense.

Initial franchise revenues consist of franchise fees paid with respect to new and existing Company-operated stores that we transfer to franchisees plus the net gain or loss on any related transfer of assets to the franchisees. The number of new franchised stores, the number of Company-operated stores transferred, and the net gain or loss per store transferred are variable from quarter to quarter. The variation is driven by a number of factors, including general economic conditions, which influence both the level of new store development and the level of interest of existing or potential franchisees in acquiring store locations, and economic factors specific to our major product categories, such as appliances. Each of these factors impacts the expected returns on new store development and the number of Company-operated locations available for sale to franchisees. Initial franchise revenues were $0.0 million, $(0.2) million, and $0.3 million in the 2017, 2016, and 2015 fiscal years, respectively. During the second quarter of fiscal 2015 the Company suspended its franchising of additional stores except to existing Company franchisees, and the suspension is continuing.

Franchisee Receivables Charges

The Company had a provision for collectability (net of recoveries) related to franchisee receivables of $7.4 million in 2017 compared to net recoveries of $0.8 million in 2016 and $25.4 million net expense in 2015.

Merchandise Subsidies and Cash Discounts from Sears Holdings

In accordance with our Amended and Restated Merchandising Agreement with Sears Holdings, SHO receives from Sears Holdings specified portions of merchandise subsidies collected by Sears Holdings from its merchandise vendors and specified portions of cash discounts earned by Sears Holdings as a result of its early payment of merchandise-vendor payables (together "Vendor Funds"). For 2017 Sears Holdings' Vendor Funds were higher compared to 2016 and SHO's portion of the collected Vendor Funds during 2017 were approximately $5.2 million higher than SHO's portion for 2016. While we cannot provide any assurance that SHO's portion of Vendor Funds collected by Sears Holdings will not decline, stay the same, or continue to increase, our portion could decline in 2018 due to an expected increase in purchases through our direct vendor relationships. If SHO's portion of Vendor Funds collected by Sears Holdings were to decline significantly, SHO's results of operations could be adversely affected to a material extent.

Home Office Overhead Allocation

Since the Separation we have included an allocation of Home Office overhead expenses in selling and administrative expenses from Hometown and Outlet. Home Office overhead expenses are primarily comprised of corporate headquarters payroll, benefits, and other costs and include charges related to our Services Agreement with Sears Holdings.

Fiscal Year

Our fiscal years end on the Saturday closest to January 31. Unless otherwise stated, references to specific years in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are to fiscal years. The following fiscal periods are presented herein:
Fiscal year
  
Ended
  
Weeks
2017
  
February 3, 2018
  
53
2016
  
January 28, 2017
  
52
2015
  
January 30, 2016
  
52

31


Results of Operations

The following table sets forth items derived from our consolidated results of operations for our 2017, 2016 and 2015 fiscal years.
 
 
 
Fiscal
thousands
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
NET SALES
 
$
1,719,951

 
$
2,070,056

 
$
2,287,788

COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales and occupancy
 
1,371,408

 
1,661,314

 
1,769,286

Gross margin
 
348,543

 
408,742

 
518,502

Margin rate
 
20.3
%
 
19.7
%
 
22.7
%
Selling and administrative
 
419,567

 
458,786

 
546,128

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales
 
24.4
%
 
22.2
%
 
23.9
%
Impairment of property and equipment
 
3,357

 
9,356

 
3,984

Depreciation and amortization
 
13,039

 
13,458

 
10,562

Gain on the sale of assets
 

 
(25,203
)
 

Total costs and expenses
 
1,807,371

 
2,117,711

 
2,329,960

Operating loss
 
(87,420
)
 
(47,655
)
 
(42,172
)
Interest expense
 
(8,058
)
 
(4,263
)
 
(2,826
)
Other income
 
925

 
1,490

 
2,585

Loss before income taxes
 
(94,553
)
 
(50,428
)
 
(42,413
)
Income tax (expense) benefit
 
(504
)
 
(81,491
)
 
15,152

NET LOSS
 
$
(95,057
)
 
$
(131,919
)
 
$
(27,261
)

Comparable Store Sales

Comparable store sales amounts include merchandise sales for all stores operating for a period of at least 12 full months, including remodeled and expanded stores but excluding store relocations and stores that have undergone format changes. In addition, 2017 included an extra week (the "53rd week") compared to our 2016 fiscal year results. The 53rd week is not included in comparable store sales calculations.

Adjusted EBITDA

In addition to our net loss determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), for purposes of evaluating operating performance we also use adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or “adjusted EBITDA,” which excludes certain significant items as set forth and discussed below. Our management uses adjusted EBITDA, among other factors, for evaluating the operating performance of our business for comparable periods. Adjusted EBITDA should not be used by investors or other third parties as the sole basis for formulating investment decisions as it excludes a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute for GAAP measurements.

While adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, we believe it is an important indicator of operating performance for investors because:

EBITDA excludes the effects of financing and investing activities by eliminating the effects of interest and depreciation costs; and
Other significant items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and may have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects comparability of results. These items may also include cash charges such as severance and executive transition costs and IT transformation investments that make it difficult for investors to assess the Company's core operating performance.

Since 2015 the Company has excluded initial franchise revenues from adjusted EBITDA. This change is based on (1) the Company's decision to suspend its franchising of additional stores except to existing Company franchisees and (2) to better align adjusted EBITDA for purposes of incentive compensation.




32


The Company has undertaken an initiative on a limited number of occasions to accelerate the closing of under-performing stores in an effort to improve profitability and make the most productive use of capital. Under-performing stores are typically closed during the normal course of business at the termination of a lease or expiration of a franchise or dealer agreement and, as a result, do not have significant future lease, severance, or other non-recurring store-closing costs. When we close a significant number of stores or close them on an accelerated basis (closing prior to termination or expiration), the Company excludes the associated costs of the closings from adjusted EBITDA. In 2017 and 2016, we excluded $14.4 million and $17.1 million, respectively, of costs associated with the accelerated closure of under-performing stores.

The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most comparable GAAP measure, for each of the periods indicated:
 
 
Fiscal
thousands
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Net loss
 
$
(95,057
)
 
$
(131,919
)
 
$
(27,261
)
Income tax (benefit) expense
 
504

 
81,491

 
(15,152
)
Other income
 
(925
)
 
(1,490
)
 
(2,585
)
Interest expense
 
8,058

 
4,263

 
2,826

Operating loss
 
(87,420
)
 
(47,655
)
 
(42,172
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
13,039

 
13,458

 
10,562

Gain on the sale of assets
 

 
(25,203
)
 

Impairment of property and equipment
 
3,357

 
9,356

 
3,984

Severance and executive transition costs
 
348

 

 
1,066

Provision for loan losses, net of franchise revenues
 
7,361

 
(552
)
 
25,086

IT transformation investments
 
34,374

 
14,974

 
10,860

Costs associated with accelerated store closings
 
14,416

 
17,101

 

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
(14,525
)
 
$
(18,521
)
 
$
9,386

 


53 Week Period Ended February 3, 2018 Compared to the 52 Week Period Ended January 28, 2017

Net Sales

Net sales for 2017 decreased $350.1 million, or 16.9%, to $1.7 billion from $2.1 billion in 2016. This decrease was driven primarily by the impact of closed stores (net of new store openings) and an 8.4% decrease in comparable store sales. This decline was partially offset by sales of $23.4 million in the 53rd week. Comparable store sales were down 8.1% and 9.1% in Hometown and Outlet, respectively. The home appliances and lawn & garden categories both outperformed the average comparable store sales while tools underperformed to the average.

Gross Margin

Gross margin was $348.5 million, or 20.3% of net sales, for 2017 compared to $408.7 million, or 19.7% of net sales, for 2016. The increase in gross margin rate was primarily driven by higher margin on merchandise sales and lower shrink partially offset by higher occupancy costs as a percentage of sales resulting from a greater mix of Company-operated stores compared to the prior year. Accelerated store closing costs were $14.2 million for 2017 compared to $15.7 million for 2016. The total impact of occupancy costs, accelerated closing store costs, and shrink reduced gross margin rate 496 basis points for 2017 compared to a 490 basis-point reduction for 2016.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses decreased to $419.6 million, or 24.4% of net sales, for 2017 from $458.8 million, or 22.2% of net sales, for 2016. The decrease was primarily due to: (1) lower expenses being recorded for stores closed (net of new store openings), (2) lower commissions paid to dealers and franchisees on lower sales volume and lower store count, (3) lower marketing costs, and (4) lower support costs paid to Sears Holdings. These decreases were partially offset by (1) higher IT Transformation costs ($34.4 million for 2017 compared to $15.0 for 2016), (2) expenses associated with the 53rd week, (3) $8.1 million higher provisions for 2017 related to franchisee notes receivables, and (4) higher payroll and benefits due to a higher mix of Company-

33


operated stores. On a rate-to-sales basis, IT transformation costs and provisions for franchisee note receivables increased selling and administrative expenses 243 basis points for 2017 compared to 69 basis points for 2016.

Gain on Sale of Assets

During the second quarter of 2016, we completed the sale of an owned property located in San Leandro, California. Net proceeds from the sale were $26.1 million, and we recorded a gain on the sale of $25.3 million.

Operating Loss

We recorded an operating loss of $87.4 million and $47.7 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in operating loss was primarily due to the $25.2 million gain on sale of assets in 2016 and lower volume. These factors were partially offset by lower selling and administrative expense, a higher gross margin rate, lower impairment charges, and a $2.3 million favorable impact from the 53rd week.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $0.5 million for 2017 compared to $81.5 million for 2016, comprised primarily of $100.1 million non-cash valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets recorded in 2016. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act reduces the corporate rate to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. The impact on our net deferred tax assets ("DTA") and deferred tax liabilities ("DTL") was a decrease of $35.2 million with a corresponding net adjustment to the valuation allowance for the year ended February 3, 2018.

Net loss

We recorded a net loss of $95.1 million for 2017 compared to a net loss of $131.9 million for 2016. The decrease in our net loss was primarily attributable to a decrease in income tax expense partially offset by a higher operating loss and higher interest expense.


52 Week Period Ended January 28, 2017 Compared to the 52 Week Period Ended January 30, 2016

Net Sales

Net sales for 2016 decreased $217.7 million, or 9.5%, to $2.1 billion compared to 2015. This decrease was driven primarily by the impact of closed stores (net of new store openings) and a 4.4% decrease in comparable store sales. Comparable store sales were down 4.2% and 4.9% in Hometown and Outlet, respectively. The home appliances and tools categories both outperformed the average comparable store sales while lawn and garden and mattresses underperformed the average.

Gross Margin

Gross margin was $408.7 million, or 19.7% of net sales, for 2016 compared to $518.5 million, or 22.7% of net sales, for 2015. The decrease in gross margin rate was primarily driven by higher occupancy costs due to more Company-operated locations, lower margin on merchandise sales, $15.7 million of store-closing costs, and $8.5 million higher shrink resulting from $3.7 million physical inventory charges in Outlet in 2016 as compared to $4.6 million of physical inventory gains in Hometown in 2015. The total impact of occupancy costs, accelerated store-closing costs, and shrink reduced gross margin rate 490 basis points for 2016 compared to a reduction of 274 basis points for 2015.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses decreased to $458.8 million, or 22.2% of net sales, for 2016 from $546.1 million, or 23.9% of net sales, for 2015. The decrease was primarily due to: (1) lower commissions paid to dealers and franchisees on lower sales volume, (2) the conversion of some dealer and franchisee locations to Company-operated stores in 2016, which resulted in some costs previously recorded as selling and administrative expenses to be recorded as a reduction to gross margin, (3) lower expenses being recorded for stores closed (net of new store openings), and (4) a $25.4 million charge in 2015 related to the write-off of, and additional reserves taken on, franchisee notes receivables. The Company recorded $1.0 million of store closing selling and administrative expenses for 2016. IT Transformation costs were $15.0 million for 2016 compared to $10.9 million for 2015. On a rate-to-sales basis, IT Transformation costs and charges related to franchise notes receivable increased selling and administrative expenses 69 basis points and 159 basis points for 2016 and 2015, respectively.

34



Gain on Sale of Assets

During the second quarter of 2016, we completed the sale of an owned property located in San Leandro, California. Net proceeds from the sale were $26.1 million, and we recorded a gain on the sale of $25.3 million.

Operating Loss

We recorded operating losses of $47.7 million and $42.2 million for 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in operating loss was primarily due to lower volume, a lower gross margin rate, higher impairment charges of $9.4 million in 2016 as compared to $4.0 million in 2015, and higher depreciation and amortization, partially offset by a decrease in selling and administrative expenses and a gain on the sale of assets.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $81.5 million in 2016, comprised primarily of a $100.1 million non-cash valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets, and a benefit of $15.2 million in 2015. See Note 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on the Form 10-K for further information.

Net loss

We recorded a net loss of $131.9 million for 2016 compared to a net loss of $27.3 million for 2015. The increase in our net loss was primarily attributable to a higher operating loss, including store-closing costs, and an increase in income tax expense.


























35


Business Segment Results

Hometown

Hometown results and key statistics were as follows:
 
 
Fiscal
thousands, except for number of stores
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Net sales
 
$
1,177,222

 
$
1,439,563

 
$
1,630,276

Comparable store sales %
 
(8.1
)%
 
(4.2
)%
 
(0.1
)%
Cost of sales and occupancy
 
931,078

 
1,145,678

 
1,262,215

Gross margin
 
246,144

 
293,885

 
368,061

Margin rate
 
20.9
 %
 
20.4
 %
 
22.6
 %
Selling and administrative
 
283,294

 
318,589

 
378,141

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales
 
24.1
 %
 
22.1
 %
 
23.2
 %
Impairment of property and equipment
 
2,581

 
4,536

 
1,983

Depreciation and amortization
 
5,378

 
6,032

 
3,585

Loss on the sale of assets
 

 
69

 

Total costs and expenses
 
1,222,331

 
1,474,904

 
1,645,924

Operating loss
 
$
(45,109
)
 
$
(35,341
)
 
$
(15,648
)
Total Sears Hometown and Hardware stores
 
768

 
871

 
1,001


53 Week Period Ended February 3, 2018 Compared to the 52 Week Period Ended January 28, 2017 -- Hometown

Net Sales
    
Net sales in 2017 decreased $262.3 million, or 18.2%, to $1.2 billion from $1.4 billion in 2016. This decrease was driven primarily by the impact of closed stores (net of new store openings) and a 8.1% decrease in comparable store sales. This decline was partially offset by sales of $13.9 million of sales in the 53rd week. Home appliances and lawn and garden outperformed the average comparable store sales while tools and mattresses underperformed to the average.

Gross Margin

Gross margin was $246.1 million, or 20.9% of net sales, in 2017 compared to $293.9 million, or 20.4% of net sales, in 2016. The increase in gross margin rate was primarily driven by lower closing store costs and lower occupancy costs partially offset by lower margin on merchandise sales. The total impact of store closing and occupancy costs decreased gross margin rate 172 basis points for the full year 2017 compared to 260 basis points for the full year 2016.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses decreased to $283.3 million, or 24.1% of net sales, in 2017 from $318.6 million, or 22.1% of net sales, in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of lower expenses being recorded for stores closed (net of new store openings), lower dealer and franchisee commissions on lower sales volume and lower store counts, and lower marketing expenses. These decreases were partially offset by higher IT transformation costs ($22.9 million, or 194 basis points on a rate-to-sales basis, for 2017 compared to $9.9 million, or 69 basis points, for 2016).

Operating Loss

We recorded operating losses of $45.1 million and $35.3 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in our operating loss was primarily due to lower volume partially offset by reduced selling and administrative expense, a higher gross margin rate, lower impairment charges, and a $0.8 million favorable impact from the 53rd week.


36


52 Week Period Ended January 28, 2017 Compared to the 52 Week Period Ended January 30, 2016 -- Hometown

Net Sales
    
Net sales in 2016 decreased $190.7 million, or 11.7%, to $1.4 billion from 2015. This decrease was driven primarily by the impact of closed stores (net of new store openings) and a 4.2% decrease in comparable store sales. Home appliances, tools, and mattresses outperformed the average comparable store sales while lawn and garden underperformed to the average.

Gross Margin

Gross margin was $293.9 million, or 20.4% of net sales, in 2016 compared to $368.1 million, or 22.6% of net sales, in 2015. The decrease in gross margin rate was primarily driven by (1) $15.1 million of store-closing costs, (2) lower margin on merchandise sales, (3) higher occupancy costs due to an increase in the number of Company-operated stores, and (4) higher shrink due to $4.6 million of physical inventory gains in 2015. The total impact of occupancy, store-closing costs, and shrink reduced gross margin rate 285 basis points for 2016 compared to a reduction of 124 basis points for 2015.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses decreased to $318.6 million, or 22.1% of net sales, in 2016 from $378.1 million, or 23.2% of net sales, in 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of (1) lower expenses being recorded for stores closed (net of new store openings), (2) lower dealer and franchisee commissions on lower sales volume, (3) converting some dealer and franchisee locations to Company-operated stores in 2016, which resulted in some costs previously recorded as selling and administrative expenses to be recorded as a reduction to gross margin, and (4) a $12.7 million charge in 2015 related to expenses for uncollectible franchise notes receivable. The Company recorded $0.9 million of selling and administrative expenses related to store closings for 2016. IT Transformation costs were $9.9 million for 2016 compared to $7.4 million for 2015. On a rate-to-sales basis, IT Transformation costs and charges related to franchise notes receivable increased selling and administrative expenses 64 basis points and 123 basis points for 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Operating Loss

We recorded operating losses of $35.3 million and $15.6 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in our operating loss was primarily attributable to lower volume, lower gross margin rate, higher impairment charges, and higher depreciation and amortization expense partially offset by a decrease in selling and administration expenses.


37


Outlet

Outlet results and key statistics were as follows:
 
 
Fiscal
thousands, except for number of stores
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Net sales
 
$
542,729

 
$
630,493

 
$
657,512

Comparable store sales %
 
(9.1
)%
 
(4.9
)%
 
(4.1
)%
Cost of sales and occupancy
 
440,330

 
515,636

 
507,071

Gross margin
 
102,399

 
114,857

 
150,441

Margin rate
 
18.9
 %
 
18.2
 %
 
22.9
 %
Selling and administrative
 
136,273

 
140,197

 
167,987

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales
 
25.1
 %
 
22.2
 %
 
25.5
 %
Impairment of property and equipment
 
776

 
4,820

 
2,001

Depreciation and amortization
 
7,661

 
7,426

 
6,977

Gain on the sale of assets
 

 
(25,272
)
 

Total costs and expenses
 
585,040

 
642,807

 
684,036

Operating loss
 
$
(42,311
)
 
$
(12,314
)
 
$
(26,524
)
Total Sears Outlet stores
 
132

 
149

 
159


53 Week Period Ended February 3, 2018 Compared to the 52 Week Period Ended January 28, 2017 -- Outlet

Net Sales

Net sales in 2017 decreased $87.8 million, or 13.9%, to $542.7 million from 2016. This decrease was driven primarily by a 9.1% decrease in comparable store sales and closed stores (net of new store openings) partially offset by $9.5 million in the 53rd week. Lawn and garden, furniture and mattresses outperformed the average comparable store sales while home appliances, tools, and apparel underperformed to the average.

Gross Margin

Gross margin was $102.4 million, or 18.9% of net sales, in 2017 compared to $114.9 million, or 18.2% of net sales, in 2016. The increase in gross margin rate was primarily driven by a higher gross profit rate on merchandise sales primarily driven by new pricing strategies and renegotiated merchandise costs and lower shrink expenses. These increases were partially offset by flat occupancy costs, but higher on a rate-to-sales basis, and higher store closings costs ($7.6 million for 2017 compared to $1.0 million for 2016). The total impact of store closing costs, occupancy costs and shrink was a reduction to gross margin rate of 1,131 basis points for 2017 compared to 957 basis points for 2016.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses decreased to $136.3 million, or 25.1% of net sales, for 2017 compared to $140.2 million, or 22.2% of net sales, for 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of lower franchisee commissions on lower sales volumes and lower store counts, lower expenses being recorded for stores closed and lower marketing expense. These reductions were partially offset by $7.6 million higher provisions for franchisee receivables, higher IT transformation costs ($11.5 million for 2017 compared to $5.1 million for 2016), and expenses associated with the 53rd week. On a rate-to-sales basis, IT transformation costs and provisions for franchisee note receivables increased selling and administrative expense 351 basis points for 2017 compared to 80 basis points for 2016.

38


Gain on Sale of Asset

During the second quarter of 2016, we completed the sale of an owned property located in San Leandro, California. Net proceeds from the sale were $26.1 million, and we recorded a gain on the sale of $25.3 million. We did not sell any owned property in fiscal 2017.

Operating Loss

We recorded operating losses of $42.3 million and $12.3 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The $30.0 million increase in operating loss was primarily driven by the gain on the sale of assets in 2016 and lower volume, partially offset by lower selling and administrative expenses, higher gross margin rates, and a $1.5 million favorable impact from the 53rd week.

52 Week Period Ended January 28, 2017 Compared to the 52 Week Period Ended January 30, 2016 -- Outlet

Net Sales

Net sales in 2016 decreased $27.0 million, or 4.1%, to $630.5 million from 2015. This decrease was driven primarily by a 4.9% decrease in comparable store sales, partially offset by the impact of new stores (net of closings). Home appliances, tools, and furniture outperformed the average comparable store sales while apparel, mattresses and lawn and garden underperformed to the average.

Gross Margin

Gross margin was $114.9 million, or 18.2% of net sales, in 2016 compared to $150.4 million, or 22.9% of net sales, in 2015. The decrease in gross margin rate was primarily driven by (1) a lower gross profit rate on merchandise sales primarily driven by price reductions needed to maintain the competitiveness of out–of–box product in a more promotional environment for new, in–box appliances, (2) higher occupancy costs due to more Company-operated locations, (3) higher shrink expenses related to $3.7 million of physical inventory charges taken in 2016, and (4) $1.0 million of store closing costs. The total impact of occupancy, shrink, and store closing costs reduced gross margin rate 957 basis points for 2016 compared to a reduction of 645 basis points 2015.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses decreased to $140.2 million, or 22.2% of net sales, for 2016 compared to $168.0 million, or 25.5% of net sales, for 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of lower franchisee commissions on lower sales volumes, converting some franchisee locations to Company-operated stores in 2016 (which resulted in some costs previously recorded as selling and administrative expenses being recorded as a reduction to gross margin), and $12.7 million of provisions for franchisee note receivables in 2015. These decreases were partially offset by higher payroll and benefits costs resulting from a higher number of Company-operated stores. The Company recorded $0.1 million of store-closing selling and administrative expenses for 2016. IT Transformation costs were $5.1 million for 2016 compared to $3.5 million for 2015. On a rate-to-sales basis, IT Transformation costs and charges related to franchise notes receivable increased selling and administrative expense 80 basis points and 247 basis points for 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Gain on Sale of Asset

During the second quarter of 2016, we completed the sale of an owned property located in San Leandro, California. Net proceeds from the sale were $26.1 million, and we recorded a gain on the sale of $25.3 million.

Operating Loss

We recorded operating losses of $12.3 million and $26.5 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively. The $14.2 million decrease in operating loss was primarily driven by the gain on the sale of owned property located in San Leandro, California and lower selling and administrative expenses partially offset by lower volume and gross margin.

Analysis of Financial Condition

Cash Balances

We had $10.4 million in cash and cash equivalents as of February 3, 2018 and $14.1 million as of January 28, 2017.

39


During 2017 we financed our operations and investments with cash generated from financing activities. Our primary liquidity needs are for funding inventory purchases, our IT transformation, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Cash used in operating activities in 2017 was $105.6 million compared to cash provided by operating activities of $28.9 million in 2016. Our 2017 cash use was driven by a $52.6 million reduction in payables to Sears Holdings and $34.4 million in IT transformation costs. In 2016 $28.9 million of cash was generated primarily due to a reduction in net inventory investment (inventory less payable). Total merchandise inventories were $336.3 million at February 3, 2018 and $373.8 million at January 29, 2017. Merchandise inventories declined $13.9 million and $23.6 million in Hometown and Outlet, respectively, primarily due to store closures.

We obtain our merchandise through agreements with subsidiaries of Sears Holdings and with other vendors. Merchandise acquired from subsidiaries of Sears Holdings (including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard, and other merchandise) accounted for approximately 78% and 80% of total purchases of all inventory from all vendors for 2017 and 2016, respectively. We expect the percentage of total purchases of inventory acquired from subsidiaries of Sears Holdings to decrease in the future as we increase our direct purchases from other merchandise vendors. Fourth quarter 2017 purchases from Sears Holdings accounted for 74% of total purchases compared to 84% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 76% in the third quarter of 2017. The loss of, or a material reduction in, the amount of merchandise made available to us by Sears Holdings could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

In addition, our merchandise-vendor arrangements generally are not long-term agreements and none of them guarantees the availability of merchandise inventory in the future. Our growth strategy depends to a significant extent on the willingness and ability of our vendors to supply us with sufficient merchandise inventory. As a result, our success depends on maintaining good relations with our existing vendors and on developing relationships with new vendors, especially with respect to merchandise inventory to be sold by Outlet. If we fail to maintain our relations with our existing vendors or to maintain the quality of merchandise inventory they supply to us, or if we cannot maintain or acquire new vendors of favored brand-name merchandise inventory, and if we cannot acquire new vendors of merchandise inventory to be sold by Outlet, our ability to obtain a sufficient amount and variety of merchandise at acceptable prices may be limited, which would have a negative impact on our competitive position. In addition, merchandise inventory acquired from alternative sources, if any, may be of a lesser quality and more expensive than the merchandise inventory that we currently purchase. See "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities was $9.2 million in 2017 compared to cash provided of $13.9 million in 2016. In the second quarter of 2016 we received proceeds of $26.1 million from the sale of assets.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities was $111.2 million for 2017 compared to cash used in financing activities of $46.9 million for 2016. The increase of $158.1 million in cash provided by financing activities in 2017 from 2016 was primarily due to greater net borrowings under our Senior ABL Facility in 2017.

Financing Arrangements

Senior ABL Facility

In October 2012 the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with a syndicate of lenders, including Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, which provided (subject to availability under a borrowing base) for aggregate maximum borrowings of $250 million (the "Prior Facility"). Under the Prior Facility the Company initially borrowed $100 million which was used to pay a cash dividend to Sears Holdings prior to the Separation. On November 1, 2016 the Company’s three operating subsidiaries, Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC, Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, LLC, and Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C., and the Company, entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (which amended and restated the Prior Facility) with a syndicate of lenders, including Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, which provides (subject to availability under a borrowing base) for aggregate maximum borrowings of $250 million (the "Senior ABL Facility"). The Senior ABL Facility provides for extended revolving credit commitments in an aggregate amount equal to $170 million (the “Extended Revolving Credit Commitments”) and non-extended revolving credit commitments in an aggregate amount equal to $80 million (the “Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments”). The Extended Revolving Credit Commitments will mature on the earlier of (1) February 29, 2020 and (2) six months prior to the expiration of agreements entered into with Sears Holdings and its subsidiaries

40


in connection with the Company’s separation from Sears Holdings in October 2012 (the "Subject Agreements") unless they are extended to a date later than February 29, 2020 or terminated on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the administrative agent under the Senior ABL Facility. The Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments were not extended by the Non-Extending Lenders in accordance with the Senior ABL Facility and matured on October 11, 2017. Unamortized debt costs related to the Senior ABL Facility of $3.5 million are included in Prepaid and Other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of February 3, 2018 and are being amortized over the remaining term of the Senior ABL Facility.  

As of February 3, 2018 we had $137.9 million outstanding under the Senior ABL Facility, which approximated the fair value of these borrowings. Up to $75 million of the Senior ABL Facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit and up to $25 million is available for swingline loans. The Senior ABL Facility permits us to request commitment increases in an aggregate principal amount of up to $100 million. Availability under the Senior ABL Facility as of February 3, 2018 was $24.9 million, with $7.2 million of letters of credit outstanding under the facility.

The principal terms of the Senior ABL Facility are summarized below.

Prepayments
The Senior ABL Facility is subject to mandatory prepayment in amounts equal to the amount by which the outstanding extensions of credit exceed the lesser of the borrowing base and the commitments then in effect.

Security and Guarantees
The Senior ABL Facility is secured by a first lien security interest on substantially all the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, accounts receivable, inventory, general intangibles, investment property, equipment, cash, cash equivalents, deposit accounts and securities accounts, as well as certain other assets (other than intellectual property and fee-owned interests in real property) ancillary to any of the foregoing and all proceeds of any of the foregoing, including cash proceeds and the proceeds of applicable insurance. The Senior ABL Facility is guaranteed by the Company and each of its existing and future direct and indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (other than specified immaterial subsidiaries).

Interest; Fees
The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the Senior ABL Facility are based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to, at the Company's election, either (1) an adjusted London inter-bank offered rate (LIBOR) plus a borrowing margin ranging from (x) 3.50% to 4.50%, in the case of the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments or (y) 2.00% to 2.50%, in the case of the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments (which the blended rate was approximately 5.02% at February 3, 2018 and 3.94% at January 28, 2017), and in each case based on availability under the Senior ABL Facility, or (2) an alternate base rate plus a borrowing margin, ranging from (x) 2.50% to 3.50%, in the case of the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments or (y) 1.00% to 1.50%, in the case of the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments (which the blended rate was approximately 8.00% at February 3, 2018 and 5.94% at January 28, 2017), and in each case based on availability under the Senior ABL Facility.

Customary fees are payable in respect of the Senior ABL Facility, including letter of credit fees and commitment fees.

Covenants
The Senior ABL Facility includes a number of negative covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries (including the guarantors) to, subject to certain exceptions, incur additional indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, make prepayments on other indebtedness, and engage in mergers or change the nature of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries (including the guarantors). In addition, upon excess availability falling below a specified level the Company would be subject to a cash dominion requirement and more frequent borrowing base reporting requirements. The Senior ABL Facility also limits SHO’s ability to declare and pay cash dividends and to repurchase its common stock. The Senior ABL Facility would not have permitted us to pay cash dividends or to repurchase our common stock as of February 3, 2018. The Senior ABL Facility also contains affirmative covenants, including financial and other reporting requirements.

Events of Default
The Senior ABL Facility includes customary and other events of default including non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations or warranties, cross default to other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, invalidity or impairment of guarantees or security interests, material judgments, change of control, failure to perform a "Material Contract" (which includes the Merchandising Agreement and other SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements) to the extent required to maintain it in full force and effect, the failure to enforce a Material Contract in accordance with its terms, or Sears Holdings terminates the "Separation Agreements" (which include, among other SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements, the Merchandising Agreement and the Services Agreements).


41


Term Loan Agreement

Subsequent to year-end, on February 16, 2018 the Company’s three operating subsidiaries, Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC, Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, LLC, and Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C., as borrowers, and the Company, as guarantor, entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement with Gordon Brothers Finance Company, as agent, lead arranger, and sole bookrunner, and Gordon Brothers Finance Company, LLC as lender (the “Term Loan Agreement”). The Term Loan Agreement provides for a $40 million term loan (the “Term Loan”), which amount the Company has borrowed, and is outstanding, in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Agreement. The Company used the proceeds of the Term Loan to pay down borrowings under the Senior ABL Facility. The Term Loan will mature on the earliest of (1) the maturity date specified in the Senior ABL Facility, (2) February 16, 2023, and (3) acceleration of the maturity date following an event of default in accordance with the Term Loan Agreement.
Costs related to and incurred for the Term Loan totaled approximately $1.0 million.
The principal terms of the Term Loan Agreement are summarized below.
Security and Guarantees
The Term Loan Agreement is secured by a second lien security interest (subordinate only to the liens securing the Senior ABL Facility) on substantially all the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries (the same assets as the assets specified with respect to the Senior ABL Facility), including without limitation accounts receivable, inventory, general intangibles, investment property, equipment, cash, cash equivalents, deposit accounts and securities accounts, as well as other assets (other than intellectual property and fee-owned interests in real property) ancillary to any of the foregoing and all proceeds of any of the foregoing, including cash proceeds and the proceeds of applicable insurance. The Term Loan Agreement is guaranteed by the Company and each of its existing and future direct and indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (other than specified immaterial subsidiaries).

Prepayments
The Term Loan is subject to mandatory prepayment in amounts equal to the amount by which the outstanding Term Loan exceeds the borrowing base specified in the Term Loan Agreement plus a reserve to be maintained against the borrowing base for the Senior ABL Facility (the “push-down reserve”), which reserve will be equal to total outstandings under the Term Loan Agreement that exceed the Term Loan Agreement’s borrowing base, if such excess were to arise. The Company may not reborrow amounts prepaid.

Interest; Fees
The interest rate applicable to the Term Loan under the Term Loan Agreement is a fluctuating rate of interest (payable and adjusted monthly) equal to the greater of (1) three-month LIBOR plus 8.5% per annum and (2) a minimum interest rate of 9.5% per annum. Customary fees are payable in respect of the Term Loan Agreement, including a commitment fee and an early prepayment fee.
  
Covenants
The Term Loan Agreement includes a number of negative covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict the ability of the Company, the Borrowers, and the Company’s other subsidiaries to, subject to exceptions, incur additional indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, make dividends or other distributions with respect to, or repurchase, the Company’s capital stock, make prepayments on other indebtedness, engage in mergers, or change the nature of the business. In addition, upon excess availability falling below a specified level or the occurrence of an event of default the Company would be subject to a cash dominion requirement. The Term Loan Agreement also provides that the Borrowers will not permit availability under the Term Loan Agreement and the Senior ABL Facility to be less than 10% of a combined loan cap.

The Term Loan Agreement also contains affirmative covenants including, among others, financial and other reporting and notification requirements, maintenance of properties, inspection rights, and physical inventories. The Company and the Borrowers also agree that the Company and the Borrowers will cause the push-down reserve to be established and maintained when and if required by the Term Loan Agreement. The Term Loan Agreement borrowing base generally means specified amounts of credit card receivables and inventory (net of reserves), minus the loan cap for the Senior ABL Facility and availability reserves.
 
Events of Default
The Term Loan Agreement includes customary events of default including non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations or warranties in any material respect, cross default to the Senior ABL Facility and other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, invalidity or impairment of the Term Loan Agreement and the other related loan documents (including the guarantees or security interests provided therein), material judgments, and change of control.





42



Uses and Sources of Liquidity

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from our operating activities, and, to the extent necessary, availability under the Senior ABL Facility will be sufficient to meet our anticipated liquidity needs for at least the next 12 months. As a result, we expect to fund our ongoing operations through existing cash and cash equivalents, cash generated by operating activities, and with funds available under the Senior ABL Facility. The adequacy of our available funds will depend on many factors, including the macroeconomic environment and the operating performance of our stores. See for example "If Sears Holdings' seeks the protection of the U.S. bankruptcy laws, our ability to operate our business and our financial performance could be materially and adversely affected" in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

As of February 3, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $10.4 million.

Capital lease obligations were $0.6 million and $0.5 million as of February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, respectively.

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Information concerning our obligations and commitments to make future payments under contract such as debt and lease agreements and under contingent commitments as of February 3, 2018 is as aggregated in the following table:
thousands
 
Total
 
Within
1 Year
 
1-3
Years
 
4-5
Years
 
After 5
Years
Short-term borrowings
 
$
137,900

 
$
137,900

 
$

 
$

 
$

Capital leases
 
613

 
267

 
336

 
10

 

Operating leases
 
148,197

 
44,076

 
81,036

 
14,264

 
8,821

Total Contractual Obligations
 
$
286,710

 
$
182,243

 
$
81,372

 
$
14,274

 
$
8,821

 
Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
In preparing the financial statements, certain accounting policies require considerable judgment to select the appropriate assumptions to calculate financial estimates. These estimates are complex and subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. We base our estimates on historical experience, terms of existing contracts, evaluation of trends and other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We continually evaluate the information used to make these estimates as our business and the economic environment change. Although the use of estimates is pervasive throughout the financial statements, we consider an accounting estimate to be critical if:

it requires assumptions to be made about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the estimate was made, and
changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period or different estimates that could have been selected would have a material effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

We believe that the current assumptions and other considerations used to estimate amounts reflected in the financial statements are appropriate. However, if actual experience differs from the assumptions and the considerations used in estimating amounts, the resulting changes could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, and in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

The following is a summary of our most critical policies and estimates. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a listing of our other significant accounting policies.

Valuation of Inventory

Our inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market determined under the retail inventory method, or "RIM," using primarily a last-in, first-out, or "LIFO," cost-flow assumption. To determine inventory cost under RIM, inventory at its retail selling value is segregated into groupings of merchandise having similar characteristics, which are then converted to a cost basis by applying specific average cost factors for each grouping of merchandise. Cost factors represent the average cost-to-retail ratio for each merchandise group based upon the year’s purchasing activity for each store location. Accordingly, a significant assumption under the retail method is that inventory in each group is similar in terms of its cost-to-retail relationship and has similar turnover rates. We monitor the content of merchandise in these groupings to prevent distortions that would have a material effect on inventory valuation.


43


RIM inherently requires management judgment and certain estimates that may significantly affect the ending inventory valuation, as well as gross margin. The methodologies utilized by SHO in its application of RIM are consistent for all periods presented. Such methodologies include the development of the cost-to-retail ratios, the groupings of homogeneous classes of merchandise, the development of shrinkage and obsolescence reserves, and the accounting for retail price changes. We believe that SHO’s RIM provides an inventory valuation that reasonably approximates cost. Among others, two significant estimates used in inventory valuation are the level and timing of permanent markdowns (clearance markdowns used to clear unproductive or slow-moving inventory) and shrinkage. Amounts are charged to cost of sales at the time the retail value of inventory is reduced through the use of permanent markdowns.

Factors considered in the determination of permanent markdowns include current and anticipated demand, customer preferences, age of the merchandise, fashion and design trends and weather conditions. In addition, inventory is also evaluated against corporate pre-determined historical markdown cadences. When a decision is made to permanently mark down merchandise, the resulting gross margin reduction is recognized in the period the markdown is recorded. The timing of the decision, particularly surrounding the balance sheet date, can have a significant effect on the results of operations.

Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code that will affect our fiscal year ending February 3, 2018, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate, (2) eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) and changing how existing AMT credits can be realized, and (3) various other miscellaneous changes that are effective in fiscal 2017. The Tax Act reduces the federal corporate tax rate to 21% in the fiscal year ending February 3, 2018. Based on Section 15 of the Internal Revenue Code, our fiscal year ending February 3, 2018 will have a blended corporate tax rate of 33.72%, which is based on the applicable tax rates before and after the Tax Act and the number of days in the year.

The Tax Act also establishes new tax laws that will affect fiscal 2018, including, but not limited to, (1) reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate; (2) the elimination of corporate AMT; (3) a new limitation on deductible interest expense; (4) limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation; (5) limitations on the use of FTCs to reduce the U.S. income tax liability; and (6) limitations on net operating losses (NOLs) generated in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, to 80% of taxable income. The estimated impact of the new tax law on the Company’s financial statements and the related accounting requirements are discussed in Note 5.

Our deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Management has determined a valuation allowance for the full amount of the net deferred tax assets is still necessary as of February 3, 2018. For the current year the valuation allowance decreased by $8.5 million to an ending balance of $92.4 million. The decrease in the valuation allowance is mainly attributable to the reduction in the federal tax rate but also includes a tax benefit of $0.8 million due to the valuation allowance release for the reclassification of the AMT DTA. In the future, we may record additional net deferred tax assets and if future utilization of deferred tax assets is uncertain, we may record additional valuation allowance against such deferred tax assets. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In projecting future taxable income, we begin with historical results and incorporate assumptions including the amount of future state, federal and foreign pre-tax operating income (loss), the reversal of temporary differences, and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income.

We account for uncertainties in income taxes according to accounting standards for uncertain tax positions. We are present in a large number of taxable jurisdictions, and at any point in time, can have audits underway at various stages of completion in any of these jurisdictions. We evaluate our tax positions and establish liabilities for uncertain tax positions that may be challenged by local authorities and may not be fully sustained, despite the belief that the underlying tax positions are fully supportable. Unrecognized tax benefits are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, including progress of tax audits, developments in case law, and closing of statutes of limitation. Such adjustments are reflected in the tax provision as appropriate. Pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement, which governs the rights and obligations of the parties with respect to pre-Separation and post-Separation tax matters, Sears Holdings is responsible for any unrecognized tax benefits through the date of the Separation.


44


Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and the valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets, if any. As further described above, we consider estimates of the amount and character of future taxable income in assessing the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets. Our actual effective tax rate and income tax expense could vary from estimated amounts due to the future impacts of various items, including changes in income tax laws, tax planning and our forecasted financial condition and results of operations in future periods. Although we believe current estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.

In accordance with the Tax Sharing Agreement, Sears Holdings is responsible for any federal, state or foreign income tax liability relating to tax periods ending on or before the Separation.

Reserve for Losses on Franchisee Receivables

The Company recognizes a reserve for losses on franchisee receivables (which consist primarily of franchisee promissory notes) in an amount equal to estimated probable losses net of recoveries. The reserve is based on an analysis of expected future write-offs, existing economic conditions, and an assessment of specific identifiable franchisee promissory notes and other franchisee receivables considered at risk or uncollectible. The expense associated with the reserve for losses on franchisee receivables is recognized as selling and administrative expense. Most of our franchisee promissory notes authorize us to deduct debt service from our commissions otherwise due and payable to the franchisees, and we routinely make those deductions to the extent of available commissions payable. The reserve for losses on franchisee receivables is evaluated based on our receivable-by-receivable assessment during the year that loan balances would be potentially uncollectible in future periods due to declining results of operations of, or other adverse financial events with respect to, franchise stores that indicated that the franchisees might not be able to meet their debt-service and other obligations to us as they became due. During fiscal 2017 we forgave balances due on franchisee receivables in accordance with negotiated franchise-termination agreements, and as part of these transactions, the Company purchased store furniture, fixtures, and equipment from franchisees.


45


CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING AND OTHER INFORMATION

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “forward looking statements”). Statements preceded or followed by, or that otherwise include, the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “project,” “estimates,” “plans,” “forecast,” “is likely to,” "on target," and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “may,” “would,” “should,” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. The forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance, and achievements in the future to be materially different from the future results, future performance, and future achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements include, without limitation, information concerning our future financial performance, business strategies, plans, goals, beliefs, expectations, and objectives. The forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management.

The following factors, among others, (1) could cause our actual results, performance, and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, and one or more of the differences could have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate our business and (2) could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and cash flows: if Sears Holdings seeks the protection of the U.S. bankruptcy laws (including the effects of the imposition of the "automatic stay" and the effects if Sears Holdings were to seek to reject one or more of the SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements); our ability to offer merchandise and services that our customers want, including those under the KCD Marks; our Amended and Restated Merchandising Agreement with Sears Holdings provides that (1) if a third party that is not an affiliate of Sears Holdings acquires the rights to one or more (but less than all) of the KCD Marks Sears Holdings may terminate our rights to buy merchandise branded with any of the acquired KCD Marks and (2) if a third party that is not an affiliate of Sears Holdings acquires the rights to all of the KCD Marks Sears Holdings may terminate the Amended and Restated Merchandising Agreement in its entirety, over which events we have no control; the sale by Sears Holdings and its subsidiaries to other retailers that compete with us of major home appliances and other products branded with one of the KCD Marks; on May 26, 2016 Sears Holdings announced that it would explore alternatives for its Kenmore, Craftsman, and Diehard businesses and further expand the presence of these brands and on August 25, 2016 Sears Holdings announced that it was continuing to explore alternatives for these businesses by evaluating potential partnerships or other transactions; on March 9, 2017 Sears Holdings announced the Stanley Purchase (Sears Holdings has waived its right in the Amended and Restated Merchandising Agreement to terminate, as a result of the Stanley Purchase, the Company's rights to buy from Sears Holdings merchandise branded with the Craftsman brand); on July 20, 2017 Sears Holdings announced the launch of Kenmore products on Amazon.com and that Sears Holdings planned to expand the full line of Kenmore home appliances available on Amazon.com; on August 22, 2017 Sears Holdings announced licensing agreements with third parties to manufacture and distribute Kenmore floor care products and DieHard batteries and flashlights; the willingness and ability of Sears Holdings to fulfill its contractual obligations to us; our ability to successfully manage our inventory levels and implement initiatives to improve inventory management and other capabilities; competitive conditions in the retail industry; worldwide economic conditions and business uncertainty, the availability of consumer and commercial credit, changes in consumer confidence, tastes, preferences and spending, and changes in vendor relationships; the fact that our past performance generally, as reflected on our historical financial statements, may not be indicative of our future performance as a result of, among other things, the impact of increased costs due to a decrease in our purchasing power following the Separation, and other losses of benefits associated with having been wholly owned by Sears Holdings and its subsidiaries prior to the Separation; our continuing reliance on Sears Holdings for most products and services that are important to the successful operation of our business, and our potential need to rely on Sears Holdings for some products and services beyond the expiration, or earlier termination by Sears Holdings, of our agreements with Sears Holdings; the willingness of Sears Holdings' appliance, lawn and garden, tools, and other vendors to continue to supply to Sears Holdings on terms (including vendor-payment terms for Sears Holdings' merchandise purchases) that are acceptable to it (which vendor-payment terms, we believe, are becoming, and in the future could continue to become, increasingly uneconomic for Sears Holdings) and to us, merchandise that we would need to purchase from Sears Holdings to ensure continuity of merchandise supplies for our businesses; the willingness of Sears Holdings’ appliance, lawn and garden, tools, and other vendors to continue to pay to Sears Holdings merchandise-related subsidies and allowances and cash discounts (some of which Sears Holdings is obligated to pay to us); our ability to resolve, on commercially reasonable terms, future disputes with Sears Holdings regarding the material terms and conditions of our agreements with Sears Holdings; our ability to establish information, merchandising, logistics, and other systems separate from Sears Holdings that would be necessary to ensure continuity of merchandise supplies and services for our businesses if vendors were to reduce, or cease, their merchandise sales to Sears Holdings or provide logistics and other services to Sears Holdings or if Sears Holdings were to reduce, or cease, its merchandise sales to us or reduce providing, or cease to provide, logistics and other services to us; if Sears Holdings' sales of major appliances and lawn and garden merchandise to its retail customers decline Sears Holdings' sales to us of outlet-value merchandise could decline; our ability to maintain an effective and productive business relationship with Sears Holdings, particularly if future disputes were to arise with respect to the terms and conditions of our agreements with Sears Holdings; most of our agreements related to the Separation and our continuing relationship with Sears Holdings were negotiated while we were a subsidiary of Sears Holdings (except for amendments agreed to after the Separation), and we may have received different terms from unaffiliated third parties (including with respect to merchandise-vendor and service-provider indemnification and defense for negligence claims and claims

46


arising out of failure to comply with contractual obligations); our reliance on Sears Holdings to provide computer systems to process transactions with our customers (including the point-of-sale system for the stores we operate and the stores that our independent dealers and independent franchisees operate, which point-of-sale system captures, among other things, credit-card information supplied by our customers) and others, quantify our results of operations, and manage our business ("SHO's SHC-Supplied Systems"); SHO's SHC-Supplied Systems could be subject to disruptions and data/security breaches (Sears Holdings announced on May 31, 2017 that its Kmart store payment-data systems had been infected with a malicious code and that the code had been removed and the event contained and on April 4, 2018 Sears Holdings announced that one of its vendors that provides online support services to Sears and Kmart had notified Sears Holdings that the vendor had experienced a security incident during 2017 that involved unauthorized access to credit card information with respect to less than 100,000 Sears Holdings's customers), and Sears Holdings could be unwilling or unable to indemnify and defend us against third-party claims and other losses resulting from such disruptions and data/security breaches, which could have one or more material adverse effects on SHO; our ability to implement the BPO in accordance with our plans, expectations, current timetable, and anticipated cost; limitations and restrictions in the Senior ABL Facility and the Term Loan Agreement and their related agreements governing our indebtedness and our ability to service our indebtedness; competitors could continue to reduce their promotional pricing on new-in-box appliances, which could continue to adversely impact our sales of out-of-box appliances and associated margin; our ability to generate profitable sales of merchandise and services on our transactional ecommerce websites in the amounts we have planned to generate; our ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms; our dependence on the ability and willingness of our independent dealers and independent franchisees to operate their stores profitably and in a manner consistent with our concepts and standards; our ability to sell profitably online all of our merchandise and services; our dependence on sources outside the U.S. for significant amounts of our merchandise inventories; fixed-asset impairment for long-lived assets; our ability to attract, motivate, and retain key executives and other employees; our ability to maintain effective internal controls as a publicly held company; our ability to realize the benefits that we expect to achieve from the Separation; litigation and regulatory trends challenging various aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship could expand to challenge or adversely affect our relationships with our independent dealers and independent franchisees; low trading volume of our common stock due to limited liquidity or a lack of analyst coverage; and the impact on our common stock and our overall performance as a result of our principal stockholder's ability to exert control over us.

The foregoing factors should not be understood as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements, including the "Risk Factors," that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our other public announcements. While we believe that our forecasts and assumptions are reasonable, we caution that actual results may differ materially. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we projected. Consequently, actual events and results may vary significantly from those included in or contemplated or implied by our forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are made only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf, whether as a result of new information, future developments, subsequent events or circumstances, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are subject to interest rate risk associated with the Senior ABL Facility and the Term Loan Agreement, each of which bears interest at a variable rate. Assuming the Senior ABL Facility were fully drawn in principal amount equal to $170 million, each one percentage point change in interest rates would result in a $1.7 million change in annual cash interest expense on the Senior ABL Facility. Assuming $40 million were outstanding under the Term Loan Agreement, each one percentage point change in interest rates would result in a $0.4 million change in annual cash interest expense on the Term Loan Agreement.

47




Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data



48




SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
thousands, except per share amounts
 
February 3, 2018
 
January 28, 2017
 
January 30, 2016
 
NET SALES
 
$
1,719,951

 
$
2,070,056

 
$
2,287,788

 
COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales and occupancy
 
1,371,408

 
1,661,314

 
1,769,286

 
Selling and administrative
 
419,567

 
458,786

 
546,128

 
Impairment of property and equipment
 
3,357

 
9,356

 
3,984

 
Depreciation and amortization
 
13,039

 
13,458

 
10,562

 
Gain on the sale of assets
 

 
(25,203
)
 

 
Total costs and expenses
 
1,807,371

 
2,117,711

 
2,329,960

 
Operating loss
 
(87,420
)
 
(47,655
)
 
(42,172
)
 
Interest expense
 
(8,058
)
 
(4,263
)
 
(2,826
)
 
Other income
 
925

 
1,490

 
2,585

 
Loss before income taxes
 
(94,553
)
 
(50,428
)
 
(42,413
)
 
Income tax (expense) benefit
 
(504
)
 
(81,491
)
 
15,152

 
NET LOSS
 
$
(95,057
)
 
$
(131,919
)
 
$
(27,261
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic:
 
$
(4.19
)
 
$
(5.81
)
 
$
(1.20
)
 
Diluted:
 
$
(4.19
)
 
$
(5.81
)
 
$
(1.20
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
 
22,702

 
22,691

 
22,666

 
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
 
22,702

 
22,691

 
22,666

 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


49




SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
thousands
 
February 3, 2018
 
January 28, 2017
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
10,402

 
$
14,104

Accounts and franchisee receivables, net
 
14,672

 
11,448

Merchandise inventories
 
336,294

 
373,815

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
7,131

 
9,370

Total current assets
 
368,499

 
408,737

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net
 
36,049

 
40,935

OTHER ASSETS, net
 
8,140

 
18,754

TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
412,688

 
$
468,426

LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings
 
$
137,900

 
$
26,800

Payable to Sears Holdings Corporation
 
28,082

 
80,724

Accounts payable
 
15,741

 
17,853

Other current liabilities
 
53,142

 
70,377

Total current liabilities
 
234,865

 
195,754

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
 
2,284

 
1,973

TOTAL LIABILITIES
 
237,149

 
197,727

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)
 


 


STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Common stock: $.01 par value; 400,000 shares authorized, 22,702 and 22,716 issued and outstanding in 2017 and 2016, respectively
 
227

 
227

Capital in excess of par value
 
555,378

 
555,481

Accumulated deficit
 
(380,066
)
 
(285,009
)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
175,539

 
270,699

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
$
412,688

 
$
468,426

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


50




SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
thousands
 
February 3, 2018
 
January 28, 2017
 
January 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
 
$
(95,057
)
 
$
(131,919
)
 
$
(27,261
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
13,039

 
13,458

 
10,562

Share-based compensation
 
(103
)
 
109

 
(70
)
Gain on the sale of assets
 

 
(25,203
)
 

Impairment of property and equipment
 
3,357

 
9,356

 
3,984

Provision (recoveries) for losses on franchisee receivables
 
7,361

 
(791
)
 
25,426

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts and franchisee receivables
 
(2,508
)
 
2,255

 
1,056

Merchandise inventories
 
37,521

 
61,031

 
7,897

Payable to Sears Holdings Corporation
 
(52,642
)
 
26,598

 
(6,963
)
Accounts payable
 
(2,112
)
 
(21,909
)
 
24,874

Store closing accrual
 
(3,004
)
 
7,659

 

Customer deposits
 
(3,287
)
 
(4,316
)
 
(5,982
)
Deferred income taxes
 

 
79,141

 
(6,431
)
Other operating assets and liabilities, net
 
(8,211
)
 
13,413

 
(1,547
)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
 
(105,646
)
 
28,882

 
25,545

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from sale of property
 

 
26,073

 

Purchases of property and equipment
 
(9,228
)
 
(12,198
)
 
(11,430
)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
 
(9,228
)
 
13,875

 
(11,430
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net borrowings of capital lease obligations
 
72

 
37

 
183

Net borrowings (payments) on short-term borrowings
 
111,100

 
(41,500
)
 
(15,800
)
Payments for refinancing fees
 

 
(5,434
)
 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
111,172

 
(46,897
)
 
(15,617
)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
(3,702
)
 
(4,140
)
 
(1,502
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—Beginning of period
 
14,104

 
18,244

 
19,746

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—End of period
 
$
10,402

 
$
14,104

 
$
18,244

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest
 
$
7,848

 
$
4,168

 
$
2,945

Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes
 
$
808

 
$
(9,788
)
 
$
(5,764
)
SUPPLEMENTAL NON CASH INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax adjustment related to separation
 
$

 
$

 
$
7,554

Reacquisition rights in exchange for notes receivable
 
$

 
$

 
$
6,100

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


51




SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
thousands
Number of Shares of Common Stock
Common Stock/Par Value
Capital in Excess of Par Value
Retained Earnings (Deficit)
Total Stockholders' Equity
Balance at January 31, 2015
22,736

$
227

$
547,888

$
(125,829
)
$
422,286

Net loss



(27,261
)
(27,261
)
Share-based compensation
(14
)

(70
)

(70
)
Tax adjustment related to the separation


7,554


7,554

Balance at January 30, 2016
22,722

$
227

555,372

(153,090
)
402,509

Net loss



(131,919
)
(131,919
)
Share-based compensation
(6
)

109


109

Balance at January 28, 2017
22,716

$
227

$
555,481

$
(285,009
)
$
270,699

Net loss



(95,057
)
(95,057
)
Share-based compensation
(14
)

(103
)

(103
)
Balance at February 3, 2018
22,702

$
227

$
555,378

$
(380,066
)
$
175,539

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



52

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



NOTE 1—BACKGROUND, BASIS OF PRESENTATION, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Background

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. is a national retailer primarily focused on selling home appliances, hardware, tools and lawn and garden equipment. As of February 3, 2018, the Company and our independent dealers and franchisees operated a total of 900 stores across all 50 states and in Puerto Rico and Bermuda. In these notes the terms "we," "us," "our," "SHO," and the "Company" refer to Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

The Company separated from Sears Holdings Corporation (“Sears Holdings”) in October 2012 (the “Separation”). To our knowledge Sears Holdings does not own any shares of our common stock. The Company has specified rights to use the "Sears" name under a license agreement from Sears Holdings.

Basis of Presentation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

We operate through two segments--our Sears Hometown and Hardware segment ("Hometown") and our Sears Outlet segment ("Outlet").

Reclassifications - Certain prior period reclassifications were made to conform with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on reported operations, cash flows, total assets, or stockholders' equity as previously reported.

Variable Interest Entities and Consolidation

The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") has issued guidance on variable interest entities and consolidation for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity as well as the methods permitted for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. In addition, this guidance requires ongoing reassessments of whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and disclosures related to a company’s involvement with a variable interest entity.

On an ongoing basis the Company evaluates its business relationships, such as those with its dealers, franchisees, and suppliers, to identify potential variable interest entities. Generally, these businesses qualify for a scope exception under the consolidation guidance, or, where a variable interest exists, the Company does not possess the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these businesses. The Company has not consolidated any of such entities in the periods presented.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Fiscal Year

Our fiscal years end on the Saturday closest to January 31. Unless otherwise stated, references to specific years in these notes are to fiscal years. The following fiscal periods are presented herein.
 
Fiscal Year
Ended
Weeks        
2017
February 3, 2018
53
2016
January 28, 2017
52
2015
January 30, 2016
52

Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. The estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.

53

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Adjustments to estimates and assumptions are made when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty, actual results may differ from the estimates used in preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Significant estimates and assumptions are required as part of determining inventory and accounts and franchisee receivables valuation, estimating depreciation and recoverability of long-lived assets, establishing insurance, warranty, legal and other reserves, performing long-lived asset impairment analysis, and establishing valuation allowances on deferred income tax assets and reserves for tax examination exposures.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include (1) all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase and (2) deposits in-transit from banks for payments related to third-party credit card and debit card transactions.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts based on both historical experience and a specific identification basis. Allowances for doubtful accounts on accounts and notes receivable balances were $5.8 million at February 3, 2018 and $8.2 million at January 28, 2017. Our accounts receivable balance is comprised of various vendor-related and customer-related accounts receivable. Our notes receivable balance is comprised of promissory notes that relate primarily to the sale of assets for our franchised locations.

The Company provides an allowance for losses on franchisee receivables (which consist primarily of franchisee promissory notes) in an amount equal to estimated probable losses net of recoveries. The allowance is based on an analysis of expected future write-offs, existing economic conditions, and an assessment of specific identifiable franchisee promissory notes and other franchisee receivables considered at risk or uncollectible. The expense associated with the allowance for losses on franchisee receivables is recognized as selling and administrative expense.

Merchandise Inventories
Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Merchandise inventories are valued under the retail inventory method, or "RIM," using primarily a last-in, first-out, or "LIFO," cost-flow assumption.

Inherent in RIM calculations are certain significant management judgments and estimates including, among others, merchandise markons, markups, markdowns, and shrinkage, which significantly impact the ending inventory valuation at cost and resulting gross margins. The methodologies utilized by us in our application of RIM are consistent for all periods presented. Such methodologies include the development of the cost-to-retail ratios, the groupings of homogeneous classes of merchandise, the development of shrinkage and obsolescence reserves, the accounting for price changes, and the computations inherent in the LIFO adjustment (where applicable). Management believes that RIM provides an inventory valuation that reasonably approximates cost and results in carrying inventory at the lower of cost or market.

In connection with our LIFO calculation we estimate the effects of inflation on inventories by utilizing external price indices determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If we had used the first-in, first-out, or "FIFO" method of inventory valuation instead of the LIFO method, merchandise inventories would have been insignificantly higher at February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017.

Vendor Rebates and Allowances
We receive rebates and allowances from vendors through a variety of programs and arrangements intended to offset the costs of promoting and selling the vendors' products. In addition, Sears Holdings allocates a portion of the rebates and allowances it receives from vendors based on shipments to or sales of the related products to the Company. Vendor payments are recognized and recorded as a reduction to the cost of merchandise inventories when earned and, thereafter, as a reduction of cost of sales and occupancy as the merchandise is sold. Up-front consideration received from vendors linked to purchases or other commitments is initially deferred and amortized ratably to cost of sales and occupancy over the life of the contract or as performance of the activities specified by the vendor to earn the fee is completed.

Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Additions and substantial improvements are capitalized and include expenditures that materially extend the useful lives of existing facilities and equipment. Maintenance and repairs that do not materially improve or extend the lives of the respective assets are expensed as incurred.


54

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Property and equipment consists of the following:
thousands
 
February 3, 2018
 
January 28, 2017
Land
 
$
1,741

 
$
1,741

Buildings and improvements
 
35,065

 
41,071

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 
37,303

 
37,174

Capitalized leases
 
1,276

 
1,175

Total property and equipment
 
75,385

 
81,161

Less: accumulated depreciation
 
(39,336
)
 
(40,226
)
Total property and equipment, net
 
$
36,049

 
$
40,935


Depreciation expense, which includes depreciation on assets under capital leases, is recorded over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets using the straight-line method for financial statement purposes and accelerated methods for tax purposes. The range of lives are generally 15 to 25 years for buildings, 3 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment, and 3 to 5 years for computer systems and equipment. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the associated lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset. Total depreciation expense was $11.8 million, $10.6 million, and $8.8 million for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

As of February 3, 2018, management has identified one property that is deemed held for sale based on criteria in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 360-10-45-9. This property is reflected in each category of Property and Equipment with the exception of capitalized leases in the table above and had a carrying value of $1.5 million as of February 3, 2018. As of February 3, 2018, the expected fair value less the cost of sale exceeded the carrying value of the Property and Equipment.

Intangible Assets
Intangible assets, included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, consist of the following:
thousands
 
February 3, 2018
 
January 28, 2017
Reacquisition rights
 
$
6,100

 
$
6,100

Less: accumulated amortization
 
(5,845
)
 
(4,573
)
Total intangible assets, net
 
$
255

 
$
1,527


In 2015, the Company repurchased franchised locations and included the execution of definitive asset purchase and termination agreements which terminated the franchise agreements and sublease arrangements for those locations. These definitive agreements also required the Company to purchase store furniture, fixtures, and equipment. The franchisees of the affected locations were obligors on promissory notes payable to the Company and as part of the definitive agreements, the Company wrote-off the franchisee note receivable balances net of the value of the reacquisition rights and the value of the furniture, fixtures, and equipment that the Company purchased. Reacquisition rights were recorded at estimated fair value using the income approach.

In fiscal 2016 and 2017, the Company repurchased a total of 24 and 32 franchised locations, respectively. There was no reacquisition rights value associated with the transactions in fiscal 2017 and 2016, as several of the reacquired stores were closed and the remaining had negative cash flows and minimal time remaining on the lease.

Reacquisition rights are definite-life assets, and as such, we record amortization expense based on a method that most appropriately reflects our expected cash flows from these assets with a remaining weighted-average amortization period of 0.3 years. Amortization expense for reacquisition rights was $1.3 million, $2.8 million, and $1.7 million for 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Amortization expense is estimated to be $0.3 million in fiscal 2018, at which point the reacquisition rights will be fully amortized.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Costs Associated with Exit Activities
In accordance with accounting standards governing the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, the carrying value of long-lived assets, including property and equipment, is evaluated whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a potential impairment has occurred. Factors that could result in an impairment review include, but are not limited to, a current period cash flow loss combined with a history of cash flow losses, current cash flows that may be insufficient to recover the investment in the property over the remaining useful life, or a projection that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets, or significant changes in business strategies. An impairment loss is

55

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



recognized when the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset plus net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset (if any) are less than the carrying value of the asset. When an impairment loss is recognized, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value as determined based on quoted market prices or through the use of other valuation techniques. We recorded impairment charges with respect to long-lived assets of $3.4 million, $9.4 million and $4.0 million in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, included in Impairment of property and equipment in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We account for costs associated with location closings in accordance with accounting standards pertaining to accounting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and compensation. When management makes a decision to close a location we record a reserve as of that date for the inventory markdowns associated with the closing. We record a liability for future lease costs (net of estimated sublease income) when we cease to use the location. As of February 3, 2018, this liability was approximately $4.7 million. See Note 15.

Leases
We lease certain stores, office facilities, computers and transportation equipment. The determination of operating and capital lease obligations is based on the expected durations of the leases and contractual minimum lease payments specified in the lease agreements. For certain stores, amounts in excess of these minimum lease payments are payable based upon a specified percentage of sales. Contingent rent is accrued during the period it becomes probable that a particular store will achieve a specified sales level thereby triggering a contingent rental obligation. Certain leases also include an escalation clause or clauses and renewal option clauses calling for increased rents. Where the lease contains an escalation clause or concession such as a rent holiday, rent expense is recognized using the straight-line method over the term of the lease. We have subleases with Sears Holdings for 26 locations. We had rent expense paid to Sears Holdings of $10.8 million, $17.0 million and $19.3 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

We also had rent expense paid to Seritage Growth Properties of $1.1 million, $1.0 million and $0.5 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, for occupancy charges for three properties we lease from Seritage.

Rental expense for operating leases was as follows:
 
 
Fiscal Year
thousands
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Minimum rentals
 
59,533

 
69,111

 
63,336

Less-Sublease rentals
 
(7,399
)
 
(13,181
)
 
(25,505
)
Total
 
52,134

 
55,930

 
37,831


Minimum lease obligations excluding taxes, insurance and other expenses are as follows:
Fiscal Year (thousands)
 
 Capital Leases
 
 Operating Leases
2018
 
$
267

 
$
44,076

2019
 
308

 
32,697

2020
 
17

 
27,422

2021
 
11

 
20,917

2022
 
10

 
14,264

Thereafter
 

 
8,821

  Total Minimum Lease Payments
 
613

 
148,197

  Less - Sublease Income on Leased Properties
 

 
(7,308
)
   Net Minimum Lease Payments
 
$
613

 
$
140,889

 
 
 
 
 
Capital lease obligations
 
613

 
 
  Less Current Portion of Capital Lease Obligations
(267
)
 
 
  Long-term Capital Lease Obligations
 
$
346

 
 



56

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Insurance Programs
We maintain our own insurance arrangements with third-party insurance companies for exposures incurred for a number of risks including worker’s compensation and general liability claims. Insurance expense of $5.3 million, $5.4 million and $4.1 million was recorded during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Loss Contingencies
We account for contingent losses in accordance with accounting standards pertaining to loss contingencies. Under accounting standards, loss contingency provisions are recorded for probable losses at management’s best estimate of a loss, or when a best estimate cannot be made, a minimum loss contingency amount is recorded. These estimates are often initially developed substantially earlier than the ultimate loss is known, and the estimates are refined each accounting period, as additional information is known.

Revenue Recognition
Revenues include sales of merchandise, commissions on merchandise sales made through www.sears.com, Company websites, services and extended-service plans, financing programs, and delivery and handling revenues related to merchandise sold. We recognize revenues from retail operations at the later of the point of sale or the delivery of goods to the end user. Net sales are presented net of any taxes collected from customers and remitted or payable to governmental authorities. We recognize revenues from commissions on services and extended-service plans, and delivery and handling revenues related to merchandise sold, at the point of sale as we are not the primary obligor with respect to such services and have no future obligations for future performance.
The Company accepts Sears Holdings gift cards as tender for purchases and is reimbursed by Sears Holdings for gift cards tendered.

Reserve for Sales Returns and Allowances
Revenues from merchandise sales and services are reported net of estimated returns and allowances and exclude sales taxes. The reserve for returns and allowances is calculated as a percentage of sales based on historical return percentages. Estimated returns are recorded as a reduction of sales and cost of sales. The reserve for returns and allowances was $1.1 million at February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, respectively.

Cost of Sales and Occupancy
Cost of sales and occupancy are comprised principally of merchandise costs, warehousing and distribution (including receiving and store delivery) costs, retail store occupancy costs, home services and installation costs, warranty cost, royalties payable to Sears Holdings related to our sale products branded with one of the KENMORE®, CRAFTSMAN®, and DIEHARD® marks (the "KCD Marks," and products branded with one of the KCD Marks are referred to as the "KCD Products"), customer shipping and handling costs, vendor allowances, markdowns, and physical inventory losses. The KCD Marks are owned by subsidiaries of Sears Holdings.

Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses are comprised principally of dealer and franchisee commissions, payroll and benefits costs for retail and support employees, advertising, pre-opening costs, and other administrative expenses.

Dealer and Franchisee Commissions
In accordance with our agreements with our dealers and franchisees, we pay commissions to our dealers and franchisees on the net sales of merchandise and extended-service plans. In addition, each dealer and franchisee can earn commissions for third-party gift cards sold and can earn marketing support, home improvement referrals, rent support, and other items. Commission costs are expensed as incurred and reflected within selling and administrative expenses. Commission costs were $171.7 million, $209.5 million, and $278.1 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Commission costs vary based on factors including store count, number of dealer and franchise locations, sales mix, sales volume, and commission rates.

Pre-Opening Costs
Pre-opening and start-up activity costs are expensed in the period in which they occur.

Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred, generally the first time the advertising occurs, and were $48.2 million, $65.2 million and $70.5 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These costs are included within selling and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.



57

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Income Taxes
We provide deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial and tax basis of assets and liabilities based on currently enacted tax laws. The tax balances and income tax expense recognized by us are based on management’s interpretation of the tax laws of multiple jurisdictions. Income tax expense also reflects our best estimates and assumptions regarding, among other things, the level of future taxable income, tax planning, and any valuation allowance. For the year-ended February 3, 2018, a valuation allowance of $92.4 million has been recorded for the full amount of the net deferred tax assets.  In the future, we may record additional net deferred tax assets and if future utilization of deferred tax assets is uncertain, we may record additional valuation allowance against such deferred tax assets. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In projecting future taxable income, we begin with historical results and incorporate assumptions including the amount of future state, federal and foreign pre-tax operating income (loss), the reversal of temporary differences, and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income.

Tax positions are recognized when they are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not of being recognized upon settlement. We will be subject to periodic audits by the Internal Revenue Service and other state and local taxing authorities. Theses audits may challenge certain of the Company’s tax positions such as the timing and amount of income and deductions and the allocation of taxable income to various tax jurisdictions. We evaluate our tax positions and establish liabilities in accordance with the applicable guidance on uncertainty in income taxes. These tax uncertainties are reviewed as facts and circumstances change and are adjusted accordingly. This requires significant management judgment in estimating final outcomes. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates and could significantly affect the effective tax rate and cash flows in future years. Interest and penalties are classified as income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Prior to the Separation, our taxable income was included in the consolidated federal, state and foreign income tax returns of Sears Holdings or its affiliates. Income taxes in these consolidated financial statements have been recognized on a separate return basis. Under a Tax Sharing Agreement between the Company and Sears Holdings entered into prior to the Separation (the "Tax Sharing Agreement"), Sears Holdings is responsible for any federal, state or foreign income tax liability relating to tax periods ending on or before the Separation and the Company is responsible for any federal, state or foreign tax liability relating to tax periods ending after the Separation.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
We determine the fair value of financial instruments in accordance with standards pertaining to fair value measurements. Such standards define fair value and establish a framework for measuring fair value in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). Under fair value measurement accounting standards, fair value is considered to be the exchange price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell an asset or transfer a liability at the measurement date. We report the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the fair value hierarchy prescribed by accounting standards for fair value measurements, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels, as follows:
Level 1 inputs—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. An active market for the asset or liability is one in which transactions for the asset or liability occurs with sufficient frequency and volume to provide ongoing pricing information.
Level 2 inputs—inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include, but are not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rate curves and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, credit risk and default rates.
Level 3 inputs—unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
Cash and cash equivalents, merchandise payables to Sears Holdings, accrued expenses (level 1), accounts and notes receivable, and short-term debt (level 2) are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. For short-term debt, the variable interest rates are a significant input in our fair value assessments. The carrying value of long-term notes receivable approximates fair value.


58

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



We measure certain non-financial assets and liabilities, including long-lived assets, at fair value on a non-recurring basis. As disclosed in Note 1, the Company recorded impairment charges of $3.4 million, $9.4 million and $4.0 million on its property and equipment in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The Company utilized Level 3 inputs to measure the fair value of property and equipment, and intangible assets.

New Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2016-17 "Consolidation (Topic 810) Interests Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control"
In October 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to amend the accounting standards on how a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity ("VIE") should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the reporting entity that has a controlling financial interest in a VIE and, therefore, consolidates the VIE. A reporting entity has an indirect interest in a VIE if it has a direct interest in a related party that, in turn, has a direct interest in the VIE. Under the amendments, a single decision maker is not required to consider indirect interests held through related parties that are under common control with the single decision maker to be the equivalent of direct interests in their entirety. Instead, a single decision maker is required to include those interests on a proportionate basis consistent with indirect interests held through other related parties. The Company adopted the update in the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of the new standard did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ASU 2016-16 "Income Taxes (Topic 740) Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory"
In October 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. Current accounting standards prohibit the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. In addition, interpretations of this guidance have developed in practice for transfers of certain intangible and tangible assets. This prohibition on recognition is an exception to the principle of comprehensive recognition of current and deferred income taxes in accounting standards. To more faithfully represent the economics of intra-entity asset transfers, the amendments in this update require that entities recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The amendments in this update do not change accounting standards for the pre-tax effects of an intra-entity asset transfer under accounting standards applicable to consolidation, or for an intra-entity transfer of inventory. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period. The amendments in this update should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2016-02 "Leases (Topic 842)"
In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which replaces the current lease accounting standard. The update will require, among other items, lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for most leases. Extensive quantitative and qualitative disclosures, including significant judgments made by management, will be required to provide greater insight into the extent of revenue and expense recognized and expected to be recognized from existing contracts. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition, and provides for certain practical expedients. Transition will require application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. We are currently evaluating the effect the update will have on our consolidated financial statements, and expect the update will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)"
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)", which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 605, Revenue Recognition effective January 1, 2018. Several additional ASUs have subsequently been issued amending and clarifying the standard. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step process to achieve that core principle.


59

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



We adopted this standard on February 4, 2018, using the modified retrospective approach, which requires a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings on the date of adoption.  We have completed our review of the standard and determined the adoption will impact our balance sheet presentation related to merchandise returns. We currently present our returns reserve net of anticipated resaleable merchandise returns. The new guidance requires that we present a right of return asset separately from the liability for anticipated customer returns. Upon adoption of the standard, the Company will reclassify/record a right of return asset of approximately $1.0 million and $1.5 million. The adoption of this standard did not result in a material cumulative effect adjustment as of February 4, 2018, and with the exception of merchandise returns, the guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We will include the additional required disclosures beginning with our Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2018.
NOTE 2—ACCOUNTS AND FRANCHISEE RECEIVABLES AND OTHER ASSETS
Accounts and franchisee receivables and other assets consist of the following:
thousands
 
February 3, 2018
 
January 28, 2017
Short-term franchisee receivables
 
$
1,205

 
$
1,920

Miscellaneous receivables
 
14,314

 
10,475

Long-term franchisee receivables
 
7,962

 
18,406

Other assets
 
5,106

 
7,643

Allowance for losses on short-term franchisee receivables (1)
 
(847
)
 
(947
)
Allowance for losses on long-term franchisee receivables (1)
 
(4,928
)
 
(7,295
)
Total Accounts and franchisee receivables and other assets
 
$
22,812

 
$
30,202


(1) The Company recognizes an allowance for losses on franchisee receivables (which consist primarily of franchisee promissory notes) in an amount equal to estimated probable losses net of recoveries. The allowance is based on an analysis of expected future write-offs, existing economic conditions, and an assessment of specific identifiable franchisee promissory notes and other franchisee receivables considered at risk or uncollectible. The expense associated with the allowance for losses on franchisee receivables is recognized as selling and administrative expense. Most of our franchisee promissory notes authorize us to deduct debt service from our commissions otherwise due and payable to the franchisees, and we routinely make those deductions to the extent of available commissions payable. We establish allowances for losses on franchisee receivables based on our receivable-by-receivable assessment during the year and determine that some of the franchisee receivables are potentially uncollectible in future periods due to declining results of operations of, or other adverse financial events with respect to, franchise stores that indicate that the franchisees might not be able, or were unable or unwilling, to meet their debt-service and other obligations to us as they became due.

NOTE 3—ALLOWANCE FOR LOSSES ON FRANCHISEE RECEIVABLES

The allowance for losses on Franchisee Receivables consists of the following:
thousands
 
February 3, 2018
 
January 28, 2017
Allowance for losses on franchisee receivables, beginning of period
 
$
8,242

 
$
12,141

Expense (benefit) during the period
 
7,361

 
(791
)
Write off of franchisee receivables
 
(9,828
)
 
(3,383
)
Other
 

 
275

Allowance for losses on franchisee receivables, end of period
 
$
5,775

 
$
8,242


60

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



NOTE 4—OTHER CURRENT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

Other current and long-term liabilities consist of the following:
thousands
 
February 3, 2018
 
January 28, 2017
Customer deposits
 
$
16,655

 
$
19,943

Sales and other taxes
 
9,221

 
11,380

Accrued expenses
 
17,755

 
27,602

Payroll and related items
 
7,140

 
5,766

Store closing and severance costs
 
4,655

 
7,659

Total Other current and long-term liabilities
 
$
55,426

 
$
72,350


NOTE 5—INCOME TAXES

In connection with the Separation, SHO and Sears Holdings entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with Sears Holdings that governs the rights and obligations of the parties with respect to pre-Separation and post-Separation tax matters. Under the Tax Sharing Agreement, Sears Holdings is responsible for any federal, state or foreign income tax liability relating to tax periods ending on or before the Separation. For all periods after the Separation, the Company is responsible for any federal, state or foreign tax liability. Current income taxes payable for any federal, state or foreign income tax returns is reported in the period incurred.

We account for uncertainties in income taxes according to accounting standards for uncertain tax positions. The Company is present in a large number of taxable jurisdictions and, at any point in time, can have audits underway at various stages of completion in one or more of these jurisdictions. We evaluate our tax positions and establish liabilities for uncertain tax positions that may be challenged by local authorities and may not be fully sustained, despite the belief that the underlying tax positions are fully supportable. Unrecognized tax benefits are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, including progress of tax audits, developments in case law, and closings of statutes of limitation. Such adjustments are reflected in the tax provision as appropriate. Pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement, Sears Holdings is responsible for any unrecognized tax liabilities or benefits through the date of the Separation and the Company is responsible for any uncertain tax positions after the Separation. For 2017, 2016 and 2015, no unrecognized tax benefits have been identified and reflected in the financial statements.
 
We classify interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits and interest income on tax overpayments as components of income tax expense. As no unrecognized tax benefits have been identified and reflected in the consolidated financial statements, no interest or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets or statements of operations.


61

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The provisions for income tax expense for 2017, 2016 and 2015 consist of the following:
 
 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
thousands
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Loss before income taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
 
$
(96,166
)
 
$
(51,588
)
 
$
(41,643
)
Foreign
 
1,613

 
1,160

 
(770
)
Total
 
$
(94,553
)
 
$
(50,428
)
 
$
(42,413
)
Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
2

 
$
(155
)
 
$
(9,758
)
State
 
215

 
1,001

 
605

Foreign
 
1,046

 
542

 
432

Total
 
1,263

 
1,388

 
(8,721
)
Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
(759
)
 
67,463

 
(4,666
)
State
 

 
12,640

 
(1,765
)
Total
 
$
(759
)
 
$
80,103

 
$
(6,431
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
 
$
504

 
$
81,491

 
$
(15,152
)

The provisions for income taxes for financial reporting purposes is different from the tax provision computed by applying the statutory federal tax rate. The reconciliation of the tax rate follows:
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Federal tax rate
 
33.7
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
State income tax (net of federal benefit)
 
(0.2
)%
 
1.7
 %
 
1.8
 %
Federal tax rate change
 
(37.2
)%
 
 %
 
 %
Valuation allowance
 
4.4
 %
 
(198.5
)%
 
(1.6
)%
Foreign taxes
 
(1.1
)%
 
 %
 
0.5
 %
Other
 
(0.1
)%
 
0.2
 %
 
 %
Effective tax rate
 
(0.5
)%
 
(161.6
)%
 
35.7
 %
    

62

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The major components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017 are as follows:
 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
thousands
February 3, 2018
 
January 28, 2017
Deferred tax assets
 
Bad debts
$
1,543

 
$
3,487

Deferred compensation
756

 
468

Inventory

 
3,159

Net operating loss
54,580

 
39,169

Property
2,598

 
296

Royalty-free license
26,451

 
44,280

Other
7,803

 
11,230

Sub-total deferred tax assets
$
93,731

 
$
102,089

Valuation allowance
(92,362
)
 
(100,906
)
Total deferred tax assets
$
1,369

 
$
1,183

Deferred tax liabilities
 
 
 
Property
(730
)
 

Other
(639
)
 
(1,183
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
(1,369
)
 
(1,183
)
Net deferred tax assets

 


On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code that will affect our fiscal year ending February 3, 2018, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate, (2) eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) and changing how existing AMT credits can be realized, and (3) various other miscellaneous changes that are effective in fiscal 2017. The Tax Act reduces the federal corporate tax rate to 21% in the fiscal year ending February 3, 2018. Based on Section 15 of the Internal Revenue Code, our fiscal year ending February 3, 2018 will have a blended corporate tax rate of 33.7%, which is based on the applicable tax rates before and after the Tax Act and the number of days in the year.

The Tax Act also establishes new tax rules that will affect fiscal 2018, including, but not limited to, (1) reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate; (2) the elimination of corporate AMT; (3) a new limitation on deductible interest expense; (4) limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation; (5) limitations on the use of FTCs to reduce the U.S. income tax liability; and (6) limitations on net operating losses (NOLs) generated in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, to 80% of taxable income.

The SEC staff issued SAB 118, which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax Act.

In connection with our initial analysis of the impact of the Tax Act, we have recorded a discrete net tax benefit of $0.8 million in the period ending February 3, 2018. This net tax benefit consists of a net benefit for the reclassification of the corporate AMT from deferred tax to long-term receivable therefore reducing the valuation allowance by $0.8 million. For various reasons that are discussed more fully below, we have not completed our accounting for the income tax effects of certain elements of the Tax Act. If we were able to make reasonable estimates of the effects of elements for which our analysis is not yet complete, we recorded provisional adjustments.



63

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Our accounting for the following elements of the Tax Act is incomplete. However, we were able to make reasonable estimates of certain effects and, therefore, recorded provisional adjustments as follows:

The Tax Act reduces the corporate rate to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. Our net deferred tax assets ("DTA") and deferred tax liabilities ("DTL") decreased by $35.2 million with a corresponding net adjustment to the valuation allowance for the year ended February 3, 2018. The AMT DTA of $0.8 million was reclassified to a long-term receivable which resulted in a deferred tax benefit of the same amount due to the release of the corresponding valuation allowance. While we were able to make a reasonable estimate of the impact of the reduction in the corporate rate and valuation allowances, it may be affected by other analysis related to the Tax Act.

We account for income taxes in accordance with accounting standards for such taxes, which require that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities.  Accounting standards also require that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion of or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. In performing the assessment for 2017, a significant piece of negative evidence evaluated was the cumulative loss incurred over the three-year period ended February 3, 2018. The loss was evaluated as book loss adjusted for non-deductible and non-recurring items such as goodwill impairment, sale of property, store closing costs, franchise income/expense and software expenses. Such objective evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence such as our projections for future growth.

On the basis of this analysis and significant negative objective evidence, management has determined the full valuation allowance is still necessary for the year ended February 3, 2018. The valuation allowance decreased by $8.5 million for the current year which was offset by the reduction in net DTAs mainly for the reduction in the federal tax rate but resulted in a tax benefit of $0.8 million due to the valuation allowance release for the reclassification of the AMT DTA. As of February 3, 2018, a valuation allowance of $92.4 million is recorded for the full amount of the net deferred tax assets. Changes in the valuation allowance are recorded as a non-cash charge to income tax expense. A valuation allowance of $0.7 million and $0.1 million was recognized through tax expense for the years ended January 28, 2017 and January 30, 2016, respectively due to the estimated future foreign taxable income available to use the foreign tax credit and the Puerto Rico AMT credit carryforwards. We will continue to evaluate our valuation allowance in future years for any change in circumstances that causes a change in judgment about the realizability of the deferred tax assets.

At the end of 2017 and 2016, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards (“NOL”) of $210.7 million and $99.4 million, respectively, which will expire between 2036 and 2038. At the end of 2017 and 2016, we had state NOL carryforwards of $13.1 million and $6.8 million, respectively, which will expire between 2019 and 2038. We have credit carryforwards of $3.4 million which will expire between 2023 and 2038.

We file federal, state and city income tax returns in the United States and foreign tax returns in Puerto Rico. SHO was also a part of the Sears Holdings' combined state returns for the years ended February 2, 2013 and February 1, 2014. Currently, the Company is under audit for the years ended February 2, 2013 and February 1, 2014 as part of the Sears Holdings' combined return audits, as well as the Company's federal tax return for the year ended January 30, 2016, and a separate state return audit for fiscal years 2013 through 2016.

64

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




NOTE 6—RELATED-PARTY AGREEMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS

According to publicly available information, ESL Investments, Inc. and its investment affiliates including Edward S. Lampert (together, "ESL") beneficially own 58.8% of our outstanding shares of common stock and more than 50% of Sears Holdings' outstanding shares of common stock.

We are party to various agreements with Sears Holdings (the "SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements") which, among other things, (1) govern specified aspects of our relationship with Sears Holdings, (2) establish terms under which subsidiaries of Sears Holdings are providing services to us, and (3) establish terms pursuant to which subsidiaries of Sears Holdings are obtaining merchandise inventories for us. The terms of the SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements were agreed to prior to the Separation (except for amendments entered into after the Separation that were approved by the Audit Committee of SHO's Board of Directors) in the context of a parent-subsidiary relationship and in the overall context of the Separation. The costs and allocations charged to the Company by Sears Holdings do not necessarily reflect the costs of obtaining the services from unaffiliated third parties or of the Company itself providing the applicable services. The Company has engaged in frequent discussions, and has resolved disputes, with Sears Holdings about the terms and conditions of the SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements, the business relationships that are reflected in the SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements, and the details of these business relationships, many of which details had not been addressed by the terms and conditions of the SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements or, if addressed, in the past were, and in the future could be, in dispute as to their meaning or application in the context of the existing business relationships. Many of these discussions have resulted in adjustments to the relationships that the Company believes together are in the Company's best interests. On May 11, 2016, SHO and Sears Holdings entered into amendments to most of the SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements. These amendments are referred to in our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35641) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2016. We also filed a Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35641) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2017 regarding the Amendment to Amended and Restated Merchandising Agreement dated as of March 8, 2017 among the Company, Sears Holdings, and Stanley Black & Decker. Inc.

The following is a summary of the nature of the related-party transactions between SHO and Sears Holdings:

We are party to a Separation Agreement with Sears Holdings pursuant to which Sears Holdings consummated the Separation. The Separation Agreement, among other things, provided for the allocation and transfer, through a series of intercompany transactions, of the assets and the liabilities comprising the Sears Hometown and Hardware and Sears Outlet businesses of Sears Holdings. In the Separation Agreement SHO and Sears Holdings agree to release each other from all pre-separation claims (other than with respect to the agreements executed in connection with the Separation) and each agrees to defend and indemnify the other with respect to its post-separation business.

We obtain a significant amount of our merchandise inventories from Sears Holdings. This enables us to take advantage of the amount and scope of Sears Holdings' purchasing activities. The SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements include an Amended and Restated Merchandising Agreement with Sears Holdings, Kmart and SRC (the "Merchandising Agreement") pursuant to which Kmart and SRC (1) sell to us, with respect to certain specified product categories, Sears-branded products including KCD Products and vendor-branded products obtained from Kmart’s and SRC’s vendors and suppliers and (2) grant us licenses to use the trademarks owned by Kmart, SRC or other subsidiaries of Sears Holdings, or the "Sears marks," including the KCD Marks in connection with the marketing and sale of products sold under the Sears marks. The initial term of the Merchandising Agreement will expire on February 1, 2020, subject to one three-year renewal term with respect to the KCD Products. We pay, on a weekly basis, a royalty determined by multiplying our net sales of the KCD Products by specified fixed royalties rates for each brand’s licensed products, subject to adjustments based on the extent to which we feature Kenmore brand products in certain of our advertising and the extent to which we pay specified minimum commissions to our franchisees and Hometown Store owners. The SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements also provide for related logistics, handling, warehouse and transportation services, the charges for which are based generally on merchandise inventory units. We also pay fees for participation in Sears Holdings' SYW program.

We obtain our merchandise from Sears Holdings and other vendors. Products which we acquired from Sears Holdings, including KCD Products and other products, accounted for approximately 78%, 80%, and 82% of our total purchases of inventory from all vendors for 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The loss of or a reduction in the amount of merchandise made available to us by Sears Holdings could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.


65

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Sears Holdings provides the Company with specified corporate services pursuant to the SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements. These services include tax, accounting, procurement, risk management and insurance, advertising and marketing, loss prevention, environmental, product and human safety, facilities, logistics and distribution, information technology (including the point-of-sale system used by the Company and our dealers and franchisees), online, payment clearing, and other financial, real estate management, merchandise-related and other support services. Sears Holdings charges the Company for these corporate services generally based on actual usage, a pro rata charge based upon sales, head count, or square footage, or a fixed fee or commission as agreed between the parties.

Sears Holdings has licensed the Company until October 11, 2029, on a royalty-free basis, to use under specified conditions (1) the name "Sears" in our corporate name and to promote our businesses and (2) the www.searsoutlet.com (our license to use "searsoutlet.com" on a web platform not operated by Sears Holdings will expire on February 1, 2020), www.searshomeapplianceshowroom.com, www.searshometownstores.com, and www.searshardwarestores.com domain names to promote our businesses. Also, Sears Holdings has licensed the Company until October 11, 2029, on an exclusive, royalty-free basis, under specified conditions to use for the purpose of operating our stores the names "Sears Appliance & Hardware," "Sears Authorized Hometown Stores," "Sears Hometown Store," "Sears Home Appliance Showroom," "Sears Hardware," and "Sears Outlet Store."

Sears Holdings has assigned to us leases for, or has subleased to us, many of the stores that we operate or that we have, in turn, subleased to franchisees. Generally, the terms of the subleases match the terms, including the payment of rent and expiration date, of the existing leases between Sears Holdings (or one of its subsidiaries) and the landlord. In addition, a small number of our stores are in locations where Sears Holdings currently operates one of its stores or a distribution facility. In such cases we have entered into a lease or sublease with Sears Holdings (or one of its subsidiaries) for the portion of the space in which our store will operate, and we pay rent directly to Sears Holdings on the terms negotiated in connection with the Separation. We also lease from Sears Holdings office space for our corporate headquarters.

SHO receives commissions from Sears Holdings for specified sales of merchandise made through www.sears.com and www.searsoutlet.com, the sale of extended-service plans, delivery and handling services and relating to the use in our stores of credit cards branded with the Sears name. For certain transactions SHO pays a commission to Sears Holdings.

The SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements may be terminated by either party upon a material breach if the breaching party fails to cure such breach within 30 days following written notice of such breach or, if such breach is not curable, immediately upon delivery of notice of the non-breaching party’s intention to terminate.

The following table summarizes the transactions with Sears Holdings included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements: 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
thousands
 
February 3, 2018
 
January 28, 2017
 
January 30, 2016
Net Commissions from Sears Holdings
 
$
66,557

 
$
82,447

 
$
91,291

Purchases related to cost of sales and occupancy
 
958,560

 
1,153,739

 
1,386,414

Services included in selling and administrative
 
60,822

 
77,134

 
88,486


We incur payables to Sears Holdings for merchandise inventory purchases and service and occupancy charges (net of commissions) based on the SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements.  Amounts due to or from Sears Holdings are non-interest bearing and, except as provided in the following sentences of this paragraph, are settled on a net basis and have payment terms of 10 days after the invoice date. In accordance with the SHO–Sears Holdings Agreements and at the request of Sears Holdings, the Company can pay invoices on two or three-day terms and receive a deduction on invoices for early–payment discounts of 43 basis points or 37 basis points, respectively. The Company can, in its sole discretion, revert to ten–day, no–discount payment terms at any time upon notice to Sears Holdings. The discount received for payments made on accelerated terms, net of incremental interest expense, results in a net financial benefit to the Company. During 2017, the Company paid most invoices on either two or three–day terms and received discounts of $4.2 million, which are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. During 2016 the Company began paying invoices on accelerated terms on May 1, 2016 and received discounts of approximately $4.4 million.

We paid Seritage Growth Properties $1.1 million and $1.0 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively, for occupancy charges for three properties we lease from Seritage. Edward S. Lampert is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Seritage.

66

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



NOTE 7—FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

In October 2012 the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with a syndicate of lenders, including Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, which provided (subject to availability under a borrowing base) for aggregate maximum borrowings of $250 million (the "Prior Facility"). Under the Prior Facility the Company initially borrowed $100 million which was used to pay a cash dividend to Sears Holdings prior to the Separation.

On November 1, 2016, the Company and its primary operating subsidiaries, entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with a syndicate of lenders, including Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, which provides (subject to availability under a borrowing base) for aggregate maximum borrowings of $250 million (the "Senior ABL Facility"). The Senior ABL Facility, which amended and restated the Prior Facility in its entirety, provides for extended revolving credit commitments of specified lenders in an aggregate amount equal to $170 million (the “Extended Revolving Credit Commitments”) and non-extended revolving credit commitments of specified lenders in an aggregate amount equal to $80 million (the “Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments”). The Extended Revolving Credit Commitments will mature on the earlier of (1) February 29, 2020 and (2) six months prior to the expiration of specified agreements entered into with Sears Holdings and its subsidiaries in connection with the Separation (the “Subject Agreements”) unless they are extended to a date later than February 29, 2020 or terminated on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the administrative agent under the Senior ABL Facility. The Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments were not extended by the Non-Extending Lenders in accordance with the Senior ABL Facility and matured on October 11, 2017.  Unamortized debt costs related to the Senior ABL Facility of $3.5 million and $5.4 million are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, respectively, and are being amortized over the remaining term of the Senior ABL Facility.  

As of February 3, 2018 we had $137.9 million outstanding under the Senior ABL Facility, which approximated the fair value of these borrowings. Up to $75 million of the Senior ABL Facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit and up to $25 million is available for swingline loans. The Senior ABL Facility permits us to request commitment increases in an aggregate principal amount of up to $100 million. Availability under the Senior ABL Facility as of February 3, 2018 was $24.9 million, with $7.2 million of letters of credit outstanding under the facility.

The principal terms of the Senior ABL Facility are summarized below.

Prepayments
The Senior ABL Facility is subject to mandatory prepayment in amounts equal to the amount by which the outstanding extensions of credit exceed the lesser of the borrowing base and the commitments then in effect.

Security and Guarantees
The Senior ABL Facility is secured by a first lien security interest on substantially all the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, accounts receivable, inventory, general intangibles, investment property, equipment, cash, cash equivalents, deposit accounts and securities accounts, as well as certain other assets (other than intellectual property and fee-owned interests in real property) ancillary to any of the foregoing and all proceeds of any of the foregoing, including cash proceeds and the proceeds of applicable insurance. The Senior ABL Facility is guaranteed by the Company and each of its existing and future direct and indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (other than specified immaterial subsidiaries).

Interest; Fees
The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the Senior ABL Facility are based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to, at the Company's election, either (1) an adjusted London inter-bank offered rate (LIBOR) plus a borrowing margin ranging from (x) 3.50% to 4.50%, in the case of the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments or (y) 2.00% to 2.50%, in the case of the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments (which the blended rate was approximately 5.02% at February 3, 2018 and 3.94% at January 28, 2017), and in each case based on availability under the Senior ABL Facility, or (2) an alternate base rate plus a borrowing margin, ranging from (x) 2.50% to 3.50%, in the case of the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments or (y) 1.00% to 1.50%, in the case of the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Commitments (which the blended rate was approximately 8.00% at February 3, 2018 and 5.94% at January 28, 2017), and in each case based on availability under the Senior ABL Facility.

Customary fees are payable in respect of the Senior ABL Facility, including letter of credit fees and commitment fees.


67

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Covenants
The Senior ABL Facility includes a number of negative covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries (including the guarantors) to, subject to certain exceptions, incur additional indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, make prepayments on other indebtedness, and engage in mergers or change the nature of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries (including the guarantors). The Senior ABL Facility also imposes various other requirements, which take effect if availability falls below designated thresholds, including a cash dominion requirement with additional borrowing base reporting requirements in addition to a requirement that the fixed charge ratio at the last day of any quarter be not less than 1.0 to 1.0. The Senior ABL Facility also limits SHO’s ability to declare and pay cash dividends and to repurchase its common stock. The Senior ABL Facility would not have permitted us to pay cash dividends or to repurchase our common stock as of February 3, 2018. The Senior ABL Facility also contains affirmative covenants, including financial and other reporting requirements.

Events of Default
The Senior ABL Facility includes customary and other events of default including non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations or warranties, cross default to other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, invalidity or impairment of guarantees or security interests, material judgments, change of control, failure to perform a "Material Contract" (which includes the Merchandising Agreement and other SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements) to the extent required to maintain it in full force and effect, the failure to enforce a Material Contract in accordance with its terms, or Sears Holdings terminates the "Separation Agreements" (which include, among other SHO-Sears Holdings Agreements, the Merchandising Agreement and the Services Agreements).

See Note 16 regarding the Company's Term Loan Credit Agreement dated February 16, 2018.

NOTE 8—SUMMARY OF SEGMENT DATA
The Hometown reportable segment consists of the aggregation of our Hometown Stores, Hardware Stores and Home Appliance Showroom formats. The Outlet reportable segment also represents a business format. These segments are evaluated by our Chief Operating Decision Maker to make decisions about resource allocation and to assess performance. Each of these segments derives its revenues from the sale of merchandise and related services to customers, primarily in the United States. The Net Sales categories include appliances, lawn and garden, tools and paint and other. The other category includes initial franchise revenue of $0.0 million and $(0.1) million from Hometown in 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $(0.2) million and $0.4 million from Outlet in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Initial franchise revenues in 2015 and 2016 consist of franchise fees paid with respect to new and existing Company-operated stores that we transfer to franchisees plus the net gain or loss on any related transfer of assets to the franchisees. No initial franchise revenues are included in the other category for Hometown or Outlet during 2017. Selling and administrative expense includes losses on franchisee notes receivables and IT transformation costs of $22.6 million, $9.2 million and $20.1 million for Hometown in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $19.1 million, $5.0 million and $16.2 million for Outlet in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Costs associated with accelerated store closings totaling $14.4 million in 2017 ($6.7 million in Hometown; $7.7 million in Outlet) and $17.1 million in 2016 ($16.0 million in Hometown; $1.1 million in Outlet), were included in Cost of sales and occupancy and Selling and administrative expense.

68

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



 
 
2017
thousands
 
Hometown
 
Outlet
 
Total
Net sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
Appliances
 
$
805,490

 
$
446,118

 
$
1,251,608

Lawn and garden
 
204,371

 
19,024

 
223,395

Tools and paint
 
103,706

 
14,289

 
117,995

Other
 
63,655

 
63,298

 
126,953

Total
 
1,177,222

 
542,729

 
1,719,951

Costs and expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales and occupancy
 
931,078

 
440,330

 
1,371,408

Selling and administrative
 
283,294

 
136,273

 
419,567

Impairment of property and equipment
 
2,581

 
776

 
3,357

Depreciation and amortization
 
5,378

 
7,661

 
13,039

Total
 
1,222,331

 
585,040

 
1,807,371

Operating loss
 
$
(45,109
)
 
$
(42,311
)
 
$
(87,420
)
Total assets
 
$
281,805

 
$
130,883

 
$
412,688

Capital expenditures
 
$
4,156

 
$
5,072

 
$
9,228

 
 
 
2016
thousands
 
Hometown
 
Outlet
 
Total
Net sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
Appliances
 
$
963,391

 
$
517,625

 
$
1,481,016

Lawn and garden
 
247,157

 
20,454

 
267,611

Tools and paint
 
150,520

 
17,856

 
168,376

Other
 
78,495

 
74,558

 
153,053

Total
 
1,439,563

 
630,493

 
2,070,056

Costs and expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales and occupancy
 
1,145,678

 
515,636

 
1,661,314

Selling and administrative
 
318,589

 
140,197

 
458,786

Impairment of property and equipment
 
4,536

 
4,820

 
9,356

Depreciation and amortization
 
6,032

 
7,426

 
13,458

Loss (gain) on the sale of assets
 
69

 
(25,272
)
 
(25,203
)
Total
 
1,474,904

 
642,807

 
2,117,711

Operating loss
 
$
(35,341
)
 
$
(12,314
)
 
$
(47,655
)
Total assets
 
$
303,166

 
$
165,260

 
$
468,426

Capital expenditures
 
$
7,377

 
$
4,821


$
12,198



69

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



 
 
2015
thousands
 
Hometown
 
Outlet
 
Total
Net sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
Appliances
 
$
1,056,175

 
$
529,083

 
$
1,585,258

Lawn and garden
 
286,222

 
22,166

 
308,388

Tools and paint
 
183,591

 
17,850

 
201,441

Other
 
104,288

 
88,413

 
192,701

Total
 
1,630,276

 
657,512

 
2,287,788

Costs and expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales and occupancy
 
1,262,215

 
507,071

 
1,769,286

Selling and administrative
 
378,141

 
167,987

 
546,128

Impairment of property and equipment
 
1,983

 
2,001

 
3,984

Depreciation and amortization
 
3,585

 
6,977

 
10,562

Total Costs and expenses
 
1,645,924

 
684,036

 
2,329,960

Operating loss
 
$
(15,648
)
 
$
(26,524
)
 
$
(42,172
)
Total assets
 
$
421,615

 
$
212,218

 
$
633,833

Capital expenditures
 
$
4,563

 
$
6,867

 
$
11,430


NOTE 9 —QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following tables reflect the unaudited quarterly consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated.
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2018
thousands, except per share amounts
 
First Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
NET SALES
 
$448,233
 
$489,985
 
$385,959
 
$395,774
COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales and occupancy
 
354,478

 
397,637

 
299,271

 
320,022

Selling and administrative
 
110,881

 
115,208

 
93,101

 
100,377

Impairment of property and equipment
 

 

 

 
3,357

Depreciation and amortization
 
2,204

 
4,704

 
3,002

 
3,129

Total costs and expenses
 
467,563

 
517,549

 
395,374

 
426,885

Operating loss
 
(19,330
)
 
(27,564
)
 
(9,415
)
 
(31,111
)
Interest expense
 
(1,591
)
 
(1,874
)
 
(2,149
)
 
(2,444
)
Other income
 
319

 
231

 
194

 
181

Loss before income taxes
 
(20,602
)
 
(29,207
)
 
(11,370
)
 
(33,374
)
Income tax (expense) benefit
 
(832
)
 
(239
)
 
437

 
130

NET LOSS
 
$
(21,434
)
 
$
(29,446
)
 
$
(10,933
)
 
$
(33,244
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic:
 
$
(0.94
)
 
$
(1.30
)
 
$
(0.48
)
 
$
(1.46
)
Diluted:
 
$
(0.94
)
 
$
(1.30
)
 
$
(0.48
)
 
$
(1.46
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
 
22,702

 
22,702

 
22,702

 
22,702

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
 
22,702

 
22,702

 
22,702

 
22,702



70

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



 
 
Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2017
thousands, except per share amounts
 
First Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
NET SALES
 
$536,981
 
$556,388
 
$487,795
 
$488,892
COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales and occupancy
 
420,790

 
441,508

 
392,562

 
406,454

Selling and administrative
 
117,992

 
118,808

 
109,158

 
112,828

Impairment of property and equipment
 

 

 

 
9,356

Depreciation and amortization
 
3,257

 
3,293

 
3,188

 
3,720

(Gain) loss on the sale of assets
 

 
(25,269
)
 

 
66

Total costs and expenses
 
542,039

 
538,340

 
504,908

 
532,424

Operating (loss) income
 
(5,058
)
 
18,048

 
(17,113
)
 
(43,532
)
Interest expense
 
(766
)
 
(886
)
 
(840
)
 
(1,771
)
Other income
 
397

 
378

 
373

 
342

(Loss) income before income taxes
 
(5,427
)
 
17,540

 
(17,580
)
 
(44,961
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
1,857

 
(6,898
)
 
(75,617
)
 
(833
)
NET (LOSS) INCOME
 
$
(3,570
)
 
$
10,642

 
$
(93,197
)
 
$
(45,794
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic:
 
$
(0.16
)
 
$
0.47

 
$
(4.11
)
 
$
(2.02
)
Diluted:
 
$
(0.16
)
 
$
0.47

 
$
(4.11
)
 
$
(2.02
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
 
22,666

 
22,696

 
22,702

 
22,691

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
 
22,666

 
22,699

 
22,702

 
22,691

NOTE 10—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We are subject to various legal and governmental proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of business, the outcome of which, individually and in the aggregate, in the opinion of management, would not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, or results of operations, or cash flows.


NOTE 11—LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic loss per common share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each period. Diluted income per common share also includes the dilutive effect of potential common shares. In periods where the Company records a net loss, the diluted per share amount is equal to the basic per share amount.


71

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The following table sets forth the components used to calculate basic and diluted loss per common share attributable to our stockholders.
 
Fiscal Year Ended
thousands except income per common share
February 3, 2018
 
January 28, 2017
 
January 30, 2016
Basic weighted average shares
22,702

 
22,691

 
22,666

Dilutive effect of restricted stock

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares
22,702

 
22,691

 
22,666

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(95,057
)
 
$
(131,919
)
 
$
(27,261
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
$
(4.19
)
 
$
(5.81
)
 
$
(1.20
)
  Diluted
$
(4.19
)
 
$
(5.81
)
 
$
(1.20
)

For 2016 and 2015, unvested shares of restricted stock of 14,000, and 55,958, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to them having an anti-dilutive effect. For 2017, unvested shares of restricted stock of 14,000 were excluded from diluted earnings per share through the date of forfeiture.

NOTE 12 — EQUITY

Stock-based Compensation

Under our stock-based employee compensation plan, referred to as the Company's Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Plan (the "Plan"), there are four million shares of stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan. We are authorized to grant stock options and to make other awards (in addition to restricted stock and stock units) pursuant to the Plan. The Company has made no stock-option awards under the Plan.

A total of 89,221 shares of restricted stock were granted under the Plan in the second quarter of 2013 (the "2013 RS Grant") and 14,000 shares of restricted stock were granted under the Plan in the second quarter of 2015 (the "2015 RS Grant"). As of May 16, 2016, 52,691 shares of the 2013 RS Grant had been forfeited. On that date the remaining 36,530 shares of restricted stock comprising the 2013 RS Grant vested in accordance with the terms and conditions of the governing restricted-stock agreements and the Plan. The 14,000 shares of restricted stock comprising the 2015 RS Grant were forfeited in the first quarter of 2017.

During 2015 the Company granted a total of 159,475 stock units under the Plan. All of these stock units were payable solely in cash based on the Nasdaq stock price at the vesting date. As of February 3, 2018, 34,091 of these stock units had been forfeited. On April 13, 2018, the remaining 125,384 stock units vested in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of governing stock-unit agreements and the Plan.

On January 30, 2017 the Company granted a total of 262,788 stock units under the Plan. As of February 3, 2018, 40,000 of these stock units had been forfeited and 76,485 had vested. The remaining 146,303 stock units will vest, if at all, in two substantially equal installments on January 30 in 2019 and 2020 in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of governing stock unit agreements, including forfeiture conditions, and the Plan. The fair value of these awards vary based on changes in our Nasdaq stock price at the end of each reporting period.

On January 18, 2018 the Company granted a total of 361,393 stock units under the Plan. These stock units will vest in three substantially equal installments on January 30 in 2019, 2020 and 2021 in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of governing stock unit agreements, including forfeiture conditions, and the Plan. The fair value of these awards vary based on changes in our Nasdaq stock price at the end of each reporting period.

The shares of restricted stock referred to above in this Note 12 constituted outstanding shares of the Company's common stock. The recipients of the restricted stock grants had full voting and dividend rights with respect to, but were unable to transfer or pledge, their shares of restricted stock prior to the applicable vesting dates. The stock units referred to above in this Note 12,

72

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



which were, and are, payable solely in cash based on the Nasdaq closing price of our common stock at the applicable vesting dates, do not constitute outstanding shares of the Company's common stock. The recipients of the stock unit grants have, with respect to their stock units, no rights to receive the Company's common stock or other securities of the Company, no rights as a stockholder of the Company, no dividend rights, and no voting rights.

We are authorized to grant stock options and to make other awards (in addition to restricted stock and stock units) to eligible participants pursuant to the Plan. The Company has made no stock-option awards under the Plan. Except for the grants of restricted stock and stock units referred to above in this Note 12, the Company has not made any grant or award under the Plan. We do not currently have a broad-based program that provides for awards under the Plan on an annual basis.

We account for stock-based compensation using the fair value method in accordance with accounting standards regarding share-based payment transactions. During 2017 we reversed $0.1 million in total stock-based compensation expense related to the forfeiture of unvested restricted stock. In addition, during 2017 we recognized $0.3 million in total compensation expense related to the stock unit grants described above. At February 3, 2018, we had $1.2 million in total estimated unrecognized compensation cost related to the remaining non-vested stock units, which cost we expect to recognize over the next approximately 3.0 years.

Changes during 2017 with respect to the 2015 RS Grant are noted below.
(Shares in thousands)
 
 Restricted Stock
 
Weighted-Average Fair Value on Date of Grant
Balance at January 28, 2017
 
14

 
$
9.38

Granted
 

 

Vested
 

 

Forfeited
 
(14
)
 
9.38

Balance at February 3, 2018
 

 
$

    
Share Repurchase Program

On August 28, 2013 the Company's Board of Directors authorized a $25 million repurchase program for the Company's outstanding shares of common stock. The timing and amount of repurchases depend on various factors, including market conditions, the Company's capital position and internal cash generation, and other factors. The Company's repurchase program does not include specific price targets, may be executed through open-market, privately negotiated, and other transactions that may be available, and may include utilization of Rule 10b5-1 plans. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any dollar amount, or any number of shares, of common stock. The repurchase program does not have a termination date, and the Company may suspend or terminate the repurchase program at any time. See Notes 7 and 16 to these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements regarding the limits included in the Senior ABL Facility and the Company's Term Loan Credit Agreement on SHO’s ability to repurchase its common stock.  Shares that are repurchased by the Company pursuant to the repurchase program would be retired and would resume the status of authorized and unissued shares of common stock.

No shares were repurchased during fiscal years 2017, 2016 or 2015. At February 3, 2018, we had $12.5 million of remaining authorization under the repurchase program.

73

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




NOTE 13—DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

We sponsor a Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. 401(k) savings plan for employees meeting service-eligibility requirements. The Company offers a discretionary match contribution. The expense related to the savings plan has been determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and the Company accrues the cost of these benefits as incurred during employees' tenure of employment.
Expenses for the retirement savings plan were as follows:
thousands
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
401(k) Savings Plan
 
$
1,056

 
$
957

 
$
905


NOTE 14—SALE OF ASSETS

On July 27, 2016, we completed the sale of an owned property located in San Leandro, California. Net proceeds from the sale were $26.1 million, and we recorded a gain on the sale of $25.2 million when the sale was completed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Purchase and Sale Agreement. We did not sell any owned property in fiscal 2017.

NOTE 15—STORE CLOSING CHARGES

Accelerated Closed Store Charges

We continue to take proactive steps to make the best use of capital by closing unprofitable stores. In accordance with accounting standards governing costs associated with exit or disposal activities, expenses related to future rent payments for which we no longer expect to receive any economic benefit are accrued as of when we ceased to use the leased space and have been reduced for estimated sublease income.

Accelerated store closure costs were as follows:
Thousands
Lease Termination Costs (1)
 
Inventory Related (1)
 
Accelerated Depreciation (2)
 
Other Charges (3)
 
Total Store Closing Costs
Fiscal year ended February 3, 2018
$
9,665

 
$
4,527

 
$
979

 
$
224

 
$
15,395


Thousands
Lease Termination Costs (1)
 
Inventory Related (1)
 
Accelerated Depreciation (2)
 
Other Charges (3)
 
Total Store Closing Costs
Fiscal year ended January 28, 2017
$
8,477

 
$
7,224

 
$
565

 
$
1,400

 
$
17,666

(1)
Recorded within cost of sales and occupancy in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Lease termination costs are net of estimated sublease income, and include the reversal of closed store reserves when a lease agreement is terminated for an amount less than the remaining reserve established for the store.
(2)
Recorded within depreciation and amortization in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3)
Recorded within selling and administrative in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.



74

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Closed Store Reserves

Store closing reserves of $4.7 million and $7.7 million are included within other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, respectively. Changes in the store closing reserves are as follows:
Thousands
Total
Balance at January 30, 2016
$

Store closing costs
9,877

Payments/utilization
(2,218
)
Balance at January 28, 2017
$
7,659

Store closing costs
9,889

Payments/utilization
(12,893
)
Balance at February 3, 2018
$
4,655


NOTE 16—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On February 16, 2018 the Company’s three operating subsidiaries, Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC, Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, LLC, and Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C., as borrowers, and the Company, as guarantor, entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement with Gordon Brothers Finance Company, as agent, lead arranger, and sole bookrunner, and Gordon Brothers Finance Company, LLC as lender (the “Term Loan Agreement”). The Term Loan Agreement provides for a $40 million term loan (the “Term Loan”), which amount the Company has borrowed, and is outstanding, in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Agreement. The Term Loan will mature on the earliest of (1) the maturity date specified in the Senior ABL Facility, (2) February 16, 2023, and (3) acceleration of the maturity date following an event of default in accordance with the Term Loan Agreement. Costs related to and incurred for the Term Loan totaled approximately $1.0 million and will be amortized over the remaining term of the Term Loan.
The principal terms of the Term Loan Agreement are summarized below.
Security and Guarantees
The Term Loan Agreement is secured by a second lien security interest (subordinate only to the liens securing the Senior ABL Facility) on substantially all the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries (the same assets as the assets specified with respect to the Senior ABL Facility), including without limitation accounts receivable, inventory, general intangibles, investment property, equipment, cash, cash equivalents, deposit accounts and securities accounts, as well as other assets (other than intellectual property and fee-owned interests in real property) ancillary to any of the foregoing and all proceeds of any of the foregoing, including cash proceeds and the proceeds of applicable insurance. The Term Loan Agreement is guaranteed by the Company and each of its existing and future direct and indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (other than specified immaterial subsidiaries).

Prepayments
The Term Loan is subject to mandatory prepayment in amounts equal to the amount by which the outstanding Term Loan exceeds the borrowing base specified in the Term Loan Agreement plus a reserve to be maintained against the borrowing base for the Senior ABL Facility (the “push-down reserve”), which reserve will be equal to total outstanding under the Term Loan Agreement that exceed the Term Loan Agreement’s borrowing base, if such excess were to arise. The Company may not reborrow amounts prepaid.

Interest; Fees
The interest rate applicable to the Term Loan under the Term Loan Agreement is a fluctuating rate of interest (payable and adjusted monthly) equal to the greater of (1) three-month LIBOR plus 8.5% per annum and (2) a minimum interest rate of 9.5% per annum. Customary fees are payable in respect of the Term Loan Agreement, including a commitment fee and an early prepayment fee.
  
Covenants
The Term Loan Agreement includes a number of negative covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict the ability of the Company, the Borrowers, and the Company’s other subsidiaries to, subject to exceptions, incur additional indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, make dividends or other distributions with respect to, or repurchase, the Company’s capital stock, make prepayments on other indebtedness, engage in mergers, or change the nature of the business. In addition, upon excess availability falling below a specified level or the occurrence of an event of default the Company would be subject to a cash dominion requirement. The Term Loan Agreement also provides that the Borrowers will not permit availability under the Term Loan Agreement and the Senior ABL Facility to be less than 10% of a combined loan cap.

75

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




The Term Loan Agreement also contains affirmative covenants including, among others, financial and other reporting and notification requirements, maintenance of properties, inspection rights, and physical inventories. The Company and the Borrowers also agree that the Company and the Borrowers will cause the push-down reserve to be established and maintained when and if required by the Term Loan Agreement. The Term Loan Agreement borrowing base generally means specified amounts of credit card receivables and inventory (net of reserves), minus the loan cap for the Senior ABL Facility and availability reserves.
 
Events of Default
The Term Loan Agreement includes customary events of default including non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations or warranties in any material respect, cross default to the Senior ABL Facility and other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, invalidity or impairment of the Term Loan Agreement and the other related loan documents (including the guarantees or security interests provided therein), material judgments, and change of control.

76



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.
Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) as of February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 3, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 3, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.



/s/BDO USA, LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2012.
Chicago, Illinois
April 18, 2018


77



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

Not applicable.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's fourth fiscal quarter ended February 3, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act.  The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

All  control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to the reliability of financial reporting and financial statement preparation and presentation.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of February 3, 2018, with the participation of our principal executive and principal financial officers. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on management's assessment, management believes that as of February 3, 2018, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting were effective based on those criteria.

In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not required to, and does not, include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.



78



Part III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Information required by this Item 10 with respect to directors, the Audit Committee, audit committee financial experts, and executive officers is included under the headings "Item 1. Election of Directors," "--Corporate Governance-Director Independence," "--Audit Committee Financial Experts," and "--Executive Officers," respectively, of the 2018 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. Information required by this Item 10 with respect to Section 16(a) beneficial ownership reporting compliance is included under the heading "Other Information--Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" of the 2018 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
SHO has adopted a Code of Conduct, which applies to all employees, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, and a Code of Conduct for our Board of Directors. Directors who are also officers of SHO are subject to both codes of conduct. Each code of conduct is a code of ethics as defined in Item 406 of SEC Regulation S-K. The codes of conduct are available on the Governance section of our website, www.shos.com. Any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of either code of conduct will be posted to the above-referenced website.
During the Company's 2017 fiscal year there were no changes to the process by which stockholders may recommend nominees to the Board of Directors.

Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information regarding executive and director compensation is incorporated herein by reference to information under the headings "Item 1-Election of Directors-Executive Compensation," "Item 1-Election of Directors-Compensation of Directors," and "Item 1-Election of Directors-Executive Compensation-Compensation Committee Report" of the 2018 Proxy Statement. The material incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth under the heading "Item 1-Election of Directors-Compensation Committee Report" of the 2018 Proxy Statement shall be deemed furnished, and not filed, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act as a result of this furnishing except to the extent that it is specifically incorporated by reference by the Company.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Information regarding security ownership of specified beneficial owners and management is incorporated herein by reference to the material under the heading "Item 1. Election of Directors-Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership" of the 2018 Proxy Statement.

Equity Compensation Plan Information
The below table reflects information, as of February 3, 2018, about securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans.
Plan Category
 
(a)
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (1)
 
(b)
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (1)
 
(c)
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuances Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders
 
 
 
3,253,418

(2) 
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
3,253,418

(2) 

(1) We have not issued any options, warrants, or other rights under the Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Plan that are exercisable for the purchase of shares of our common stock.
(2) A total of 4,000,000 shares of stock are reserved for issuance under the Company's Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Plan, consisting of restricted stock, stock units representing rights to receive cash or shares of our common stock, stock options, and stock appreciation rights. As of February 3, 2018 a total of 633,405 stock units were outstanding.

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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions with Sears Holdings, director independence, and independence of members of the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors is incorporated herein by reference to information under the headings "Certain Relationships and Transactions" and "Corporate Governance" in the 2018 Proxy Statement.

Item 14.     Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information regarding principal accountant fees and services is incorporated herein by reference to the material under the heading "Item 3. Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees" of the 2018 Proxy Statement.



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Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
Documents filed as part of this report:
(1)
Financial Statements
Financial Statements filed in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2) Schedules to Financial Statements:
All financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are either inapplicable or the information required is provided in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto or included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(3) List of Exhibits
Incorporated herein by reference is a list of the Exhibits contained in the Exhibit Index.


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SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not Applicable
 


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SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.


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.
 
Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.
 
 
By:
 
/S/ E. J. BIRD
Name:
 
E. J. Bird
Title:
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 
Date:
 
April 18, 2018

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities stated and on the dates indicated.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* Will Powell
Will Powell
 
Director, Chief Executive Officer and
President (principal executive officer)
 
April 18, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
* E.J. Bird
E.J. Bird
 
Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)
 
April 18, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
* William K. Phelan
William K. Phelan
 
Chairman of the Board and Director

 
April 18, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* James F. Gooch
James F. Gooch
 
Director
 
April 18, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* David Robbins
David Robbins
 
Director
 
April 18, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* Josephine Linden
Josephine Linden
 
Director
 
April 18, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* Kevin Longino
Kevin Longino
 
Director
 
April 18, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/S/CHARLES J. HANSEN
* By Charles J. Hansen, Attorney in Fact

 
 
 
April 18, 2018
 
 
 
 



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SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit
Number
 
Document Description
3.1
 
3.2
 
3.3
 
4.1
 
10.1
 
10.2
 
10.3
 
10.4
 
10.5
 
10.6
 
10.7
 
10.8
 
10.9
 
10.10(1)
 
10.11(1)
 
10.12
 
10.13
 

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SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX

10.14(1)
 
10.15
 
10.16
 
10.17
 
10.18
 
10.19(1)
 
10.20
 
10.21
 
10.22
 
10.23(3)
 
10.24(1)
 
10.25
 
10.26(1)
 
10.27
 
10.21
 
10.22
 
10.23
 
10.24
 

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SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX

10.25
 
10.26(2)
 
10.27(2)
 
10.28(2)
 
10.29(2)
 
10.30(2)
 
10.31(2)
 
10.32(2)
 
10.33(2)
 
10.34(2)
 
10.35(2)
 
10.36(2)
 
10.37(2)
 
10.38(2)
 
10.39(2)
 
10.40(2)
 
10.41(2)
 
10.42(2)
 
10.43(2)
 
10.44(2)(3)
 
10.45(2)
 
10.46(2)
 
10.47(2)
 
10.48
 

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SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX

10.49
 
10.50
 
10.51
 
21(3)
 
23(3)
 
24(3)
 
31.1(3)
 
31.2(3)
 
32.1(3)
 
101(4)
 
(1)
The Securities and Exchange Commission granted the registrant's request for confidential treatment for the omitted portions of this Exhibit. The registrant has separately filed the omitted portions with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(2)
A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Item 15(b) of Form 10-K.
(3)
Filed herewith.
(4)
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

87