UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

S ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 2014

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ___________ TO __________

 

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 0-14818

 

TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

New York   14-1541629
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

38 Corporate Circle
Albany, New York 12203
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(518) 452-1242
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $0.01 par value

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in the Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes £ No S

 

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 S

 

Indicate by a check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for 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 S No £

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, 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 S    No £

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s Knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or an amendment to this Form 10-K. S

 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 

Large accelerated filer £ Accelerated filer S Non-accelerated filer £ Small reporting company £

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes £ No S

 

As of August 2, 2013, 32,645,967 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, excluding 25,520,605 shares of stock held in Treasury, were issued and outstanding. The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based upon the closing sale price of the Registrant’s Common Stock on August 2, 2013 as reported on the National Market tier of The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. was $89,514,476. Shares of Common Stock held by the Company’s controlling shareholder, who controlled approximately 44.2% of the outstanding Common Stock, have been excluded for purposes of this computation. Because of such shareholder’s control, shares owned by other officers, directors and 5% shareholders have not been excluded from the computation. As of March 31, 2014, there were 32,072,955 shares of Common Stock Issued and Outstanding.

 

Documents of Which Portions Are Incorporated by Reference   Parts of the Form 10-K into Which Portion of
Documents are Incorporated
Proxy Statement for Trans World Entertainment Corporation’s July 2, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed on or about
 June 4,  2014
  III
     
Consolidated Financial Statements   II
     

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting  

Firm on Management’s Annual Report on Internal Controls

 

  II
 

PART I

 

Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

 

This document includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements also relate to the Trans World Entertainment Corporation’s (“the Company’s) future prospects, developments and business strategies. The statements contained in this document that are not statements of historical fact may include forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.

 

We have used the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions, in this document to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made based on management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events and are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. The following factors are among those that may cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s forward-looking statements.

 

· new product introductions (“hit releases”);
   
· accelerated declines in compact disc (“CD”) and DVD industry sales;
   
· highly competitive nature of the retail entertainment business;
   
· new technology, including digital distribution;
   
· competitive pricing;
   
· current economic conditions;
   
· dependence on key employees and the ability to hire new employees;

·

the Company’s level of debt and related restrictions and limitations; 

   
· future cash flows;  
   
· availability of  real estate;
   
· vendor terms;
   
· interest rate fluctuations;
   
· adverse publicity;
   
· product liability claims and
   
· changes in laws.


 

The reader should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made by us in this document, or elsewhere, pertains only as of the date on which we make it. New risks and uncertainties come up from time-to-time and it’s impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that any forward-looking statements made in this report or elsewhere might not occur.

 

In addition, the preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect:

 

·the reported amounts and timing of revenue and expenses,
   
·the reported amounts and classification of assets and liabilities, and
   
·the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.

 

Actual results may vary from our estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical results, assumptions that we make, as well as assumptions by third parties.

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Item 1. BUSINESS

 

Company Background

 

Trans World Entertainment Corporation, which, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is referred to herein as “the Company”, “we”, “us” and “our”, was incorporated in New York in 1972. We own 100% of the outstanding common stock of Record Town, Inc., through which our principal operations are conducted. The Company operates retail stores and three e-commerce sites and is one of the largest specialty retailers of entertainment products, including video, music, electronics, trend, video games and related products in the United States.

 

Stores and Store Concepts

 

As of February 1, 2014, the Company operated 339 stores totaling approximately 2.0 million square feet in the United States, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

Mall Stores

 

As of February 1, 2014, the Company operated 293 mall-based stores, predominantly under the f.y.e. (“For Your Entertainment”) brand, including:

 

f.y.e. stores. The Company operated 283 traditional mall-based stores. f.y.e. stores average about 5,600 square feet and carry a full complement of entertainment products, including video, music, electronics, trend, video games and related products.

 

Video only stores. The Company operated 10 video only stores, predominately under the Suncoast Motion Pictures brand. These stores specialize in the sale of video and related accessories. They average about 2,500 square feet.

 

Freestanding Stores

 

As of February 1, 2014, the Company operated 46 freestanding stores predominantly under the f.y.e. brand. They carry a full complement of entertainment products, including video, music, electronics, trend, video games and related products and are located in freestanding, strip center and downtown locations. The freestanding stores average approximately 9,200 square feet.

 

E-Commerce Sites

 

The Company operates three retail web sites including www.fye.com, www.wherehouse.com and www.secondspin.com. FYE.com is our flagship site and carries a broad selection of new and used DVDs, Blu-Ray, CDs, and Games.  SecondSpin.com is a leading seller of used CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray, and Games online and carries one of the largest catalogs of used media available online.  Wherehouse.com offers a broad selection of new and used CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray, and Games.

 

Merchandise Categories

 

Net sales by merchandise category as a percentage of total net sales for Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

 

    2013    2012    2011   
Video   45.1%   43.8%   42.3%  
Music   28.8    30.9    34.2   
Trend   12.3    10.1    8.6   
Electronics   9.2    10.5    9.7   
Video games   4.6    4.7    5.2   
Total   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%  

 

Financial information about industry segments required by this item is included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Business Environment

 

Based primarily on statistical information obtained from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment and Nielsen Sound Scan (“SoundScan”); physical video and music represent an approximately $11 billion industry nationwide. Video and music accounted for approximately 74% of the Company’s net sales in Fiscal 2013 versus 75% of sales in Fiscal 2012.

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According to statistics obtained from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment, overall video industry physical retail sales in 2013 were $7.6 billion compared to $8.3 billion in 2012, a decrease of 8.3%. Industry DVD retail sales decreased 13.0% in 2013 compared to 2012, while Blu-ray sales increased 4.5%.

 

According to statistical information from SoundScan, the total number of music albums sold, including CD and digital albums, decreased 9.3% to approximately 286 million units in 2013. Excluding digital albums, in Fiscal 2013, album sales decreased 14.5% from Fiscal 2012 to approximately 163 million units.

 

Competition

 

Physical media sales have suffered from the shift of content to digital distribution and specialty retailers have been impacted by the proliferation of mass merchants (e.g., Wal-Mart and Target), electronics superstores (e.g., Best Buy), and online retailers (e.g., Amazon) that offer entertainment products at discounted prices and collectively have gained a larger share of the market. As a result of such competition, the number of specialty and independent retailers has decreased dramatically due to their reliance on sales of physical product. The Company has diversified its products and taken other measures to position itself competitively within its industry. The Company believes it effectively competes in the following ways:

 

§Location and convenience: a strength of the Company is its convenient store locations that are often the exclusive retailer in regional shopping centers offering a full complement of entertainment products;
§Selection and assortment: the Company maintains a high in-stock position in a large assortment of products, particularly DVDs, Blu-ray and CDs;
§Marketing: the Company uses email blasts, social networking, newspaper and radio, and in-store visual displays to market to consumers;
§Customer service: the Company offers personalized customer service in its stores;
§Diversified product mix: the company is expanding the range of product offerings in our existing non-media businesses.

 

Seasonality

 

The Company’s business is seasonal, with its fourth fiscal quarter constituting the Company’s peak selling period. In Fiscal 2013, the fourth quarter accounted for approximately 35% of annual net sales. In anticipation of increased sales activity in the fourth quarter, the Company purchases additional inventory and hires seasonal associates to supplement its core store sales and distribution center staffs. If, for any reason, the Company’s net sales were below seasonal norms during the fourth quarter, the Company’s operating results could be adversely affected. Quarterly sales can also be affected by the timing of new product releases, new store openings or closings and the performance of existing stores.

 

Advertising

 

The Company makes use of visual displays including in-store signage and external banners. It uses a mass-media marketing program, including newspaper and radio advertisements, as well as sending email blasts and social networking. Certain vendors from whom the Company purchases merchandise offer advertising allowances, of varying duration and amount, to promote their merchandise.

 

Suppliers and Purchasing

 

The Company purchases inventory from approximately 500 suppliers. In Fiscal 2013, 60% of purchases were made from ten suppliers including Twentieth Century Fox Video, Paramount Home Entertainment, RED Distribution, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Universal Music Group Distribution, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Warner Home Video and Warner, Elektra, Atlantic Corp Group. The Company does not have material long-term purchase contracts; rather, it purchases products from its suppliers on an order-by-order basis. Historically, the Company has not experienced difficulty in obtaining satisfactory sources of supply and management believes that it will continue to have access to adequate sources of supply.

 

Trade Customs and Practices

 

Under current trade practices with large suppliers, retailers of music and video products are generally entitled to return unsold merchandise they have purchased in exchange for other merchandise carried by the suppliers. The four largest music suppliers charge a related merchandise return penalty or return handling fee. Most manufacturers and distributors of video products do not charge a return penalty or handling fee. Under current trade practices with large suppliers, retailers of electronics, trend, video games and related products may receive markdown support from suppliers to help clear discontinued or slow turning merchandise. Merchandise return policies and other trade practices have not changed significantly in recent years. The Company generally adapts its purchasing policies to changes in the policies of its largest suppliers.

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Employees

 

As of February 1, 2014, the Company employed approximately 3,200 people, of whom approximately 1,200 were employed on a full-time basis. Others were employed on a part-time basis. The Company hires seasonal sales and distribution center employees during its fourth quarter peak selling season to ensure continued levels of personalized customer service and in-stock position. Assistant store managers, store managers, district managers and regional managers are eligible to receive incentive compensation based on the sales and/or profitability of stores for which they are responsible. Sales support managers are generally eligible to receive incentive compensation based on achieving Company performance targets. None of the Company’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements and management believes that the Company enjoys favorable relations with its employees.

 

Trademarks

 

The trademarks, f.y.e. for your entertainment, Suncoast Motion Pictures and Saturday Matinee are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and are owned by the Company. We believe that our rights to these trademarks are adequately protected. We hold no material patents, licenses, franchises or concessions; however, our established trademarks and trade names are essential to maintaining our competitive position in the entertainment retail industry.

 

Information Systems

 

The Company utilizes primarily IBM AS400 technology to run its management information systems, including its merchandising, distribution and financial systems. Management believes its systems contribute to enhanced customer service and operational efficiency, as well as provide the ability to monitor critical performance indicators versus plans and historical results.

 

Available Information

 

The Company’s headquarters are located at 38 Corporate Circle, Albany, New York 12203, and its telephone number is (518) 452-1242. The Company’s corporate website address is www.twec.com. The Company makes available, free of charge, its Exchange Act Reports (Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and any amendments thereto) on its web site as soon as practical after the reports are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The public may read and copy any materials the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. This information can be obtained from the site http://www.sec.gov. The Company’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value, is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the trading symbol “TWMC”. The Company’s fiscal year end is the Saturday closest to January 31. The Fiscal 2013 (“Fiscal 2013”) year ended on February 1, 2014; Fiscal 2012 (“Fiscal 2012”) year ended on February 2, 2013; and Fiscal 2011 (“Fiscal 2011”) year ended on January 28, 2012. Fiscal 2012 consisted of 53 weeks. All other periods presented were 52 weeks.

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following is a discussion of certain factors, which could affect the financial results of the Company.

 

The Company’s results of operations are affected by the availability of new products.

The Company’s business is affected by the release of “hit” music and video titles, which can create fluctuations in sales. It is not possible to determine the timing of these fluctuations or the future availability of hit titles. The Company is dependent upon the major music and movie producers to continue to produce hit products. To the extent that new hit releases are not available, or not available at prices attractive to consumers, or, if manufacturers fail to introduce or delay the introduction of new products, the Company’s results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

The Company’s results of operations are affected by the continued declines in the video and music industries.

The video and music retailing industries are mature industries and have experienced declines in recent years. Physical video and music represent our largest product categories in terms of sales and have been impacted by new distribution channels, including digital distribution and internet fulfillment. As a result, the Company has had negative comparable store sales for the past five years.

 

The Company’s results of operations may suffer if the Company does not accurately predict consumer acceptance of new product or distribution technologies.

The entertainment industry is characterized by changing technology, evolving format standards, new and enhanced product introductions. These characteristics require the Company to respond quickly to technological changes and understand the impact of these changes on customers’ preferences. If the Company is unable to participate in new product or distribution technologies, its results of operations may suffer. Specifically, CD and DVD formats have experienced a continuous decline as digital forms of music and video content have become more prevalent. If the Company does not timely adapt to these changing technologies or sufficiently focus on the other categories, operating results could significantly suffer.

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Increased competition from existing retailers, including internet retailers, could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

The Company competes with a wide variety of entertainment retailers, including deep-discount retailers, mass merchandisers, consumer electronics outlets, internet retailers and independent operators, some of whom have greater financial and other resources than the Company and frequently sell their product at discounted prices or with added value.

 

In addition, the Company’s success depends on our ability to positively differentiate ourselves from other retailers. The retail business is highly competitive. In the past the Company has been able to compete successfully by differentiating our customer shopping experience by creating an attractive value proposition through a careful combination of price, merchandise assortment, convenience, customer service and marketing efforts. Customer perceptions regarding our stores, our in-stock position and deep assortment of product are also factors in our ability to compete. No single competitive factor is dominant, and actions by our competitors on any of these factors could have an adverse effect on our sales, gross profit and expenses. If we fail to continue to positively differentiate ourselves from our competitors, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

The Company’s business is influenced by general economic conditions.

The Company’s performance is subject to general economic conditions and their impact on levels of discretionary consumer spending. General economic conditions impacting discretionary consumer spending include, among others, wages and employment, consumer debt, reductions in net worth, residential real estate and mortgage markets, taxation, fuel and energy prices, interest rates, consumer confidence and other macroeconomic factors.

 

Consumer purchases of discretionary items, such as our merchandise, generally decline during recessionary periods and other periods where disposable income is adversely affected. A downturn in the economy affects retailers disproportionately, as consumers may prioritize reductions in discretionary spending, which could have a direct impact on purchases of our merchandise and adversely impact our results of operations. In addition, reduced consumer spending may drive us and our competitors to offer additional products at promotional prices, which would have a negative impact on gross profit.

 

Disruption of global capital and credit markets may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity and capital resources.

Distress in the financial markets has in the past and can in the future result in extreme volatility in security prices, diminished liquidity and credit availability. There can be no assurance that our liquidity will not be affected by changes in the financial markets and the global economy or that our capital resources will at all times be sufficient to satisfy our liquidity needs.

 

Historically, we have experienced declines and we may continue to experience fluctuation in our level of sales, results from operations and operating cash flow.

A variety of factors has historically affected, and will continue to affect, our comparable stores sales results and profit margins. These factors include general regional and national economic conditions; competition; actions taken by our competitors; consumer trends and preferences; new product introductions and changes in our product mix; timing and effectiveness of promotional events and weather. The Company’s comparable store sales may decline further than they did in Fiscal 2013. Also, they may vary from quarter to quarter as our business is highly seasonal in nature. Our highest sales and operating income historically occur during the fourth fiscal quarter, which is due in part to the holiday selling season. The fourth quarter generated approximately 35% of our net sales for Fiscal 2013. Any decrease in our fourth quarter sales, whether due to a slow holiday selling season, unseasonable weather conditions, economic conditions or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results for the entire fiscal year. There is no assurance that we will achieve positive levels of sales and earnings growth, and any decline in our future growth or performance could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

Failure to open new stores or renew existing leases in profitable stores may limit our earnings.

Historically, the Company’s growth has come from adding stores. The Company opens new stores if it finds desirable locations and is able to negotiate suitable lease terms for profitability. A lack of new store growth may impact the Company’s ability to increase sales and earnings. The Company opened six new stores in Fiscal 2013. Likewise, the Company regularly renews leases at existing locations if those stores are profitable. Failure to renew these leases may impact the Company’s earnings. See Item 2: Properties, for timing of lease expirations.

 

A change in one or more of the Company’s vendors’ policies or the Company’s relationship with those vendors could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

The Company is dependent on its vendors to supply merchandise in a timely and efficient manner. If a vendor fails to deliver on its commitments, whether due to financial difficulties or other reasons, the Company could experience merchandise shortages that could lead to lost sales.

 

The majority of the Company’s purchases come from ten major suppliers. As is standard in its industry, the Company does not maintain long-term contracts with its suppliers but instead makes purchases on an order-by-order basis. If the Company fails to maintain customary trade terms or enjoy positive vendor relations, it could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

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If the Company’s vendors fail to provide marketing and merchandising support at historical levels, the Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected.

The manufacturers of entertainment products have typically provided retailers with significant marketing and merchandising support for their products. As part of this support, the Company receives cooperative advertising and other allowances from these vendors. These allowances enable the Company to actively promote and merchandise the products it sells at its stores and on its websites. If the Company’s vendors fail to provide this support at historical levels, the Company’s results of operations could be negatively impacted.

 

Parties with whom the Company does business may be subject to insolvency risks or may otherwise become unable or unwilling to perform their obligations to the Company.

The Company is a party to contracts, transactions and business relationships with various third parties, including vendors, suppliers, service providers and lenders, pursuant to which such third parties have performance, payment and other obligations to the Company. In some cases, the Company depends upon such third parties to provide essential products, services or other benefits, including with respect to store and distribution center locations, merchandise, advertising, software development and support, logistics, other agreements for goods and services in order to operate the Company’s business in the ordinary course, extensions of credit, credit card accounts and related receivables, and other vital matters. Economic, industry and market conditions could result in increased risks to the Company associated with the potential financial distress or insolvency of such third parties. If any of these third parties were to become subject to bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings, the rights and benefits of the Company in relation to its contracts, transactions and business relationships with such third parties could be terminated, modified in a manner adverse to the Company, or otherwise impaired. The Company cannot make any assurances that it would be able to arrange for alternate or replacement contracts, transactions or business relationships on terms as favorable as the Company’s existing contracts, transactions or business relationships, if at all. Any inability on the part of the Company to do so could negatively affect the Company’s cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.

 

If we fail to protect the security of personal information about our customers, we could be subject to costly government enforcement actions or private litigation and our reputation could suffer.

The nature of our business involves the receipt and storage of personal information about our customers. If we experience a data security breach, we could be exposed to government enforcement actions and private litigation. In addition, our customers could lose confidence in our ability to protect their personal information, which could cause them to stop shopping at our stores. Such events could lead to lost sales and adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Loss of key personnel or the inability to attract, train and retain qualified employees could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

The Company believes that its future prospects depend, to a significant extent, on the services of its executive officers.  Our future success will also depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified key personnel. The loss of the services of certain of the Company’s executive officers and other key management personnel could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

 

Mr. Higgins has advised the Company’s Board of Directors of plans to step down as Chief Executive Officer of the Company upon the completion of a process to choose his successor. Following his retirement as CEO, Mr. Higgins will remain as Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors has formed a committee to oversee the search for a new CEO. The Committee has engaged an outside search firm and will consider both internal and external candidates. 

 

In addition to our executive officers, the Company’s business is dependent on our ability to attract, train and retain a large number of qualified team members.  Many of those team members are employed in entry-level or part-time positions with historically high turnover rates. Our ability to meet our labor needs while controlling our costs is subject to external factors such as unemployment levels, health care costs and changing demographics. If we are unable to attract and retain adequate numbers of qualified team members, our operations, customer service levels and support functions could suffer.  Those factors, together with increased wage and benefit costs, could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer owns approximately 45.5% of the outstanding Common Stock. Therefore, he has significant influence and control over the outcome of any vote of the Company’s Shareholders.

Robert J. Higgins serves as Chairman of the Board of the Company and its Chief Executive Officer and owns approximately 45.5% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company, as of March 31, 2014 and there are no limitations on his acquiring shares in the future.  Accordingly, Mr. Higgins has significant influence over the election of our directors, the appointment of new management and the opposition of actions requiring shareholder approval, such as adopting amendments to our articles of incorporation and approving mergers or sales of all or substantially all of our assets. Such concentration of ownership and substantial voting influence may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, even if a change of control is in the best interest of all shareholders. There may be instances in which the interest of Mr. Higgins may conflict or be perceived as being in conflict with the interest of a holder of our securities or the interest of the Company.

 

Failure to comply with legal and regulatory requirements could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

The Company’s business is subject to a wide array of laws and regulations. Significant legislative changes that impact our relationship with our workforce (none of which is represented by unions) could increase our expenses and adversely affect our operations. Examples of possible

7

legislative changes impacting our relationship with our workforce include changes to an employer’s obligation to recognize collective bargaining units, the process by which collective bargaining units are negotiated or imposed, minimum wage requirements, and health care mandates.

 

Our policies, procedures and internal controls are designed to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including those imposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the NASDAQ Global Market, as well as applicable employment laws. Additional legal and regulatory requirements increase the complexity of the regulatory environment in which we operate and the related cost of compliance. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations may result in damage to our reputation, financial condition and market price of our stock.

 

We could be materially and adversely affected if our distribution center is disrupted.

We operate a distribution center in Albany, New York. We ship approximately 74% of our merchandise inventory through our distribution center. If our distribution center is destroyed or disrupted for any reason, including weather, fire, labor, or other issues we could incur significantly higher costs and longer lead times associated with distributing our products to our stores during the time it takes to reopen or replace the center.

 

We maintain business interruption insurance to protect us from the costs relating to matters such as a shutdown, but our insurance may not be sufficient, or the insurance proceeds may not be timely paid to us, in the event of a shutdown.

 

The Company’s stock price has experienced and could continue to experience volatility and could decline, resulting in a substantial loss on your investment.

Our stock price has experienced, and could continue to experience in the future, substantial volatility as a result of many factors, including global economic conditions, broad market fluctuations and public perception of the prospects for music and the home video industry. Changes in our comparable store net sales could also affect the price of our Common Stock. Failure to meet market expectations, particularly with respect to comparable store sales, net revenues, operating margins and earnings per share, would likely result in a decline in the market price of our stock.

 

In addition, an active trading market for our Common Stock may not be sustained, which could affect the ability of our stockholders to sell their shares and could depress the market price of their shares. The stock market in general and the market for video and music industry related stocks in particular, has been highly volatile. For example, the closing price of our Common Stock at quarter ends has fluctuated between $2.12 and $5.12 from January 30, 2012 to March 31, 2014. Investors in our Common Stock may experience a decrease in the value of their stock, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects.

 

The failure to maintain a minimum closing share price of $1.00 per share of our Common Stock could result in the delisting of our shares on the NASDAQ Global Market, which would harm the market price of the Company’s Common Stock.

In order to retain our listing on the NASDAQ Global Market we are required by NASDAQ to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share. Our stock price is currently above $1.00 and has been since October 6, 2009. However, in the event that our stock did close below the minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for any 30 consecutive business days, we would regain compliance if our Common Stock closed at or above $1.00 per share for 10 consecutive days during the 180 days immediately following failure to maintain the minimum bid price. If we are unable to do so, our stock could be delisted from the NASDAQ Global Market, transferred to a listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market, or delisted from the NASDAQ markets altogether. The failure to maintain our listing on the NASDAQ Global Market could harm the liquidity of the Company’s Common Stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of our Common Stock.

 

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED SEC COMMENTS

 

None.

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Item 2. PROPERTIES

 

Retail Stores

 

As of February 1, 2014, the Company operated 339 stores, of which 338 stores are under operating leases, some of which have renewal options. The Company owns 1 store. The majority of the leases provide for the payment of fixed monthly rent and expenses for maintenance, property taxes and insurance, while others provide for the payment of monthly rent based on a percentage of sales. Certain leases provide for additional rent based on store sales in excess of specified levels. The following table lists the leases due to expire in each of the years shown as of the fiscal year-end, assuming any renewal options are not exercised:

 

Year   No. of
Leases
  Year   No. of
Leases
             
2014   181   2018   12
             
2015   85   2019   3
             
2016   28 2020 and beyond   9
             
2017   20        

 

As leases expire, the Company will evaluate the decision to exercise renewal rights or obtain new leases for the same or similar locations based on store profitability.

 

Corporate Offices and Distribution Center Facility

 

The Company leases its Albany, New York distribution facility and corporate office space from its largest shareholder and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer under three capital lease arrangements that extend through 2015. These leases are at fixed rent with provisions for biennial increases based on increases in the Consumer Price Index. The Company incurs all property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs. The office portion of the facility is approximately 39,800 square feet and the distribution center portion is approximately 141,500 square feet.

 

The Company believes that its existing distribution facility is adequate to meet the Company’s planned business needs. Shipments from the distribution facility to the Company’s stores provide approximately 74% of all merchandise shipment requirements to stores. Stores are serviced by common carriers chosen on the basis of geography and rate considerations. The balance of the stores’ merchandise requirements is satisfied through direct shipments from vendors.

 

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of its business and have not been finally adjudicated. Although there can be no assurance as to the ultimate disposition of these matters, it is management’s opinion, based upon the information available at this time, that the expected outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations and financial condition of the Company.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

None.

9

PART II

 

Item 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Market Information. The Company’s Common Stock trades on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “TWMC.” As of March 28, 2014, there were 382 shareholders of record. The following table sets forth high and low last reported sale prices for each fiscal quarter during the period from February 1, 2011 through March 28, 2014.

 

     Closing Sales Prices 
          
     High  Low 
  2012         
1st  Quarter  $2.50  $2.12 
2nd  Quarter  $3.10  $2.20 
3rd  Quarter  $3.99  $3.00 
4th  Quarter  $3.90  $3.36 
            
            
  2013         
1st  Quarter  $4.40  $3.36 
2nd  Quarter  $5.24  $4.27 
3rd  Quarter  $5.12  $4.26 
4th  Quarter  $4.57  $3.92 
            
            
  2014         
1st  Quarter (through March 28, 2014)  $4.54  $3.68 

 

On March 28, 2014, the last reported sale price on the Common Stock on the NASDAQ National Market was $3.68.

 

Dividend Policy: In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2012, the Company declared and paid a special cash dividend of $0.47 per common share. This was a one-time special dividend and we cannot guarantee any future dividends. On November 27, 2012, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “Administrative Agent”) and certain other parties to the amended credit facility consented to the use of a portion of the proceeds received from the sale of real property owned by Record Town, Inc. to pay the special cash dividend.

 

In the first quarter of Fiscal 2014, the Company declared and paid a special cash dividend of $0.50 per common share. This was a one-time special dividend and we cannot guarantee any future dividends. The declaration and payment of any future dividends will be at the sole discretion of the board of directors. We did not pay cash dividends in Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2011. The Company’s amended credit facility contains certain restrictions related to the payment of cash dividends, including limiting the amount of dividends to $5.0 million annually and not allowing borrowings under the amended facility for the six months before or six months after the dividend payment. On March 5, 2014, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “Administrative Agent”) and certain other parties to the amended credit facility agreed consented to the payment of the special cash dividend.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds: During the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company determined that participants in the Trans World Entertainment Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) had invested in Company Common Stock (the “Common Stock”) under the 401(k) Plan that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933.  Purchases of Common Stock were made on the open market by the 401(k) Plan.  Under applicable federal securities laws, certain participants may have a right to rescind their investment and require the Company to repurchase its Common Stock for an amount equal to the price paid for the Common Stock (or if the Common Stock has been sold, to receive damages for any loss that was incurred on the sale), plus interest.  Additionally, the Company may be subject to civil and other penalties by regulatory authorities.  Generally, the federal statute of limitations applicable to securities rescission rights is one year from the date of acquisition of the security.   Investments by the 401(k) Plan in the Common Stock during the preceding twelve months represented 83,389 shares of the Company’s Common Stock with an aggregate purchase price equal to $438,626.  Based on the March 28, 2014 closing price for the Company’s Common Stock, the maximum potential payment for claims based on these rights is under $250,000. 

10

The failure to register the shares of Common Stock under the 401(k) Plan was inadvertent and the Company intends to make a registered rescission offer to eligible plan participants in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.  Based on the current market price of the Company’s Common Stock, the Company does not believe the potential liability for rescission claims is material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. 

 

The Common Stock investment option was closed to participants effective November 15, 2013.  No further Common Stock purchases by the 401(k) Plan will be permitted.

 

Five-Year Performance Graph:

 

As a result of a change in the total return data made available to us through our vendor provider, our performance graphs going forward will be using a comparable index provided by NASDAQ OMX Global Indexes. Please note, information for the NASDAQ National Market Retail Trade Stocks index is provided only from December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2013, the last day this data was available by our third-party index provider.

 

The following line graph reflects a comparison of the cumulative total return of the Company’s Common Stock from December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2013 with the NASDAQ Index (U.S. Stocks) and with the NASDAQ National Market Retail Trade Stocks index. Because none of the Company’s leading competitors has been an independent publicly traded company over the period, the Company has elected to compare shareholder returns with the published index of retail companies compiled by NASDAQ. All values assume a $100 investment on December 31, 2008, and that all dividends were reinvested.

 

 

 

    2008   2009   2010   2011   2012   2013
                         
Trans World Entertainment Corporation   100   150   169   250   345   438
                         
NASDAQ (U.S. Stocks)   100   144   170   171   202   282
                         
NASDAQ Retail Trade Stocks   100   139   174   196   232   301
11

The following line graph reflects a comparison of the cumulative total return of the Company’s Common Stock from January 31, 2009 through January 31, 2014 with the NASDAQ US Benchmark TR Index and with ICB: 5300 Retail (Supersector) index. Because none of the Company’s leading competitors has been an independent publicly traded company over the period, the Company has elected to compare shareholder returns with the published index of retail companies compiled by NASDAQ. All values assume a $100 investment on January 31, 2009, and that all dividends were reinvested.

 

 

 

 

 

    2009   2010   2011   2012   2013   2014
                         
Trans World Entertainment Corporation   100   171   230   325   447   521
                         
NASDAQ US Benchmark TR Index   100   121   151   155   182   223
                         
ICB: 5300 Retail (Supersector)   100   139   165   185   229   279

12

Item 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth selected Statements of Operations and Balance Sheet data for the five fiscal years ended February 1, 2014 and is derived from the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements. The fiscal year ended February 2, 2013 consisted of 53 weeks while all the other fiscal years of the Company presented consisted of 52 weeks. This information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes and other financial information included herein, including Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.

 

   Fiscal Year Ended 
   February 1,
 2014
   February 2,
2013
   January 28,
2012
   January 29,
2011
   January 30,
2010
 
   ($ in thousands, except per share data) 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:    
Net sales  $393,659   $458,544   $542,589   $652,416   $813,988 
                          
Cost of sales   245,755    286,422    344,435    433,036    552,327 
Gross profit   147,904    172,122    198,154    219,380    261,661 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   137,529    158,572    192,653    244,749    310,710 
Gain on sale of asset       (22,750)            
Asset impairment charges               1,973    3,643 
Income (loss) from operations   10,375    36,300    5,501    (27,342)   (52,692)
Interest expense   2,010    2,384    3,429    3,557    2,910 
Other income   (80)   (66)   (240)   (211)   (168)
Income (loss) before income taxes   8,445    33,982    2,312    (30,688)   (55,434)
Income tax expense (benefit)   168    248    150    275    (12,985)
Net income (loss)  $8,277   $33,734   $2,162   $(30,963)  $(42,449)
                          
Basic earnings (loss) per share  $0.25   $1.07   $0.07   $(0.99)  $(1.35)
                          
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic   32,584    31,577    31,520    31,417    31,370 
                          
Diluted earnings (loss) per share  $0.25   $1.06   $0.07   $(0.99)  $(1.35)
                          
Weighted average number of shares – diluted   32,862    31,878    32,036    31,417    31,370 
                          
Cash dividend paid per share      $0.47             

 

   Fiscal Year Ended 
   February 1,
2014
   February 2,
2013
   January 28,
2012
   January 29,
2011
   January 30,
2010
 
   ($ and square footage in thousands, except store count data) 
BALANCE SHEET DATA (at the end of the period):                         
                          
Total assets  $312,417   $315,240   $313,120   $348,724   $394,566 
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations   1,066    936    1,503    1,363    1,974 
Long-term obligations   938    2,004    4,009    5,511    6,874 
Shareholders’ equity  $191,796   $180,760   $161,846   $161,798   $193,353 
                          
OPERATING DATA:                         
Store count (open at end of period):                         
Mall stores   293    304    324    376    449 
Freestanding stores   46    54    66    84    108 
Total stores   339    358    390    460    557 
                          
Comparable store sales decreases(1)   (5%)   (1%)   (2%)   (4%)   (10%)
Total square footage in operation (Year end)   2,030    2,209    2,562    3,149    3,794 
                          
Total square footage in operation (Average)   2,134    2,362    2,913    3,543    4,424 
1.A store is included in comparable store sales calculations at the beginning of its thirteenth full month of operation. Stores relocated, expanded or downsized are excluded from comparable store sales if the change in square footage is greater than 20% until the thirteenth full month following relocation, expansion or downsizing. Closed stores that were open for at least thirteen months are included in comparable store sales through the month immediately preceding the month of closing.
13

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

 

Overview

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations provide information that the Company’s management believes necessary to achieve an understanding of its financial condition and results of operations. To the extent that such analysis contains statements which are not of a historical nature, such statements are forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to, changes in the competitive environment for the Company’s merchandise, including the entry or exit of non-traditional retailers of the Company’s merchandise to or from its markets; releases by the music, video, and video game industries of an increased or decreased number of “hit releases”; general economic factors in markets where the Company’s merchandise is sold; and other factors discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with “Item 6: Selected Consolidated Financial Data” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.

 

As of February 1, 2014, the Company operated 339 stores totaling approximately 2.0 million square feet in the United States, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In Fiscal 2013, the Company’s net sales decreased as compared to Fiscal 2012 as a result of lower average store count and a 5% decrease in comparable store sales

 

The U.S. entertainment retailing industry is a mature industry and has experienced declines in recent years. Physical Video and Music represent our primary product categories in terms of sales and both categories have been impacted by new distribution channels, including digital distribution and internet fulfillment. As a result, the Company has had negative comparable store sales for the past five years. To mitigate or lessen the impact these changes have had, the Company has focused on the following areas in an effort to improve its business:

 

Improving Product Mix and Creating Value for our Customers

 

The Company tailors the product mix of its stores toward regional tastes in order to optimize the productivity of its stores, seeking to serve key customer segments within each store. We have also focused on creating a stronger value statement for our customers in our two largest categories of video and music to drive additional traffic into the stores and improve customer conversion rates, while offering products in other categories to drive additional sales and broaden our customer base.’

 

Store Portfolio Evaluation

 

During Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012, the Company closed 25 and 33 stores, respectively. The Company’s real estate strategy is to maintain our core group of profitable locations, while evaluating opportunities for new locations in new and existing malls. The Company opened 6 stores in Fiscal 2013 and one store in Fiscal 2012. The Company also relocated 8 stores in existing malls in Fiscal 2013. The Company expects to open additional new stores in the future while continuing to reduce the number of store closings.

 

The Company closes stores when minimum operating thresholds are not achieved or upon lease expiration when either renewal is not available or management determines that renewal is not in the Company’s best interest. The Company has signed short-term lease agreements for desirable locations, which enables us to negotiate rents that are responsive to the then-current sales environment. We will continue to close stores that do not meet our profitability goals, a process which could result in asset impairments and store closure costs. Continued reduction in the number of stores would lower total sales and gross profit of the Company.

 

The Company believes that there is near-term opportunity for improving the productivity of existing stores. The environment in which our stores operate is intensely competitive and includes Internet-based retailers and mass merchants. We believe a specialty retailer that can differentiate itself by offering a distinctive assortment and customer experience, and that can operate efficiently, will be better positioned to maintain or grow market share. Therefore, we remain dedicated to enhancing our product mix through adding unique product lines, improving the operational efficiency of our stores and offering our customers a rewarding shopping experience.

 

Expanding Customer Base

 

To strengthen customer loyalty, the Company offers its customers the option of signing up for a Backstage Pass card which provides an additional 10% discount off of everyday selling prices on nearly all products in addition to other value added benefits members receive through the program in exchange for a membership fee. The Company also co-sponsors events in many of its stores to provide various segments of its customers an opportunity to experience entertainment and shop for unique and exclusive products based on their particular interests.

14

Key Performance Indicators

 

Management monitors a number of key performance indicators to evaluate its performance, including:

 

Net Sales and Comparable Store Sales: The Company measures the rate of comparable store net sales change. A store is included in comparable store net sales calculations at the beginning of its thirteenth full month of operation. Stores relocated, expanded or downsized are excluded from comparable store sales if the change in square footage is greater than 20% until the thirteenth full month following relocation, expansion or downsizing. Closed stores that were open for at least thirteen months are included in comparable store sales through the month immediately preceding the month of closing. The Company further analyzes net sales by store format and by product category.

 

Cost of Sales and Gross Profit: Gross profit is calculated based on the cost of product in relation to its retail selling value. Changes in gross profit are impacted primarily by net sales levels, mix of products sold, vendor discounts and allowances and distribution costs. The Company records its distribution, freight and obsolescence expenses in cost of sales. Distribution expenses include those costs associated with receiving, inspecting and warehousing merchandise and costs associated with product returns to vendors.

 

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses: Included in SG&A expenses are payroll and related costs, occupancy charges, general operating and overhead expenses and depreciation charges (excluding those related to distribution operations, as discussed in Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report). SG&A expenses also include fixed assets write-offs associated with store closures, if any, and miscellaneous income and expense items, other than interest. The Company recorded miscellaneous income items for Fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011 in the amount of $6.1 million, $6.0 million, and $4.7 million, respectively.

 

Balance Sheet and Ratios: The Company views cash, net inventory investment (merchandise inventory less accounts payable) and working capital (current assets less current liabilities) as indicators of its financial position. See Liquidity and Capital Resources for further discussion of these items.

 

Fiscal Year Ended February 1, 2014 (“Fiscal 2013”)

Compared to Fiscal Year Ended February 2, 2013 (“Fiscal 2012”)

 

Net Sales. The following table sets forth a year-over-year comparison of the Company’s total net sales:

 

           2013 vs. 2012
($ in thousands)  2013   2012   $  %
Net Sales  $393,659   $458,544   ($64,885)  (14.2%)

 

The 14.2 % net sales decline from the prior year is due to a 6.3% decline in average stores in operation, a 5.0% decline in comparable store net sales and 52 weeks in Fiscal 2013 versus 53 weeks in Fiscal 2012. Stores closed in Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2013 recorded sales of $80.7 million in Fiscal 2012. While the Company believes a meaningful amount of sales was transferred to ongoing stores, there was a reduction of sales from store closings. Total product units sold in Fiscal 2013 decreased 11.9% and the average retail price for units sold decreased 2.7%.

 

Net sales by merchandise category for Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012 were as follows:

 

($ in thousands)  2013   %   2012   %   Total %
Net Sales
   Comparable
Store % Net
 
   Net Sales   Total   Net Sales   Total   Change   Sales Change 
                               
Video  $177,540    45.1%   200,842    43.8%   (11.6%)   (2.7%)
Music   113,374    28.8    141,690    30.9    (20.0)   (11.3)
Trend   48,420    12.3    46,313    10.1    4.5    11.5 
Electronics   36,217    9.2    48,147    10.5    (24.8)   (15.3)
Video games   18,108    4.6    21,552    4.7    (16.0)   1.6 
Total  $393,659    100.0%  $458,544    100.0%   (14.2%)   (5.0%)

 

Video

 

The Company’s stores offer a wide range of new and used DVDs and Blu-rays in a majority of its stores. Total net sales for Fiscal 2013 in the video category decreased 11.6% due to the lower average store count, and a 2.7% decrease in comparable store sales. Growth in Blu-ray was offset by declines in DVD.

15

According to Warner Home Video, total video sales in the United States declined 8.3% during the period corresponding with the Company’s Fiscal 2013.

 

Music

 

The Company’s stores offer a wide range of new and used CDs, music DVDs and vinyl across most music genres, including new releases from current artists as well as an extensive catalog of music from past periods and artists. Total net sales in the music category declined 11.3% on a comparable store sale basis in Fiscal 2013.

 

According to SoundScan, total CD unit sales in the United States declined 14.5% during the period corresponding with the Company’s Fiscal 2013.

 

Trend

 

The Company’s stores offer a selection of trend and apparel products that relate to theatrical releases, music, and gaming. The trend category increased 11.5% on a comparable store sales basis. Trend represented 12.3% of the Company’s total net sales in Fiscal 2013 versus 10.1% in Fiscal 2012. The Company continues to take advantage of opportunities to strengthen our selection and shift our mix to growing categories of entertainment-related merchandise.

 

Electronics

 

The Company’s stores offer a selection of complementary portable electronics and accessories to support our entertainment products. Total net sales in the electronics category decreased 15.3% on a comparable store sales basis. The decline in electronics is due to increased competition in headphones. Electronics represented 9.2% of the Company’s total net sales in Fiscal 2013 versus 10.5% in Fiscal 2012.

 

Video games

 

During Fiscal 2013, the Company offered video games in approximately 92 stores. Comparable net sales in the games category increased 1.6%. Video games sales were driven by the release of new gaming consoles.

 

According to NPD, industry-wide video games sales were down 4.3% during the period corresponding with the Company’s Fiscal 2013.

 

Gross Profit. The following table sets forth a year-over-year comparison of the Company’s Gross Profit:

 

($ in thousands)          2013 vs. 2012
   2013   2012   $   %
Gross Profit  $147,904   $172,122   ($24,218)  (14.1%)
As a percentage of net sales   37.6%   37.5%         

 

The decline in gross profit was due to lower sales.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.

The following table sets forth a year-over-year comparison of the Company’s SG&A expenses:

 

($ in thousands)          2013 vs. 2012
   2013   2012   $   %
Selling, general and administrative expenses  $137,529   $158,572   ($21,043)   (13.3%)
                     
As a percentage of net sales   34.9%   34.6%          

 

The $21 million decrease in SG&A expenses is due to a $14 million reduction in store expenses arising from the Company operating an average of 6.3% fewer stores and lower operating expenses in the ongoing stores, as well as a $7 million reduction in incentive expenses. SG&A as a percentage of net sales increased 30 basis points from 34.6% in 2012 to 34.9% in 2013.

 

Gain on Sale of Asset. The Gain on Sale of Asset in Fiscal 2012 of $22.8 million was due to the sale of real property in Miami, Florida. See Note 3, “Gain on Sale of Asset” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the sale. We did not sell any assets during fiscal 2013.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense in Fiscal 2013 was $2.0 million compared to $2.4 million in Fiscal 2012. The reduction in interest expense was due to lower costs associated with the Credit Facility as compared to the previous facility.

16

Other Income. Other income, which includes interest income, was $80,000 in Fiscal 2013 compared to $66,000 in Fiscal 2012.

 

Income Tax Expense. The following table sets forth a year-over-year comparison of the Company’s income tax expense:

 

($ in thousands)          2013 vs. 2011
   2013   2012   $ 
             
Income tax expense  $168   $248   ($80)
                
Effective tax rate   2.0%   0.7%     

 

The Fiscal 2013 and 2012 income tax expense includes state taxes, adjustments to the reserve for uncertain tax positions and the accrual of interest. See Note 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail.

 

Net Income. The following table sets forth a year-over-year comparison of the Company’s net income:

 

($ in thousands)          2013 vs. 2012
   2013   2012   $ 
             
Net income  $8,277   $33,734   ($25,457)
                
Net income as a percentage of net sales   2.1%   7.4%     

 

Net income for Fiscal 2013 decreased by $25.5 million to $8.3 million, as compared to $33.7 million for Fiscal 2012 primarily due to the $22.8 million gain on the sale of assets in Fiscal 2012, a reduction in store count and a 52-week fiscal year in Fiscal 2013 versus 53 weeks in Fiscal 2012.

17

Fiscal Year Ended February 2, 2013 (“Fiscal 2012”)
Compared to Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2012 (“Fiscal 2011”)

 

Net Sales. The following table sets forth a year-over-year comparison of the Company’s total net sales:

 

           2012 vs. 2011 
($ in thousands)  2012   2011   $   %
Net Sales  $458,544   $542,589   ($84,045)   (15.5%)

 

The 15.5% net sales decline from prior year is due to a 13.9% decline in average stores in operation and a 1% decline in comparable store net sales. Stores closed in Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2012 recorded sales of $120 million in 2011. While the Company believes a meaningful amount of sales was transferred to ongoing stores, there was a reduction of sales from store closings. Total product units sold in Fiscal 2012 decreased 12.7% and the average retail price for units sold decreased 3.4%.

 

Net sales by merchandise category for Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011 were as follows:

 

($ in thousands)  2012
Net Sales
   %
Total
   2011
Net Sales
   %
Total
   Total %
Net Sales
Change
   Comparable
Store % Net
Sales Change
 
                               
Video   200,842    43.8%  $229,256    42.3%   (12.4%)   4.0%
Music   141,690    30.9    185,305    34.2    (23.5)   (12.0)
Electronics   48,147    10.5    52,884    9.7    (9.0)   5.0 
Trend   46,313    10.1    46,690    8.6    (0.8)   17.0 
Video games   21,552    4.7    28,454    5.2    (24.3)   (15.0)
Total  $458,544    100.0%  $542,589    100.0%   (15.5%)   (1.0%)

 

Video

 

The Company’s stores offer a wide range of new and used DVDs and Blu-rays in a majority of its stores. Total net sales for Fiscal 2012 in the video category decreased 12.4% due to the lower average store count, partially offset by a 4% increase in comparable store sales. The video category increased as a percentage of the Company’s total net sales due to a comparable store sales increase compared to the total Company comparable store sales decline.

 

According to Warner Home Video, total video sales in the United States declined 5% during the period corresponding to the Company’s Fiscal 2012.

 

Music

 

The Company’s stores offer a wide range of new and used CDs and music DVDs across most music genres, including new releases from current artists as well as an extensive catalog of music from past periods and artists. Total net sales in the music category declined 12% on a comparable store sale basis in Fiscal 2012.

 

Net sales of CDs represented approximately 95% of total net sales in the music category during Fiscal 2012. The Company’s annual CD unit sales decreased 23% in Fiscal 2012 due to the decrease in average store count and lower comparable store net sales. According to SoundScan, total CD unit sales in the United States declined 14% during the period corresponding with the Company’s Fiscal 2012 due primarily to a lack of hit product compared to the prior year.

 

Electronics

 

The Company’s stores offer a selection of complementary portable electronics and accessories to support our entertainment products. Total net sales in the electronics category increased 5% on a comparable store sales basis. During Fiscal 2012, the Company expanded its assortment and selection in the electronics category. Electronics represented 10.5% of the Company’s total net sales in Fiscal 2012 versus 9.7% in Fiscal 2011.

18

Trend

The Company’s stores offer a selection of trend and apparel products that relate to theatrical releases, music, and gaming. The trend category increased 17% on a comparable store sales basis. Trend represented 10.1% of the Company’s total net sales in Fiscal 2012 versus 8.6% in Fiscal 2011.

 

Video games

During Fiscal 2012, the Company offered video games in approximately 100 stores. Comparable net sales in the games category declined 15%.

 

According to NPD, industry-wide video games sales were down 22% during the period corresponding with the Company’s Fiscal 2012.

 

Gross Profit. The following table sets forth a year-over-year comparison of the Company’s Gross Profit:

 

($ in thousands)          2012 vs. 2011 
   2012  2011  $  %
Gross Profit  $172,122   $198,154   ($26,032)   (13.1%)
As a percentage of net sales   37.5%   36.5%          

 

Gross margin improved 100 basis points due to higher gross margin across all product categories attributable to improved inventory management.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. The following table sets forth a year-over-year comparison of the Company’s SG&A expenses:

 

($ in thousands)          2012 vs. 2011 
   2012  2011  $  %
Selling, general and administrative expenses  $158,572   $192,653   ($34,081)   (17.7%)
                     
As a percentage of net sales   34.6%   35.5%          

 

The $34 million decrease in SG&A expenses is due to a $30 million reduction in store expenses arising from the Company operating an average of 13.9% fewer stores and lower operating expenses in the ongoing stores, as well as a $4 million reduction in corporate overhead expenses. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased 90 basis points from 35.5% in 2011 to 34.6% in 2012.

 

Gain on Sale of Asset. The Gain on Sale of Asset in Fiscal 2012 of $22.8 million was due to the sale of real property in Miami, Florida. See Note 3, “Gain on Sale of Asset ” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the sale. We did not sell any assets during fiscal 2011.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense in Fiscal 2012 was $2.4 million compared to $3.4 million in Fiscal 2011. The reduction in interest expense was due to lower costs associated with the Second Amended Credit Facility as compared to the Amended Credit Facility.

 

Other Income. Other income, which includes interest income, was $66,000 in Fiscal 2012 compared to $240,000 in Fiscal 2011.

 

Income Tax Expense. The following table sets forth a year-over-year comparison of the Company’s income tax expense:

 

($ in thousands)          2012 vs. 2011 
   2012   2011   $ 
                
Income tax expense  $248   $150   $98 
                
Effective tax rate   0.7%   6.5%     

 

The Fiscal 2012 and 2011 income tax expense includes state taxes, adjustments to the reserve for uncertain tax positions and the accrual of interest. See Note 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail.

19

Net Income. The following table sets forth a year-over-year comparison of the Company’s net income:

 

($ in thousands)          2012 vs. 2011 
   2012   2011   $ 
                
Net income  $33,734   $2,162   $31,572 
                
Net income as a percentage of net sales   7.4%   0.4%     

 

Net income for Fiscal 2012 increased by $31.5 million to $33.7 million, as compared to $2.2 million for Fiscal 2011, primarily due to the $22.8 million gain on the sale of assets, increased gross margin and a reduction in SG&A expenses.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Liquidity and Cash Flows: The Company’s primary sources of working capital are cash provided by operations and borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility. The Company’s cash flows fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to various items, including seasonality of sales and earnings, merchandise inventory purchases and returns, the related terms on the purchases and capital expenditures. Management believes it will have adequate resources to fund its cash needs for the foreseeable future, including its capital spending, its seasonal increase in merchandise inventory and other operating cash requirements and commitments.

 

Management anticipates any cash requirements due to a shortfall in cash from operations will be funded by the Company’s revolving credit facility, discussed hereafter. Cash flows from investing activities are expected to be comprised primarily of capital expenditures during fiscal 2014. Cash flows from financing activities are expected to be comprised primarily of payments on capital leases, payment of a special dividend and purchases of company shares under the share repurchase plan during Fiscal 2014. The Company does not expect any material changes in the mix (between equity and debt) or the relative cost of capital resources.

 

The following table sets forth a three-year summary of key components of cash flow and working capital:

 

($ in thousands)  2013   2012   2013 vs.
2012
   2011   2012 vs.
2011
 
Operating Cash Flows  $7,308   $35,633   $(28,325)  $16,771   $18,862 
Investing Cash Flows   (7,828)   25,706    (33,534)   (2,105)   27,811 
Financing Cash Flows   (1,460)   (16,872)   15,412    (1,363)   15,509 
                          
Capital Expenditures   (7,828)   (3,351)   (4,477)   (2,105)   (1,246)
                          
End of Period Balances:                         
Cash and Cash Equivalents   131,002    132,982    (1,980)   88,515    44,467 
Merchandise Inventory   150,167    155,429    (5,262)   191,327    (35,898)
Merchandise Inventory Per Square Foot   74.0    70.4         74.7      
Working Capital   194,311    189,149    5,162    164,295    24,854 
Inventory turns   1.6    1.6         1.6      

 

During Fiscal 2013, cash flow from operations was $7.3 million primarily due to net income of $8.3 million. During Fiscal 2012, cash flow from operations was $35.6 million primarily due to a $35.9 million decrease in merchandise inventory and net income of $11.0 million (excluding the impact of the one-time gain from the sales of real property) offset by a $13.7 million reduction in accounts payable.

 

The Company monitors various statistics to measure its management of inventory, including inventory turnover (annual cost of sales divided by average merchandise inventory balances), inventory investment per square foot (merchandise inventory divided by total store square footage) and inventory leverage (accounts payable divided by merchandise inventory). Inventory turnover measures the Company’s ability to sell merchandise and how many times it is replaced in a year. This ratio is important in determining the need for markdowns and planning future inventory levels and assessing customer response to our merchandise. Inventory turnover in Fiscal 2013 was 1.6, the same level as Fiscal 2012. Inventory investment per square foot measures the productivity of the inventory. It is important in determining if the Company has the appropriate level of inventory to meet customer demands while controlling its investment in inventory. Inventory investment per square foot was $74.0 per square foot at the end of Fiscal 2013 as compared to $70.4 per square foot at the end of Fiscal 2012. Accounts payable leverage measures the percentage of inventory being funded by the Company’s product vendors. The percentage is important in determining the

20

Company’s ability to fund its business. Accounts payable leverage on inventory was 51.7% as of February 1, 2014 compared with 51.1% as of February 2, 2013.

 

Cash used by investing activities was $7.8 million in Fiscal 2013, compared to cash flows provided by investing activities of $25.7 million in Fiscal 2012. During Fiscal 2013, cash used by investing activities consisted of capital expenditures of $7.8 million. The Company’s capital expenditures consisted primarily of the expenditures for store improvements and investments in information technology. During Fiscal 2012, cash provided by investing activities consisted of proceeds from the sale of real property of $29.1 million, partially offset by capital expenditures of $3.4 million.

 

The Company has historically financed its capital expenditures through borrowings under its credit facility, select financing arrangements and cash flow from operations. The Company anticipates capital spending of approximately $15.0 million in Fiscal 2014 as the Company invests in strategic initiatives, including investments in our store base and technology.

 

Cash used in financing activities was $1.5 million in Fiscal 2013, compared to $16.9 million in Fiscal 2012. In Fiscal 2013, the primary uses of cash were stock repurchases of $5.4 million and payments of capital lease obligations of $0.9 million, offset by proceeds from the exercise of long term equity awards of $4.9 million. In Fiscal 2012, the primary uses of cash were payment of a special dividend of $14.9 million and payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations of $1.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

 

In May 2012, the Company entered into a $75 million credit facility (“Credit Facility”) which amended the previous credit facility. The principal amount of all outstanding loans under the Credit Facility together with any accrued but unpaid interest, are due and payable in May 2017, unless otherwise paid earlier pursuant to the terms of the Credit Facility. Payments of amounts due under the Credit Facility are secured by the assets of the Company.

 

The Credit Facility includes customary provisions, including affirmative and negative covenants, which include representations, warranties and restrictions on additional indebtedness and acquisitions. The Credit Facility also includes customary events of default, including, among other things, material adverse effect, bankruptcy, and certain changes of control. The Credit Facility also contains other terms and conditions, including limitations on the payment of dividends and covenants around the number of store closings. It also changed the formula for interest rates. The Company is compliant with all covenants.

 

Interest under the Credit Facility will accrue, at the election of the Company, at a Base Rate or LIBO Rate, plus, in each case, an Applicable Margin, which is determined by reference to the level of availability, with the Applicable Margin for LIBO Rate loans ranging from 2.25% to 2.75% and the Applicable Margin for Prime Rate loans ranging from 0.75% to 1.25%. In addition, a commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.50% is also payable on unused commitments.

 

The availability under the Credit Facility is subject to limitations based on sufficient inventory levels.

 

As of February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, the Company did not have any borrowings under the Credit Facility. During Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012, the Company did not have any borrowings under the Credit Facility. As of February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, the Company had no outstanding letter of credit obligations and $0.4 million of outstanding letter of credit obligation under the Credit Facility, respectively. The Company had $53 million and $54 million available for borrowing as of February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, respectively.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Item 303 (a) (4) of Regulation S-K.

21

Contractual Obligations and Commitments. The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations as of February 1, 2014, and the effect that such obligations are expected to have on liquidity and cash flows in future periods.

 

Contractual
Obligation
  2014   2015-
2016
   2017 -
2018
   2019 and
 Beyond
   Total 
$ in thousands                         
Operating lease and maintenance agreement obligations   21,876    21,877    6,970    3,710    54,433 
Capital lease obligations   2,325    1,779            4,104 
Purchase obligations (1)                    
Other long-term liabilities (2)   1,687    939    258    98    2,982 
Pension benefits (3)   137    324    2,280    5,904    8,645 
Total   26,025    24,919    9,508    9,712    70,164 

 

(1)

For the purposes of this table, contractual obligations for purchase of goods or services are defined as agreements that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. The Company’s purchase orders are based on its current inventory needs and are fulfilled by its suppliers within short time periods.

 

(2)

Included in other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of February 1, 2014 is the long-term portion of deferred rent of $0.7 million which are not reflected in the table above as these amounts do not represent contractual obligations. Also included in other long-term liabilities is the long-term portion of the straight line rent liability of $0.7 million, which is included in operating lease obligations in the table above.

 

Included in other long-term liabilities in the table above are the estimated asset retirement obligations associated with the fixed assets and leasehold improvements at the Company’s store locations that arise under the terms of operating leases.

 

(3) In addition to the scheduled pension benefit payments, the Company offers a 401(k) Savings Plan to eligible employees (see also Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report).  Total expense related to the Company’s matching contribution was approximately $331,000, $0 and $3,000 in Fiscal 2013, Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011 respectively.  The Company postponed its matching contribution effective March 1, 2011.   The Company reinstated its matching contribution effective May 1, 2013.

 

Related Party Transactions.

The Company leases its 181,300 square foot distribution center/office facility in Albany, New York from Robert J. Higgins, its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and largest shareholder, under three capital leases that expire in the year 2015. The original distribution center/office facility was occupied in 1985.

 

Under the three capital leases, dated April 1, 1985, November 1, 1989 and September 1, 1998, the Company paid Mr. Higgins an annual rent of $2.3 million, $2.3 million and $2.2 million in Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 respectively. Pursuant to the terms of the lease agreements, effective January 1, 2002 and every two years thereafter, rental payments will increase in accordance with the biennial increase in the Consumer Price Index. Under the terms of the lease agreements, the Company is responsible for property taxes, insurance and other operating costs with respect to the premises. Mr. Higgins does not have any future obligation for principal and interest. None of the leases contain any real property purchase options at the expiration of its term.

 

The Company leases one of its retail stores from Mr. Higgins under an operating lease. Annual rental payments under this lease were $40,000 in Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011. Under the terms of the lease, the Company pays property taxes, maintenance and a contingent rent if a specified sales level is achieved. No contingent rent was paid in Fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011. Total additional charges for the store were approximately $3,800, $6,400 and $6,900 in Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 respectively.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires that management apply accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect results of operations and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements. Management continually evaluates its estimates and judgments including those related to merchandise inventory and return costs, valuation of long-lived assets, income taxes and accounting for gift card liability. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used by the Company in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Management believes that of the Company’s significant accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of judgment or complexity:

22

Merchandise Inventory and Return Costs: Merchandise inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market under the average cost method. The average cost method attaches a cost to each item and is a blended average of the original purchase price and those of subsequent purchases or other cost adjustments throughout the life cycle of that item.

 

Inventory valuation requires significant judgment and estimates, including obsolescence, shrink and any adjustments to market value; if market value is lower than cost.  Inherent in the entertainment products industry is the risk of obsolete inventory.  Typically, newer releases generate a higher product demand.  Some vendors offer credits to reduce the cost of products that are selling more slowly, thus allowing for a reduction in the selling price and reducing the possibility for items to become obsolete.  The Company records obsolescence and any adjustments to market value (if lower than cost) based on current and anticipated demand, customer preferences, and market conditions. The provision for inventory shrink is estimated as a percentage of sales for the period from the last date a physical inventory was performed to the end of the fiscal year.  Such estimates are based on historical results and trends and the shrink results from the last physical inventory.  Physical inventories are taken at least annually for all stores and the distribution center throughout the year and inventory records are adjusted accordingly.

 

Shrink expense, including obsolescence was $5.2 million, $6.6 million and $5.8 million, in Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 respectively.  As a rate to net sales, this equaled 1.3%, 1.4% and 1.1%, respectively.  Presently, a 0.1% change in the rate of shrink provision would equal approximately $0.3 million in additional charge or benefit to cost of sales, based on Fiscal 2013 net sales since the last physical inventories.

 

The Company is generally entitled to return merchandise purchased from major vendors for credit against other purchases from these vendors. Certain vendors reduce the credit with a per unit merchandise return charge which varies depending on the type of merchandise being returned. Certain other vendors charge a handling fee based on units returned. The Company records merchandise return charges in cost of sales. The Company incurred merchandise return charges in its Fiscal 2013, Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011 of $0.9 million, $1.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

 

Income Taxes: Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and tax operating loss carryforwards. 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. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

Accounting for income taxes requires management to make estimates and judgments regarding interpretation of various taxing jurisdictions, laws and regulations as well as the ultimate realization of deferred tax assets. These estimates and judgments include the generation of future taxable income, viable tax planning strategies and support of tax filings. In assessing the value of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. Management considers the scheduled reversal of taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based on the available objective evidence, management concluded that a full valuation allowance should be recorded against its net deferred tax assets as of February 1, 2014. During Fiscal 2014 and in future years, the Company will continue to record a valuation allowance against recorded net deferred tax assets at a level deemed appropriate by management.

 

Accounting for Gift Card Liability: The Company sells gift cards that are redeemable only for merchandise and have no expiration date. The Company adjusts card liability when either customers redeem cards, at which point the Company records revenue, or when the Company determines it does not have a legal obligation to remit unredeemed cards to the relevant jurisdictions and the likelihood of the cards being redeemed becomes remote, at which point the Company records breakage as a credit to SG&A expenses. The Company’s accounting for gift cards is based on estimating the Company’s liability for future card redemptions at the end of a reporting period. Estimated liability is equal to the most recent two years of unredeemed cards, plus an amount for outstanding cards that may possibly be redeemed for the cumulative look-back period, exclusive of the last two years. The Company’s ability to reasonably and reliably estimate the liability is based on historical redemption experience with gift cards and similar types of arrangements and the existence of a large volume of relatively homogeneous transactions. The Company’s estimate is not susceptible to significant external factors and the circumstances around gift card sales and redemptions have not changed significantly over time.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. Under this standard, entities are required to disclose additional information with respect to changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) balances by component and significant items reclassified out of AOCI. Expanded disclosures for presentation of changes in AOCI involve disaggregating the total change of each component of other comprehensive income as well as presenting separately for each such component the portion of change in AOCI related to (1) amounts reclassified into income and (2) current-period other comprehensive income. Additionally, for amounts reclassified into income, disclosure in one location is required, based upon each specific AOCI component, of the amounts impacting individual income statement line items. Disclosure of the income statement line item impacts is required only for components of AOCI reclassified into income in their entirety. Therefore, disclosure of the income statement line items affected by AOCI components such as net periodic benefit costs is not included. The

23

disclosures required with respect to income statement line item impacts are to be made in either the notes to the consolidated financial statements or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements. Because this standard only impacts presentation and disclosure requirements, its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

 

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company does not hold any financial instruments that expose it to significant market risk and does not engage in hedging activities. To the extent the Company borrows under its revolving credit facility, the Company is subject to risk resulting from interest rate fluctuations since interest on the Company’s borrowings under its credit facility can be variable. If interest rates on the Company’s revolving credit facility were to increase by 25 basis points, and to the extent borrowings were outstanding, for every $1,000,000 outstanding on the facility, income before income taxes would be reduced by $2,500 per year. Information about the fair value of financial instruments is included in Note 1 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

 

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

The index to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements is included in Item 15, and the Consolidated Financial Statements follow the signature page to this report and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

The quarterly results of operations are included herein in Note 11 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

 

Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

 

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of 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 the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit, under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and reported within the time period specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting: Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d – 15(f) under the Exchange Act, as amended). Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (1992). Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control- Integrated Framework (1992), our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of February 1, 2014.

 

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an audit report on the Company’s effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2014, which is included on page F-3 in Item 8 of this report and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Changes in Controls and Procedures: No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarterly period ended February 1, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

 

No events have occurred which would require disclosure under this Item.

24

PART III

 

Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information to be included in the Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the SEC, which Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We have adopted the Trans World Entertainment Corporation Code of Ethics that applies to all officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company. The Code of Ethics is intended to comply with Item 406 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and with applicable rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. Our Code of Ethics is posted on our Internet website under the “Corporate” page. Our Internet website address is www.twec.com. To the extent required by the rules of the SEC and NASDAQ, we will disclose amendments and waivers relating to our Code of Ethics in the same place on our website.

 

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information to be included in the Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the SEC, which Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.

 

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information to be included in the Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the SEC, which Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.

 

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information to be included in the Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the SEC, which Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.

 

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information to be included in the Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the SEC, which Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.

25

PART IV

 

Item 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

15(a) (1) Financial Statements

The Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes are listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page F-1 of this report.

 

15(a) (2) Financial Statement Schedules

Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules not filed herein have been omitted as they are not applicable or the required information or equivalent information has been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.

 

15(a) (3) Exhibits

Exhibits are as set forth in the “Index to Exhibits” which follows the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and immediately precedes the exhibits filed.

26

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.

 

    TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION  
         
Date: April 17, 2014     By: /s/ Robert J. Higgins  
      Robert J. Higgins  
      Chairman and Chief Executive Officer  

 

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 and on the dates indicated.

 

Name   Title Date
 /s/ Robert J. Higgins   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer April 17, 2014
 (Robert J. Higgins)   (Principal Executive Officer)  
       
/s/ John Anderson      
 (John Anderson)   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Chief Accounting Officer) April 17, 2014
       
/s/ Martin Hanaka      
 (Martin Hanaka)   Director April 17, 2014
       
/s/ Dr. Joseph Morone      
 (Dr. Joseph G. Morone)   Director April 17, 2014
       
 /s/ Robert Marks      
 (Robert Marks)   Director April 17, 2014
       
/s/ Michael Nahl      
 (Michael Nahl)   Director April 17, 2014
       
/s/ Michael B. Solow      
 (Michael B. Solow)   Director April 17, 2014
27

TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

    Form 10-K
Page No.
     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   F-2
     
     
Consolidated Financial Statements    
     
Consolidated Balance Sheets at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013   F-4
     
Consolidated Statements of Income - Fiscal years ended
February 1, 2014, February 2, 2013, and January 28, 2012
  F-5
     
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Fiscal years ended
February 1, 2014, February 2, 2013, and January 28, 2012
  F-6
     
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity - Fiscal years ended
February 1, 2014, February 2, 2013, and January 28, 2012
  F-7
     
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Fiscal years ended
February 1, 2014, February 2, 2013, and January 28, 2012
  F-8
     
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   F-9
F-1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Trans World Entertainment Corporation:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Trans World Entertainment Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended February 1, 2014. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

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

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Trans World Entertainment Corporation and subsidiaries as of February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended February 1, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated April 17, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Albany, New York

April 17, 2014

F-2

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Trans World Entertainment Corporation:

 

We have audited Trans World Entertainment Corporation’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, Trans World Entertainment Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by COSO.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Trans World Entertainment Corporation and subsidiaries as of February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended February 1, 2014, and our report dated April 17, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

Albany, New York

April 17, 2014

F-3

TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

($ in thousands, except per share and share amounts)

 

   February 1,
2014
   February 2,
2013
 
ASSETS          
CURRENT ASSETS          
Cash and cash equivalents  $131,002   $132,982 
Accounts receivable   2,684    2,631 
Merchandise inventory   150,167    155,429 
Prepaid expenses and other   7,114    6,734 
Total current assets   290,967    297,776 
           
FIXED ASSETS, net   12,419    9,057 
OTHER ASSETS   9,031    8,407 
TOTAL ASSETS  $312,417   $315,240 
           
LIABILITIES          
CURRENT LIABILITIES          
Accounts payable  $77,625   $79,438 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   7,375    10,122 
Accrued incentives   498    7,667 
Deferred revenue   10,092    10,464 
Current portion of capital lease obligations   1,066    936 
Total current liabilities   96,656    108,627 
           
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS, less current portion   938    2,004 
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES   23,027    23,849 
TOTAL LIABILITIES   120,621    134,480 
           
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Preferred stock ($0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued)        
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 58,298,668 shares and 56,728,146 shares issued, respectively)   583    567 
Additional paid-in capital   314,932    309,451 
Treasury stock at cost (26,108,846 and 25,102,990 shares, respectively )   (222,948)   (217,555)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (119)   (2,774)
Retained earnings   99,348    91,071 
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   191,796    180,760 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  $312,417   $315,240 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-4

TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   Fiscal Year Ended 
   February 1,
2014
   February 2,
2013
   January 28,
2012
 
                
Net sales  $393,659   $458,544   $542,589 
Cost of sales   245,755    286,422    344,435 
Gross profit   147,904    172,122    198,154 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   137,529    158,572    192,653 
Gain on sale of asset       (22,750)    
Income from operations   10,375    36,300    5,501 
Interest expense   2,010    2,384    3,429 
Other income   (80)   (66)   (240)
Income before income taxes   8,445    33,982    2,312 
Income tax expense   168    248    150 
                
NET INCOME  $8,277   $33,734   $2,162 
                
BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME PER SHARE:               
Basic income per share  $0.25   $1.07   $0.07 
                
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic   32,584    31,577    31,520 
                
Diluted income per share  $0.25   $1.06   $0.07 
                
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted   32,862    31,878    32,036 
                
Cash dividend paid per share      $0.47     

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-5

TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(amounts in thousands)

 

   Fiscal Year Ended 
   February 1,
 2014
   February 2,
2013
   January 28,
 2012
 
             
Net income  $8,277   $33,734   $2,162 
                
Pension income (loss) adjustment   2,655    (617)   (2,573)
                
Comprehensive income (loss)  $10,932   $33,117   ($411)
                

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-6

TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(amounts in thousands)

 

   Common
Shares
   Common
Stock
   Additional
Paid-in
Capital
   Treasury
Shares
   Treasury
Stock
At Cost
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)
   Retained
Earnings
   Shareholders’
Equity
 
Balance as of January 29, 2011   56,527   $565   $308,333    (25,103)  ($217,555)  $416   $70,039   $161,798 
Net income                           2,162    2,162 
Pension loss adjustment                       (2,573)       (2,573)
Stock compensation           298                    298 
Issuance of stock to Directors   30    1    160                    161 
Balance as of January 28, 2012   56,557   $566   $308,791    (25,103)  ($217,555)  ($2,157)  $72,201   $161,846 
Net income                           33,734    33,734 
Pension loss adjustment                       (617)       (617)
Stock compensation           97                    97 
Exercise of equity grants   171    1    563                    564 
Cash dividends paid                           (14,864)   (14,864)
Balance as of February 2, 2013   56,728   $567   $309,451    (25,103)  ($217,555)  ($2,774)  $91,071   $180,760 
Net Income                           8,277    8,277 
Pension income adjustment                       2,655        2,655 
Stock compensation           255                    255 
Exercise of equity grants   1,477    15    4,854                    4,869 
Purchase of treasury stock               (1,006)   (5,393)           (5,393)
Issuance of stock to Directors   94    1    372                    373 
Balance as of February 1, 2014   58,299   $583   $314,932    (26,109)  ($222,948)  ($119)  $99,348   $191,796 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-7

TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

($ in thousands)

 

   Fiscal Year Ended 
   February 1,
2014
   February 2,
2013
   January 28,
2012
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:               
Net income  $8,277   $33,734   $2,162 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:               
Depreciation of fixed assets   4,304    4,437    6,630 
Amortization of lease valuations, net   138    138    264 
Long term incentive compensation   255    97    312 
Loss on disposal of fixed assets   162    151    302 
Gain on sale of asset       (22,750)    
Increase in cash surrender value   (1,081)   (668)   (143)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:               
Accounts receivable   (53)   2,658    (1,425)
Merchandise inventory   5,262    35,898    42,837 
Prepaid expenses and other   (380)   (3,632)   1,197 
Other assets   319    137    1,264 
Accounts payable   (1,439)   (13,703)   (36,866)
Accrued expenses, accrued incentives, deferred revenue and other current liabilities   (7,634)   (1,608)   (936)
Other long-term liabilities   (822)   744    1,173 
Net cash provided by operating activities   7,308    35,633    16,771 
                
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:               
Purchases of fixed assets   (7,828)   (3,351)   (2,105)
Proceeds from sale of asset       29,057     
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (7,828)   25,706    (2,105)
                
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:               
Cash dividends paid       (14,864)    
Exercise of long term equity awards   4,869    564     
Payments of long-term debt       (1,748)   (640)
Payments of capital lease obligations   (936)   (824)   (723)
Purchase of treasury stock   (5,393)        
Net cash used in financing activities   (1,460)   (16,872)   (1,363)
                
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (1,980)   44,467    13,303 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year   132,982    88,515    75,212 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year  $131,002   $132,982   $88,515 
Supplemental disclosures and non-cash investing and financing activities:               
Interest paid  $2,015   $2,408   $3,206 
Issuance of deferred / restricted shares under deferred / restricted stock plans   373         

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-8

TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Nature of Operations: Trans World Entertainment Corporation and subsidiaries (“the Company”) is one of the largest specialty retailers of entertainment products, including video, music, trend, electronics, video games and related products in the United States. The Company operates a chain of retail entertainment stores and e-commerce sites, www.fye.com, www.wherehouse.com and www.secondspin.com in a single industry segment. As of February 1, 2014, the Company operated 339 stores totaling approximately 2.0 million square feet in the United States, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company’s business is seasonal in nature, with the peak selling period being the holiday season which falls in the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter.

 

Liquidity: The Company’s primary sources of working capital are cash provided by operations and borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility. The Company’s cash flows fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to various items, including seasonality of sales and earnings, merchandise inventory purchases and returns, the related terms on the purchases and capital expenditures. Management believes it will have adequate resources to fund its cash needs for the foreseeable future, including its capital spending, its seasonal increase in merchandise inventory and other operating cash requirements and commitments.

 

Management anticipates any cash requirements due to a shortfall in cash from operations will be funded by the Company’s revolving credit facility, discussed hereafter.

 

Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements consist of Trans World Entertainment Corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiary, Record Town, Inc. (“Record Town”), and Record Town’s subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. 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, including those related to merchandise inventory and return costs, valuation of long-lived assets, income taxes, and accounting for gift card liability, that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We have reclassified certain prior-year amounts to conform to the current-year’s presentation.

 

Items Affecting Comparability: The Company’s fiscal year is a 52 or 53-week period ending the Saturday nearest to January 31. Fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011 ended February 1, 2014, February 2, 2013, and January 28, 2012, respectively. Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2011 had 52 weeks and Fiscal 2012 had 53 weeks. The 53rd week in Fiscal 2012 contributed less than 2% to net sales.

 

Concentration of Business Risks: The Company purchases inventory from approximately 500 suppliers. In Fiscal 2013, 60% of purchases were made from ten suppliers including Twentieth Century Fox Video, Paramount Home Entertainment, RED Distribution, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Universal Music Group Distribution, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Warner Home Video and Warner, Elektra, Atlantic Corp Group. . The Company does not have material long-term purchase contracts; rather, it purchases products from its suppliers on an order-by-order basis. Historically, the Company has not experienced difficulty in obtaining satisfactory sources of supply and management believes that it will continue to have access to adequate sources of supply.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Concentration of Credit Risks: The Company maintains centralized cash management and investment programs whereby excess cash balances are invested in short-term money market funds. The Company’s investments consist of short-term investment grade securities consistent with its investment guidelines. These guidelines include the provision that sufficient liquidity will be maintained to meet anticipated cash flow needs. The Company maintains these investments, all of which are classified as cash equivalents due to their short term nature, with various financial institutions. These amounts often exceed the FDIC insurance limits. The Company limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution and believes that no significant concentration of credit risk exists with respect to cash investments.

 

Accounts Receivable: Accounts receivable are comprised of receivables and other individually insignificant amounts. There are no provisions for uncollectible amounts from retail sales of merchandise inventory since payment is received at the time of sale.

 

Merchandise Inventory and Return Costs: Merchandise inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market under the average cost method. Inventory valuation requires significant judgment and estimates, including obsolescence, shrink and any adjustments to market value, if market value is lower than cost. The Company records obsolescence and any adjustments to market value (if lower than cost) based on current and anticipated demand, customer preferences and market conditions. The provision for inventory shrink is estimated as a percentage of store sales for the period from the last date a physical inventory was performed to the end of the fiscal year.  Such estimates are based on historical results and trends, and the shrink results from the last physical inventory.  Physical inventories are taken at least annually for all stores and distribution

F-9

centers throughout the year, and inventory records are adjusted accordingly.

 

The Company is generally entitled to return merchandise purchased from major music vendors for credit against other purchases from these vendors. Certain vendors reduce the credit with a merchandise return charge which varies depending on the type of merchandise being returned. Certain other vendors charge a handling fee based on units returned. The Company records merchandise return charges in cost of sales.

 

Fixed Assets and Depreciation: Fixed assets are recorded at cost and depreciated or amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

Leasehold improvements Lesser of estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term
Fixtures and equipment 3-7 years
Buildings and improvements 10-30 years

 

Major improvements and betterments to existing facilities and equipment are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Amortization of capital lease assets is included in depreciation and amortization expense.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset over its remaining useful life. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Fair value is generally measured based on discounted estimated future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less disposition costs. For the purpose of the asset impairment test, the Company has two asset groupings – corporate and store level assets.

 

The Company did not recognize an impairment expense during Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011. Losses for store closings in the ordinary course of business represent the write down of the net book value of abandoned fixtures and leasehold improvements. The loss on disposal of fixed assets related to store closings was $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million in Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and is included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income and loss on disposal of fixed assets in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Store closings usually occur at the expiration of the lease, at which time leasehold improvements, which constitute a majority of the abandoned assets, are fully depreciated.

 

Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations: The Company records the fair value of an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) as a liability in the period in which it incurs a legal obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development, and/or normal use of the asset. The Company also records a corresponding asset that is depreciated over the life of the asset. Subsequent to its initial measurement, the ARO is adjusted at the end of each period to reflect the passage of time and changes in the estimated future cash flows underlying the obligation.

 

Commitments and Contingencies: The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of its business and have not been finally adjudicated. Although there can be no assurance as to the ultimate disposition of these matters, it is management’s opinion, based upon the information available at this time, that the expected outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations and financial condition of the Company.

 

Revenue Recognition: The Company’s revenue is primarily from retail sales of merchandise inventory. Revenue is recognized at the point-of-sale. Internet sales are recognized as revenue upon shipment. Shipping and handling fee income from the Company’s Internet operations is recognized as net sales. Loyalty card revenue is amortized over the life of the membership period. Net sales are recorded net of estimated amounts for sales returns and other allowances. The Company records shipping and handling costs in cost of sales. Net sales are recorded net of applicable sales taxes.

 

Cost of Sales: In addition to the cost of product, the Company includes in cost of sales those costs associated with purchasing, receiving, shipping, inspecting and warehousing product. Also included are costs associated with the return of product to vendors. Cost of sales further includes the cost of inventory shrink losses and obsolescence and the benefit of vendor allowances and discounts.

 

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses: Included in SG&A expenses are payroll and related costs, store operating costs, occupancy charges, professional and service fees, general operating and overhead expenses and depreciation charges (excluding those related to distribution operations, as discussed in Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K).  Selling, general and administrative expenses also include fixed asset write offs associated with store closures, if any, and miscellaneous income and expense items, other than interest.  The Company recorded miscellaneous income items for Fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011 in the amount of $6.1 million, $6.0 million, and $4.7 million, respectively.

F-10

Advertising Costs and Vendor Allowances: The Company often receives allowances from its vendors to fund in-store displays, print and radio advertising, and other promotional events. Vendor advertising allowances which exceed specific, incremental and identifiable costs incurred in relation to the advertising and promotions offered by the Company to its vendors are classified as a reduction in the purchase price of merchandise inventory. Accordingly, advertising and sales promotion costs are charged to operations, offset by direct vendor reimbursements, as incurred. Total advertising expense, excluding vendor allowances, was $4.2 million, $4.1 million, and $4.8 million in Fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. In the aggregate, vendor allowances supporting the Company’s advertising and promotion included as a reduction of SG&A expenses, as reimbursements of such costs were $4.2 million, $4.0 million, and $4.8 million in Fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

 

Lease Accounting: The Company’s calculation of straight-line rent expense includes the impact of escalating rents for periods in which it is reasonably assured of exercising lease options and includes in the lease term any period during which the Company is not obligated to pay rent while the store is being constructed (“rent holiday”). The Company accounts for step rent provisions, escalation clauses and other lease concessions by recognizing these amounts on a straight line basis over the initial lease term. The Company capitalizes leasehold improvements funded by tenant improvement allowances, depreciating them over the term of the related leases. The tenant improvement allowances are recorded as deferred rent within other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and are amortized as a reduction in rent expense over the life of the related leases.

 

Store Closing Costs: Management periodically considers the closing of underperforming stores. In the event of a store closing, reserves are established at the time a liability is incurred for the present value of any remaining lease obligations, net of estimated sublease income, and other exit costs. Store closings are not considered discontinued operations due to the expected migration of sales to ongoing stores.

 

Gift Cards: The Company offers gift cards for sale. A deferred income account, which is included in deferred revenue in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, is established for gift cards issued. The deferred income balance related to gift cards was $3.8 million and $4.5 million at the end of Fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively. When gift cards are redeemed at the store level, revenue is recorded and the related liability is reduced. Breakage is estimated based on the historical relationship of the redemption of gift cards redeemed to gift cards sold, over a certain period of time. The Company has the ability to reasonably and reliably estimate gift card liability based on historical experience with redemption rates associated with a large volume of homogeneous transactions, from a period of more than ten years. The Company’s estimate is not susceptible to significant external factors and the circumstances around purchases and redemptions have not changed significantly over time. The Company recorded breakage on its gift cards for Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 in the amount of $0.7 million, $1.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Gift card breakage is recorded as a reduction of SG&A expenses.

 

Income Taxes: Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. 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. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are subject to valuation allowances based upon management’s estimates of realizability.

 

The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. It is the Company’s practice to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense (benefit) in the consolidated statements of income.

 

Stock-Based Compensation: Stock-based compensation represents the cost related to stock-based awards granted to employees and directors. The Company measures stock-based compensation cost at grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and recognizes the cost as expense on a straight-line basis (net of estimated forfeitures) over the option’s requisite service period. The Company recognizes compensation expense based on estimated grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Tax benefits, if any, resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options are to be classified and reported as both an operating cash outflow and financing cash inflow.

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss): Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income and pension income (loss) adjustment.

 

Income Per Share: Basic income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the sum of the weighted average shares outstanding and additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been issued for the Company’s common stock awards from the Company’s stock award plans.

F-11

The following is a reconciliation of the basic weighted average number of shares outstanding to the diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding:

 

   Fiscal Year 
    2013    2012    2011 
   (in thousands) 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic   32,584    31,577    31,520 
Dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards   278    301    516 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted   32,862    31,878    32,036 
                
Antidilutive stock awards   2,450    4,541    5,007 

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying value of life insurance policies included in other assets approximates fair value based on estimates received from insurance companies.

 

Segment Information: The Company has one reportable segment.

 

Note 2. Fixed Assets

 

Fixed assets consist of the following:

 

   February 1,
2014
   February 2,
2013
 
   ($ in thousands) 
Buildings and improvements  $11,838   $9,938 
Fixtures and equipment   118,655    117,874 
Leasehold improvements   32,622    31,346 
Total fixed assets   163,115    159,158 
Allowances for depreciation and amortization   (150,696)   (150,101)
Fixed assets, net  $12,419   $9,057 

 

Depreciation of fixed assets is included in the Consolidated Statements of Income as follows:

 

   Fiscal Year 
   2013   2012   2011 
   ($ in thousands) 
Cost of sales  $474   $496   $536 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   3,830    3,941    6,094 
Total  $4,304   $4,437   $6,630 

 

Depreciation expense related to the Company’s distribution center facility and related equipment is included in cost of sales. All other depreciation and amortization of fixed assets is included in SG&A expenses.

 

Note 3. Gain on Sale of Asset

 

During Fiscal 2012, the Company sold real property in Miami, Florida. The Company received proceeds of $29.1 million from the sale. The Company recorded a gain on the sale of $22.8 million, net of the carrying cost of the asset and fees related to the sale.

F-12

Note 4. Debt

 

Credit Facility

 

In May 2012, the Company entered into a $75 million credit facility (“Credit Facility”) which amended the previous credit facility. The principal amount of all outstanding loans under the Credit Facility together with any accrued but unpaid interest, are due and payable in May 2017, unless otherwise paid earlier pursuant to the terms of the Credit Facility. Payments of amounts due under the Credit Facility are secured by the assets of the Company.

 

The Credit Facility includes customary provisions, including affirmative and negative covenants, which include representations, warranties and restrictions on additional indebtedness and acquisitions. The Credit Facility also includes customary events of default, including, among other things, material adverse effect, bankruptcy, and certain changes of control. The Credit Facility also contains other terms and conditions, including limitations on the payment of dividends and covenants around the number of store closings. It also changed the formula for interest rates. The Company is compliant with all covenants.

 

Interest under the Credit Facility will accrue, at the election of the Company, at a Base Rate or LIBO Rate, plus, in each case, an Applicable Margin, which is determined by reference to the level of availability, with the Applicable Margin for LIBO Rate loans ranging from 2.25% to 2.75% and the Applicable Margin for Prime Rate loans ranging from 0.75% to 1.25%. In addition, a commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.50% is also payable on unused commitments.

 

The availability under the Credit Facility is subject to limitations based on sufficient inventory levels.

 

As of February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, the Company did not have any borrowings under the Credit Facility. During Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012, the Company did not have any borrowings under the Credit Facility. As of February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, the Company had no outstanding letter of credit obligations and $0.4 million of outstanding letter of credit obligation under the Credit Facility, respectively. The Company had $53 million and $54 million available for borrowing as of February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, respectively.

 

Mortgage Loan

 

During Fiscal 2004, the Company borrowed $5.8 million under a mortgage loan to finance the purchase of real estate. During Fiscal 2012, the Company prepaid the remaining obligation on the mortgage loan. No future obligation exists.

 

Note 5. Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense consists of the following:

 

   Fiscal Year 
   2013   2012   2011 
   ($ in thousands) 
Federal – current  ($10)  $18   ($15)
State – current   178    230    165 
Deferred            
Income tax expense  $168   $248   $150 

 

A reconciliation of the Company’s effective income tax rate with the federal statutory rate is as follows:

 

   Fiscal Year 
   2013   2012   2011 
Federal statutory rate   35.0%   35.0%   35.0%
State income taxes, net of federal tax effect   1.4%   0.5%   4.6%
Change in valuation allowance   (30.9%)   (34.3%)   (32.8%)
Cash surrender value – insurance/ benefit programs   (4.2%)   (0.6%)   (1.1%)
Other   0.7%   0.1%   0.8%
Effective income tax rate   2.0%   0.7%   6.5%

 

The Other category is comprised of various items, including the impacts of non deductible meals, dues, penalties, amortization and graduated tax brackets.

F-13

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets are as follows:

 

   February 1,
2014
   February 2,
2013
 
   ($ in thousands) 
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS          
Accrued expenses  $846   $999 
Inventory   345    278 
           
Retirement and compensation related accruals   7,323    10,290 
Fixed assets   9,103    10,374 
Federal and state net operating loss and credit carryforwards   75,665    74,642 
Real estate leases, including deferred rent   2,492    2,299 
Losses on investments   1,234    1,221 
Goodwill   522    1,160 
Other   963    926 
Gross deferred tax assets before valuation allowance   98,493    102,189 
Less: valuation allowance   (98,493)   (102,189)
Total deferred tax assets  $   $ 
           
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES        
           
NET DEFERRED TAX ASSET  $   $ 

 

The Company has a net operating loss carryforward of $157.6 million for federal income tax purposes and approximately $244 million for state income tax purposes as of the end of Fiscal 2013 that expire at various times through 2032 and are subject to certain limitations and statutory expiration periods. The state net operating loss carryforwards are subject to various business apportionment factors and multiple jurisdictional requirements when utilized. The Company has federal tax credit carryforwards of $1.2 million, of which $0.2 million will expire in 2026, with the remainder available indefinitely. The Company has state tax credit carryforwards of $1.1 million, of which $0.3 million will expire in 2027.

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. Management considers the scheduled reversal of taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based on the available objective evidence, management concluded that a full valuation allowance should be recorded against its deferred tax assets. As of February 1, 2014, the valuation allowance decreased to $98.5 million from $102.2 million at February 2, 2013. The reduction in the Company’s deferred tax assets was caused primarily by the reversal of certain deductible temporary differences to offset income before income taxes earned in Fiscal 2013. Management will continue to assess the valuation allowance against the gross deferred assets.

 

During Fiscal 2013, Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011 the Company paid income taxes, net of refunds, of approximately $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the respective years is provided below. Amounts presented excluded interest and penalties, where applicable, on unrecognized tax benefits:

 

   Fiscal
2013
   Fiscal
2012
   Fiscal
2011
 
   ($ in thousands) 
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of the year  $2,078   $2,078   $2,308 
Increases in tax positions from prior years            
Decreases in tax positions from prior years            
Increases in tax positions for current year            
Settlements            
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations   (60)       (230)
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of the year  $2,018   $2,078   $2,078 
F-14

As of February 1, 2014, the Company had $2.0 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits, $1.5 million of which would affect the Company’s tax rate if recognized. While it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will increase or decrease within the next twelve months, the Company does not expect the change to have a significant impact on its results of operations or financial position.

 

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state jurisdictions. The Company has substantially concluded all federal income tax matters and all material state and local income tax matters through Fiscal 2009.

 

The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and penalties associated with its unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. During Fiscal 2013, the Company accrued a provision for interest and penalties of $0.1 million. As of February 1, 2014, the liability for uncertain tax positions reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets was $2.5 million, including accrued interest and penalties of $1.7 million.

 

Note 6. Leases

 

Leases – lessee

 

As more fully discussed in Note 9 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company leases its Albany, NY distribution center and administrative offices under three capital lease arrangements from its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and largest shareholder.

 

Fixed assets recorded under capital leases, which are included in fixed assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, are as follows:

 

   February 1,
2014
   February 2,
2013
 
   ($ in thousands)
Buildings  $9,342   $9,342 
Allowances for depreciation and amortization   (7,922)   (7,591)
   $1,420   $1,751 

 

At February 1, 2014, the Company leased 338 stores under operating leases, many of which contain renewal options, for periods ranging from one to ten years. Most leases also provide for payment of operating expenses and real estate taxes. Some also provide for contingent rent based on percentage of sales over a certain sales volume.

 

Net rental expense was as follows:

 

   Fiscal Year  
   2013   2012   2011 
   ($ in thousands)
Minimum rentals  $34,719   $39,591   $50,064 
Contingent rentals   31    43    91 
   $34,750   $39,634   $50,155 
F-15

Future minimum rental payments required under all leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms at February 1, 2014 are as follows:

 

    Operating
Leases
  Capital
Leases
    ($ in thousands)
2014   21,876     2,325
2015   14,295     1,779
2016   7,582    
2017   4,548    
2018   2,422    
Thereafter   3,710    
Total minimum payments required   54,433   $ 4,104
Less: amounts representing interest         2,100
Present value of minimum lease payments         2,004
Less: current portion         1,066
Long-term capital lease obligations       $ 938

 

In addition to the obligations in the table above, a number of the Company’s stores have leases which have rent payments based on the store’s sales volume in lieu of fixed minimum rent payments. During Fiscal 2013, minimum rent payments based on a store’s sales volume were $1.1 million.

 

Note 7. Benefit Plans

 

401(k) Savings Plan

 

The Company offers a 401(k) Savings Plan to eligible employees meeting certain age and service requirements. This plan permits participants to contribute up to 80% of their salary, including bonuses, up to the maximum allowable by IRS regulations. Participants are immediately vested in their voluntary contributions plus actual earnings thereon. As of March 1, 2011, the Company suspended its matching contribution. Effective May 1, 2013, the Company reinstated its matching contribution. Participant vesting of the Company’s matching and profit sharing contribution is based on the years of service completed by the participant. Participants are fully vested upon the completion of four years of service. All participant forfeitures of non-vested benefits are used to reduce the Company’s contributions or fees in future years. Total expense related to the Company’s matching contribution was approximately $331,000, $0 and $3,000 in Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Stock Award Plans

 

The Company has three employee stock award plans, the 1994 Stock Option Plan and the 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “Old Plans”); and the 2005 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan (the “New Plan”). Additionally, the Company had a stock award plan for non-employee directors (the “1990 Plan”). The Company no longer issues stock options under the Old Plans.

 

Equity awards authorized for issuance under the New Plan total 5.0 million. As of February 1, 2014, of the awards authorized for issuance under the Old Plans, New Plan and 1990 Plan, 2.9 million were granted and are outstanding, 2.3 million of which were vested and exercisable. Shares available for future grants of options and other share based awards under the New Plan at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013 were 2.7 million and 2.6 million, respectively.

 

Total stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for Fiscal 2013, Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011 was $0.3 million, $0.1 million and $0.3 million. For Fiscal 2013, Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011 the related total deferred tax benefit was $0. As of February 1, 2014, there was $0.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option awards that is expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.

F-16

The fair values of the options granted have been estimated at the date of grant using the Black - Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

   Stock Option Plan 
   2013   2012   2011 
Dividend yield   0%    0%    0% 
Expected stock price volatility   67.6%-75.2%    68.5%-76.8%    69.9%-75.4% 
Risk-free interest rate   0.85%-2.1%    0.69%-0.98%    1.42%-2.81% 
Expected award life ( in years)   4.92-6.98    4.92-6.98    4.92-6.98 
Weighted average fair value per share of awards granted during the year   $2.99    $1.70    $1.27 

 

The following table summarizes information about stock option awards outstanding under the Old Plans, New Plan and 1990 Plan as of February 1, 2014:

 

    Outstanding   Exercisable 
Exercise
Price Range
   Shares   Average
Remaining
Life
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
   Shares   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
 $0.00-$2.66    445,000    7.0   $2.09   $831,171    82,500   $2.08   $154,094 
 2.67-5.33    857,525    4.3    5.06        611,275    5.30     
 5.34-8.00    204,800    3.2    5.58        204,800    5.58     
 8.01-10.67    749,950    0.2    10.31        749,950    10.31     
 10.68-13.33                             
 13.34-16.00    649,915    1.2    14.32        649,915    14.32     
Total    2,907,190    2.9   $8.07   $831,171    2,298,440   $9.40   $154,094 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pretax intrinsic value based on the Company’s closing stock price of $3.96 as of January 31, 2014, which would have been received by the award holders had all award holders under the Old Plans, New Plan and 1990 Plan exercised their awards as of that date.

 

The following table summarizes stock option activity under the Stock Award Plans:

 

   Employee and Director Stock Award Plans 
   Number of
Shares Subject
To Option
   Stock Award
Exercise Price
Range Per Share
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Other
 Share
 Awards (1)
   Weighted
Average Grant
Date Value
 
Balance January 29, 2011   6,687,058   $0.98-$14.32   $6.80    192,822   $4.19 
Granted   310,000    1.73-2.31    2.02    279,898    1.63 
Exercised               (110,276)   2.57 
Forfeited   (12,925)   1.16-5.50    2.99        0.00 
Canceled   (857,282)   3.50-14.32    8.82        0.00 
Balance January 28, 2012   6,126,851   $0.98-$14.32   $6.28    362,444   $2.71 
Granted   305,000    2.53-3.05    2.76    10,491    3.53 
Exercised   (174,250)   0.98-3.50    3.31    (279,898)   1.63 
Forfeited   (703,750)   0.98-2.31    2.15        0.00 
Canceled   (889,942)   3.50-14.32    8.03        0.00 
Balance February 2, 2013   4,663,909   $0.98-$14.32   $6.45    93,037   $6.04 
Granted   285,000    3.48-4.87    4.74    11,620    4.30 
Exercised   (1,477,450)   0.98-3.50    3.29    (93,716)   5.42 
Forfeited   (305,000)   1.67-4.87    3.08        0.00 
Canceled   (259,269)   3.50-14.32    8.45        0.00 
Balance February 1, 2014   2,907,190   $1.73-$14.32   $8.07    10,941   $9.50 

 

  (1)Other Share Awards include deferred shares granted to Directors.
F-17

During Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company recognized expenses of approximately $50,000, $0 and $13,000, respectively, for deferred shares issued to non-employee directors.

 

($ in thousands)  Stock Option Exercises
   2013   2012   2011
Cash received for exercise price  $4,869   $564   $0
Intrinsic value   701    92    0

 

Defined Benefit Plans

 

The Company maintains a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) for certain Executive Officers of the Company. The SERP, which is unfunded, provides eligible executives defined pension benefits that supplement benefits under other retirement arrangements. The annual benefit amount is based on salary and bonus at the time of retirement and number of years of service.

 

Prior to June 1, 2003, the Company had provided the Board of Directors with a noncontributory, unfunded retirement plan (“Director Retirement Plan”) that paid retired directors an annual retirement benefit.

 

For Fiscal 2013, Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011, net periodic benefit cost recognized under both plans totaled approximately $1.5 million, $1.1 million, and $0.7 million, respectively. The accrued pension liability for both plans was approximately $16.3 million and $17.6 million at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, respectively, and is recorded within other long term liabilities. The accumulated benefit obligation for both plans was approximately $16.1 million and $17.4 million as of February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, respectively.

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans as of the most recent actuarial calculations:

 

Obligation and Funded Status:        
($ in thousands)  February 1,
2014
   February 2,
2013
 
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation:          
Benefit obligation at beginning of year  $17,585   $16,021 
Service cost   110    90 
Interest cost   657    638 
Actuarial (gain)/loss   (1,936)   199 
Benefits paid   (129)   (121)
Plan change   0    758 
Projected Benefit obligation at end of year  $16,287   $17,585 
           
Fair value of plan assets at end of year  $   $ 
           
Funded status  ($16,287)  ($17,585)
Unrecognized prior service cost   1,300    2,021 
Unrecognized net actuarial gain   (2,280)   (346)
Accrued benefit cost  ($17,267)  ($15,910)

 

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:

($ in thousands)  February 1,
2014
   February 2,
2013
 
           
Current liability  ($137)  ($151)
Long term liability   (16,150)   (17,434)
Add: Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss   (980)   1,675 
 Net amount recognized  ($17,267)  ($15,910)
F-18

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Other
Comprehensive (Income) Loss:

($ in thousands)

Net Periodic Benefit Cost:  Fiscal Year 
   2013   2012   2011 
Service cost  $110   $90   $147 
Interest cost   656    637    671 
Amortization of prior service cost   721    342    342 
Amortization of net gain   (2)   (1)   (448)
Net periodic benefit cost  1,485   1,068   712 

 

Other Changes in Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss:

Net prior service cost recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost  $(721)  ($342)        
Net actuarial gain recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost   2    1         
Prior service cost arising during the period   0    758         
Net actuarial losses / (gains) arising during the period   (1,936)   200         
    (2,655)   617         
Income tax effect                
Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss  ($2,655)  $617         
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost                  
and other comprehensive (income) loss  ($1,170)  $1,685         

 

The pre-tax components of accumulated other comprehensive income, which have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost as of February 1, 2014, February 2, 2013 and January 28, 2012 and the tax effect are summarized below.

 

($ in thousands)  February 1,
2014
   February 2,
2013
   January 28,
2012
 
Net unrecognized actuarial gain  ($2,280)  ($346)  ($547)
Net unrecognized prior service cost   1,300    2,021    1,605 
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss   (980)   1,675    1,058 
Tax expense   1,099    1,099    1,099 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  $119   $2,774   $2,157 

 

In Fiscal 2014, approximately $721,000 of net unrecognized prior service cost and approximately $143,000 of the net unrecognized actuarial gain, recorded as components of accumulated other comprehensive loss at February 1, 2014, will be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

 

Assumptions:

 

   Fiscal Year
   2013   2012
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation:         
Discount rate   4.25%    3.75%
Salary increase rate   4.00%    4.00%
Measurement date   Feb 1, 2014    Feb 2, 2013

 

   Fiscal Year 
   2013   2012   2011 
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:               
Discount rate   3.75%   4.00%   4.00%
Salary increase rate   4.00%   4.00%   4.00%
F-19

The discount rate is based on the rates implicit in high-quality fixed-income investments currently available as of the measurement date. The Citigroup Pension Discount Curve (CPDC) rates are intended to represent the spot rates implied by the high quality corporate bond market in the U.S. The projected benefit payments attributed to the projected benefit obligation have been discounted using the CPDC mid-year rates and the discount rate is the single constant rate that produces the same total present value.

 

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

 

Year   Pension Benefits  
($ in thousands)  
2014   137  
2015   127  
2016   197  
2017   1,079  
2018   1,201  
2019 - 2023   5,904  

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

($ in thousands)  Pension and
Other Benefit
 
February 2, 2013  ($2,774)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications   1,936 
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)   719 
February 1, 2014  ($119)

 

(1) Represents amortization of pension and other benefit liabilities, which is recorded in SG&A expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Note 8. Shareholders’ Equity

 

During Fiscal 2013, including shares purchased as part of a tender offer, the Company repurchased approximately 1 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $5.4 million. As of February 1, 2014, the Company has approximately $19.4 million available for purchase under their repurchase program.

 

In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2012, the Company declared and paid a special cash dividend of $0.47 per common share. On November 27, 2012, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “Administrative Agent”) and certain other parties to the amended credit facility agreed to consent to the use of a portion of the proceeds received from the sale of real property owned by Record Town, Inc. to pay the special cash dividend.

 

Note 9. Related Party Transactions

 

The Company leases its 181,300 square foot distribution center/office facility in Albany, New York from Robert J. Higgins, its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and largest shareholder, under three capital leases that expire in the year 2015. The original distribution center/office facility was occupied in 1985.

 

Under the three capital leases, dated April 1, 1985, November 1, 1989 and September 1, 1998, the Company paid Mr. Higgins an annual rent of $2.3 million, $2.3 million and $2.2 million in Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 respectively. Pursuant to the terms of the lease agreements, effective January 1, 2002 and every two years thereafter, rental payments will increase in accordance with the biennial increase in the Consumer Price Index. Under the terms of the lease agreements, the Company is responsible for property taxes, insurance and other operating costs with respect to the premises. Mr. Higgins does not have any future obligation for principal and interest. None of the leases contain any real property purchase options at the expiration of its term.

 

The Company leases one of its retail stores from Mr. Higgins under an operating lease. Annual rental payments under this lease were $40,000 in Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011. Under the terms of the lease, the Company pays property taxes, maintenance and a contingent rental if a specified sales level is achieved. Total additional charges for the store, including contingent rent, were approximately $3,800, $6,400 and $6,900 in Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 respectively.

F-20

Note 10. Subsequent Events

In the first quarter of Fiscal 2014, the Company declared and paid a special cash dividend of $0.50 per common share. No cash dividends were paid in 2013 or 2011. The Company’s Credit Facility contains certain restrictions related to the payment of cash dividends, including limiting the amount of dividends to $5.0 million annually. On March 5, 2014, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “Administrative Agent”) and certain other parties to the amended credit facility agreed to consent to the special cash dividend.

 

Note 11. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

 

   Fiscal 2013 Quarter Ended 
   Fiscal
2013
   February 1,
2014
   November 2,
2013
   August 3,
2013
   May 4,
2013
 
   ($ in thousands, except for per share amounts) 
Net sales  $393,659   $139,185   $79,772   $80,768   $93,934 
Gross profit   147,904    49,361    30,740    32,014    35,789 
Net income (loss)  $8,277   $12,533   ($3,315)  ($2,539)  $1,598 
Basic income (loss) per share  $0.25   $0.39   ($0.10)  ($0.08)  $0.05 
Diluted income (loss) per share  $0.25   $0.39   ($0.10)  ($0.08)  $0.05 

 

   Fiscal 2012 Quarter Ended 
   Fiscal
2012
   February 2,
2013
   October 27,
2012
   July 28,
2012
   April 28,
2012
 
   ($ in thousands, except for per share amounts) 
Net sales  $458,544   $163,449   $91,769   $91,038   $112,287 
Gross profit   172,122    59,752    34,737    35,818    41,815 
                          
Net income (loss)  $33,734   $35,012   ($2,188)  ($1,886)  $2,796 
Basic income (loss) per share  $1.07   $1.11   ($0.07)  ($0.06)  $0.09 
Diluted income (loss) per share  $1.06   $1.09   ($0.07)  ($0.06)  $0.09 

 

During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2012, the Company recorded a gain on the sale of an asset of $22.8 million. See Note 3 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail regarding the gain.

F-21

Index to Exhibits

Document Number and Description

 

Exhibit No.

3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation – incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 1994.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
3.2 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation – incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 29, 1994.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
3.3 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation – incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1998.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
3.4 Amended By-Laws – incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2000.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
3.5 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation—incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-75231.
   
3.6 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation—incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-75231.
   
3.7 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation—incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2000.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
3.8 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation - incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-A filed August 15, 2000. Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
4.1 Credit Agreement dated January 5, 2006, between Trans World Entertainment Corporation and Bank of America N.A. - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2006. Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
4.2 First Amendment to Credit Agreement between Trans World Entertainment Corporation and Bank of America N.A. – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 29, 2006. Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
4.3 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement between Trans World Entertainment Corporation and Bank of America N.A. – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 23, 2006. Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
4.4 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement between Trans World Entertainment Corporation and Bank of America N.A. – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 15, 2010.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
4.5 First Amendment to Credit Agreement between Trans World Entertainment Corporation and Wells Fargo; National Association dated May 4, 2012– incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 7, 2012.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
4.6 Consent dated November 27, 2012, pursuant to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2010 by and between Trans World Entertainment Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 27, 2012.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
4.7 Consent dated March 5, 2014, pursuant to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2010 by and between Trans World Entertainment Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 7, 2014.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
10.1 Lease, dated April 1, 1985, between Robert J. Higgins, as Landlord, and Record Town, Inc. and Trans World Music Corporation, as Tenant and Amendment thereto dated April 28, 1986 – incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-6449.
 
10.2 Second Addendum, dated as of November 30, 1989, to Lease, dated April 1, 1985, among Robert J. Higgins, and Trans World Music Corporation, and Record Town, Inc., exercising five year renewal option – incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the  year ended February 3, 1990. Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
10.3 Lease, dated November 1, 1989, between Robert J. Higgins, as Landlord, and Record Town, Inc. and Trans  World Music Corporation, as Tenant – incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the  year ended February 2, 1991.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
10.5 Lease dated September 1, 1998, between Robert J. Higgins, as Landlord, and Record Town, Inc. and Trans World Music Corporation, as Tenant, for additional office space at 38 Corporate Circle – incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 1998.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
10.6 Trans World Music Corporation 1990 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended and restated – incorporated herein by reference to Annex A to Trans World’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14A filed as of May 19, 2000. Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
10.7 Trans World Entertainment Corporation 1994 Stock Option Plan – incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 30, 1994.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
10.8 Form of Indemnification Agreement dated May 1, 1995 between the Company and its officers and directors incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 29, 1995.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
10.9 Trans World Entertainment Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended – incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on July 16, 2012.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
10.10 Employment Agreement, dated as of December 26, 2008, between the Company and Robert J. Higgins. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 29, 2008.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
10.11 Trans World Entertainment Corporation 2005 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to Trans  World Entertainment Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14A filed as of May 11, 2005.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
10.12 Trans World Entertainment Corporation Executive Officers Bonus Plan – incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to Trans  World Entertainment Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14A filed as of May 20, 2009.  Commission File No. 0-14818.
   
* 21 Significant Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
   
* 23 Consent of KPMG LLP.
   
*31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer dated April 17, 2014, relating to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2014, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15a-14(a).
   
*31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer dated April 17, 2014, relating to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2014, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15a-14(a).
   
**32 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Registrant, dated April 17, 2014, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 relating to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2014.
   
**101.INS      XBRL Instance Document
   
**101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
   
**101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
   
**101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
   
**101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
   
**101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

 

* Filed herewith

** Furnished herewith